Evangelical Repentance Unto Salvation, Tract 2 – Title page 2

Evangelical Repentance Unto Salvation · Tract 2 – Title page 2

p. 121Brief Conſiderations OF THE Late Trepidation of the Earth, ſo ſenſible in this City, and other Parts of this Nation; and beyond the Sea, particularly in the Kings Camp: TOGETHER With that Tremendous Judgment on our Engliſh Plantation in Jamaica, and ſo, as upon our Selves, by an Earthquake; as both an earneſt Perſuaſive to Repentance, and Prognoſtick of the Kingdom of Christ.

UPON Hebr. xii. 25, &c. See that ye refuſe not Him that ſpeaketh, &c. Whoſe Voice then ſhook the Earth, but now he hath promis'd, Yet once more, I ſhake not only the Earth, but Heaven alſo, &c.

I Hope it will not be thought impertinent, if I take advantage of the freſh Providences, that have given an Alarm to this Nation by the late Concuſſion of the Earth, moſt gently and by p. 122way of Admonition in this Chief City, the Royal Camp, and with ſo much dread and terror in that Colony of it ſelf,Wherein 2000 periſhed, according to the moſt perfect Account Printed by Mr. Miller at the Gilded Acron in St. Paul's Church — Yard. Price 2, d. in Jamaica. Becauſe the Things are very great, as they reveal from Heaven either the Power and Wrath of God in the Deſolation he made by the laſt mentioned; and of his Power and Goodneſs in the firſt mentioned within our ſelves immediately; that he did ſo much, and no more; and ſo both ways move to Repentance, and to Serve him with more Heed-taking of him; with Reverence and Godly Fear, as being a conſuming Fire. And alſo becauſe this Warning God hath hereby given in this Nation, and its Camp, and the full Accounts of that Deſolation in Jamaica and Port-Royal were ſo juſt upon the Finiſhing the foregoing Diſcourſe of Repentance, as to give leave to take a very ſhort notice in the Introduction, Printed laſt, and no more. But it is of ſo great Concern and Intereſt to a National and Perſonal Repentance, and Reformation; that it could not in ſuch a Diſcourſe be paſſed over, without a great diſregard to the Works of the Lord and to the Operation of his hands, which is ſo branded an Evil in Scripture-Account, Pſal. 28.5. Eſay 5.12. that an Appendix concerning it was even demanded. And laſtly, becauſe Earthquakes, the Shaking, Trembling, and Moving the Earth is us'd as ſo conſtant a Symbol or Emblem of the Kingdom of God and Chriſt; Bowing the Heavens, Coming down, and making p. 123a change in the Heaven and Earth that now are, and in their whole State and Adminiſtration, as appears by this Context, I have therefore choſen to diſcourſe upon: And ſeeing as I have all manner of ways endeavoured to demonſtrate, and do not doubt I have by divine Aſſiſtance, according to Scripture attain'd to do it; that that Kingdom of Chriſt by Computation upon Times given by the moſt Sure Word of Prophecy is nigh at hand; Theſe Motions of the Earth in any parts of the World, and more particularly relating to our ſelves, and in this City, where ſuch a Symptom ſo generally obſerv'd, as to be unconteſtable, is very rare; ought to be taken notice of, as calling aloud to us to Repent, becauſe the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, and a Forerunner of the change that Kingdom is to make.

That therefore which I deſign in this Diſcourſe upon this Text, is to ſhew, That the great Symbol or Repreſentation of the Kingdom of Chriſt in this ſo great Text of the Kingdom, is the Univerſal Shake, Concuſſion, and Convulſion of Heaven and Earth; and that therefore, all the Shakes of this Earth ought to be taken notice of, as parcels and pieces of that Greateſt and Laſt Shake, and as Pledges and Aſſurances of it; and eſpecially when by the Sure Word of Prophecy, and the concurrent Judgment of moſt ſober thinking Men concerning this matter, (who will not yet pitch upon the Time,) it is concluded it cannot be far off; It is known, that the Kingdom of Chriſt is ſo near.

I will therefore endeavour to compriſe this ſhort Diſcourſe in theſe Heads:

p. 1241. To obſerve how throughout this Text the Kingdom of Chriſt is ſhaded by the ſhaking Heaven and Earth once for all.

2. From thence to make Remarks upon the nature of ſuch Motions, or Trembles of the Earth, and their fitneſs to be ſuch a Shade of the Kingdom of Chriſt, and wherein they are ſo according to the Light of Scripture concerning theſe things.

3. To obſerve the holy uſe that is to be made upon ſuch Motions of the Earth in general, and particularly in theſe propos'd to our Obſervation now; and that with relation to Chriſt's Kingdom.

To begin with the firſt: The occaſion of this Context is thus; The Apoſtle having given the Deſcription of the New or Heavenly Jeruſalem-ſtate in the former Verſes,You are come to Mount Zion, &c. ver. 22. &c. he makes that great practical Application; See that ye refuſe not him that ſpeaketh in order to the ſetting up a Kingdom; for ſo, by what follows, muſt needs be intended, that the Speaking is in order to the ſetting up a Kingdom: For if they eſcaped not, who refuſed the ſame great Prince when he would form a Kingdom on Earth among the People of Iſrael, to be a Type of much a greater Kingdom; How ſhall we eſcape, who refuſe him, who now ſpoke from Heaven in the Effuſion of his Spirit, as a Firſt-Fruits of his Kingdom? and who is to be the Great Prince, and who will appear in the Glory of his Kingdom, the Lord from Heaven, as he is called 1 Cor. 15. and then will ſet up a Kingdom in the New Heaven and the New Earth, in a far greater Glory. For though Chriſt came p. 125in great State then, the Chariots of God were then twenty thouſand, &c. As great Princes come with mighty Retinue, of Horſes, and Chariots; ſo did Chriſt on Mount Sinai: yet that was but Chriſt, as on Earth; this from Heaven. Pſal. 68.

For his (even the ſame Lord's) Voice ſhook the Earth; Mount Sinai, and the Parts about it, did exceedingly ſhake. But now, as he is ſetting up a Kingdom both in the New Heaven and the New Earth, ſo he hath promis'd; I ſhake not only the Earth, but the Heaven alſo.

It may ſeem ſtrange, an Earthquake ſhould be given in promiſe; it is rather a Threatning, and Denunciation: but becauſe it is a cloſe Forerunner of the Redemption of the Servants of Chriſt, and even of the whole Creation; therefore it is given in promiſe. And becauſe ſo bleſſed a State is not in preſent, and immediately, but to come; therefore alſo it is promiſed, as a thing future, and to come; I will ſhake. And becauſe this whole frame of Nature is defiled with Sin, and Apoſtaſie, up to the very Heaven of God and his Saints; therefore Chriſt promiſes to ſhake not only the Earth, but the Heaven. For there are ſpiritual Wickedneſſes in High Places, or Heavenlies, Sathan, and his Hoſt, who are the Princes under him of the Power of the Air, as well as the Rulers of the Darkneſs of this World; and ſo the Heavenlies, or Heavenly Places are more defiled than all the wicked Men on Earth can defile the Earth, though they defile it ſo much; but then Sathan ſhall fall as Lightning from Heaven; All muſt be diſlodged, and diſmounted; For that Heaven ſhall be the Reſidence and Palace of p. 126Chriſt and his Saints, and ſhall ſhine down into the new Earth beneath, purified by Fire from the Defilements of Men; ſo Heaven and Earth muſt both be ſhaken. And therefore the ſhaking of Heaven and Earth may well be by promiſe, ſince a new Heaven and Earth riſe from hence by promiſe.

And, Becauſe all this is fulfilling of Promiſe, therefore the Servants of Chriſt at ſo great a ſhake of the Powers of Heaven and Earth, ſhall be leſs afraid than they are of a ſmall Earthquake now; they ſhall receive it with Triumph, and rejoycing, they ſhall ſay, Oh bleſſed Day! Oh bleſſed Appearance! They ſhall lift up their Heads with joy, becauſe their Redemption draweth nigh. Let us not therefore ſay, That Day will be ſo terrible, how ſhall we endure it! It ſhall be given us in that Day to Rejoice, who are his Redeemed.

