Mount Zion, Part 1

Mount Zion · Part 1

And in the days of theſe Kings ſhall the God of Heaven ſet up a Kingdom, which ſhall never be deſtroyed: And the Kingdom ſhall not be left to another people, but it ſhall break in pieces, and conſume all theſe Kingdoms, and it ſhall ſtand for ever.

IN the opening of theſe words I ſhall ſhew,

Firſt, What this Kingdom is.

Secondly, Who it was that ſhould ſet up this Kingdom.

Thirdly, Of the time of its being ſet up.

Fourthly, The power, ſtrength, and glory of this Kingdom, and that in four things.

1. That it ſhall never be deſtroyed.

2. The Kingdom ſhall not be left to another people.

3. It ſhall break in pieces, and conſume all theſe Kingdoms.

4. It ſhall ſtand for ever.

Firſt then, This Kingdom is the Church, p. 27the True Church, the Church of God upon Earth, this Church hath many Titles, but one glorious Head the Lord Jeſus Chriſt: The Church is called a Spouſe, a Bride, a Flock, a Vineyard, a Garden, a Body, a Houſe, a Family, but here in the Text it is called a Kingdom, as alſo in other places of Scripture. That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his Kingdom and Glory, 1 Theſ. 2.12. You are called of God, and you are called to a Kingdom, and it is the Kingdom of God: O walk worthy of it, you that are called to it.

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkneſs, and hath tranſlated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, Col. 1.13. You are of the Kingdom, you are in the Kingdom, the Kingdom of his dear Son. I John, who alſo am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the Kingdom and patience of Jeſus Chriſt, Rev. 1.9. Here the Church is the Kingdom of his patience; hereafter it will be the Kingdom of his glory: He that will be a Saint muſt be a ſufferer, here they ſuffer for Chriſt, but in Heaven they ſhall reign with Chriſt.

Secondly, The Church of God is called a Nation. Open ye the gates, that the righteous p. 28nation which keepeth the truth may enter in, Iſa. 26.2. But ye are a choſen generation, a royal prieſthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye ſhould ſhew forth the praiſes of him who hath called you out of darkneſs into his marvellous light, 1 Pet. 2.9. The Church of God is a righteous Nation that keeps the truth, a holy Nation that ſhews forth the praiſes of God: This is a nation out of every nation, and a people out of every people, and are redeemed from the earth, and from amongſt men; and haſt made us unto our God Kings and Prieſts, and we ſhall reign on the earth, Rev. 5.9, 10. O what Nation ſo wiſe and great as this Nation! What ſo excellent and bleſſed as this Nation! Bleſſed with all Spiritual Bleſſings in Chriſt Jeſus: Every Believer is a living Stone of the holy City, a living Son of the Free-woman, a true Member of the heavenly Jeruſalem, the Mother of all the Saints, the Womb that brings them all forth, theſe are called, and choſen out of all Nations. Then Peter opened his mouth and ſaid, Of a truth I perceive that God is no reſpecter of perſons: But in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteouſneſs is accepted with him, Acts 10.34, 35.

Thirdly, The Church of Chriſt is called p. 29a Common-wealth, That at that time …e were without Chriſt, being aliens from the …ommon-wealth of Iſrael, and ſtrangers from …he covenants of promiſe, having no hope, and …ithout God in the world, Eph. 2.12. O …hat a bleſſed Common-wealth is this, …hey are all Free-men, there are no Aliens, nor Strangers, nor Forreigners …mongſt them; God is the Father of this Countrey, the Maſter of this Family, the Walls, and Bulwarks of this Land, For I, ſaith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire …ound about, and will be the glory in the midſt of her, Zech. 2.5. Chriſt Jeſus is the Head of this Body, the Law-giver to this people, the Captain of their Salvation; …he Spirit of God leads them into all truth, …nd fills them with joy in believing, and with an increaſe of Grace, and the ſupplies of the Spirit; this Spirit comforts them when they are ſad, and helps, and aſſiſts …hem when they are at the throne of Grace, this holy Spirit applies all that to …hem which Chriſt hath purchaſed for …hem, it carries up their deſires to God, …nd brings that peace from God, that …aſſeth all underſtanding: Every Mem…er of this Common-wealth is a trader …or Heaven, and he drives that Trade which is ſure and certain, he lays up treaſures p. 30in Heaven; But lay up for your ſelve… treaſures in Heaven, where neither moth no… ruſt doth corrupt, and where thieves do no… break through nor ſteal, Mat. 6.20. Riche… and honour are with me; yea, durable riche… and righteouſneſs, Prov. 8.18. Every Child of God hath a treaſure, and tha… treaſure is in a ſecure place; thieves cannot come nigh it, nor ruſt cannot hurt it nor moth cannot deſtroy it: This treaſur… is in Heaven, but while Believers are on Earth they have this treaſure in hope, an… in Faith, in Expectation, and in the Promiſe, and in Reverſion, and a full Aſſurance of all this, having the Earneſt o… the Spirit, and of the Inheritance. Wh… hath alſo ſealed us, and given the earneſt o… the Spirit in our hearts, 2 Cor. 1.22. Whic… is the earneſt of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchaſed poſſeſſion, unto th… praiſe of his glory, Eph 1.14. Thus yo… ſee the Church is a Kingdom, a Nation and a Common-wealth.

