IT is a common received opinion, that Alexan­der the Great was en­couraged in his Persian Wars, by the light and information which he had from Jaddus, the High-Priest of the Jews, who opened unto him the Vision of the Ram and He-Goat, in which Da­niel had foretold the overthrow of the Medes by the King of Grecia. Dan. 8. I know it comes many times to pass, howsoever men in their actions fullfil the purpose and design of God, yet think not so, neither do it to that in­tent: [Page 2] Isa. 10.7. Notwithstanding the Lord (who is good to all) rewards them sometimes largely for the work­sake. And so much appears in the Prophet: Son of man, Nebuchad-rezzar King of Babylon caused his Army to serve a great service against Tyrus; every head was made bald, and every shoulder was peeled: yet had he no wages, nor his Army for Tyrus, for the service he had served a­gainst it. Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchad-rezzar King of Babylon, & he shall take her multitude, and take her spoyl, and take her prey, and it shall be the wages of his Army; I have given him the land of Egypt for his labour wherewith he served against it, because they wrought for me, saith the Lord God, Ezek. 29.18, 19, 20. Now had he and his Army done that service conscientiously, and in obedience unto Gods appointment, and therein singly have sought the glo­ry of God, and not their own profit and interest; would they not much more have pleased him, and done a [Page 3]more acceptable service, and received a better and far greater reward?

Hence this may be gathered: As there are great things to be done in the last days, by the Representatives of the People, and by such as shall have the Power of Nations in their hands (especially, when it is to execute the vengeance of the Lord and the vengeance of his Temple upon any part of Babylon) that they have some understanding in the Prophesies of the last days, whereby they may know what their work is, and that they are call'd of God to it, and when and how to move in it. For so not only shall they be encouraged to take it in hand, but have assurance of good success, and a full reward for their service.

Object. But we have not now men of Prophetical spirits, to open unto us the dark Prophesies of the Scriptures concerning the last Times.

Answ. 1. Let this be granted, yet I humbly conceive, a man may take li­berty, and that very warrantably, to declare his opinion of the darkest and [Page 4]difficultest places of Scripture, in a sober and modest way; and for this he hath a Cloud of witnesses.

But, 2. It will be granted (I think) by all, when there is some part of a Prophesie already fulfilled, there is much light given to the knowledge of the rest: I say, by that PART which is fulfilled, he that is wise, and ob­serves the ways and works of God, may the better and easier understand what remains to be accomplished. Though a brutish man knoweth not, nei­ther doth a fool understand this, Psal. 92.6. yet who is wise, and he shall understand these things; prudent, and he shall know them, Hos. 14.9. So then, this I would say, Though a man profess not in­fallibility, nevertheless, from a due and serious observation of a Prophesie in part fulfilled; it is probable (being a person that fears God, and in dayly communion with him) what he apprehends by a diligent search concerning the rest, will prove to be a Truth.

3. Do not Star-Gazers and Monthly Prognosticators take large liberty at this [Page 5]time to publish to the world their pre­dictions concerning the alteration and change of States and Policies? as, what Kingdom and Commonwealth shall rise or fall in such a Yeer, or such a Moneth; and what Desolations there will be, by Pestilence and Famine, by the sword, and by fire and water; in such Countreys, Towns and Cities: Notwithstanding it is well known, (and confident I am it is a Truth) the first invention of Astrologie is by many learned men attributed to the Devil. This is the judgment of Ter­tullian, lib. de habitu muliebri; and a­gain, de Idolatria: and of Origen, Hom. 13. in Num. and of Clemens A­lexandrinus, in Eclog. and Lactantius writeth, as Coelius Rhodig. hath obser­ved, Lib. 2. cap. 12. Astrologia, Auspi­cia, Auguria, & Oracula esse Daemono­rum inventum. And King James calls Astrologie, the Devils School, Daemonol. lib. 1. cap. 3, & 4. I might add, how their profession and practise hath been always condemned, for Imposture, Jug­ling, Superstition, and Vanity, not onely [Page 6]by the Fathers (as some call them) but by Councils, and divers learned later writers; yea, and more then all this, plainly forbidden in the word of God, Lev. 19.31. Deut. 18.10, 11. Isa. 47.11, 12, &c.

If this be so, that howsoever their profession be condemned by God and men, yet there is freedom given them to publish their Astrological predictions, of the alteration and change of States and Policies: It will then be thought far more lawful, for any of the Lords servants to have the like freedom to declare his judgment con­cerning the alteration and change of States and Policies, taking his light and ground from the word of God.

For, 1. Howsoever there is no­thing written upon the Stars or Planets of the rise and fall of any Power or Government, Civil or Religious, yet in the holy Scripture it is. Here we have the Fourth-Monarchy, and the ten Kings, the little Horn, the Dragon, the Bottom­less Beast, and the two other Beasts; the for­mer rising up out of the Sea, the later com­ing [Page 7]up out of the earth: not onely writ­ten at length and fairly to be read, but the time exactly set down of their rise, and how long they shall continue, and the period and end of them: Dan. 7.25. and 12.7, 11, 12. Rev. 11.2, 3, 9. and 12.6, 14. and 13.5. Hab. 2.3. Psal. 102.13. Dan. 8.14.

2. Though men are forbidden to search the Planets, and the Eclipses of the Sun and Moon for those things, yet they are commanded and encouraged to search the Holy Scriptures, even the Visions and Prophesies which con­cern the last days, whereby to know the Time of the End, Rev. 1.3. and 22.10. and 13.10. Dan. 12.9, 10. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets unto his servants the Prophets, Amos 3.7. Thus Noah knew the time when the Flood would come, before it came, though the ungodly knew it not. So Daniel knew the deli­verance of Gods people, a little before they were delivered, not by gazing up­on the Stars, but by the light and di­rection which he had from the Word [Page 8]of God, Jer. 9.1, 2. But this shall serve for the manuduction to our dis­course.

The Scripture which I shall first mention, and speak a little to it (ac­cording to that measure of Grace which I have received) is Heb. 12.26, 27. Whose voice then shook the earth, but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the Earth only, but also Heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken, may remain.

But before I come to the opening and applying of this Scripture, I think it necessary to set down a few things, both to prevent objections, and for the Readers better understanding the mat­ter treated of.

1. It must be minded, that Scrip­ture-Prophesies have several accom­plishments; that is, they are sometimes fulfilled over and over, as to times, places, persons: and therefore it can­not [Page 9]be fairly concluded, Because such a Prophesie hath been once fulfill'd, therefore 'it cannot be fulfilled again. I could instance several Prophesies, which already have been fulfilled more then once, and yet are to be ful­filled again. To let pass many others, when Moses blessed the twelve Tribes, for Judah he prayed thus: Hear Lord the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people; let his hands be sufficient for him, and be thou an help to him from his enemies, Deut. 33.7.

This Prophetical prayer of Moses, sometimes in the whole, and some­times in part, hath already at several times been fulfill'd, and yet the Pro­phesie runs on for a further fulfilling. Read and compare these Scriptures, 2 Chr. 13.14. & 14.11, 12, 13, &c. Rev. 5.5. Psal. 2.6, 7. and 72.15. 2 Sam. 19.26, — 31. Dan. 7.13, 14. 1 Tim. 6.15. Act. 3.20, 21. 1 Sam. 22.35, 40. Rev. 19.15, 16. Psal. 45.4, 5. & 110.5, 6. So in that blessing which Jacob gave to the same Judah, Gen. 49.8, 9, 10, &c. what he there by the [Page 10]Spirit of God Prophesieth of, hath been fullfilled; and yet we are sure there is much in the Prophesie to be fulfilled. For the Readers satisfaction, I have thought good to mention these places: 1 Chron. 5.2. Heb. 7.14. Hos. 11.12. Judg. 1.1, 2, 3. 2 Sam. 17.10. & 22.41. Phil. 2.10. Rev. 5.5. Mat. 28.18. Luk. 1.32. Ephes. 1.20, 21. 1 King. 4.25. 1 Cor. 15.25. Isa. 11.10. Rom. 15.12. Hag. 2.7. Mat. 12.21. Zech. 9.9. Joh. 12.14, 15. Isa. 63.1, 2, 3. Rev. 19.13. and 14.20.

2. Whereas some think in apply­ing Scripture-Prophesies to a particular State or Nation, this is too straight, and misseth the mind of the Spirit; To this I answer: If in applying a Pro­phesie to a particular Nation, it be there confin'd, then I grant there is a mistake, if there be not a restriction in the Prophesie. But though the Prophe­sie be general, and have a large extent, yet it is no straitning of the Prophe­sie, to say, that in respect of the rise and beginning of it, it will not be u­niversal, but in such a Nation at first. [Page 11]As light, though it spread it self over [...]e face of the whole Earth, yet in the [...]wning it breaks forth and appears [...]t in one place. The Lord saith, I [...]ll pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, Joel [...].28. Again, I will shake all Nations, [...]ag. 2.7. Now I do not think that [...]ese things shall be done at one time [...]d all together; I mean, either of them; [...]ut gradually; that is, he will begin [...]mwhere first, and so proceed from [...]esh to flesh, and from Nation to Nati­ [...]n, till the whole be accomplished.

3. But the greatest difficultie is, to [...]nderstand where the Lord will begin [...] pour out his Spirit, and to shake all Na­ [...]ions: For my part, I think, as the hi­ [...]tory of the old Testament respected [...]he Jews, and we have little recorded [...]here of the affairs of the World, but [...]s the Church and people of God were more or less concerned therein: for howsoever there were great trans­actions of things in the world (as we finde in humane Histories) all the while the Kingdoms of Israel and Ju­dah stood; nevertheless, what respe­cted [Page 12]not the Church, the Holy-Gh [...] takes (as it were) no notice of. [...] the Visions and Prophesies of Scripture [...] specting the last days, do concern t [...] Church and people of God; They [...] written for their learning, Rom. 15.4. A [...] therefore where the Churches a [...] there may we certainly expect the a [...]pearance of them, especially a begi [...] ­ning. And if this be so, I have the Reasons to think, that the pouri [...] out of the Spirit, and the shaking of all N [...] ­tions will begin here in England.

1. Where the Lord draws o [...] the heart of his Children to seek h [...] face for any particular blessing, the [...] usually he grants it; Thou wilt prepar [...] their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear [...] hear, Psal. 10.17. Now I think, th [...] I may boldly say, Never were th [...] hearts of Saints in any age mor [...] strongly carried forth by the Spirit o [...] God in prayer, then some have bee [...] these late yeers, for the particulars be­fore mentioned.

2. Where may we expect th [...] work to rise and be revived, but where [Page 13] [...] was stopt, and had a Death (as it [...]ere) put upon it? What a Glorious [...]use the Lord had in this Nation, and [...]ow eminently he appeared with it, it [...] well known: and also who they [...]ere, who through their hypocrisie [...]nd Apostacie, most unworthily be­ [...]ayed it, and put an unblessed stop to [...].

