A Discourse of Earthquakes, Title page – Preface

A Discourse of Earthquakes · Title page – Preface

A DISCOURSE OF Earthquakes; AS THEY ARE Supernatural and Premonitory Signs to a Nation; with a reſpect to what hath occurred in this Year 1692. And ſome ſpecial Reflections thereon.

AS ALSO On that Security and Aſſurance of Mind, which is attainable in the Light and Power of Religion, under the greateſt Surprizals, and Terrors of Senſe.

WITH SOME Enquiry upon the Grounds both of our Fears and Hopes, as to the publick State of the Church of Chriſt in this day.

By the Author of the Fulfilling of the Scriptures.

LONDON: Printed for Thomas Parkhuſt at the Three Bibles and Crown in Cheapſide, and Jonathan Robinſon at the Golden Lyon in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1693.

THE PREFACE.

IT is ſure that the great Intent of Religion, is to bring Men unto a near Communion and Intimacy with God, whilſt they are here on the Earth, both by his Word and Providences; and where this End is not deſigned, it is a very low Intereſt that can be made by the Profeſſion thereof: For it may be evident, how the Intellectual Part of Man, when it is in a ſerious and true Exerciſe, must tend either to their greateſt Torment, or to an unexpreſſible Joy, when they cannot but ſee that their Good is not in their own Hand, but muſt every Moment be dependent on an inviſible Refuge and Support; ſince Men are no Statues, but in the ſolid uſe of Reaſon, muſt have deep Impreſſions, both as to fears and hopes of future Events, and how ſad and ſurprizing Changes may be near, in the Publick State of Nations and Cities, as well as of Perſons, when all Humane Refuges and Aſſiſtances will fail; yea, when then the great Lawgiver's Right and Authority to a Paſſive Obedience, will be found indiſputable in the way of Judgment, over ſuch, who would not acknowledge the ſame by Active Obedience, under a Treaty of Grace. But yet, ſuch is the tender Regard of the Majeſty of God to Humane Race, and to the Work of his own Hand, that in the moſt ſevere, judicial Procedure with a People and Nation, he does not ſurprize without previous Warnings before the Decree go forth, and hath a time of Patience herein, if ſo be, the Voice of threatned Judgment might be regarded; and whereby ſuch Stroaks, as have at laſt made deſolate, might have been prevented: Tho I find not either in Divine or Humane Record, that any Kingdom or People, did truly meet God in the way of his Wrath, to put a Stop thereto, upon extraordinary premonitory Signs, except that one Inſtance of Nineve. I know it is no eaſie thing to underſtand Warnings from Heaven aright, and to have a clear Interpretation of ſuch Providences, or to diſcern the Approaches of Divine Vengeance, when ſuch tender Intervals of Forbearance, as are uſual betwixt one Step and another thereof, takes off all Fear of a greater Woe that may be to come. There are Two things which may occaſion ſome deep and ſerious Thought about the ſame, with reſpect to this Juncture of Time we are now in: The Firſt is, as to that Difference which is betwixt extraordinary Warnings in the way of a Treaty, and ſuch aſtoniſhing Providences, as are of a predicting Nature, as preſaging Signs, and as a Signal of Judgment in its near Approach to particular Places, which ſpeaks the Certainty of what is ſignified thereby: This is a Subject that may ſurely cauſe matter of great Reflection upon what hath been both of late, and for ſome conſiderable time paſt, made viſible by ſtrange and unuſual Diſcoveries of God this way, both from the Heavens, and the Earth beneath: Nor can it be in the Dark, how ſuch are become then portentous Signs and Prognoſtications of future Events; when they ceaſe to affect and warn, or to work in a monitory way upon Mens Spirits; when the ſaddest of moral Signs does not awaken, nor tend to reclaim; when the Dread and Reverence of God does not accompany the moſt extraordinary Occurences of Providence, but Men thus become rather more hardned; yea, when ſuch unuſual Signs meet in an extraordinary Seaſon of Sin, and point as with the Finger thereat; which is a Conjunction of another kind, that hath a more diſmal Aſpect, than all that was ever pretended, or feared from the Planets: But oh! who ſhall live when God does this, and does ceaſe to warn any more, after renewed and unuſual Methods he hath taken with this Generation for this end? But there is a Second thing to be matter alſo of ſerious Thoughts herewith, for what ends ſuch extraordinary Signs may be directed, ſince they never be in vain, when now there ſeems no promiſing Efficacy or Influence therewith, on the Spirits of moſt, and are ſo eaſily paſt, as if they had no Commiſſion from Heaven to diſcharge: But ſure then is it that the Majeſty of God will make known, he hath not forſaken the Earth; ſo that when his Word hath no Regard or Intercourſe with Mens Souls, he will not yet leave them without ſome ſenſible Demonſtration of himſelf, and of a Divine and Inviſible Power above them; as this way he will alſo awake and put his People more on their Watch, and to be on a preparatory Work, whatever Storm may be to blow.

This Scripture on which the following Diſcourſe is founded, does give a moſt ſingular Account, how far a Christian may be raiſed above his ordinary reach, by a ſpecial Faith, in the Power and Evidence thereof, when it can have no poſſible Riſe from any natural Cauſe; yea, as there is a Suppoſal here made of ſuch a prodigious Concuſſion of the Earth, as if the Frame of Nature ſhould be diſſolved by ſome Earthquake, and is there literally to be understood; it did give a ſpecial Call to ſpeak thereon in the firſt part of this Diſcourſe, when ſuch a concurrent Call was alſo in the way of Providence thereto, and to offer ſome ſpecial Reflections on what hath in this laſt Year 1692 occurred. I know the Publiſhing thereof, might ſeem now too late, tho I hope it may be the more ſeaſonable to revive the Senſe and Remembrance thereof, after ſome others have, (I doubt not) with much Advantage diſcours'd on the ſame Providence, tho I knew not thereof, when this was writ.

And I had not the leaſt Thought to have touched any thing of that Additional Diſcourſe which is in the Cloſe, if (in the Bleſſed Diſpoſal of the Lord) there had not then been ſome remarkable concurring Providence, which thus put me to ſome deep and ſerious Thoughts on ſuch a Subject, and to have my Soul more nearly join'd in therewith, for keeping Sight of the way of the Lord, in ſuch Steps thereof, as needed his ſpecial Conduct and Teaching, in a more than ordinary way.

p. 1A DISCOURSE OF Earthquakes.

Pſal. 46. 1, 2, 3.God is our refuge and strength, a very preſent help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the Earth be removed: And though the Mountains be carried into the midſt of the Sea. Though the Waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the Mountains ſhake with the ſwelling thereof.

IT is one of the moſt adorable Myſteries of Truth, that for an Eternity the glorious God would hide himſelf within himſelf, in that unconceivable Fellowſhip, and Enjoyment of the Bleſſed p. 2Trinity when there was no created Exiſtence. But as ſuch a Reflection muſt be bounded with a Becoming Silent and Humble Admiration, as being too wonderful for us to think on; ſo is it Matter for the higheſt Joy and Exultation of Spirit, that we ſhould have this day ſuch a Being as admits us to ſee and enquire upon the Glory of that Work, which he hath brought forth within time, ſo infinitely becoming the Perfections of the Deity; and to have ſo clear a Diſcovery of the ſame, not only in the whole Diſpenſation of Nature and Providence, but as it's more nearly relative to us in the Diſpenſation of Grace, and in the Speciality of that Work that he hath about each of his People in this Militant State; yea, thus to ſee on what Security we are fixed againſt the greateſt Hazards, and fear of future Events: It was on this account that the Pſalmist here, bears ſo great and wonderful a Teſtimony for God, and to the ſureneſs of their State, who have him to be their alone Refuge, and truſt in the moſt extream Caſe.

This is indeed a rare paſſage of Scripture, and does imply, 1. A Suppoſal of that which is one of the moſt tremendous Providences that can occur, a Concuſſion of p. 3the Earth, whereby the whole frame of Nature would ſeem not only to be ſhaken, and caſt into a trembling poſture, but turned out of its place: And there is nor eaſon to account a Metaphor that the Pſalmist makes uſe of, but to be taken in the literal Senſe, as that which is ſuppoſable may occur to the moſt excellent on the Earth. But 2. What is more wonderful here, is a Suppoſal made of ſuch a Stupendous Earthquake by this Man of God, as though it were preſent and viſible to his Senſe, without any Trepidation or Earthquake on his Soul, to ſhew what a pitch ſometimes the Faith of Aſſurance may be at, and what Relief thus is attainable amidſt the greateſt Terrors of Senſe, in the Light and Power of Religion, as is above the Comprehenſion of Nature. He was one who had made a great Tryal of God, and of Acquaintance with him by inward Converſe, and does thus ſpeak in a Dialect that's not intelligible to ſuch who may pretend the higheſt Flight by Reaſon in the Searches of Nature.

I ſhall offer ſome Propoſitions for a more clear Underſtanding and Improvement of this Scripture; the firſt whereof is this, That the moſt ſelect and eminent of the Saints may meet with ſuch a Trial to their Faith p. 4of the ſame nature as is here mentioned, of ſome extraordinary Concuſſion of the Earth, as would ſeem to overturn the ſetled Courſe and Conſtitutions of Nature: It is true, ſuch a ſtrange Providence is not ſtill alike in the ſame manner or meaſure, but ſometimes is with the moſt tender Reguard, as a premonitory Warning and Sign only, when at other times it is with the greateſt Terror of an immediate deſolating Judgment.