Secondly, I ſhall ſhew you who it wa… that ſhould ſet up this Kingdom, (th… God of Heaven,) the ever living an… bleſſed God. He hath made the Eart… by his Power, he hath eſtabliſhed th… World by his Wiſdom, and hath ſtretc… ed out the Heavens by his Diſcretio… p. 31He founded Zion, and the poor of his people ſhall truſt in it, Iſa. 14.32. And now bre…hren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance among all …hem which are ſanctified, Acts 20.32. And upon this rock I will build my Church: and the gates of Hell ſhall not prevail againſt it, Mat. 16.18. This is the Pillar of Truth that God hath ſet up, 1 Tim. 3.15. This is the houſe that God hath built, a ſpiritual houſe of lively ſtones. This is that Church which God hath purchaſed with his own blood: Hands did not ſet it up, and hands cannot pull it down.

That the Reader may know this God of Heaven, let him conſider and ſee his Power and Wiſdom in his Works.

His Mercy and Goodneſs in his Prov… dences.

His Love and Grace in his Word.

Firſt, See his Power and Wiſdom in his Works. God hath laid his Works before us, that in them we may ſee his Eternal Power and Godhead. For the …nviſible things of him from the Creation of …he World are clearly ſeen, being underſtood by the things that are made, even his Eternal Power and Godhead: So that they are with…ut excuſe, Rom. 1.20. This Text ſhews p. 32us plainly four things.

1. There are ſome things of God that are inviſible.

2. Theſe inviſible things of God are clearly ſeen from the Creation of the World.

3. Theſe inviſible things of God are manifeſt, and underſtood by the things that are made, even his Eternal Power and Godhead.

4. This leaves men without excuſe.

O how great and glorious is the Power and Wiſdom of God! by his power he cleav'd the Earth with Rivers, and by his Power he placed the Sands for the bounds of the Sea by a perpetual decree, that the Waters cannot paſs over: by his Power Birds fly, and by his Power Fiſhes ſwim by his Power Graſs and other things of the Earth grow, and by his Power the Stars of Heaven move, and the Sun runs its race. The Heavens declare the glory of God and the Firmament ſheweth his handy work Day unto day uttereth ſpeech, and night unto night ſheweth knowledge, Pſalm 19.1, 2▪ that glory which is above all expreſſions, and beyond all apprehenſions.

God ſpeaks to the Inhabitants of the Earth by heavenly bodies, Day unto day they utter ſpeech, and night unto night they p. 33ſhew knowledge. Though Nations underſtand not one anothers Language; yet all Nations underſtand this Language that God ſpeaks to them by the works of his hands; theſe all ſhine out gloriouſly, they move orderly, and continue to all generations: they are as glorious now as they were the firſt moment that they were made, and came out of the hand of God: this is that which the Lord hath divided unto all Nations under the whole Heaven, Deut. 4.19. namely the Sun, Moon, and Stars; not that men ſhould worſhip them, but admire and praiſe that God that made them; and if the Pavement of Heaven be ſo glorious; O what then is that glory which is within! Of all ingredients Light is the moſt excellent, this is that makes one Star differ from another in glory. O Lord how manifold are thy Works! in Wiſdom haſt thou made them all, Pſalm 104.24.

