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The true Settlement Of a CHRISTIANS FAITH, After ſhaking Aſſaults, by its own evi
Pointed at, in ſome ſpecial Inquiries thereon, in a LETTER to a Friend.
WITH Some ſerious Reflections on the preſent times we are in, and thoſe great Viciſſitudes of Providence, which have been in the publick State of BRITAIN in this laſt Age, in a II. Letter.
By a MINISTER of the GHOSPEL.
Printed in the Year 1692.
firſt Letter had a very providential and unexpected riſe, with reſpect to a Friend who I knew had as great aſſiſtances in the way of means as any, ſuitable to his caſe, yet finding the weight & exerciſe of his mind, have ſuch ſtrong influence to obſtruct that injoyment of ane intire reſt and fixedneſs of his Faith, which is the Chriſtians AlloLetter is of a much different nature from the first, where ſomethings may poſſibly ſeem a litle ſtrange, and the ſpirit and temper of moſt in this day not ſo eaſily bear, but they are ſpoke in the Words of Truth and Soberneſs; & in writing of both I have humble confidence to ſay it was with the furtheſt of light and perſuaſion, yea that the moſt ſerious part therein, was with my own ſpirit, to have that evidence in things of ſo high concern, as I might have peace and aſſurance herein before God, yet if I knew, there were any thing in the leaſt to prejudge that great Intereſt of Truth and Edification as the utmoſt aim I hope is propoſed herein, I ſhould count it my honor to retreat the ſame; but under ſome ſerious proſpect of an eternal State, and of appearing before the great Judge, I have deſired to know his Counſel, and reſt my ſoull on his approving Teſtimony alone.
An exceſſive deſire in ſuch an Epiſtolary way to ſpeak things in as few Words I could poſſibly, I fear may at the first view render ſomethings more dark. The Rea
1. That it is ſurely the greateſt deſigne can fall under the conſideration of mankind for men to have ſuch ane aſſurance of divine truth, as can both anſwer the greatneſſe of that adventure they have thereon, and can fully quiet and comfort the ſoul when viſible refuges, and humane aſſiſecurity, and quiet of his mind, upon the truth, anſwers to ſo great a Revelation hereof, and to know he is thus on ſure terms with God, on the whole adventures of his truſt; when it is ſo near to adventure on the triall thereof in the laſt deciſion of there eternal ſtate; yea when thus they know how to enjoy a promiſe for there ſupport in this ſtate of warefare, under a long deferred hope, tho the whole courſe of providence would ſeem to controul the ſame, knowing the ground they anchor on cannot poſſibly faill: ſince this ſhould be the ultimate Inquiry about the event, that it is ſure they have a divine teſtimonie to warrant there confidence, and if the higheſt joy and comfort omilitant state; it muſt need ſome higher degrees of aſſurance, and inward eſtabliſhproper ſtock of his own, of theſe ſpecial aides and aſſiſtances as may be at hand in ane hour of tryall, for how can the life, and ſerious work of GodliChriſtianity means, and the high conſequence of ſuch a diſtinguishing profeſſion, from the reſidue of mankind, or is there any ſuitable exerciſe of reaMethuſelahs age to paſs within time, this ſhould be a ſuienquire, and admire on the aſſured hope of ane eternity with God, which they have before them, and that they are to enter into a ſtate, where they ſhall be in the ſame Claſſe with the Angels of Heaven, and made equal unto them; I have known ſuch who for many years have been dazled
Mysterie of Christ and of life, and immortality in a future ſtate, as hath made it there continued and higheſt exerciſe, to have a further, and new ſtrenthning of there faith herein, who yet all that time knew not what it was to be ſhRevelation of the Ghoſpel, ſo great a thing, and there ſpirits ſo deeply ſeaſed with the wonders of our Religion, that whatever did tend to a higher ſtrenthning of their faith herein, was alſo the greateſt addition to their joy, and in that ſence did moſt underſtand ſuch a ſaynunquam ſatis magna ſecuritas in re tanti momenti ubi periclitatur aeternitas.
But in the next place what thoughts I would humbly offer to one of ſo knowing and judicious a ſpirit, and where ſo great aſſiſtances you may have acceſs to improve otherways, directive way upon a ſevenfold inquiry, that may be of greateſt weight for a Chriſtians laying the ground work of their profeſſion on ſolid and clear grounds, which lyes firſt here.
1. To know that rare and peculiar order that is ſuitable in a Chriſtians firſt entry on Religion, unentrance, and a progreſſe, and that it is ſure in the whole frame of Christianity there is ſo entire a correſline of mutual reſpect, which in that manner runs through the ſame, as ane entry aright upon one ſtep, muſt make way to render a further pro
1. That a Chriſtian ſhould once make it ſuch a proper and ſolemn buſineſs, and work by it ſelf, to attain a ſolid founding, and ſettlement of their faith on the truth, and to ſiſt his ſoul in ſuch a manner, as if he were then to enter on the Chriexample, education, or influence of any humane authority, or whatever any external motives could have weight herein, ſince in a caſe of that high condiſcriminating a profeſſion, from the reſidue of the world, and did thus with full inward conſent join in with the truth purely on its own evidence, as though there were none of that profeſſion in the bounds and place they lived in.
2. As the naturall order of things should require that the foundation be ſure laid, ere we begin to build; ſo is it ſure that the firſt entry on ſerious Religion, muſt be on the Faith of the divine nature, and exiſtence, and that men have aſſuredly a God to truſt to, and to make them happy, as
Hebr. 11: 6. he muſt firſt beleeve that he is, &c. and in the ſame order, John 17. 3. muſt beleeve him to be the only true God, ere he come to beJeſus Chriſt whom he hath ſent: O how uncurſe, and torment, then bl
if there were no ſupernatural help above himſelf, againſt the ea Deity, or enjoiment of a Godhead, if we know not with aſſurance alſo, the Excellencies of his bleſsed nature, and what a God we have to adventure on.
3. Thus by ane unavoidable conſtraint there muſt be a further progreſſe, and enquirie upon the certaintie of a revealed rule of correſpondence, betwixt God and man here, both in order to dudivine record, when we ſee in what eſtate poor mankind were in if ſuch a ſure way of commerce were not betwixt the
boundaries betwixt good, and evil, by that unrule of ſubjection, and relation we ſtand under to him; then heaven and earth were shut up from correſpondence together by any eſtablished rule for the ſame; then should the moſt excellent and eſſentiall part of man, his immortall ſoul, have no directive or comforting light as to his future ſtate, and ſafe paſſage thereto, whilſt the viſible creation hath a ſun to shine thereon; when ſuch is the way to life as by the greateſt improvements of nature it can be neither found nor followed; then should that rare ſtructure, and workmangrace here, and of glory and bleſſedneſs to come, be a terra incognita to poor mankind, and as man only in this lower creation is capable of moral Goverment and humane lawes, which yet can extend no further, then their viſible work, and actions, if ſuch a bleſſed record were not, there should be no eſtablishment of laws to the whole inward man, no rule of regulation to the heart, and this inward world, would be ſuboriginal, and riſe, nor any relief for the ſame, we might diſcern the truth of inviſible
adverſaries, and of ſome great deſign they have againſt us, as clearly as any object of ſenſe, but we could know no ſecurity from them by ane inviſible guard, or the way how to reſiſt ſuch a party, then should the work and conduct of providence be wholly unintelligible to us, and have our eyes shut on theſe wonders hereof which exluminary of the Scripture, did not contilight of divine truth hath its proper ſphere where it is fixed, and shines forth in the Chriſtan Chureh; ſo the whole world beſide, is a place where horror, falshood, and impiety does viſibly raign.
4. But this muſt lead men of a ſerious ſpirit to a further enquiry, upon that eſſential difference, which is betwixt the revealed rule of our Religion, and any other way, that pretends thereto as there is betwixt light, and darkneſs, which is not founpoſitive inſtitution only, but in the immutable nature of theſe things themſelves; and tho I deſign to ſpeak more fully to this hereafter, yet should this be of higheſt uſe to ſtrenthen the Chriſtian faith, to look in with the ſerious uſe of reaſon on the whole frame of Paganiſme, as it was in ancient times, or of Mahumetiſme in
purity of its rule, or any internal evidence of truth, or poſſible conſiſtence with its ſelf; ſo that to have no ſenſe or beleef of the glorious being of God, is not worſe, or more dreadful, then to have the higheſt contudivine nature, and which tends rather to juſtify Atheiſm. This enquiry were it ſuitably improven could not but render that dilemma unanſuerable, either a Chriſtian or of no Religion at all; either that which we enjoy according to the Laws, and conſtitutions of the Chriſtian faith, or elſe an abſonullity as to all Religion, and that no ſuch ſacred thing had a being on the earth.
INQUIRY II. But as it is not poſſible to hold by the truth of a Godhead or to have any trew enChriſtian Faith; ſo muſt the firſt entry hereof be on the old Teſtament, and by a neceſſar reſult upon this inquiry, if the God of truth gave ſuch a promiſe of a redeemer to mankind after the fall, and that on this great aſſurance, the faith of the ancient Church did entirly reſt; that ſo glorious a perſon as the Meſſias
should come, and be anointed to that work of redeemingman, and bringing him again to God; ſince tGhoſpel, for the faith of the new Teſtament, is not attainable elſe, but in ſuch an order and ſettlement of our faith in the old, and hath ane abſolute dependance on the ſame; wherein the weight of this enquiry lyes. 1. To ſee the truth, and nature of that promiſe, which was the first immediate object of the Churches faith, to be irrevocable, and abſolute, and given to be declaraoriginal right, and warrant of all other promiſes, which doe wholly center in him, in whom they are yea, and amen. 3. As a proGod wil in very deed bear ſuch regard to man; this being a truth of that concern as it might ſeem ſtrange how one day should paſs over men, without ſome freſh reviving of ſuch a reflection. 4. To ſee how high a value, and account God put upon that one promiſe, by ſo long a delay, and procraſtination of the ſame, as a profor 4000. Years. 5. This enquiry muſt lye here, to ſee the firſt entry of the Chriſtian Faith on the world in its preciſe time, and date, and how ſuch a light did not shine on Adam, and Eve in the ſtate of perfection, whilſt they ſtood in a ſtate of tryal upon a perfect obemankind as in that of the fallen angels,) whereby the final condemnatory ſentence on the one, and releef for the other were made known, and promulgate together, and the room of the first Adam, filled up with a higher glory by the ſecond. 6. How this bleſſed light (tho with a gradual increaſe,) did never ceaſe to shine on this world ſince it began to dawn, nor hath there ever ceaſed a peculiar people in a Church relation, who were diſtinct, and ſeparate from the reſidue of men, whoſe profeſſion was founded in the alone faith of a redeemer, ſo as one day hath not been, ſince the firſt entry of that promiſe, wherein, the ſun did shine on the earth, when the ſun of righteouſneſs did not shine alſo by vital influences of light, and power, and where the Churches head, had not ſome part of his body here to converſe with as the peculiar objects of his complaiſance, and love, and did rejoice in the habitable parts of the earth; tho that ſome ages
ingathering of his elect to any ſpecial periods of time; or let each age want a share of this glory, and of a ſeed to be as ſalt to the earth. 7. But this enquiry goes further, to ſee theſe meaevidence, and divine condeshendence, which was given to ſupport the faith of the anocular diſcovery, to the outward ſence, as in the whole frame and ſucceſſive courſe of the legal ſacrifices, and theſe numerous figures, and types in that long preparatory ſervice; wherein he did not let his people feed on aſshes, naked shadows, and where nothing was inept or uſleſs, but was expreſly ſignificative, of that higheſt myſtery of Christ, and could poſſibly bear no other ſence, or intent; and ſince the whole ſtreſs of the Chriſtian Faith lyes upon this one promiſe, or what can make the ſtate of man valeuable, in any true enjoiement of his life here, its on this head should be ſett the firſt ſettlement of our faith; for I know no releef, but in a promiſed redeemer, and if it were not for the old Teſtament, I could not poſſibly be a Chriſtian; if the morning, and growing-light, of that glorious myſtery, had not gone before its meridian hight, and as a clear conduct to the next ſtep, I shall enter on
A III. INQUIRY, to know that this fundamental promiſe of a redemers coming to the world
is aſſuredly made good, and is no more a matter of faith, but of ſenſe, that its ſure our eyes ſee ſuch a day, and long expected period of time, and can be no dark or doubtful thing now to be a Chriold Teſtament, and ceaſe to credit its divinity, and no comfort could be from the ſame; if it had yet failed in this great event, and what is the main intent thereof for if the promiſed Meſſias were yet to come, I could then look for none, ſince all theſe proper circumſtances, which are ſo expreſly foretold, whereby to know and diſcern him, muſt be wholly made void, and ane utter nullity should be in that faith. 2. Becauſe I could not poſſibly look for the accomplishment of that promiſe, according to the whole tenor of the old Teſtament, in another way then what we have hereof in the revelation of the Ghoſpel; yea were it ſuppoſable that the Meſſias were yet to come; is is ſure I could only look and expect for his acting the ſame part and in the ſame appeaantient creed of the Church herein, with that which is ours, now under the diſpenſation of the Ghoſpel, and ſee whither they be not entirely on in ſubſtance,
redeemer, with this variapromiſed, and the other on the certainty of its accomplishment, ſo as that may be as applicable, to Moſes, Iſaia, and Daniel with other of the Prophets, as to the Evangeliſts, what is ſpoke by John Chap. 20: v. 31. But theſe are written that ye might beleeve that Jeſus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that beleeving you might have life through his name; where we may ſee there could be no humane contrivance, in this joint concurring for the ſame end, and by the ſame ſpirit: but yet more ſpecialy lyes the weight of this enquiry, to ſee, 1. how the moſt ſolemn times of the old Testament was ſtill a waiting, and expecting time, and that their higheſt enjoiments, lay in hope of that glory to be revealed in after ages, when the ſeal should be taken off that great P
then ſealed up, and how the whole diſpenſation of that time was preparatory, and as a prelude to that great deſign of grace, which was to be brought forth. 2. How the breaking up of Ghoſpel, and its firſt entry on the world, had its preciſe time, and date, as that which was ſo abſolutly neceſſare, for a more clear ſettling of the Chriſtian Faith, this being a matter of fact, and of the higheſt import that ever was, and was ane external object of Senſe, in the view of the World, which laid an inevitable conſtraint, on the whole Chriſtian Church, then to have it
Iſraels coming out of Egypt in a typical reſpect, was a night, and time of ſuch great obſervation, and that the Lord did put hereon, ſo ſpecial a weight, with reſpect to the punctual and preciſe time hereof; ſo was this in a more eminent way, to when and in what time, the great univerſal good, and bleſſing of mankind, our bleſſed redeemer, was revealed unto the World, which should begin a new week, and that ſolemn Epocha, whence wee reckon the Churches entry on the higheſt glory of time, and on a new ſtate. 4. Hereon hath that ſolemn obſervation of the first day of the week, as the Lords day both its ripreciſe time, both of the ſufferings, and reſurrection, of the Lord, in matter of fact; as that day and time was, which had a glory put thereon, that none elſe could poſſibly claim, and no time ever ſince that glas, ſett up to their creation, was like unto this, yea which was wholly impoſſible to fix the Chriſtian Church on the obſervation heremorning stars ſung together, and the Sons of God shouted for joy, at the firſt entry of
new World, and it may be ſpecially remarauthoritative way, both to try and truſt the love of his people herein, that what he had done for them, put ſo ſtrong ane enforcment and impoſition, to a frequent and ſolemn remempoſitive inſtitution this way, the more ſtrenthfaith, and more excitlove herein, were it ſeriouſly conſidered, 5. And of what weight ſhould this enquiry be ſtill on mens ſpirits, that our hope leans novv no more on a promiſe, on which the Saints of old did both live and die, when this makes ſo eſſential a change in the Chriſtian Faith, that vvhat ane Abraham and Moſes was ſaved by cannot poſſibly ſave us, to beleeve in a Redeemer to come, which would now be abſolutly mortall, nay not in generall terms to beleeve that he is come, but to knovv and be ſure, that this is he whom the Fathers ſealed, and ſent unto the World, and he alone who in the dayes of Tiberius, and Pontius Pilate ſuffered at Jeruſalem.
A IV. INQUIRY, which ſuitably followes here, is to look in upon the glory of that time under the new Teſtament, vvhich vvas peculiarly reſerved thereto; and on theſe publick declarative ſigns to the World, whereby our Redeemer was declared to be the Son of God, with power,
ſpirit of Holineſs, ſo as it may be ſaid the Lord did then ſet up Signs and Wonders to this very day, with a more eminent luſtre then theſe at the Churches outgoing from Egypt; but ſince in the times we live in, you may find more to ſhake and ſtagger then to ſtrengthen your ſpireall Apoſtacy may be ſeen from the Chriſtian Faith this day in the Reformed Churches, whilſt that choice ſpirit of the Bereans ſeems rarely to be found in the earth, I ſhall touch but a little this great ſubject in ſome inſtances, wherein our blest Redeemer after his Aſcenſion hath ſtill made himſelf viſible before the World in the glory of his divine Power, and are of ſuch kind, as no diſtance of time can take off that ir
1. That tho in his bodily preſence, ſince he left the World, he is no object any more of huviſible in his goings forth to conquer and eſtablish a Kingdom to himſelf out of all Nations, Tongues and Languages, even to the utmoſt parts of the earth; and ſince I know you can improve ſome Reflections on this Head, bejond what I can ſpeak thereon, I ſhall the more briefly point at a few. 1. That it is knowen and ſure, how moſt of the habitable World beſides Judaea, was in times paſt Pagan, and a place of horror and darkneſs, and theſe parts
dark places of the earth, full of the Habitations of Cruelty, where our Ancestors of whom we are come, did SacriGods of the Heathens. 2. It is evident and undeniable in the matter of Fact, that within leſs then ſixty Years after the Aſcenſion of the Lord, the viſible extent of the Christian Church among the Nations which had been then Heathen, did exceed what it is this day; and ſince any extraordinar effect when it comes in our ſight, should cauſe a deep Inquiry upon the cauſe hereof, is not this a matter of the higheſt concern, that ever was, even in the preſent day to be taken up with that made then ſo ſtupendious a change on the face of mankind, and was as the bringing forth of a new World. 3. And here is it poſſible to queſtion, that this wonderful thing which did ſo viſibly then change the whole face of the earth, was by the alone evidence and vertue of Sacred Truth, and the pure Revelation of Christ in the Myſtery of his Death and Sufferings, wherein no humane Power could boaſt that their Arm or Sword did bring this about; as I know it will be ſweet and convincing thus to ſee under what inChristian Church was both planted and propogate in the earth and moſt ſavage parts thereof, ſo that whatever reſpect Princes and viKingdom of Christ, yet is it fully demonſtrable that it's true interest and conquest was never beholden to humane aſſiſtance,
primitive times, then alſo did the Glory and Luſtre of the Chriſtian Religion begin to darken, and decline. 4. As it was ſurely reſerved to the Ghoſpel State of the Church, to be the Theater of the greatest Wonders both of Providence, and Grace, bejond all that had been known to the World before, and that in the times of the New Teſtament, theſe great things which should be matter of higheſt obſervation, and out of the ordinare road of Gods dealing with his Church then was to be expected, ſo you can ſee with full evidence, that this great and extraordinare appearance of God unto men, had been never known on the earth before, or any ſuch outgoing of his Power ſince the beginning of time, which was only reſerved to follow the day of Christ, and his Aſcenſion, as the firſt entry of glorious Scene, which was to be acted under Ghoſpel. 5. And here alſo this Reflection is anavoidable, how the God of this World was not eaſily put off his viſible Throne, which he had ſo infernal ſpirits ere they were caſt down was then very ſtrong, and put forth to the utDivi
in ſuch a manner, as the Paganiſm was then raz'd and exRecords of the first times, you can ſee the en
2. But it is yet a further Inquiry should be made on this Head, to ſee not only the outgoing of the Lord Jeſus in the Glory of his Power ſince his Aſcenſion, for ſetting up his viſible Kingdom in the World, and extent of the Chriſtian Profeſſion, but in the reality of that vital influence on the ſouls of men, with ſo great and wonderful a change thus made on them from the reſidue of mankind. This, I doubt not, will be a ſubject of great thoughts and reflection to you, and should be a matter of higher concern to any of a ſerious ſpiNew Teſtament, there hath been innumerable example of the truth and power of Holineſs, ſucceſſively from one age to another, in whom it might be no more diſcernable, that they walked in the verhumane ſoull, then that they did truly walk before men in the light and power of Chriſtianity, and under that viſible influence of inward Grace, as all might ſee to be above the
natural cauſes. 2. If this were more deeply ſearch'd into, to ſee what does eſtentially belong to the frame and conſtitution of one reall Chriſtian, and what a marvelous Power muſt be put forth herein, it could not but be in another manner affecting, and afford a Seall to the Chriſtian Faith, as does exceed the greateſt external Miracles; when it's ſure one example of ſuch, who is truly converted by grace, and made partaker of the Divine nature, is ſo ſtupendious a work as does far exceed both the power and comprehenAngels, yea that the Glory of the Godhead does more eminently ſhine forth in the first frame, in the conduct, and perſiting of one Christian, then either in the first frame of man in his ſtate of perfection, or of the illuminate Angels, ſince this is to make Saints of Sinners, to turn ſuch from a ſtate of enmity, and inbred oppoſition to the Holy God to be Lovers of him, and ſubdue their ſoulls in that manner, as with inward deGhoſpel to let us ſee how one converted Christian is a higher deChristian Faith, then a thouſand ordinare Profeſſors hereof, and may fully ſilence ſuch a Question, why it is, that the Saints are not more numerous in the World, comparativenumerous Examples yet are to be found of this kind in the earth, of whom each, is one of the greatest of the Works of God, and infinitely becoming the exceeding greatneſs of his Power put forth herein; yea are ſuch Examples, where the Truth and Excellency of Grace does in any eminency shine forth, as may juſtly ſupply the Room of Miracles, which were given in the first times to be confirming to the Christian Faith; that theſe hath aſſuredly been, and I hope are this day not a few, who doe with deſire choiſe to preferr their Services for God, to the greateſt comconflicts and aſſaults in their ſpiritual courſe, as go above the poſſibility of nature to withſtand. 3. And what a wonder may one Chriſtian be, who does converſe with God here on the earth, both to himſelf and others, who hath ſuch near enjoyments of the divine preſence, hath ſuch aElect Angels to be both their guard and obſervers; and tho the Saints above return no more to converſe with us, yet is it not queſtionable, but that they have the ſame proſpect of the outgoings of providence towards the Saints yet militant, & as to their ſervices, trialls, and victories, which the Angels have to whom they are now made equal, and in the ſame
return of their prayers in behalfe of ſuch who are on the earth, for whom they had wreſtled with God whilſt they were upon it; yea that the joy which is in Heaven, and in the preſence of the Angels, on the converſion of ſinners reſpects the whole Church triumphant; and I humbly judge even in that ſence may the inHebr. 12: 1. as to ſuch a cloud of Witneſſes &c.
3. Let me referr you to one great inſtance alſo, wherein our Redeemer hath in ane eminent way made himſelf viſible before the World ſince his Aſcenſion, which is in the greatneſs of that ſeall of Martyrdom, where you may ſee with joy and admiration that as he did alott the highest diſcoveries of his love unto lost man to the day of the Ghoſpel, ſo did he reſerve unto theſe times, the highest Teſtimony and triall of the Love of Mankind to him. This is a great Subject, tho it be eaſily paſt without a ſuitable weight and impresſeall in the matter of fact is not poſſible to queſtion. 2. And that it's ſure there was no perſonated ſhew in theſe unexpreſſible ſufthe New Teſtament conflict with a ſhMiracle be ſuch as
most excellent of the earth ſhould upon choiſe act ſuch a part of imbracing death under the greateſt torments, when their life and the enjoyments of time was ſet before them, if they had not been acted by a Divine Spirit, and knew theſe unHead you can ſee and comLegal Sacrifices under the Old Testament, which were figurative and typical, and theſe freewil offerings and oblations of love by Martyrdom under the Ghoſpel, which were offered up as a publick confirmatory Seall to the Divinity of Christ, and that the deſire of all Nations was now come; how the one did in a myſtery, and under a vaile conRedeemer to come, the other with the higheſt evidence of power did atteſt his being come, and ſeall this Teſtimony with their Blood, the one from a temporary and poſitive Inſtitution, the other not only under a conſtraint of light, but an impoſition of love, by the Spirit of Christ, and of Glory resting on them was thus offered up, and as to the quality of theſe Sacrifices: how great a difference was herein? the one only of Beasts, wherein the Lord would
typical, but now after the great propitiation was offered up, theſe Sacrifices of Love was not only of men, but of the moſt excellent of humane race, who in purity and holineſs were the greateſt ornament of the earth in their day, the number whereof ſince the Aſcenſion of Chriſt, is of that extent as can be only known by him who counts the number of the Stars, ſo innumerable have they been; yea as to the expence and allowance of ſo high a ſervice, men can not exerce reaſon, and not ſee it did not only anſwer but exceed the meaſure of their ſufFlames of Love in which they were offered, was more prevalent then theſe of the Fire. 4. And is it not matter of ſweet Reflection herein, that as the incomprehenſible Love of God unto man is the admiration of the elect Angels, ſo this illuſtrious teſtimony of humane Love unto God, is not only made conſpicous to them, but is both the foile and torment of the Powers of Darkneſs, to ſee ſuch a triumph of the Power of Grace amongſt men here on the earth made viblest Head hath aſſigned ſuch a meaſure of his ſufferings, as a teſtimony to the truth to be filled up by his People, under the times of the New Testament, and to take a higher tryall of the love of mankind herein to him, then he would take even of the love of the bleſſed Angels, ſo hath this Teſtimony with the cleareſt and undeniable evi
But there is a 4. ſpecial Inſtance of the out goings of our Redeemer in a viſible diſcovery of himſelf to the World ſince his Aſcenſion, which is in the ſucceſſive courſe of the Ghoſpel amongst the Nations, and theſe remarkable Periods of the riGentiles have their appointed times, which muſt be fulfilled, Luke 21: v. 24. wherein the fulneſs thereof muſt be brought in Rom. 11: 25. which Scriptures bear expreſly the ſame intent, but it's now many ages, ſince theſe times of the Gentiles hath been fulfilled both in Aſia and Africa, where the Ghoſpel in its courſe at the Sun, hath had its firſt upbreaking, hen in the Eaſt, and its progreſs to the Weſt and Northern Parts of the Earth. 2. That it is clear, theſe times of the Gentiles, and the fulneſs thereof, is to be only underſtood in a diſtinct and ſeparate State from the Jews, ſo that as the Jewish Church once had their proper times allotted them in a ſeGentiles had their times under the New Teſtament, peculiar to them only; and the Spirit of God hath there expreſly ſhewed, that this great Revolution in the incalling of the Jews to the Chriſtian Faith, is not to be expected until theſe times be once accomplish'd, when there ſhall be then no more diſtinguishing names of
Jew and Gentile, and no proper intereſt owned by them in a divided way as formerly, but that the Lord shall be one, and his name one, in that bleſſed frame of his univerſal Kingdom; it's in the faith hereof my ſoull does reſt. 3. How far theſe ſett times of the Gentiles, and of the coming in of the fulneſs thereof, be accomplisht, will in due time be diſcloſed, and with humble ſoGentile Church, with the shutting up of theſe times, and a very low ebb, & great darkneſs on the whole Weſtern Churches, before the riſing again of the Glory of that Light, and return of the Sun to the Eaſt again; and how it ſtands now with the publick State of the Gentile Churches any where, you can more fitly judge and diſcern.
