A Cabinet of Jewels, Tract

A Cabinet of Jewels · Tract

p. 52REVEL. 14.6.

Theſe are they which follow the Lamb whitherſoever he goeth.

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

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

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

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

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

p. 49The matter of this Book ſo much concerns the good of the Church, that Jeſus Chriſt commandeth every one that hath an ear to heare, to hearken what the Spirit of God ſaith unto the Church: and to ſhew how earneſt Chriſt Jeſus is to have all his Members and Servants acquainted with the things revealed in this Book, this charge he repeated eight times over, as this Book ſhewes, Chap. 2.7, 11, 17, 29. And Chap. 3.6, 13, 22. And Chap. 13.9.

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

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

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

This book is a moſt precious Jewel, which Chriſt hath beſtowed upon his Church in the latter dayes; and it is our great duty to look into it, and read it, ſtudy it, open it, and expound it, that all the people may thorowly be acquainted with it, eſpecially in theſe times; for now in this Age is and ſhall be the very heat of the war and brunt of the battle betwixt God and Beliall, betwixt Chriſt and Antichriſt, betwixt the Lambs followers and the Beaſts followers. Now this book lyeth all open, and plainly telleth us what ſhall be the iſſue and ſucceſſe in the day of battel; which ſide ſhall have the victory, and which ſide ſhall go down, Chap. p. 5517.19. And certainly the ſons of Belial ſhall not long prevail; the date of their Reigne is almoſt out, and the time draweth on apace wherein both they and their Beaſt ſhall be laid in the duſt.

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

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

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

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

p. 561. Before the ſlaying time the true Church is in the Wilderneſs, where ſhe hath a place prepared her of God, that they ſhould feed her there a thouſand two hundred and threeſcore dayes, Chap. 12.2. Before the ſlaying of the Witneſſes the true Worſhippers of God are in a low condition, in heavineſſe and ſadneſſe, in ſack-cloth and aſhes, in a mourning and ſuffering State; being ſcattered and diſperſed here and there, as Iſraell was of old. But though this be the condition of the poor Woman in the Wilderneſs, yet ſhe is not without comfort; ſhe may take comfort in three things.

1. That God prepared a place for her.

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

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

The Church is compared to a woman for four Reaſons.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Becauſe of the fewneſſe of them.

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

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

4. They are called witneſſes for Six Reaſons:

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

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

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

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

p. 60Fifthly, The true VVorſhippers of God are called witneſſes, becauſe they do bear witneſs againſt the beaſt, and all the whole miſtery of iniquity; againſt the whore of Babylon, who hath committed fornication with the Kings of the earth, and made her ſelf drunk with the blood of the Saints, Rev. 17.6. Chriſts, faithful witneſſes bear an eminent Teſtimony againſt all her abominations and filthineſs and wickedneſs, againſt the Pope, his Government, his clergy, his Doctrine, his worſhip, his Religion, and all his abominable proceedings, Rev. 19.7.

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

p. 61Antichriſt riſeth in a double beaſt; In his civil power; and his Eccleſiaſtical power.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

p. 65He is called a Lamb in a double reſpect.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In theſe words are three things.

Firſt, the Subjects, [theſe]

Secondly, the Act, [follow]

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

I ſhall gather this Obſervation from the words,

That it is the ſweet temper and frame of ſoules truly gracious, to follow the Lamb whitherſoever he goeth.

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

Firſt, What it is to follow the Lamb:

Secondly, Why they follow the Lamb.

Thirdly, The Excellency of following the Lamb.

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

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

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

p. 69Firſt, In his Commandements. If you love me, keep my Commandements, John 14.15. Ye are my friends if you do whatſoever I command you, Chap. 15.14. Bleſſed are they that do his Commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, Rev. 22.4. Oh Beloved, we cannot follow the Lamb whitherſoever he goes, unleſs we follow him in his commands. Then ſhall I not be aſhamed, (ſaith David) when I have reſpect to all thy Commandments, Pſal. 119.6. Chriſtians ſhould take as much delight in thoſe precepts that enjoyne holineſſe, as in thoſe promiſes that aſſure happineſs.