3. If Scripture-Prophesies respecting [...]e last times, do most concern the Churches, and such as make the grea­ [...]est profession of Religion; surely then [...]or the Lord to begin the Earth-Quake [...]ere, I say, Judgment at his house and [...]anctuary, it will make very much for [...]he glory of his Wisdom, Justice, Ho­ [...]ness.

For, 1. This I will say, and stand [...]y it against all gainsayers, That the Apostacy of English Professors hath brought more dishonour to God, and general scandal [...]o Religion, then ever was done by any people professing Godliness these thousand yeers: [...]dd to this, How they glory in their shame, and declare their sin as Sodom, and [...]ide it not, Isa. 39.

[Page 14] 2. They have brought (as much [...] in them lies) all the Blood shed in t [...] three Nations, upon the good old Caus [...] and seek to acquit the King and h [...] Party, by building again the Tyran [...] and Idolatry which was destroye [...] and suppressing with both hands, th [...] truth and Righteousness which they pr [...] ­tended to.

3. The gross hypocrisie of Profes­sors hath made more Atheists within these four or five yeers, then have bee [...] heard of in many ages before. Som [...] I could name, who have confest, tha [...] observing the Horrible falshood, treach [...] ­ry, lying, self-seeking, &c. among Pro­fessors (especially in the Officers o [...] the Army) are become stark Atheists for they thought it was not possibl [...] for men professing so much Godliness and acting so much wickedness, to b [...] suffered upon the face of the earth, I there were a God of Judgment, Mal. 2.17. Reader, wonder not at this, but won­der there are not more Atheists, I had almost said, all Atheists. For is there any thing that can occasion [Page 15]men sooner and more effectually to turn Atheists, then to see great Profes­sors of Religion; yea, Church Mini­sters, and Army Officers, even whilst they are talking of Godliness, Justice, Honesty, and whilst they are fasting praying, and preaching, live in the practise of such horrid sins as heathens would abhor, and be ashamed of? I re­member what a Turk spake to an ac­quaintance of mine at Constantinople, when he had bid him less for his com­modity then he asked: I am no Christi­an, (quoth he) to ask otherwise then I mean to have. What would a Turk have said, had he seen the actions of some Professors of late yeers? I am no Christian, to break all vows, oaths, promi­ses, engagements: I am no Christian, to cheat and cozen my Brethren, under pre­tence of long prayer: I am no Christian, whilst I talk of Law and Justice, not to make conscience of any thing: I am no Christian, to preach against pride, cove­tousness, self-seeking; and in practise, no man more proud, more covetous, and more self-seeking then my self.

[Page 16] 4. Howsoever the Good old Caus [...] hath met with great opposition; ye [...] none have done that wrong and preju­dice to it, as Apostate Professors: though the Scribes and Pharises, with Pontius Pi­late crucified Jesus Christ, yet it was Judas, one of the twelve that betrayed him, and delivered him up into their hands. It is true, Christ in his good old Cause hath been crucified by all sorts of enemies; the old Malignants and Cavaleers trample it under foot, and laugh it to scorn, they shoot out the lip, and shake their heads at it: but who first betrayed it? who were they that delivered up the interest of Christ and his people into the hands of wick­ed men? It was not an enemy, then we could have born it; But they were Di­sciples, and such as we least thought would have been so unfaithful unto God and their Countrey. Let death seise upon them, and let them go down quick into Hell: for wickedness is in their dwell­ings and among them, Psal. 55.15.

5. What will more silence them that are without, and awaken the [Page 17]Nations abroad, then to hear that judgment is begun at the house of God: surely if any thing will waken them, this will.

Lastly, It is to be heeded, though there are no people, Nation, or Lan­guage under Heaven, but more or less are concerned in the Prophesies of the last times; yet every Prophesie is not to be carried to every Nation: neither do some Prophesies (as I humbly con­ceive) belong at all unto some people. The five first vials (as I understand) will extend no farther then the Domi­nion of the Beast; neither shall any part of the world be the subject of these vials, but the Antichristian State or Kingdom. Again, whereas Christ saith, there shall be Earth-quakes in divers places, Mat. 24. And certain it is, there is no Civil power, Government, or State upon Earth, but shall be broken to peeces, and utterly perish; yet touching that Earth-quake mentioned Rev. 11.13. it will not be universal, but rather a State Earth-quake, in one Nation; al­though the effect of it will be wonder­ful, [Page 18]even to the shaking and overturn­ing of all the powers of this world.

Moreover, as in Scripture we find many times part taken for the whole: so in Prophesies, as appears, Act. 2.16, 17. with Joel 2.28, &c. Though there be but a part of a Prophesie ful­filled, yet Peter expresseth all. True it is, in all Prophesies, that which is done last, will be more full and per­fect then the former; yet so, as we must remember they have their morn­ing or dawning, as their noon day. It is said of the Angel, the Earth was light­ned with his glory, Rev. 18.1. not at first, nor all at once, but by degrees: it will be so at last. It is said, the ten Horns up­on the Beast shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire, Rev. 17.16. now this shall not be done by all of them; for some of these Horns will ne­ver forsake the whore, but shall go into perdition with her, Rev. 18.9, 10. and 19.18. To be short, whosoever would inform himself in the prophesies of the last times, let him observe these 5 things.

[Page 19] 1. The Lord will begin his work, his strangework, amongst that people where Religion is most eminently profest, Jer. 25.18, 28. Ezek. 9.6. 1 Pet. 4.18.

2. Though he shake Earth and Heaven together and at one time, yet the Earth first. As a man lays first the foundation, and afterward builds up­on it; so the Lord will have righteous­ness and justice first established in the Earth, and then men shall fear the Lord, (that is, worship him in spirit and truth, Isa. 28.13. with Mat. 15.9.) as long as the Sun and Moon endure, tho­row all generations, Psal. 72.1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

3. There must be a diligent and watchful eye to observe the first ap­pearance of Scripture-Prophesies; that is, how any Providential Dispensation gives forth the matter of the Prophe­sie. For this is certain, if we see the Lord hath begun a work in order to the fulfilling of his Counsel and De­cree, contained in any vision or Prophesie, though there may seem to be some ob­struction, or a death upon it, notwith­standing [Page 20]he will carry it on in spight of all opposition men and Devils: Exod. 5.1, 2, 20, 21. and 5.1. and 12.30, 31. When I begin, I will also make an end, 1 Sam. 3.12.

And truly, I am of the opinion which the Army was of before their Apostacie, That the late King was one of the ten Horns, Rev. 17. And whereas he and his Monarchy were pluckt up by the root, and a Commonwealth establish­ed; here I take it, was a fulfilling of a Scripture-Prophesie, I mean a beginning of that good promise, Rev. 17.14. where it is said, The Lamb shall overcome the ten Kings. And whereas there hath been a THING lately set up (I know not what to call it; for it is neither formally a Monarchy, nor a Common­wealth; but tohu and bohu, without form and void:) To me it signifies no more then the house of the foolish builder, built upon the sand; the wind and floods nigh at hand, will blow and beat upon it: and if so, it must fall, and great will be the fall of it. But the Lord (as I said) will go forward to fulfil and perfect [Page 21]the rest of that Prophesie: so that it is neither the house of the Stewarts, nor the corrupt interest of any other man, that shall frustrate the Counsel of God concerning the Government of this Nation; but the good old Cause shall rise again, and be more glorious then ever it was before.

4. The Prophesies of the last times, as to their accomplishment at first, they will be very dark and dubious. Truly, I think, without special enlightning by the Spirit, few of the Lords people will have a clear sight and knowledge of what God doth, till a great deal be done.

And one great Reason is, because many think the slaying of the witnesses, and their rising, the Reign of the Little Horn, the last Apostacy and Earth-quake, will make such a noise in the world, as the deafest and blindest amongst the sons of men will be able to hear and see such things. But I cannot find in the word of God any footing for such an opinion; but rather, that darkness shall cover the Earth, and gross darkness [Page 22]the people, even then, when Zions light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon her, Isa. 60.1, 2.

5. Beware lest thou stumble here with the multitude; that is, to think such and such Prophesies are not fulfilled, because thou canst not satisfie thy self, when, where, and how they were ful­filled. That saying in the Prophet holds true here, Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known, Psal. 77.19. A man that shall see the Sun at noon­day, though he were asleep when it rose, will he conclude it is not the Sun, because he saw it not at its rising? Reader, if thou shalt see the Earthquake whereby the Power of this Apostacie is broken, the good old Cause on foot a­gain, and righteousness exalted in the Nation; such as have basely betray­ed the Rights and Liberties of the peo­ple deservedly punished, and so a way prepared for the 144000 to do the rest of the Lords work, of higher and grea­ter concernment: I think thou may­est very well conclude, that the reign [Page 23]of the bottomless Beast, the Little Horn, the slaying of the witnesses and their rising, all these things are past, though thou slepst when they were doing. Now for the Text.

1. By Earth and Heaven, here, is meant States and Policies; the first, what is Civil and Temporal; the o­ther, Ecclesiastical and Religious. By Shaking, is meant alteration and change; that is, removing and taking away all forms and kinds of Govern­ment which now stand, Isa. 2.19. and 13.13. Joel 2.16. Hag. 2.6, 7. Rev. 21.1. Isa. 65.17. I know by others this is otherwise interpreted, i. e. a Shaking of the material Earth and Heavens, with all the Inhabitants thereof, An­gels and men. But under favour, there is nothing in the Prophet nor in the He­brews, that hath any reference to the judgment of the great day; and therefore this Shaking cannot be applied to that time, but must be before.

2. By once more, I understand two things.

1. A State or Government changed; [Page 24]yet so, as there is something afterward set up in the same Nation, so displea­sing unto God, as THAT also shall be be destroyed, That those things which cannot be shaken may remain. What the things are which shall remain after a twofold shaking, is shewed in Daniel: And in the days of these Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom, which shall never be destroyed, & the Kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in peeces and consume all these Kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever, Chap. 2.44.

By once more, is signified the great difference between the two-shakings: For howsoever the Lord doth both, and in the first shaking there was great expectation and hope of much good by it; yet through the hypocrisie and falshood of some men, things proved altogether otherwise: He looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righ­teousness, but behold a cry, Isa. 5.7.

Now howsoever the Lord was pleased to suffer such corrupt men to carry on their wicked design, and to set up them­selves against his Son and Zion, that [Page 25]the Scripture might be fulfilled; yet after the second shaking, it shall not be so: but the work of Reformation (be­gun) shall go forward and prosper; yea, and in spight of all Apostates and Hypocrites, under what profession and form soever truth and righteousness shall rise and flourish for ever.