And this Chriſt will do once more, even at his Kingdom, as if he ſhould ſay, I have ſhaken, or permitted, or ordered the ſhaking of the Earth many Times, in various Places, and on ſundry Accounts, I have ſhaken Nations and Kingdoms; but now, ſaith he, I'll do it once more, and once for all: And we may be ſure, this ſhaking hath never been yet; for there hath not yet been a ſhaking ſo univerſal, and things have never yet been ſo ſhaken, but they have gotten again into their old poſture, ſtate, and, as we ſay, wont, ſo as to need to be ſhaken again. But this once is like the Expreſſion Jerem. 16.21. Behold, I will for this once, I will cauſe them to know my might: I will do it ſo at the Great Converſion of the Gentiles then ſpoken of; It ſhall never need to be done any p. 127more; They ſhall know by that once, for ever,Even as it ſhall be known to my People Iſrael, Amos 4.13. For in this Kingdom that Name is known indeed, which was known but in Type, Exod. 6.3.Amos 4:13Exod 6:3 that my name is Jehovah. God hath done theſe things in a Degree, and in ſome meaſure a Hundred and a Hundred Times. But now they ſhall be done once for all.

I am fully aſſured, we ſhall All be at this ſhaking of the Earth: You may think you may be in your Graves; but you ſhall certainly be brought forth, to ſee, and feel God's doing this thing once. The Earth ſhall caſt out it's Dead by the beginnings of it, that all may ſee it in its Fulneſs.

Now this Doing the Thing ſhall make a great Change, a Tranſpoſe of the Things, that are, or have been made, or done. The Word Metatheſis ſignifies a Diſpoſe of Things out of the Places where they had been, into Places where they had not been before; or into a different Order or State. And it is of very great importance, becauſe it may be a Tranſpoſe for the better, or for the worſe: Enoch was thus Tranſpos'd; the ſame Word is us'd ſeveral times concerning him, Heb. 11.5. and it was highly for the better, he was Tranſlated to Heaven without Dying; So Tranſpos'd. It is uſed for the Galatians being Removed to another Goſpel, and that was for the worſe, Gal. 1.5. This ſhake of the Earth ſhall make a great Tranſpoſe of Things; Many poor Perſons, that have feared God, and yet embrac'd p. 128Dunghils, who have been forc'd to lye on the Earth, in the Duſt, and in the filth of Things, ſhall be Tranſpos'd; for they ſhall Inherit the Throne of Glory, 1 Sam. ch. 2. The Bodies of Saints, that lye in the Earth, or wherever, in the Dark, the Duſt of Death, ſhall be Tranſpos'd; they ſhall ſhine above: But on the other ſide, the Great, the Rich, and the Brave, and the Honorable, that have been High and Honorable, they will be wofully Tranſpos'd; they ſhall be turned down into a State of Everlaſting Contempt. And ſo there ſhall be a Tranſlation, a Tranſpoſe, of the very Creation, out of this Earth, as under the Curſe and Defilement, into a new Earth, and of the Heaven into a new Heaven; not where Spiritual Wickedneſſes, but Chriſt and his Saints, ſhall inhabit. Things ſhall not ceaſe to be, but ſhall be changed, and removed, ſome for the better, ſome for the worſe, as to themſelves.

But all Things of this World ſhall then be chang'd and remov'd; All the Things that have been made or done, foreign. There are great Things in the World of all kinds made or done, Great Palaces, great Cities, great Temples or (as we call them) Churches, Great Caſtles, Fortifications, Navies. There are other great Things made and done. There are the ſeveral Laws and Conſtitutions of Government, great Volumes of Books, great Furniture of Palaces and Houſes, Bravery of Equipage and Apparel, exquiſite Engines and curious Pictures; all theſe are Things that have been made, or done. There are the heaps of Gold, and Silver; ſo impreſſed, ſo minted, ſo coined: All theſe, and an unexpreſſible p. 129variety more, ſhall be Tranſpos'd, for the Day of the Lord ſhall be upon them all, Eſay chap. 2. It ſhall be upon the High and Lofty, every one that is lifted up ſhall be brought low: It ſhall be upon all the Cedars of Lebanon, and upon all the Oaks of Baſhan, both in a natural and figurative Senſe; and upon all the High Mountains, the mountainous Towers, and Piles of Building; upon all great Ships, thoſe floating Palaces; the Loftineſs of Men ſhall be brought low, and the Haughtineſs of Men ſhall be humbled, and the High Looks ſhall be bowed down. And they ſhall caſt their Images of Gold, and Silver; he means not only their Idolatrous Images, but their minted Gold and Silver, bearing the Images of Princes, which Gold and Silver they commit Idolatry with alſo; to the Bats and the Moles; to go into the Caves, and the Rocks, and the Tops of the rugged Rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his Majeſty; and all this in the Day when he riſes to ſhake terribly, once for all, the Earth. Oh how great will this Tranſpoſe then be!

And then all the Religion that Men have made ſhall become a perfect Tranſpoſe into a Nullity; and indeed, there is not a greater Poema or more made thing, than Falſe Religion, and particularly the Religion of Popery: it is a ſtrange kind of Fabrick, a ſtrange kind of Frame; ſo indeed is Mahometaniſm, and ſo was Paganiſm heretofore, but none like that of Popery. But yet, whatever hath been of the Subſtance of either true Natural or Revealed Religion in any Falſe Religion adulterating it; ſhall be then Tranſpos'd back p. 130into Truth; and all elſe ſhall be aboliſhed.

And laſtly, That Heaven and Earth that are now, viz. ſince the Flood, to which Flood this once more may refer, ſhall be changed and tranſpoſed by Fire; all ſhall be removed by Fire, as I remember, that moſt Learned, and Ingenious, and Chriſtian Philoſopher Dr. Burnet of the Charterhouſe ſhews;Theory of the Earth, 1ſt and 2d Parts. How much the State of our Heaven and Earth, as before the Flood was chang'd, and Tranſpos'd by the force of Water, the Water of the Flood, for the worſe; But they ſhall by the force of Fire be Purified, and Renewed and Reſcituated for Beauty and Glory; as he alſo aſſerts: All ſhall be Tranſpos'd; All ſhall come under a new Make: It is called foreign the Work of God; it is foreign, What hath been already made; It ſhall be chang'd by him, that will ſay from the Throne upon which he ſits, Behold, I make all new, Rev. 21.5. They had been made before; but ſaith he, Now I come to make All over anew. I will bring them to that Excellent State, wherein they ſhall continue, till God be All in All.

For only the Things that cannot be ſhaken ſhall Remain: Now what are thoſe Things that cannot be ſhaken? They are the Blood, Sacrifice, and Redemption of Chriſt; his Redemption and Interceſſion, theſe are for ever. They remain in his Prieſthood for ever after the Order of Melchiſedech, after the Power of an Endleſs Life. The Spirit of God in his Grace upon his Servants, in Converſion, Faith, Repentance, Holineſs, ſhall remain as in the Glory and Salvation they are unto. p. 131This is an incorruptible Seed from the Word and Truth of God, that abideth for ever; He that doeth the Will of God abideth for ever; No Saint ſhall be Tranſpoſed out of his Saintſhip; He that is Righteous, let him be Righteous ſtill; He that is Holy, let him be Holy ſtill. Theſe Things are Aſaluta, not to be ſhaken.

And then on the other part, it muſt be ſadly ſaid, that Wickedneſs ſhall not be Tranſpos'd; in regard of its Guilt; in regard of its Filth; If not removed in this World by Faith and Repentance; not in the World to come; Wickedneſs ſhall be Wickedneſs ſtill; it ſhall have a Houſe builded; it ſhall be eſtabliſhed, Zech. 5.11. and it ſhall be ſetled on its own Baſe, and wicked Men ſhall be wicked Men ſtill: When once it is come to that Time, there ſhall be no Tranſpoſal; He that is Ʋnrighteous, let him be Ʋnrighteous ſtill; He that is Filthy, let him be Filthy ſtill, Rev. 21.11.