There is a V. INQ: yet for a more full ſettleChriſtian Faith, that I would ſeriouwhole frame and nature of that pure and excellent Religion we profeſſe, and the intrinſick perfections thereof; which beſide the Authority of divine Inſtitution, you may ſee founded in the immutable nature and eſſence of the ſame, and thus have your ſoull rais'd to adGod, whoſe Excellencies are with that evidence herein diſplay'd, as it is not poſſible for men to be more bleſt in the earth,
Divinity and Perfections of the Moral Part of our Religion, ſo that if men would ſee in a true mirror what the Hoiy inviſible God is like in his bleſſed Reſemblance, lo here is it clearly preſented to them, and ſince any diſcovery of ſuch a Light, I know you prefer much above the Light of the Sun on this earth, as that alone which renders the ſtate of man to be deſirable; I would touch this a little as may afford ſome reflections oHead, which may be, in the very notion therefirst place, to fix your ſpirit on, is to ſee in what manner the great deſign of the Ghoſpel, for the ſaving of lost man is layd, in that myſtery of the Humiliation and Sufferings of our Redeemer, and how this way the Majeſty of God would take ſatisfaction to himſelf, and his infinite Juſtice, by himſelf, which otherwiſe was not attainable; I know that to look in an ordinare manner hereon, might be ready to ſhake your ſpirit with aſtonishment, that the Divine Majeſty should aſcribe to himſelf ſuch an abaſement, as to join in the humane nature in an union with the Deity, yea thus to be exſufferings, that could poſſibly be allotted to the moſt Criminal amongſt men, but it's in ſuch a choiſe enquiry you will find your eſtablishment and admiration
Angels on this ſubject, who look in hereon with joy and wondriug. 2. You muſt ſee herewith alſo, how of ſuch a nature is this bleſſed Religion you enjoy, as can never be known or enjoyed by men until it be enlivened from Heaven, or be poſſibly taken up or underſtood in a natural way, as humane ſciences are, but muſt have anteacher then men, and a faculty and power ſupernatural, to know and diſcern the things of God herein; yea how in its vvhole couſtitution it is made up of theſe great Excellencies of Light and Life, which do inſeperably meet here; whoſe evidence lyes in ſeeing, and not in report or a naSun is made known by its own beams and light; and it were indeed ſad, if the Sun of Righteouſneſs did not this day shine with as full evidence to men in this Lower Orb of the Ghoſpel, as the Meridian Daylight is to our natural ſenſe, to let us ſee both the greatneſs and ſecurity of our hope, yea that we are deſigned for an Eternal State, & muſt therefore ſeek after a Bleſſedneſs as will laſt as long as our immortal ſouls that cannot perish. 3. But this will neceſſarily carry your thoughts further, to ſee how the Chriſtian Faith does not only with full evidence manifest it ſelf by its own Light, but does the more brightly apoppoſition of darkneſs, and of every falſe way and pretence of Religion, and how the
eſſential Differences betwixt the ſame are as fully ethe way of truth hath ſurely that vital air and fragrancy herewith, and ſuch a native luſtre, as is no more poſſible for humane art and invention to repreſent, then it were to draw a living man on a broad, or for one to draw forth the natural ſent of a Violet or Roſe. 4. It is here alſo you will find it ſpecially ſtrengthning to ſee the nature of theſe ſervices, which belong to the Chriſtian Faith, how here is nothing that is ſervile, or to affright any to come under ſuch a bleſſed yoke, which in its whole conſtitution is ſo full of a Holy ſweetneſs to allure, and impoſeth no Law of Bondage on the ſpirits of men, but what hath inward motives to render it both eaſy and comforting, does preſcribe no duty to be a task, and no ſervice but from love, and where the Moral Law is purely Evangelick, and admiHands of Mediator, yea of ſuch a nature is the whole obedience and ſervices of the Chriſtian Faith, as you may clearly ſee that duty on the matter, is not anough, where there is not a ſuitableneſs thereto in the manner of folleading motives and principles be purely for God; nor can the way of his ſervice be truly followed until his revealed Law have an internal efficacy on mens ſoull, and
Moral Rule of Ghoſpel Obedience be turned
this is a Reflection I ſhould commend much to your thoughts, that hath ſuch irreſiſtable evidence therewith for your eſtablishment in the truth, to ſee, how that bleſt way, which God hath eſtablished to bring man again to himſelf, is ſuch as no length in any external part, or the outworks hereof can bear weight, if there be not a vital influence on the ſoull, nor does its intereſt ever ſubſiſt in the World by humane Power or Authority, but by an internal eſtablishment of the ſame from its own evidence on the ſpirits of men. 5. It is here you may ſee likewiſe, how the whole Conſtitutions of the Chriſtian Faith are ſuch, as its highest Glory and Triumph here on the earth, is ſtill moſt condarkest night of Affliction and Trouble, and in the moſt remarkable depths thereof; this is ſurely a great diſcovery, and a ſtrange riddle to nature, which ſtands in an expaſſive valour of Chriſtianity, yea thus puts the moſt dichoiſest Favourites;
But there is a VI. INQUIRY, I muſt further direct you to without which no evidences of the truth, can be truly effectual on your ſoull; which is on that wonderful part of Chriſtianity, that
inward experience, and is the very life and ſoull of our Religion. The greatSubject makes it more difficult to ſpeak hereon, now in a short Epiſtolary Diſcourſe, but it shall be in as few words as is poſſible, only to point at ſuch things as may tend to more clear and ſolid impreſſions of this Myſtery, and make way for your own ſearch and tryall of the ſame; and I hope I may ſay they are things, which have not been taken on report. or have found it eaſy to be ſatisfyed herein, as to a full acquieſcence in the truth and aſſurance thereof; but it's to a few ſpecial ends I would refer your ſerious improvegreat Inquiry.
1. For this end that a clear notion and Idaea of ſpiritual experience of the things of God, may be more deaply ſetled on your ſpirit, and how in theſe reſpects it is to be underſtood: 1. that God hath directed his Sacred Truth unto men not only for trust, but for tryall, which is a tryall of that nature, & ſtated on ſo great and wonderful things, that the whole vital part of Religion should be a ſtrange and dark thing until you be once entred hereon; they are bleſſed who beeleve and have not yet ſeen what relates to the State of Glory above, but they can never be bleſt who do not ſee, as well as beleeve what belongs to the life and enjoyments of Grace within time, in the truth of inward experience. 2. It is here muſt be underſtood the firſt Acquaintance of men with the Spirit of God;
acquaintance of that concern, as the Lord hath laid over the weight of his peoples ſpientry on converſe with ſpirits, and with God, the Father of ſpirits, which ſhall be eternal. 3. It is ſuch, as hath a diſtinct evidence from any moral influence by the Word or light to the judgment; and is the proper object of ſpiritual ſenſe, which no humane power, or Angels can impart, but God hath reſerved only to himſelf, who can only make his own love known to the ſoul, and no repoſſeſſion in ſome degree of divine truth, and theſe great things promiſed, as a earnest in hand, to aſsure them that the rest shall not faill tho it adds no ſecurity to the truth of the promiſe, but for a more abounding aſſucommon, and joint interest amongſt Chriproper, and diſtin
in the truth of inward experience, which is his peculiar interest and talent, and it's ſure nointernal demonſtrations of the truth they profeſſe, in the power and vertue thereof; and to know what great things hath paſſed between God and their own ſoul, and what remarkable times hath gone over
kind as none poſſibly can take on truſt, from the teſtimony of others, or will ſatisfy without perſonal tryall, tho this be more known to ſuch who by reaſon of uſe have their ſenſes exerciſed to diſcern good and evil Hebr. 5: 14. 7. But whatever ſingular uſe is hereby to the ſupport of our Faith, yet are they not the grounds thereof; ſince theſe are only, what God hath ſpoke in his word, and not what he hath done in his work; tho they are at a great loſs who have begun late to obſerve the ſame: it is true the greateſt talent, which is by inward obſervation, and experiments which have been moſt deeply affecting in the preſent time; does not abide in the ſame ſenſe, and fealing, and mayly as a dead ſtock upon a Chriſtians hand, without freſh, and immediate ſupplies; yet are they ſtill the ſame in the truth thereof, and does ever eviexact, and judicious tryall, as to the principles it leans on, withexperience by right, as in poſseſſion, and that theſe great things are no shadowes or aptruth, ſubſtance, and reality. 9. It is ſure that God is not known in the earth, or enjoyed in truth, but in the light of inward evidence and experience, exBalaam, to ſee him but not near; but not in the knowledge of converſe, and fellowship with that God, whom they profeſſe to know, or what it is to have their ſoul inward, and familiar with him, in the experience of ſuch a thing. 10. It is by inward experience upon the ſouls of men, that God doeth in a more ſpecial way ſecure, and preſerve, that ſacred record of his truth in the World, then by humane Lawes, or authoriinternal conforming of the ſpirits of his people, to his revealed truth, whereby the inward man becomes as a repoſitory thereof, for when men once become Chriſtians in truth, they are then the declared Epiſtle of Christ by ane indiſſoluble union of the truth, and their ſouls together. I ſhall but add, that the experimental part of Religion is not perfited here, but within a little, there will be ane entrance on ane eternity of experience of what once with admiration, and deſire, was hoped for, and the enjoiment of that ſtate above will be no object of Faith, but of ſenſe and purely experimental.
A Second Intent of this Inquiry, should be to clear, how the enjoiment of one Chriſtian in the way of experience, may be no meaſure, or rule to others in the tryall of their ſtate, upon theſe grounds. 1. That the leaſt reall evidence of the
Sanctifying vertue of the truth, bears witneſs to the truth of a new life, and of ſpiritual ſenſe, and diſcerning herewith, as a few grapes does diffevine, and a bramble. 2. Becauſe the reall Work of God, may be long without the witneſs thereof, and the firſt giving of the new life, and a diſcerning of the ſame, are diſtinct acts of the ſpirit, which doe rarely go together, ſo as to know when the pulſe of this life does begin firſt to beat. 3. As there are different ſiſes, and grouth amongſt the Saints within time; ſo does the talent of experience and inward obſervation, much differ in the ſtate of ſome, in reſpect of oconflicts and aſpatience brings forth experience, and as it hath ſo great a room, and ſervice for God; bejond oexperience of a Chriſtians life; thence is it that theſe of the higheſt form of Chriſtians and of the choithe experimental part of Chriſtianity may have reſpect to ſome ſpecial times, and Periods of mens life, ſo as one day may be more memorable, then as they have ever known betryall of their Faith, and led unto paths of providence, that might ſeem unobſervation as to a higher light, and evidence on the experimental tryall of Religion. 5. This diffirst entry of Chriſtians on ſome very dark paths of proviLord is to lead, and encline them into a wilderneſs, by giving in aſſurance with a double meaſure on their ſouls, like Elijahs call to ariſe, and eat, and Joſephs dream twice given, when his conflicts, and tryalls were to be douScent, in that rare exerciſe to diſcern the workings of God on their ſoull, and to try the certainty hereof from the natural work of their own Spirit; and who may be more exact then others, to lay up, and record the ſame, and not loſe the leaſt fragment of ſuch asſiſtances to their Faith.
3. This Inquiry should be of ſpecial uſe likewhat great things theſe are, to which, the experimental part of Christianity does relate, wherein they of the lowest ſiſe of Chriſtians have a common, and joint interest whatever difference be in the degree; but it is a very short touch I can here give on ſo great a ſubject and on ſome few Heads.
1. The tranſlation, and entry of a Christian
unto a new ſtate, and world, here in the earth; is one of the greateſt things of experience (tho it hath not a like clear evidence, nor the preciſe time, and entry can be in the ſame manner known) for men to know ſo marvelous a change in themſelves, and that here is no illuſion or dream, and how it is ſure this was never told to mankind but in the Bible, which none ever did foreſee, or project to themſelf; yea which in the very notion thereof, was once a terra incognita to them; and could have no poſſible riſe from nature whoſe proper work is to overcome nature. I know this may ſeeme aſtoniſhing, and not eaſie for many to bear, that profeſſed Chriſtians may have the ſame need to be converted to Chriſtianity that Pagans have, or perish, that the letter of the word only, or any length in exter al duties can ſave none, who know nothing of internal evi
2. It does relate to this Head, to know that God and his People here in the World, are no ſtrangers to other in the truth, and enjoiment of communion with him, for as this is ane eſſential part of our Faith, and one of the moſt ſure, and eſtaconſtitutions of our Religion, by ane unalterable rule, ſo is it matter of undoubted enjoicourſe, and paſſage through time were unpaſſible; it is true this is ſo great a thing as may make the moſt exbe a wonder to himſelf, and is not a ſubject of ordinary thoughts.
3. To this belongs alſo the truth; and enjoiment of ſupernatural comforts here on the earth ſuch as peace immediatly from God, and the joys of the Holy Ghost, which can have no poſſible riſe from nature. and was never known to men, but on this tryall of experience, that ſuch a thing is ſure, with reſpect unto which the higheſt experiments of nature are low, and of mean concern; yea which are comforts of that kind, as can be onſorest conflicts, then to the ſweeteſt calm of a Chriſtians life, and ſuch as the elect Angels did never know or partake of.
4. The prevalency of prayer with God, and to know with aſſured evidence both the acceptance hereof in Heaven, and the returns thereof upon the earth, is alſo one of theſe great things of experience, and can never be known elſe as a ſubject of contemplation only, which hath been direct of the Lord as a preſcript for ſuch ones where no humane wiſdome or power could poſſibly anſwer, and is not bounded by the moſt deſperate caſe, which would ſeem to ſhut out all hope and encouheaven and earth, and hath ſuch immediate corinward life, and vitalls of Chriſtianity, to preſerve and ſtrenthen the ſame.
A 5. Head on this Subject to be matter of great thoughts and reflection is this, that here on the earth there is ſuch a thing to be enjoyed in the truth and certainty of experience, as an earnest and ſeall of the Spirit of God 2 Corinth 1: 22. who hath alſo ſealed us, and given us the earneſt of the Spirit in our hearts Ephes. 1: 13. in whom alſo after that ye beleeved, ye were ſealed by that Holy Spirit of promiſe, which is the earneſt of our inheritance &c. 2 Corinth. 5: 5. now he that hath wrought us for the ſelf ſame thing is God, who hath alſo given us the earneſt of his Spirit. I know there hath been much inquiry on this Subject, as to a clear ſence, and judgment thereof, both by Schoolmen, and Practical Writers, tho it is ſuch a thing as muſt needs be a ſtrange, and dark riddle where the Spirit of God is not the Interpreter; and ſome near entercourſe with this great teacher, that in his light we may ſee light; but that it is ſurely promiſed of God, and could never have entred on mens thoughts, if it were not purely a divine Revelation, none will offer to queſtion; and that the experience of the ſame in all times of the Church, hath no leſs tendency to confirm and ſeall the truth of Chriſtianity,
reſt and ſettlement, as to a clear ſence and concepexperience of this may be this day, yet is it not the peculiar priviledge of ſome few, ſelect, and eminent Chriſtians, or what God does rarely imled by the Spirit, and under his conduct. 2. This is ane experiment of the Chriſtian Faith, which no humane teſtimony or vocal evidence can expreſs, that which is inward, and a ſecret betwixt God and the ſoul, or what taſte that hidden Manna hath Rev. 2: 17. which none knowes but he that enjoys the ſame; for this is not the promiſe, which is given to be the object of our Faith, but is the ſeall of the Spirit of promiſe, and the proper object of ſpiritual ſenſe; it is an internal work which goes above words, and ſuch as God alone can impart, who only can reveal his own love to the ſoul, and Shed abroad the ſence hereof, and hath reſerved this to himſelf; it is that alſo which gives a dinear and ſolemn approach of God, and ſome higher enjoiment of Spiritual Senſe, then is uſually known which will make ſuch a time remarkable, and ſweet to a Chriſtians after remembrance, tho ſome in, a more extraordinar way, and higher degree, may have this imparted then others, as the tryall of their Faith hath been more heightned, and hath attained to higher actings of grace under the ſame, according to that ſettled Connection Iſay 57: 12. I doubt not, there may be high preSeall and earneſt, who know little what in the way and order of grace is required to prepare, and qualifie for the ſame, but except the ſetled conſtitutions of the Ghoſpel, should be changed for their ſake; it is then ſure that God did never ſeall the comforts of his Spirit, or his reſpects and approving teſtimony on ſuch, who are of ane untender, unhumbled, and vindictive ſpirit, and is no more poſſible, then as Job 18: 4. That the earth should be forſaken for them, and the rock removed out of its place. 4. It is true this is more clearly underſtood by ſuch, who by reaſon of uſe, have their ſenſes exerciſed both to diſcern good, and evill Hebrews 5: 14. and have thus attained a more deep, and judicious reflevoice of the Spirit of God, and know the ſame, from that of a Stranger, and
ſeall, or any rare enjoiments of that kind, are aſſuredly from God, and wrought in him John 3: 21. It is clear alſo how, many sharp conflicts, and a hotter ware fare allotted to ſome of the Saints, then oreconciled ſtate with God, muſt be ſealed by the Spirit, yet is not this to be underſtood as the ordinar food, and dyet of a Chriſtian, but as ſome more ſpecial reſtorative, and cordial, ſo as one enjoiment of this kind, hath been ſomeſeall not once, but in innumerable times, hath been known, who, on the other hand does know alſo, how long, and ſenſible reſtraint of this great enjoiment may be, when the choiſeſt promiſes of the Word, can afford no comfort, but when the premiſes are clear, the concluſion is oft ſuspended through hid jealouſies, and legall fears of the ſpirit of bondage. 6. It is ſure this
bleſſed ſeall lyes here alſo, in ſome ſpecial directive work of the Spirit of God, to make uſe of light, in particular caſes with aſſurance, and quiet of mind, and in ſealing inſtruction with that evidence, and power on the ſoull, as leaves ſuch a print and impreſſion thereon as the ſeall leaves on the wax, this can be no ſtrange, or unknown thing to theſe who in a cloſe adherence, to Scripture light hath been ſpecially tender to try the ſame thereby, and under a juſt horror, and dread of Enthuſiasm
or the ſmalleſt dasſhing on ſuch a rock 7. But it is ſpecially diſcernable, where this ſeall and earnest hath been more abundantly let forth to ſome bejond others; that it was for ſome higher ſupport to their Faith, where a long interval of delay was to be between the promiſe, and performent, and ſuch a tryall of a deferred hope herein, as might be ready to make their heart ſick into death, if the Lord had not given ſuch a pledge and part in hand to aſſure them that the reſt shall not faill in due time, now this is ſo manifeſt in the conduct, and methods of grace, about the Saints under the old Teſtament, and in how ſingular a way he did firſt ſeall, before he entred them upon any great tryalls, and which were to be of a long duration, as there needs no particular instances to clear the ſame. 8. It is here; the ſence of that hundred fold, which Christ hath ſo expreſly ſeinward ſenſe of the love of their God, in the shinfirst fruits of the Spirit; more then in any external proviſign how dear ſuch are to God, and of his love and favour, then if he had given them the whole World. I know nothing will ſeem more ſtrange, and disrelishing to the ſpirit of moſt this day then ſuch a thing, but wisdom is juſtified of her Children, and with ſuch let my ſoul be joined in. 9. As it is known and ſure that here is no illuſion or imaginary thing, where any fallacy or deceit lyes, to the moſt judicious and obſerving Chriſtians, who knows herein, what makes them glad, and whence it is, and how no aſſiſtance of their own ſpirit, or in the power of nature could poſſibly impart ſuch a thing; ſo may it be aſtonishing how ſuch who live under the Profeſſion of Chriſt, and hath any deſign on ane eternal ſtare in Heaven, can take this on renatural cauſe, can put the ſoul of men into ane entire rest, and ſettlement, and when under greateſt shakings and fears other ways, cauſe them know the truth of pardon, and peace with God with a ſure
add further, here is a part of that communion which Chriſtians have within time, with the moſt excellent of the earth; and ſuch who in all ages of the Church have been the greateſt lovers of God, and adventurers for him; ſuch with whom he hath been moſt familiar, and hath admit not only to the allowance of Subjects, but the regard of favourites, who hath known how great a Rewarder he is of his own grace, yea ſuch, who have made the moſt exact inquiry and tryall, upon the truth and ſecurity of their comfort herehath put to their ſeall that God is faithfull and true, in that he hath thus promiſed.
4. There is this ſpecial uſe to be made of ſuch ane enquiry on the truth of inward experience, to ſee how great, and wonderful a Subject we have for reflection hereon; and of what ſingular advanunbeleef, and to give a more full ſecurity of mind in the advenreflex faculty of man is one of the greateſt wonders of nature, and if the ſpiriuſe, and improvement hereof were more unSubject, and what it is to dive in
wonder to themſelves. I shall but point at a few reflex acts of a Chriſtian on this great myenjoiments, theſe are admit to herein, which the whole reſidue of mankind knows noexperience in the truth, power, and efficacy hereof on their own ſouls; and thus to know what belongs to the enjoiments of ſpiridifference there is betwixt the cleareſt Acts of the Judgment, and underſtanding about divine things; and a reall fealing of the ſame in the power, and vertue thereof; betwixt the moſt ſublime apprehenſions by theory; and the ſenſible impreſſions, by the Holy Ghoſt, and what a preſent, and marvelous change this makes on the ſoull of a Chriſtian. 2. To enjoy the ſame no leſs under a full evidence, and certainty of the truth thereof as the alone, and immediate Work of God, then in their felt power and ſweetneſſe; & that here was no caſual thing, or matter of doubtfulneſs or uncertainty, but where they can clearly ſee the object of their faith on the truth of divine Revelation, now to be the object of there inward Sence, and enjoyment; and are ſure that what God hath ſpoken, he hath done
according to the ſame; for if this be not clear; Spiritual comforts would be of low value if it were not with that evidence, and aſſurance of being Gods ſeall, as they could adventure their eternal ſtate on the truth hereof. 3. And how ſweet a part is it, when they can thus reflect on their own experience, and enjoy the ſame with no leſs eviproper cause, and original, then of the truth of its effects, which is one of the greateſt helps to give ſtability, and aſſurance to our Faith; to ſee how the power of Religion is never barren of new experiments of the truth hereof, how the greaobjective means in the way of light cannot doe, if there were not an Internal effective cauſe, that works powerfully herein, and as in nature, ſo in the way of grace, how the ſame cauſe, which makes us live, must make us move, and act, yea to ſee how the ſame ſpirit that confirms a Chriſtian on the truth of his ſtate, and of the enjoiments of grace here, does confirm Chriſtianity, and the enjoyments of glory, which muſt infallibly follow the ſame, and ere long be a matter of their expenearer intimacy is to be enjoyed with God, and of a higher kind, which is by the communion of the Holy Ghost, then by the immediate miniſtry of the Angels, yea a greater evidence thus given to a Chriſtians ſoul, then by any external miracles; ſince this is a ſeall of that nature, as is given to none, but ſuch as are the objects of the divine complacence
delight; and its ſure the alone greainternal part of Chriſtianity, and theſe immediate operaexperience, come under a preſent tryall, and given to be experienced here on the earth, and are not ſome rare contingency, or what may be ſtated on an extraordinar account, but does keep cloſs with a tender walk, and near enteranointing with fresh oyl means Pſalm 92: 10. by innumepower, and workings of reaſon; but the immediatneſs of the divine preſence, tho even then it does not exclude ſuch a discurſive work, in the clearneſs of Spiritual reaſon, and light, as can fully quiet the mind, that here is no illuſion, or deceit; but lets us ſee, that the Spirit of God can make uſe of an argument to ſettle, and ſecure the ſoul when all eſſays, whither from themſelves, or others can give no releaf. 6. Thus are they admitt to ſee herewith, how deep the foundation of our comfort, and ſecurity, is layd on the faithfulneſs of God in his revealed truth, ſo as the whole frame of Chriſtianity muſt be diſſolved, and fall ere one ſpecial act of truſt, and adventure on his hand, and under the aſſured warrant of his
ſafe conduct alſo, and ſecurity of one Chriſtian, in his paſſage through time, is of that conſequence, and ſo eſſential a part of the great frame of providence, that this should not be entire, and perfect if it should fail, as to the meaneſt of the Saints, to make ſo great a nullity herein. 7. And is it not, in ſuch a reflex work on the truth of experience, that ſuch can only know the ſweet enjoiments of times past, and what that peculiar comfort of remembrance means; which I muſt reckon one of the rareſt, and moſt unknown enjoiments this day under the Sun; ſince it is ſure, this can never be from the greatest delights of the earth, when once paſſed, which as they return no more, ſo does ever leav a bitter ſting, and remembrance, by a naperish, nor loſe its ſweetneſs, but will render the moſt afflicting part of their life past, which was moſt bitter, and ſore then, to be the moſt comforting part thereof to their remembrance, when they can ſee herein both what they have deſigned for God, and he hath done for them. 8. If there be any comfort of love, in the Communion of the Saints here within time, they may ſee how this is not attainable, but in the light of inward experience whence they know, what it is to meet, and have fellowship in the ſame Savour, and relish of the things of God, when in a ſpiritual frame,
mutually discloſed as they can diſcern ſomething of the excellency of one anothers ſpirit, and of the power, and lively workings of inward grace, by that native luſtre, and evidence, which thus followes the ſame; ſo as under the ſenſible power of ſuch attractions their ſouls are more clomystery of the Communion of the Saints, is but a ſtrange and dark notion; nor without this can that ſpecial deſign of the Lord in the ſettlement of Churches in a viſible ſtate, be eibleſſed head herein.
The VII. and laſt INQUIRY. I would make as to a more full aſſurance of underſtanding on the truth of our profeſſion, and for further clearing of this great Subject of the experimental part of Religion, is to know the quality of the witneſſes thereto, which is an Inquiry of a higher concern and import then ſeems to be apprehended, or of what weight, and neceſſity this is, upon theſe grounds.
1. Becauſe the whole truth of Spiritual experience is matter of fact, and founded on a certainty of ſenſe, it is truth in the event and performance,
God does ſpeak, but what according to the ſame he hath done; ſo that this is not upon any principle of Faith, but on mens perſonal tryall of the ſame, according to that Iſai. 43: v. 10. ye are my witneſs ſays the Lord, that ye may know, and beleeve me, and underſtand that I am he; for tho it is of divine, and infallible truth, that whatever God hath aſſured by promiſe he will do; yet the experience hereof, ſince the Canon of the Scripture was ſealed, is of humane record, and a teſtimony which could bear no weight from the greateſt of men, if the quality of ſuch witneſſes were not tried, and conſidered herein. 2. Becauſe the higheſt pretence to ſpiripromiſe is but a falſe teſtimony, where there is no tender regard herewith to the precepts of the Ghoſpel, when this connection is indiſſoluble Act 9. they walked in the fear of God, and comforts of the Holy Ghost; doe not my words good to them that walk uprightly Mica 2: 7. It is true, that choiſeſt Chriſtians may be much hid, and in the dark herein to others, and upon ſuch an account ſhould have a ſad part, if they were tryed, and judged by men; only this is ſure, there can be no more in the concluſion then is in the premiſes, and that a Chriſtians teſtimony to the truth lyes more in what they are, then what they expreſs to others. 3. The quality of the witneſſes is of ſuch weight here, and to be ſpecially regarded, as one of the highest ſervices
for God within time under their hand, to put too their ſeall, and teſtimony that God is true in what he hath promiſed; who are as it were judicially ſiſted in behalf of his truth and faithfulnes; ſince his declarative glory before angels, and men, does more peculiarly ly here then in the whole Structure, and frame of this Creation. This is a trust and debt alſo upon each age of the Church, that the truth and faithfulnes of their God may be transmitt to the generations to come with ſuch a confirmatory ſeall. 4. This Inquiry is the more called for, to know what theſe are who bear ſuch a witnes to the truth, upon the exceeding greatnes of theſe things which belong to Chriſtian experience, ſince this might awake the moſt ſublime, and ingreat thoughts and reflection, that ſuch are on the earth, yea an innumerable part of men, who do verily enjoy ſo marvelous a light as is immediatly out of Heaven, and shines upon none elſe; and knowes ſuch an enjoiment, as an immediate communion with the Deity, and his ſenſible preſence with their Spirits, with returns from Heaven to their ſuits in moſt reall effects; ſince if this be ſure, then muſt men ſeek for anIdea of Chriſtianity, & have other thoughts about the ſame, then what moſt ſeem to have, then is there a higher glory put upon mens ſouls in the way of grace, and their beeing partakers of the divine nature, then what all humane grancredit, and quality of the Witneſſes on this great head of Spiritual experience, and the whole internal part of Chriſtianity is of ſuch weight that the ſpirit of this age, and moſt predominant part of men within the Church is ſtated in ſo viſible an oppoſition therepower, and ſpirituality of Religion, but to deny its principles, and give a lye to this teſtimony, of the moſt eminent worilluſion or impoſture; which is in effect to take of the greateſt ſeall that God hath given to the Divinity of the Scripture in the whole internal demonſtrations of its truth: this is the great propower, vertue, and efficacy of the truth they profeſs on their own ſoul, and that there is another evidence or teaching, then by moral ſwaſion only, or another key to open the heart, then external means; and thus muſt either oppoſe themſelves to ſo tormenting a light, or be unavoidably condemned hereby.