Now indeed here lay the occasion of a former mistake generally among the Lords people: we thought when the King and Bishops were taken away, and the form of Government changed from Monarchy to a Commonwealth, that we should presently have seen good days, and that tyranny and persecu­tion would have ceased; but we did not consider the word here, YET ONCE MORE; i. e. there must be two sha­kings. So that the good days (or, the days of the Son of man) spoken of in Scripture, do not belong to the first shaking; neither may any that truly fear the Lord, and keep the command­ments of God, and have the Testimo­of Jesus Christ, expect any better time, till after the second shaking: when [Page 26]this yet once more is over, then coms in the time, that the Lord will not be wroth with his people any more: violence shall be no more heard in the Land, nor destruction within thy borders. Thou shalt no more be termed forsaken, neither shall thy land any more be termed desolate. He will break all bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of thee. Then the house of Israel shall go no more astray, nei­ther be polluted any more with their trans­gressions. The Lord will no more make his people a reproach among the Heathen, neither shall the wicked any more pass over thee, but be utterly cut off, Isa. 54.9. & 60.18. & 62.4. Jer. 30.8. Ezek. 14.11. Joel 2.19. Nah. 1.15. precious Promises! Oh, how should we desire this ONCE MORE! Come Lord Jesus, come quickly.

3. By Voice, I understand the In­struments which the Lord hath raised up and brought together to shake the Earth, and his powerful presence with them, enabling them effectually to per­form the good work he calls them to.

Methinks there is something here [Page 27](though it lie like gold close in the Earth) very observable. There are two shakings, but the word VOICE is but once mentioned, and joyned with the first: the later brings a pro­mise with it. As if the Lord in this la­ter shaking would be more ingaged for the interest of Christ and his people then he was before. Though a man do something freely and of his own accord, yet where he stands bound by promise, there he takes the more care to have the thing done. This may serve for our comfort and encouragement, the Lord will not fail us in this second shaking. He seems to give us more then we had before; I say, more ground and reason to hope that this present Apostacie in Church and State shall be shaken, then we had for­merly to beleeve the shaking of the King and Bishops.

But seeing our business at present, lies not so much in explanation, as appli­cation; I shall therefore come now to set down what I humbly conceive, may be from the forenamed Scripture rightly [Page 28]gathered. Not restraining the Text to our present time, or only to that which is here asserted (for as I have said, so I say again, both this Prophesie and o­thers may be fulfilled over and over.) But that which I take the Holy Ghost hath some respect to in this Prophesie, & foretels should come to pass, is this.

The first shaking was, when the Long Parliament voted down Kingly Govern­ment, and pluckt up Monarchy root and branch, and constituted a Commonwealth, and enacted, that the Supream Authority of the Nation should be in a Parliament, with­out a King and House of Lords. Add to this (as proper to the same shaking) the extirpation of the Government of the Church by Archbishops, Bishops, &c. The shaking which is yet ONCE MORE, is the utter abolishing of that THING, which now stands. Reader, thou must bear with me: for truly I know not what to call it, except the LATE STATE-APOSTACIE: neither that THING, which is managed by the Tryers, un­less I should say, it is one of the names of blasphemy, which the great whore carries [Page 29]upon her forehead, Rev. 17. (as I am perswaded it is,) yet it hath no pro­per name. But to proceed, these two things (call them what you will) being (as it were) the two present States and Po­licies of the Nation; the one Civil, the other Religious, these both will the Lord shake; I say, Overturn, overturn, overturn. Rea­der, let me request this of thee, for­bear thy censure till thou hast perused my Reasons for what hath been asser­ted: I hope thou shalt see I am not like the Apostates of this age, to give rayl­ing for Reason.

1. It is without dispute that among all Nations professing Religion, there hath not been the liker State-shaking as was a while since in England. For not only was he (who was ac­knowledged by many LAWFUL PARLIAMENTS, the Supream Ma­gistrate) brought as a Delinquent be­fore a High Court of Justice; but had sentence of Death pass'd upon him, the which was soon after put in execution; yea more, to the end that Monarchy might for ever cease in the Nation, [Page 30]and the very name of it forgotten, there were four Acts of Parliament (all standing yet in force, for ought I know) which make it high Treason, for any man to take upon him the name of a King or Supream Magistrate, without consent of Parliament.

The first Act saith thus: Be it ena­cted and ordained, that whosoever shall de­clare, publish, or any way promote any per­son to be King or Chief Magistrate of En­gland or Ireland, &c. without consent of Parliament, shall be judged and deemed a TRAYTOR to the Commonwealth, and shall suffer pains of Death, and such other punishments as belong to the Crimes of high Treason. Act of Parl. January 30. 1648.

The like Act was made March 17. 1648. and May 14. 1649.

Again, July 17. 1649. It was ena­cted, That if any person shall maliciously or advisedly, publish by writing, printing, or open declaring, &c. That the Commons in Parliament are not the Supreme Autho­rity of this Nation; or shall plot, contrive, or endeavor to stir up, or raise force, &c. [Page 31] that every such offence shall be taken, deem­ed, and adjudged by the Authority of this Parliament to be high Treason. But there is more yet; there was an Ingage­ment, which was drawn up and sent out by the Parliament for all the Na­tion to sign, which went thus: I do hereby declare and promise to be true and faithful to the Commonwealth, as now esta­blished without a King or House of Lords. And this Ingagement was generally taken by such as were then counted well-affected.

Object. Though it cannot be denyed but this was a most eminent Shaking; yet how is it proved, that in the Change of the En­glish-Monarchy to a Commonwealth, a Scripture-Prophesie was fulfill'd, and particularly, Heb. 12.26, 27?

Answ. If it be granted it was a SHAKING (and an eminent one too) it will easily be proved (being in En­gland) a Scripture-Prophesie was fulfill'd, and particularly, Heb. 12.

For the Scripture-Prophesies of the last times, concern the Churches and [Page 32]people of God; and where these are, there may we expect will come to pass what things are foretold in the word of God: there are many changes and alterations of States and Policies in the world at this time, of which nothing in Scripture is foretold: nevertheless where Gods people are, and Jesus Christ is truly worshipped, there can­not be any such shaking (I speak ac­cording to that light I have in the things of God) but in order to the fulfilling of some Prophesie. What thou seest, write in a Book, and send unto the seven Churches in Asia, Rev. 1.11.

2. If England be one of the ten Kingdoms, in Dan. 7.7, and Rev. 17.12. as it is generally held; yea, the first that constituted it self a free and abso­lute State when the Romane Empire was broken to peeces; then I think it may certainly be concluded, that the Holy Ghost in Heb. 12. hath reference to the shaking of which we speak: my reason is this; What was revealed to Daniel, John, and Paul, was by one Spi­rit, and concerned one thing, as to the sha­king [Page 33]of the ten Kingdoms.

3. That the first shaking was by a VOICE, I think there is very much in it (as I have hinted before,) Truly more VOICE then PROMISE; My meaning is, that many people in their rising against Monarchy and Epis­copacy were carried forth beyond their own principles: A VOICE there was; that is, God mightily appear'd in them and by them; but no Promise; that is, they had no Scripture-light for what they did, but only followed Provi­dence, opportunity, victory, self-inte­rest. Reader, mistake me not; I do not say there was not Scripture-ground for putting down Monarchy and Episcopa­cie (I beleeve there was:) but this I say, many who had a great hand there­in, did it not upon that account; for there are many at this day (and some I know) who were as active and forward as any in the thing, and gave their Vote against the King, the Bishops, and House of Lords; yet now, none more earnest for a King and House of Lords then they; yea, and for Episcopacie [Page 34]too, if it fall in with their Interest.

4. Whereas it was Gods voice that shook the first Earth; I hope none will be offended (neither Independent, Pres­byterian, or Baptiz'd) if we say, such as account themselves the Lords Embassa­dours, Angels of Churches, the Ministers of Jesus Christ, &c. are the persons by whom the Lord chiefly speaks; and his VOICE, as John was in the Wilder­ness. This being so, by whose voice then was the Earth shaken?

I answer, By no voice so effectually as that voice which came out of the Temple. Oh! how did this VOICE ring tho­row the Nation, calling upon the good people every where, in their Ser­mons and Writings, to come forth and help the Lord against the mighty: never did this VOICE cease, but was still cry­ing in the ears of the Parliament and Army, SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE, till they had shaken King and Bishops out of the three Nations.

It is very requisite, as we have men­tioned the Voice from the Temple, so to give some instances how shaking it was, [Page 35]to have the late King cut off. I will begin with Mr. Burroughs, because (I suppose) what he wrote, was the VOICE of all his Independent Brethren in that particular. Thus he tels us:

You must observe, That every one is subject to the Higher Powers: Mark, it is not to man first, but it is to the Power. Let every soul be subject to the Higher Power, where-ever this Power lieth. It is not to the will of man, that hath Power, but it is to the Power of the man. Now the Power, the Authority, is that, THAT A MAN HATH IN A LEGAL WAY.

Again, in another place, There is (saith he) no Authority we are subject to now, but according to the Laws and Consti­tutions of the Country where we live. When things are brought into a Law, and be ac­cording to the Agreements and Covenants of the place and Country wherein we live, &c. then the power of God is in it. But we must enquire whether it be a Power. On Hos. Chap. 1. Lect. 6. p. 157. and Lect. 4. pag. 111. and Lect. 3. pag. 65.

Mr. Bridge his Voice shall be next, [Page 36]in his answer to Doctor Fern, thus: Did not Athaliah remain as a conqueress six yeers? and who knows not that she was lawfully thrust from the Throne again by a stronger hand then her own? Meer con­quest being nothing else but an unjust usur­pation. And if the Conquerer rule the whole Kingdom, & keep them under by con­quest only, WHY MAY NOT THE SUBJECT RISE, AND TAKE UP ARMS TO DELIVER THEMSELVES FROM THAT SLAVERY? Mr. Bridge against Dr. Fern, Sect. 4. pag. 42.

But one thing is remarkable, what searching Books there was, and citing the opinion of men. Truly, I think there was scarce a learned man (whe­ther Papist or Protestant) if he had writ­ten against Usurpers, Tyrants viola­lating the Laws, Rights and Liberties of the People; but he was brought forth by those who defended the Par­liaments cause against the King. To omit many, how often is Alstedius quo­ted, for saying, A Tyr ant without Title, who is an Invader, every private person [Page 37]may and ought to remove: for he is not a King, but a private man, who doth invade the Country as an Enemy. Alsted. Cas. Con. cap. 16. Reg. 8. p. 341.