Secondly, See his mercy and goodneſs in his providences. God holds the whole frame of Nature in his hand; from the higheſt Angels to the loweſt Worm, they are all under his care; He exerciſeth a providence in the Government of the whole World; He ruleth in the Kingdoms of Men, and giveth it to whomſoever p. 34he will; He is wonderful in counſel, glorious in Holineſs, rich in Mercy, high in Power, and yet full of Pity and Compaſſion; like as a Father pitieth his Children; ſo the Lord pitieth them that fear him; and he pitieth them moſt when they are in trouble, and in diſtreſs, under ſore afflictions, and great tryals. When the Lord ſmites a Land with drought, when the Heaven over our Heads is as Braſs, and the Earth that is under us as Iron; Deut. 28.23. the Graſs of the fields burnt up, and the Beaſts of the Earth languiſh, mens Hearts failing them for fear, Hoſea 4.3. O what ſhall we do for Rain! the fruits of the Earth will be deſtroyed, and we fear a Famine; when it is thus with a Land, or Nation, who can help them, who can ſave them, but the God of Heaven? then he makes his power known, and calleth for the Waters of the Sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the Earth, Amos 5.8. then the God of Heaven gives Rain from Heaven; In that he do…h good, and gives us Rain from Heaven, and fruitful ſeaſons, filling our Hearts with food and gladneſs, Acts 14.17. Ships that go upon the great and wide Sea from Nation to Nation, are often wind bound, and cannot make their way, and ſometimes lie at their Anchor, p. 35for want of a fair wind, many days and weeks: the poor ſea-men look out, and look up to Heaven for a Wind, that they may proceed on their Voyage, then they are troubled ſaying, O! that we had a fair wind to carry us to our deſired port; then the Lord ſheweth his mercy, and goodneſs to them, in turning the wind, and brings it about, and carrys them to their deſired haven: then they are glad and rejoyce, and bleſs and praiſe his holy name, that bringeth forth the Wind out of his Treaſures, Jer. 10.13. So when they meet with foul weather at ſea, and are in great diſtreſs, and danger of being caſt away; the Sea working, the Waters ſtanding up like ſo many Mountains; the Wind bearing hard on them; then all hopes of life and ſafety are taken from them, then fear ſeizeth them, and the thoughts of drowning terrifies them: O! we ſhall go down to the bottom of the Sea, and we are afraid, we ſhall riſe up again in the flames of Hell; then they unto the Lord do cry for help, when none can help them but the God of Heaven; he ſpeaks to the Winds, and bids them be ſtill, and they obey him, and to the raging Sea, and the Waters become quiet and ſtill; Then they ſee the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep, his goodneſs and mercies towards them. See the 107 Pſalm.

Thirdly, See his love and grace in his word: More to be deſired are they than Gold, yea than much fine Gold: ſweeter alſo than honey and the honey comb; moreover, by them is thy Servant warned; and in keeping of them there is great reward, Pſalm 19.10, 11.

The Prophet Micah makes an enquiry, and the enquiry is this: What will pleaſe the Lord? Will the Lord be pleaſed with thouſands of Rams: or with ten thouſands of Rivers of Oyl? Micah 6.7. Now if nothing leſs than this will pleaſe the Lord, then the Rich would be happy, and the poor would be miſerable. But the Prophet puts it farther; Shall I give my firſt born for my transgreſſion, the fruit of my Body for the Sin of my Soul? verſe 7.

Poor People though they have not thouſands of Rams, and ten thouſands of Rivers of Oyl, yet they have a great many Children to take care of, and to provide for: though they are their comforts, yet they are their care and trouble, to feed them, and cloth them; therefore to part with theſe, if the Lord ſhould require it of them, as he did of Abraham: And he ſaid, Take now thy Son, thine onelyonly Son Iſaac, whom thou loveſt, and get thee into the land of Moriah: and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the Mountains which I will tell thee, Gen. 22.2. Would they not willingly do it, and ſay, Here they are, Lord take them, if this will pleaſe thee? O ſee here his love and grace in the next words! He hath ſhewed thee, O man! what is good; and what d…th the Lord require of thee, but to do Juſtly, and to love Mercy, and to walk Humbly with thy God? verſe 8. O! ſee here, thouſands of Rams, and ten thouſands of Rivers of Oyl are not required of thee, nor thy firſt Born, nor the fruit of thy Body, this is not required of thee, but to do Juſtly, and to love Mercy, and to walk Humbly with thy God, this is that which is required of thee: This is that good which the Lord hath ſhewed us. We have many to ſerve, but one to pleaſe, and that is God; he followeth us with his Mercies, and ſhall not we follow him by Prayer and Praiſes. He multiplies his mercies, that he may preſerve us, and he magnifies his mercies, that he may ſave us. The Lord will not allow, that the wiſe man ſhould glory in his wiſdom, nor the mighty man to glory in his might, nor the rich man to glory in his riches, Jeremiah 9.23. a man would think, that if any men under Heaven might glory, theſe might do it, and yet let not the wiſe man, let not the mighty man, let not the rich man glory in his riches, nor the mighty man glory in his might, nor the wiſe man glory in his wiſdom. If theſe men may not glory, who then may glory? ſee v. 24. But let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he underſtandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord, which exerciſe loving Kindneſs, Judgment and Righteouſneſs in the Earth: for in theſe things I delight, ſaith the Lord. A child of God may glory, but a child of wrath may not; a Son may glory, but a Slave may not; a Saint may glory, but a Sinner may not; he that glorieth in worldly-wiſdom, glorieth in fooliſhneſs; hath not God made fooliſhneſs the wiſdom of this world? For the world by wiſdom knew not God, 1 Cor. 1.20, 31. He that glorieth in carnal might, glorieth in nothing; he bringeth the Princes to nothing, Iſai. 40.23. he that glorieth in earthly riches, glorieth in that which is not; Wilt thou ſet thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themſelves wings, they fly away as an Eagle towards Heaven. Prov. 23.5. Will men then glory in ſo little? This is the glory of Vanity: This is the glory of Pride, which the Lord will ſtain. The Lord of Hoſts p. 39hath purpoſed it, to ſtain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the Earth, Iſai. 23.9. But every true Child of God may glory in this, that they know the Lord experimentally, and ſavingly: His power that is ſo glorious, his ways that are ſo juſt, his word that is ſo true, his name that is ſo excellent, his wiſdom that is ſo great, his grace that is ſo full, his promiſes that are ſo precious, his people that are ſo happy, his mercies that endure for ever, his works that are ſo wonderful, his Spirit that leads into all truth, his loving kindneſs that he never takes from them, and that glorious inheritance which is laid up in Heaven for them: now this every poor Saint may glory in; therefore let no man glory in men, for all things are yours, 1 Cor. 3.21. Thus I have ſhewed you God in his works, and in his providences, and here I am ſhewing you God in his Word, that you may know the God of Heaven.