Now ſeeing all this great Doctrine of the Apoſtle is conveyed to us under this Symbol or Repreſentation of an Earthquake, or the Shaking of the Earth, and not only of the Earth, but of the Heaven alſo; let us enquire into the Scripture-Accounts of an Earthquake, and apply it to the preſent Occaſion, that it may bring us to a ſerious holy ſenſe; and that what we have ſeen in a hand breadth, may move us to conſider, what we ſhall ſee, and feel, as in the whole Heaven and Earth, in large and in full: For if what we have been ſenſible of, as in a Glance, or in Paſſage, hath affected any with Fear; eſpecially what was done in a part of our Nation beyond the Sea, which is but a very little Thing, yea a Nothing in compariſon p. 132of what ſhall be in its own Times, in its proper Times; How much more ought we to be affected with the Aſſurances God hath given us of a Change ſo much greater? For as it may be ſaid to us, If we have run with the Foot-men, and they have wearied us, How ſhall we contend with Horſes? If in the preſent State, which is as a Land of Peace, and wherein we truſt, we have been ſo affrighted, What ſhall we do in the ſwelling of Jordan!

I come therefore to the ſecond Head; viz. To make Remarks upon the nature of ſuch Motions and Trembles of the Earth, and their Fitneſs to be a Shade of the Kingdom of Chriſt; and wherein they are ſo. And herein I propoſe three things:

1. To conſider the ſtrict nature of Earthquakes according to the Scripture-Foundations of Diſcourſe concerning them.

2. To enquire into the Cauſes, why God is pleas'd to make ſuch Concuſſions, and Convulſions in Nature.

3. To obſerve upon the great Metaphorical or Figurative Earthquakes, that is, Changes in the preſent State of the World, that have been ſince the Death and Reſurrection of our Lord; and how the Obſervation of them may be made ſubſervient to the due Improvement of our Thoughts in regard to the late Earthquakes, we have heard of, or been at all ſenſible of more of late.

I begin then with the firſt Head, in Four Points.

Point I. The Scripture teacheth us, This great Globe of Earth and Water is hung by the mighty Wiſdom, Skill, and Power of the great p. 133Geometer of Heaven and Earth,The Earth being Round, is on every ſide encompaſſed with Air and Skie, as they who ſail it round, find, as well as by Reaſon it is demonſtrated. as a Ball in the Air: So we read Job 26.7. He ſtretcheth out the North over the empty Place, (for ſo to our eye and motion the meer Air ſeems to be) and he hangeth the Earth upon nothing. I know this is a Point proper to Philoſophical Diſcuſſion, that it may go as far, as it can, upon: But thoſe Queſtions God asked Job 38.4. &c. would poſe the wiſeſt of the World; Declare, if thou haſt underſtanding, Who hath laid the Meaſures of the Earth? If thou knoweſt, who hath ſtretched the Line upon it ſo, that it is in juſt number, weight, and meaſure. Whereupon are the Foundations thereof faſtned? or who laid the Corner-ſtone thereof? There may be handſome and plauſible ſolving the Phenomenae (as they ſpeak) before Men, who know as little, the beſt of them, one as another; but before God, all is but darkning Counſel by Words without Knowledge. Now when it is ſo, that the Earth hangs thus, How muſt it needs be, that God as he pleaſes may ſhake the Earth out of its place with a touch of his hand, and all the Inhabitants thereof, and his Enemies particularly be ſhaken out of it, or off from it, or whither, or how he pleaſes: For if that bold Man of Mathematicks durſt ſay, Give me where to ſet my foot, and I will remove the Earth, what can infinite Underſtanding and Power do? or if he does but ſlacken his hand from holding the Ballance even, keeping the Scales of Earth and Air juſt; or if there be ſuch a p. 134one; as with great Reaſon hath been thought; the Poize of the Central Fire, Even, all would be in immediate Confuſion.

On this Conſideration then, any kind of Earthquakes is no wonder; the wonder is, they are not every day, and not to the utmoſt. The only ſecurity is, the unchangeableneſs of Divine Ordination for ſuch a time as he hath decreed, ſince the Flood; wherein, in all appearance of Reaſon as well as Scripture, there was even in this regard a Jog, as one may ſay of it.

2. The Ballance is in this regard yet ſo Even, and juſt, that nothing we account moſt ſurely founded, ſtands ſo faſt, ſo firm, and ſecure, as the Earth, that it cannot be moved: So that allowing it to have a Diurnal, or every days Revolution from Eaſt to Weſt; yet it is with ſuch equality, that it diſturbs all upon it, no more, than a Fly ſitting it ſelf faſt on a Globe, is unſettled by its being turn'd round. Notwithſtanding this motion, the Earth is founded on the Seas, and Eſtabliſhed on the Floods; that is, the Waters are ſo every way compacted, under, and about, and over it, that it is as it were founded upon it, as on Pillars of Marble, which may have been underſtood, firſt according to the excellent forementioned Theory of the Earth: 2. As the Cement and Fixation of the upper Parts of the Earth is the moiſture it receives from the Waters: 3. As the ambient or round-about Air hath a more immediate force upon the Waters to crowd and keep them cloſe to the Earth, than the Air it ſelf could have upon the Earth, the Water being a middle Body between Air and Earth, even as p. 135the Air is between that ſubtile Matter we call Ether, and Air. So that the Earth hath Foundations, Pillars, Corner-ſtone in Scripture-Language. And this is indeed abſolutely neceſſary for ſuch kind of Bodies, and Works, as are to move and reſt upon this Earth; which is as a Sea in regard of the variety of Creatures in it, wherein are Things creeping innumerable, and both great and ſmall Beaſts; and Man the higheſt Order of Animals. Now theſe require ſuch a ſolid Floor and Pavement to move upon, ſuch a Bed to reſt upon: Upon this Earth is the whole Vegetative Nature, both nouriſhed and ſupported, as in a Nurſery; even from the Cedar in Lebanon to the Hyſop that grows in the Wall: Hereon have all the Great Buildings, the Palaces, Caſtles, Towers, multiplied into Cities and Towns their Foundations.

Now ſeeing all theſe have their Order, their Quiet, their Safety by the ſteddineſs of the Earth; whenever it is moved, there is an immediate Shatter, Confuſion, Diſorder, Deſolation, an Amaze, a Horror upon all Creatures of Senſe, and eſpecially of Reaſon; an Affrightment and Terror upon Nature it ſelf; becauſe hereby the great Laws, and Sanctions of Creation, and Providence, are violated. For concerning the Earth, God ſpake, and it was done; he commanded, and it ſtood faſt, Pſal. 33.9.

3. The Earth is ſtuff'd with variety of Matter, Humours, and Vapors in its Bowels; Fire, Water, Vapor, Air, Minerals, Sulphur, Piceous Matter. Now it ſelf is ſo made, as to lye cloſe, and to lye ſtill; every clod of Earth compacts it ſelf, and would p. 136lye in as little room as it can. It is heavy, and ſluggiſh, and unapt to move; whereas all the reſt of its Inmates are for Motion and Action, ſome of them of very earneſt and vigorous Motion, and for Propagation and Enlargement of themſelves: The Earth will not move, but on ſome great violence and force; ſo when thoſe working and active Parts find they are fettered, and impriſoned, and cramp'd, they grow furious and outragious, and rend and tear every thing, to make and force their way; and all on the ſudden and at once very often; for being either gather'd together in great Caverns and Hollows of the Earth; their Room grows too ſtrait and little, and ſo they are forc'd to tranſplant themſelves; or having, as one may ſay, very often a Spirit of Contradiction one to another, they fall into Feuds and Wars one with another, and they that are overcome and fall under the Maſtery of others, are forc'd, and driven, and made to fly, out with great violence: and the very ſame thing may fall out in divers leſſer Veins and Tubular Paſſages or Pipes in the Earth; where though the Stores of theſe Vapors or Mineral Spirits are leſſer; yet if it be in many of them together, the Conteſt may be very great, and the Fury very diſcompoſing to the Earth.