But with this Inquiry as to the credit and quality of the witneſſes, who in all ages of the Church bears the ſame teſtimony to the truth from their
experience, it is undenyable alſo, but that there are ſome in a more ſingular way ſiſted, and under more peculiar engagements then others to appear on ſuch a teſtimony, and who may be admit to enexperience, that are out of the ordinary road of Gods dealing with his people, tho this muſt in no other ſenſe be underſtood extraordinary; then from ſo judicial a time as this, and the great decay of the Power of Chriſtianity with this generation why theſe are ſo rare, and not in beeing any way croſs to the firm and ſettled conſtitutions of the Ghoſpel, or without that precinct of the promiſe of God to warr and the ſame; and I hope the Church of Chriſt is yet to enter on ſuch enjoiwitneſs I shall breefly touch.
1. Theſe who through grace hath been admit to ſome higher intimacy of converſe with God, and to know his dealing familiarly with men here on the earth, then may be ever known in ſuch a degree to other choiſe, and reall Chriſtians; tho I judge this may be more rarely known, that where it is moſt in truth, there alſo is a humble concealfavourits of Heaven, and have had moſt rare, and immediate teſtimonies of the love, and reſpects of their God; but as this is not the standard by which the truth, and reality of grace is to be judged; ſo should this witneſs be to me no further ſtrenthning, then it hath ſome greater height in humility, and tenderneſs of Spirit in the ways of God going alongſt herewith, and ſome more ſingular eminency of grace as does anIſai 57: 15. John 14: 21.
2. I muſt judge theſe alſo have a higher room in this witneſs for God on their experience of his truth, who have in a more ſingular way then others known the truth of ſupernatural aſſistance, and ſuſtaining grace under extraordinar tryalls. I mean ſuch Chriſtians as have been tryed not only in the truth, but in the ſtrenth of divine grace, at another rate then others, whom I muſt reckon amongſt the greateſt witneſſes for God in this day, when 1. This renders their teſtimony to be of a higher valew and evidence according to the height, and meaſure of their conflicts, and tryalls, whom thus the Lord hath choiſed, and ſeparate as Joſeph was from the reſidue of his brethren, for ſuch a ſervice of example, that the excellency of his grace might here more brightly ſhine forth. 2. Becauſe the depoſition herein, is in a matter on which moſt doe ſtumble at the ways of God, upon that ſcandall of the croſs; and on this acmeſſengers,
ſpyes, to witneſs what manner of allowance he does then impart, to bear the expence of a more extraordinare time of affliction, and ſuffeCaleb, and Joshua, they might bear a honoutestimony riſeth the higher, as it hath coſt them ſo dear, who bear the ſame, and hath not been eaſily attained, nor is an offering unto God of that which coſts them nothing, who have been helped bejond others to glorify him in the fires. 4. They are ſuch above the reſidue of Chriſtians, who hath uſually a record of more ſpecial confirmations, and great remarks of the way of God, in the Journal, and History of their life; I know moſt would fear to have a room in ſuch a teſtimony, but as I doubt not there are many ſuch witneſſes this day in the earth, ſo I muſt reckon it, one of the moſt honourable ſerhe hath tryed them to bring them forth as gold Job 23: 10.
3. And are not ſuch ſpecially ſiſted as witneſſes herein, and under more ſingular engagements then others, who upon greater Services for God aſſigned to them, hath alſo had more then ordidivine aſſistance for the ſame, to witneſs that they have not been ſent hereon on their own charge, and expence;
Churches head hath with his body here on the earth. I know this hath a ſpecial reſpect to ſuch, as are called of the Lord on that Service of the Ministry of his Word, who hath ſome peculiar, and diſtinct part allotted to them as witneſſes, and put on a more publick theater before the World, to witneſs that abſoſtation hath on their great Master, and the outlettings of his Spirit both for ſupport, and ſucceſs, and what thus is found in the way of an immediate relyance on him; for I muſt judge that none knowes a near entercourſe with God, and to be purely acted for him, on this great ſervice, but hath ſome peculiar advantage bejond any elſe for more fingular, and rare confirmations of the truth on their own ſoul, and of a known, and ſenſible ſeall from God both in fruit, and acceptance of their work; and tho ſuch who look at a diſtance, cannot diſcern, what may be betwixt God, and his Servants, in ſome publick adminiſtrations of his ſervice, as may be then evident to their ſoul, yet is it oft made ſo far diſcernible, as to ſerve an awful ſence and impreſſion on mens ſpirits, of God in the Aſſemblies of his Church, and of the truth of ſupernatural aſſiſtances, and ſomehumane herein; nor does ſuch a
witneſs ever ceaſe, tho it be now more rare then in times paſt, in this ſad and judicial period of time, we are fallen in, when almoſt all ſence, ſavour, and diſcerning of the Spirit of God, with publick adminiſtrations of the Word, ſeems loſt, & the wiſdom of Words, or what may appear more neat or polished that way, is come in the room hereof, as though the alone end, of ſo high a ſeract a ſcene handſomly on a theater that may carry the applauſe of the Spectators, but not mens hearts unto God; this I have lookt on with no leſs horror then on the moſt viſible Atheiſm, and profanity of theſe times, and one of the moſt diſSigns in the publick ſtate of Religion.
4. Theſe alſo may have ſome higher acceſs for ſuch a witneſs, who know with evidence, the truth of immediate, and ſupernatural excitments, to engadge upon ſome ſpecial work, and ſervice for God, and to be acted forth herein unpower, and irreſiſtable discovery of ane inward call, when under greateſt oppoſitions from their own ſpirit thereto, and furtheſt a verſion of mind. This I have known in the truth hereof in moſt eminent examples, but the credit of ſuch a teſtimony, tho in it ſelf, founded on divine Requality of the witneſſes herein; that they be of a known tender, humble, and judicious Spirit, who are skilled both in the deep things of God, and in the deeps of Satan, who this way
deluſion.
5. There is yet ſomething more ſingular in the experience of ſome Chriſtians bejond others, and in ſuch a witneſs, as to a ſpecial confidence, and aſſurance raiſed on their ſoul, of events of providence, and the iſſue of ſome remarkable caſe of tryall, when it hath been contrare to all humane appearances, and no reaſon from any viſible airth could be given for the ſame; this I know may ſeem a ſtrange thing in the eyes of many, nor can it poſſibly have that evidence, or in that manner work to others, as it is to theſe, who know, and have experienced the ſame, but we ſee, and are ſure there hath been great attainments of ſuch a Faith, both in Scripture examples, and unconexperiments, made hereof in after times, which hath met ſuch in the road of their dutyextent of our Faith in any particular caſe, muſt keep with the ſame exent, and meaſure of divine Revelation herein, and the Lord will be trusted for no more then he hath made warrantable by his promiſe. But this is a Subject, on which I may not inſiſt further then to clear the evidence and truth of the ſame on theſe grounds. 1. That Chriſtians may be at ſuch ſteps in their way and paſſage through time, and on ſo dark ground; yea the tide of difficulties, and amaſing fears ſwelled to ſo great a hight, that
argument of power, to their ſoul, they ſhould otherways be ready to ſink. 2. This experiment how rare ſo ever it may ſeem to many, is no dark, or diſtinct thing from that ſeall of the ſpirit of promiſe, which we ſhould look after; or from that promiſed earnest, which ſometimes the Lord gives, with reſpect to a ſpecial mercy, and deliverance within time as well as their great interest in Heaven, tho it be not in the ſame degree imSaints, of the peace of God in ſuch a meaſure as can raiſe, and fully quiet their ſpirit, above any ſinpreſent aſſault they may be under, tho with ſuch evidence then, as is not poſſible to attain at other times, nor can be kept clear, and comforting to themſelves without much tenderneſſe of ſpirit and fear. 4. Where this is known, and enjoyed in any higher degree by ſome then may be the allowance of others, it is aſſuredly found on a ſpecial & near intimacy with God, and to follow ſome diſcernable acceſs, and ſpecial gale of the ſpirit of interceſſion in prayer, and wreſtlings; ſo as it thus meets them in the way of a ſettled ordinance, and in the ſame way wherework of God. 5. And here
immediate testimony of God, does then ſtill bring the testimony of the renowed conſcience alongſt thereabſolute promiſe, that can not poſſibly be fruſtrate. 6. I shall but add further as this rare experiment comes with ſuch evidence of ſpiritual ſenſe, as is diſcernable from any natural workings of mans own heart, and is that wherein the moſt deep enquiry and juwarrant, and ſeall herewith, ſo is it not ſtrange that where he takes a more ſingular way to try and exerciſe ſome, and out of the ordinar road of his dealing with others, yea where ſupport in the way of external providence may then ceaſe, that this ſpeinward evidence be ſomething more ſingular alſo, and ſome higher influence of the ſpirit and power of beleeving be imparted for ſuch a caſe.
This leads me to offer ſome thoughts in the cloſe upon two Propoſals, which I did not intend, if from another airth, whilſt I was writing this there had not occurred a ſpecial call herein, and that I judged it might not be unſuitable to the intent of this diſcourſe.
1. Whither there be any ſuch ſeall to the truth
of Christianity in theſe times we are now in as the Faith of Miracles, or that it be warrantable to expect ſuch a thing from God, which lyes in a particular act of trust in ſome ſpecial caſe, where a Chriſtian may be taken off all ordinare means, and nothing but a divine immediate, and miraculous Power can anſwer thereto; for Anſwer it is clear the active Faith hereof which was once given to the Primitive Church in the workings of miracles now ceaſeth, but in this paſſive Sence, I know no time, nor age, to which it does not belong, and comes not under the Promiſe of God, to warrant the ſame in theſe caſes.
1. When the Lord meaſures out ſuch tryalls to any of his people in the way of their duty, and under his ſpecial conduct, where there is no reFaith of ane extraordinar, and immediate appearance of God, and no neglect in the leaſt; of what in the way of ordinare, and warrantable means is attainable, it is ſure, there it is both warranted and requires ſuch a Faith, yea are put by a more ſingular call on the tryall of the ſame, and in this reſpect; I doubt not there hath been, and may yet be in the preſent age greater attainments of the ſame, then moſt of Chriſtians can eaſily comprehend, whole tryalls were never brought to ſuch a pitch, and in that manner aſſigned to them; ſince theſe are of the Lord meaſured out only according to the meaſure of Faith given them Rom. 12: 3.
abridge the Spirit of God in the freedome, and Soveraingty of his work herein, whatever times men be in, ſo is it known and clear, that where the Lord does allott more extraordinare caſes whither to Churches or particular Chriſtians, when ſuch are keeping cloſe by him, and the revealed rule of their duty, there alſo is a more extraordinare allowance for the ſame, yea ſuch a meaſure and encreaſe of their Faith to be ſought from the great author thereof, as may anſtrength accorday.
3. It is unqueſtionable that the Lord deſigns in all ages of his Church, to bring glory to himſelf, by ſuch a faith as hath no ground to grip on, but ane infinit and immediate power that can extend it ſelf to the moſt deſperate and amaſing caſe, nor is a beleeving in hope, when it is to be furthest againſt hope, a ſtrange and dark thing in this day, either as to the warrant hereof, or theſe proofs, which have been made of the ſame in the iſſue. And herein I muſt judge the appearance of God no leſs wonderful to ſome of his people in that which he works in them, and in that deliverance from their fears where no humane Reaſon or Secondary cauſes could concurr, then in that which he hath done for them in the moſt ſtupendious acts of Providence, nor does any time want ſome ſhare and proper talent of this kinde, if ſuch great appearances of God were more obſerved, that
Chriſtian Faith.
4. Is there a reall Chriſtian this day, who is not called to ſuch a Faith, that he ſhall once upexperience a greater miracle by a divine omnipotent Power then was yet ever wrought in the earth, which is of the Reſurrection of his body, after it hath been for ſome ages diſſolved into duſt, wherein it is, by the undoubted Faith of miracles to be wrought upon himſelf, that his greateſt ſupport and comfort within time ſtands; yea if there be ſuch a Faith in the earth, which is now ſtill warranted, as that we have Pſ. 46: 12. it muſt then ly in ane actual trust, and relyance in a caſe where a miracle can only help.
5. If poſſeſſions by the Devil were in that manner now uſual as in the primitive times, it is undePrayer of Faith herein for dispoſſeſſion were not only warranted, but expreſly called for, tho the inward aſſurance of ſuch a Faith may not in the ſame manner be given to ſome as to others; yet here is a ſpecial ſuiting from God the proof of a miracle, by his immediate Power, which they are in faith called too; and as that Preſcript given by our Lord of faſting and prayer for this end does ſtill ſtand in force ſo hath there been known publick inſtances in theſe late times, of reall diſpoſſeſſions by prayer, and ſolemn addreſſes to Heaven herein.
6. If the oppreſſed innocence of a Chriſtian, and in
humane releaf for clearing the ſame, there might be herein an unqueſtionable reference to God, for his more immediate deciſion, and a warranſpirit of faith in ſuch a meaſure, as ſo extraordinare a tryall requires, bejond what in an ordinare caſe is allowable, but ſo as to wait for the ſame, in his ſeaſon and way. This I know was in the primitive times in ſome more ſingular manner made uſe off, when no orLaw of jealouſie, and tryall by the waters of jealouſie Numb. 5. was then temporary and is now ceaſed; yet is this ſtill moral herein and of perpetual uſe, that, God is the ſame who hath reſerved to himpromiſe Pſ. 57: 3. is expreſly given for ſuch ane end of his ſending from Heaven immediatly to ſave, where no aſſiſtance on the earth is attainable, and all na
7. It is unqueſtionable that the making uſe of Lots (which in ſuch a caſe is only ſafe, where it is rendred abſolutly neceſſar for a final determination in ſome great, and weightie concern) is ſuch a ſolemn appeal to ane extraordinar deciſion of God, as the faith of his appearance by a preſent, and immediate ſign from himſelf is neceſſarily
miraculous evidence yet is as truely to be taken from God in ſuch a caſe, and in faith ſubjected to, as if ſome ſupernatural ſign did accompany the ſame, and as no humane wiſdome or counſel can have place hereevent, ſo I muſt judge an entire acdeep and reverent Se
but that this is as truely his anfire coming down from Heaven to conſume the Sacrifice, as was in the days of Elijah at mount Carmel.
8. It may be ſaid that the truth of ſuch a faith hath in a ſpecial evidence, and power hereof been known when things have come to ſome unuſual extremity in a Chriſtians caſe, as could bear no delay but like that of the Diſciples of Christ, help Lord ere we perish; inſtances of this kind have been ſo clear as, I judge, is not poſſible to deny the truth of ſuch a ſeall to the Faith of Chriſtians, were things of that nature more adverted to and obſerved. It is a few
I knew alſo with aſſuyears past, that a famous Miniſter of Christ, who now is at reſt in the Lord, was under ſuch an extraordinare pain and torment by a confirmed ſtone in the gravel, as nature ſunk wholly under the ſame, and as he ſhewed me was brought to that extremity, that he turned to God with ſuch a cry, let not thy ſervant diſtract, but help, for I can poſſibly bear no more, who ſaid alſo that in the very
death, which was ſometime after: this as I had from himſelf, ſo was it from one that none in the age he lived in, I could have credited more, and could leave no room for doubting that ſuch a return in the preſent act of prayer, at ſo great a height, and extremity of pain, without any natural cauſe and mean, was immediatly from God, and ſupernatural.
inſtance, in a Mniſter of the Ghoſpel, who was ſeaſed in the Sabath morning, with an
as it is clear, that the extraordinar collick, which grew upon him, to that height, as in an ordinare way rendred it not poſſible to go forth upon the publick work of the day, which then lay upon him, and to a great Auditory at that time, ſo that whilſt he eſſayed to riſe, he was preſſed to take his bed again, a very few minutes before the ſett time for going to Church, but whilſt he preſented the caſe to God, upon the intereſt of his ſervice, it was in a moment taken off, not by any gradual abatement of ſuch a diſtemper, but entirely at once, ſo as he never had more ſweet acceſs and freedome to go forth on the work of the Lord both at that dyet, and in the following part of the publick work; and this alſo was, when no outward mean was concurring herein;paſſive Faith, which Christ did
immediate cure from himſelf Matth 9 was this, beleevest thou that I am able to help, when no ordinare means can do; ſo I doubt not this was in ſome meaſure acted in both theſe inſtances, leaving roome for omnipotency to act in ſuch an exigence.
9. Nor hath there been wanting eminent proofs of this kind, of ſpecial applications of Faith, made unto God by prayer in behalf of others undiſeaſes; where ordinare means hath been laid aſide, and the caſe paſt all hope, and of ſuch returns by a preſent reſtoring, and under ſuch evidence as enforced the conviction hereof, upſtrange caſes of this kind the true cauſe, and the Lords deſign herein does not untill then break up, according to that John 9: 3. That the work of God might be t
10 I may further add, if there were this day a new erection, and ſettlement of ſome particular Church from amongſt Infidells, and the commiſMiniſters of Chriſt made evinatural and ordinare means of convifaith of miracles, and immediate appearances of God herein might be expected, as in the primitive times, when on the ſame ground it was lett forth. Nor can it be found there hath been any particular
Church of Christ without ſome extraordinare ſeall oentry and erection of the ſame; nor is there any time or age of the Church, wherein the clear ſence of that Scripture Mark 9: 23.—all things are poſſible to them that beleeve, does not take place: which is that no meaſuChurches or particular Chriſtians in the way of their duty, can be at ſuch an height, as to reſtrain or ſett bounds to the work of Faith on an infinite divine power, tho all natural or ſecond cauſes ſhould ceaſe, yea that there is no caſe ſo ſinguwarrant of a divine Promiſe herein, and a Chriſtians Faith, should not be of the ſame extent
The II. Propoſal that I shall breefly touch, as it thus followes upon the former, is whither in theſe last times the Lord does appear by any ſuch extraordinare ſigns ▪ that are publick in the ſight of the World, and bring near ſuch diſcoveries of his Godhead in any ſpecial acts of Providence, as may bear the ſame evidence of miracles. For Anſwer; it is ſure, the Lord does not reveal himſelf this way but on ſome great and extraordinare ground, who hath ſetled the faith of his Church abſolutly on his revealed truth, yet may it be ſaid, that no age is left without ſome witneſſe of ſuch a kind; if there were not a ſad inadvertence, and shutting of mens eyes, when the Lord is going by them in any great acts of his power, but as to this Propoſal
inſtances, that ſeem to have leaſt fuitable regard or notice, and to be paſt by with moſt.
1. Can there be a ſerious judgment and regreat and amaſing ſtroake of the Peſtilence, and not ſee an extraordinar appearance of God herein, and of its beeing a judgment of that kind, in ſome more remarkable times wherenatural cauſes, and all may ſee the immediate hand of God herein both in its riſ
and ſwift ſpreading as a lightning, through Cities or Countries, in its paſſing by ſome more then others where no cauſe can apſupernatural cauſality, as viſibly as if they had ſtood with David, and the Elders of Iſrael 2 Samuel 29: 17. to ſee the Angel that ſmote the People between the Heaven, and the Earth; upon which account David did choiſe rather to come under this ſtroak then the Sword or Famine, becauſe it was in a more immediate way the hand of the Lord, and where there is a more then ordinare near ap
2. It is of publick and uncontroulable evimiraculous, and immediate witneſs from Heaven in the bleading of the bodies of men on the touch of the murderer in ſuch caſes, where no ordinare means can bear evidence. I will not ſpeak of the warrantable uſe of ſuch an appeal where
revealed rule of our faith, and practice is not expreſs herein; but as its undoubted, in the truth and reality of the ſame, where no humane witviſible, and extraordinare ſign from Heaven given in the ſight of the World, & from him who maketh inquiſition for blood, in a moſt ſingular way, and a ſign which in every time is made evident.
3. There is alſo the certainty of extraordinare Revelation, and of the truth of a Prophetick Spirit imparted to ſome as to ſpecial events of Providence, which is ſo known and of that evidence as no age of the Church hath been without inſtances hereof, what I mean hereby as to that more ſingular way of the Lords revealing himſelf, to ſome of his Servants by a more extraordinar application of his Word, is ſuch as in the truth and certainty hereof can leave no room for doubtfulneſs; tho on the odiſmal trade of divination, that hath got up in the World, by ſeeDivinity either from the Stars above or the Powers of darkneſs below, it may be clearly ſeen is one of the great deſigns of Satan, not only to counterfite the way of the Lord herein, but to bring men unto a more direct homage to himſelf; but I mention this inſtance only as it is ſo great, and unqueſtionable a demonſtration of God, and of his giving in every age ſome extraordinare ſeall of this kind.
I shall but mention here one remarkable paſſage of which I am to the furtheſt perſwaded, that may ſeem ſtrange, with reſpect to this late great Revolution in the State of Britain; how it was expreſly foretold under its proper circumſtances many years paſt; and was one of the firſt paſſages of any weight that hath been ſtill fixed in my re
eminent Miniſter of Christ of a Prediction imparted to him by one of an exBritain, and change in the publick face of affaires by the coming over of a Prince of Orange, who should be the great InBritain and of Orange; yea am ſure this did exceed the reach of humane apprehen
4 That there are ſupernatural warnings hath been given to men by ſome ſpecial inſtinct and impreſſion not only of the approach of ſome great, and extraordinar tryall with reſpect to themſelves, but of the near approach of their death, yea to ſome, the preciſe time hereof is a truth ſo known in the World, and with that undeniable evidence as might fully convince thoſe of the moſt doubtful, and ſuspicious Spirit in things of that nature, and were it ſuitable here, I might give ſpecial inſtances which I have ſurely known of this kinde with reſpect to ſuch, who were both pious and of great compoſure in their judgment, who hath had ſuch perſwaſion fixed on them without the leaſt preſage from any natural cauſe, or what in ane ordinary way could give a riſe thereto, as it did after fall out in the event.
5. That there are alſo extraordinare ſigns, and forewarnings given the World of great Revolutions and Judgments, ere they came on particular nations by prodigies and ſignes from Heaven, is of that publick evidence, and certainty as would ſeem not poſſible to queſtion; if ſome methods of opforewarnings from Heaven by extraordinar ſigns, and prodigies, hath been ſtill previous to publick changes and revolutions, and to any great calaages paſt, as that late Comet 81. yea occurr not according to the ſettled conſtitutions of nature, but come both with an ſurpriſing aſpect, and are expreſly forwarne or be matter of trembling, and the Atheiſtick contempt, and deriſion of the Works of God is in this day at ſuch a height, its like the door may be now judicially ſhut on any extraordinar preſages or warnings this way untill one prodigy of ſome unuſual judgement come, that will not be baffled by men.