That a Suppoſal of this kind may be ſuitable to the moſt endeared Favourites of Heaven, needs be no ſtrange or difficult thing, when it's conſidered how it's by no external Providences the Lord hath deſign'd the more ſpecial Diſcoveries of his Love to his People, and that no Tryal can be ſo aſtoniſhing or at ſuch a pitch, as to exceed the meaſure and allowance of their Grace; but that the Expence this way be ever proportioned to their Receipts, and Meaſure of Faith; yea, how it is to the moſt diſmal Tryals and Extremity the Lord hath reſerved the greateſt Experiments of his diſtinguiſhing reſpects to Chriſtians, and where his leading into the one by an immediate Conduct, hath been made ſo obſervable to make way for the other, and ſome more extraordinary appearance of himſelf in ſuch a caſe.

p. 5It is not needful to inſiſt on any Concurrence of natural and occult Cauſes, that may be in ſo ſtupendous a Providence, when ſuch Difficulty and Contradiction is to be ſeen amongſt the late Writers, and ſuch as have made the greateſt ſearch upon this Head; and is ſo conjectural and problematick a thing, to know what Influence herein the Sun may have, or Subterraneous Fires, as Deſcartes ſpeaks; or mineral Vapours and Irruptions of Winds, penned up in the Caverns and Bowels of the Earth; ſo dark is the Judgment that is on ſuch an amazing Phenomenon, though it fall in within the Sphere of Nature, when it is ſo viſibly preternatural, beſides the Courſe thereof. But it's a remarkable Reflection which Ariſtotle makes, ſpeaking upon this very Subject, that they muſt be bruitiſh and ſtupid who are not deeply affected with ſo amazing a thing as an Earthquake, not only upon the Hazard, but as to the Original and Cauſe thereof; yea, whatever ſubſerviency the Majeſty of God may make of inferiour Cauſes in ſuch Providences, when he does in ſo ſtupendous a way appear; yet it calls us to a deep and tremendous Senſe hereof, as his alone Work.

But ſince this is a Subject of ſuch Weight, and what may juſtly cauſe great Thoughts p. 6of Heart in the preſent day, I ſhall ſpeak a little to ſome ſpecial Enquiries hereon. The First is this, on what clear and infallible Grounds ſuch an aſtoniſhing Concuſſion of the Earth by an Earthquake, ſhould be reckoned as a divine Sign, and to have a ſupernatural Cauſality in directing the ſame to a Nation, and ſome particular place more than to others; for giving Light thereto. 1. It cannot poſſibly be denied that ſuch as are Sacred Signs, and expreſly foretold in the Scripture to take place, muſt have a divine and ſupernatural Cauſality for accompliſhing the ſame, that go above all inferiour or ſecondaryCauſes, and can have no dependance thereon. 2. It's ſure alſo, how this ſtupendous Providence is in a peculiar way reſerved by the Lord to be a Demonſtration of himſelf to the World, in the greatneſs of his Power and more immediate Preſence, by making that which he hath ſetled and made firm in it ſelf, not only to ſhake, but cleave aſunder; to ſhew his abſolute Dominion over the moſt ſetled Conſtitutions of Nature. Thus did he in ſuch a way cauſe the Earth to rent in two, and ſwallow Dathan and Abiram, to ſet up ſuch a ſtupendous Sign of Judgment hereby, where Nature could have no Concurrence; yea, in this way, though in a promiſſory Senſe p. 7did the Lord give ſo extraordinary a Demonstration of himſelf and of his immediate Preſence upon that marvelous Effuſion of the Spirit, Act. 4. 31. when he cauſed the Houſe and Earth to ſhake underneath; both to ſeize their Spirits with a more deep Fear and Reverence, and as a Sign that he would make the Nations to ſhake and tremble before his divine Power by the Goſpel. Yea, in the ſame manner did he bear Teſtimony to the Divinity of Chriſt in his Sufferings, by ſuch a tremendous Earthquake, as an immediate and ſupernatural Sign; in which ſenſe through the Scripture as it is ever given, as an extraordinary appearance of God for ſome ſpecial end, ſo it's unqueſtionable, the greateſt Commenter we have on the Scripture, is that which is writ by the Finger of God himſelf in his Work. 3. It is with an undeniable Evidence, we ſee a ſupernatural Influence and Cauſality in ſuch a Providence, hath in all Ages been matter of ſolemn Obſervation upon theſe remarkable Events have followed ſuch a Sign; ſo as in the moſt judicious Records of Hiſtory, we do rarely find the one mentioned without reſpect to the other: Thus Joſephus does moſt punctually relate theſe Earthquakes, that did ſo nearly preſide the Deſtruction p. 8of Jeruſalem, and the Expiration of the judaical State, as they were predicted by our Lord himſelf, Matth. 24. 7. 4. Yea, it's beyond queſtion how ſometimes ſuch Earthquakes fall out with theſe tremendous Circumſtances, and clear Evidence of an immediate divine Appearance; as ſerves a Conſtraint herewith, on a natural Conſcience, to ſee and acknowledge a ſupernatural Cauſe, and that they have ſome extraordinary Commiſſion; ſo as it's not poſſible then for the worſt of Men, to keep off the Terror and Impreſſion of an inviſible God. And we ſee little what Intereſt the Miniſtry of the Angels hath herein, who have ſurely a more peculiar Delegation and Service in ſuch extraordinary Acts of Providence. 5. As it's needful to underſtand the Rule of Providence, e're we can diſcern aright the Seals appended thereto, ſo is it evident that a great and ſtupendous Earthquake is foretold to be one of the ſtrange Events of the laſt Trumpet; which muſt aſſuredly take place in theſe laſt times, and have a literal Accompliſhment: And though its Appearance then will be ſomething we may judge of an extraordinary kind, with ſome aſtoniſhing Marks of Judgment; yet is the intent of that Prediction clear herein, that when there is any appearance of God this way, it p. 9calls the World to a very ſolemn and awful regard of the ſame, and for ſome Correſpondent acts of Reverence and Homage, as is ſuitable to a Providence whereon he does put ſo ſignal an Impreſs of his Terror and Greatneſs. But it were well if Mens Spirits were more prepared and inclinable, not only to entertain any ſuch Intimation with Reverence and Fear of the Divine Majeſty, but to improve the ſame for a greater ſtrengthning of their own Faith of his glorious Being, and of the Divinity of his Word, when it is alſo directed for ſuch an end.

A Second Enquiry upon this Subject and of great Uſe, is what may be more ſpecially judged as the Grounds of any ſuch extraordinary Warnings and Signs to a Nation, where God hath clearly revealed his Counſels and Judgments by his Word, and of his making uſe thereof. Though here the Soveraignty of his Will ſhould both ſilence and ſubject our Spirits in ſuch a caſe, yet there can be no Darkneſs therein, to any of a ſerious and judicious Spirit, when they ſee, 1. Such a ſuitable Congruity therewith, to that Tenderneſs which the Son of God hath to Mankind, and to Kingdoms and Nations in his Government of the World, that he will not only ſpeak p. 10by his Word, but go to the utmoſt, by more extraordinary Warnings of ſome great and unuſual Stroak of Judgment e're it come, ſo as nothing may be wanting either to reclaim, or render ſuch a People unexcuſable: And it hath a moſt ſad and fatal Aſpect, if this hath no ſuitable Impreſſion in the preſent day. 2. This can be no dark or ſtrange thing, when the times we are in, are ſuch, that the Honour and Glory of the Godhead is intereſted to appear in ſome unuſual manner before Men, when no Application of Light to the Judgment, either from his Words or Works, in an ordinary way does prevail, when his Name is in ſo viſible a way blaſphemed, and all wherein he has placed his Name of ſo low a regard with this Generation. 3. Yea, may not yet ſome more ſtrange and immediate Appearance to this Generation be expected, when ſuch a viſible Tendency now is to ſacrifice to natural Cauſes, whatever hath the greateſt Evidence to bring near an affecting Senſe of the Deity unto Mens Conſcience; and to account it a ſmall thing to arraign and ſubject the greateſt of his Works to the Comprehenſion of their dark and limited Reaſon; and that their Wiſdom hath ſuch a Dominion and Influence on future p. 11Events, as they can give Law to Providence, and lay Wagers on what the next day is to bring forth: Oh! may not ſome unuſual Application be yet more than expected, to let Men know they are under the Dominion of that God, who can in a Moment, break the moſt promiſing Means and Meaſures taken by Human Counſel, by one touch of his Hand; and what hath been thought moſt infallible in the courſe of Humane Affairs. 4. And may it not be feared, that when theſe are ſo rare, who tremble at the Word and Threatnings of an inviſible God, they ſhould meet with ſuch awakening Signs, as cauſe the Earth to tremble beneath? which in the very Nature thereof, is ſuited to beget an awful and trembling poſture of Spirit, and let us ſee how every Moment it is dependant on Heaven, and in the Reverence thereof, that the Earth does not rent and ſwallow Men up. But it is clear alſo that extraordinary Appearances of God, not only in Judgment, but in the way of Grace, have been moſt diſcernable, when things have come to an Extremity in the Tryals of Chriſtians, and when their Faith and Patience have been ready to be overſet by Diſappointments, and contrary Appearances, anſwerable to that of Iſa. Now will I p. 12ariſe, now will I be exalted, now will I lift up my ſelf, ſaith the Lord.