So Chamier: All Citizens, or free Sub­jects, have a right or warrant to rise up a­gainst Tyrants, who by open force possess the Kingdom. Tom. 2. Lib. 15. cap. 12. Sect. 19. Again, Dr. Willet: Where the Kingdom is usurped without any right, as by Athaliah; or where the land is op­pressed by Invaders, as in the time of the Macchabees: in these Cases there is less question to be made of resistance by the ge­neral consent of the States. On Rom. 13. pag. 592. Neither is King James left out: The publick Laws (saith he) make it lawful and free, for any private person to enterprise against an usurper of the King­dom. Every man, saith Tertullian, is a Soldier enrolled to bear arms against all Traytors and publick Enemies. In his Re­monstr. pag. 216.

I shall not name any more cited by them. Touching this Temple-Voice, (wherein Mr. John Goodwin was louder then most of his fellows) there are 5 [Page 38]things to be seen in their writing, (when they stood with the Parliament against the King) as their State Prin­ciples.

1. That an Usurper hath no Authori­ty, is a meer private person.

2. That no obedience is due to an un­titled or illegal Power.

3. That the sword is peculiar to a Magistrate lawfully called, and not else.

4. That to the being of a Magistrate, is required a lawful calling.

5. To the making of a Supreme Ma­gistrate, is to go the Vote and consent of the people.

I do not mention this Voice to asperse it in the least; neither do I think, they who stood with the Parliament against the King had a bad Cause; nor do I condemn any man for the Publick Testi­mony which he bore against the exorbi­tancie and arbitrary actions of the late King: yet this I may say, and none will be offended at it but the guilty:

1. It cannot be justified in any man, to call that rayling, and speaking evil of dignities in another, which be­ing [Page 39]done by himself, was then accord­ing to Scripture, Law and Consci­ence.

Neither 2. can I judge it other­wise then a fault, for any man to write against Tyranny, and preach it down in reference to the King, and after­ward in another allow and justifie the like Tyranny; yea, greater by many degrees.

But 3. And this indeed I most mis­like, viz. that such men, whose Voice never ceased against the King and Bi­shops, till their places were no more, should be the forwardest to have that Tyranny up again, and exercised over the Bodies, goods, and Consciences of the people, for which the King and Bi­shops were removed.

Now for the next particular, i. e. our Grounds and Reasons why by yet once more, the second shaking is meant; the shaking of this present State-Apostacie: I shall only touch one thing which lies in our way, and so hasten to it.

As under the word Earth, in the first shaking, not only Kingly-Government is [Page 40]signified, but the Hierarchy also, called Earth; not only because it was inter­woven with the other, but ascended out of the EARTH; was meerly carnal and earthly, and had nothing of Hea­ven in it. So I take the matter here: Though this State-Apostacie have some­thing in it that pretends to Religion, as the business of the Tryers, yet this coms under the word Earth: so that Heaven afterward said to be shaken, is another thing, in which the Tryers are not concerned.

What was said before concerning the Bishops, that their Government was earthly, carnal, &c. is as true in the other; It is a plant not of Gods planting: yet in one thing the Prelates were to be commended, to the shame of these men; for that party would many times publickly undertake the justification of their calling, and would quote Fathers, Councils, Scripture, for what they did; but this later earth (as it seems by their silence) dares not put any thing forth for their justi­fication. They know they have no [Page 41] Fathers, Councils, Presidents, or Scripture to warrant their unsanctified place and standing. And in John there is a good Reason why these Tryers come not forth to the light: For every one that doth evil, hateth the light, neither com­eth to the light, lest his deeds should be re­proved or discovered, as hath the Mar­gin, Joh. 3.20.

Concerning the second shaking of the Earth (for of Heaven I shall speak no­thing now) here I will follow the for­mer order: 1. Prove, that the present State-Apostacie shall be shaken. And 2. in this shaking, Scripture-Prophe­sle fulfilled, and particularly, Heb. 12.

First, If the Rights, Liberties, and Priviledges of the people shall again be restored, and the work of Reformation go forward to a good settlement of the Nation; then necessarily must this later Earth be shaken: for as darkness vanisheth when light breaks forth; so all falshood and treacherous designs of men must end and perish, when truth and righteousness take place: when the Lords time came that Joash should [Page 42]be brought out of the Temple, and set up­on the Throne, it could not be other­wise but Athaliah and her confederates must suffer deeply.

And this is the reason why some endeavor what they can to uphold un­righteousness and all manner of op­pression, and cannot endure to hear of good Laws, and honest things, but hate such persons as would advance them. They tremble (like Felix) to think of righteousness, and that there should be such a thing as men call a FREE-PARLIAMENT, and not un­der the power of the sword. And no mar­vel: for being conscious to what they have done, they cannot but expect to be rewarded according to their works. But let these know, notwithstanding all their crafty counsel, and joyning hand in hand; the good old Cause which was in the Nation, shall rise and pros­per, but they shall fall and perish. As­sociate your selves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in peeces: Take counsel toge­ther, and it shall come to nought: Speak the word, and it shall not stand, for God is [Page 43]with us, Isa. 8.9, 10.

I was speaking just now of Joash: [...]ethinks in him we have something [...]at resembles our good old Cause: A­ [...]aliah doubtless thought she had de­ [...]royed all the seed Royall of the house of [...]udah, and there was none left to have [...]unished her murder and Treason. But [...]he was deceived, and found it other­ [...]ise. It is sure enough, some thought [...]ey had utterly destroyed the Common­ [...]ealth, when they made one man Chief Magistrate; but these workers of ini­ [...]uity will know ere long, it was a lie, [...]nd they wrought a deceitful work: [...]or the Commonwealth (though an In­ [...]ant) was hid, as Joash, in the Temple: What if you say, By the Temple is [...]eant the hearts of all the good peo­ [...]le in the Nation? Again, though A­ [...]haliah cried, Treason, Treason, when [...]oash was brought forth, yet it was no [...]reason in the people to set up their [...]awful King, and put her to death for [...] bloodie Traytor. So, if the Repre­sentatives of the people shall punish Tray­ [...]ors, and Crown the Commonwealth with [Page 44]her just liberties and freedom, there will b [...] no Treason in [...] though hypocrites an [...] Apostates, cry, Treason, Treason.

Object. There is no question, if [...] Commonwealth be established with th [...] Rights and Liberties of the people but the Thing now up, must and will be sha [...] ­ken. But how doth it appear, that th [...] good old Cause (like Joash) will b [...] brought forth, and crown'd with righ [...] ­teousness and truth? If you prove no [...] this, you say nothing.

Answ. It is very true, and I grant it therefore to prove it, these Argument and grounds I give.

1. This Bitter root shall certainly be pluckt up, when those things are done, for which the only wise God suffe­red it to rise. And no doubt, among many other ends he had, it was,

1. To discover a multitude of rotte [...] hearts, whose hypocrisie before lay hid, either under a form of godliness, or a [...] pretended zeal against the Tyranny and Idolatry of the King and Bishops, and to have Church and State reform­ed; and having made their folly mani­fest [Page 45]to all men, to lead them forth with the [...]orkers of iniquity.

2. That a Scripture-Prophesie might [...]e fulfilled; namely, the coming in of [...]he second Apostacie, foretold in 2 Tim. 3.1, 2, 3, &c. the which Apostacie (to me) is as clear to be now in this Na­tion, as the Sun that shines at noon­day. But of this more by and by.

3. To make proof of the faith, love, and obedience of his little flock; and in very deed, as the Tryals and Temptati­ [...]ns of the Lords witnesses, have been these four or five yeers, many ways very great; So they have shewed much faithful­ness to the Lord, and to his Son and Zion, that they have chosen bonds, banishments, close imprisonment, and loss of trade and livelihood, rather then with base time-servers, and merce-mary flatters, to betray the Liberties, Laws, and Rights of the Nation, for filthy lucre sake. If a maid, that she might be such a mans wife, should re­fuse a great estate, and live very poor­ly with him, would not this argue she married him for LOVE and nothing [Page 46]else? How many are there to my know ledge, would they have broken the [...] Vows, Oaths, and Ingagements, an [...] joyned with others, to build agai [...] what before they had destroyed, the [...] might have had what honour, prefe [...] ­ment or place they would? But the [...] would rather be imprisoned and ba [...] ­nished, and suffer with joy the spoi [...] ­ing of their goods, then turn Judasse [...] for a few pence. But what love an [...] affection have these persons in thi [...] shewed to the good old Cause, and th [...] just Rights of their Country!

4. That Hypocrites having gotte [...] by the present Apostacie fat pasture might the sooner fill up the measur [...] of their wickedness, and so be prepare for the day of slaughter. As the Lor [...] will have the harvest and vintage rip [...] before he cuts them down: so there i [...] nothing will sooner ripen corrupt me [...] then greatness, honour, riches, &c. Swi [...] will not fatten faster by acorns, then will a [...] hypocrite by Court-preferment. Now Rea­der, consider, as the Lord had thes [...] and other such ends for which he suf­fered [Page 47]this root of bitterness to be a­mong us; so having had his END, what is now to be expected but a sud­den plucking of it up?

Then 2. What is it that hath occa­sioned prophane persons to blaspheme the holy name of God, more then the late destroying of that good work of Refor­mation begun in the Nation? What saith the Scoffer at it! This man began to build, but was not able to finish it, Luk. 14.30. It is not man now, but God, the living God, that is derided and laugh'd at: he began to build, &c. he made a fair beginning (saith the MOCKING-APOSTATE) to have had a Commonwealth; he seem'd as if he would have made a righteous Nation. and the people no more under the lust and will of men. But some were too hard for him, and out-wit­ted him, and undid all that he had done before, with the infinite ex­pence of Blood and Treasure. But know (thou Atheist) Jehovah is more jealous of his glory and great Name, then to give it to another. Though he [Page 48]have kept silence, and thou thoughtest that he was altogether such an one as thy self; yet know, he will arise for his Name­sake. For so is his promise, I will sanctifie my great Name, which was pro­phaned among the Gentiles, which ye have prophaned in the midst of them, Ezek. 36.23. But never will the name of God be recovered in this Nation, to the stopping of the mouths of Apostate­blasphemers, until that blessed work of breaking Tyranny and Idolatry (begun in the Long Parliament) be on foot again. I say once more (as a truth which I hope the Lord will enable me if call'd to it, to seal with my blood) That the precious Name of God prophaned in this Nation by Apostate Professors, will not be sanctified, till the good old Cause be revived, the Freedom and just Liberties of the people restored, a Commonwealth set­led upon right principles of truth and righ­teousness, and those who have been the cause of the late horrible revolt brought forth to Justice.