Thus there are within the Earth thoſe Bombs and Mortars, thoſe Cannon and Ordnance, thoſe Battering Rams and Engines, thoſe Mines oft ſprung, and natural Gun-powder and fiery Bullets, thoſe leſſer Screwed Guns: all which are the Ammunition of Nature, or rather of the God of Nature: Thus when they are diſcharg'd, and let off, it is with great Noiſe, Dread, and Aſtoniſhment, p. 137and oftentimes Deſtruction to the Inhabitants of the Earth. Who almoſt hath not heard of Aetna and Veſuvius, and other the Mountains ſpouting Fire in ſeveral Parts of the World? And as there are ſuch conſtant, known, and open Eruptions in Nature, ſo are there ſecret, ſudden, and extemporary ones.

And thus in the Heavens over us there are like Conteſts and Colliſions, falling, and clapping of Clouds, Thunders, Lightnings, fiery Meteors, and flaming Balls, and theſe often correſponding, and as it were holding Intelligence, with the ſame in Earth. And theſe are certainly often Cauſes one of another by the Tone or Link of Air being broken, and the Elaſtic Force or Spring of it flying this way and that way; as lately in Jamaica according to the moſt prudent Accounts from thence: Every thing then muſt needs be torn and havock'd, as thoſe Motions hurry this way or that way, Perſons, Animal Creatures, and Things, at ſuch times.

And as theſe are in the World of Nature; ſo are they in the Political World; when Nations or People are too full for their Place, and tranſplant themſelves by forcing into other Nations; when Wars, thoſe great Diſputes of Nations ariſe; when People or Armies fall into Mutiny; theſe are Political Earthquakes; and when Men are oppreſſed in Religion by domineering Superſtition, and Laws of Ʋniformity, and impoſing on the Conſciences and Faith of Men; There are Religious Earthquakes: The Pſalmiſt puts them altogether, Pſal. 65.7, 8. Which ſetteth faſt the Mountains being girded with Power; which ſtilleſt the noiſe p. 138of the Seas, the noiſe of their Waves, and the multitude of the People. This God does in Mercy, when he keeps all quiet; but there are Times when all theſe being in Hubbub and Mutiny, the Mountains ſhake and roar together with the Seas and Waves; and the Multitude of People in their Strivings; who are therein emphatically called the Mobile; that They that dwell in the uttermoſt Parts are afraid of theſe Tokens; thus from one end of Nations, or even of the World, to another, there ariſe dreadful Fears at the Tokens of God, unhinging the World; called therefore Prodigies and Portents: For what Intereſt God hath in theſe, ſhall be ſpoken in the next Particular.

I only obſerve further, There are in the Little World by the wreſtling of contrary Humours in the Bodies of Men, ſuch Spoutings of Fire, as in Fevers; ſuch Deluges of Water, as in Dropſies; ſuch Earthquakes in violent Diſeaſes; ſuch ſulphureous Vapors in horrid Melancholies or Fits; or in the Arteries and Sinews, as in Gouts and Rheumatiſms; in thoſe Arthritical Pains in the ſtrait and cloſe Tubes of the Body; ſuch Swimmings of the Head, as reſemble what hath been ſpoken of in the outer World; but above all in Conſciences.

4. Let all theſe things be trac'd, as much as they can to their natural Cauſes; yet Scripture aſcribes all to God, Pſal. 148.8. Fire, Hail, Snow, Vapor, all fulfil his Word: He worketh his Signs and Wonders among the Armies of Heaven and the Inhabitants of the Earth, and none can ſtay his hand; (for all the Inhabitants of the Earth are reputed as nothing in ſuch a Caſe, Dan. 4.35.) p. 139except he pleaſes to ſtay it himſelf; or can ſay to him, What doſt thou? As if they ſhould ſay What doſt thou mean, who haſt made Heaven and Earth, and preſerveſt it; to put it into theſe Diſorders? But he gives no Account of his matters in theſe Things. And ſeeing he holds all natural Cauſes in his hand, and ballances them every moment; what is it to ſay, All theſe Things have their proper Cauſes; but to ſay in true ſenſe, that God does all Theſe; for all Nature is indeed Miracle, conſtant, and as we ſay in ordinary.

But God indeed does in more lofty Style, and Elegancies, and Eloquences of Language, aſſume to himſelf the Government of theſe affrightful Motions in Heaven, or Earth; Thunders, Lightnings, Earthquakes throughout Scripture; as if they were immediately done by his own hand, as if he took this Globe of Earth and Sea, which he hath Hung upon nothing, and ſhook it out of its place; or as if he immediately ſhot off his great Pieces either in the Bowels of the Earth, or in the Skies, or ſprung a Mine in the Earth: And it muſt needs be ſo; if all natural, voluntary and fortuitous (as we Poreblind think them) Cauſes work in and out of his hand. For if in the Killing King Ahab a man drew a Bow at a venture; or as in the Margin out of the Hebrew; In his Simplicity, without Deſign, without Aim, and yet it was directed to Ahab, as by God's immediate Hand to fulfil his Word upon him, How much more are all natural Cauſes directed by him! 1 Kings 22.34. And thoſe Things which he knows will with ſuch extraordinary Amazes change the World; he aſcribes them p. 140more emphatically to Himſelf; His Thunder, his Lightnings; I ſhake Heaven and Earth.

Let us then conſider, Why God does thus diſorder Nature; And I ſhall inſtance in theſe following Reaſons.

1. That when we ſee theſe Conteſts, and Jars in Nature, we may adore and praiſe the infinite Wiſdom, Power, and Goodneſs of God, who keeps All ſo much in Peace and Quiet: For as great Engines or Machines, that have various and croſs Wheels and curious Works in them; it requires as great Art, to harmonize them at firſt, ſo great care to keep them in order; and as vaſt Armies call for the higheſt Spirit, Wiſdom, and Conduct of the Generaliſſimo, as Men ſpeak, to inſpire them with Order, Peace, Regular Action, in their ſeveral Stations; ſo it is ſaid of God, Job 25.2. Dominion and Fear are with him. He maketh Peace in his high, (and in his Deep) Places alſo. Is there any number of his Armies? All which he yet keeps in Peace, as he pleaſes. Oh therefore that (as in that Song of Praiſe, Pſal. 107.) Men conſidering All theſe Things well, would make it‖‖Glory to God. the Foot of every Thing! Oh that Men would praiſe the Lord for his wonderful Works to the Children of Men! For we ſee by a little what great Things he can do. Whoſo therefore is wiſe, and will obſerve theſe Things, even he ſhall underſtand the loving kindneſs of the Lord. For indeed, That on which the Pride, and Prophaneneſs, and Inſolency of Men is grounded, is, That God will ſtill from Time to Time keep Things in the Quiet and Peace he generally does: p. 141And if he does not, they fall down into Death and Ruine immediately in his doing otherwiſe: He therefore ſhews ſometimes by ſuch Diſorders, what he always does, how he exerciſes Long-ſuffering, Loving kindneſs in the Earth; for if he did otherwiſe, Nature would be always cracking in pieces; and if it were ſo, What could the greateſt Monarchs ſay to it? Would they ſtay his hand, or would they render him a Recompence for not doing as they think he ſhould and ought to do? Their Recompence he would ſpeedily return upon their own heads. God therefore ſhews, How all the World is bound and beholden to him by ſhewing at ſuch Times, what he can do without any Controul, and yet does not; and what he does in maintaining Order and Peace when none can compell him to it, if, He did not pleaſe to do ſo.