A Third Enquiry, That I humbly judge is of Concern here, is what ſuitable and ſafe Application may be made of ſuch extraordinary Providences, to the preſent Day and Place we are in; ſince it is requiſite that any Impreſſion of Fear on ſuch an account, be fixed on ſolid and rational Grounds, and we be not affrighted with Shadows, but according to that Evidence they bear of being ſupernatural Signs and Forewarnings, to have an anſwerable Senſe thereof; on which account, as to a clear and applicatory Judgment in ſuch a caſe, I ſhall yet further offer a few things to be conſidered for this end. 1. That when ſomething aſtoniſhing and unuſal, above any Influence of natural Cauſes, is given to be a premonitory Sign to a Nation or People, and hath an extraordinary Call with it, it does ſurely ſpeak there is ſome more than ordinary Piece of the Work of God than in bringing forth there, and on a near Approach; yea, that it is on ſome great and important Ground, when the Lord does this way appear. 2. It is of undoubted Evidence which we muſt peremptorily hold by, that where the Majeſty of God takes an unuſual way to awake and p. 13warn a People, they muſt either anſwer the ſame, or elſe they are infallible Prognoſticks of Wrath and Judgment, and ſome diſmal Night coming on: Nor can any Sign be more mortal than this, that Men will not conſider the Work of God, or regard the Operation of his Hand, when it hath unavoiadble Evidence to be his alone Work. 3. There may be a clear and infallible Application of what's more extraordinary in any Appearance of God to a Nation, when ſuch Forewarnings have moſt immediately gone before ſome aſtoniſhing Judgment, on a People who have not been under more aggravating Circumſtances of Guilt; yea, not comparable to the height that is this day in our caſe: Since ſuch Precedents of the Severity of Judgments in one place, are undoubtedly given to be a premonitory Sign to another. 4. Yea, when there is ſome more ſingular Conjunction, and reiterating in a ſucceſſive way of ſuch awakening Signs, it then hath not only a diſtinct Sound, but a loud Cry of ſome near and immediate Approach of Judgment, and that it may come upon the last Call. I know it is one of the greateſt things of practical Religion, that needs a near intercourſe with God, to have any ſuch Application brought near to Mens p. 14Souls, both in order to fear, and to account alſo the more immediate Appearances of his Power and Workings, as a matter of their greateſt Joy, that the ſenſe of a Deity might thus more ſtrongly work on ſuch a Generation: But oh! how ſad a Token is it, when ſuch are not only rejected, but have a ſiniſtrous and falſe Application made of the ſame; and to ſee the Earth trembling at the near Approaches of divine Wrath, when ſuch as dwell thereon, have no fear of this kind, as Habac. 3. 10. The Mountains ſaw thee and they trembled, the overflowings of the Water paſſed by, the Deep uttered its Voice; but ſays the Prophet there, Was the Lord diſpleaſed againſt the Rivers? Was his Anger againſt thoſe Elements, &c. No, it was againſt Humane Race, and given to be a Sign thereto.

But there is a Fourth Enquiry, which comes more cloſe and near to us on this Subject, to know what Evidence ſuch late extraordinary Providences do bear, as was at Jamaica, June 7. and here, September 8. to be the alone Work of God in ſuch an immediate and unuſual manner, and to go forth on a ſpecial Commiſſion to England, and to this great and renowned City of London; yea, the whole Iſland: For Anſwer thereto, I muſt crave p. 15leave with humble Sobriety, to offer ſome Reflections on both, according to the expreſs Signature and Impreſs, they bear not only of an extraordinary Appearance of God herein, but of his Counſel and Intent in this day.

1. As to that tremendous stroak on Jamaica, we cannot but ſee 1. Its being directed to a place where the whole Country was purely Engliſh in its Intereſt and Inhabitants, and thus a part of the ſame Nation, though at a diſtance; ſo that it can be no more evident that ſuch a ſtrange Stroak was real and no imaginary thing, than that it hath a proper Aſpect in a monitory way on this Iſland, and ſet up as a publick Beacon and Monument of Judgment in this reſpect, to ſhew how terrible a thing it is to fall immediately into the Hands of the Living God, when a People may ſeem moſt ſecure from all humane Power, yea, that there can be Safety on the Earth, where their Adverſary is above them, and is God. 2. We ſee its being directed alſo with a ſpecial Commiſſion to that one place, which alone was the moſt flouriſhing, populous Part of the whole Country; and thus made the Scaffold on which ſo dreadful an Execution of Judgment was acted, as did in Two Moments, ſwallow up near 2000 p. 16of its Inhabitants, whilſt no part elſe of the Iſland had any ſuch dreadful Effects; and was this a contingent and caſual thing only, if Men do but excerciſe Reaſon herein. 3. This as it's publickly known, was after ſome remarkable Forewarnings, given by a trepidation of the Earth there, a ſhort time before though in that manner, and with ſuch tenderneſs then, as might ſhew a holding of the hand of Judgment, even when it was lifted up. 4. It's yet further remarkable as I find it related from ſome who dwelt in that place, that no Inſtance of traditional Conveyance, was before ever known there, not only ſince the firſt engliſh Plantation, but under the Spaniſh Power; ſo as in that ſenſe as Moſes ſpoke, Numb. 16. 13. The Lord did thus work a new thing in ſuch a place of the Earth, as it's thus circumſtantiate. 5. But that which may moſt direct our Eyes to ſee an immediate Appearance of God herein, and a Cauſality above Nature, was, as is by all acknowledged, when ſuch a prodigious height of Impiety and Wickedneſs ſeem'd to have filled up its full Meaſure, and no ordinary means could reclaim; ſo as the Holy God upon the Honour of his Juſtice and Government, was thus intereſted to put ſo aſtoniſhing a Mark of his Severity and Wrath on the ſame, p. 17and make known what one Day and Hour, may at laſt bring forth on a City and Country after a long Forbearance, when it is leaſt expected or feared.

But it is on this last Sign and extraordinary Concuſſion by an Earthquake, that was in the 8th. of September, I muſt offer a few Reflections further, that hath come nearer to our Senſe, with ſo unuſual an Aſpect. 1. That it was given in ſo near a Conjunction with the former, and with ſuch Evidence as the Lord ſpeaks to Moſes, Exod. 4. 8. If they will not hearken to the Voice of the firſt Sign, they may yet hearken to the Voice of the ſecond; yea, when the firſt had the leſs Influence, that it was ſo remote in its Diſtance, this comes and ſpeaks in that manner as Jeremiah, I am a God near at hand, and not a far off only. 2. If we look on the manner of it, it is ſo aſtoniſhing, as is unaccountable to all Humane Reaſon, that ſo diſcernable a trepidation ſhould be in one Room in the ſame Houſe, and not in another, as was certainly known; yea, in ſo diſtinguiſhing a reſpect, that it was moſt perceptible and terrifying to one in the ſame Room and not to another; tho' both in the ſober Exerciſes of Reaſon. 3. And whence ſhould ſuch a Correſpondence in this great Sign have a Riſe, that almoſt p. 18in the ſame Hour it made the Earth to tremble at London, and in the Sea-Coaſts there, in ſo aſtoniſhing a manner, and then alſo give the ſame Signal and Warning through the whole Low-Countries, with other adjacent parts of Germany, when ſo great an Extent of Sea lyes betwixt the ſame; ſince it is not poſſible that in the ordinary courſe of Nature, the Influence of any ſubterraneous Fires or Vapours, ſhould have ſo immediate a Conjunction with Places ſo vaſtly remote, and ſeparate from other by ſo great an Extent of the Sea. I find ſome famous Searchers into natural Cauſes, writ that an Earthquake is ſimply impoſſible in Nature, to be of any univerſal Extent. 4. And though we read in the Engliſh Hiſtories ſome ſtrange extraordinary Inſtances that did occur of ſuch a kind in Queen Elizabeths Reign at London in the Year 1580, at Marcly Hill in Herefordſhire in the Year 1571, where it removed it ſelf from the place where it ſtood, and travelled to another place; as alſo a Prodigy of the ſame kind, which was in Dorſetſhire 1582, yet was none of theſe, in the leaſt, of ſuch a Nature as this, or in any reſpect parallel thereto; but were reſtricted only to particular Bounds, tho' they were then matter of great Obſervation p. 19in their day: But I humbly judge if the moſt exact Search were made into Hiſtory both Modern and Ancient, under ſuch Circumſtances, no Inſtance ſo ſtrange and unaccountable, as to any natural Cauſes herein will be found. 5. And what a State ſhould we have been in, if it had continued but Three Minutes more? Or was there any Humane Counſel or Power, that could either prevent or reſtrain the ſame in the leaſt, of its going ſo far and no further, but we might ſee at once, our Hazard and Deliverance ſet in our ſight, from an inviſible Power.