There are amongſt men ſeveral Ranks, Degrees, and Qualities: ſome are mighty, ſome are wiſe, ſome are rich, and ſome are poor men; now amongſt all theſe, whom hath God choſen to be his peculiar people? the Apoſtle James tells us; Hearken my Beloved Brethren, hath not God p. 40choſen the Poor of this World, Rich in Faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promiſed to them that love him, Jam. 2.5. Outwardly Poor, but inwardly Rich: little in hand, but much in hope, and in the promiſe; poor in Spirit, but theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven: they that have the leaſt of the Earth have moſt of Heaven, they have tha… faith which is the ſubſtance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not ſeen, Heb. 11.1. Every true believer hath in Faith and in Hope all that God hath promiſed, and all that Chriſt hath pu…chaſed, and all that the Spirit can apply; God hath begun that good work in them, and they have choſen that good part, which they will not part with for all the Silver in America, nor for all the Gold in Africa. O! ye holy and bleſſed Angels that ſhine in heavenly glory brighter than the Sun; on Earth; admire the depth of the riches, both of the love and grace of God, in that he hath choſen the Poor of this World, Rich in Faith, & heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven, to be your Companions, & to be as the Angels of God in Heaven, Mat. 22.30. O! what a bleſſed Choice is this? O! ye inhabitants of the Earth fear and tremble before the God of the Spirits of all Fleſh; And Kiſs the Son, p. 41leſt he be angry, and ye periſh from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little: bleſſed are all they that put their truſt in him; Pſal. 2.12. Rejoyce and be glad, O! all ye his Saints, and bleſs and praiſe the God of Heaven, that ſets up his Church, and hath choſen, you to ſalvation, through ſanctification, to be the Companions of Angels; and Heirs, and joynt Heirs with Chriſt, if ſo be that we ſuffer with him, that we may be alſo glorified together, Rom. 8.17.

But ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the City of the living God, the Heavenly Jeruſalem, an innumerable company of Angels, to the general aſſembly, and Church of the firſt born, which are written in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the Spirits of Juſt men made perfect, and to Jeſus the Mediator of the new Covenant, and to the Bloud of ſprinkling, that ſpeaketh better things than that of Abel, Heb. 12.22, 23, 24. by this you may learn to know God, which is life eternal to know, Joh. 17.3.

Thirdly, I am to ſhew you the time when this Kingdom was to be ſet up. In the Days of theſe Kings ſhall the God of Heaven ſet up a Kingdom; let him that hath underſtanding mind well theſe three things.

The Days.

The Kings.

The Way.