2.Men loath what they have conſtantly, as if it were no Argument for fear of God; as if God were tied to do ſo; but think at leaſt, ſuch Wonders of extraordinary Power, which they do not ſee every day, would, like one from the Dead, move to Repentance: But even this depends on Grace. That he may give Witneſſes and Demonſtrations of his Wrath, Juſtice, and Power to; either, as he pleaſes; puniſh, and execute Judgment from Heaven; or move to Repentance: For as he gives Fruitful Times and Seaſons that he might not leave himſelf without witneſs of his Goodneſs leading to Repentance; ſo of his Wrath and Juſtice to neceſſitate Men that way; For all theſe Things Preach Repentance, and Reformation p. 142aloud; and for that End I have thus ſuperadded to the Diſcourſe of Repentance.

3. That God may give notice of any great Changes he will make in the World, that are near at hand, and which within any little Time he will make in it, he gives Warning by Earthquakes and other unuſual Things: For ſo in ſpight of all that can be ſaid to the contrary, God hath generally uſher'd in any great Changes, he hath made in the World, by ſuch Signs and Wonders in Heaven, and Shakings of the Earth beneath: and therefore with great Right he cloaths his Denunciations and Threats of ſuch great Judgments in ſuch Language of Thunder and Lightnings, and Earthquakes. A very remarkable Inſtance we have of this in the Prophet Amos. When God was about, as it were to Ride a Circuit in Judgment upon the Nations for Three Tranſgreſſions, and for Four even upon each ſingle Nation or People, Amos dates his Prophecy two Years before the Earthquake in the Days of Uzziah.Amos 1.1.Amos 1:1 How general that was, is not known to us. But there is plain importance, God firſt began to give notice of his Judgments by Amos his Prophecy in his two firſt Chapters. That not prevailing to Repentance, he gave a loud Alarm by the Earthquake, which it is moſt probable, was as general as thoſe Nations threatned by Amos. Then follows the Judgment it ſelf on the ſeveral People nam'd and executed by the Aſſyrian and Babylonian Conqueſts. And why was there a mention of the Earthquake two Years after; if God had not pleaſed to give that Intimation, that an Earthquake p. 143was a fit Forerunner of that Judiciary Progreſs, that follows in thoſe two Chapters of Amos; ſo our Lord Matt. 24. makes Earthquakes in Divers Places, the certain Forerunners of the Deſolations of Jeruſalem.

4. The Lord Jehovah is pleaſed to ſuffer Earthquakes, becauſe he hath determined upon this one Earthquake, wherein he will ſhake not only the Earth, but the Heaven alſo; a great Earthquake, ſuch as hath not been ſince men were upon earth; ſo mighty an Earthquake, and ſo great; wherein every Iſland ſhall flee away, and the Mountains ſhall not be found, Revel. 16.18.20. And of this God foretold Hagg. 2.6. Yet once I will ſhake Heaven and Earth, &c. And in this Text, Yet once more I ſhake not only the Earth, but the Heaven alſo. Where though the Apoſtle oppoſes the once more to the ſhaking of the Earth at Mount Sinai, becauſe that was to his preſent purpoſe; yet it leaves room for that moſt ſagacious Interpretation of Dr. Burnet, in the forenamed Diſcourſes, That it is oppos'd to the ſhaking not only the Earth, but the Heaven alſo, in and by the Flood; for in that he ſays once more, it ſuppoſes, that not only the Earth, but the Heaven, had been ſhaken before: And when could that be, but in the Flood the on purpoſe-Type of this, as appears by what that excellent Perſon hath ſaid on 2 Pet. 3. Although This ſhall be greater, and to far greater purpoſe in the new Heaven, and the new Earth to perfection: Whereas That Flood brought forth a Heaven and Earth for the worſe; and Men grew as, and more wicked; but here Righteouſneſs ſhall dwell, and p. 144This ſhall be the greateſt ſince Man was on Earth. This is the Time of Trouble, of deep Tribulation and Temptation, ſuch as none ever was before, to All, but the Servants of God and Chriſt, Dan. 12.1. Mat. 24.21. Rev. 3.10. c. 7.14.

Now therefore, It becomes him, by whom are All things, and for whom are All Things; ſeeing he hath determined ſo great an Earthquake at laſt, to give ſuch Terellaes of it; ſuch little Parts, Pieces, and Models of it, that might Inlighten, Awaken, and Aſſure the World concerning it; and to have ſet up ſuch a Pyramid of it by the Flood, in general to all the World; and to Sodom, and the Cities about it in more particular, in the Beginning of the World; and to ſpeak in the Eloquence of what he will do, on every occaſion of a greater Judgment on any Nation or People; and to ioyn with it the Thunder and Lightnings of his Power and Voice, that are as the Shakings of Heaven; and generally fall in with the Shaking of the Earth. And thus we find all along the Scripture, and with great Relation to this very Earthquake uſhering in the Kingdom of Chriſt, and the Deſtruction of Babylon, the great Symbol of his Enemies; ſo Pſal. 18.7. Eſay 13.13. with very many Pieces more. And this is to make the Thoughts of it familiar to Men, and to acquaint them throughly with God's great purpoſe herein; for hereby a ſhort Work will God make on Earth; yet every Man, Woman, and Child, ſhall be rais'd on purpoſe to ſee this great Sight, and to feel it; The Earth ſhall caſt out her dead for it, and no more cover them. This is that Earthquake in which God ariſes to ſhake terribly p. 145the Earth, Eſay 2. wherein it ſhall be indeed as a cha…ed Roe, and as a Sheep no man cares to take up, tho now they are ſo greedy of it. Then the Lord will make it empty and under the great Deſolation overthrowing, and turning upſide down Perſons and Things, and all diſtinction of Servants, Maſters, and Miſtreſſes, Purchaſers, Sellers, Lenders, Borrowers, as is deſcrib'd Eſay 24. which ſhall end in the Sun's being confounded, the Moon aſham'd, when God comes to Reign before his Ancients in Glory.

And in the New Teſtament; we find at the Death of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Mat. 27.50. when he gave up that mighty Breath, and with that loud Voice commended that immortally bleſſed Spirit into the Hand of God; There was a Great Earthquake, and the Rocks rent, and the Graves opened; and after his Reſurrection, many Bodies of Saints came forth, and appeared to many in the Holy City; a moſt admirable Type of the Laſt Great Earthquake. At the Reſurrection of Chriſt there was again an Earthquake. Matth. 28.2. At the Pouring out of the Spirit, Acts 2.1. There was from Heaven a mighty ruſhing Wind, that fill'd the Houſe, and ſo muſt needs ſhake it, and as the Appearance of Fiery Tongues: when the Apoſtles Pray'd after that ſolemn Conference with the Elders of the Jews, the Houſe ſhook. c. 4. When Paul and Silas had praiſed God in Priſon, there was an Earthquake, and the Foundations of the Priſon were ſhaken, the Doors opened, and the Chains of every one were looſed, Acts 16.25. All theſe were real Hiſtorical Earthquakes, or Matters of Fact; and they p. 146are alſo great Types, and Emblems with Relation to what ſhall be at the Kingdom of Christ, and even Predictions and lively Aſſurances thereof.

In the Revelation, that moſt August Prophecy of the Kingdom of Christ, we read of Four great Earthquakes, that were ſo many Advances of the Kingdom of Chriſt.

1. That grand Deturbation of, or diſmounting Paganiſm, or the caſting down the Dragon or Devil inhabiting it from Heaven, who was worſhipped in Paganiſm as a God; and all his Host in the Fourth or Roman Empire, were caſt down with him, when that Empire in Conſtantine became Chriſtian. And this was celebrated by thoſe lofty Expreſſions concerning it, as a great Shaking even of Heaven and Earth, Rev. 6.12. c. 12.5. as ſhall be at the Kingdom of Christ.