But as all the Works of God, even ſuch as fall under the Obſervation of each day, ſhould be matter of ſpecial regard; ſuch wherein his Appearance is more extraordinary, calls for ſome greater Advertence and enquiry about the ſame. I muſt therefore offer a few Reflections further on this late aſtoniſhing Providence. 1. That as it was now Ten Years ago ſince the Lord gave a Sign in an unuſual manner from the Heavens above, by that great and remarkable Comet in the Year 80, ſo now after ſuch an Interval of Patience to this Generation he hath given a Sign of another kind, which is from the Deep beneath, that comes more near to us, anſwerable to that of p. 20Iſa. 7. where we may ſee how it is moſt eminently in theſe two ways the Lord does appear, when he is to give ſome great and ſignificative Sign to the World of unuſual Events; and as nothing can bring more Terror therewith, than an Appearance of ſuch a kind, ſo needs it not be ſtrange that this day, when the Earth hath ſo near a Reſemblance to the Infernal State, why this ſhould be from beneath, and have ſo dreadful an Aſpect. 2. Though there might be cauſe why ſuch a Concuſſion of the Earth ſhould cauſe juſt Fears and Tremblings of Heart, yet does it exceed all Humane Comprehenſion ſuch a Circumſtance herewith, which was ſo univerſally noticed of its affecting the Head with a ſenſible Giddineſs, even before they did apprehend, and underſtood any thing of an Earthquake; which was ſo obvious to the moſt judicious Obſervers, that it ſeemed as if an Apoplectick Diſtemper had ſeized upon them, without any known Cauſe for the ſame: This I have found ſo general a Remark, as I could not paſs it over, though without any Application elſe, but that no natural Cauſe can be ſuppoſable herein. 3. And if we regard the manner of this Sign, as it is directed to ſuch a time we are in, and in ſo ſtrange an Extent thereof, may it not p. 21alſo as with clear and articulate Voice be underſtood, that what is ſignified thereby will prove matter of Trembling and Aſtoniſhment, and may cauſe a Trepidation in theſe weſtern parts of Europe anſwerable thereto, ſo as to ſhake the moſt ſetled Conſtitutions of Nations, if ſo ſolemn a Call be not regarded. 4. And though it might ſeem a ſtrange Criticiſm, yet I hope not unſuitable to be noticed, that this laſt Warning was given in the 2d. Week of September, as directed to revive the Senſe, and Remembrance of what had been ſo highly remarkable to this great City in the firſt Week thereof, and with a new Call tho in a moſt tender premotory way, but with that Evidence, as we are ſure was immediately from Heaven; only let me add herewith, that's ſure Divine Threatnings, and the moſt tremendous Warnings to Kingdoms and Nations, are in their primary Intention, deſign'd to keep off Men from the Judgments threatned, and not to be gazed at for a matter of Talk and Report: But oh! if the furtheſt Meaſures of this kind can have no weight to anſwer the Intent hereof: It is ſure that God will be known to be God this day unto Britain, and before this Generation, by ſuch an Evidence and Demonſtration, as will at laſt work effectually.

p. 22But having now ſo far touched theſe two extraordinary Signs that have ſo lately occurred, I muſt for the ſame end point at a Third, as ſo nearly contemporating with the former, though it may be feared, is gone out of ſight and forgot, when the Bitterneſs of Death ſeems to be paſt, but did cauſe ſuch Fears in the preſent time, and Conſternation of Mind: It is that unuſual and aſtoniſhing Rain, which in theſe parts, through moſt of the Summer continued, when thus theſe ſweet Influences from Heaven by moiſtning Showers, to reſtore and ripen, were in that manner changed to be deſtructive, when we might ſee the Heavens with fo extraordinary an Aſpect, as it were mourning from above over the Earth, if hereby Men would be awakened to the Fear and Dread of that God in whoſe hand both our Breath and Bread is; yea, when it was come to that Extremity in its continued Courſe, as threatned to make void the Harveſt, and when but one Week almoſt ſeemed to ſtand betwixt us and ſuch an unavoidable Stroak; when no Humane Counſel or Power, could ſave the Nation from periſhing in ſuch a caſe: It was then the Sovereign God did ſtay his hand, and with an eminent Teſtimony of his Tenderneſs, not only ſhut up the Clouds, but p. 23gave ſuch a Compenſation by a moſt ſerene deſirable Seaſon, as might recover in a ſhort time, what the former Months had ſpoiled, and ſeemed in an ordinary way to Mens Thoughts, irrecoverable.

But I ſhall ſhut up any further inſiſting on this Subject, with a ſhort Touch only at ſome Improvement hereof for theſe ends. Firſt to a ſolid fixing of our Judgment and Light about the ſame, there is nothing more amazing and dreadful to the Spirit of many in this day, than any ſupernatural Appearance in the Events of Providence, as renders the Senſe and Impreſſion of an inviſible God, and his Dominion over ſecond cauſes, to be unavoidable, and on this Account, as theſe ſeem to be in ſuch a Fear upon the Truth and Exiſtence of Devils, ſince their Faith hereof, muſt needs bring them to the ſame with the Devils, to believe and tremble: So is it in this caſe, Men are ſo much on the Rack how to ſolve all by natural Demonſtration, that may darken any immediate Appearance of God; as Jannes and Jambres in Egypt, until at laſt they were conſtrained to ſee and acknowledge it was a Divine Power alone they oppoſed themſelves to; but ſuch as will peruſe what the moſt judicious of modern Philoſophers ſpeak on this Head, may p. 24ſee how dark and perplexed their Inquiſition is hereon, and how ſtrait Bounds they are penned up in, whilſt they jointly confeſs that an Earthquake is by no natural motion of the Earth, but is impetuous and violent, that moves contrary to the ſetled courſe of Nature, and fixedneſs of the Earth; but that ſome extraordinary Stop and Obſtruction is herein, and when they come to fix on the particular Cauſe hereof, think it moſt probable to be either ab aqua, à flammis ſubterraneis, vel ab halitu: But if they will riſe higher upon another Principle, to give a true Idea of Nature, they muſt then ſee alſo how it is acted by God as his Inſtrument, to do whatever he will, and that the Motions of all inferior Cauſes muſt be ultimately reſolved, both on an immediate Divine Concurrence to their working, and on his directing Counſel to anſwer his Intent; ſince as the Eye of God is ſtill on the whole Circle of the Creation in its Motions, ſo is his Dominion over the deep and darkeſt Caverns of the Earth, to move upon his Call; which can never be ſubjected to the Rule of natural Cauſes. It is true, that in the ordinary courſe and procedure of Providence, the only wiſe God hath a ſpecial Reſpect to the order of inferior Cauſes, and his own Ordination p. 25herein, and does thus exerciſe his Dominion over the World, and the Motion of things there, according to their particular nature wherein he hath fixed them; but when ſublunary things ſtep out of their natural Courſe, and do either move againſt or above their own Nature, it is ſurely then upon a ſupreme Determination for a great end, and ſome notable Step of Providence is to be underſtood herein; yea, it is moſt conſpicuous in the way of God, when great Events of what's foretold in the Scripture, are in bringing forth as to any piece of his Work, wherein he deſigns ſome higher diſcovery of himſelf to Men, that it is when Secondary Cauſes and the whole concourſe of Nature would ſeem moſt to controul the ſame; and in this preſent caſe, if with a ſerious and prepared Mind, Men do conſider theſe two late Earthquakes under their proper Circumſtances, then it is not poſſible but they muſt ſee them to be ſuch Events, as cannot poſſibly be aſcribed to another Cauſe, than an immediate Divine Power exerted in the ſame.