Whilſt I ſpeak on ſuch a Subject; I know there is a ſtrange thing that comes under the notion, by many, of a miracle, tho matter of very ordinare thoughts with others, and of a light and comſtrange, and aſtonishing cure of the Struma, or as its termed the Kings evil by a touch of the hand only, without any application of ordinary means; that here is no impoſture in the truth of ſuch a thing, but that many have been undoubtedly healed by this touch of the Kings of England, is not queſtionable, which is of ſo p
and known evidence in the tryall of numerous inſtances, yea that here is ſomething ſupernatural, and unacprinciples of reaſon; when its one of the moſt contumacious diſeaſes of mens body, that in the ordinare uſe of means is found the moſt difficult to cure; but ſince any extraordinar effect should lead men to a deep enquiry, and tryall about the cauſe hereof, and have the more weight in ſuch a caſe that a miraculous work, where it is in truth, is Gods own ſeall, which he doth rarely give but on ſome great, and important ground, where his glory and the intereſt of his truth is highly concerned; yea that its ſure, where he intends ſuch a miracuimpreſs and ſignature it bears, to difference the ſame from any impoſture, or its beeing a diabocaſe in theſe retrue riſe and original, which I find in the English Chronicles to be dated from the time of Edward the Confeſſor, when Antichriſtian darkneſs was then at his greateſt height, it beeing in the 1042 Year, when he began to reign, and when that Prediction of the Apoſtle Theſsal. 2: 2. of a more then ordinary poworking of Satan, with ſigns and lying wonders to promote the Antichriſtian inRomish Faith by ſuch a ſtrange miracle. 2. This Inquiry should be neceſſar herein, whither this pretended miraCrown only, or hath reſpect to the Quality, and Holineſs of the perſons who weare the ſame, ſince if it be to the first, then tho ane Infidel, or Mahumetan were eſtagift follow the ſame it muſt needs be derived to them alſo, and have ſuch a high Priviledge annexed thereto, as the Throne of Iſrael never had, when a David, and Solomon ſate thereon tho endued with ane exQuality and Holineſs of the perſons, it ſurely muſt renKing Henry the VIII. and his Daughter Queen
Mary, beſides many others, yea Richard the III. should on this account have the active faith of miracles, and be empoured herewith from God for working of the ſame: beſides this it is known that the French Kings claim the ſame priLewis the XIV this day be reckoned a fit inſtrument for ſuch a healing miracle, and to bring a juſt repute and credit therehereditary gift should not faill, and be cutt off by the departure of England from the Romish Church, ſince the firſt holding hereof was upon their adherence to the ſame, and as a confirmatory Seall to the Romish Profeſſion, or that it should now controll the end for which it was given; I know what ſome Popish Writers ſay hereon, that this miracle is not now performed by ſuch who have apoſtatiſed from that faith, virtute propria, ſed virtute ſigni crucis, but there needs no ſuch Salvo, as to recrite in applying with the touch a Medal of Gold to the Patient therewith, or what vertue can this Amulet impart, and ſo great a care taken, that they should not loſe it; ſince it is ſure this is not given out of charity to there outward want, exgift which the Apoſtles had not when they cured the lame man, and could make uſe of no ſuch aſſiſtance of Silver or Gold herein Act. 3. 5. If the application of ane extraordinar gift for healing diſeaſes without the uſe of natural means be aneugh to warrant the ſame, and that ſuch a cure is wrought without any further enquiry as to the cauſe and ground whereon it hath ſuch an efDevil, and theſe Powers of darkneſs may have a publick and eaſie market in the Chriſtian Church, and exact an uncontrolled homage and ſubjection to them this way. the extent of whoſe power for curing of dimiraculous gift of healing if it be of God should be tryed in the truth thereof, how it can anſwer to ſuch peculiar evidences, and criteria of the ſame, as by the infallible rule, and light of the Scripture may be clear; it were ſuitable to try herein, if this be indeed given to confirm and ſeall a divine teſtimony or any truth of the written Word; if it come with that ſolemne and convincing evidence ſo as to ſerve a deep and reverent ſenſe of the Majeſty of God on mens ſpirit, by ſuch a diſcovery of himſelf, and to promote piety, and more firm adherence to the truth amongſt men, as the namiracle, and ſo extraordinary a ſeall, if it ſerve alſo to compKingdom of Satan, and ſtrenthen the Chriſtian Faith in oppoſition to Antichriſtian
darkneſs, and Idolatry; yea if theſe who are thus empoured for ſo miraculous a cure have ſomemiracles, otherwiſe it ſerves only to expoſe ſo great a ſeall to the Chriſtian Faith, wherein the Majeſty of God in ſo august, and ſolemne a way is revealed, unto the higheſt contumely and rematter of Fact, and notoFaith of a divine Warrant, and aſſucall to reſt on the ſame, when it is without reſpect to any inſtitute, & natural means, yea that there ſpirit in ſuch a caſe ſhould be ſuited to ſo extraordinare a worke, I judge it should then quickly ceaſe; as on the odeſeaſed, and apply themſelves to ſuch a cure, should know the warLoretta on ſuch an account, or to ſuch who pretend by ſpells, and charms, to work extraordinary cures without any ordinary means for the ſame. This is not to detract in the leaſt from any juſt right or priviledge of Soveraing Princes, and I judge theſe who are now on the
Throne of Britain might lay as juſt a claim from perſonal qualifications thereto, as any have gone before, but in giving to Caeſar what is due unto him, we muſt not invade that Royalty, and Prerogative which belongs to God only, or to pretend to his ſeall, and make uſe of it without his exProteſtant Writer have ſpoke their thoughts on ſuch a head, I have as yet ſeen none; bu ſome time paſt, I was neceſſarily called by a perſon of great worth, to impart my light herein, they beeing then much perplexed in ſpirit with reſpect to a near relation of theirs, in order to their uſing ſuch a mean; and how ſmall a reckoning may be made by many, yet I find it related of that Famous Chriſtian Mrs Honywood, that the firſt riſe of theſe terrors of conſcience which keeped her ſo long, was from conſulting ſome mean as to the recovery of a childe, in a way that was out of the roade of ordinar means, and made her fear afterwards leſt Satan might have a hand therein
But I ſhall now ceaſe to ſpeak more on this ſubject; and only ſhut up with ſome Reflections fur
1. Whence it is that ſuch who are of the most trying and comprehenſive ſpirit hath uſually been under greatest weight and exerciſe of minde, about their eſtablishment in the Chriſtian Faith more then any others: but herein it may be eaſie to ſee,
cauſe thereof, 1. How it is ſure, the more attainment of light and knowledge is upon the greatneſſe of their Faith, that a higher admiration and aſtonishment muſt needs follow thereon; it was this which above all the wonders and depths of nature, did ſwallow up the ſpirit of a Solomon, and put him into ſuch an exſtacy, when he once begun to fix on this Subject, but will God indeed dwell, with men on the earth, yea will the eternal Son of God take up his abode, and dwell in ſuch a tabernacle as the huChron 6: 18. 2. It is theſe only who have their ſouls ſeaſed with a deehigh, and wonderful conſequence of ſuch a Faith, as to themſelves, and what is their perſonal intereſt herein; on which their ſouls venture for eternity lyes; ſo as it is not ſtrange, that they can not poſſibly enjoy the comfort of ſuch a Faith under any doubtful ſuſpence this way, or have their ſouls at reſt, with that manner of aſsent wherewith moſt ſatisfie themſelves in this day. 3. Yea it is theſe alone, who have another Idea of Religion, and the wonders of the Chriſtian Faith ſettled on their ſpirit, then the reſidue of men, who thus ſee what great things are before them, and shortly to come to paſs, and how ſuch a Faith is not eaſily attained, but that a continued weight, and exerciſe herein on their ſpirits become unavoidable. And
Sir to one of ſuch a ſpirit, as I know you are off, there needs little be ſaid of this kind, yet when I look on the face of this Generation, even of the more ſerious part of men herein, it would appear that moſt were rather in a ſleep and dream, then awake; elſe were it conceivable, how they could find it eaſie to bear, and ſtand under the weight of ſuch diſcoveries, without almoſt fainting unentry which is into another World, and on that hid, and marvelous paſſage, which lyes betwixt the earth, and the higher Paradiſe above, which is in the thrid Heavens, and will then know what it is to ſee with clear, and preceptible evidence ther conduct, and convoyance by the bleſſed Angels, and the manner of their aſcent through theſe Aetherial Regions, in every ſtep of the ſame, their begun acquaintance, and ſociety with theſe glorious ſpirits, which ſhall be without fear, and conſterbody, and at laſt that unconceivable reception by the bleſſed Trinity; now is it poſſible, that men here on the earth can with aſſurance entertain their ſouls with ſuch great things as before them, and near, and yet in an ordinare way converſe with the ſame. 2. Is it a light or ſmall thing to live in the Faith of ſuch a Triumph, as is reſerved to each of the
God of Peace shall tread Satan under their feet, and ſhall enter them into the overcomers joy, with that publick teſtimonie, well done good, and faithful ſervant &c. before the whole Church of the redeemed there, and then to be called to a peculiar aſſignment of their room, and ſtation in that bleſſed ſtate anſwerable to their ſervices and atend of the Lord in his whole conduct and methods of providence about them within time, which once ſeemed incomprehenſible to their thoughts. 3. Yea what is it to be in the ſerious exerciſe of ſuch a Faith, that in a short time there shall be a final tranſlation of the whole Church militant from this earth to theſe higher Regions of glory, where no more diſtance of place, and but one Church and Society for ever, where our bleſſed Redeemer shall then rejoice in his whole puchaſe, whom he had bought at ſo dear a price, and preſented without ſpot, or blemish unto the Father; and where the whole elect from Abell, the firſt of humane race, that entred Heaven, and the firſt member of the Church triumphant there, to the lſtate and claſſe with the elect Angels, who could not in this ſtate of mortality bear the ſight, or apparition of one of theſe glorious ſpirits;
bleſſed ſpirits, is a diſtinct perſon from other, endued with a moſt excellent life, and underſtanding, tho in ſome different degree of exaltation, as to their office and ſervices, ſo are they ane undoubted part of the Church, over which Christ is the ſupreme Head; wherein at that last and great Jubilee, even in ſomething of a glorious corporeal frame, there may be a likneſs, and conformity to him, in whom the fulneſse of the God head dwells bodily, and for a more near onelike, but equal to the Angels, which otherwiſe could not be well underſtood, ſince it is ſure their bodies, though then ſpiritual and glorious, will be the ſame in ſubſtance that they were here, and will not be only ſpirits. 5. And what a wonder of our Faith should it be that ere long this alſo shall be the object of mens ſenſe, the conflagration of this whole earth; that earth, on which moſt of the generations of men had ſettled their Heaven, to ſee it all burnt up before them, and herein the fiFaith here on the earth, as that reunion, which they shall then have with ſo endeared a part of thembody, and what a meeting that muſt be after ſo dark a parting, and ſeparation; theſe very bodies which had been partners with them, both in their work and ſervices, and in all their ſufferings within time; which they can now emaſcent to meet the Lord in the air. 7. Can it poſſibly be a ſubject of ordinare thoughts or aſſent, that men now on the earth, shall shortly ſee the glory and ſtate of the last Judgment, and of their bleſſed Head on that Throne of His Majeſty, yea thus ſee at once, the whole geMonarchs here, preſented then to be judged; and to ſee ſuch a ſolemn particular, and diſtinct judgment paſt on each according to their deeds, and work within time; and in that bleſſed order wherein the whole Saints, and each perſonally of theſe, having a diſtinct part herefirst acquitt, approven, and accepted in the face of this great Aſſembly, with the publick teſtimony of the Judge, according to the meaſure of their ſervice and tryalls for his ſake, whilſt they were in the World; and next in the condemnatory part of that Judgment to ſee the whole fallen Angels, who first ſinned have the
final ſentence past on them; as it was thus intifall of man, & the whole ſucceſſive race of mankind, each in their order, with that full evidence, of the Holy Righteouſneſs of the Judge herein, as ſhall irreſiſtably conſtrain their conChriſtian Faith lyes here, of that eternal ſeparation and parting, which will then follow bedimiſſion to theſe infernal Regions, and with this ſight to ſee ſin, which made its firſt enHeaven amongst the Angels, and hath ſince ſo much overſpread the earth, now for ever shutt up in hell, both ſin, and ſinners together, never more to look out at the grate of theſe priſon.
But II. There is another thing with reſpect to this Subject, which hath been to me oft matter of ſerious thoughts, whence is it that in ſo knowing an age as this, we ſee how ſuch as are greateſt pretenders to reaſon, and to a higher flight then others this way are more viſibly then any elſe of an Atheiſtick Spirit, and to be a length herein bejond any elſe on that deſign, how to weaken both their own aſſent, and others to the Chriſtian Faith, and to render the ſame ſo far as poſſibly they can, to be problematick and doubtful; but it is ſure here is nothing to ſtumble, but what may rather be ſtrenthning to any of a ſerious ſpirit, and needs be no ſtrange thing, when ſuch are as tender as poſtorment them before the time: whilſt their reaſon ſerves them for ſuch an uſe, and conſtrains their conſcience herein, that they muſt either be Chriſtians in earnest, or none at all, yea that under ſuch bright diſcovecompatible with reaſon, how there should be a mids betwixt a truly ſerious Chriſtian, who beleeves, what he does profeſſe; and a roſolved Atheist whoſe work lyes to have the dread of ſuch a Faith wholly extinguished. I knew a moſt remarkable
And herein can any exerce reaſon, and not ſee the Atheist indued with ſpecial natural accomplishments, who on the ſame account ſaid to a perſon of quality, if I did trulFaith of Chriſtianity, is another thing, then moſt this day did ever conceive it to be, and a much higher attainment, then a Chriſtians particular interest herein, for where the first is aſſuredly attained, it may ſeem not poſſible, but the other muſt folevidence for Heaven, and to be ripening for ſo great a change. I have
Faith of divine truth more then as to any particular promiſe made applicable to ſuch a caſe, and would have ſought no more to carry their ſpirits above the preſent temptations that octemporal events, but a more full ſtrenthning in the Chriſtian Faith, and that their Redeemer did live, ſince then they were in ſure terms, as to their ſecurity for whatever he hath promiſed.
III. But I muſt add yet one thing further which ſeems indeed a prodigy, proper to ſuch an age as this, that its become ſo hard a work to bring men living in the day light of the Ghoſpel to a ſerious beleeving the truth, and exiſtence of infernal ſpirits, and of their commerce, and traffick with this viſible World; or to bring ſuch who ſeem greateſt pretenders to reaſon, to the Faith of Divells, lest they should thus be unavoidably brought to that Faith of the Divells, which is to beleeve, and tremble, which ſurely is an unconceavable and extream horror that theſe Apoſtate Spirits have herein, whilſt their aſſent to the glorious beeing of God, to his attributes, yea to the truth, and Hiſtory of the Ghoſpel, is by ſuch ane ineviAtheiſts, ſo is their dréad, and
torment heigtned beeing ſuch knowing intellectual eſſences, as that power, and ſubtilty of deluſion, whereby they deal with mankind will not work on themſelves. This I muſt judge, to be the laſt effort of the horrid wickedneſs of this preſent age, to ſtrenthen ſuch a way, and ſince ſuch a party can have no help or ſupport from faith, and reaſon herein, and yet find the aſſured truth, and beeing of Divels, and of their communion, and warefare with men, does marr any poſſible deAtheiſm, and a taking off the terror of ane infernal ſtate, off their ſoul, they muſt therefore move to another airth, which is to beleeve nothing but what they ſee and feell, and comes under a ſenſible demonſtration to warrant the ſame: for this is to make ſure work at once againſt the whole Chriſtian Faith, and shut the door on any way of conviction thence; thus they keep a diſtance with the beeing of their own ſouls, as if it were ſome dark, and abſtract noſence; they can live at quiet, and be ſecure from the fear of a Hell, and infernal world, or excluſion out of Heaven untill they once meet with ſuch an argument, as to make them both ſee, and feell the truth hereof; but oh they ſeeme not to apprehend how ſore the application of this argument will be, when they at laſt find its in vain to reject the concluſion, where the premiſes are ſure. There is one of late, who is come forth in the day light of
a book lately published, to undeceive the World upon ſo great a deluſion, as to theſe inviſible powers of darkneſse, and tho he ſeems to find it difficult how to annihilate, and make void wholly their exiſtence, yet doth offer with a ſtrange confidence to ſecure men from any fear of the molestations of ſuch Spirits, and that all inward temptations or aſſaults of Satan, and his operating upon the ſouls of men, is but a deplorable faſcination, and bewitchment, that the Chriſtian Church hath been ſo long under. It might be judged, there were little need for ſuch a worke to take this generation we are now in off all watch, and guard againſt theſe destroying adverſaries, and to renSacred Truth, but to the univerſal Sence, and reaſon of mankind, except he hopes to find a numerous party, who hath gibait tho they should ſee the hook that will at laſt deſtroy them. But doe theſe mighty hunters, and destroyers of mankind the Divels, come ſo little ſpeed in their work this day, that they muſt have a Protestant Minister of the Church come forth before the Sun to offer his aſſiſtance to help them forward herein, or if he deny ſuch ane inkilling
of their body, and is of an eternal concern; is he empoured with authority from theſe infernal Regions, I confeſs on theſe grounds he may have advantage to give ſuch ane aſſurance. 1. That the ſtrong man whilst he keeps the houſe, vvill be very tender to trouble their peace over whom he ſwayes, with an uncontrolportion is in this life, untill they be awaked for ever out of the ſame. 2 He may give full aſſurance alſo that the Prince of this World is at no war, nor needs be with ſuch as are joined in with his intereſt, and at the ſame work to promote the Kingdom of darkneſs, and ſeeks not to have them tormented before the time. 3. But there is this ground, I muſt judge he ſpecially goes on; that he will be eaſily creSubject as this, and knowes how ſmall a patrociny, will ſerve to promote a deſign for Atheiſm, and could fall upon nothing, which would be more grateful to a great part novv vvho bear the name of Protestants, but whilſt he calls them to lay aſide their armour, ſuch as ChriſtiEphes. 5: 11. will he ſecure them when it comes to the last battle, and conflict, from their beeing ſeaſed by ſuch infernal Spirits in their entry into another World, whom they did once deride, and that the truce which was with them on the earth, will not break
new diſcovery to the world, of ane abſolute ſecurity from the Power of Satan, and his moleſtations, to belong only to the Place, and City he lives in, it might have ſeemed to be on a politick intereſt, to renCatholick good, and priviledge. There needs no queſtion, but that ſuch a perſon himſelf muſt be in a deep quiet, and under no touch of theſe aſſaults and temptations others are expoſed to; tho one thing he may fear in the managing of ſo ſtrange a deſign, and in ſuch a manner, that theſe knowing and active ſpirits, for whom he acts, may not reckon their ſervice much advanced, when there is as little of the ſubtilty of the Serpent herein, as of the innocence of the dove. It is true there is an inviſible guard, and hedge about each one of the Saints over which Satan cannot paſs, but by the meaſures of divine permiſſion; nor is it expreſſible how much Chriſtians of the choiſest Spirits are bettered, and improven in their graces by the worst of Spirits, and in their continued warefare with them; and its ſure they are reſerved in chains of darkneſs to the Judgment of the great day, but how far their chain is oft let forth, and inlarged in judgment to the world, may be too evident every where in the ſad effects thereof, and it now
Writer of ſuch a Book might ſeriouſly repent, and ſo far retract what he hath published, as might thus turn ſuch a poiſon unto ane antidote against it ſelf, for I judge he durſt not put ſuch Divinity in his Teſtament, that he hath written in this Book.
IT may ſeem ſtrange, not only the lengthning of this Diſcourſe ſo far, but in inſiſting moſt ſpeHead of the internal Work, and Demonſtrations of the Spirit of God on mens ſoul; but as I may with humble confidence ſay this was under the ſenſe of ſome peculiar engagements to ſuch a Subject; ſo I ſhall make this further Apology for the ſame. 1. That ſince ever I accounted the Profeſſion of Christ a ſerious buſineſs, I have judChriſtians ſhould have ane aſſent to the truth of the Ghoſpel or be at rest herein, untill it once be brought up to a full, and quieting aſſurance on that ſecurity, to which they muſt concredite themſelves for ever, and thus know the ſtrenth, and ſureneſs of the foundation of their Faith by its own evidence; that tho it be not yet full, whilſt we are here in the way of enjoyment,
full in the truth, and certainty of evidence; I have judged it alſo an addition to the greatest joy which I could have within time, whatever might be a further ſtrenthning to ſuch a Faith, and hope we are called to by the Ghoſpel of Christ, ſo as not to loſe any fragment of this kind, which might tend to a more full eſtabliſhment, and does reckon this the credit, and glory of our Religion, that in no other way it doth require acceptance of men, but with a full aſſurance of underſtanding, and the furtheſt conviction of evidence; as beeing deſigned no leſs to found a rational certainty in the judgment, then to determine the will or conſent for embracing the ſame; yea on this account it hath been oft matter of aſtonishment, how in the teaching, and miniſterial work, which God hath appointed for his Church, the primary truths of Religion should not be more held forth to men with that clearneſs of evidence and demonſtration, as ſuch great, and marvelous things require, and the temper of this age calls for; or how the great things of God, that are of the highest conſequence, and reality, can have any poſſible reception from men by ane imnoetick, when ſo little on the dianoetick part of Divinity: but on the other hand I muſt alſo witinward aſſurance of the truth, and revelation of
eternal Son of God was revealed from Heaven in our nature to ſave lost man, and that there is a ſtate of grace here, and of glory hereafter; I have found that no light, or conviction of judgment, tho with ſuch evidence as could leave no room for doubtfulneſs in the ſame, can effectually work without the internal evidence, and demonstration of the Spirit of God, and a ſupernatural power both to beget, and ſtrengthen ſuch a Faith in the ſoul; yea that without this, the furtheſt of objective evidence to cauſe irreſiſtably a clear and radiſpenſation of miracles, will not quiet the Spirit of ſuch, who under ſome deep exerciſe may be haunted with hid, and dreadful temptations to infidelity, until they know the truth of a power, and evidence, as goes above any moral influence. It is true this is not expreſſible to others, and they muſt come and ſee, who would know in what manner the Spirit of God bears evidence to his own truth, and what ſtrong impresſion his work hath on the internal Senſes of a Christian, yea what piercing intelligences are betwixt ſuch, who ſurely know, and are partakers of a divine life, and their bleſsed Head in this ſtate of mortality, but if this were not known and ſure, we might ſay ane eſtablished Chriſtian whoſe work is to follow the Lord fully, and adventure with aſſurance upon him, is ſuch as might be
truth, and Excellency of Religion, I muſt ſee this to be of as undeniable evidence, that it hath no true or ſolid intereſt in the Earth, but in the way of tryal and experience in it's power and efficacy on mens ſoull; and makes no reall ground or conqueſt, by an external profeſſion, or can ſerve to eternal ends, until once that radical principle of the life of God in the ſoull be underſtood; that choiſe comChurch triumphant upon fresh and continued ſupChriſtian Faith is kept alive this day on the earth, and it is one of the things I have thought moſt aſtoniſhing in the publick State of Religion, that in an age, when reaſon is ſo much pretentryall of the enjoyment of a Heaven for ever in another World, and yet hath not the ſame deſign on a perſonal tryall of the enjoyments of grace here, to know converſe with God in the ſpirit, and the certainty of that trade and commerce, which is betwixt Heaven and Earth whilſt we are yet on it, that are things ſo highly remote from all humane ſence. 3. It hath preſt me to inſiſt more on this ſubject, that this way is ſo viſibly gathering ſtrength, and ſeems to have the greateſt prevalence now in the Reformed Churches, how to divide the moral part of our Religion in the duties and ſervices
internal and vital part, ſo as this mortal contagion hath got in on the light and principles of this Generation, that if there were not an abſolute aſſurance by the promiſe of God, we might fear truth and piety ſhould quickly peinternal work & vitals of that pure and excellent Religion; wherein both the comfort and glory of humane ſtate lyes, & how is't conceivable men ſhould be here capable of converſe with God in the ſpirit, if there were not a conformity to him in the ſame kind by a participation of the divine nature; yea if there were not ſo rare a being on the earth as the new man, which is born of God, and his immediate workmanship, which hath its peculiar grouth & vital acts proper thereto, and in that ſence as it's contradiſtinguished from the old man cannot poſſibly ſin it ſelf, tho it be formed in the heart of a ſinlife of God, which is a partaking of the divine naJohn 5: 18. we know that whatever is born of God ſinneth not, & Rom 7: 20. It is no more I, but ſin that duelleth in me, nam unumquodque operatur ſecundum ſuam formam; for if this ſtood not ſure, the whole frame of experimental Religion, were an unac
publick State of the Church, and a ſenſe of the preſent times, ſo far above the ordinare thoughts of men; when they ſeem ſo rare who look further then preſent things, either to what is paſt in theſe extraordinar times have gone over this GeneraWork of God in theſe
great changes past, I am free to impart my ſelf, and to offer humbly ſome few thoughts on ſuch a Subject, which hath had moſt ſpecial evidence and weight on my ſpirit in the preſent day.
1. I doubt not you make the ſame Judgment, and reckoning of this with more advantage then I can reach, that one of the moſt choiſe and weighty exerciſes of a Chriſtian, whilſt he is within time, lyes in a deep and ſerious obſervation of the times he is fall'n in, not only with reChurches of Christ, and where their lott is caſt; ſince this is ane eſſential part of Reliobſerve wiſely the ways of the Lord. But I can only shew you ſome of theſe things in a short touch, which I have found moſt engaging to ſuch an Inquiry in this day. 1. That as each diſtinct age hath a proper Talent giAuthor of time choiſed to put a higher Glory upon one age, and period of time, then another, wherein it might be ſaid that the meaſure of one is five Talents, as to more ſolemn appearances of the Majeſty of God in his Providential Actings, when the meaſure of other times hath been this
two Talents. Such a differencing marke had that age of the Churches coming out of Egypt, beyond all which had gone before; yet was this comparatively little with reſpect to that glory, which was reſerved to the fulneſs of time, when our bleſt Redeemer did appear to the Worldage which had it's firſt entry from the Year 1517. had a higher ſplendor put thereon, then had been known for a thouſand Years proceeding the ſame; but when I have thought on the way and conduct of Providence, and marvelous diſage of wonders 2. I have lookt on ſuch an exerciſe, to diſcern, and underſtand aright the times we are in, as one of the moſt ſingular means for ſtrenthning a Chriſtians Faith on the certainty of ſacred truth; when with theſe more immediate diſcoveries of God in the way and adminiſtration of grace by his ſpirit on mens ſoull, which is whelly hid from the World, they can ſee in what manner his truth does viſibly take place, and is atteſted by an external ſeall in the glory of his work before men, and I am perſwaded none thus did ever perſue a more near acquaintance with God, but hath had ſome peculiar ſtrengthning remarks of his way,
duties and work of ſuch a time; and on this account I fear that there is much yet this day in the dark to us, and not unVoice of the Lord for anſwering the great ends of his Providence, tho it hath been clear and diſtinct, where mens ſpirits were laid open to entertain the ſame. I confeſs it is not ſtrange as to the greateſt part of men this day, tho they keep at the furtheſt dilive without God in the World, and ſeem emulous of theſe who can be moſt ingenious and expert, to confirm their hearts againſt all that is ſacred. 4. But I am ſure, it is ſomething much higher then any intereſt of men or of Nations, or the greateſt changes in the pohidden wiſdom of God in a Myſtery is to be ſeen and ſought out in his Works, as well as in his Word; it's true publick Revolutions, and the fall and ſetting up of great men are things highly obſervable and momentous, but they are neither ſeen or underſtood, when they make not way for ſome greater ſight of the Majeſty of God, and the ſignal retaliations of Judgement herein, & what peculiar aſpects ſuch ſtrange Revolutions of Providence hath on the preſent Generation.
II. Though it might ſeem unſuitable to offer any ſpecial Remarkes and Obſervations upon this late time, to one of ſo diſcerning a ſpirit, of things of that nature; yet knowing how a mutual communication of light, about the Work of God, and his actings in our day, is ſo incumbent a duremarkable age, but in the firſt place more generally touch ſuch a Head, ere I ſpeak in ſome particular way thereto.
1. When we ſee the ſeries of theſe times, and different meaſures of tryall and ſervice aſſigned thereto, ſince that bleſſed riſe, and recovery of the Church from Antichriſtian darkneſs, there might be ſeen alſo a growing increaſe of light, which in this age hath had ſuch ane advance, as it could not but be expected, that the Lord was to taReformed Churches; when he had opened the graves of his people, and ſent forth his Priſoners by the blood of the Covenant, & the trmoun
which once ſeem'd inſuperable; yea when this alſo is an age, where in a great concurrence of the Prayers of the Saints in times before, was
2. We ſee how theſe extraordinar occurrences of this time paſt, hath moſt remarkably had a joint reſpect both to Sacred, and Civil Intereſts, & quoad Fata Eccleſiae, & Imperii humani, ſo as in that ſence it might be ſaid there hath been a shaking both of Heaven and Earth, as to the Churches viſible State; yea ſuch hath theſe great changes from the right hand of the moſt high been within the meaſure of one age, as men could not poſſibly ſee with the eye of reaſon, without amaNations, or Perſons, above the common courſe of nature, and influence of ſeMiracles find from the ſpirits of men now, when the Revelation of Christ, and Redemption by his Blood from Eternal Wrath, hath no greater effects on this Generation, and ſo few awak'd with the Glory of ſuch a light.
3. When I have conſidered this age, as that which might have been judged a time of great exKingdom of Christ in the World, which does ſpecially make a time more remarkable, yet how little acceſs hath been herein to ſee the Work of God in any new planting of Churches, or inbrirging of Nations to the Profeſſion of the Ghoſpel, as hath been formerly, but inſtead of new Conqueſt, rather a loſing ground, and is a difficult part become to maintain a defenſive work in behalf of the truth, and which may be a ſerious remark that in this age, one tribe hath as it were been cut off from the Reformed Churches; I mean as to that diſmal State of Bohem, where ſome time before had been ſo eminent and flourishing a plantation; it is true there hath been a ſolemn tide of the effuſion of the Spirit of God, allotted to ſomeof the Churches in this laſt age, that ſhould be ſtill matter of ſweet remembrance, but it's ſure this day we ſee the ebb as low in theſe places, in the life and power of
Churches of Christ; which yet hath been to me ſo far a hopeful ſign of a near incalling of the Jews, ſince it will then find the Gentile Church in ſo judicial a Period of time, that it ſhall be as life from the dead.
4. Yet it is ſure on the other hand there hath been moſt ſignal honor and glory put on this age, and with a ſpecial reſpect to Britain and Ireland, in as great a harveſt of ſerious and ſolid Chriſtians by the Power of the Ghoſpel, then hath been in any time or place of the Earth, ſince the firſt three Centuries; tho not under that ſeall of Martyrdom as was after the Reformation, yet ſuch who ſhined in the truth and power of true Sanctity, and have left a fragrant Savour and remembrance to this day, when moſt of that bleſſed ſtock is now gone, and their room rarely filled up any where.
5. Yea this further may be matter of ſweet Reflection, how many ſuch hath been in this age, in whom that ancient greatneſs of ſpirit with Hemeaſure of the first three, of our firſt and bleſſ'd Reformers, yet may it be ſaid, within the limits of this age, there hath gone off the ſtage innuAntients ſince the Apoſtolick times; and this is a remark that never faills of Chriſts imparting himſelf in theſe meaſures of his ſpirit to a Church in ſuch a time, according to the great ends he is to accomplish there.
6. Though great changes upon a Nation or Church, does not want previous and remarkable warnings from the Lord, we have ſeen with what a marvelous Surpriſal theſe have occurred to this Generation, that were moſt remote from all humane thoughts, and once not conceivable upArcana Imperii, in ſuch peculiar and reſerved caſes, as the moſt skilled in the ways and depths of Providence are called to be ſtill with a ſilent admiration, when he thus does ariſe, as in theſe times paſt, to do great things which was not looked for.