Firſt, Of the days here ſpoken of; they are here called the latter days. But there is a God in Heaven, that revealeth ſecrets, and maketh known to the King Nebuchadnezzar what ſhall be in the latter days, Daniel. 2.28. the myſtery of God that was revealed, and made known to Daniel, what ſhould be in the latter days in the Kingdoms of men, and in the Church of God; theſe latter days were to be the days of the Goſpel, for ſo are the Goſpel days called, both in the Old Teſtament, and in the New, by the Prophets, and by the Apoſtles. Goſpel days are called latter days, and ſome times laſt days. And it ſhall come to paſs in the laſt days, that the mountain of the Lords Houſe ſhall be eſtabliſhed in the top of the Mountains, and ſhall be exalted above the Hills; & all Nations ſhall flow unto it, Iſa. 2.2. The anger of the Lord ſhall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart; in the latter days ye ſhall conſider it perfectly, Jer. 23.20. And thou ſhalt come up againſt my People of Iſrael, as a Cloud to cover the Land, it ſhall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee againſt my Land, that the Heathen may know me, when I ſhall be ſanctified in thee, O Gog! p. 43before their eyes, Ezek. 38.16. Now I am come to make thee underſtand what ſhall befal thy People in the latter days, for yet the viſion is for many days, Daniel 10.14. Afterward ſhall the Children of Iſrael return, and ſeek the Lord their God, and David their King, and ſhall fear the Lord, and his goodneſs in the latter days, Hoſ. 3.5. But in the laſt days it ſhall come to paſs, that the Mountain of the houſe of the Lord ſhall be eſtabliſhed in the top of the Mountains, and it ſhall be exalted above the hills, and people ſhall flow unto it, Mic. 4.1.

And it ſhall come to paſs in the laſt days, ſaith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all Fleſh: and your Sons and your daughters ſhall prophecy, and your young men ſhall ſee viſions, and your old men ſhall dream dreams, Acts 2.17. Now the Spirit ſpeaketh expreſly, that in the latter times ſome ſhall depart from the faith, giving heed to ſeducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils, 1 Tim. 4.1. This know alſo, that in the laſt days perillous times ſhall come, 2 Tim. 3.1. He hath in theſe laſt days ſpoken unto us by his ſon, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom alſo he made the Worlds, Heb. 1.2. knowing this firſt, that there ſhall come in the laſt days ſcoffers, walking after their own luſts, 2 Pet. 3.3. Little Children, it is the laſt time: and p. 44as ye have heard that Antichriſt ſhall come, even now are there many Anti…hriſts, w…reby we know that it is the …ſt time, 1 John 2.18. How that they told you there ſhould be mockers in the laſt …e, who ſhould walk after their own luſt, Jude 18.

Here you ſee is a cloud of witneſſes, the Prophets, and the Apoſtles, they have all teſtified, and ſpoken of this fully, and plainly, that the latter days, and laſt days are Goſpel days; For ſo are they called in the Scriptures of truth: then the days of theſe Kings were to be no other than Goſpel days: in the days of theſe Kings, that is, in Goſpel days.

Secondly, Of the Kings, that were to be in Goſpel times, for if the days of theſe Kings were to be Goſpel days, then theſe Kings muſt be in Goſpel times. This is ſo clear and plain, that it cannot be denied, theſe Kings were to ariſe out of the Fourth Kingdom, that was to be as ſtrong as Iron. And after thee ſhall ariſe another Kingdom inferiour to thee, and another third Kingdom of Braſs, which ſhall bear rule over all the Earth, and the fourth Kingdom ſhall be as ſtrong as Iron: for as much as Iron breaketh in pieces, and ſubdueth all things: and as Iron that breaketh all theſe, ſhall it break in Pieces and bruiſe; and whereas thou ſaweſt the p. 45Feet and Toes, part of Potters Clay, and part of Iron: the Kingdom ſhall be div…ded, but there ſhall be in it of the ſtrength of the Iron, for as much as thou ſaweſt the Iron m…xed with miry clay, and as the toes of the feet were part of Iron, and part of Clay, ſo the Kingdom ſhall be partly ſtrong and partly broken. Dan. 2.39, 40, 41, 42.