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

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

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

In his Commands.

In his Teachings.

In his Providence.

In his Example.

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

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

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

Firſt, Speedily.

Secondly, Truly:

Thirdly, Undividedly:

Fourthly, Zealouſly.

Fifthly, Humbly.

Sixthly, Chearfully.

Seaventhly, Diligently.

Eightly, Conſtantly.

Ninthly, Faithfully.

Tenthly, Tranſcendently.

Now this is following the Lamb whitherſoever he goeth.

Now I ſhall ſhew you why Believers follow the Lamb.

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

There are three things called precious in the Scriptures.

Firſt, Faith is called precious, 2 Pet. 1.1.

Secondly, The promiſes are called precious, verſ. 4.

Thirdly, The blood of Chriſt is called precious, 1 Pet. 1.19.

O his blood hath redeemed us from ſix Enemies.

Firſt, From the World, Galathians 1.4. Rev. 14.4.

Secondly, From the Curſe, Galathians 3.13.

Thirdly, From Sin, Rom. 6: 18, 22.

Fourthly, From the Devil, Heb. 2.18. Acts 26.17, 18.

Fifthly, From the ſting of Death, 1 Cor. 15.55, 56.

p. 76Sixthly, From Hell, 1 Theſ. 1.10. Rev. 2.12. O his blood is precious blood; his blood hath ſlaine our Enemies; he hath purchaſed by his blood Reconciliation with the Father, Union with the Son, and Communion with the Holy Ghoſt. Ye that were ſometimes afar off, are made nigh by the Blood of Chriſt, Epheſ. 2.13, 16.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here I will ſhew you two things.

Firſt, How Chriſts comes to be ours.

2ly. How we come to be Chriſts.

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

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

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

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

2. The Saints are Chriſts four ways.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Firſt, The preſence of God.

Secondly, The happy union with God.

Thirdly, The bleſſed viſion of God.

Fourthly, The glorious communion with God.

Fifthly, The fruition of God.

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

Seventhly, The enjoyments of themſelves in God.

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

p. 93Thus have I ſhewed you why Believers follow the Lamb.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

p. 98Thirdly, They ſhare with Chriſt in his Graces.

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

Fourthly, Believers ſhare with Chriſt in his Glorious Titles.

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

Fifthly, They ſhare with Chriſt in his Glory.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

p. 113Firſt, You may know them by their number: They are in number the feweſt. Many are called, but few are choſen, Mat. 20.16. Though all Iſrael be as the ſand of the Sea, yet but a remnant ſhall be ſaved, Rom. 9.27. And Chriſt calls his flock, a little flock, Luke 12.32. And truly Beloved, they are but a few that follow the Lamb, and believe in him. The Heathens follow the Devil: the Turks follow Mahomet; the Jews follow Moſes; the Papiſts follow the Pope; and looſe Proteſtants and carnal Profeſſors, they follow the world the fleſh, and the Devil; and falſe Teachers, falſe Doctrine, and falſe Worſhips; And all the world wondred after the Beaſt, Rev. 13.3. The waters which thou ſaweſt, where the Whore ſitteth, are Peoples, and Multitudes, and Nations, and Tongues, Chap. 17.15. Believers though their natures are the ſweeteſt, yet their number is the ſmalleſt: In Heaven are the beſt, but in Hell are the moſt.

p. 114O dear Chriſtians, there are but few upright Chriſtians; there are many Thorns, but few Lillies.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sixthly, They follow the Lamb whitherſoever he goeth.

Seventhly, They are redeemed from amongſt men.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Firſt, What following the Lamb is.

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

Thirdly, The Excellency of following the Lamb.

Fourthly The Miſery of following the Beaſt.

