An Alarm to the Last Judgment, Title page – Dedication
AN ALARVM TO THE LAST IVDGEMENT.
OR An exact discourse of the second comming of Christ, and of the generall and remarkeable Signes and Fore-runners of it past, present, and to come; soundly and soberly handled, and wholesomely applyed.
Wherein diuers deep Mysteries are plainly expounded, and sundry curiosities are duely examined, answered and confuted.
By T. D. Bachelor of Diuinitie.
LVKE 21.28.
When these things begin to come to passe, then hold vp your heads, for your redemption draweth neere.
LONDON, Printed by Nicholas Okes for Matthew Law, and are to bee sold at the signe of the Foxe in Paules Church-yard. 1615.
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL AND REligious, the Major, and Aldermen of Harwich in Essex, and to all the deuout and zealous Christians and Parishioners, both of Douercourt and Harwich, a plentifull encrease of all inward and outward happinesse.
ALBEIT (Right Worshipfull, and most deerely beloued) some hauehave causelesly doubted of, and others hauehave damnably denyed, a maine and principall Article of the Christian Faith; namely, the visible and glorious descent of our Lord Iesus from heauen to iudge both the quick and the dead, whose comming wee thirstingly and continually expect and pray for; yet it is cleere and very demonstrable, by the current of sacred Scripture, and by due obseruance of the ruinous estate of the world, and the daily accomplishment of the fore-runners and generall Signes of the last day; that the ends of the world are come vponupon vsus, 1. Cor. 10.11.That the end of all things is at hand, 1. Pet. 4.7.and that these are the very last times: For
First, if in the Apostles times it was so neere his period and consummation, yea consumption; how much more neere is it in our times, sith that so many hundreds of years are long agoe expired? And what if the Lord seemeth to stay long, and to deferre his comming, yet this delay is nothing, being compared with Eternity, and a thousand yeares with God are but as one day, 2. Pet. 3.8.and the Lord will in the meane time, hauehave the number of his Elect fulfilled, and the sinnes of the Reprobate grow to their full measure and ripenesse.
Secondly, it is certaine that the glorious Gospell hath, euen in the Apostles times, beene solemnely published and proclaimed to the whole (habitable) world, so that such a solemne and generall Legacie and Embassage is not againe to bee expected.
Thirdly, the ancient and mightie Romane Empire, that in former ages had the commaund of some two hundred and fifty Countries, Kingdomes and Prouinces, is now so impaired, wasted and weakned, that it hath lost all his former Maiestie and Dominion, and retaineth onelyonly a bare and naked image, and picture, of that it formerly enioyed:2. Thess. 2.…. So that that, which by it puissance kindred Antichrists comming, being taken away, and the thousand yeares of Satans binding being expired,Apoc. 20.2 Antichrist is confessedly come.
Fourthly, Antichrist (I meane that Italian Priest and Romish Caiphas) hath beene (by his excesse of tyrannie and superstition) reuealed, euen in the yeare of Christ, 607, and sithence; but from the yeare 1517, vntounto our daies, he hath bene not so much discouered, as by the Breath of Gods mouth, that is, by the Preaching of the Word, beene confuted and confounded: and not withstanding that the busie and restlesse. Iesuites, Priests, Seminaries, studie and striue to recouer their losses, and heale the wounds of the euer-dying Beast, yet it is but a lightning before death, & periturum gaudium. Ester 6.13.The Romish Haman hath begunne to fall before Mordecai of the seea of the Iewes, yea, to fall before the reformed Christians, and therefore hee shall neuer preuaile against them but certainely fall before them.
Fiftly, sinne and iniquity eueryevery where aboundeth, and is growne excessiue and impudent: all things are out of square, all flesh hath corrupted his way, and (whether wee respect Doctrine, Discipline, and (specially) corruption of manners) in most Coasts and Countries, there is almost no faith left on the earth.
Sixtly, All the Elements, all the creatures, the Sun, Moone, Starres, Plants, Birds, Fowles, Fishes, &c. groane grieuously vnderunder the burden of mans sinnes,Rom. 8.20.21.22.23. and are wonderfully peruerted by man; yea, exceedingly decayed in their proprieties, vertues, efficacies, and therefore watchfully waite for their plenarie and finall deliuerance from this bondage of corruption.
Lastly, (to passe ouer in silence many other Arguments, yea, and some few Signes shortly to be fulfilled, whereof I distinctly entreate in the ensuing Treatise) the iust Iudge of the world must needs giuegive perfect rest and glory to his troubled Saints and seruants;2. Thess. 1.7.8. and of necessity render vengeance vntounto his, and their, implacable enemies.
Wherefore (my deerely beloued Brethren and Parishioners) let vsus be wise hearted and awaken our selues; and the rather, because God (in his wisedome) hath deseruedly concealed and kept from vsus, the knowledge of the set houre, day, yea yeare, let vsus (casting away all vnprofitable and vaine curiosities) take notice of the accomplishment of the Signes and Tokens of the last iudgement, as they are reuealed in the volume of the Bible, and seeing the last of them to beginne onelyonly to come to passe, let vsus reioycingly hold vp our heads, Luk. 21.28.knowing that the day of our (full) redemption draweth nigh.
And that you might bee more plainely and plentifully, directed and instructed in these Doctrines and Duties, I hauehave (in my louelove and Pastorall care) beene moued, to Print, Publish, and Inscribe vntounto you, this small Treatise following, purposing (if neede require) hereafter to enlarge it. And seeing that, by Diuine Prouidence, the ample charge of Douercourt and Harwich is committed vntounto mee, a poore Minister of the Gospell, I therefore, by the helpe of God, will carefully and conscionably discharge my Office and Ministery. And I doubt not, but that you generally, hauing with such contentment receiued my doctrine, and so kindly and respectiuely entertained mee, will continue, yea, happily proceed in the worke of your louelove; which will greatly redound vntounto Gods glory, and much tend to my encouragement. If my reuerend, graue, learned, and diligent Predecessour, your late Pastour of blessed memory, hath planted you, I will doe my best endeuour to water you, and build you vp in the faith, referring the successe and encrease vntounto the blessing of the Almighty.
But being so well perswaded of you all, and expecting all good things from so well disposed and zealous people, I cease to vse further speech, and I withall, betake and commend you vntounto the direction and protection of the Prince of Pastors, the Bishop of your soules, our Lord Iesus Christ, who alwaies blesse and preserue you. From Harewich in Essex Iune 12. 1615.
Your louing and carefull Pastor: THOMAS DRAXE.