3. Such are the wounds in the Body of this Nation, and the grievances and [Page 49]Breaches so many and great, as I am perswaded, all the State-Physitians (I speak not of Mountebanks and Quack­salvers) will perceive (when they shall come to the Cause and Cure) there is no healing of the whole, without cut­ting a part off; and what that part is, they will soon see. The Prophet Eze­kiel speaking of the false Prophets of his time, saith, One built up a wall, and lo, others daubed it with untempered mor­tar, Ezek. 13.10. He alludes unto a foolish builder, who coming to a wall with his tools, sees it is so rent and torn, as it cannot stand, but must be all pluckt down, and a new wall rais'din the place of it; nevertheless, he only plaisters it over, and so seeks to cover the fault, but not to mend it. Who should be builders, if not the Represen­tatives of the people? And therefore if the wall before them (which others built) be so weak, sandy, and totte­ring, that it must be shaken; ought they not to beware of dawbing it with untempered mortar? and the rather, be­cause the Lord wants not labourers, but [Page 50]if one company of men prove unfaithful; that is, will be dawbing a rotten wall, when they should cast it down, he will DIS­SOLVE THEM with more shame and dishonour, then any Protector could put upon them; and call such to the State-work as shall be more faithful, and well rewarded for it. Say unto them which dawb with untempered mortar, that it shall fall, there shall be an overflowing showr, and ye, O great hail-stones, shall fall, and a stormy wind shall renit. Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the dawbing wherewith ye have dawbed it? Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have dawbed it with untempered mortar, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that dawbed it, Ezek. 13.11, 12, 15.

4. It may rationally satisfie all un­byassed persons, that Gods actings and appearances were formerly such for the interest of Christ and his people, as it can­not possibly be, that he should leave it afterward. What! was the King ta­ken off? his Posterity laid aside? the [Page 51] Bishops and their Government put down, for this end, that there should rise up in their places, a Generation of men more corrupt then they were? In­deed, if we will give credit to the blas­phemous speeches published to the world by Apostates, it should be so; that is, all the victories and deliveran­ces which the Lord gave unto his peo­ple in the time of the Long Parliament, was for them; that is, for their parti­cular interest. They blush not to tell us in print (as may be gathered from their words plain enough) that Gods helping us in our several streights, was to keep up the Lawyers in their corrup­tion; Priests in their oppression; the Magi­strates in persecution; the Tryers in their beastly invention; and the old Malignant to take his revenge on honest men, for their former good service to God and their Country. But I shall leave these mockers to him that will not be mockt by them, but one day stop their mouth with a witness.

For conclusion, If the Lord were plea­sed to kill us, he would not have shewed us [Page 52]all these things, Judg. 13.23. We may be confident, never would he have drawn out so many heart-groans from his people, much less so much bloud from them, even heart-blood (willingly sacrificed in the high places of the field) for the good old Cause, had he not in­tended to crown it with glory and ho­nour in the end.

5. And here is a fit place to remind the Reader; as the Lord eminently ap­peared with us in the time of the long Parliament: so on the contrary, since this OTHER THING came up, how visibly and sensibly hath he shewed his signal displeasure against us, for our base backsliding; laying a curse (as it were) upon all publick affairs almost, (as he did on the fig-tree) that nothing should prosper which they took in hand? I shall not speak of that Golgo­tha in Hispaniola, the field of English skulls and blood; nor the many millions of Treasure, wasted meerly to satisfie the lusts and will of some men; nor what shame and dishonour the Nati­on lies under, being some yeers past a [Page 53]terrour to all Enemies about us. Let us come to consider the present condi­tion of the Nation: Ask the Souldiers what their Arrears are? Then enquire among the Seamen, how many months pay is due to them? and while you are there, cast an eye upon the Navy, and see in what a pickle that is, and whether there be any provision to set out a Fleet either offensive or defen­five. Add unto all this, the extream poverty of the people, as having nei­ther trade nor mony.

It is probable, there will be in the next sitting, some that were Members of the Long Parliament; these men do know in what a rising and flourishing condition the Commonwealth was, when they were dissolv'd. But how are they like to find it now? as a poor sheep full of worms; the worms are fat and lusty, but the sheep lean, languishing and ready to perish. So they shall see now (and not a few) persons that are grown fat and full, by devouring the flesh of the Commonwealth; I mean her Laws, Liberties, Rights, and Privi­ledges; [Page 54]but for the Commonwealth, so maugre and lean, as it cannot be long liv'd, if the Lord raise not up some good shepherds, to look after it.

A man that hath spent much time and labour, and been at great cost in a work, and no sooner hath done it to his liking, but should see it presently broken before his eyes, would not this extreamly grieve him? such as sate in the Long Parliament, and stood faith­ful to the good Cause, do well know, be­fore Monarchy was shaken, and a Common­wealth established, they had hard work, and it cost the Nation not a little blood and treasure: for such men therefore to see all that they did broken to peeces before their eyes, methinks it should much affect them. What else they should do, I leave it to themselves, or rather to divine Providence: For God standeth in the congregation of the mighty, he judgeth among the Gods, Psa. 82.1. Saul a little before his end fell into such streights, as he knew not what to do. I know who have formerly pre­tended necessity, when there was none: [Page 55]but now its fallen upon them to the full; for had it not been NECESSITY, this Assembly had never been call'd: what the issue will be, a little time will shew. The Scripture saith, The wicked is snared in the work of his own hand, Psal. 9.16.

It is very observable, that the Lord meets with oppressours and deceitful men, one of these two ways; that is, ei­ther they shall take the better way for his people, or the worse way for them­selves: When Herod charged the Wise men to bring him word where the yong child was, Mat. 2. here he shewed him­self not a subtle serpent, not wise in his generation: for to have had his bloody design done indeed, he should have gone himself, or sent some of his guard to have done it. But in this way God blinded him, and kept it from him, that he might take a better way for Christ's preservation. So Jezebel, had she sent some of her Priests with Souldiers to Elias (when she sent only a messen­ger to tell him what she would do by to morrow) that had been a sure way to [Page 56]have dispatched him presently: but God would not suffer her to take that way; she must chuse another way, and a better way for the Prophets life.

Again, Tyrants many times chuse the worse way for themselves; thus it was with Pharaoh at the Red Sea; he had two ways to chuse, either to return the way he came (which indeed was the better way) or to go forward and follow Is­rael into the great waters; but he will into the Sea: now in this he appeared more blind and hardned then before; for he might well think, the Lord had not made a way thorow the Sea for him, but rather had laid a snare for him and his Host. I am now wait­ing to see what will be the carriage of such men, who have betrayed their coun­try: they have methinks (like Pharaoh) two ways; the one is to RETURN, or PUBLICK REPENTANCE, that is, make a free and ingenuous confessi­on of their former treason, oppression, Covenant-breaking, &c. and to give up all their pretended Authority and Power into the hands of the Peoples [Page 57] Representatives. Doubtless of the two ways, this is the better: the other is Phara­oh-like to go forward, though they cannot but think that this Great As­sembly (like the Red-Sea) will save the Rights, Liberties, and good Laws of the Nation, and drown Arbitrary Pow­er, oppression, treason, &c.

If the Power and Majesty of English Parliaments (which have been) be se­riously heeded; it would not seem al­together improper to liken them (at least some which have been the best and most glorious) to the Red-Sea. For many proud Pharaohs with their Hosts have been swallowed up in Englands Parliaments! Had not I seen so many unworthy Addresses, I should not have thought there had been so much base English blood in the Nation, men of such mercenary, low, servile, and sla­vish Spirits; so far from following the steps of their Ancestours, in standing up for the Freedom and just Liberties of their Country, as they have at­tempted to maintain a private interest against the power of the people and [Page 58]Priviledges of Parliament. But it is well that there is a Publick Attestation against them, of many thousands Re­ligious and well disposed people, who say, We testifie and declare against the late flattering Addresses, which have been contrived and carried on by interested per­sons, as tending to the preventing the As­sembling of a Parliament; as also antici­pating (if not concluding) their sence and judgment when assembled. And ha­ving in them a tendencie to the dividing of the people, and consequently raysing a new war, if God do not wonderfully prevent. At­testat. Novemb. 20. 1658.

Before I end, there is one thing I desirously desire the Reader to observe (especially if he be a Member of this Parliament:) in all their late Addres­ses, we do not find, that a Parliament is so much as nam'd, or once desired: Hence it may appear, who were the contrivers and promoters of them, and for what end they came forth; not to have any oppression or heavy burdens taken off; not that the Peoples Rights and Liberties might be restored, the [Page 59]several grievances in the Nation might be look'd into and remedied; not that corrupt men lately crept into places might be removed, and better chosen: No such things were aymed at; for had they not intended to keep up the grievous corruptions in the Nation, they would not have discovered (as they did by their silence) such a slight­ing and disregarding of Parliaments.

Having given many Reasons that this Earth-Power will be shaken; The next thing is, to shew how in this sha­king, a Scripture-Prophesie is fulfill'd, and particularly Heb. 12.27.

Here I must re-mind the Reader of what was said before, That Scripture-Prophesies do especially concern the Church and people of God: and it is for them to heed and observe, how the Lord in his Providential Dispensations brings them to pass, whether it be in beginning, proceeding, or ending.

Our first Argument is thus: What­soever Earth-shaking coms not within the verge of the Text, Heb. 12. yet that Earth-government doth; namely, which [Page 60]shall not only be first shaken, but also where­by a way is made and prepared for the Lord to proceed to the shaking of Earth-Powers in other Nations: But such is this Earth-power or present Government, Ergo.

I shall only endeavor to prove that part of the Argument which is questi­onable; that is, how this shaking asser­ted will be the first, and make way for the rest, foretold Heb. 12.

1. If the Lord begin a work, and something stop it, his manner is to re­move that stop, and there to take up the work again and proceed: thus it was in the building of the second Tem­ple; after there was some good pro­gress made in the work, Ezr. 3. by Ar­taxerxes command the people ceased, Ez. 4.23, 24. But the Lord (whose coun­sel shall stand) took off (by Darius) that stop, and so they went forward with the building, Ezr. 6. I have shewed before, that Gods work began, concerning the overcoming of the ten Kings, and preparing the way for the glorious and visible Kingdom of Jesus Christ, when the Old Parliament ras'd [Page 61]down Kingly-Government, and consti­tuted a Commonwealth: that there was a stop made, it is true, and we know who were the occasion of it.

Truly, so wonderfully did the Lord of Hosts go forth then with our Parlia­ment and Army, as among the Hea­then they began to say, The Lord hath done great things for them, Psa. 126.2. Not only were the Nations awaken­ed about us, and began to consider, whether the day of the Lamb and his great power were not come: but likewise the Enemies amongst us, began to give Glory to God, and would often confess, that God was with us and against them. What shall I say (ah! these things cannot be remembred without great thoughts of heart by all that are truly godly!) That blessed cause of truth and righteousness did so prosper both at home and abroad, that had there not been an unhappy stop put to it (through the hypocrisie and falshood of some men) it would have been ere this time in other Nations, conquering and to conquer; yea, probably before now, more [Page 62]of the ten Horns had been cut off. For we were as a Beacon upon a hill, all people looking on, to see what would be the event of this Act, this strange Act in England.