7. But how ſtrange and marvelous hath the ſurpriſalls been of Providence in our day alſo in the way of tenderneſs, and mercy, as well as of Judgextreme exigences, both of the Church, and particular Chriſtians, in theſe great changes paſt; and as Oppreſſors have grown up to a height of VioCarpenters been prehorns of ſuch.
8. When we can not but ſee with what a ſignal evidence and commiſſion, the ſpotleſs Judgment of God hath gone forth in theſe late times, to all ranks and ſtations of men, eſpecially in the Iſle of Britain, there might be alſo ſome peculiar remarke of it's deſign againſt theſe, who were of the highest Staie, ſo as no time paſt did ever tend more to ſeal
on the ſpirits of great men then of late, to have the fear and dread of God on them, when Princes might have been ſeen walking on foot, and Servants riding on horſeback; yea that there is a time of Gods making inquiſition for blood, of ſuch who ſeemed moſt ſecure from humane Power, and how this alone comes from a divine hand, when men are poiſoned in their own cup, and lays a ſnare to themſelf by which they are caught; it is true a clear application of Providences paſt, to the preſent times, is not eaſily attained, but I doubt not of a more full light and diſcovery for this end, as will ſilence all oppoſitions, that have been to the intent and Counſell of the Lord in theſe things which have occurred.
9. It hath been reſerved to our day, to ſee the Iſſue, and great Deciſions, which have been in theſe ſtrange Scenes of Providence, in this age paſt, and to have them now in our ſight in the whole ſucceſſive courſe thereof, and ſurely this might be a great and affecting ſight to ſuch who
Britain, how by one great ſurpriſal, the whole Popish Meaſures there which had been of ſo long and painful a contrivance, was as in a mo
10. It is unqueſtionable, that the Lord does uſually act by ſecond cauſes, but there are ſteps alſo of his way wherein he alone appears, and will have them ſeen to be wholly his work, & this now hath eminently appeared in the great transactilate times, how bejond any humane power or might, it was a Standard by the Spirit of God lifted up, that did viſibly make way for the work he was then accomplishing, and did ſerve ſuch terror on his Adverſaries; yea how theſe who were acted forth to be inſtrumental thus on the ſervice of their day, were directed for that great end to the quieting of his Spirit in ſuch a piece of his Work.
11. And herewith what thoughts of heart may it cauſe now in the preſent ſtate and juncture of things, to ſee ſuch a Conjunction in this Weſtern Part of Europe, to ſerve the great ends of ProHouſe of Auſtria, of Spain, Lorrain and Savoy, ſhould have a joint intereſt with the greateſt Princes of the Reformed Religion, and take the Sword with one conſent againſt ſuch a Party, whoſe Sword hath been baPatron of the Romish Interest ſhould moſt actively make way to defeat his own Projects and Counſel, by an irreſiſtable conduct of Providence.
This is a great and unuſual Conjunction in huWeſtern Part of Chriſtendom is hereby caſt in a new mould, wherein we are called to adore God, and his DoSecond Cauſes; tho it be a Depth of Providence, which is yet not opened up; onReflections on the ſame I cannot wholly paſs. 1. What may be too juſtly feared of an inordinate reſpect to men, and concurrence of viſible means, above what it can bear, when noweight, theGod alone, with that God, who is of infinite Power both to hurt & help, whoſe preſence is ever the higheſt Security of a Nation, tho the whole World were againſt them. 2. But this alſo looks with confidence & hope, that
Providences, as this Generaſilence, and ſuſpence as to any publick Deciſion of Providence, this Year past, when things ſeemed to be in the higheſt of a Criſis, that hereby the Lord would yet give men time to conſider his Work, and take to heart his Voice by ſuch a furwarning; and have ſtill obſerved from the records of times paſt, as to his Procedure, that when he was to bring forth ſome great piece of his Work before the World, there hath been as it were an interval of ſilence for a time, & like ſome Ceſſation of Providence, which hath preceeded the ſame, and made the time of his Working, when it was leſt mens Expectation; yea the ſorer a ſtroak hath been when it came, the longer hath a tender forbearance gone before, even when the hand of Juſtice hath been lift up, the wheels ſometimes ſtand ſtill, and the publick ſtate of affairs is in a ſtrange manner becalm'd when the Lord is in ſome eminent manner to ariſe according to that Iſay 42: 14. I have long time holden my peace, I have been ſtill, I have refrained my ſelf, now will
I cry as a travelling Woman &c. 4. Yea it may be a ſpecial remark, that when the Lord hath ſo ſiggreat revolution in Britain effectuall, and to clear the sky and coaſt there from viſible oppoſition, with ſuch rare preventing Providences for that end, yet is ſo little ground gained by the unite ſtrength of this Confederacy, but it was in the one that the Lord did act in an extraordinar way of Providence, in the other things doe run more in the ordinare channel of viſign of great Wrath, that ſuch an Inſtrument of Judgment hath had his chain ſo far let forth in this day, who might be called not only Hoſt is Eccleſiae, ſed humani Generis, by theſe cruelties more then inhumane exerced in the Palatinate; and other Parts of Germany, but it's fitt the World should know of what ſpirit and way the great Perſecutor of the Proteſtants in this age is; yea for the Nations about to ſee there is no poſſible Moral Security for their Civil Intereſts from one whom no eſtablishments of Laws, nor that Law of Gratitude towards ſuch whoſe Fathers had brought the Houſe of Bourbon to the Throne could bind: but as there is an an
12. Have we not alſo been called to ſee
viciſſitudes of Providence; that theſe for whom God had ſometimes most ſignally appeared in raiſing them to the highest greatneſs and power, as all might clearly diſcern it was his hand alone, that did the ſame; how in a way no l
whilſt they did not know, and regard God in the day of their greattry a new Scene of oppoſition to his truth, and interest; yea thus forgot the tempest they were once in, and theſe engagements, which were then on their ſoul, when they had once got to the Haven: It is ſure this hath been writ forth, as in Capital Letters once and again, that men who run might read the ſame, and know how great and terrible a party God is, when he is not for a Church or People, but against them; and how eaſie it is for him by ane occurrent of Providence, leaſt feared or thought off, to give a check to the greateſt deeps of humane Policy and Wit; and let ſuch know, when they judge themcounſels and confidence is derided from Heaven.
13. It hath been in ſome ſingulare manner alſo, that in this age we have been called to ſee ſin and judgment meet other with ſuch aſtoniſhing
reſemblance and proportion betwixt the ſame, as the ſtroke herein pointing as with a finger at the cauſe, was unavoinatural conſcience to diſcern, and ſee a just and Holy God, thus made known, and viſible in ſuch publick and tremendous inſtances of his Judgment, as bejond the rate of former times have been ſet up, as beacons in our ſight. I muſt join herewith, this ſad remark, which hath had a peculiar reſpect to theſe times, that as it's ſure nothing, but Religion in the truth thereof can effectually take off men from ſin, ſo hath noReligion been oft made uſe off as the grand Engine to ſecure them therein; and what was ſpoke by one of the Ancients, hath been more applicable to our day, then almoſt any paſt, that never was ane age more fertile of Religions under a different profeſſion hereof, and never more barren of Religion in the power, and efficacy of the ſame on mens ſoul.
14. It hath been in this age that ſuch a call often and alowd hath ſounded in our ears to come and ſee, how the greatest Powers and Nations of the earth are but as a little dust in the ballance for the Soveraigne God to blow off at his pleaſure, and that he hath reſerved to himſelf a dominion, and preeminence over the Kingdoms of the Children of men, to change the greatest Monarchies. Oh what a ſtrange reflex work might this be to have our ſpirits, but going back on theſe
great and marvelous shakings, and utter razing hath been of publick ſettlements that ſeemd moſt firmly laid, the bowing down and fall of the greateſt of men, and raiſing up ſuch, who had b
when the great God once begun to conOaks and Cedars, and herewith to ſee the extent of his power over mens ſpirits and inclinations, as well as their actings, ſo as to determine their concurrence, with their hand for his ends; contrare to the native byaſs, and ſway of their hearts; that men might know him who is the God of the ſpirits of all flesh can by one and the ſame Providence accompliſh various deſigns at once, and bring forth ſuch contrare effects, as no humane wiſdome could ever have ſuppoſed or forſeen, yea how theſe marvelous events might be clearly ſeen, was in their day no rare and ſtrange contingencies to aſtoniſh men, but ſuch as did bear a moſt evident ſignature and impreſs of the Majeſty of God, and of his name and truth shewed forth thereon.
15. I shall but add this more upon ſo boundleſs a Subject; that we have been ſpecially called in this age to ſee ſome unuſual variation in the ſpotleſs ways and methods of Providence about his Church, and in the cours of humane affairs from what hath been the manner of his working formerly, ſo as men could not diſcern his way oft by any footſteps or precedent of Providence in times past, but that ſomething hath been reſerved peculiarly to our
day, of the Lord riſing up as in mount Peradſim, and his being wroth as in the valley of Gibeon to do his ſtrange work, and bring to paſs his ſtrange Act Iſay 28: 21. And tho we but ſee in part hereof, yet may we now know and underſtand upon theſe times past, more then ſuch who was then preſent actors on the ſtage could reach in diſcerning the intents of providence when things were in their first mould, as is now clear in their after tendency and reſult; nor could poſſibly have that judgWork of God in ſome parcels as may be now attained, when it's in a more full and entire frame; when ſuch a ſight is ſett before us, as should call to have our ſouls bowing down with an awful regard and homage at ſo august, and immediate a diſcovery of the Majeſty of God in his Work and actings before this Generation.
A III. Head on this Subject, that I would offer ſome thoughts on, is as to the Lords ſingular way of dealing with the publick State of Britain, and Ireland bejond any other of the Reformed Churches in this laſt age; and is indeed a Subject of ſerious regard, to conſider what manner of time hath our lot been caſt in, and the meaſure of that talent for obſervation, we ſtand accountable for upon ſuch great and extraordinare events as hath occurred: but here I have deſired to have my thoughts tranſlate, to what hath been from the first entry on ſo marvelous a ſeries of providence, about the ſtate of theſe Nations, for almoſt fifty
Years past, for a more clear proſpect how each ſtep herein in its ſucceſſive place, and room, hath tended to give light to another; which I ſhall reimmediate appearances of God, from what hath been mens part, and actings upon ſuch a diverſity of intereſts as might too viſiway; and offer but a few ſerious reflections on the ſame, to one who can more clearly obſerve, and diſcern things of that kind.
1. That it's ſure Britain and Ireland hath been of late a Theater of ſuch ſtrange and extraordinare viciſſitudes in it's publick ſtate, from the Year 38. of this age, as in no times paſt can be reſembled; what wonderful Revolu
did then ſucceſſively follow other, and were made the object of mens ſenſe, as could not poſſibly have had credit or been a matter of Faith, if the ſame should have been foretold, and may juſtly render ſuch a period of time unto this day, to be matter of aſtonishtime wherein the Lord hath not given ſome more ſingular diſcoveries of himſelf, and theſe changes of providence which are in the perſonal caſe of Chriſtians, and lyes more cloſe and near to their Senſe, then things of a publick concern, are oft ſo extraordinare as would be not eaſy for oLand can never be a Subject of ordinary thoughts.
2. It is known how ane avenging Sword, which was bathed in Heaven, had it's commiſſion thence, to go forth againſt both Britain, and Ireland, and did not ceaſe to perſue it's end until theſe flourishing Nations, was made a viſible field of blood, yea did not rest, until in the righteous, and Soveraign diſpoſal of God, a potent and ſettled Monarchy there, of a long deſcent having no fear, or oppoſition from any forren power, was yet broke, and made void, and did fall in their high places; and what ane account this ſhould have been to the World, if it could have been poſſibly ſeen or judged in the Year 40. what the 50 Year following was to bring forth, and was then in the boſome of ſo ſhort a time.
3. But when thus the Lord did once appear, and go forth in a judiciary way, we might ſee how each of theſe three Nations had their proper share, and meaſure allotted in the ſtrokes, and judgments of that timepoor Ireland then, by the Holy and juſt God in that bloody and terrible Scene, which was acted there, yet this was in common to the whole of theſe Lands that it was an inteſtine Sword, and not of a forreiner that was then call'd for, which
Judgment to be the ſorer and more of divine wrath in it; where on part of a Nation, is made the rod, and executioner of his judgment on another, and their deſtruction from amongst themſelves.
4. If it be conſidered, what manner of time, that was of ſo extraordinare things, it may be obvious, how this followed a long and unuſal ſettled calm, and tranquillity, which had gone bepublick State of theſe Nations, when ſo great a flame had been round about; it was imbloody Sword had done its work in Germany, which from the Year 30. had brought with it ſuch diſmal effects there; but what would ſeem moſt aſtonishing here, that tho a time of the patience and long ſuffering of God, had in a ſingular manner gone before, & the treaty of the Ghoſpel might be ſeen to have a ſmall accepjudicial effects, with moſt of that Generation, when the Red Horſe, and its Rider went forth to take peace from ſuch a part of the earth, yet was not the hight of Profanity, and Atheiſm nor meaſure of ſin then in theſe Nations come near to ſuch a degree, as is now the meaſure of this time, or had any ſuch prodigious appearance; only we ſee not yet what is coming to anſwer this.
5. It is not above 40 Years past, ſince we might ſee a powerful ſtate, & commonwealth both raiſed and formed in theſe Nations on ſo great a ruine, had
wonderful Scene of Providence brought forth on the ſtage, which made a Revolution in the civil ſtate of that nature as Britain had never before known, a State whoſe ſtrength whilſt it ſtood firm was made formidable both by Sea and Land to the Nations about, with ſo ſtrong a tide of ſucceſs, as nothing was able to ſtand againſt the ſame, but all eſſays, which tended to an oppoſition then, moſt viſibly fruſtrate, and no plots, or mine laid ſo deep and cloſs, which did not ſpring upon themſelves who wrought therein; ſuch was the concurrence of favourable things, and in ſo ſtrange a manner until they had ſtood o
wherein they were then ſett, how they ſhould anſwer the call, and intent of ſuch a Providence.
6. But when the eyes of moſt every where was aloft, as to the iſſue of this ſettlement, and all huballance might cast adifferent Parties, and intereſts as was on foot; it was then as with ane amaſing earth quake, that the whole foundation was razed, and tho it was unqueſtionable that many of a ſerious ſpirit, and deſign in the things of God was amdate of their commiſſion was once expired, and keeped not themſelves in the way of mercy, they are at laſt brought to know what it was to have God againſt them; a God impartially hating ſin before whom it is more highly
aggravate and provockting the higher Profeſſion of his way and truth men ſtands under, yea then was it that it migſame manner of
by a moſt viſible ſeries, and irreſiſtable courſe of Providence, ſo was there fall ▪
and down caſting made wonderful, there Councils disordered, diſpirited in their reſolutions wherein the ebb did run as low, in impreſſions of fear and deſpondency on their ſpirits, as it had once lowed, who ſomeacted above their own ordinare reach; and thus as in a moment might it be ſeen how this frame and mould was broke as without hand. This was the ſecond overturning in the publick State of Britain, in a very short time after the former, anſwerable to that Ezek. 21: 27. I will overturn, overturn, &c.
7. It is now that a great, and marvelous change we may ſee again go over theſe Nations, & an other piece of the Work of God brought forth on the ſtage, and new Actors made uſe of herein; which cauſed great thoughts of heart to know, what aſpect ſuch a criſis might have on the publick State of Religion; then was the Regal Power, and Government in Britain, raiſed again to its higheſt ſplendor and extent, and this change in ſuch a manner accomplisht as the moſt judicious, and diſcerning ſpirits ſtood amaſed to ſee over what oppoſitions, and difficulties, which ſeemed inſuſame hand who threw them down, which did then lift them up, with whom it is eaſie to make a way where there is none for any peece of his Work, when he goeth forth herein.
8. But when it might have been hoped and exextraordinare providences ſhould work on theſe who were most intereſſed in this great Reſtauration, when it was not there Sword or Counſel, but the finger of God, which wrought the ſame; and that ſurely this might put a more then ordinare weight how to reſtore the Nations unto God, who had reſtored them to the ſupreame Power, and Government over the ſame, loe then was it in the Room hereof that theſe things might be ſeen. 1. How the Sluces were immediately let open, for an impetuous flood, and deluge of wickedneſſe to break in over the whole Iſle; ane unbridled licence to all immoralities, and impiety, and no reſtraint but what might tend to proKingdom of Jeſus Christ amongſt men; ſo as theſe Years past ſince the 60. hath tended to lay a lod of guilt on Britain bejond the meaſures of any times past, and is ſtill lying upon the ſame; which will be found ſore and heavy in the iſſue if Soveraign Grace do not wonderfully interpoſe. 2. As it was then that ſuch a criſis had ſo diſmal and mortal an aſpect there within theſe hights of Profanity vvhich did go over all banks, & beordinare cure or relief, ſo there might be
new way and unuſual methods of ſinning; and a new progreſs, and advance in Atheiſm, bejond what hath been known in any times paſt, yea this with ſuch confidence in the pubſun as might be an amaſement even to the infernal ſpirits to think how far they were out gone by ſuch who were of humane race this way. 3. But it was herewith alſo, when it might have been thought, that God should ſtay his hand no longer or forbear, that the ſeall of their commiſſion, whoſe power had then the greatest influence might be diſcernable to all; that they were aſſuredly established for judgment, and had ſuch a judicial work under their hand; ſo as the moſt deſtructive deſigns of that party for a further Ruine to the Church, ſeemed ſtill then to have the greateſt ſucceſs; and no atmeaſure, and the Epha was further filled up, but ſuch who did moſt haſten to brake priſon as it were before the time, found their bondage grew ſtronger hereby.
9. But whilſt ſuch was thus at work, and acting ſo diſmal a part on the publick Theater of Britain; leſt they should reckon that ſurely God had forſaken the earth, and that the Cry of ſuch prodigious wickedneſs was not ſo loud as to go up to Heaven; then was it that he came down in a viſible way, to make himſelf known, and bring near his judgment,
tremendous voiee; then was it that he gave a ſpecial commiſſion to one of the three great Judgments the devouring Peſtilence to go to the moſt eminent and conſpicous part of Britain, and the publick Seat of the Regal Power and Authority; and make that great City deſolate for a time, and make their dwellings void of Inhabitants, in the Year 65. yea in ane extraordinare Conjunction did double ſuch a warning by putting them in a flame, that it might ſpeak as a publick Herauld to theſe Nations, and thus give a Second Cry, that when his Wrath was begun to kindle a little, men might meet him in the way of his Judgment ere it come to the utmoſt and a greater wo follow thereon. This ſurely was the voice of God by a moſt ſtupendous diſpenſation, and does ſpeak ſtill to this day, tho there may be few now to hear it. This was a Entry of Judgment, and ſtroke of that kind on which the Lord did put a moſt diſcernable impreſs of his Greatneſs, and Terror.
10. Yet even then after this there was a moſt obſervable Pauſe, and tender forbearance, in the way of the Lord to bring Judgment a furGod of Patience, who does not eaſily deſtroy the Work of his own Hand, and bears long ere a hight of ſin does extort the last Stroke of Vengeance, did then give ſuch a new breathing, or long intermiſſion, as to any extraActs of Judgment; but did herewith
new Offers, and Conditions of Peace, before the decree bring forth Zephan 2: 2. ſo as the next great warning, which was given to theſe Nations, was in an other way and method; to take a new trpreventing Providence, in the diſcovery of the Popish Plot, which under the ſhadow of civil Authority had been ſo long hatching, and ripening unmine was ready to ſpring, to a viſible Ruine of the whole proteſtant Interest in theſe Nations. This was a ſingular ſtep of Divine Providence, tho the ſence hereof may be gone off the Spirits of moſt, wherein he made us ſee that he was yet ſtill watching over theſe Lands for their good, when they were not aware and would not only warn, by ſo awakning a Providence, but turn that contrivance againſt the contrivers, if ſo this might at last Work, and anſwer the intent hereof.
But now I muſt further add, what lyes nearer to our ſight and obſervation, upon this extraordicourſe, and Conduct of Providence from the Year 60. to that late call we have been ſiſted undeep advertency, on this ſtrange ſight and turn of providence; which the moſt wiſe Diſcerners could not ſome time before, have ever ſuppoſed on principles of Reaſon, or by any natural connection of things; a turn, and viciſſitude of Providence of ſuch a kind where men may ſee the Name & Majesty of God,
august, and ſingular way ſhewed forth thereon, and his ariſing to make way for his Power and immediate Appearance in ſuch a manWork of God that might bring near the Senſe of a Godhead to the conſcience of the moſt ordinare Obſervers, and what ever ſad, and Judicial ſigns be too evident this day of the improvment made by moſt hereGlory and Honor of God in ſo great a discovery of himſelf be not darkned or obſcured. This is a Work vve ſee but in part, and the first Scene, of vvhat is yet further in bringing forth, and can be little knovvn or taken up by the neareſt events of Providence untill the Viſion-Speak, and the vail be further taken off the ſameProvidence hath been conſtrained to ſee, that this vvas by an immediate divine Hand, contrare to the ordinary Courſe, and Actings of Second Cauſes; and how ſuch vvho moſt eminently acted as Instruments herein, vvhat ever acceſs or advanReſolution, Spirit, and Counſel in ſuch a Work, yet vvere then only called forth to ſtand ſtill, and ſee a higher Power moving in the ſame, vvho did there look down as in the morning watch to trouble the Motions of theſe, who were againſt them, and in an inſtant took off their Chariot wheels, and made them knovv it vvas in
ſtand, or flee, vvhen they had God against them, who tho they reckoned to go forth, as at other times they knevv not, that their day, and fatal period vvas novv come.
Tho there was nothing common or ordinare in this stupendous work, wherein ſuch incredible occurrences of providence, did then concurr as might conſtrain the naturall conſcience of men to ſee a ſupernaturall cauſality herein yet did ſomeWork of God more highly aſtonishing. 1. That when the fears of moſt were at the furtheſt hight of ſodeſolating stroke to accompanie the ſame, where the contrare parties, were ſo ſtated as the one could not ſtand but on the ruine of the other, and their intereſt on every ſide ſo extenſive, and great, yea when in no times paſt the harvest of the earth, and in theſe parts thereof, ſeemd more ripe for putting in the Syckel, yet even then did the Lord in his ſoveraign and marvelous diſpoſal ſpare; and went not forth as at other times, with garments rolled in blood nor did the actings of his providence appear ſo terrible as when preſages of judgment were more diſcernable; but as this was the opening of the first ſcene & who ſees what God is to do, who knowth his mind, as to theſe great changes in the externall ſtate of this weſtern part of the World, by ſuch a remarkable entry to the ſame; but this may be fully clear to any who does wiſely conſider the Work of the Lord herein, that
new and higher tryall which he would yet once more take of theſe nations, and did therehold his hand, when the ſtroke ſeemd ready to fall down. 2. It might ſeem unaccountable to all reaſon, ſuch a conjunction, and concurrence of inſtruments as was in this work; for tho the appearance of ſome herein who did moſt eminently appear, and act, did witneſs ſpeciall, high, and heroick motions in the ſame; yet how vast & numerous a part was imbarked upon this interest, and in behalf of the Protestant Religion, who could claime no roome or title in the very form, and viſible profeſſion of Christianity, or to have any place in the outone ſide, were ſuch ſtated, who maintaind Christs bodily preſence in the earth, in that ſacrifice of the maſs, as the hibboleth of their profeſſion; and on the other ſide how great a part was there who did ridicull all revealed Religion, and ſeemd not to beleeve his reall preſence in heaven. But here was it diſcernable what a return this was by the voice of providence, to that grand engine, and too known a deſign of the Romish ſpirit for many years paſt, to take vvay for popery, by destroying men, eſpecially the youth in Britain, in the moralls of Chriſtianity, and to to take thus off all ſerious Senſe, and weight of Religion from their Conſcience, that herein this deep of Hellish Policy did at laſt turn against themſelves, and tho they judged themſelves
ſerious influence of Religion on ſuch a Party, yet could they not ſecure them from acting as men on principles of reaſon, who could not but ſee the intereſt of Popery, and of their civil Rights, and Properties were incompainternal motives on a Religious Interest, it could not be eaſie to join in with ſuch a Religion, as was made up wholy of external Rites, and ceremonial Severity, and Strictneſſe, and had no poſſible conſiſtency with it ſelf. But if we ſeriouſly ponder this great viciſſitude of Providence in it's Conjunction, with what hath gone before, it's here we muſt ſee a thrid, marvelous overturning. which in one and the ſame age, hath been ſuccesſively in theſe Kingdoms, according to that foreScripture Ezek. 21: 27. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, and it shall be no more until he come, whoſe right it is, and I will give it: which is to be underſtood there, of ſuch great Revolutions, as ſhould in their proper order follow upon other. For tho this had a reſpect. then to theſe great shakings which was to come upon Juda, and the Houſe of their Kings in the entry of their captivity, yet may none bound the intent of the Holy Ghost in this Prophecy, as if there only it was to take place, and had not a Reſpect to ſome further accomplishment of the ſame in after times, which ſurely was ſince, never more clear in the event then in this late
wonderful Series of Providence, that hath been in theſe overturnings. But now let me ſpeak heredeeply affecting, how there is ſomething yet more ſolemn and extraordinare now in this thrid call, then all that hath gone before, to be awakening to this generation, and that which with too clear evidence may be judged the last cry and call, ſuch as hath no dark or uncertain ſound therewith to the State and Churches of Britain, and unto all ranks there, if there be not a reſolute ſhutting of our ear at the ſame, that this is aſſuredly the voice of the Lord,
But oh if this I will yet once more take proof and tryall of theſe Lands, which I did choiſe, and in ſo ſingular a way deall with bejond other Churches and Nations; and will yet reſpite the laſt ſtroak of Judgment; and if tenderneſs and forbearance in a moſt ſurpriſing and extraordinare diſplay thereof will once work; if the actings of proThrone, who shall ſeek the good and welfare of their People, under whoſe shadow ye may ly down ſafely withvoice can not be heard, when it is ſo clear and audible which if ſome knew ever any thing, or had diſcerning of the ways of God and of the times, they cannot but hear, this to be the preſent voice of the time, it then ſeems to be come to the last and highest tryalls that theſe Nations ever ſtood under; when ſuch extraordinar meaſures of divine patience, and long ſuffering, and ſo long a day given to repent muſt either be ſpeedily anſwered, or it be found that the ſtroke will be the more terrible, when it comes, the longer it hath been deferred; that threatned judglast come to a year of recompence, yea to a preciſe day of the ſpotleſs Vengeance of God, when his ſpirit will no more ſtrive with men, when he will clear his Juſtice, and go forth to ſee the Authority of his Laws and Sentences of his Word ratified in the execution thereof, when no Interceſſor shall be then heard tho a Noach, Daniel, and Job were upon the earth; and it shall be then no more poſſible to hold off that long threatned ſtroke, or turn Judgment out of his way then for men to ſtop the courſe of the Sun to recall the day and years that are paſt, or make void the Ordinances of Heaven, but then will the Works of God gett a hearing, when his Words could not.