And four great beaſts came up from the Sea, divers one from another. The firſt was like a Lion, and had Eagles Wings: and I beheld till the Wings thereof were pluckt, and it was lifted up from the Earth, and made ſtand upon the feet as a man, and a mans heart was given to it; and behold, another Beaſt, a Second, like to a Bear, and it raiſed up it ſelf on one ſide, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it, between the teeth of it: and they ſaid thus unto it, Ariſe, devour much fleſh. After this, I beheld, and lo, another like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beaſt had alſo four Heads, and dominion was given to it. And after this I ſaw in the night viſions, and behold a fourth beaſt, dreadful and terrible, and ſtrong ex…eedingly, and it had great Iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces and ſtamp…d the reſidue of …t with the feet; and it was divers from all …he beaſts that were before it and it had ten Horns, Dan. 7.3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Thus he ſaid, p. 46The fourth beaſt ſhall be the fourth Kingdom upon Earth, which ſhall be diverſe from all Kingdoms, and ſhall devour the whole Earth, and ſhall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten Horns out of this Kingdom are ten Kings that ſhall ariſe, and another ſhall ariſe after them, and he ſhall be diverſe from the firſt, and he ſhall ſubdue three Kings, verſe 23, 24. The truth of this will yet farther appear to us, becauſe theſe Kings are ſo often named, and ſpoken of in the New Teſtament. And ye ſhall be brought before Governours and Kings for my ſake, for a Teſtimony againſt them, and the Gentiles, Mat. 10.18. Take heed to your ſelves: for they ſhall deliver you up to Counſels, and in the Synagogues ye ſhall be beaten; and ye ſhall be brought before Rulers and Kings for my ſake, for a Teſtimony againſt them, Mark 13.9. And he ſaid unto them, The Kings of the Gentiles exerciſe Lordſhip over them, and they that exerciſe Authority upon them are called Benefactors, Luke 22.25. But the Lord ſaid unto him, Go thy way; for he it a choſen Veſſel unto me, to bear my Name before the Gentiles, and Kings, and the Children of Iſrael, Acts 9.15. And the Kings of the Earth, & the great men, and the rich men, and the chief Captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, & every freeman, hid themſelve… p. 47in the Dens, and in the Rocks of the Mountains, Rev. 6.15. 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 battel of that great day of God Almighty, Rev. 16.14. And in the 17th chapter they are mentioned five times. With whom the Kings of the Earth have committed fornication, and the Inhabiters of the Earth have been drunk with the Wine of her fornication, Rev. 17.2. And there are ſeven Kings, five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come: and when he cometh, he muſt continue a ſhort ſpace, Verſe 10. And the ten Horns which thou ſaweſt, are ten Kings; which have received no Kingdom as yet, but receive power as Kings one hour with the beaſt, Verſe 12. And the woman which thou ſaweſt, is that great City, which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth, Rev. 18.3.9. Verſe 18. This is ſo clear, and very plain, that I need not ſay any more as to this: for in the days of theſe Kings ſhall the God of Heaven ſet up a Kingdom, Rev. 19.18, 19.

Thirdly, Of the way, and manner how this Kingdom was to be ſet up. It was propheſied by Iſaiah the Prophet; For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the Government ſhall be upon his ſhoulders: and his Name ſhall be called Wonderful, Counſellor, the Mighty God, the Everlaſting Father, the Prince of Peace, Iſa. 9.6. Therefore, thus ſaith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation, a ſtone, a trye▪ ſtone, a precious ſtone, a corner ſtone, 1 Pet. 2.6. a ſure foundation, and he that believeth on him, ſhall not be confounded, Iſa. 28.16. Now what way did God take to bring this about? this way, he made Providences fulfil Prophecies; And it came to paſs in thoſe days, that there went out a Decree from Caeſar Auguſtus, that all the World ſhould be taxed, and all went to be taxed, every one in his own City: And Joſeph alſo went up from Galilee, out of the City oſ Nazareth, into Judea, unto the City of David, which is called Bethlehem, (becauſe he was of the houſe and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his eſpouſed Wife, being great with child: And ſo it was, that while they were there, the days were accompliſhed that ſhe ſhould be delivered, and ſhe brought forth her firſt born Son, Luke 2.1. to 7. Little did Caeſar Auguſtus think, when he made this Decree, that all the World ſhould be taxed, what this was to do; what this was to accompliſh, and fulfil; this thing brought up the holy Child Jeſus from Galilee, out of the City of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the City of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be brought forth, and born there, according to the Scriptures; and they ſaid unto him, in Bethlehem of Judea: For thus it is written by the Prophet, Micah 5.2. Mat. 2.5. This brought the wiſe men from the Eaſt that came to worſhip him, verſe 2. This brought the Angel to the Shepherds, as they were abiding in the field, keeping watch over their ſlock by night: This brought the Shepherds to the Manger wherein the Babe lay. And when they had ſeen it, they made known abroad the ſaying which was told them concerning this Child, Luke 2, 16, 17. This brought the good tydings of great Joy, which ſhall be to all people, verſe 10. This Providence fulfill'd many Prophecies: As God had ſpoken by the mouth of his holy Prophets, which have been ſince the World began, Luke 1.70. Then was fulfilled that Prophecy; Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation, a ſlone, a tryed ſtone, a precious corner ſtone, a ſure foundation.