This puts me in mind of the Phili­stims, when they were smitten with E­merods, they take counsel, to know, whether the God of Israel had done it or no: having therefore put the Ark of the Lord upon a new cart, and sent it away, thus they speak one to ano­ther: If it go up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, then he hath done us that great evil. But if not, then we shall know it was not his hand that smote us, it was a thing that happened to us, 1 Sam. 6.9. Whilst the nations abroad, and the Enemies at home were musing about the great cause we had in hand, what it should mean; If it had gone directly forward, as the kine took the strait way to the way of Bethshemesh, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left, v. 12. in all likelihood there would have remai­ned by this time no more doubtings concerning the work; but they would [Page 63]have been fully satisfied (as the Phili­stims were) that it was the Lords doing; but when they saw the work went not the strait way, but there was a grievous turning aside, no less then building a­gain the things which were destroyed, and destroying what was built; this took them quite off, and so blinded them, as now they can see nothing of God in the thing, but cry out, It was a Chance, neither was the Lord more with the Parliament then with the King: but all is now, It was the Fortune of War.

Thus have the Apostates by casting the Lords work behind their back, and setting up their own interest, occasio­ned many thousands (far and neer) not only to speak evil of the Good Cause it self, but to deprive the Lord of his due Glory and praise; for that honour vvhich men vvould have given to the Lord (and it was even upon their hearts and in their mouths to do it) is now by this turning aside, de­nyed him, and given to Idol-Fortune. Besides, vvhat dread and fear vvas [Page 64]there somwhile since upon the hearts of Cavaleers; no other then a kind of convincement, that to vote or fight a­gainst our good Cause, vvas to vote and fight against God: but since this late Revolt brake forth, that fear (I be­leeve) is over. So that now, if there be a door open for them in Parliament or Army, they will as readily vote and fight against the interest of Christ and his people, as ever they did before. O wretched Apostacy!

2. The Lord vvill begin to shake the Earth the second time, vvhere he sees it is first ripe. As a husbandman that hath much corn to reap, cuts it not down all at once; but vvhere the ripest is, there he begins. Now among the Regions of the Earth, that Field is neerest the sickle, vvhere Religion, Conscience, and the vvorship of God are made cloaks for fin and wickedness: SIN may be confidered as single or double: if it have Religious hypocrisie mixt with it, it is a double sin, and so ripens the sin­ner, and hastens his judgment the sooner.

Had the Scribes and Pharisees which devoured widows houses under a shew of long prayer, Luk. 20.47. pickt these poor womens pockets, or cut their purses, their sin and condemnation had not been so great, as to cheat them in the vvay they did. It is said of He­rod, He sent and Beheaded John in prison, Mat. 14.10. though this were a most cruel act in the Tyrant, yet (I think) it vvas not half so bad, as that in Jezebel, vvho took away Naboths life and goods under pretence of Law, Consci­ence, Religion: It vvas no marvel, that Gods revenging hand vvas pre­sently upon her for it; for such a sin as that vvas, made her soon ripe for cutting down. Among other Reasons perswading me to think some terrible Earth-shaking is upon us, truly this is one; namely, that never so much Na­tional wickedness vvas in any age, as hath been of late committed in these three Nations under Religious preten­ces, viz. fasting, prayer, vveeping, talking high of God, and his Son and Zion; just as did the Pharisees: all de­vouring [Page 66]of late times (not of houses a­lone, but) of the lives and liberties of the people, is ex parte altissimi, for the most high God. As Graserus describing the Little Horn, saith, he is one, Qui im­pietati suae Dei nomen pretendit, vvhich shall pretend the Name of God in all his impieties. Add to this, 1. The number of Sycophants and flatterers every vvhere (especially Church­men) vvho cry up the oppressours of the Nation as the only men for ju­stice, mercy, piety, &c. 2. By how much the crying sins of the Nation are vvitnessed against, the more do men rise and grow vvorse and vvorse in the practice of them. Now vvhat do these things presage, but that God is ready to lay the axe to the root of the tree? Shall I not visit for these things, saith the Lord? and shall not my soul be avenged on such a Nation as this? Jer. 5.9.

3. It is usually Gods dealing with his people (as I said before) vvhen he draws out their hearts to an earnest seeking of him, to grant them vvhat they ask. Paul saith, He was the Spirits [Page 67]prisoner, Act. 20.22. The like is the case now of many pretious Saints: Such a powerful-commanding impulse they find upon their Spirits, that they cannot rest day nor night, but must be sighing and groaning, that the Lord vvould sud­denly make this second shaking, and re­move unrighteous persons and things, and make the Nation happy and glo­rious, by establishing truth and justice in the midst of it. I know these are re­puted (by the thriving party) madmen, giddy-heads, fantasticks, the greatest fools of the time: But God ere long will put the Question out of question; that is, vvhether those vvho prayed against oppressours, and to have Magistrates and Judges as at the first, did well, and therein pleased God; or such as did flatter them, and vvould have them still continue, to the end they might serve themselves upon them.

And as the Spirit puts a holy force upon them to pray continually, so they have many weighty encouragements not to faint.

For 1. It is generally beleeved by [Page 68]this Generation of Seekers, That England will never be beautiful and lovely, but rather her present blackness and de­formity increase, untill those be shaken, who have made her most unlovely; yea, vile in the sight of the vvorld.

Neither 2. will there be any State­shaking in other Nations, as to the cutting off of Tyrants, and planting righteousness among them, until some eminent vvork be done here first, con­cerning a righteous setling of a good Commonwealth.

3. It is their beleef, That the Lord ere long vvill so honour a Go­vernment and Governours here esta­blished, as they shall be very useful and instrumental to carry on his great vvork in the World; that is, destroy Babylon, bring down the Enemies of Christ under his feet, promote righ­teousness every vvhere; yea, and help the Lords Ancient people when their day shall come.

Lastly, They are perswaded, The Lord will not be turned from the fierce­ness of his anger, and intreated for the [Page 69]Land, until there be a publick check given to the late Apostacie by the Representatives of the people. They hanged Haman, &c. Then was the Kings wrath pacified, Esth. 7.10. So they took up Jonah and cast him forth into the sea, and the sea ceased from her ra­ging, Jon. 1.15.

If vve see a man vvhet and shar­pen a tool, vve conclude he intends to do something vvith it: as the Holy Ghost speaks of shaking the Earth yet once more, Heb. 12. so I think the Lord is now preparing Instruments for it. The vvork is such, as it needs no fine tools; rough tools vvill serve well enough, especially being to be us'd by so strong & powerful an hand: when God shew­ed Zecharie the Horns, he shewed him the Carpenters too, Zech. 1.19, 20. Eli­as in a little cloud saw abundance of rain. Methinks in this National cloud I see both rain and hail; Rain for the refreshing of the Earth, after more then 3 years and an half drought. What thinkst thou, Reader, would it not be a pleasant sight, to see our Rights and Priviledges again to spring: it is now [Page 70]towards the Spring, and who knows, but we may have a GOOD SPRING of it; yea, and a fruitful Summer too? I mean, such provision and care taken, as to have no more such destroying win­ter (as we have had of late) by put­ting too much trust in the hands of de­ceitful men.

Again, methinks I see in this cloud some hail; and why not that Prophesie here to be fulfilled, Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet; AND THE HAIL SHALL SWEEP AWAY THE REFUGE OF LIES, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place, Isa. 28.17. But I shall refer the Rea­der to the REASONS which he shall find in the close of this Treatise, where­fore I have great hope that the Nation will reap much good by this present Parliament.

Our 2. Argument is, If this present Government be that State-Apostacie of which Paul speaks, 2 Tim. 3.1, 2, &c. Then is the shaking of it intended in this Text. But the first is true: Therefore the second.

This I shall take for granted (for I am sure no understanding Christian will deny me it) that the shaking of the two grand-Apostacies fore-told in Scripture, are certainly meant in Heb. 12.27. And therefore leaving that part of the Ar­gument which is vvithout dispute; I shall endeavour to prove the other Part.

1. That there should be in Gospel­times, two notorious Apostacies, is evident­ly shewed in Scripture. The first in the later days; and this in Doctrine; that is, a departure from the faith, 1 Tim. 4.1, 2. 2 Thes. 2.3. 2 Pet. 2.1, 2. Act. 20.30. The second Apostacie, in the last days, and this to be in practise; that is, a corrupt life or conversation: 2 Tim. 3.1, &c. 2 Pet. 3.3, 4.

2. As the first Apostacie was a State or Kingdom, and had a HEAD ap­pointed to it, and Laws made sutable to that Head and State, Rev. 16.10. and 13.2. So the second Apostacie is to be a State, a Body, or Dominion, Dan. 7.11, 26. and to have a Head or Pro­tector set over it, and such Laws de­vis'd, [Page 72]as may best fit the interest of the Head and Body: and so much lies plainly in the Text; Perillous days shall come; intimating a power in the Apo­stacie, to act wickedness by a Law, in spight of all opposition, so long as the Apostacie should continue: for had it not been so, it could not have been pe­rillous days, as the Text holds forth.

3. The first Apostacie had its rise in the Church, occasioned through the covetousness, pride, self-seeking, Covenant-breaking, &c. of professors, 2 Pet. 2.3. Act. 20.3. So the second present Apostacie, had its rise in the Church, and among eminent Profes­sors of Religion; and the Cause of it the very same mentioned before, be­cause they were lovers of themselves, co­vetous, proud, &c. 2 Tim. 3.1, 2, 3. observe then, this Apostacie cannot be made by Jews, Turks, Papists, &c. It must rise in the Church, and among Professors of Religion, who have the right worship of God, in form at least.

4. As they gave to the Head of the first Apostacie all power, and to do [Page 73]what he would, being above all, and to be obeyed of all, and not subject to any Council, power, or Authority on Earth; so the Head of the second Apo­cie was Dominus omnium temporalium, Lord of every mans goods, he might do what he would, supra jus, contra jus, & extra jus, above Law, against Law, and without Law; he was allowed to be above the people in their Representa­tives, and to call Parliaments when he pleas'd, and to break them as oft as he would.

5. Upon the Head of the first Apo­cie, is characterized the number of the Beast, Rev. 13.18. VICARIUS DEI GENERALIS IN TERRIS; which according to the numeral Let­ters is, 666. The very same number is on the head of the second Apostacie, DUX GENERALIS ET PRO­TECTOR; that is, 666. Here is wis­dom. Let him that hath understanding, count the number of the Beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred threescore and six, Rev. 13.18. The English of the first is, Gods Gene­ral [Page 74]on Earth; the other, Captain General and Protector.