There is a Second Improvement, which on this Head is now called for, to have our eyes thus carried up towards God by ſerious Obſervation: I know this is not eaſily attained, p. 26to be in a due capacity and poſture to converſe with him this way, wherein lyes one of the neareſt Intercourſes betwixt Heaven and our Soul within time; but it is of great uſe to know aright where the intent of judicious Obſervation on ſuch an account ſhould be moſt fixed, as 1. On the immediateneſs of ſuch Acts of Providence to be from God alone, as can be aſcribed to no created Power, which is a diſcovery that comes not with more Terror to a profane World, whoſe Study is to live without God therein, than with unſpeakable Joy it meets theſe of a ſerious Spirit for a more full eſtabliſhment of Faith, and to ſee it with that Evidence, as makes it unavoidable to terminate their eyes otherwiſe than on God alone herein, Deut. 32. See now, I even I am he, and there is no God, elſe; I kill and make alive, I wound and I heal, &c. 2. It is then our Obſervation is ſuitably fixed, when it reſpects the clear Impreſs of Divine Truth on any extraordinary Step of his way, no leſs than of his Power, ſince as his Work is ever anſwerable to his Being, and the Perfections of his Nature, ſo is the outgoings of his Truth, and Faithfulneſs herein to be intenſly obſerved; who does rule and govern the World according to theſe eſtabliſhed Laws and Conſtitutions p. 27of his revealed Truth. 3. It is eſſentially requiſite alſo to conſider and ſee ſuch Providences as are more extraordinary, under theſe Circumſtances, which moſt remarkably attend the ſame. It being ſure how great a weight one Circumſtance may have to render a Providence in ſome ſingular way, to be both inſtructing and comforting, which otherwiſe would not work in that manner. Thus did the Ruler ſo exactly inquire and obſerve at what Hour it was when his Son recovered, and found it anſwer to that very time when Chriſt had given him the aſſurance thereof. It is herein one of the great Duties of our day lyes, and I am perſwaded that great things for Obſervation, do yet wait upon this time. Providence hath been a long Teacher to Britain, and it uſeth to be the laſt Teacher that is made uſe of, and the laſt way that the Spirit of God does ſtrive with a People or Nation, before approaching Judgment: We have ſeen it go by on the right hand in moſt ſingular diſpenſations of Grace and Mercy to theſe Nations; as alſo upon the left hand in extraordinary Acts of Juſtice, yet have we little ſeen or perceived to this day, the moſt ſpecial Intent of the Lord herein: But ſince I have ſpoken more expreſly thereto elſewhere, I forbear to touch it further; p. 28only this Improvement further, might be ſuitable on ſuch a Subject, to impreſs Mens Spirits with the Fear and Dread of walking contrary to Providence, eſpecially in any more extraordinary Diſcoveries of God this way, ſince this is the higheſt Contempt and Oppoſition upon the Earth, to his Providential Government, and does in an unuſual manner, haſten and prepare ſuch for the laſt Stroak: This ſeems to be one of the Signs of our time, that hath a ſad Reſemblance to theſe in the Primitive times, 2. Pet. 2. who turned divine Patience to be a matter of Scoff, and ſaid, Where is the Promiſe of his coming, ſince we ſee things continue yet as they were, and have yet outlived many threatning Tokens, and Preſages of Judgment? But it is uſually ſeen, that ſuch who have looked on premonitory Signs with the greateſt Confidence, and have counted any ſerious regard thereto, to be a ſuperſtitious Weakneſs, have been beyond all others, ſeized with the greateſt Terror and Amazement, upon a ſurprizing Stroak: A reverential Fear and Dread of Divine Warnings, and of the evil day, is moſt highly becoming ſuch who may have the greateſt Security of Mind, as to their own perſonal Lot therein; ſuch as Habac. 3. 16. When I heard this, p. 29my Belly trembled, my Lips quivered, &c. that I might reſt in the day of Trouble.

A Second Propoſition that hath the ſame clear Evidence with the former from this Scripture is this, That ſuch an Aſſurance of Faith is attainable here on the Earth, as can bear out, and ſecure the Soul of a Chriſtian in a preſent Extremity, and amidſt the greateſt Terrors of Senſe, when there is no poſſible Support from Nature, or things ſeen in ſuch a caſe. To this does the Pſalmiſt here bear a moſt clear Witneſs. I confeſs it is one of the moſt aſtoniſhing Myſteries of our Religion, which is wholly unaccountable to the Spirit of this World; and it hath been matter of Wonder to me, in how ordinary a way ſuch a Subject is oft ſpoken of, and what length is come in the Notion and Theory, when ſo little of the experimental Light hereof, ſeems to be found on the Earth in this day: But where it is known in Truth, it is ſurely one of the greateſt Demonſtrations of God, and of his immediate Power and working on the Soul in this Militant State, yea, ſuch as may ſupply the room of any external Miracles to theſe, who know the ſame; it is a thing of that Nature, as exceeds the Sphere of all created Power to work, and goes far above the reach of Angels to impart p. 30the ſame; but to him only it belongs who is both the Author and Finiſher of our Faith; yea, which according to the out-lettings of his Spirit, herein makes ſo unſpeakable a difference betwixt ſuch and themſelves to whom it is thus known, how in one time then they are made to differ from another, and where the Sorrows and Pains of a doubting Heart, about the Warrant of their Hope is underſtood, it will be then known what unexpreſſible Joy the Truth of ſuch an Aſſurance as we find here in the Text does raiſe, and be as a Reſurrection from the Dead in that caſe. It's true ſuch a particular Confidence and Truſt, that hath nothing from things ſeen, or on any natural account to fix, cannot bear out in the way of Light only, even on the moſt clear Grounds of a Divine Promiſe herein, but is immediately dependant on that meaſure of the Spirit of Faith, which is then given to anſwer to the height and meaſure of their preſent Tryal; but yet it's ſure and unqueſtionable, that ſuch a Faith as is not founded on Appearances, hath a Ballaſt as will not be broken by contrary Appearances; and ſince this may look as a very dark and amazing thing, what relates to ſuch ſingular workings of a Chriſtians Faith in an Extremity, I would p. 31ſpeak a few things to be previouſly conſidered in what manner this acts on the higheſt Principles of inlightned Reaſon, as well as by ſupernatural Influence, and how nothing can be more rationally deduced than ſuch a Concluſion which David here makes from the foregoing Premiſes, ſince it's undeniable,

1. That ſuch a ſweet and abſolute Neceſſity there is for Men to betake themſelves to a Divine Power and Relief, only in a preſent exigence of Tryal, when it's ſure that God hath afforded nothing to Man without himſelf in the whole frame of the Creation, to bear up that weight of Dependance and Truſt; ſo as we muſt herein either ceaſe from Man, whoſe Breath is in his Noſtrils, in the way of Reliance or Part with God: Nor can any time ever find that to be Bleſſed, on which the God of Truth hath by any irrevocable Sentence ſetled a Curſe. But this is one of the rare Characters of a Chriſtian, when in ſuch a manner, both his Choice and Confidence does center in God alone, as he is reſolved to truſt him only or none elſe; and to ly at Anchor on his revealed Truth, or periſh. The great Former of Heaven and Earth will not bear the empty Name and Shew of being his Peoples hope, when p. 32the Intereſt and Weight thereof, is laid on things beſide himſelf.

2. It is no leſs demonſtrable and known on this Head, that there is no poſſible reſt or quiet to the Soul of Man amidſt the Hazards and Terrors of time, but in an intire Dependance and Truſt on an inviſible God and his being their alone Refuge and Help, for the Profeſſion of the only true God, and of our Souls adventuring intirely on him, as the alone Object of our Truſt, is one and the ſame; and as there is a receding from the one, ſo is there conſequentially from the other alſo, in denying to him the Glory of his Godhead. Nothing is indeed more uſual than to ſee Mens Confidence ſtill Ebb and Flow, according to the viſible poſture of their Affairs, tho it does ſadly evidence ſuch a Truſt and Reliance that hath its greateſt Weight on ſomething elſe than God, however he bear the Name thereof. It is unqueſtionable that the greateſt Princes and Monarchs, need to have their Dependance no leſs ſetled on God, even for outward Supplies, than the Poor; whoſe holding hereof, is no leſs abſolutely from him, than thoſe who may be put to live on Humane Charity, and are ever in his Reverence, who can make the Scarlet to embrace the Dunghill, when it would ſeem not conceivable p. 33to Humane Reaſon: It is in this reſpect that one of the higheſt Tryals of Faith is, when external Advantages do moſt abound, and in that Senſe Riches prove ſo mortal to thoſe who enjoy the ſame, and as Chriſt himſelf teſtifies, is no leſs hard for ſuch to be ſaved, than for a Camel to go through a Needle's Eye: It's ſo rare for Men to have the World in their Hand and not upon their Heart alſo, as the ground of their Confidence and Truſt.

3. This ſhould be alſo conſidered for giving Light to the work of Faith in any extraordinary Tryals, that it's ſure the utmoſt Perfection of this excellent Grace, not only in its Truth, but in the Degree and Meaſure thereof, is alone in this Life attainable; ſo, that this is not poſſible to be at a higher Pitch than in this Militant State, or to have another Seaſon for paying in that Tribute of Glory and Praiſe unto the God of Truth, and to his faithfulneſs, which is ſo highly called for in the way of believing, but within time only; but, in a more ſpecial way in the greateſt exigence and ſtrait which may be in a Chriſtians caſe, when their Hope ſeems moſt viſibly ſtated againſt them. It is in this Senſe, the Apoſtle ſpeaks of the filling up of the work of Faith in a Chriſtians day, 2. p. 34Theſſ. 1. 5. as one of the higheſt Deſigns of Providence in the Conflicts of their Warfare, though the ſame meaſure in this Work and Tryals hereof, be not allotted to ſome as to others; yea, it is in that reſpect only James ſpeaks, Chap. 1. 4. for the Patience of Faith to have its perfct work, and to attain this in the utmoſt Degree, ſince it belongs only to this Life.

4. But is it not a Compenſation to the hardest Leſſons of a Chriſtians Confidence and Truſt, and to the moſt remarkable Hour of Extremity, that we know God hath reſerved thereto, the most immediate and extraordinary Diſcoveries of himſelf, and of his being God alone, above what is known in the ordinary courſe of his Providence: Said I, not unto you, if you would believe that ye ſhould ſee the Glory of God, Joh. 11. which was a ſight that our Lord would not give until all Support in the way of Senſe was taken off, and that it was put beyond the poſſibility of Nature. And it's ſure, that on ſuch rare Experiment and Tryal of God in a Chriſtians Life, and in a caſe where none but God can act, is of ſuch value, as to be a continued matter of Admiration; yea, is an earnest of that kind, as may bear Evidence to to their Security by a peci al Conduct of Providence in all after-times, p. 35when this is enjoyed not only as it's demonſtrative of the greatneſs of his Power, but on the account of his Promiſe, and as a Seal thereto in the way of their Relyance on him.