A IV. Head, on this ſubject; which I muſt join in with the former, that is of great weight, and conſequence, is this; to know what aſpect, ſuch extraordinary providences of theſe times past, now hath on the churches there, and whither ſo great a criſis, as hath been in the publik State of affairs, hath more promiſing, or threatning ſigns, therewith. It was the higheſt part of Hezekiah obſervation, upon that great deliverance he met with Iſai. 39. not to ſee only God in his immediate hand herein, but how his heart, was toward him in the ſame; as is there expreſſed thou hast loved my ſoul, out of the pit of corruption, for ſo does the originall render it. A looſing ſight of providence, in what the Lord doth ſpeak to men thereby, maketh way not only for great shakings, but to read the ſenſe thereof, contrair to its intent; and tho there be a regarding by all, the viſible effects of providence, and what herein lyes neareſt to our ſenſe, yet few goes a further length in their obſerving. It is undenyable that an extraordinare condeſcendence of grace, and of the long ſuffering of God, might be ſeen in theſe great things here done of late, but the next enquiry lyes here, how ſuch ane unuſual application of providence does work? It was upon ſome ſerious thoughts hereof, and this preſent State of things, I ſett my ſelf, for more clear diſcerning of the way of the Lord and his voice to this generation in theſe aſtonishing
changes hath gone over the ſame of late, to have my own ſpirit fix'd herein, and ſome higher ſtrenthning on the faithfulnes of his truth; but in the firſt place, there are ſome undoubted principles of truth, which I would mention here, and muſt hold by, as truths which are of ane eternall verity, and may have a clear applicatory light, to the preſent day we are in.
1. That it's ſure, the moſt notable mercies which hath been bequathed of the Lord, either to churches, or perſons, have alſo been an entry to the greatest of judgements, when not anſwered, it was with the brighteſt ſunshine of ane immediate appearance of his hand, and ane extraordinary courſe of miracles, that Iſrael, entred into the wilderneſs; whereon ſo black a night of diſmal providence: did fall; and is it not the ſame voice which is now ſpeaking to us, that we have Malach. 2. 2. if ye will not lay to heart, to give glory to my name, ſays the Lord of host, I will curſe your bleſſings.
2. It ſtands ever ſure, and unchangeable, that God will never return to a people, againſt whom he is wroth, untill the cauſe of his departure be taken away, for both the ſame date, and meaſure, which mens forſaking of God, doth bear, the ſame alſo does his departing bear unto them, and tho repentance where it is in truth, can never be in vain, yet may it come to late, to prevent temporal judgment, or to regain ever again, a ſeaſon
of acting for God, when there is a more eminent call thereto, at one time, then another.
3. It is ane unchangeable truth, which varies not, with the changes of time, that there is no condition on the earth can be ſafe whither as to a a Nation, or Perſon, were it never at ſuch adwherein they cannot ſay, God is with us herein, and we are deſigning for him; as on the other hand, it muſt be founded wholly on Atheiſm, where the ſtate; and danger of a Nation is not judged from the ſins thereof, and the meaſure of the ſame, more then from any viſible hazard; for tho particular places, and people, under a Profeſſion of Chriſt, comes not to the ſame hight in filling up the meaſure of ſin; yet it muſt ſurely have it's fatal period, when deferred Judgment will nat ſtay on day longer.
4. What ever uncertainty be in humane things, yet is this unchangeable, and ſure, that ſuch who inherit the ſame ſins of others, againſt whom God hath appeared in any eminency of Providence shall inherit the ſame Judgements; which hath not onpledges to after times of what may be expected. For as the way of grace, changeth not, and the redeem'd of the Lord, as dear to him now, as ever; ſo is he immutably juſt, and his ways keeps the ſame meaſure with his revealed truth, ſo as a Solid Interpretation of Scripture
Prophetik Spirit, to infer Judgment, from ſin, where there is no ſerious rewhen the Lord God hath ſpoken, who can but Prophecy Amos 3: 8.
5. It is of unqueſtionable evidence alſo, that national ſins, wherein the body of a Nation, and People is unite, and hath a joint acceeſſion herein; when it is thus the publick Sin of a Community, muſt meet with a Stroke, and Judgment within time of as publick extent, and cannot be laid over in this reſpect to the Judgment of the great day, when once it's meaſure is filled up here; ſince elſe the Glory of God in his truth, and remunerative Juſtice, should not have on ſuch an account, a Vindication before the World, in the ſight of Angels, and Men, if his ſpotleſs Judgment should not thus bear ſome proportion, to the nature of that guilt; the God of truth hath given his Word, and Dominion, and Authority over Nations both to pluke up, and to plant, as well as over perſons, which can never be made void.
6. There can be no doubtfulneſs here alſo that it is ſimply impoſſible for a church to ſubſist, or preſerve ît's ſtation in a Church state by a naked external form only; or in the purity of religion, without ſome life, and power, of the ſame; ſince if there were no reall inbringing, or building up of the elect there, then the Goſpel had no more work in the ſame, and no interest were there for the Spirit of God to keep fellowship with; ſo that
intrinſick ſtrength of any particular church, yea of the politick bodie therein; lyes not in the number, or bulk, but in the weight, nor is't the extenſive growth of a church to a viſible profeſſion that makes, a reall increaſe; but how great an interest does a few ſuch, whoſe way is the life, and power of that doctrine they profeſs, make in the place they are in; tho this ſeems litle appreheninfluence the hid part in a nation of humble, ſerious chriſtians hath on the external State thereof, and on the adminiſtration of providence in the world, who makes least appearance in it, by a near entercourſe with heaven, and by ſuch high value, and regard which they have there, ſo as the Lord hath even ſubjected the greaviciſſitude and changes of the time to the interceſſion, and prayers of ſuch.
Let me but add this herewith, that tho the Lord does ever diſtinguish betwixt the Godly, and the reſidue of men in times of publick calamity, and Judgments, ſo as not to lay them common herein with the wicked, yet on the other hand, it is not a numerous Party, even of moſt choiſe, and Reall Chriſtians in a Land, will ſtand in the way of wrath, and of ſome diſmal ſtroke, when the ſett time of Judgment is once come; but may be then ſuch with a Nation, when there is no more hearing, or interceſſion, but for that inſtance of the Lords ſiſting his judgment, if there had been but 10 Perſons in the Cities of the Plain: it
Abraham, and extrarule. There was a choiſe and numerous remnant in Judea, who ſought the Lord then, when that diſmal night of the Captivity came on; and it is of late, that ſuch a tremendous inſtance, we have before us in the Caſe of Bohemia, where ſo conPeople zealous for God, when ſuch a publick overwhelming ſtroke came on.
But now in the Second Place I muſt ſpeak a few words to what ſeems in ſome ſingular way, to ſpeak to Britain, and Ireland by very ſad, and monitory ſigns, bejond any of the Churches abdarkneſs of Providence, more then to regard, what is clearly revealed to usintent & voice thereof; and theſe are indeed ſad, and diſmal like dispenſations, that tho they be not ſilent, but have a diſtinct, and audible voice, yet Seals no Instruction herewith, on the ſpirits of men. I confeſs a natural Reſpect, and tye, to ſuch a Part of the earth, bejond any elſe, renders this to ſome, to be more heavie, and dreadful that if Soveraign grace, do not wonderfully interpoſe, it cannot be found in the courſe of divine Providence, ſince the beginning of time; that ever the meaſure of ſin, contempt of a Deity, and oppoſitions to the Holy God in the deſigns both of his Word, and Providence hath come to ſuch a hight as is viChurches this day; but that ſome exappearance of Wrath, and Judgment from the Lord hath as viſiby followed thereon, to be a publick monument, for after times, wherein theſe Remarks, are ſo unavoidable.
1. To what a ſtrange, and fatal iſſue, hath that purest profeſſion of Christ, in the Proteſtant Religion, which hath been long enjoyed there, now come, when ſuch publick contempt, and ſcorn, is thrown upon the ſame, in the truth, and power thereof, as a matter of their greateſt abhorrence; when the moſt numerous part of the multitude, every where may be ſeen in a stated oppoſition to the dominion, and authority of God in his laws, yea ſuch horrid tenets, as well as practices, even in the common ſenſe of mankind, may be diſcernable there, as in pagan nations, under ſome awnatural conſcience would be affrigting; ſince every nation will walk in the name of their God; but theſe are ſuch as have at once diveſted themſelves of all hope and caſt off all fear, or dread, of a wrath that is to come.
2. And as to one ſpecial evidence hereof, what cauſe may it be to meditate terror, as to the pretheſe nations, when a ſpirit of blaſphemie is let forth there and gott ſuch a prevalence amongſt all ranks, as it's accounted a matter of fashion, and breading, to go a length bejond obleſſed name of God, in
whoſe hand is their breath, by profane, and blaſphemous oaths. This is a thing by it ſelf, that's purely diabolick, and hath nothing humane in it, can have no affinity with the flesh, nor is as ane ordinarie degree, of a reall poſſeſſion by the Divel, and much ſadder, then that which hath been on many by conſtraint, and putting a force upon their tongue to blaſpheme, which otherwiſe would have been a horror, and dread, ſince this is by conſent, and a delight, that could have no poſſible riſe, but from pure enmity to the Holy God, yet is it now come to ſuch a prodigious height, as if Briproper monopoly this way, and Preheminence, of the ſame, above all nations of the earth; tho none more will pretend a nationall love, and reſpect, to it's ſtanding, and interest, to whom that ſaying of one of the ancients, may be applicable, if ſuch would once give it a hearing; ſi tibi non vis parcer
but when ſuch a contagion ſeemes to be paſt the reſtraint of humane Laws who declares their ſin as ſodome, will not the great lawgiver, at laſt take it under his hand, to vindicate his authoritie.
3. But what a ſymptome, is this herewith of approaching judgments when to ſuch a hight, and ſo univerſalie, the corruption of the youth, is in this day, and theſe parts, in ſo ane uſual a way; and among ſuch, a Spirit of Atheiſm, and p
diſmal night muſt follow herenational interest, that what does thus strike, at the root, truth & Godlineſs, amongſt men, in ſo ſtrange a debauchery, of the generation that's coming up, gives the ſame ſtroke, to the greateſt ſecurity of goverment, and to what founds the greateſt obligations, to civil, or moral duties; yea hath a native, and unavoidable tendence to ruine the politick bodie, to emaſculate the ſpirits of men, and obſtruct the vigorous improvments, of their natural parts, and will in a short time depreſs, and change the very genius of theſe once renouned nations, if there be no due application, of the proper, and adequate remedie for the ſame.
4. And do we not with too great evidence now ſee, how much that old Proteſtant ſpirit, which was in the power, and life of that profeſſion, is gone, and extinguiſhed this day; before which the Romish interest could not, poſſibly ſtand, when humane power and might did litle concur therewith; ſo as it may be a ſtrange but too viſible a remark, how that diſtinction, hath got ſuch place in Britain, bejond any other reformed churches elſe, which is betwixt the Proteſtant interest, and politick concerns thereof, and the Proteſtant Religion, which lyes in the pure doctrine of Christ, in its truth, and efficacy on mens ſoul,
practice; when thus may be ſeen, what a throng and eaſie concurrence is there to promote the one, and bear the higheſt reſpects thereto, ſo far as they find a private interest, and external motives renders this neceſſary, who does hate, and to the utmoſt oppoſe themſelves to the other; yea fears nothing more, then to have this get any authority over their conſcience; and oh thence it is that when priveledge and propertie upon a temporal intereſt, are as the apple of mens eye, when theſe are once touched, yet are the higheſt indignities, and affronts to the honor of God, and to his truth of a ſmall regard.
5. But if we yet look further, in to the Publick State of Religion in theſe Churches, there may be a more aſtonishing ſight, and of greater abominations ſtill, anſwerable to that viſion Ezechiel 8; when within the precincts of a Chriſtian Church, once ſo purely reformed, ſuch a party is got up and growing, whoſe work is not onlie to take men off the ſerious work, and power of Chriſtianity; but to ſubvert wholly the foundation of our faith, under that late deſignation of Deiſts, and that men are now become ſo wearied of the Chriſtian Profeſſion, as were their power anſwerable to their will, they would bring in a new model of paganiſm, and fix themſelf at laſt there. And oh is it come to ſuch a day, after ſo bright a ſun shine of the Goſpell hath gone before, and after ſo great ane effuſion of the Spirit of God, that ſuch
frame of the Goſpel, to juſtle our ever bleſſed Redeemer, who once was the deſire of the nations, off his throne, to thruſt the crown off his head, the ſcepter of whoſe goverment is righteouſneſs, & peace; and give, if they could, a mortall ſtroke to him, who is the life, and light of men, and by whoſe ſtripes we are healed, yea as if they could make their party good againſt that rod of iron, with which he bears rule over his adverſaries. But what can theſe deſign to themſelves to render humane being deſirable here on the earth, except to have a ſhare of the ſame priveledge, with the beaſts, of the field, that within a little they should have no more being, and oh what a God does ſuch deprive themſelves of who only propitious, to poor man in Christ, and otherwiſe not the object of our trust, but of terror; yet is this way now come to that length, as it would ſeem to deſpiſe all moral releef.
6. I muſt yet add here, tho it be a very ſad ungrateful Subject, how we are faln in a day, when the greateſt diſcoveries of God, both in the way of Judgment, and mercy ſeems to have no affegrace, and providence amidſt ſuch marvelous changes hath gone before, in that manner withſtood as moſt ſeemes to unite there ſtrength herein; even when this may be in a
our time, what the Lord did once ſpeak to Iſrael by Moſes; your eyes have ſeen the great Acts of the Lord, and theſe great temptations, the Signs, and Wonders, which he hath done in this last age; yet if Soveraign grace do not marvelouſly appear, it may be fear'd, that both the voice of God in his Word and Works hath discharg'd their commiſſion, without any due regard to the ſame; and that judgment, and mercy after ſuch extraordinar methods of divine patience have done their part, and is now come to ſuch a judicial withdrawing, and depargreat Ambaſſador, the Spirit of God from his Church, that there ſeems but ſmall acceſs to ſerious Publick Humiliation, and faſting, or to call for ſolemn Aſsemblies for this end, except to Perſonate, & Act ſuch a part as that of the mourning Women amongst the Jews at Funerals, and amongſt theſe of the moſt ſerious Spirit in this day, ſuch a reſtraint may be found of that Seriousneſs and fervor herein which once did appear, as renders it a more ominous Preſage that there may be nothing to follow but that laſt ſentence, let them alone; and muſt not all thus reaſon and judge, that as the intereſt of Sacred Truth, and the Honor, and Glory of God in mens ſubjecting thereto is of much higher value then any temporal Interest; ſo is the Vindication of the ſame before the World of a greater concern then the ſtability or ſtanding of Kingdoms, yea to fear more
time, how long ſo ever deferJudgement, ſhall be then cleared fully; shall I not viſit for theſe things, shall not my ſoul be avenged on ſuch a People.
But now in the third Place, there is one Inquiry that ſhould ly near, and hath a more then orcall for the ſame in ſuch a day; to know what is yet left, and acceſſible in the matter of duty, that might be as a door of hope for the Lords Returning once more, and his reſpiting of imminent Judgement, when ſo great a Ruine is like to fall under the Hand of this Generation. I know any ſuch thing will be to moſt as matter of deriſion, whoſe fear, and hopes of this kind goes no higher then preſent Objects of Senſe, and it is little I can adventure to ſpeak hereon, but as to any meaſure of light I have attained, I can no more queſtion, that the ſame voice from the Lord, is now going forth to the Churches of Britain, and Ireland; then that I read what is ſpoke to Juda Ezechiel 22: 30. And I ſought for a man amongst you that should make up the hedge, and ſtand in the gate before me for the Land, that I should not deſtroy it, but I found none; therefore have I poured out my indignation upon them, I have conſumed them with the fire of my Wrath, their own wayes have I recompens'd on their Heads, ſays the Lord God. It's ſure then wrath was near to a breaking forth, when this last call came yet with an offer of Peace,
truly raiſed ſpirit, to do and endure ſomething more then ordinare for God, when ſo great a ruine was ready to fall under their hand; but to clear the import of ſuch a call, with reſpect to the publick State of the Churches of Britain, under this alluſion, here made uſe off, to ſtand in a gape and breach, when the Church as a defenced City is laid open to an extream and imminent hazard; I muſt ſpeak a few things to be conſidered, what muſt follow if no Interceſſor be found, to anſwer the voice of this call, by a ſuitable appearance herein.
1. Tho it may be now reckoned, that the sky is more clear as to the State of Britain, then for many Years paſt, when the breach ſeems to be made ſure againſt either Forrain or inteſtine Aſſaults, and that in the way of reaſon and the oraſpect of things, that ſhould deeply affect our ſpirits, when the publick hazard of the time is greater then from all humane power, and the party to be moſt feared, is aſſuredly divine Wrath, after a long interval of forbearance, that is ready to break forth in ſome extraordinar Acts of Judgment, for where a day of attonement goes not beNations; yet how rare are
Judgment to be near, if it does not appear from natural or viſible cauſes, tho nothing be more diſcernable from Moral Signs.
2. What ever preſent calm be from theſe terſtand in ſuch a breach as is this day, when the greateſt intereſt of our Faith, is laid open to ſuch numerous aſſaults; as there ſeems no leſs cauſe to ſtand, and contend for the Chriſtian Cauſe and Interest now in theſe Nations, againſt ſuch who are under a viſible Profeſſion of the ſame, then once was againſt the Heathens; whilſt that primitive Spirit, which was then a Spirit of Power and of Glory, does too rarely appear, or theſe meaProteſtants, and made way for the planting & ſettlement of the Reformed Churches but it would ſeem now reckoned that the Proteſtant Interest can ſtand, tho the Chriſtian Faith, were extinct in the power and vitalls thereof, and might eaſily be given up by the greateſt part of
Generation, if it's outworks could be preſertemporal Interest
magnetick power and vertue, which the Truth once had on the World is not to be ſeen, or any deep ſence of that Intereſt which Religion once had in the Glory of a paſſive Teſtimony for the ſame.
3. Is not the gape and breach, we have to ſtand in this day. of ſuch a kind, that where the ancient Love of theſe renowned Churches, the Love of their Youth, and Kindneſs of their Eſpouſals unto God, did ſo brightly ſhine forth after the Reformation from Popery, it is now reſolved unto ſo diſmal a change, as with moſt what ever is moſt lovely, excellent, and deſirable in the Revelation of the Ghoſpel, and ſhould have the moſt attractive influence on mens ſoull, is viſibly debreach and gape more dreadful, that after all the cost & expence which the Lord hath wared in planting, and letting forth a vine yard to Britain, ſending moe Servants then at the firſt with the indearing perſuaſives of the Ghoſpel, and on the other hand with ſolemn and expreſs warnings of the haStrokes of Judgment, to come, as hath been afterwards felt; yet hath the return been in a continued and growing enmity againſt the truth, and inſtead of rendring the fruits of this Vineyard in its ſeaſon, hath rather conſpired to deride and deſpitefully uſe ſuch as have come to
Breaches of theſe Nations ſhall be bound up, but that they muſt widen further, if there be not in ſome ſingular manner a ſtanding up in this breach, to turn away his wrath; which is a ſervice that comes now under our hand, as may not linger or ſtay, when warnings of ſo extraordicall, hath a limited time and ſeaſon allotted thereto, that may have a shorter period then we apprehend when a door of Interceſſion hath been in ſuch unuſual manner kept open, and Grace hath ſo long interJudgment should come to a final execution.
4. I muſt add hereto what ſence ought to be of the hazard of ſuch a breach, when a hight of all Immorality and Ungodlineſs is turned ſo open and viſible, as if Sathan did eſſay to have an open Throne again ſet up, as once he had amongſt the Nations; whilſt the ſpirit of few are ſeaſed with any ſuitable impreſſion of the ſame, leſt this be the voice of the Lord without recalling, shall I not viſit theſe things, shall not my ſoull be avenged on ſuch a Nation Jer. 5: 9. and what a time is it, when the Reverence and Authority of Religion is ſo far gone off mens ſpirits, that if ſuch can bring up a private intereſt, and have ſome treaſure of that kind laid up, they are under no fear of treaDaniel, who upon the foreſeeing of a ſtroke which he was not to fear for himſelf, yet was aſtonished for ane hour, and his thoughts troubled him, by reaſon of the ſtrangenes of it Dan 4: 19. That there is a moſt choiſe and ſeNations as is this day in the earth, is unqueſtionable, but even ſuch who in theſe difficult & perillous times paſt, have been helpt to ſtand, and go through a variety of dark and ſtrange Diſpenſations, I ſuppoſe have not found a time in a more ſingular way trying in the matters of Conſcience, then is this day; and that there was never more hazard of an inſenſible wearing out from under former impreſſions of duty and the ways of truth, which once they had, or a more difficult part to have that ancient fear, and tenderneſs of light kept in exerciſe which as the apple of the eye, may be eaſily hurt, but not ſo eaſily helped.
But tho it is clear that this voice and call for ſtanding in the gape and breach, does reſpect all of a ſerious ſpirit in the things of God, yet are there ſome more eminently fitted from the Lord with peculiar Excellencies on their ſpirit then otime and opportunity for this end, and when a ſeaſon of Providence may
call, and to know the Counſel of God herein. But that I may touch this more particularly, it is requiſite to know who may be at the greateſt advantage, and in a nearer capacity then others for ſuch a ſervice, abnear and intimate converſe with God in this day, hath a great room alſo in this ſervice, to ſtand in ſuch a Gape, yea to ſave a Kingdom or Nation, when Judgment is ready to break forth; theſe have their Soull kept in that manner under the power and attractions of the things of God, bejond the reſidue of men, as not to be affrighted or taken off from appearing for him by the force and prevaexample; it is theſe who are at moſt adJudicial Removes of the preſence of God from the Church, and the Geneinternal Motives can find it eaſy to lay their deareſt things at the ſtake, in beBernard, as he ſpeaks, Malo in nos murmur bominum ſit quam in Deum, bonum est ſi Deus me digne
2. They are in a ſpecial way fitted to anſwer this call and ſervice, who hath the Senſe of any ſingular engagements they are under to God, much on their heart, and what hereby they owe in a peto the age they live in, to ſeek the intereſt and wellfare of their People, to whom they have the neareſt natural tye; which is that ſervice for the Generation, and publick truſt ſhouldly near theſe who have had more then ordinare receipts of mercy from the Lord, & of theſe ſpecially it might be expected that they dare ſtand up for God, and the Intereſt of his Truth, tho they ſhould ſtand alone herein, which ſurely in the iſſue will be found a ſafer ſtanding then with the multitude, or ſuch whoſe deſign for the publick intereſt goes no further, then their private concerns does inMordechai Eſth. 4: 13. Are ſtill directed to this day, think not with thy ſelf thow shalt eſcape, for if thow altogether holds thy peace at this time enlargements and deliverance shall ariſe from another place, but thow and thy Fathers Houſe shall be deſtroyed. 3. But it is undoubted that this Service does in ſome peculiar way ly to the door of Princes and Rulers, according to their Station, who are of more puſecond Covenant, which by the fall of man was rendred neceſſar, and have their Power derived from him, by whom Kings Rule and Princes Decree Judgment Proverbs 8. 15. ſo as the advance of the Ghoſpel of Christ, and Preſervation of Sacred Truth, both in its purity and power, is made the object of their higheſt truſt, yea what a ſingular bleſſing this is to a time, when ſuch does eminently interpoſe upUnction from God on their heart as well as their Office, And it came to paſs 2 Chron. 34: 19. that when the King heard the Words of the Law, that he rent his Cloathes, and commanded Hilkia the Son of Shaphan &c. go, and enquire of the Lord for me, and for them that are left in Iſraël and in Juda, concerning the Words of the Book that's found, for great is the Wrath of the Lord that's poured upon us, becauſe our Fathers kept not the Word of the Lord, to do after all that is written in this Book. This hath looked as a door of hope to Britain in the preſent day, when ſuch of a ſerious & excellent ſpirit have come to the Throne, if the ſin of this Generation, as may be feared, be not come to that height, of a reſolute oppoſition to any reſtoring means, but if the Authority of God ſould be thus taHonor and Authority of Magiſtrates will fall
Example, to walk in a countermotion to any publick and contagious evill of the time, as are moſt prevalent, and thus to affright the bold and daring countenance thereof; this ſhould be a honourable appearance to oppoſe the Kingdom of Sathan, wherein it's getting moſt remarkable ſtrength and credit by the Cuſtomarineſs thereMark as this, muſt know ſome higher aMyſtery of Faith, then what ſeems to be underſtood by moſt in this day, and of a relyance on God by a partiticular trust, yea the truth of ſuch ſpecial aſſiſtanſpirit, as can raiſe the ſoull to a higher reſoluteneſs in the matter of duty by oppoſition, ſo as it can be born up amidſt the ſtrongeſt diffiGod: It is true the way of beleeving is an immutable Ordinance, which God hath ſettled for the ſupport and ſervices of his People within leading principle of a Chriſtians Life, to go through all conditions and changes in adventuring on that God, who is of infinite Power both to hurt and help, but it is one of the great experiments alſo of Religion, to
Service shut on any who have an intereſt in the Truth once delivered to the Saints, but may ſtill have ſome ſhare and room in ſo great an Undertaking for God, and the Intereſt of his Truth; and ſhould each of a ſerious ſpirit, deſign ſomething perſonally for anſwering this call, to ſuſtain a part in ſo choile a ſervice for the truth, ſuitable to their Station and Talent, it should bring a marvelous change therewith on the times, and cauſe another face appear in the publick face of the Church; nor is it expreſſible what the imlittle ſtrength, when it hath been deſigned for the Lord, & under his call hath oft at
But ſince the publick State of things this day is ſuch as ſeems, to controul any confidence or hope for anſwering ſuch a call, to ſtand in the breach of ſo trying and hazardous a time, I would ſpeak a few things in the third place, which may put ſome more then ordinare weight of this call on our ſpiduties, as in the way of humane reaſon would ſeem wholly inRecords of times past, that where grace did interpoſe in any ſingular way to prevent Judgment, and for recovering of a Church in ſome extreme caſe, but there hath alſo been ſomething more extraordiinſtruments, to appear for God with a more Heroick motion on their ſpirits, then what hath been uſual, and when he hath had a ſaving work and deſign to accomplish, then Saviours have come upon Mount Zion Obad v: 21.
2. If it be a ſerious buſineſs to diſcern the times, we are in with reſpect to the publick State of theſe Nations, the voice of this call might then ly near our ſpirits, ſince if we turn our eyes back, it is demonſtrably evident that the Lord hath not dealt ſo with any Nation of the Gentiles under the New Teſtament, as with the Iſle of Britain, both as to eminent experiments of Providence, and the diChurches, and tho nothing is new under the Sun as Solomon ſpeaks, yet there may be ſeen ſome thing peculiar and aſtoObſervers, to find a precedent for the ſame; and if we now conſider the preſent time, as things are ſtated after ſuch reſolute oppoſitions to the voice of theſe times past, and when no viApoſtacy, as may bee too viſible there; yea that it's ſure, God will not loſe his Work or Intent in the great expence he hath been at for reclaiming this Generation, it may be then without a Prophetick Light ſeen that ſomething very extraordinar is near, either in the way of Judgment or Mercy; ſo as this ſervice and appeaBreach ſeems to be in another manner call'd for bejond that of an ordinare day, when there is yet room, and the door of interdivine Patience will come to a Year and a Day at laſt.