When the Holy Ghoſt came upon the Apoſtles, that they were filled with it; when this was noiſed abroad, the multi…ude came together, and were confounded, becauſe that every man heard them ſpeak in his …wn Language, Act. 2.4. As the Providence duplicate page duplicate page of God brought up Joſeph and Mary to Bethlehem; ſo by a ſpecial Providence o… God, was this great multitude brought to that meeting, where the Apoſtles and others were aſſembled together; and no ſooner were they come within the ſound of the Apoſtles words, and under the power of God's holy Spirit, but three thouſand of them were converted. Oh▪ what a bleſſed Providence was this! they came with a ſtone in their hearts, bu… went away broken hearted: they came ſpiritually dead, dead in their ſins an… treſpaſſes; but they went away quickned and full of ſpiritual life: they came fu… of enmity, and prejudice againſt Chriſ… Jeſus, and his holy ways; but they wen… away full of Faith, Love, and Joy, in believing in that Jeſus whom they had crucified: they came Subjects of the Princ… of the power of the Air; but they wen… away called, and choſen, Children of th… free Woman: they came covered with … vail of ignorance, blindneſs, and darkneſs but they went away Children of the light and of the day: The vail was rent, tha… was over their hearts, and the gloriou… light of the Goſpel ſhined into them, b… the power of God's Word, and Spirit then were their Conſciences awakened p. 51and they were pricked in their hearts, and …heir minds were enlightned, their affe…tions raiſed, then they humbled them…elves before the Lord, and ſaid unto Pe…er, and to the reſt of the Apoſtles, Men …nd Brethren, what ſhall we do? Then they …ad a ſight, and ſenſe of their ſins; the Word of Truth having taken hold on …hem, and the Spirit having made its own way into their hearts; this brought them …rom the Law to the Goſpel, and from Moſes to Chriſt Jeſus, that was full of …race, and truth; this brought them from …he Temple-worſhip of the Jews, to wor…hip God in ſpirit, and in truth; this …rought them from the National Church …f the Jews, to the Church of Chriſt. And …he ſame day there was added unto them …bout three thouſand ſouls: and they con…nued ſtedfaſtly in the Apoſtles Doctrine, …nd fellowſhip, and in breaking of bread, and … prayers, Acts 2.42.

O! what a wonderful work of God was …his! theſe were Jews, and Proſelytes, ſome …f all Nations under Heaven, that were …urn'd from Darkneſs to Light, and from …he power of Satan unto God. And there …ere dwelling at Jeruſalem Jews, devout …en, out of every nation under Heaven. Now …hen this was noiſed abroad, the multitude p. 52came together, and were confounded, becauſe that every man heard them ſpeak in his own language. And they were all amazed, and marvelled, ſaying one to another, Behold, are not all theſe which ſpeak, Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born. Acts. 2.5, 6, 7, 8. By this you may ſee how the Kingdom was ſet up in that day.

But let us ſee what was then done in other places, the People of Samaria were then under great darkneſs, having been of a long time deceived, and bewitched by Simons Sorcery. But there was a certain man called Simon, which before time i… the ſame City uſed Sorcery, and bewitched the People of Samaria, giving out that himſelf was ſome great one, to whom they all gat… heed, from the leaſt to the greateſt, ſaying that this man is the great power of God, an… to him they had regard, becauſe that of a lon… time he had bewitched them with Sorcerie… Acts 8.9, 10, 11. What a ſad and miſerable condition were theſe People then in … They were in the Devils ſnare, and i… the bonds of iniquity, and in the gall o… bitterneſs, but Philip went down to the City of Samaria, and preached Chriſt unto them, ver. 5. Philip being armed wit… power from above, and under the ric… p. 53anointing of the holy Spirit, and in the fulneſs of the bleſſing of the Goſpel, and being enriched with all ſpiritual bleſſings; having the Sword of the Spirit, and that precious faith which overcomes the evil one. That bleſſed ſervant of God com…ng amongſt theſe Poor blind People, did ſo convince them, and inlighten them by …he everlaſting Goſpel, that he then Preach'd to them, and by the miracles …hat he did in their ſight, that many of …hem believed, both men, and women, and were baptized, and Simon himſelf believed …lſo.