5. It is ſurely here in the powerful workings of a Chriſtians Faith, in an extraordinary Hour of Tryal, that one of the great Demonſtrations of the Truth and Excellency of our Religion, is exhibited before the World: And what a temporal Intereſt does thus accompany the ſame, to ſupport and quiet the Soul? yea, to bear the full Expence of the ſaddeſt afflicting Times, which is not known to the reſidue of Men beſides. For it ſhould be a ſad part, if any caſe were of that kind in a Chriſtians Lot, as did exceed a ſupernatural Relief by Reliance intirely on God; when nothing beſides in any viſible way is left: But here does the glory of our Religion with an eminent Brightneſs ſhine forth, when ſuch as look but at a diſtance, can ſee the effects thereof, to afford Quiet and Reſt to the Mind, where it's ſure Nature could give no Aſſiſtance, when Humane Refuge hath moſt viſibly failed, when Lovers and Friends have ſtood afar off, and when the frownings of Providence have been ſuch, as if their God was become a Party against them, p. 36and their Eyes made to fail in waiting for his Appearance; yea, as it's ſure all natural Cauſes muſt ſtill have their Operation and Effects, congruouſly to their proper Nature, ſo is this alone peculiar to that excellent Religion we enjoy in the Truth thereof, to afford a ſupernatural Vertue and Efficacy therewith, ſo as to give Reſt and Refreſhment to the moſt perplexed and weary Spirit; and to commend its Inſtitutions by the influential preſence of the Spirit of God, as that way whereby Man here on the Earth in this viſible Sate, is advanced, and made capable of an immediate and familiar Converſe with an inviſible God, which is one of the Wonders of Religion, that might in another manner affect and work upon us, if it were truly believed. Oh! what a Subject is this to converſe with, that ſuch a Demonſtration of the Christian Faith is known and ſure, as a vital Intercouſe and Communion betwixt our Bleſſed Head, and theſe who are united to him by Faith here on the Earth; ſo as the greatneſs of that local Diſtance, which is betwixt the third Heavens and this lower World, can be no Lett thereto, when yet the leaſt moral diſtance by any Impurity and Defilement through Sin does ſeparate betwixt God and the Soul, and obſtruct this Enjoyment.

p. 37But ſince this is not conceivable at a diſtance in what manner a ſurprizing extremity may work, when it's the preſent Object of Senſe, and Mens Confidence is reſolved intirely on a ſupernatural Relief; when it's no Theory or Light in the Judgment can expreſs the ſame as in an experimental way is known; yea, when the actings of Faith in the Power thereof, in ſuch a Tryal is ſo rare and wonderful a thing above natural Comprehenſion. Let me yet offer here ſome of the moſt choice Improvements that are called for, to the attaining ſuch an aſſurauce and eſtabliſhment of Faith, when things may come to ſome unuſual Exigence.

1. How then, ſuch whoſe acquaintance with God is not to begin, can have this Reflection alone with their Soul, that they know whom they have believed, and his being able to keep that which was committed to him, and give an account thereof, in a day of Extremity, 2 Tim. 1. 12. yea, knows the God of their Truſt is ſuch, who can extend his Power and Relief unto things that are unconceivable to us, and paſt finding out; who can ſerve himſelf of means viſibly deſtructive to ſave in a way contrary to their proper Nature; whoſe help tarries not for Man, nor waits for the Sons of Men; and is ever at work to make his p. 38Providence ſerve the Intereſt and Accompliſhment of his Truth to ſuch who have ſetled their Reliance thereon, though the whole viſible ſtate of things, would ſeem to conſpire againſt the ſame; and, can then look up to that God (when there may be no look downward, but to cauſe Terror) whoſe Kingdom and Dominion, is not only over all but can immediately act on their Souls, to quiet and ſettle the ſame, though the Earth about them, ſhould be in a viſible Diſorder and Confuſion.

2. It is then, even under the moſt diſmal Aſpect of external Providences, that ſuch can betake themſelves to the Certainty of Divine Truth, and cast Anchor on that ground on which they muſt ſhortly adventure for an eternal State, in that greateſt Tryal at Death: Thus did Abraham reſt his Soul when he had ſuch a ſtrange Tide of contrary Providences to ſhake him, and was not ſtaggered at the Promiſe, knowing it was given by that God, with whom it was unpoſſible to lie; and oh! what a Hell ſhould this Earth be, if the Enjoyments of a Chriſtians Faith and Hope, had another Dependance than on God alone, and were in the Reverence of outward things; yea, if there were not ſuch a Certainty of ſupernatural Evidence and Aſſurance, as in a p. 39Mid-night Hour, can bearup againſt the greateſt Contradictions of Senſe.

3. There is this great Aſſistance to improve in the darkeſt Tryal, what former acquaintance with the ways of God hath been attained for diſcerning how the Deſigns and Methods of Grace, do lye towards them, by the light of his Truth: Thus when preſent Affliction and Diſtreſs, ſeems moſt aſtoniſhing, they are not in the Dark herein, to underſtand what unuſual Meaſures the moſt endeared Favourites of Heaven have had of ſuch a Tryal, whilſt they were on the Earth, and that they are upon no ſtrange or unknown ground in ſuch a caſe: They know thus what an illuſtrious and eſſential part the moſt deep diſtreſſes and ſtraits in a Chriſtains Life, hath in the great frame of divine Providence, to bring forth the greateſt Comforts and Mercies thereof; and that according to the meaſure both of their Grace and Services for God; they muſt expect his way towards them, to go out of the ordinary Road of his dealing with others.

4. It is likewiſe in the moſt diſmal Hour, when all Humane Refuges do Succumb, that ſuch can with Delight, reflect on that ancient Friendſhip and Entercourſe of Love hath ſometimes been betwixt p. 40God and their Soul, as being ſtill an undoubted earnest in their hand, though they may not have the ſame inward Senſe and Evidence therewith, on their Heart as formerly: Yea, the ſingular Comfort and Advantage which is in a judicious Obſervation of theſe more extraordinary. Acts of Providence, that have met them formerly, will be then underſtood, when they come to a ſerious recollecting of the ſame. It's true, the meaſure of ſuch a Talent with ſome, may much exceed that of others, whoſe Life hath been filled up with more ſingular Experiments of this kind, what God hath been to them in ſome unuſual way, and in the more immediate Interpoſitions of Providence; yet where ſomething is in any meaſure of ſuch an Aſſiſtance for a clear and ſweet review on the ſame, it's not expreſſible how this will work in a new exigence; when the Comforter indeed brings it to their Remembrance, it is a ſtrong Argumentation that the Spirit of God affords this way to raiſe the Confidence of his People, in the moſt extraordinary c…, Job 5. He will deliver in Six Trouble, yea in Seven; by which in Scripture, Style is to be underſtood a note of Perfection, when it comes to the higheſt and moſt extream part of Trouble, that then theſe Experiences were aſſured Pledges, that p. 41his Power will not fail in the Seventh, or come ſhort for bringing forth ſo great a Deliverance. It's true, one day may come in a Chriſtians way to heighten the Tryal of their Faith, more than all the preceeding part of their Life: But it is no leſs remarkable in the way of Grace, how theſe alſo have been in ſome ſingular manner then trained and ripened for ſuch an Aſſault e're it came; and, as the greateſt Paroxiſm of a Diſeaſe is uſual upon the height of a Criſis, and when it's on a turn, ſo is it experienced, how aſtoniſhing a darkneſs does oft fall down, when ſome eminent Appearance of God in the way of Comfort and Light to a Chriſtian, hath been moſt immediately near. It is not conceivable alſo until it be tryed what Satans greateſt Deſign and effort means, which each of the Saints does once prove in ſome time of their Life, though not in a like meaſure; yea, how ſingular a time this is found to be, for ſome higher Tryal of God beyond their former Experience: But it may be a ſtrengthening Remark to our Faith, how the deſign of thoſe Powers of darkneſs, are moſt deeply laid againſt the Followers of Chriſt, according to their room in the Body, and any more ſpecial Services for him that may be alotted to ſuch. I remember a p. 42Paſſage of Luthers in his common places with reſpect to himſelf, very remarkable; videtur mihi Satanas a pueritia mea aliquid providiſſe in me eorum, quae nunc patitur, ideo ad perdendum, ad impediendumque me incredibilibus machinis inſanivit, ut ſaepius fuerim admiratus, egone Solus eſſem inter mortales, quem ita peteret.