3. It is ſure and unqueſtionable alſo, that the anſwering of this call, is the alone way to have God intereſſed in the publick State and Concerns of Britain in the preſent day, before whom all Nations are as nothing, and the greateſt Train of Inferiour Cauſes, when their furtheſt ſtrength and activity is put forth, of no weight, when he wiJob 7: 8. thy eyes are upon me, and I am not. It may be matter of ſerious remark, that in this late time ſomething more then ordinare hath appeared in the French ſtanding and ſtrength, and tho on principles of reaſon
Wiſe and Heroick a Leader; yet on the other hand, Ashur the rod of my anger Iſay 10: 5 is a formidable Party; and it s a threatNation ſtands more by a permiſſive Providence, and ſingular longſuffering of God, then by promiſe. The diſcovery of hid Plots and Contrivances against the Government hath been of late in a ſpePlot, which is of ane other nature, to be above all fear'd, that's caried on not in the dark, but in the publick light, to betray theſe Nations to the Common Adverſary, it is ſuch a Plot, as was betwixt Balak and Balaäm, to divide Iſraël from God, that their ſtrength might depart from them, when once there is a ſad departure from him; and it's ſure theſe, who ever are intereſſed herein, hath the moſt active concurrence to weaken, and bring low the Politick Body of Britain, to haſten on a diſmal night, and advance the intereſt and ſtrength of viſible Adverſaries: But if there be no ſuitable appearance in this day, to counteract ſo diſmal a Plot, and the growing ſtrength of ſuch a Conſpiracy herein, there may be then too juſt cauſe for theſe of the moſt ſerious ſpirit, to long to have their part acted, and be gone off the ſtage ere they ſee the dreadful Effects
external means, it might be too eaſy then to judge of future things, where an inordinate reſpect to men, and a low regard to keep in with God, is one of the publick ſigns of the time we are in. I know it's no eaſy thing to improve the Providences of times past, that are at any diſtance from us, or to bring them home by a juſt application to the preſent day, and to compare what we now ſee of the Way and Workings of God, with what hath already paſt in theſe late Years, but if this were more improtimes we are in. and what of the night now it is: we have ſeen in ſome ſingular way, the riſing and falling of humane intereſts ſo contrare to humane reaſon and expeRevolutions, which the Churches of Britain hath gone thorough, and hath paſt over the ſame, as ſeem yet little unSubject, there are ſome things that need to be further underſtood thereon.
1. That it's ſure when ſuch a Gape this day is
divine Wrath, there can be no ſtanding herein without a ſerious interceeding Work with God by immediate addreſſes, when its unexpreſſible what a mighty efficacy this hath on the World, and the great changes thereof, and how far he hath ſubjected the Intereſt of Nations to the Prayers of the Saints. It is a hopeful ſign when Rulers and Magiſtrates do call and excite a Nation to publick faſting and prayer, but in the ordinare way it's followed this day, upon ſo extraordinare an application to the Majeſty of God, it may be juſt matter of fear, if ſuch eſſential requiſites be not concurrent thereAuthority and Power be interpoſed for a ſerious and impartial Inquiry as to National Sins, which are moſt prevalent in the time, where the current of the multitude runs, and hath the loudeſt cry to Heaven; ſince otherAtheiſm and Impiety, to ſuit National Deliverances and Protection, and that the Howith us, and propitious to us for the publick State of the Nation, whilſt we are not with him, yea that he would not forſake us, whilſt our forſaking him is ſo viſible, which is in effect to plead that the moſt ſettled & unalterable eſtablishments of his truth be made void, and reſcinded for our ſake; yea can another return be expected in ſuch a caſe then what is Ezech. 14: 4. 2. That ſomething then upon ſo extraordinare an addreſs
publick Authority in a promiſſary way to be made practicable, as ſould tend to a more viſible reſolute withſtanNational evils, and may thus bear a publick teſtimony and appea
2. Where this great ſervice is taken to heart for ſtanding in the gape this day before God, there needs alſo ſome clear diſcerning of the end and deſign of Providence, in theſe aſtonishing ſu
which hath of late gone over this Generation: it's true there may be many ends at once reached in any ſignal piece of the Work of Ghigher & great end which he hath therein, that should be moſt deeply enquired into, and tho I can attain little this way in reſpect of others, yet may with humble confidence ſay, that under a ſerious preſſure of ſpirit I have ſought to underſtand the ſame, and how to trace the Lines of Providence in the ſtrange Revolutions of this age, to the Center of that great Deſign of the Lord therein, to which all theſe oppoſitions, which hath been made to the ſame hath ſo remartimes past, for diſcerning the Work of God in our day, and to ſee in what a
circuit divine Judgment did go from on part of the Reformed Churches to another, with the very firſt date and entry upon this remarkable age; and when that Sword which was bathed in Heaven, and had it's commiſſion to Germany, and Bohem in that ſore, and long inteſtine War there, had once done it's work; then did it in a ſuccesChurches of Britain, and Ireland, and a c
from the Lord put into there hand; and then did begin that great Scene of Providence which hath been ſince acted there, wherein, as in all the moſt remarSteps, and Periods hereof, hath the voice of the Lord, been expreſly pointing at this great end, and deſign in the ſame, for bringing his counſel more clearly to light, if we had eyes to perceive, and hearts to underſtand what is his work, and declared intent herein; which is that the Kingdoms of this World may become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, who shall reign for ever and ever Revelat. 11: 15: and that his Interest in theſe Nations, as a part of that inheritance which was in a peculiar way given him of the Father Pſalm 2: 8. be more fully aſſerted in the Glory of his Regal Power, againſt all ſuch who would withſtand the ſame: for which end may it be clearly underſtood what ſuch ane appearance did mean, in ſo ſtrange ane adminiſtration of providence by the Sword to theſe Nations in this age; what ſuch unuſual shakings and overturnings
oppoſitions to any civil ſettlements, ſince the Lord begun to shake Britain; to make knowen this ſolemn period of time was come, and the days of the 7t. Trumpet, when our Lord Jeſus should take to himſelf his great Power, and Reign, which had been ſo long darkname writen on his veſture, and thigh, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, to make good the ſame; and will have this name engraven, on all the ways, and actings of Providence, who must reign until he hath putt all his Enemies under his feet 1 Corinth. 15: 25. and the Nation, and Kingdome, that will not ſerve him, shall perish, and theſe Nations shall utterly be layed waſte Iſay. 60: 11. for thus hath the Lord ſpoken, and is ſettled, & ſealed by the decree of him that chaingeth not. It is true he hath been walking in the dark as to moſt in theſe times past; and even from his choiſeſt people there hath been oft a hiding of his work, and keeping it out of their ſight, amidſt theſe ſtrange changes, as hath put the moſt diſcerning to a ſtand; it might be eaſie to ſee mens intent in their actings, and under what influences they hake moved; yea what bitter riſings of heart, anends; but this is an other ſight, and of a higher concern, to ſee and diſcern wiſely the Work of the Lord, and how amidſt all the reatimes, his way, and courſe of providence hath been ever ſteady, and ſixt.
3. It may be thus clearly ſeen, if our ſpirits were more deeply lett forth on ſuch a ſtudy, that the ſtrength of our day, yea the ſtanding and ſecurity of the publick ſtate of theſe Nations, does aſſuredly ly in a reſolute concurrence, with this great deſign of the Lord; ſo as otherwiſe there can be no ſtanding in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath. But ſince this Subject, of the Catholick Right, and Kingdom of Jeſus Christ, over the Kingdoms of this Earth, is ſo ſtrange a myſtery to many in theſe times, and ſuch different thoughts and conceptions are hereof; as I have deſired to know the way of truth, on theſe ſure principles, and grounds, that I might have full reſt and ſettlelight, I have found a ſpeChriſtian Faith, when with the furtheſt evidence it may be ſeen:
1. How that which is ſpoken of the donative, and univerſal Kingdom of our Lord Jeſus, which was given him of the Father, as incarnate, and after his Aſcenſion, is not to be underſtood of that which is his eſſential, and natural Kingdom, which did belong to his perſon, as he is the brightneſs of the Fathers Glory, and God equal with him; but is ſuch as was promiſed, and by ſpecial donation given to him, that the ends and uttermost Coaſts of the Earth, ſould be his inheritance Pſ. 2: 8.
and his Dominion to be from Sea, to Sea, and from the River, to the ends of the earth Pſalm 72: 8. yea is the ſame which was given to him Dan. 7: v, 14. when he was inveſted, with Dominion, Glory, and a Kingdom, that all People, Nations, and Languages should ſerve him, &c.
2. As there can be no ſuſpence, or darknes in this, ſo is it no leſs clear, his entring on the adminiſtration of his Mediatory Kingdom, was reſerved only to the times of the N. Teſtament, to which the fall of the 4 greatest Monarchies, which ever was in the earth, was direct, and ſubordifirst period of the viſible Glory of Chriſts Reign, and his entrance on the ſame, when after ſuch ſtrong oppoſiPagan World, was at laſt, made to bow down, and fall before his truth, and ſubmit to him.
3. But herein it cannot be underſtood by this ſpeKingdoms of the World, to be the Lords; in that ſenſe only, of inbringing the Elect out of the ſame, or of his internal Reign, on the hearts of men, but that it lyes, in a viſible ſurrender, and ſubjecting of the collective body of Nations, to the Scepter of his Government, when the Princes and Kings of the earth ſhould ſubject, their Regal Authority to his Rule and Empire; as holding their Dominion from him, to whom all power, and judgment is committed, and can bear that ſtile only of being the Catholick King,
Lord of all: for this is a truth that ſhines with ſo clear a light from the whole Scripture, as it may be ſtrange how poſſibly it should be queſtioned, & nothing can be more comforting to Chriſtian Magiſtrates, then to have ſo highly deſirable a holding of their power, as they may have the Son of God, thus intereſſed in their ſecurity, and interest as a part of that inheritance, which belongs to his Mediatory Kingdom. Nor does it evacuate the Magiſtracy of Heathens for the intereſt of humane ſociety, tho they have none in the Church; as it can never make void alſo his Catholick Right, and Dominion over them, by whom Kings reign, Prov. 8: 15. although it reſtrains the exerciſe thereof.
4. But there is yet a further, & growing light on this great ſubject which now meet us, & to be cleareminent appearance of the Lord Jeſus Christ, in the Glory, and State of his Mediatory Kingdom in the Earth was alone redayes of the ſeventh and last Trumpet; for which as nothing can be more evident, then the contemporating of the ſame, with that period of time, in which was the firſt riſe, and reſtoring of the Church, from Antichriſtian darkneſs, when the Lord did himſelf go forth in the glory of his power, to plant and ſettle the Reformed Churches; and thus to make way for his Kingdom, did with the first blast of that Trumpet ſound a retreat, to his people out of Babylon: ſo I have hereevents of this Trumpet, that hath already taken place, with what is ſo punctually foretold hereof Rev. 11: 15. for as it is ſurely there promiſed, that then should be an opening of the Temple of God in Heaven, and the Ark of his Teſtimony be ſeen there, which had been formerly shut up; loe how expreſly hath the God of Truth made good his Word herein, and keept the time, which he had ſet for the ſame, in the bright shining forth of his truth, and the way of Salvation, when for ſo many ages keept hid from the World; to which are the whole Reformed Churches this day a ſtanding witneſs. yea have we not ſeen his appearance alſo in ſo unugreatneſs of his power, & with garments dyed in blood, to make way for the viſible Glory of his Reign, as we can ſee it was there foreNations were angry, and by their oppoſitions to him, made way for his wrath in ſuch tremendous effects thereof, as it hath had theſe days paſt, to shew the time was at last come, to let the World know, that the Lord Jeſus Christ is no titular King, he to whom all power is given in Heaven and Earth, nor will bear that Name, and Stile in vain, or admit a complemental ProDominion, & Kingdom, hath a ſetled interest and revenue, be
5. But now as our day, and lot, does thus meet in ſo extraordinar a period of time, which hath been ſo long expected and prayed for in ages past, it may be a time of great thoughts, and expectation of what is yet to come, as to the viſible Reign of the Lord Jeſus; our bleſſed Head in the Glory and Majeſty of his Kingdom, without his perſonal Reign or bodily appearance unto men; which with full aſſurance of faith we ſould now wait for, when the voice of this Trumpet shall bring with it, ſuch a reſurrection from the dead of theſe dry bones, of the Jewish Nation, with ſo immevoice alſo shall call the whole Church that's on the earth, to that hiſong of Moſes, and the Lamb, as once was at the Red Sea, for the final ſtroke & judgment on the Kingdom of Antichrist; wherein the viſible glory of his Reign will then be ſeen with that evidence, and brightneſs, as if he were perſonally on the earth: and here is that true Millennium which is now in ſome meaſure begun, and we are ſurely called to expect, in a gradual increaſe to ſuch a hight, that in the value, and ſplendor of this bleſſed Reign, the light of one day, shall be as ſeven days in one, and the meaage then anſwer, yea exceed a thouſand Years before, and is ſo before him, with whom one day is as a thouſand years;
This ſeems to many in ſuch a time, as a thing rebleſſed Head is now gone unto a far Country, to receive a Kingdom for himſelf, and is inviſible to men in theſe preparations, he is making for this higher glory of his Reign upon the Earth; ſo that he is no object of humane ſight, nor can we come bodily to him, to receave his verbal commands from his mouth, as from an earthly Monarch, and for theſe inward, and great demonſtrations of his Reign, they ly deep, and hid, betwixt him, and the ſouls of his People; but if our comfort, and hope ſtand by the Chriſtian Faith this day, and on that aſſurance dare venture our ſoul upon an Eternal State; we should then with as full certainfaith to this, that the Son of God will not loſe the Work he hath begun, and ſo eminently appeared in; that the interest of his Kingdom, on the earth is the alone higheſt object of the divine care, and providence; and though his Kingdom is not of the World, but is purely ſpiritual, yet does the World ſtand thereby, ſo as it may be juſtly ſaid, ſine praecibus & pietate non ſtaret mundus; nor is it queſtionable, but that his Work will be anſwerable this day, to his revealed will & intent, or can it be in the dark to us, what he is now doing in the World, when he hath made ſuch publick intimation hereof by the voice of the last Trumpet, as should render
great, and riſing interest of his Kingdom, in the ſeaſon, and opportunity hereof; & it will ſurely be found in this time, that where the downfal of the Kingdom of Antichriſt, is made reNation, where the terror of its riſe, and grouth, had ſo lately gone before; and the Kingdom of Chriſt, is not ſet up in its room, nor with a higher regard ſubjected to; that it muſt then quickly ripen, and make way, for ſome great outbreaking of wrath and judgment in ſuch a place; for the time is come, that nations, which have imbraſtand, or fall, according to their concurrence with that intereſt on which the Lord is now gone forth, whoſe work carries not for men, nor is dependent on humane Counſels, yea it's ſure theſe great Miniſters of proAngels tho not ſeen to us are eminentſervice, who are the ſtated Servants of Christ as Mediator, & Head of the Church, and have accordingly their delegate charge, and commiſſion to particular Churches, and Kingdoms, as that great deſign of Providence for the advance of his Kingdom in the World does require; and if the giving forth of the Law was ſo glorious upon that ſolemne entry, which the Churches Head then made on his Regal Office over Iſraël, by ſo extraAngels, what a hiGlory muſt be on his entring on the greateſt diſcovery and adminiſtration of his viſible Reign
Dux de Alva, upon ane Eclips of the Sun which was then, when he was in a hot perſuit of the Wars, that he had ſo much to do upon the earth, as gave him no leaſure to look up to Heaven; fo is the great noiſe, and buſineſs of this day, how things may ſtand ſure with us upon the earth. It is become the proverb of theſe times we are in, that interest will not lye, becauſe according to this, men will alinterest is made uſe of; it's judg'd to bear no other ſenſe, then of ſome temſcent, that moſt of this Generation ſeemes to be wholly on, is how to ſeek their own things, but not the things of Jeſus Christ, which is truly the ſame, for men to reckon that their ſoul, is a forreine thing to themſelves, and that they have no reall intereſt in the great things of Religion, or a hope bejond time: but it's well, that there is yet ſuch a party this day on the earth, who's way can give that proverb the lie, and are of another ſpirit, ſo as to lay their greatemporal interest down, that they may inteninterest of his truth, and Kingdome amongſt men, who with reſpect to this, would account it a ſmall thing fo be the greateſt favourits of Princes, if theſe ſhould once come in competition.
4. But I muſt now in the last place, add ſomeSubject; ſince if it be clear, and undeniable, ſo as to have our ſpirits once acquieſcing herein, what hath been the great deſign of Providence, with reſpect to Britain, and Ireland in all theſe great, and aſtonishing changes, which have of late been there; it may be then fully undrſtood, what the preſent day does moſt call for, and where the higheſt imKingdome of the Lord Jeſus Christ, and his pree ̄
minence herein, more entirely acknowledged, and ſettled in theſe Nations, when he is yet once again taking a new tryall of them for this end. We find under the Law ſuch a thing, which was called the Lords part, and tribute payed unto him Numb. 31. as a memorial, and oblation, to witneſs their holding of him alone, all which they did enjoy; we ſee alſo a national claime layd to a propriety, and part in the Lord, as their alone greaJoſua 22: 25. which would be a rare ſight in this day, to ſee Nations contendpart in the Lord, and to have their joint right ſecured this way, as was then betwixt the two tribes, and the half bejond Jordane, and the reſidue of Iſrael; we have alſo things claim'd by the Son of God, as his alone propriety, which are called the things of God Matt. 22: 1. & are puſacred to him, which are not mens, and nonend; yea there is a bringing preſents to him, which is expreſly foretold, and promiſed under this bleſſed ReigPſalm 72: 10. when thus Princes, and Kings ſhould ſerve, and do homage to the Lord Jeſus Christ, not as men only, but as Kings, in giving their Power to the furtheſt to uphold the authoRegal Power, and Dominion; and here I muſt ſay what ever be threatning in ane unuſual manner from the ſpirit, and temper of this Geunite, and publick concurrence, to anſwer this great deſign of the Lord, and herein to ſtand in the gape, before him, for turning away of his wrath; or to deſign a National Reconciliation, as well as Perſonal; yet may there be no ſetting bounds to him therein, who is able to ſubdue all things to himſelf, and who in the way of his grace, does oft exceed, what could be poſſiſignal indications of Providence, this ſhould be the ſeaſon and time deſign'd of the Lord, for a reſtoring work in theſe Nations, and in other of the Reformed Churches; and that he will yet ſpare a little as to the cutting down of the tree, even when the ax is laid to the root; it is then ſure, that this deſign shall make way for it's ſelf, and go over ſuch difficulties, as at other times would be inſuperable, and make the greatest
Mountains be as a plain; but if this one tide, and opportunity for ſuch a ſervice be now loſt in joining in with ſo eminent a call of Providence for this end, it looks to be the shutting of the door, with ſuch a judicial barr, as should never be again opened, and the last woe be more ſore, and dreadful then all which hath gone before. But now I muſt ſpeak a little more particularly, wherein it is theſe things doe moſt ſpecially ly, which in that ſenſe are the things of God, as purely ſacred to him, ſince all things whatſoever are his, and belongs to him, yea wherein that which is the Lords tribute, and part is to be underſtood now in this day, that should be returned, with a reſolute, and cheerful conſent unto him.
1. It does in a peculiar reſpect ly here, to have the ſame publick, and national regard, to the authority of the Laws, and ordinances of his Kingdome, as a people who are ſtated in as near a relation to God, as once the Kingdome of Iſraël, and Juda was: this being a truth of the moſt undeniable eviceremonial, or typical, or ſuch Laws of Government, as had a temporary remoral ſenſe is it clear, as to what does moſt eſſentially relate to a Nation, or Kingdomes being the Lords. For it's ſure theſe 3 Nations are this day, under a higher diſpenſation of grace, have a greater exPriviledges, and ſtated under more ſingular engagements, now under the Meſſia's
Reign, then ever Iſraël was: and it is in this ſenſe, that the Laws of the Kingdom of Chriſt are Royal Statuts, and Laws James 2: 8. ſuitable to the ſtate, and dignity of ſo great a King, and Lawgiver, whoſe authority will not be baffled, and hath a higher power, then that of Angels, or Men, to take account of their obſervance, whereobligation on the ſouls, and conſcience of men, without exception of perſons herein; in which our life as Chriſtians, and the ſtanding, and ſafety of Nations in a publick ſtate does unavoidably ly; but theſe are Laws, & Ordinances of ſuch a kind, as they can not poſſible be obſerv'd, and not loved, nor have any true regard amongſt men, without internal motives make way thereto: and what a ſad account may this be, that theſe Kingdomes, who were once ſo enAntichrist under the darkneſs of that diſmal Reign, and did give their power, to uphold that intereſt, with ſuch ane unite conDecrees, and Cannons; now under the brightneſs of the light of the Ghoſpel, comes not up to any ſuch regard to the Authority of the Lord Jeſus, and to theſe Laws, which he hath eſtalove commended to his Church: there hath been great ſtumblings at the Providences of the times past, and what it ſhould mean that this last age, with ſuch a differencing mark ſhould be call'd the
Iron age; that thus the Holy God hath in ſo unurod of Iron, in theſe Weſtern Parts, where the Reformed Religion is moſt profeſſed; but it ſhould be no dark riddle, when the oppoſitions there, to the Kingdom of his dear Son, hath been at ſuch a height, that if we could wiſely diſcern the Work of the Lord, ſince the first riſe of the civil Wars of Britain, we might clearly ſee how this was the Signal given, that he was then gone forth, and on the way, to take acNations, as well as Perſons, that would oppoſe his intereſt.
2. It is ſure this can not be queſtioned alſo, to be one of the great things of God, which is alone ſacred to him what concerns the publick rights, and freedome of the ſpiritual Kingdom of our Lord Jeſus Christ, as a viſible politick body, with the higheſt reſpect to his Royal Authority, who is the alone Head, and Lawgiver thereto. It is known that he hath given ane expreſs Charter for the ſame to his Church under the New Teſtament, according to which the due limits, and bounds of that ſpiritual Jurisdiction, which he hath ſettled there, and the full extent hereof ſould be both keep'd clear, and cloſely adhered to, as ane Interest of the Lord Jeſus. which is as the apple of his eye, he hath join'd alſo theſe two great Intereſts of the Civil, and Eccleſiaſtick Power, in ſo endiſtinct, yet are not to be divided from other, but
Chriſts entring in a more conſpicious manner on the Glory of his Reign, is come to the birth, and begun to bring forth, which is that period, where to, it may be ſaid, hath been reperfections of ihe Churches viſible ſtate here on the earth, how highly deſirable should it be to be found aſſiſtant thereto in ſuch a day; but oh is it poſſible, that theſe who have ſuch raiſed hopes of an eternal Crown, and Kingdome in Heaven, can have ſo low deſires, or deſigns, how to be ſerviceable to the Kingdome of Chriſt here in the earth, yea when none can want an interSoveraign Power, and Authority in theſe Nations, are no leſs eminently fitted to appear for him herein, then they are ſtated under the highest engagements for ſuch ane end.
3. It is ſurely one of the things of God, and an intereſt which is purely ſacred to him, wherein the ſpreading of his Kingdome in the World, is moſt nearly concerned; which lyes in a ſerious and faithful Miniſtry to the Church, and is of that concern, as it may be juſtly called; Indicium
ſtantis & cadentis Eccleſiae; for this is one of the higheſt Ordinances of Christ given to the Church, and that way which he hath himſelf conſecrated for the inbringing and perfeiting of the Elect; by which ſo great effects are wrought in the World, where ever there is a divine miſſion for the ſame to any part thereof, & the Church is in a building up there; ane Ordinance by which moſt viſible efficacy & ſupernatural influences are conveyed in a moral way under the bleſſing of that iuſtitution: but on the other hand nothing is more threatning to a Nation, as to the falling down of ſome diſmal night of judgement, then the corruption and debaeſing of that which in it's own nature is ſo excellent, where things that are more extrinſick and of a humane concern, are ſo much looked after, but that which is Gods part in the great ingreat part of Britain, they ſhould find the dark places of the earth there ſtil amidſt ſo bright a day of the Ghoſpel as is now ſhining, & what a multitude is thus periMiniſtry, whoſe higheſt ſtudy should be upon the great
for as this alone is ſuch a Intent of Chriſtianity, to bring men to Chriſt not to themſelves, and to allure and perſwade their coming under his bleſt dominion and yoake; to preſs internal renovation of the heart and a neMiniſtry that should be the bleſſing of a Nation, and Kingdom, ſo in reſpect of this, to be of ſuch a diſtinguishing Profeſſion tho in its ſelf moſt agreable to the truth, should be of no regard where this is wanſacred ane Office. It is, I hope, unqueſtionable, that the trust of the ſouls of men is greater, then any temporal concerns of a Kingdom, or State, and how this Ordinance is that which hath the moſt peculiar influence to prepare the way of the Lord, in this day for that bleſſed and near approaching time, of his more conſpicous Reign on the earth in the Glory thereof; I abſtract here from any thing controverſal as things are ſtated in the preſent day, only as to what I hope, there may be ane unite agreeblood and perishing of immortal ſouls this way, and a ſerious reſpect to that Catholick Intereſt of the Kingdom of Chriſt amſtemm ſuch a tide as ſeems yet on the growing hand, of prejudice againſt the way
offence, even where it is not given, according that of the Apoſtle who is offended and I burn not: the exceſs of diſputing in this age hath been a peece of our judgement, and the managing thereof ſo little to that end of edifidefect may be no leſs evident on the other hand for the ſuitable improvements of Chriſtian prudence, as a duty and ſervice to God ſo abſolutely neceſſar for the regulating of duties, according to the circumſtances of the Churches caſe, and what the preſent day can bear without coolneſs or indifference in any concern of truth, which is that part of our Religion, that hath been too little improven.
We are indeed bleſſed with an unchangeable rule of Sacred Truth, which hath no dependence on humane Counſels or Power, to change or alter the ſame, or on the mutable revolutions of time, and can never vary from its ſelf, yet is the tenapplication thereof, to be ſo far regarded, as on of the moſt weighty parts of Religion, lyes therein, how preſent duties may be with a judicious diſcretion, directed to that great end of edification, ſince that which may be neceſſare in one caſe, as it is cloathed, with other circumſtances,
hurtful, and deſtructive. This is one of the moſt difficult parts, that ſuch, hath allotted to them in the times we are fal'n in, who would ſtand in ſuch a gape, & breach, where oppoſitions now thereto are ſo ſtrong; and it may ſeem almoſt hopeleſs to crave juſtice in behalf of the truth, at the bar of mens conſcience, when a latitude on principles, hath come to ſuch a height, as the authority of light, is without fear controlled: yet on the other hand it may be feared, that the anſwering of that Command of the Holy Ghost is not ſuitably taken to heart, & the great conſequence thereof, which is to walk in wiſdom, towards theſe who are without, tho not being in that Sence, without the Church, yet as no leſs ſtated in a viſible enGodlineſs, then ſuch could be: there hath been much ſerious ſtudy, and deſigns by the Servants of Christ in this age to promot his Kingdom in Britain and Ireland, and there are yet there eminently fitted for ſo difficult a ſervice, how to gain and prevail with the furtheſt meaſures of prudence and judgement, upon the moſt obſtinatly preFaith once delivered to the Saints in ſo hazardous a time: but it is ſure there is yet ſome further length and eſſay called for, upon this great ſervice, for the Kingdom of Chriſt, in taking off letts and ſtumprecipice of breaking, and further alienation from the truth, and for ſome more full clearing of the ſame, from theſe deſigned reflections caſt thereon, in ſuch a way, as convictions might thus inſenſibly prevail, and gain ground with the greateſt Gainſayers; whilſt we know little what deſign grace may in this day have on ſuch, and as the furtheſt regard ſhould be kept to light, upon any controverted truth, without loſing ground herein, yet ſhould I judge it a door of hope to ſee theſe who are unite in the great conTruth and Godlineſs, once meet in a more joint concurrence in behalf of theſe great things of God, which are not controverted, when the face of this Generation, is ſo threatning as to a further revolt from the Chriſtian Faith, both in the pureneſs, and power thereof. This is to be a work by its ſelf, which as it's of the higheſt publick concern, ſo does it require a more then orJudiciouſnes in following the ſame. My Unfitnes to ſpeak on ſuch a Subject, should have reſtrained me herein, were it not to witneſs ſomething of a ſerious deſire, under which my ſoul is preſt, for ſuch ane end, when the haEternal State before them is ſo viſible this day, and yet no further tryall made to gain and recorule, and practice of the Apoſtle I was all things to all, that I might gain
ſome. Others can more fitly judge, as to the ſuiright lith of duty herein, only ſomethings, I should wish were more deſigned, for taking off prejudices, and to breake thus one of the greateſt Engines of Satan this day, againſt the intereſt of the Ghoſpel. 1. In coming a greater length by theſe who are of a ſerious ſpirit; to Sacrifice private reſentments, to that publick Interest of the Truth, upon conceived Injuries, when its ſo eperſonal prejudice this day hath to keep up diſtance, to highten diffeſtumblings more prevented againſt theſe unqueſtioGovernment of Christ in his Church, ſo as the way and manner of his Spiritual Kingdom might be rightly underobject whereof is the ſoul and inward man, and it's great deſign to reſtore & edify; which is in ſuch a way, that where it's truly anweaknes or exorbitancies of any. It was ſuitable for the Chriſtian Church in the primitive times to plead that from Heathens, that the offence, and practices of none should be charrule of their Profeſſion. 3. It were deſirable alſo that further conviction might be ſerved on theſe who are prone to ſtumble, how in the promoting of truth, and Godlineſs there is no perſuing any divided interest of a party, and that if ſuch would once try and ſee, they can then judge, where the moſt comprehenſive interest within time lyes, which all are jointly coneternal things. 4. I shall but add this more, what ane advantage should it be for the truth, and to conciliate a greater reContemperature and Harmony there is betwixt pure zeal for God, which is according to knowledge, and the furtheſt prudence and tenderneſs towards men, and how the rule and ſpirit of the Ghoſpel can admit of no bitterneſs, wrath, or recrimination, which are ſo abounding this day in the Church, in perſuing of differences upon any concern of the truth; for herein doth the glory, and honor of our bleſſed Head more eminently apconcord, and unity of his Church, under a diverſity of light, and judgement, in ſome leſſer differences about the truth by a ſpirit of love, and by its power, and efficacy
mind, then by impoſing the moſt ſevere and abſolute uniformity in all things to be the meaſure of Church Communion; and it is ever found how this hath been, moſt eaſy, and practicable, alife, and power of Chriſtianity then any elſe, ſince he nearer the lines, are to the Center, the nearer alſo, are they among themſelves; and I muſt add herewith, that it may be little known what convictive power, might follow in a time of ſuch high diſtempers as this, on a ſuitable appliwiſdom, which dwells with prudence, and comes from above, according to the rule, given for the ſame James 3: 17. to make a higher intereſt for the Kingdom of Chriſt, and to the ſaving of the ſouls of many, then now in an ordinare way, would ſeeme poſſible.