2. The final Extirpation of Paganiſm, or Rooting it out; though with that unhappy Revolution of Antichriſtianiſm, ready to come in with the Barbarous Nations into that Empire, and ſo undermining the Kingdom of Christ. This was at the famous Victory of Theodoſius; And this was as Church Hiſtorians tell us, with a very great Tempeſt of Thundring and Lightning and motion of the Earth in the Letter, as well as the Prophetic Repreſentation of the Thunder, Lightnings, Voices and Earthquake, the great Emblems of the Kingdom of Chriſt.

3. The Earthquake that ſhall be at the Riſing of the Witneſſes, when that Great City, whoſe Emblem is Ten, or Tenth; in regard of the Ten Kings, who give their Kingdom to the Beaſt, that p. 147carries it, ſhall fall. Rev. 11. cap. 17.

4. The whole Time of the Seventh Trumpet, ſhall in regard of the mighty Effects, and Events be a continual Earthquake; even till the great and real Shake of Heaven and Earth, the once more in the Text; that what cannot be ſhaken may remain, as hath been explained. Rev. 16.18.20. compared with c. 11.

Now that Earthquake nam'd laſt, but this laſt, viz. the Fall of the great Antichriſtian State, I affirm to be ſo near as 1697. approaching; wherein the Kingdom of Chriſt ſhall be in its Succeſſion.

Now what ariſes from all this,Inference. but that it may both urge the Neceſſity, and give all Invitations and Incitements to Repentance; which cannot be higher expreſs'd than in the Apoſtle's own Words, as 'tis us'd in this Context. Let us have Grace, or rather Take Hold, lay earneſt Hold of Divine Grace, and Power in Chriſt; that we may ſerve him with Reverence, or all Holy Awes of Modeſty and Shamefacedneſs, as the Angels that cover Faces and Feet, leſt we give diſtaſte; and with good Heed-taking, as the Iſraelites that kept within bounds, leſt God ſhould have broken out; And this Service of God with holy foreign Modeſty and ſhame of our own Unworthineſs and horrid Nakedneſs; This Good Heed-taking not to run into God as a Conſuming Fire, is moſt ſhewn, exercis'd and practis'd in timely Repentance. For all at that Day of Earthquake, Thunders and Lightnings, once for All, All muſt be near; for God will come near to them, as a ſwift Witneſs; and to p. 148All not Repenting and Reconcil'd in Chriſt, he will be a Conſuming Fire, Mal. 3.5. With this Heb. 12.

And to this purpoſe, Let theſe very late Motions of the Earth be conſider'd in all the foregoing Diſcourſe; for I cannot but be perſwaded, they are Pledges of that great Change, that ſhall ſuddenly be in the World in the Fall of the whole Papal and Antichriſtian State; beſides their general ſtrong Motive to Repentance, as they ſpeak God, both in his Divine Power, and Ability to execute Wrath; as alſo in his Goodneſs, Long-ſuffering, and Patience, leading to Repentance; and how much more, if the Approach of his Kingdom it ſelf, the greateſt Motive to Repentance be by it declar'd ſo near.

That I may therefore improve ſo remarkable a Providence upon the Engliſh Plantation in Jamaica, (which is therefore to be reputed a part of England it ſelf) and the ſo gentle and tender Admonition of that Motion of the Earth among our Selves (as alſo on other Parts) I would diſcourſe them firſt, as an Argument to Repentance, and then, that they are a Prediction of a great Change on the World.

1. I firſt conſider that of Jamaica, which, we muſt needs acknowledge a part of our Selves; and therefore it is to be looked upon as England, though beyond the Sea; and ſo we are all equally therein concerned, particularly that many of us had Intereſts, and Relations that ſuffered in it; we are therefore nearly concern'd; and ſo are ſtrongly called upon to Repentance by it; and the more, that it fell ſo particularly upon that Town or Port, that bore the Enſigns of Sovereignty p. 149and Government, called Port Royal; that was the Key of the Iſland and Plantation, the Port and Harbor, the Seat of the Kings Houſe, and of the Houſes of the moſt conſiderable Merchants and Traders; and of the Defence and Strength of the Place, by its Baſtions and Fortifications.

2. I conſider, that the Judgment bears a very great Reſemblance to the Judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah; For the Thunder, and Lightning, and Balls of Fire that came down from Heaven; according to the moſt credible Accounts of Eye-witneſſes; though the Town was not, that I have heard, touched by the Fire, carry the Signatures of Sodom's Judgment after a ſerene Riſing of the Sun, which muſt be by an Earthquake and Inundation; for the Earthquake and Inundation was in the Suddenneſs, and dreadful Deſolation, and Deſtruction that it made, How like to that which turn'd Sodom into a Lake or Dead Sea to this day! And herein what was ſhort of Sodom's Judgment in the Fire, was made up in the Dread of the Earthquake: and ſo many, about 2000 Perſons periſhed, as by that newly ſober publiſhed Account before nam'd appears; A Shade of the Place, and of the Parts on which the Earthquake had greateſt Power is given in it.

From hence then I argue;

1. That it is not to be aſcrib'd to natural Cauſes any other way, than as the ſupreme Counſel and Being hath all Cauſes in his Hand, and at his Diſpoſe. If it had been only an Earthquake and Inundation, there had appeared leſs of God, and of his Supream Dominion; But when there was p. 150a Correſpondence, and as it were Intelligence between Heaven, and Earth, and Sea, above and below; It leads us to conſider Him, Who does whatever he pleaſes in Heaven and in Earth, and in all Deep Places. He cauſeth the Vapors to aſcend from the Earth, He maketh Lightnings for the Rain, He bringeth the Wind out of his Treaſures, Pſal. 135.6, 7. Were not Men reſolved, as Pharaoh, to ſtand up like Rock againſt God they muſt needs acknowledge Him in this: The Works of God, his Judgment on Sodom of old, is an Enſample to all After Ages; How much more This ſo upon our own Times, on whom the Ends of the World are come; though we had no ſhare in it, but it was upon another People; How much more when ſo upon our Selves, though in another Climate!

2. I conſider, as a further Argument to Repentance herein that great Scripture Amos 4.6. That it comes upon this Nation in a Train, and Connexion of Judgments; all within leſs than half the Age of a Man at Moſes's Computation:Or 70 Years, Pſal. 90.10.Ps 90:10 The Peſtilence and Dreadful Plague in the Year 1665. The Fire on this City in 1666. The ſeveral Inteſtine Commotions, and Wars abroad: And now it is come to this Judgment, though but on ſome of us; yet it was but ſo upon Iſrael, v. 11. I have overthrown ſome of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. And this is the laſt, till God come to a Judgment ſo great, he would not name; Therefore will I do Thus, or this, unto thee. Therefore prepare to meet thy God, Oh Iſrael, in his ſevereſt Judgment, p. 151if thou return not. And ſo according to the general courſe of the Word and Dealings of God, eſpecially with a People under ſuch a clearneſs of Divine Revelation as we are: It muſt needs be, whether Men will Hear or Forbear. It muſt end in utter Deſtruction, if upon this we do not Return to God, according (I ſay) to the General Rules, and Standards of his Word.

3. That great Admonition of our Saviour's is an utter Prohibition of our ſheltring our ſelves under ſuch an Imagination, that they were greater Sinners than we are; for he hath ſolemnly denounced, That whoever does not Repent, ſhall not only Periſh, but ſhall Periſh foreign in like manner with thoſe, who have Periſh'd by extraordinary, and moſt eminent, and remarkable Judgments, Luc. 13.3, 5. So that without Repentance we are always under the Impendency, the hanging over of ſo great Judgments upon us; as came indeed upon the Jews in the Roman Deſolations ſoon after; and muſt upon this Nation according to ordinary Rules, and Standards of the Word, and Providence of God, as I have ſaid: But if not; ſeeing that Word of Chriſt ſhall be true, that we ſhall likewiſe periſh, if we do not Repent; We muſt be raiſed to that Greateſt Earthquake, Thunder, and Lightning, and the Dreadful Tempeſt, the Snares, Fire and Brimſtone God will then Rain, and the Horrible Tempeſt, that ſhall be the Portion of every wicked and impenitent Perſon's Cup, Pſal. 11.6. at that Time, that Day, that ſhall burn as an Oven, and conſume the Wicked Root and Branch; at that Battel of the Great Day of God Almighty in the p. 152Valley of Jehoſaphat and Armageddon, when he will go through, and burn up all together; What Cauſe have we therefore to look diligently, we may be found of him in Peace at that Day, and not in a State of War, of that War, that is a War in Righteouſneſs or a War of Just and Righteous Judgment in the Day of Judgment.