Wherever the Goſpel comes in Power, it …reaks & confounds the Devils Kingdom: Sorcerers, and Falſe Teachers cannot ſtand …efore it; it ſwallows up Darkneſs; it …eſtroys Superſtition, and Idolatry; It …onfounds the Wiſdom of this World; …t cuts aſunder the bonds of Iniquity; and …t opens the eyes of the blind; It cauſeth …oy in Heaven amongſt the Angels; and …t brings peace, and good will to men on Earth. For I am not aſhamed of the Goſpel … Chriſt: for it is the power of God unto Sal…ation, to every one that believeth, Rom. ….16. When the Goſpel is let looſe, it …ill run, and it will conquer, and over…ome Sorcerers, Idolaters, Perſecutors, p. 54and Blaſphemers; the very Devils cannot ſtand before it, it makes them tremble and fly: the Goſpel is the arm of God, the power of God, the Spirit of his mouth, which conſumes, and deſtroys, and pulls down ſtrong holds, caſting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth it ſelf againſt the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Chriſt, 2 Cor. 10.5.

When the Apoſtle Paul fled from the Cruelties of the Jews, to the Juſtice of the Romans; from the rage, and malice of the Jews, to the equity and charity of the Romans, Acts 28.16. he was brought … Priſoner to Rome, that was then a Synagogue of Satan, a Temple of darkneſs, a City too ſuperſtitious, a place of abominable Idolatry; they were Heathens, an… yet were more kind to the Apoſtle Paul than his Country-men the Jews; for the… gave him leave to dwell two whole years i… his own hired houſe, and received all th… came unto him, preaching the Kingdom o… God, and teaching thoſe things which concer… the Lord Jeſus Chriſt with all confidence, … man forbidding him, Acts 28.30, 31. Here by the ſound of his words, and by th… ſound of his chain many were awakened by his Sermons, and by his Sufferings man… p. 55were converted of theſe Romans, light ſprung up, and light broke forth, by the glorious Goſpel of Chriſt Jeſus, which Paul Preached unto them; that a Church was here gathered and ſet up, That their …aith was ſpoken of throughout the whole world, Rom. 1.8. Oh the depth of the riches both of …he Wiſdom and knowledge of God; how un…earchable are his Judgments? and his ways …aſt finding out, Rom. 11.33. Next let us …ee what God wrought by Pauls miniſtry …n the City of Corinth.

The Apoſtle Paul, having paſt through …everal parts in Aſia, he came to the City …f Corinth; and finding there a poor man, …nd his wife, Aquila, and Priſcilla, that …ad been baniſhed from Italy by Claudius …or their Religion, they came and dwelt …n the City of Corinth; and the Apoſtle …aul became their gueſt, being of the ſame …ccupation, (Tent-makers) and he con…nued there a year and ſix months, in which time, he did ſo batter down the Devils Kingdom of Darkneſs, and Blind…eſs, Superſtition, and Idolatry; and …otwithſtanding the great oppoſitions he …here met with, both from the Jews, and …he Heathens, God Almighty did ſo …leſs his labours, and crown his Mi…ſtry with that ſucceſs, that many of the p. 56Corinthians believed, and were baptized, and here alſo was a glorious Church gathered and ſet up, That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge, even as the teſtimony of Chriſt was confirmed in you, ſo that ye come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Cor. 1.5, 6, 7. and ſee Acts 18.

As God did of old ſet up a Kingdom in the days of the Pharaohs Kings of Egypt, when the Children of Iſrael went down into Egypt, they were but few in number, a very ſmall number; being but threeſcore and ten, Gen. 46.27. but when they went out of Egypt, they were many hundred thouſands: they went into Egypt weak and feeble, but they went out ſtrong and mighty: they were poor and needy when they went in, but they went out with great ſubſtance.

So in the days of the Goſpel, the Go… of Heaven did then ſet up a Kingdom, i… the days of the Herods, in the days of th… Caeſars; and this he did in the ſight of hi… Enemies, and in the face of all oppoſitions The very Enemies themſelves did confeſs in that day, that they were not abl… to hinder it, nor to overthrow it. Th… Phariſees therefore ſaid among themſelve… p. 57Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? Behold, the World is gone after him, John 12.19. At the beginning of the Goſpel-days this Church of Chriſt, or Kingdom that the God of Heaven did then ſet up, was very little, and ſmall; And the number of their names together were about an hundred and twenty, Acts 1.15. But the Lord did ſoon increaſe them; And there was added unto them about three thouſand Souls, Acts 2.41. Next you find they were multitudes; And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart, and of one ſoul: neither ſaid any of them, that ought of the things which he poſſeſſed, was his own, but they had all things common, Acts 4.32. And the believers were the more added to the Lord; multitudes both of men, and women, Acts 5.14. And thus you ſee from an hundred and twenty, they became thouſands, and from thouſands to multitudes, ſo great a multitude, as no man could number, of all Nations, and Kindreds, and People, and Tongues. By this you may plainly ſee, and underſtand, the way and manner how the God of Heaven …in the days of theſe Kings did ſet up a Kingdom, and this he will do to the end of the World.