5. There is one ſingular Aſſiſtance alſo, that ſuch who have attained fome near Entercourſe with God in the way of his Truth, have beyond others, in the darkeſt Hour, by a review on theſe peculiar Promiſes that have been with the moſt full Evidence and Seal of the Spirit of Promiſe, ſometimes enjoyed in a ſenſible Application of the ſame: It was this gave David ſo ſtrong an Argument to plead and prevail with God, Pſal. 119. 49. Remember the word unto thy Servant whereon thou cauſeſt me to hope; and it's clearly in that Senſe it muſt be underſtood, Heb. 11. Of theſe who by Faith obtained Promiſes from God, being made theirs by ſuch an immediate Seal and Application, that gave them as clear an Intereſt therein, as if they were in the Performance. And ſurely where the Teſtimony of the renewed Conſcience is kept clear herewith, as to the Truth of the Condition to which theſe Promiſes relate, the very Life and p. 43Comfort of a Chriſtians Truſt lyes in ſuch a Support, above what's expreſſible, than in an Hour of Temptation.

6. But there is one Improvement further in order to a Chriſtians Faith and Support, in the moſt extreme caſe to conſider, that in a ſhort time he is to make a Tryal of Faith, that will be of another Nature than he hath ever known before; and no Tryal within time can be like this, which is at Death; when the whole viſible part of Man, muſt be ſhut up in a dark and narrow Grave, which had once the ſpacious Earth to move in, and did enjoy the Light of the ſame, where in one Moment there is a parting with all Intereſt and Comforts in this lower World, and an immediate entry on the Deciſion of their eternal State, which is then irrevocably caſt; where they can have no Intelligence from all who have gone before, what it is to die, or what manner of Sight that will be, which is at the firſt opening of thoſe Gates of the Second World, either as to Bleſſedneſs or Torment; yea, where there can be no poſſible Aſſiſtance from Nature, in the ſhutting of this dark Gulf, nor is conceivable by Humane Light, the Way and Manner of that Paſſage; ſo that any Exigence p. 44which may ſeem moſt trying to a Chriſtians Faith here on the Earth, is but as a Prelude, and preparatory part to this laſt ſtep of their Warfare: And as Death was in its firſt Constitution purely penal, and is no natural Accident, which meets us not as we are Men, but as we are Sinners, there is no true Support poſſibly attainable then, but in the Vertue and Power of Religion.

But it is now in a more applicatory way I muſt yet ſpeak further, with reſpect to ſo great a Subject, and what in order to Light hath been held forth thereon.

1. That if Men do not deſign a reſolute Oppoſition to God in thoſe late premonitory Signs of this preſent Year, it's not morally poſſible then, to withſtand ſuch a Concatenation of Evidences, of a ſupernatural Diſcovery thereby; and that they were ſurely directed with a ſpecial Commiſſion from him, and Forewarnings of ſuch a kind as are ſuited to the Deſign of Providence in this day; and when there is ſo little Faith now on the Earth, with reſpect to any Threatnings of the Word, is it ſtrange though there be ſome unuſual Demonſtrations of God in the way of ſenſe, to ſpeak to the World by a monitory Voice: It is true the Lord did never give forth Miracles, to atteſt before Men the Truth of his Deity, p. 45which hath a Witneſs thereto in every Object of Senſe, and from the whole Conſtitutions of Nature, yet have theſe been moſt ſpecially directed to awake a more deep, and tremendous Impreſſion of the Majeſty of God on Mens Souls, when the Voice of his revealed Truth is not regarded: And there is juſt cauſe to believe that the Deſign of Providence this day, is in another manner now, than in times paſt taking place, to let this Generation know, That ſurely there is a God who judgeth in the Earth, before whom the greateſt of Men muſt either bow or be broken; and that the time is not only near, but is now come, for his taking to himſelf, his great Power to reign, with another Appearance of his Greatneſs and Terror, than was ever known before in the World. And oh! what muſt be expected to work for greatr Excitements to Fear, and a more awful Senſe of a Supernatural and Divine Power, and of his ſupreme Government over the World, when no inſtituted means in a moral way, does anſwer to this end: Tho' it is ſure, if that Relation we ſtand in to the Deity, and the Intereſt of our Ingagements to him, with the Greatneſs of our hope from him alone, were taken to Heart, we could not but accountſuch, to be moſt p. 46deſirable Acts of Providence; yea, rejoyce herein, where he gives the moſt near and immediate Diſcoveries of himſelf, when the Vindication of his glory is ſo viſibly concerned in the ſame, even though it ſhould cauſe trembling to Humane Senſe, and be at a very dear and expenſive Rate to a ſecure World.

But it is on another Head that I muſt more ſpecially inſiſt in a practical way, as to the great Security of Faith with ſuch a full Reliance on God, as is here held forth in this Scripture, and to what a Degree the Elevation of a Chriſtians Soul may be thus raiſed with that inward Aſſurance, as can bear out againſt the greateſt Terrors of Senſe: This is a Demonſtration of God by his immediate working on the Souls of Men, which is wonderful, and ſhould be matter of great Improvement in the ſaddeſt Tryals of our Warfare, to know in what manner divine Power is thus exerted, as can in a Moment, diſpel the moſt extream Fears and Darkneſs on the Soul, ſo as to make Day ariſe, and a Sun ſhine there, when it hath been as Midnight otherwiſe. And ſince this is a Subject of ſuch Weight, as the very Life, Comfort, and ſuſtaining of the Soul amidſt the innumerable Hazards and Tryals of time p. 47lyes herein, as to a full Aſſurance and Acquieſcence of the Mind, but the certainty of our Faith that we are thus ſafe, and in ſure Terms with God, it may be needful to anſwer a few Propoſals for giving Light thereto.

1. How we are to apprehend aright, ſo great an Attainment of Grace as this is, and to have our Judgment ſetled, and clear about ſo wonderful an Experiment. I know it is no ordinary Standard or Example, what's here held forth in ſuch Aſſurance of Davids Faith, when no Suppoſal of Hazard or Extremity, was then too great for the ſame; for, even this great Man of God, had at other times his low Ebbs and Faintings, that were as remarkable, as ſuch a Triumph and High-Spring-Tide, which we ſee here in the Power of believing; but on the other Hand, this is a ſtrange Riddle to the Spirit of the World, and unaccountable to all Reaſon in the Eyes of many who profeſs the ſame Doctrin of our Faith; as if it were ſomething that alone works in the Power of ſome ſtrong Imagination, whilſt they take up Religion in a natural way only, which goes not above moral Inducements, and the Power of Freewill: I muſt therefore ſpeak a little in a ſpecial way, to ſuch a Propoſal. 1. That p. 48the great Deſign of the Goſpel, does moſt eminently ly here, not only to reveal the Mystery of Grace and of Redemption, in what Chriſt hath done for us, but to acquaint us alſo with the immediate and internal work of Faith on the Soul, which he does work and perfect in us, as the Author and Finiſher thereof; which was ſo wonderful a thing, as put one of the Diſciples of Chriſt, to that ſtrange Enquiry, Lord how is it that thou wilt manifeſt thy ſelf to us, and not to the World? and in ſuch a diſtinguiſhing way by inward Evidence and Power. 2. This cannot be underſtood aright, but by ſuch a Diſcovery thereof, as one of the eſſential parts of that rare Divine Workmanſhip of the new man, which in its whole Life and Actings, hath no other Subſiſtence, but by immediate Supplies from Heaven; and as in one time of a Chriſtians Life, his Faith will need a more extraordinary Allowance for Support, than in another; ſo I muſt humbly judge the preſent time we are in, is ſuch as needs in a more than ordinary way, ſome clear Underſtanding of this Mystery of Faith, by practical Light, and the vertue thereof in an Hour of Temptation, when the times ſeem to be growing ſo dark, as the Spirits of the moſt Judicious diſcerners of things, are put to Aſtoniſhment, to think p. 49what Providence may be bringing forth, when the Sea-Compaſs ſeems as it were to fail, and ſo little of any conforting Signs, but for a long time paſt, have been in Paths ſo untrodden, as is not eaſie to trace or find a clear way before us. 3. But this cannot be underſtood as ſome ſingular and powerful Operation of the Spirit of God, which upon ſome ſpecial Service for him, may be imparted to ſuch as never knew his graci-Inhabitation in their Soul, or what it is to be entred in ſuch a State of Communion with the Spirit, as is by his ſetled Reſidence and abiding with them, John 14. 17. For ſuch is this myſtery of Faith in the Nature thereof, as it's true acting and work, is not attainable without a vital influence from Heaven, and where it's gradual Increaſe and Advance is made a Reward to frequency in the Acts thereof, and theſe reſolute Adventures and Reliance, which hath through Grace, been attained on a Divine Power. 4. But for a more full underſtanding hereof, it is not poſſibly attainable, without a ſupernatural Evidence accompanying the ſame; ſuch whereby it clearly ſees both the Excellency and Certainty of things that are above Senſe, how they are no leſs ſure than great: And though the higheſt Enjoyments of Faith, whereby the Soul p. 50reſts about things to come, as if they were preſent, hath no ſuch immediate Evidence thereof as they are in themſelves, and are the Objects of our Senſe; elſe they could not be hoped for, if they were thus ſeen: Yet it's upon no Credibility, but upon the higheſt Certainty, that this quieting work of Faith, is founded: But how this ſupernatural Evidence does work on a Chriſtians Soul in an Hour of greateſt Tryal, is not expreſſible by Words, tho' it doth then clear it ſelf in the ſame manner, as the Day-light does when the Sun ſhines. For, when it's known in the Power thereof, in times of Fainting and Diſtreſs, it hath then ſuch a Call therewith, by a preſent Efficacy, as Pſal. 116. 7. to return unto their reſt; a reſt of Tranquility and Aſſurance from God, in the way of a Promiſe, when there may not be the leaſt Appearance of its Performance. Thus did Abraham know the Truth and Power of ſuch an Evidence upon his Soul, when he ſtaggered not at the Promiſe through Ʋnbelief; when both the way of Povidence and the courſe of Nature, upon his hopes of Iſaac, did moſt viſibly controul the ſame. But let me add herewith, that the moſt choice and experienced in the Work and Advantages of Faith, hath not done with the Settlement hereof, even after p. 51the greateſt Confirmations; for whilſt he is within time, he muſt ſtill look out, both for new Aſſaults, and further Experiments of Aſſiſtance for this end, and to attain a higher Growth: But oh! how dark and ſtrange a thing is this, and how diſreliſhing to moſt in this preſent day? who count it enough to have their Religion in the Bibls, but not in their Sonl; and to have it in external Ordinances, and a viſible Form, but in no inward Enjoyments of the ſame.