4. I obſerve from ſo many Perſons, taken away ſo ſuddenly in Jamaica; How great an Argument it makes againſt Truſt to a Death-Bed-Repentance, when the very Poſſibilities of a Death-Bed to Repent upon may be ſo ſnatch'd from us: and therefore with how great Force and Evidence, and with what a juſt Timouſneſs, the Obſervations on theſe Providences There, and Here, are to be adjuſted to theſe Diſcourſes on the general neceſſity of Repentance, and the great Hazard of committing our ſelves to the Adventure of a Death-Bed-Repentance; when ſo ſuddenly Providence, that is as in a Courſe of Earthquakes, and hath given us ſuch Warnings, may take us away living, and, if we Repent not, in his Wrath.

5. As between thoſe two Diſpenſations of Providence; the Dreadful Earthquake in Jamaica, and that here; I conſider with what a Goodneſs, and yet with a Faithfulneſs to move to Repentance, God hath ſhewn us both the Tenderneſs and the Skill of his Hand in the Motion of the Earth we were ſenſible of. For as in the moſt admirable Knowledge of his Almighty Hand, he took up our Earth, and poiz'd it; and in the Doing of it, did as it were ſay, How ſhall I give thee up, London? How ſhall I make thee as Admah and Zeboim, the p. 153Cities the Lord overthrew, as Jamaica, or Port-Royal? My Heart is turned within me, my Repentings are kindled together; I will not execute the fierceneſs of my Wrath; I am God, and not Man; I will not enter into this City, Hoſea 11.8, 9. as into Jamaica. Behold then on Them Severity, to Us Goodneſs, if we Turn to him in his Goodneſs, and ſo abide in it; or elſe according to ordinary Rules we muſt be cut off alſo.

And there is indeed moſt of the Power and Wiſdom of God in doing ſo much, and no more; For a rude and unskilful Hand can Throw Down, Spoil and Deſtroy; but only an Underſtanding and Almighty Hand could weigh the Earth as in Scales; and as in a Ballance, lift up and ſet down in the very ſame place and ſtate. And how much more of Love and Grace to melt and ſoften us! as if he had ſaid, Behold what I am able to do, to Ruin you in a moment! But I will only ſhew what I can Do, and I will Do you no hurt. Oh that this Riches of Goodneſs, Long ſuffering and Patience, might lead us to Repentance! who himſelf ſtaid his own Hand, and ſaid to Himſelf, What am I doing? (when none elſe could) and He did it not.

I come now to the Second Head I propos'd, for the Improvement of our Thoughts on theſe Earthquakes in general, but particularly of that but juſt, a Motion of the Earth in this City, and the Royal Camp, and other parts beyond the Sea; That it is predictive, and foretelling of a great Change in the World: And of this I give theſe following Arguments.

1. It is beyond all denial moſt evident, that Scripture makes uſe of Earthquakes, as the Conveyance of its Deſcription of the great Works and p. 154Changes God will make for the Kingdom of Chriſt, till it appears: That courſe of Earthquakes Providence hath been in of late years, is ſurely a Declaration of thoſe great Changes he is about to make, firſt by the Succeſſion of that Kingdom, and then by its own Appearance: For if firſt Chriſt convey his Kingdom by Earthquakes, as Types and Pledges; it is but reaſonable to expect, when he alarms the World with Earthquakes, he has ſomething to do more than ordinary in the Advancement of it; elſe his ſo great uſe of them in his Word would be but as the ſounding of the Mountains, and Amuſe in vain. By the ſo often uſe of Earthquakes he teaches us to expect by them; Seeing as on one ſide he uſes Earthquakes in his Word to expreſs great Things for his Kingdom by; ſo on the other ſide he uſes Earthquakes, that are ſo in Fact to and in his Providence, to foretell ſome Changes for his Kingdom following them, according to his Word.

2. The Nations, and Places, where this Motion of the Earth came, are ſuch, as are cloſely concerned in the Change, that God is about to make; being either of the Proteſtant Profeſſion, or of the Ten Kings, that yet give their Kingdom to the Beaſt.

That God was pleas'd therefore to guide the Motion of unquiet Vapors over ſo many Countries and Cities, it was like the ſending the Cup and Yoke in Jeremy to ſo many Nations, on whom he would execute his Diſpleaſure by Nebuchadnezzar, Jerem. c. 25. c. 27. ſo now he hath ſent by this Earthquake, as it were by a Meſſenger, to make known to the Nations his Kingdom ſo near. For ſo mild and gentle a Motion, that had nothing of Wrath, and execution of Vengeance p. 155in its Commiſſion, ſeems entruſted only with ſo great a Notice. And I cannot but hope, and am even aſſured, That this City is to bear ſo happy a Part in the Kingdom of Christ, that it ſhall be preſerved for his Servant David's ſake, and that God in Chriſt is the Holy one in the midſt of it.

3. That which above all aſſures me ſo, is That Sure Word of Prophecy; that Time is ſo near for the Succeſſion of the Kingdom of Chriſt, (which is by Prophecy deſcrib'd by a great Earthquake) that I can underſtand nothing by this Move; but that Introducing, or Bringing it in with the Call of the Witneſſes, and the Fall of the Tenth of the Great City: For I cannot underſtand that there is Space or Room for any other Change but of That to the Kingdom of Chriſt, entring into its Succeſſion; wherein all ſhall have the Advantages of Repentance and Reformation by the pouring out of the Spirit, and the Preaching of the everlaſting Goſpel; even to all the World; and the Converts of that Time ſhall be, as the Drops of Dew from the Womb of the Morning: A Change of ſo great advantages to the World, that none have any reaſon to be offended, or to complain of the Tydings; except They, who hate to be Reform'd. I deſire no other Beauty of Feet or Face than to bring and pub…iſh it. It is all holy, pure, ſpiritual, benign, and beneficent, to thoſe who have but any Deſires after God Chriſt, and Goodneſs, both in inward and outward Bounties: There is greateſt reaſon it ſhould be dai…y prayed for, and daily it is to be praiſed; Verily, It may be ſaid, Many Kings, Prophets, and Righteous Men have deſired to ſee the Things that ſhall then be ſeen; and have not ſeen them; and to hear the Things that ſhall then be heard, p. 156and have not heard them. Oh therefore, that this may be what this gracious Heave of the Earth does preſage; (as I have great Aſſurance it does,) That there is no more danger by it, than this, That we ſhould take notice; This Earth with great Sedateneſs gave a Motion with joy, as John Baptiſt in the Womb to foretell; It is with all its King…oms ſoon to become the Kingdom of the Lord and of his Chriſt, wherein Righteouſneſs ſhall dwell: That ſoon after, upon a Purification from all Defilements the Heavens over it, and it ſelf, may become a New Heaven and a New Earth; and the Will of God done as in parallel, as in that Heaven, and upon Earth.

But though I have endeavoured to make good my way all along; yet I would in the Concluſion give a more ſolemn Anſwer to the chief Objections, I have taken notice of.

Objct. 1. Some of the ſagacious Obſervers of Nature have ſo trac'd extraordinary Events to their Cauſes, that they have foretold particularly Earthquakes, by obſerving the Ripeneſs of natural Cauſes for them.

Anſw. 1. Whatever Obſervations the wiſeſt of Mankind have made, they are not able, ſo far to penetrate the Screws of Natural Cauſes, fitted to the neceſſitating one another to ſuch Effects; but that ſupernatural Agents may give a Lift to the Wheels of Second Cauſes, that uſually move, but on Earth, viz. in a natural way; to move much above Earth, that is, Supernaturally: and in the ſame manner to ſet Bars to, or hinder their Motions. Ezek. 1.19.20.