4. As the furtheſt tenderneſs, and prudence, is called for, to prepare the way of the Lord, for a further advance of his Kingdom, in taking out of the ſame ſo far as is poſſible theſe lets, and ſtumhigher ſervice, & a more unite appearing for God herein, and to ſtand in the moſt hazardous part of the breach of this day in behalf of that great inthe Authority of God in his truth, and Teſtimony, as the alone ground, on which the ultimate reſolution of our
Faith muſt found; ſince this is the very ſame inconvertible terms, to give to the Divine Majesty the Glory of his Godhead, and that tribute, which is moſt inviolably ſacred, and eſſential to him, it would ſeem almoſt incredible, that fuch ane hour of the power of darkneſs should fall in with the growing light of the Ghoſpel, as the ſtrange prevalence of a way, which is to commenſurat the perfections of God, and the greateſt myſteries of his truth, to our underſtanding, and to make humane reaſon, tho corrupt, finite, and limited, to be the alone Judge, and meaſure of our Faith of divine things, when the higheſt principle of reaſon, which is prima veritas, withreaſon hathno principle to reſton, & no Standard elſe, is this, that where the God of Truth is the Revealer, and that it's ſure it is his Testimony, it muſt then be as infallibly true, as it is ſure he is God, ſince it is ſimply impoſſible, to find ever another foundation of truth, and certainty but this. We are fal'n in times of great expectation as to a near approach of the higheſt Glory of Chriſt's Mediatory Kingdom on the earth, and it would ſeem a ſtrange prelude thereeclips the ſame, but to deny him his eſſential Kingdom, who is the only begotten of the Father, and brightneſs of his Glory; yet I am ſure it is a ſign of that kind, as the morning darkneſs, which is
reaſon turn'd ſo viſibly madd on their own deſtruction. I know the furtheſt improvements this way; by rational Inquiry and Tryal, hath a greater Intereſt in Religion, and for ſtrenthultimate Inquiry herein can poſſibly go no further in the uſe of reaRevelation of God himſelf unto men, & can we detruth it ſelf, to lie, whoſe word is ſuch, cui non potest ſubeſſe falſum; as it is no leſs ſure that he who is infinitly good, can not deceive, or put ane impoſture in ſtead of truth in their hand, who truſt him; divine truth is the firſt groundſtone of our happilight of nature, to beleeve his being truly God, and not the truth alſo of his promiſes, which ever conform not onthings ſignified, but to his intent therein, who can never delude, or deceive. But whilſt I have been put to ſome thoughts with amaſeſuch a kind againſt God this day amongſt men, not only within Christendom, but by ſuch as once layd claim, to the Proteſtant Profeſſion; ſome Reflections tended to give more clearneſs, and ſettlement, to my own ſpirit herein, which I ſhall but in a few words mention, 1. that when the darkneſs of ane implicite Faith, and relyance on men under Popery hath been ſo ſore bafled, & turn'd out of credit in ſuch an inquiſitive World as this, loe Satan hath taken himſelf to the very contrare air
and knew how to fall in with the temper of a br
and daring age, that he might ſettle a new oppoſition againſt God, and the intereſt of his Kingdom, wherein he hath unite, and fixed his greateſt ſtrenth, ſo that ſince he was caſt down from his Throne by the Power of the Ghoſpel, he hath not had a greater Triumph, then in this attempt, how to bring man upon it, and ſett humane reaGod, and it ſelf, in ſuch a manner, as to be it's own Executioner, and in ſubjecting the higheſt myſteries of truth to it's comprehenſion to make it not only equal to God, but give it a preference to him, who is the alone former thereof, which I muſt reckon to be the neahumane nature yet ever made to that ſin, by which the Angels did first fall, and that it it is the maſter peece of that Prince of darkneſs, and his ultimus conatus againſt the truth, who knows his time is short: 2. It may be with
reaſon, as viſibly, as once theſe were in their Language, who would atbuild a tower up unto Heaven, when this way, left to ane abſolute uncertainty, ever to fix their Faith, the Standard, and meaſure whereof, muſt be the comprehenſion of reaſon, which hath no firm or infallible ground to ſettle on beſides it ſelf, and whilſt they cannot make the reaſon, and judgement of others, as conſiderate, and knoreaſon, ſo as to conceive a created, & dependent God to give divine homage to, and that at once he ſhould be both a God, and a Creature, and adore a comprehenſible Object with divine Worship, yea this way without a contradiction to themſelf they can give no faith to the Creation as being brought purely out of nothing, or to the Reſurrection of the dead, as wholly incomprehenſible to reaſon, they muſt deride Iſraëls Paſſage thorow the Red Sea, or the Suns ſtanding ſtill on Joſua's call to verifie that Rom. 1: 21, becauſe that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, but profeſ
for it may be ſaid as in the PoëPhaëton, that when he ſought to
Chariot of the Sun, for a time, he was like to burn the earth, until he was ſtruck with a thunderbolt from Heaven; ſo hath this party tryed how to manadge reaſon, as the ſupream Directour, and Judge upon all that is ſacred, as they have gone near to deſtroy both Reaſon, and Religion at once, but tho the ſtrongeſt rational Arguments, with ſuch ſeem to bear no weight, I doubt not ere long of ſuch a viſible demonſtraBleſſed Redeemer, which he ſhall give before the World, that he may be known to be God, as will for ever end this Controverſy. There is a conſtraint on the Elect Angels, to admire what they cannot comMystery of the Ghoſpel, and that incomprehenſible love of God to fallen man, but oh what a return, and recompence does engaged mankind, give to him who counted it no robbery to be equal to God, yet to become man for our ſake, that in the face of the greateſt brightneſs of light, does bear ſuch enmity to his Godhead, as the eye of reaſon muſt be put out to ſerve this end, and when ſuch a light is turned into darkneſs, how great is that darkneſs! I have thought to the furtheſt to know, where the ſtrength of ſuch a Profeſſion could poſſibly ly, this being ſo great a Head, whereon the truth, or nullity of the Chriſtian Faith is ſo viſibly ſtated; and I durſt appeal their reaſon and conſcience if a reſolute averſion, to the Perſon of our Redeemer, in the union of
purenes, and ſanctifying vertue of the Ghoſpel, ly not more in the will, then their judgment, and be not the leading principle of this ſtrange ConInterest of reaſon, in Religion, I may ſay, it hath been one of the great ſtudies of my life, to improve the ſame, for a ſolid, and judicious eſtablishment in the Faith of the Ghoſpel (which I should ſtill commend with the greateſt reſpect to any of a ſerious ſpirit) but herewith I could poſſibly go no further withreaſon, or give a higher preheminence thereto, then in a full evidence, that what we are called to believe is of divine Revelation; nor can deſire more to warrant a hope and confidence, tho against hope, as to all rational grounds, but that it ſurely hath a divine promiſe to lean on. It might be judged, Sathan needed no humane aſſiſtance to theſe fiery darts, which are ſo uſually thrown at the choiſeſt Chrifaith on this bead, but it is not at an ordinare rate, that its great Author hath deſigned the tryall thereof. 3. There is one Reflection further hath affected my ſpirit upon this Controverſy, as to the juncture of time, when it is become now ſo contagious and prevalent, whilſt we are to pray, wait, and hope with aſſurance for the renting of the vail yet off many dark plahigher Glory of Chriſts Reign thereon, which shall be to the
gentile Church as life from the dead; yea when it is drawing ſo near to that great Revolution of ProShem, and Japhet shall yet again meet in the ſame Tents; how ſo ſtrong a conſpiJews or Pagans, to enter at upon the Chriſtian Faith, but where they find ſo venerable a thing, as reaſon, ſtanding in their way to tell them, that the moſt eſſential part of Chriſtianity is incompatible therewith, & that they muſt ſubject themſelves to the authority of humane Jndgment, and not to God, if they deſign to be Chriſtians. It is a famous paſſage, I muſt relate here of that great Jewish Council, held in Octob.
1650. in the plain of
I mention it for this end, what a cry would that have made, if they had been told of a creaAgeda, 30 leagues from Buda in Hungary, to ſearch the Scripture concerning the Meſſias, and the truth of the New Teſtament, where after ſeven dayes deMary, upon which that great Aſſembly broke up in a tumult, crying no Chriſt, no Images, no Woman God, and caſt duſt on their heads, upon ſo irrational a Blaſphemy: It is true, ſome of the Rabbies then, did much deſire Proteſtant Divines to
5. I shall now in the cloſe but add this further, what should be ſpecially expected upon the growChrists viſible Kingdom in the World, that as theſe Fogs & Miſts which have been raiſed upon the authority of his truth, will be then quikly diſpelled, ſo is there a higher Tribute to be given into him of the Glory of his Works, and the Outgoings of his Providence about the Church in theſe last times. I know, the work and buſines of this day lyes not here, or in deſigns of that nature, but it were well if much of that which makes the greateſt noiſe this day in the way of Religion, had its room filled with ſo choiſe a ſtudy as this is, tho it is indeed one of the peculiar enskilled in the Methods and Deeps of Providence, and to underWork of God lyes towards the Church, and his deſigns therein, according to theſe diſcoveries given of the ſame in his Word, and what watch of the night we are now
Head, I ſhall ſpeak to a few grounds, whereon this Tribute to the declarative Glory of God, from his great Works of Providence about his Church, will in another manner be rendred to him then heretofore.
1. Becauſe it is ſurely in this way of his great and extraordinar Works, that the Lord does deſign a more eminent diſcovery of himſelf, then in all theſe times that are hitherto paſt, and will thus enter his Church on that brightneſs and ſplendor of his ſecond coming, which belongs to the last ages; when his going forth in the greatneſs of his ſtrength will be with that evidence, as shall ſeaſe the World with fear and aſtonishment; and when he is in another manner to glorify himſuffering times, which are now past, wherein his Glory was to shine forth in the eminency of the paſſive graces of his ſpirit; for now is the Myſtery of God, in what yet remains thereof to be finiobſerving and admiring Work of the great Acts of God, that may need a more then ordinare meaſure of grace to anſwer the ſame: but we muſt look for great things of Judgment, coming on, to be acmercy, the Vyalls of divine Wrath, and last Plagues, are but in part poured out, wherein the appearance of God will be with much terror to the World, and that laſt
shakings of the Nations, and times of breaking down, as well as of building up, which are yet to come, and drawing near.
II. Becauſe we are entred on theſe times, when the Lord is in a more ſingular way then heretopart of Divinity, and the ſtudy thereof, which relates to his Works, and that great MyProvidence about his Church; when the Key shall then be put in their hand for opening up, and a more full underſtanding the way of the Lord in theſe times past under the New TeſtaDivinity, which is reſerved to the latter times in the perſtudy, then was attaifull point. It hath been remarkably the buſineſs of this age, to make a more accurate ſearch, and ſome greater diſcovery upon natural cauſes, and the workings thereof, but I doubt not, that ere long the inquiſitive World, shall be in another manner awaked, and their Inquiries run in a higher channel above all ſecond cauſes, to ſee and admire the great Acts of Providence, in the Divinity thereof, and not what is humane therein, but as they are by way of Eminency the Works of God, in the brightneſs of his immediate
Diſcoveries of God in his Works, and in the moſt extraordinare revolutions of huWord and his Works to the comprehenſion of their reaſon, tho ſome civil reſpect, they will give, and the name of his being the prime cauſe, but shut their eyes on what is more extraordinar and ſolemne in any piece of his work. I would yet point at ſome ſpecial Heads, that belong to this choiſe part of Divinity, which we are to exſingular caſes of Providence, which hath been in the Churches courſe, ſince her first tranſlation from the Jews to the Gentiles, with the isſue and conſequences thereof, contrare to the rules or principles of natural reaſon, which is ane Inquiry to be more fully improven, then whatend of the Lord herein, with ſuch eclear all bygones in his work. 2. Theſe remarkable Periods of time, wherein the Prophetical Part of the New Teſtament, hath been ſucceſſively brought forth in their proper Seaſon, as was foretold, is yet to
ſeall more fully taken off, and that vaill, which was over them, ſo as it shall be clear and eaſy to ſee how the Lord hath not only kept his Word and Truth to his Church, but hath kept theſe times alſo exactly, to which ſuch great events of Providence did relate. 3. There is a greater diſcovery yet to be made, then hath been hitherto, how the Church hath been led in a right way, and by a ſtraight line in her whole courſe, through that long, and terrible Wilderneſs, which she was to paſs, under the diſpenſation of the Ghoſervices the Saints have been put on in theſe ſtrange meaſures of their warefare, which was then allotted to them, and in theit overcoming work thereby; yea what a higher Triumph our bleſſed Redeemer hath had in the Faith, and patience of his People in ſo diſday, as to the preſence of his ſpirit, and irreſiſtable efficacy of his truth on his followers, when it ſeemed otherwiſe as the darknes of midnight. 4. There belongs to this part of Divinity, ſome higher breaking up of light, yet to be made on that Myſtery of the Communion of the Saints here with other, in the way of providence, and what a joint intereſt they have herein, as to what hath been more ſingular in the Lords way, and diſpoſal about others of his People: we have little undertrade, we might drive
ſtock of theſe ancient experiments of Chriſtians in following the Lord, and theſe emiPawn is thus put in our hand, for a further ſtrengthning in the Faith; yea what publick intereſt thus the whole Church of Christ hath, in ſome eminent acts of ProGeneration, that ſeek after God in their day, and for the times to come, according to that Pſal.
5. I muſt add, one great improvement of this ſpecial Head of Divinity, which will yet be above the meaſures of times paſt, in the extent of that Reference, and Appeal, beAngels and Men, in behalf of the Truth, and Faithfulneſs of God, for what he hath ſpoken and promiſed to his Church; and is that Tribute of praiſe, which in a higher degree is to be payed in to him, now when it's ſo near to the cloſe of time, then by that great teſtimony of Joshua 25: 14. how not one thing had fail'd of all the good things the Lord had then ſpoken in behalf of his Church, but had fully taken place, and was the ſame Appeal, which Solomon made I. Kings 8: 56. for this with a higher glory and evidence is to be the Teſtimony of the latter days, when it's drawing near to that magnificent cloſe and period of Prophetick
Chronology, and finishing of the Myſtery of God therein; how his ſpotleſs truth hath as the Sun in his ſtrength kept it's way and courſe amidſt all theſe dark clouds, which hath ſpread to darken the ſame; and no promiſe or prediction of that ſaScripture, hath ever fail'd or fallen to the ground, now when it's drawing ſo near to the perfect Day. It is true each age, hath had their proper meaſures of light, in order to the ſervice of that time, and ſomething peculiar alProvidence, yea ſome greater eminency did belong to theſe times past, when the ſufferings of Chriſtians did moſt abound, in the adventures of Faith, and in the tryal of love, then in after times, but as to higher diſcoveries of the works of God & the depths of providence about his Church, theſe was reſerved to that period, when the Myſtery of God hereon ſhould be more fully perfited, and in this reſpect it's to be ſaid, bleſſed is he that waiteth, and cometh, to ſuch a ſolemn time, and to have his lot fall therein, as is ſpoken Dan. 12: 12.
III. But for a further clearing of this Subject, ſince the Glory of the Kingdom of Christ is ſo nearWorks, in the day thereof, and now when a more eminent appearance thereof is near, that Kingdoms and Nations in their Complex Body, ſhall in a more ſolemn way be the Lords; It ſhould be expected that the return and oblation of praiſe
great Acts of his Providence ſhall be more remarkable, as a publick deed of Nations, and Churches then hath yet hitherto been; yea that when the Lord does in any ſingular way appear, for their ſecurity, and ſtanding, by Providences of a publick and national extent, that a gratulatoretribution, on their part muſt be of the ſame extent, under a publick care and regard. It is true, there is a ſettled frame of ſubordinat means, by which the Providence of God does work in the great deſigns thereof, that we are called to regard, wherein I doubt not, but the Miniſtry of the Angels hath the greateſt intereſt, as one of the great Ordinances he hath ſetled in behalf of his Church, tho as to their ſpecial offices, and d
to particular Churche
is ſomenearer Communion may be then attained betwixt theſe bleſſed Spirits, and the Saints here on the earth, then is yet known, but tho there is no time wherein the Lord will not put honor on inſtituted means, and on that eſtablished order of his working, yet whilſt moſt have ſuch ordinare thoughts of God herein, and are ſo ready to fix their eyes wholly on men, his honor is concern'd to let the World know he is God by more extraordinar demonſtrations, yea ſuch are moſt of the great events of his Word,
Subject I would humbly offer ſome few reflections, which ſhould be matter of a ſerious regard.
1. That as its highly becoming, on ſome eminent piece of the Work of God, or publick deſolemn and publick returns of thankfulnes to him thereon; yet is it ſtrange how ſo little regard should thus be to have the greatnes of any ſuch mercy ſought out, and the ſame publick care extended, for keeping up a venerable remembrance thereof, ſo that ſuch a ſervice of Gratitude be not bounded with the tranſient work of a day, ſince otherways it is a moſt eſſential want, and with holding a proper and important part of that Tribute, which is due into God herein, for there can be no ſuiProvidences, and what was ſo ſtraitly injoined of the Lord unOld Teſtament, which was the Churches continued practice there; yea of the ſame moral and perpetual uſe in all after times, if it should not be ſtill a publick trust under the furtheſt humane care to promote the ſame, tho divine Record and Hiſtory for this intent does now ceaſe.
2. But as this hath ane unqueſtionable tye on Churches, and a Chriſtian State to deſign the moſt honourable reſpect, and entertainment of the great Acts of God in their day, and is made their proper talent to anſwer to; ſo does a juſt exoneraexact ſcrutiny and ſearch on the truth and evidence thereof, on which the weight, and credit of this ſervice does ſo far depend, to cauſe a more full aſſent, by theſe who come after to ſuch a teſtimony, that theſe rare Providences, wherein the Lord did thus make himſelf known, were not only in the preſought out, and enquired unto, under their proper círcumſtances, but by ſuch of greateſt weight, and advantage, for a work of this naIntent, cleared from any partial reſpect or end, but alexalting the Majeſty of God, and ſtrengthning men in the Faith, by ſo great a ſeal to his Truth, and for the intereſt of the Poſterity; yea wherein theſe who in ſome leſſer differences did not fully meet in the ſame Judgment, yet might intirely unite, in ſuch a ſervice and teſtimony as this.
3. Where the Lord makes himſelf known in more illuſtrious acts of his power, as may be called Magnalia Dei, to ſome particular Nation, and Church beſide others, who herein are in a more then ordinare way intereſſed; it might ſeem eNational Record, and have that concurrence of humane authority, to make the evidence hereof as authentick, as the publick deeds, or rights, which
Hiſtories, and the Church hath been bleſſed with that ſingular mercy of Martyrologies by faithful and impartial hands, to atteſt the power of divine grace, and ſupports of the ſpirit given to ſufferers for the truth, and of late it was of great uſe the concurrence of Civil Authority to that Work of the Hiſtory of the Church of England, that's now extant, by an excellent Writer; but for this intent, Monuments of Providence, relating to a particular Ch
that are of publique, clear, and uncontrolled evidence, to have the remembrance thereof with the highest honor, kept up, and ſecured from the prejudices and cavills of men thereat; yea to ſuch Paſſadges in that day, whereon the Signature, and Impreſs of the more immediate appearance of God hath had moſt full and bright evidence; theſe great changes of a publique intereſt, which hath then occurred, wherein ſome extraordinar Conjunction in the courſe of Providence, might be ſeen, above natural cauſes, and the ordinare way of Gods Working, ſuch interpoſitions of his wonderpower, by which he hath deſigned to put ſome eminent honor, on acts of trust, and relyances on his truth, as might be exemplary to after times, and ſerve for that end, that they who come after, might ſett their hope on God, and not forget his Works Pſal. 78: 7. yea extraordinar Acts alſo of
divine Judgment, whereby he hath appeared in ſome unuſual manner, to vindicate the honor of his Laws, againſt publick and notorious violathat age only, but as a publick concern for after times.
4. Can it be queſtioned, that ſince that Sacred Canon of the Scripture is ſealed, and conſigned to the Church, to have no more addition thereto, but that it's now a part of the higheſt trust upon the Gentile Churches, to have a moſt venerable reſpect for conveyance of the great Works of God, from one Generation to another, & to bear ſuch evidence thereof, as the nature of theſe things is capable of, for a moral certainty; yea that this might be on ſuch tryall, as should ſilence and convince the moſt inquiſitive, and ſuſpicious ſpirits of men herein, this is of a ſerious and weighty import, if it were conſidered: 1. How ſo high a concern of the Glory of God is thus intruſted to tradition by humane teſtimony and record, and to the credit thereof, as that way only which the Lord hath now fix'd for the convoyance of his marvelous works to after times, on which he once put that value as to give them a ſpecial room in Sacred Writ, and tho there is no ſuch way now to atteſt the ſame, yet is not the weight of that ſervice taken off the Church, which is mentioned Iſay 62: 6. to be the Lords Remembrancers and Recorders of his great Acts, as the Original there bears. 2. It
last times, and what a loſs hath it been to the Chriſtian World unto this day, that unfaithful part which we muſt charge upon former ages, in no ſuitable regard to have ſuch ane intereſt and treaſure, with a publick care, ſecured for the poſterity, through which the credit and honor of tradition hath been ſo much broke as hath rendred the uſe thereof of ſmall effect. 3. And it's known how difficult a part it is to gain credit in this day, to the truth of what's more expaſſages of providence, even where the relaters thereof hTalent for the honor of God, does yet wait on the Church, & ſucceeding race, as ſhall tend to bring up what hath been detain'd of ſuch a rent and tribute of praiſe, yea that theſe whoſe Lot ſhall be in the dayes that are now coming, and fall in with the growing ſtate and glory of the Kingdom of Chriſt to ſee theſe things, which will exceed the thoughts and faith of this day herein, ſhall ſee and enjoy ſuch Records of theſe times, where the
Revel. 15: 3. Great and Marvelous are thy Works, Lord God Almighty, Juſt and True are thy Ways thou King of Saints, and where the credit of ſuch a teſtiperſonal only, but national in a more ſolemn, unite concurrence herewith then hath been hitherto known.
4. It is on this Subject, I muſt add further, that a traditional conveyance of more ſpecial and momentous things of Providence, might be of much uſe, were it ſuitably improven, to have a remembrance thereof continued in a Family Line and Relation, which is one peculiar way, wherepreſent Generation might declare the truth and faithfulneſs of God to the next. It is true, there is no ſerious Chriſtian, but is thus ſiſted, and accountable on ſuch a ſervice to put to his ſeall, by ſome explicit perſonal teſtimony, that God is true, upon his tryall hereof, and moſt ſpecially to improve that ſeaſon, when it is near to the cloſe and shutting up of time, that with his laſt and dying breath he might bear the ſame witTeſtimony, to be underſtood, with reſpect to theſe to whom things in a more ſingular manner
Record and Journal of their life had more extraordinar Remarks and Confirmations from the Lord, as gives higher acceſs to this ſervice, and adds to the value of ſuch a Teſtimony. I would offer but a few thoughts on ſuch a Head, which may poſſibly ſeem a ſtrange and dark thing to ſome: 1. It was once for a long time that the Series of the Church was kept up in a Family Line from Abraham to the 12 Patriarchs, and what a rare courſe and conduct of Providence was thus tranſmit to after times, which is ſo great ane intereſt, and treaſure to this day, and tho that convoyance was by an infallible ſpirit, yet is this ſo far exemplary thereby, for ſuch a confirmatory witneſs, by oblast improvement of time, and of what hath been more ſignal and eminent in the Lords dealLegacies they could be queath to their Relations, yea a ſingular mean to have Religion thus kept alive in a more venerable reſpect thereto in a Family State, and to fix ſtronger engagements to the way of God, on their ſurviving Friends. 2. I hope there be no ſerious diſcerning Chriſtian, but hath ſome more ſelect Obſervations of their life, and what hath been moſt remarkable in the courſe of Providence towards them, layd up, ſomeſingular uſe, beſides
Chriſtian prudence and ſobriety to qualify the ſame; yea, were this ſuitably deſigned in ſuch diſmal times, we are now fall'n in, what acceſs might private Chriſtians have, theſe ſpecially who have gone through more extraopublique bleſſing to their Geneſpecial adventures of Faith, amidſt the various conflicts of their day, should in the cloſe thereof have this as their proper work to deliver the truth off their hand, which they had receaved, with their ſeal and teſtimony to the ſame, as that which they had proven and tryed in a more then ordinare way, and which had brought them ſafe and honourably through, as was the laſt Words and Witneſs of David 1 Kings 14. Who ha
this I humbly judge falleth in as the laſt and peculiar ſervice of a Chriſtian, when it hath the advantage to be more valuable and conwork of this kind should be ſuitably prepared, to prevent a ſurpriſal of death, & going ſilent off the ſtage, which hath been the lott of theſe who have shin'd moſt
last Scene of a Chriſtians Work, ſo may it be yet more deſigned and regarlast ages of time, when thete is to be expected ſuch Teſtimonies for God, and to the Glory of his Truth, as will much exceed the ordinar Standard of theſe times paſt, and we are now in. The full ſenſe of that Scripture John 3: 33. should have a great weight herein, he that hath received his Teſtimony, hath ſett to his ſeall that God is true, where there is a peculiar debt, and trust on the one hand that is put on ſuch, who hath the truth and teſtimony of God conſign'd for tryall of the ſame; and a diſcharge thereof, which on the other hand they ſtand accountable for putting to their ſeall that God is true, which is the moſt ſolemn way of a Teſtimony before men; tho ſome may be thus in a ſpecial manner ſtated by higher engagements to fanctify God before others, and when ſome more ſingular paſſages of Providence comes under ſuch a witneſs and ſeall as a diſtinct part of a Chriſtians Teſtament in his parting with time, it brings the ſtrongeſt evidence that hu