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

I ſhall make ſome Uſe of this:

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

p. 132O who do you follow? if men, verily you have your reward; if ſin, you ſhall have ſins wages, which is eternal death; woe, and miſery in this life, and Hell and deſtruction in the other life: but if God, then you ſhall have eternal life. Therefore be not deceived, miſtake not your ſelves, God is not mocked, for whatſoever a man ſowes, that he ſhall reap. O beloved, Examine your ſelves, and try your ſelves; what is it you mind? what is it you ſeek? what is it you do? do you follow the Lamb in his Commands, in his teachings, in his appointments, and in his Examples, & through ſufferings and reproaches? have you forſaken all and followed him? Matth. 10.29. Have you taken up his Croſſe, and denyed your ſelves? Mat. 16.24. Have you learned of him to be meek and lowly? Mat. 11.29. Have you viſited, and cloathed his Members? Mat. 25.35. Have you kiſſed the Sun, and made your peace with him? O beloved, are you new Creatures? are you p. 133in Chriſt? are you in faith? Know ye not, if Chriſt be not in you, ye are reprobates? 2 Cor. 13.5.

The ſecond Ʋſe is for Exhortation.

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

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

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

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

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

Firſt, Becauſe there is much of Heaven in them.

Secondly, Becauſe there is much of them in Heaven.

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

Firſt, The Lords Portion, Deut. 32.9.

Secondly, His Pleaſant Portion, Jer. 12.10.

Thirdly, His Inheritance, Iſa, 19.25.

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

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

Sixthly, His Glory, Iſa. 46.13.

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

Eighthly, A Crown of Glory, Iſa. 62.3.

Ninthly, A Royal Diadem; in the ſame place.

Tenthly, The Glory of God, Jer. 3.17.

Eleventhly, Golden Candleſticks, Rev. 1.12.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Seventhly, Their Aims are in Heaven, Luke 10.20.

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

Firſt, Glorious in her Head.

Secondly, Glorious in her Titles.

Thirdly, Glorious in her Gifts and Graces.

Fourthly, Glorious in her Offices.

Fifthly, Glorious in her Priviledges.

Sixthly, Glorious in her Members.

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

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

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

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

Thirdly, Act by Heavenly Principles.

Fourthly, Have a holy dependance upon God,

For Direction,

For Protection,

For Aſſiſtance,

For a bleſſing.

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

Sixthly, Imitate Heavenly Ones; p. 140follow them that follow Chriſt.

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

Eighthly, and laſtly, Live much in heaven.

Your Father is in heaven,

Your Head is in Heaven,

Your Husband is in heaven,

Your King is in heaven,

Your Treaſure is in heaven,

Your Crown is in heaven,

Your Wages are in heaven.

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

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

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

Her walls ſhall fall down:

Her wall of Power;

Her wall of Policy;

Her wall of Superſtition;

p. 142Her wall of Maintenance:

And that for theſe Reaſons.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

p. 145Tenthly, The Whore of Babylon ſhall be deſtroyed, becauſe ſhe truſteth in the arm of fleſh, and glorieth in her ſtrength, and riches. How much ſhe hath glorified her ſelf, and lived deliciouſly, ſo much torment and ſorrow give her; for ſhe ſaith in her heart, I ſit a Queen, I am no Widdow, and ſhall ſee no ſorrow: therefore ſhall her plagues come, Chap. 18.7. Now Beloved, conſider of this, and think of this, and keep your ſelves from Babylon, that ye do not partake of her ſins, leaſt ye receive of her plagues, O poor ſinners, if you have any love to your Souls, if you have any mind to be ſaved, follow the Lamb, that you may be ſaved by the Lamb.

He leads poor ſouls from darkneſs to light,

From death to life,

From vice to vertue,

From Satan to God,

From poverty to plenty,

From ſorrow to joy,

From miſery to glory,

From an earthly Kingdom, to a heavenly Kingdom:

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

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

Firſt; A Rich Kingdom.

Secondly, A peaceable Kingdom.

Thirdly, A Righteous Kingdom.

Fourdily, A bleſſed Kingdom.

Fifthly, A Glorious Kingdom.

Sixthly, A ſatisfying Kingdom.

Seventhly, A Univerſal Kingdom.

Eighthly, An Everlaſting Kingdom.

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

FINIS.

End of the text · William Dyer, A Cabinet of Jewels (1663)