Now that there are ſuch Supernatural Agents; the very Evidences of rational, and even ſenſible Experiments compel the ſtouteſt Gainſayers to p. 157confeſs, but as they bid defiance to all Things for the ſake of their Atheiſtic Sentiments.

Anſw. 2. He that Knows all his Works from the very Foundation of the World, and foreſees All Cauſes and Effects, could with the ſame Eaſe ballance them for their juſt Time, both as to particular Perſons, and Nations with their Sins filling up their meaſure; and ſo that All ſhould roll down to their higheſt Effects at that time when he will once more ſhake, not only Earth but Heaven alſo; even at that Time of Trouble, and Day of Battel and War, as it is moſt Prophetically call'd Job 38.22.23. compar'd with Dan. 12.1. Mat. 24.21. and Revel. 16.14. the ſame Spirit that dictated All, Fitting the very Words one to another in theſe Scriptures.

Object. 2. But ſtill, If this be allowed, that ſuch natural Cauſes and Effects are adjuſted for the Purpoſes of Divine Judgment, and even for that Diſſolution of this preſent Frame, Why at this Time?

Anſw. 1. Such a Time according to all Scripture and Reaſon muſt be at ſome Time; and why may it not be now ſo near?

Anſw. 2. The very Time ſince the Coming of Chriſt firſt in the Fleſh being almoſt 1700 Years ago, was call'd the Fulneſs of Time; what then can be after it, but the Ends of the World, the Laſt Day, the Laſt Hour, running apace to the Fulneſs of all Times? Gal. 4.4. and Epheſ. 1.10.

Anſw. 3. Mens Heats in all the Buſineſs of this World, Buying, Selling, Planting, Building; the Little Faith on Earth, it is near; are no Arguments it is not near; for theſe are foretold to be even at the neareſt Approaches of that Day.

Anſw. 4. But in ſum; The Sure Word of Prophecy, p. 158and Line of Time according to Scripture, in full Agreement with Hiſtory, as I have ſo often affirm'd, is my Grand Aſſurance.

Object. 3. But thoſe Words of our Lord's Marc. 13.32. Of that Day and Hour knoweth none, &c. contradict any ſuch Calculation making known that Time.

Anſw. I affirm upon greateſt Evidences of Scripture Reaſon; The Son having all Judgment committed to him, and the Spirit reſting upon him without meaſure; did know of that Day, and of that Hour; but in that Par…bolical Speech Chriſt acknowledges the Supreme Dominion of the Divine Being, which is ſo often ſaid to have the Panto-Cratorate, the Almighty Ordination of that Day, and the ſo unfathomable ſtupendious Proceſs of it; As the Revelation, or Bringing All Things to paſs in order to it, is ſaid to be given by God to Jeſus Chriſt to ſhew to his Servants: and the Conduct of them, originally in God, is given to him; even ſo the Knowledge of the Time and the Adminiſtration of that Day.

Object. 5. But the contrary Prevalencies of that French Prince, the ſo great Enemy of the Witneſſes, who keeps them now from Riſing, ſhews, That Time is not ſo near.

Anſw. As God gives in all Ages ſuch Dominion and Greatneſs to ſome Princes, that no Confederacies can withſtand it; as to Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander, Caeſar, Mahomet; ſo hath he given much Greatneſs to that Monarch: but when ſuch Time of thoſe Princes came, and ſo of this Prince, that they muſt have End; At that very Time, as they, ſo he muſt end; and none ſhall help it; nor any precedent Greatneſs ſtay him up.

Anſw. 2. An Univerſal Monarchy is Embarraſſed p. 159to him; He ſhall never be more than one of the Ten Kings, till he, or his Succeſſors with the Reſt ſhall hate the Whore. As Prophecy, ſo Providence hath Embarraſſed him, as with a Band of Iron; and ſo far the Confederacy, or ſome other certain Interpoſal ſhall prevail, till then

Anſw. 3. We are not earneſt enough in Prayer, we curtail the Time of Humiliation, and ſeeking God; eſpecially, in that ſtrongeſt Argument of his Kingdom. Oh that this Counſel might be acceptable to the King, and to the Counſels of the Nation, and the Miniſtry of all Names! that we might by earneſteſt and loudeſt Prayers of a Winters Humiliation, and ſeeking him by Faſting and Supplication prepare for a Summers Action, and not grutch God the Time.

Anſw. 4. He hath had the uſual Space allowed to ſuch notorious Enemies of the People of God; And give me leave to uſe it as an Emblem, tho not as a Forebode; As Divine Providence commanded ſo great a Leviathan or Whale; which he calls King over the Children of Pride; from Playing in the Ocean, where he had room enough in the purſuit of his Prey; to come, and ſtrand himſelf, and dye on the Shore of Scot…and, the Twin Iſland of our Great Britain; even ſo he will ſhortly work his Signs and Wonders in Heaven and Earth, that he may abaſe ſuch Tyrannick Leviathans walking in Pride.

For the Time is near, and All, however it ſeems otherwiſe, ſhall be ready. A King ſhall Reign in Righteouſneſs; and Perſons compar'd to the Baſeſt, Vileſt, ſhall no more be called Moſt Christian, most Serene, Magnificent, Beneficent.

But there ſhall be a Breaking out of the Glory of the Goſpel, The Tongue of the Stammerers p. 160ſhall ſpeak plain, The Lame ſhall leap as an Hart. The Ears of the Deaf ſhall hear; The Eſay. 29. c. 32 c. 35. Eyes of the Blind ſhall ſee out of obſcurity; The very Ears of the Deaf ſhall hear the Words of that Book of Prophocy, which the Learned will not now meddle with, becauſe, ſay they, It is Sealed; nor the Ʋnlearned, becauſe they are not Learned. Abundance of Converts ſhall be brought in; Fooliſh Virgins ſhall be made Wiſe, and not Err in the way called the way of Holineſs; and no ravenous Beaſt ſhall be there any more for ever.

Let us then, to ſum up all, Seek him who made the Seven Stars and Orion, Amos 5.8.Amos 5:8who makes the Day dark with Night, and yet turns the ſhadow of Death into Morning, who calls for the Waters of the Sea, commands them out, and pours them on the face of the Earth; who rends the Rocks with his mighty Winds, and ſhakes the Earth out of its place, 1 Sam. chap. 2.1 Sam 2and Thunders down with his Fire upon the wicked; 1 Kings 19.11.1 Kgs 19:11and comes himſelf in the Still Voice of his Kingdom.

And hereof he hath given notice, as he ſaw good, with dread of Wrath on Jamaica, as an Emblem of the Day of Judgment on the World of Ʋngodly; which, as it ſhould ſtir up the Remnant that are there eſcaped, even as our Selves, to deep Repentance; ſo it ſhould excite us to all Acts of Mercy to them, and Prayers for them.

To us he hath ſent, as it were the Still Voice, to let us know he is coming himſelf; to which the Earth mov'd it ſelf, in token of Obeiſance.

FINIS.

THE GENERAL INEFFICACY AND INSINCERITY Of a Late, Or Death-Bed Repentance. WITH Earneſteſt Diſſuaſives from committing our Eternal Condition to that Unſpeakable Hazard. AND A full Reſolution of the Caſe, how far a Death-Bed Repentance is poſſible, to be Sincere and Effectual. By T. Beverley.

foreign.

To Day, whilſt it is called, to Day; Leſt any one be hardned through the Deceitfulneſs of Sin, Heb. 3.7, 13.

LONDON. Printed by R. Smith, for William Miller at the Gilded Acorn in St. Paul's Church-yard, where Gentlemen and others may be furniſhed with Acts of Parliament, Speeches, and other ſorts of Diſcourſes, and State-Matters; as alſo Books of Divinity, Church-Government, Humanity, Sermons on moſt Occaſions, &c. MDCXCII.