6. It is a wonderful thing to consi­der, when the Heathen Romane Empe­rors were subdued, the Idols of the Gentiles thrown down, Persecution taken off from the Church, and liber­ty granted unto tender Consciences in the exercise of Religion; that just then, the Let should be taken out of the way, 2 Thes. 2.7. and the first Apostacie rise in the Christian Church. Who would have thought when the Kings head was taken off, and with it that form of Government; When the Bi­shops were put down, with Altars, Cros­ses, Service-Book, Ceremonies, and other Popish-Idols; Persecution stopt, and liberty given to tender Consciences: I say, who would have thought that Professors of Religion (yea, those who had the greatest share and advantage in such mercies) would have brought forth instead of grapes, the wild-grapes of the second Apostacie? as if there had been no time for them, till just then, to have shewed their hypocrisie, [Page 75]falshood, pride, covetousness, treason, &c. But besides the parallel between the two State-Apostacies, that we have the second Apostacie at this time a­mong us appears thus.

First, We see plainly, though they left the power of godliness, and became self-seekers, covetous, proud, traytors, co­venant-breakers; yet they held fast the form, or outside of Religion: as men that have sores and ulcers upon their bodies, throw not away their clothes, but keep them on for covering. And here the Reader is to observe, that this second Apostacie cannot rightly be ap­plyed to any but to Professors of Reli­gion; for such as have neither power nor form of godliness, cannot be char­ged with it; they may be among the Apostates and helpers of the Aposta­ [...]ie, but not proper members.

2. It must be understood that the men in the Text said to be lovers of themselves, covetuos, proud, &c. did for­merly seem otherwise, and condemn­ed these very vices and corruptions in others; for else it could not have been [Page 76]an Apostacie or falling from righteous Principles, to a scandalous and cor­rupt walking. Now who more com­plained against the King and Bishop for their miscarriages whilst they stood, then those men, whose miscar­riages since, have been far worse in the very same particulars wherein the o­thers were charged. I need not give instances; it is possible this Parlia­ment may have occasion to remember the old Court and the new; and the old Bishops and the new Bishops. If they do, there is hope then, that the greatest grievances of the Nation will be re­moved, and the Liberties of the peo­ple restored.

3. In that way which Apostates seek to cover their Apostacie, doth the Lord discover both it and them. What is the way they take to have their A­postacie hid, and not known? it is by taking up a form of Godliness. And how doth the Lord unmask them, and make their Apostacie known? by that form of Godliness which they have taken up. And the truth is, were these men [Page 77]more self-seeking, covetous, proud, &c. then they are, yet this alone would not prove them to be the later Apo­states, unless with those vices and sins they had also a form of godliness; that is, did preach, pray, fast, and made a great noise and shew of the outside of Religion.

4. I know no better way for a man to have satisfaction in this thing, then first to consider what the sins are set down in 2 Tim. 3.2, 3, 4, 5. foretold should be in the later State-Apostacie, and then to look about him, and see whether they are not all, and every one of them to be seen, as visibly and plainly as was the leprosie in Gehazi's forehead. If the Reader do desire more to inform himself in this matter, I shall refer him to a Treatise, intituled The time of the End, at pag. 36, &c. where all the Characters of the last A­postacie are fully opened.

Having spoken of the first and second shaking of the Earth, I come now to de­liver my thoughts concerning the manner of the second shaking (for of [Page 78]the first I have spoken) and by whom the work will be done. And lastly, my Reasons, wherefore I think the time of this later shaking is nigh. The Scripture which I shall a little treat of, is in Rev. 11.13. And the same hour was there a great Earth-quake, and the tenth part of the Citie fell, and in the Earth-quake were slain of men seven thousand; and the rem­nant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of Heaven.

I have thought sometimes, that this Earth-quake, and the powring out of the first vial, had contemporized, and been all one thing; but seriously ob­serving again the places, it seems to me, that this Earth-quake will be be­fore any vial is powred out, and shall be a fore-runner (as John Baptist was to Christ) that is, prepare or make way for the Vials. About the time of this Earth-quake (in the same hour, saith the Text) the witnesses ascend up to Heaven in a Cloud. If by the witnesses here, we understand fifth-Monarchy-men, and their work to be about the more pure and spiritual part of the fifth Kingdom, [Page 79]I conceive then, these do remain in Heaven, or the Temple, Rev. 15.6. (for I take it to be one thing) until the Earth-quake be made by the Common­wealths-men, as making way for the seven last plagues.

I desire I may not be mistaken in mentioning fifth Monarchy-men and Commonwealth-men distinct; I do it not as if they were not one people, and their work all one in respect of pulling down and building up; but in refe­rence to the manner and way, how these things shall be done. The Earth­quake will be (as I said) before the vi­als, for these Reasons:

1. Howsoever there are many dif­ferences among the Lords people, as what is Babylon, and so to be destroy­ed; yet in this they are all satisfied, and do unanimously accord, That all heavy burdens should be broken, Tyrants (new as well as old) removed, the just Li­berties of the people restored, Righteousness setled in the Nation, and the good old Cause up again, conquering and to conquer. Now as the Lord in these things hath made [Page 80]his people of one mind, so he will have them joyn together in the prosecuti­on of them: for things farther off (as about the vials) they shall like­wise have light in them, Rev. 18.1. and accord in the work, when the time coms to put them in execution. Never­theless whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing, Phil. 3.16.

2. It seems to me, that this Earth­quake will be before the Vials; because the Earth-quake is under the second wo, Rev. 11.13, 14. but all the vials (as I conceive) fall under the third wo (which is the last) & therefore are said to be the seven last plagues, Rev. 15.1.

3. If the Scriptures be heeded which treat of the fifth Kingdom, it will appear, that the great work which the Lord will bring to pass for his Son and Zion in the last days, will begin at righ­teousness among men; that is, to destroy oppression and Tyranny in every kind; all corrupt Laws, and wicked Orders and Customs, and to have things so setled, as every man may have his due [Page 81]and just Rights: Righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins, Isa. 11.5. A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy King­dom, Heb. 1.6. There is a voice of many waters, before the voice of a great thun­der, Rev. 14.2. Waters are below, thun­der above; the work begins below at the waters: let us therefore take heed, that we miss not the proper work of the day, in not beginning where we should.

4. As God is a God of order, not of confusion; so I think the great work of the times will be carried on in a beauti­ful and comly order. It is said, The stone was cut out of the mountain, Dan. 2.45. Observe, it is CUT; so that it is not without form, it hath some comliness, fashion, and order in it. I see no obstruction, why all that is writ­ten concerning the execution of ven­geance upon Babylon, or what is to be done by Saints as Saints (of publick concernment) till Christ personally appear, but may very well stand with [Page 82]good order. For example: Is it not possible that a Government may be rightly established, and such Gover­nours chosen, as the tenderest consci­ence may safely act under it?

It is said, The ten horns shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and na­ked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire, Rev. 17.16. I do understand this of a State or Government (let it be part of the fifth Kingdom) and the meaning to be this: when the Lamb hath overcome any Nation, there shall be that Government erected, and such Governours set up, who will pro­claim open war against the great whore, and raise up forces to reward her dou­ble for the blood she had shed, and o­ther abominable wickedness. This being so, it must needs follow, that the Earth-quake will be before the vials; for it is not to be imagined that the Representatives of a Nation, if they are wise and sober, will meddle with Ba­bylon abroad, untill they have made a good Reformation, and things well [Page 83]setled at home.

5. If God have a voice in humane affairs, and to be hearkned to and fol­lowed, then I conceive this Earth-quake will be next; that is, a purging out of the dross and filthiness amongst us, that righteousness may dwell in the Land; this indeed we may now expect: for the harvest of the later Apostacie is ripe, and the Lord seems to have prepared some sharp sickles for the cutting down of it. But for any other publick work at pre­sent, I do not see the like fitness either in things or persons.

I have spoken the more of this, to the end, that whilst we are looking at things further off, we do not forget our duty and work in things neerer home. I have read somewhere of an Admiral, when he should have gone presently in with the rest of the fleet to fight the Enemy, he turned aside and wheel'd about so far, that he never came in, to give a stroke. If we take not heed, our darling conceits will turn us aside, and cause us to wheel off from [Page 84]the fight, i. e. our present Generation-work. If so, whosoever the Lord shall honour in following him to the Battle and for his faithfulness in it, we for our parts can expect nothing but shame and dishonour.

Quest. What is meant by the Earth­quake in the Text?

Answ. The Representatives of the people assembled in Parliament, by whom the later State-Apostacie shall be put down. So I take it. But,

1. I do not restrain this Earth­quake to our Nation: I have shewed before, that one Prophesie may be of­ten fulfilled. Thus, for ought I see to the contrary, the slaying of the witnesses, and their rising, may be done over and over; one while in one Country, and sometimes in another, in respect of time, persons, and place. But what peo­ple soever are left out of these Prophe­sies, we are not. For there is none of them (which concern the Gentile Saints in the last times) but they will have some accomplishment here; yea, ma­ny [Page 85]of them more eminently here then elsewhere, especially at first. But of this I have spoken before.

Neither 2. do I fix any time when this Earth-quake shall be. For howso­ever I have strong perswasions that the work will begin at the sitting of this present Parliament; yet I am not so cer­tain that the Lord will honour them in so noble and glorious a Cause for their poor country, as I am confident he will do it by others, if they neglect their duty. For the needy shall not always be forgotten; the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever, Psal. 9.18.

Quest. But why is the laying aside of the present State-Apostacie, and bring­ing the Nation to a Common-wealth again, set forth by an Earth-quake?

Answ. 1. Because in all likelihood before it be over, it will make a dread­ful and terrible shaking: Wo, wo, wo, to the inhabitants of the three Nations; who knows but this Earth-quake will raze the foundation of our new Nobili­ty, reach the Tryers, Lawyers, Sessers, Ad­dressers, [Page 86]Excise-men, Custome-house-men, Corporations, &c. in a word, all the de­vouring vermine in the Land, such as have taken away mens goods contra­ry to Law, Isa. 33.1.

2. To shew when the Lord will raise up instruments against this Apo­stacie, they shall prevail, notwithstan­ding all Ahitophels and Machiavels, in spight of Hell and all powers of dark­ness. It is an Earth-quake: Stand now with thine inchantments, and with the mul­titude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast la­boured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. Let now the Astrologers, the Star-gazers, the Monthly-Prognosticators stand up, aad save thee from these things that shall come upon thee, Isa. 47.12, 13.

3. It may denote the cause of the shaking; that this State-Apostacie is removed, it is, that oppression and ty­ranny may cease, and all people have their rights. Now howsoever this be a good work, and ought to be done, yet it riseth no higher then Earth, and [Page 87]therefore fitly called an Earth-quake.

4. That the infamous memory of this last Apostacie, and the happy downfall of it may continue to all future Generati­ons; Such desolations and ruines as formerly were made by Earth-quakes, we find them recorded in Histories both Divine and Humane, Amos 1.1. Zech. 14.5. to the end that such things might not be forgotten. It is true, many National Earth-quakes hath this Island suffered, viz. by the Romans, Saxons, Danes, Normans, &c. Besides several Earth-quakes among our selves, by Parliaments and Civil Wars. Never­theless, I am very confident, that the memory of none of them will so long last, as the rembrance of this present Apostacie, and that SEASONABLE GOOD-EARTH-QUAKE, which not only shaked it, but swallowed it up. My Reason is, because the ho­nour of Gods great Name, the Cause of Religion, and the interest of Christ and his people, have more suffered by this present Apostacie in four or five [Page 88]yeers, then ever they suffered under the Romans, Saxons, Danes, Normans, put them all together, and all their time too: Some report the prints of Phara­ohs Charriot-wheels did remain in the sand of the shore at the Red-Sea, and was to be seen many hundred yeers af­ter. I shall not stand to the truth of that: but this is a truth, and I shall a­bide by it, That the print of this Apo­stacie is so deep in Church and Common­wealth, made by self-seeking, covetousness, hypocrisie, Covenant-breaking, treachery, &c. that it will remain to be seen many a­ges hereafter.

5. To shew, that the Apostacie was such a BURDEN as the Earth could no longer bear it, but must needs quake under it, and so shake it out. The land is defiled, therefore do I visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land it self vomiteth out her inhabitants, Lev. 18.25. The earth is utterly broken down, the Earth is clean dissolved, the Earth is removed ex­ceedingly. The Earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like [Page 89]a cottage. The transgression of it shall be heavy upon it, and it shall fall and not rise again, Isa. 24.19, 20.

6. To answer an ancient Type in the old Testament: For in the Rebelli­on of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, was clearly shadowed out the last Aposta­cie. Amongst many other parallels which might be noted, take these few:

1. That Rebellion was made a lit­tle after the Lord had given a won­derful deliverance to his Church, and when they should have passed over Jordan to the Promised Land.

2. The occasion of it was ambi­tion and love of pre-eminence in some persons, not contented with that form of Government which the Lord a little before had appointed.

3. Howsoever the Action was wic­ked, (no less then high Treason) yet the chief Authors of it are said to be famous in the Congregation, and men of re­nown.

4. That this Apostacie might the more effectually be carried on, the Li­berty [Page 90]and Freedom of the people was pretended: and that Moses and Aa­ron had taken too much upon them.

5. Howsoever few at first had a hand in this Rebellion (by the Hebrew Text it seems to be only Korah) yet thorow the hypocrisie and falshood of these few, many afterwards were en­snared.

6. The Earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up. An Earth-quake in­deed; yet a just reward for such Rebel­lion and Treason.

Reader, The Sentence is left to thee, only be honest; did not this Apostacie rise assoon as the Lord had delivered us out of the hands of our Enemies? and when in duty and Conscience we should have gone forward in his work? And was it not through the base pride of some men (to have all power in their own hands) that the Govern­ment of the Nation was changed from a Commonwealth (which the Lord had own'd and blest) to a THING which we cannot tell what it is? Again, [Page 91]though by three Acts of Parliament it was made Treason, to promote any person to be King or Chief Magistrate of England or Ireland, without consent of Parliament: Yet this was done; But by whom? Men famous in the Congregation, and of great renown. And that they might the more prevail in their Rebellion, was not Liberty promised, and taking off the grievances of the People? Is not this very true likewise, that this State-Apostacie was first set on foot by a few (some say seven or eight, but more probably it was but one) yet af­terwards Multitudes, multitudes fell in­to the sin and snare? In conclusion then, wherein agrees not the Anti-type with the Type, but that the Earth-quake is not executed upon the later Rebellion? Consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds, Judg. 19.30.

Quest. It is said in the Text, The tenth part of the City fell, and in the Earth-quake were slain of men seven thousand, &c. What is meant by it?

Answ. 1. As there are two Apostacies [Page 92]foretold in Scripture; so I find two Ci­ties mentioned in the Revelation: First, the GREAT CITY; signifying, the whole Dominion and jurisdiction of the Papal Beast; that is, all States and Po­licies, Civil and Religious, under the See of Rome, and acknowledging the Pope Head of the Church. And note, when ever this Kingdom or State is meant by the word City, it is always exprest [...], That great City, Rev. 11.8. & 18.8. and 16.19. and 17.18. and 18.10, 16, 18, 19. and 21.10. By which we are to under­stand the first Apostacie: As for the second Apostacie, is called a City likewise; but the word GREAT is left out, and there is great Reason for it.

For 1. This later Apostacie shall not be so large as the former, in spread­ing it self over all peoples and Nati­ons and Tongues; All the world won­dred after the first Beast.

Neither 2. shall the later Aposta­cie have that honour and homage done [Page 93]to it, as had the former: For the Kings of the Earth shall give their Kingdoms unto the first Beast, Rev. 17.17.

3. The first Apostacie is to conti­nue 1260 years, but the later not a­bove three yeers and an half, till the Lord doth begin to strike it with a Con­sumption. So that the word GREAT, seems to be left out here, to distin­guish between the two Cities, or two Apostacies; and this in the Text is to be understood of the later State-Apo­stacie. Moreover, we have some light here how to understand that place, Rev. 11.8. where it is said of the wit­nesses, their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great City: it is well obser­ved by many, that the Greek [...], (i. e. a broad or spatious place) doth not signifie any place, Market-place, or broad place within the walls of the great City; but it is without the great City, as no part of the building. Hence we may conclude two things.

1. The two Witnesses are not slain (in their Testimony) by any Civil Pow­ers [Page 94]that hold the Pope Head of the Church; neither lie their dead bodies in any Country formally subject to the See of Rome. For their slaying and lying dead must be without the walls of the great City. Indeed the blood of the Martyrs will be charged upon the first Apostacie; but the slaying of the witnes­ses, upon the second Apostacie. There­fore let Church-Members and Church-Officers, and other Professors of Religion look to it. For to speak soberly and in the fear of God, this is my opinion (and I think grounded upon Scripture and practice) The blood of the witnesses will be required at their hands: for never had the bottomless Beast murdred so blessed a Cause, and so glorious a Testimony for Christ and his Kingdom (as was in this Nation) had they stood faithful to the good old Cause.

2. Though the Power by which the witnesses are slain, is not from the great City, yet it is for it; that is, it doth more strengthen and support the great whore then any State or Government [Page 95]properly the whores. Where lies now the stop, that the Lords work goes not forward, to remove oppressions and heavie burdens, and to establish righ­teousness among men? Not in Rome, Spain, Germany, France; the stop is neer­er home: remove this Apostacie, and you shall soon see the good Cause reviv'd again, and the hearts of all good peo­ple reviv'd with it.

2. Whereas it is said, The tenth part of the City fell, and the remnant gave glory to God; this cannot be meant of the great City, for that sinks (every whit) like a great milstone to the bottom of the Sea: Besides, I do not read of any gi­ving glory to God in the great City when her plagues are upon her. But con­trary (it is expresly said) they repented not, to give glory to God, but blasphemed the God of Heaven because of their pains and their sores, Rev. 16.9, 11. Now the Reason is, because the Lord will bring his people out of the great City Babylon, (as he did Lot from Sodom) be­fore he burns her to ashes. I will [Page 96]not say, among that huge heap of chaff, there will be no corn; yet I think, if any of Gods elect shall perish (as to the outward man) in that common destruction; they will be very few, yea, in those few, no repenting and giving glory to God, visibly will ap­pear, Rev. 18.4. Jer. 51.6.

But the Case here is otherwise: for howsoever the whole Apostacie will fall, yet in the Earth-quake all will not be slain that are found in the Apo­stacie. When Absalom made that un­natural Rebellion against his father, it is said, two hundred followed him in the sim­plicitie of their hearts, and knew not any thing, 2 Sam. 15.11. that is, they were ignorant of the wicked plot he had in hand; namely, under pretence of devotion and conscience to destroy his own father, and make himself king or Chief Magistrate. No doubt many two hundreds, thousands, I may say, through the dissimulation and lying of their Leaders and Teachers, have fallen in with the Apostacie, simply [Page 97]and ignorantly, knew nothing of their design, that is, how under a cloke of Religion, and the safety of the godly par­ty, the mother Commonwealth was to be murthered, and an Absalom-like interest to be set up. Therefore by the Rem­nant here, I understand these ignorant and simple ones; not the OLD SER­PENT, the seducers and ringlead­ers, who thought they had done their Country and themselves good service, when they sought to destroy the lives and Liberties of the people.

3. Whereas it is said, In the Earthquake was slain of men 7000. the Greek hath names of men; meaning, men of note, re­nown, famous, Gen. 6.4. contrary hereto, is men without Name, Job 30.8. alluding to the Rebellion of Korah, &c. Num. 16.2. & two things seem to be held forth.

1. This Earth-quake (that is, the Re­presentatives of the people) shall be men of courage, and of publick spirits, such as shall have Lion-like hearts, fear no mans face, nor respect any mans person; but will cut down Cedars, assoon as shrubs, if there be cause for it. Indeed no peo­ple [Page 98]in the world formerly have been more honoured then the English, for men of resolution, and of high and no­ble spirits, in standing up for their freedom and Rights, against intrusion and usurpation of all sorts and sizes. But, How is the faithful City become an harlot? it was full of judgment, righteous­ness lodged in it, but now murderers. Thy sil­ver is become dross, thy wine mixt with water. Thy Princes are rebellious, and com­panions of theeves; every one loveth gifts, and follow after reward; they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the wid­dow come unto them, Isa. 1.21, 22, 23. Oh! that it should be said, ICHA­BOD, The glory is departed from En­gland. For have not men of late shew­ed themselves to be of low, base, and servile spirits, in preferring their own particular interest, before the publick good of the Nation? And in stead of contending for our Birth-right (which but a little before was recovered with the Blood and Treasure of the Nati­on) to give it up (or rather sold it) E­sau-like, for a mess of Pottage? But God [Page 99]will raise up a better Generation of men (and why may not we hope it is now?) who will recover the Glory of the English nation again, by exalting truth and righteousness among us.

2. By names of men, is not meant the old names of note, renown, and famous in the days of the King and Bishops; for they concern not the later Apostacie: but the new names; that is, Lords, Knights, Esquires, &c. of the last edition. Those who were poor the other day, and have made their families great by hypocri­sie and lies, and betraying their Coun­try, must expect to fall by this Earth-quake. For the number seven thousand, it is probable before the Earth-quake be done, not fewer will be shaken; for it must go round the Nation, and follow the Apostacie from end to end. And I hope the appearance of it will be sud­denly; we are waiting for it, and praying for it. So come Lord Jesus. A­men, Amen.