A Second Propoſal upon this great Subject of the quieting Power of Faith, amidst the Hazards and Terrors of Time, is to know the Truth hereof, in the ſureneſs of its Principles, and on what a clear Warrant, ſo wonderful a Piece of our Religion does found: This I muſt touch a little, to clear the ſame, both from any preſumptive Confidence, and enthuſiaſtick Pretences on ſuch an account; and that its holding in the way of Right, on the Warrant of Divine Truth, is no leſs ſure, than the Enjoyment hereof is ſweet; when we can with ſuch Evidence ſee.

1. How it hath this fundamental Principle to hold by, that the God of Truth hath taken the eſtabliſhing of his Peoples Faith, under his own Hand, as his alone immediate Work, and is ſuch a Work, that none but p. 52he can accompliſh: Thus we ſee 2 Cor. 1. 20. the ſureneſs of the Grounds of our Faith held forth, that all the Promiſes of God in Chriſt, are Yea and Amen in him, unto the Glory of God, &c. But though here is enough as to a Divine Warrant and Right, yet will not this alone bear out, without it be Gods immediate Work alſo, when a Storm riſeth; therefore Verſe 21. it's expreſly ſhewed, that he who eſtabliſheth us in Chriſt, and hath anointed us, is God; and hath given us the earneſt of his Spirit, to raiſe the Faith of his People, anſwerable to the Height and Meaſure of any preſent Tryal.

2. Is it not on this ſure Principle of Truth alſo, that Faith in the Power, and Supports hereof, even in the moſt extraordinary caſe of Tryal, does found? That the Lord Jeſus Christ, hath not only given himſelf for us, by a legal Subſtitution in our Room, to ſatisfy Divine Juſtice, but hath given himſelf to us, to be enjoyed in the neareſt Intimacy of Relation, and a vital Ʋnion with himſelf, ſo that thus he is not only the Purchaſer, but the Diſpenſer alſo, of ſuch potent Influences, as the Faith of his People, in the moſt extream caſe does need; and as he knows the ways of the Righteous, in their p. 53Neceſſities, Temptations and Hazards; ſo he hath fixed them this way, in ſuch an immediate and abſolute Dependance on himſelf, by taking off viſible Refuges, to give them a more ſpecial diſcriminating Teſtimony of his Reſpects, though then in the preſent time, it may have a very ſtrange and diſmal Appearance, whilſt it's not underſtood in ſuch a caſe, how his gracious Deſign to accompliſh the great ends of his Love to his People lyes ſo near him, as to defer oft, an anſwering of their natural Deſires, until things come to that Extremity, as may make way, both for the higheſt Tryal and Victory of their Faith.

3. It is one of the moſt fundamental Grounds and Principles of Truſt, that no doctrinal Knowledge of this Myſtery of Faith, in its ſupporting Power againſt the greateſt of Trouble, can avail, without the Spirit of Faith, 2 Cor. 4. 13. For here does the Communion of the Holy Ghoſt, with the Saints on the Earth moſt eminently lye, and the Enjoyments of Faith in the ſaddeſt Hours of Temptation are experienced, how the Joy and Peace of believing in ſuch a Security of Mind does thus work, when there is no natural Cauſe, or viſible Appearance for the ſame; and how in ſo ſtrange p. 54a manner, a Chriſtians Spirit hath been oft carried above the preſent Temptation of their day, with ſuch Quiet and Compoſure of Mind, as even in the midſt of great Waters, they have not come near unto them, ſo as to ſhake and ſtagger their Confidence; and I doubt not, that many humble and tender Chriſtians, have at ſome times, been ſealed with that inward Aſſurance by the Spirit of Faith, and with ſuch Strength and Clearneſs of Evidence, in an oblignatory way to their Souls, as the greateſt Aſſaults and Oppoſitions of Satan, which have been after made thereto, were never able to break the ſame, ſo bright and convincing hath the Conveyance of ſuch a Seal been in that time, as they could thus humbly take Inſtruments, that it was aſſuredly given them of God, and was Truth, and no Lie.

4. And is it not one of the Principles and Grounds of our Faith, that the great Author thereof, hath made its Security ſo full, and with that Evidence, as may fully countervail the want of ocular Demonſtration by outward Senſe: For thus does our Bleſſed Lord teſtify, Joh. 14. 17. when he hath there promiſed the ſending of his Spirit to his Church, whom the World cannot receive, becauſe they ſee him not, and can be no Object p. 55of Humane Senſe, which is the only prevailing Evidence and Demonſtration, with a terrene Spirit; but then ſhews his Diſciples, that they had a more full and ſure Teſtimony: For you know him, ſays he, and I have made you ſure by a higher Evidence, as can leave no room for Doubtfulneſs; for though herein does the excellency of Faith moſt eminently appear, in believing things not ſeen, and contrary to all natural Senſe, on the Credit of Divine Revelation, yet is there no Darkneſs this way, from want of Evidence, ſince this muſt be underſtood only, quoad evidentiam rei, ſed non quoad evidentiam teſtimonii; which is made as full, as that which we have ſeen with our Eyes, or have touched and handled in that Security which God hath given to us, in his way of believing.

5. I muſt yet add one Principle of our Faith, for giving Light to that ſtrong Influence and Power thereof, amidſt the greateſt Fears and Terrors of future Events; that it is ſure ſuch who are Chriſts, have not only things preſent, but things to come made theirs, Cor. which is one of thoſe great Aſſurances of Truth, that ſeems little underſtood, or improved by moſt, as being not only founded on that fundamental Right of our being Chriſts, and made p. 56thus Heirs of thoſe Promiſes which are in him yea, and Amen to his People; but that ſuch an entry is alſo on the Enjoyment of this right, by the Power of believing, and inward Teſtimony of the Spirit, as can fully quiet the Soul of a Chriſtian, and make things to come in another manner: There's then the Reſidue of the World know. It's true, there is a rational Proſpect and Diſcovery upon future things, by humane Wiſdom; and the prudent Man ſees and foreſees the evil day, to provide for the ſame as Solomon ſpeaks: Yea, what a thing ſhould Mans Life be without foreſight and ſagacious decerning of what may be the Iſſue of things, in a due Application of proper means for ſuch ends? and of thoſe ſucceſſive Removes, that in the ſetled courſe and way of natural Cauſes, ſeem moſt unavoidable; for on this muſt all true humant Policy found: But on the other hand, they ſee not how the Deſigns of a ſupreme Providence may be taking place above the reach of humane Thoughts, which does controul their Meaſures and Hopes, and how it was above the Sphere of ordinary Reaſon or their Foreſight, that Events have oft occurred betwixt the entry and cloſe of a Year, as they could neither ſee or prevent. But there is a Divine Foreſight p. 57which is of another Nature, by the Evidence of Faith of things not ſeen and future, without extraordinary Revelation, as can render the Enjoyments of Hope on the Certainty of a Divine Promiſe, to be matter of unexpreſſible Joy and Support, when it would in an ordinary way ſeem to be against Hope.

There is a Third Propoſal, of great weight alſo on this Head, to know what may have the moſt near and immediate Influence on ſuch a Raiſedneſs and Security of a Chriſtians Soul in an extraordinary Hour of Tryal, and does then give the greateſt Advantage to ſuch an Appearance, when it can have no viſible Cauſe for the ſame; for Anſwer thereto, it is indeed a Secret betwixt God and the Soul of Men, and a matter of Power rather than of Words, what can raiſe ſuch a Confidence as hath no poſſible riſe from Nature herein? and in this reſpect, thoſe who look at a diſtance, can never know where a Chriſtians Support, and his great Strength lyes: Yet ſince this ſeems ſo ſtrange and dark a thing to moſt, who may give ſome Aſſent to the Doctrin of our Faith, I muſt ſpeak a little further, ſo far as may tend to clear their Judgment, who would know what manner of Perſons theſe are, who both in a p. 58judicious and experimental way, move in ſo high a Sphere, and are thus skilled in the way of Truſt, and ſecure Reliance on an inviſible Refuge. But to render it the more clear, I ſhall touch this in the way of Example, by ſome peculiar View of ſuch, of whom I hope there be many this day on the Earth, to ſhew that none goes upon higher Principles of true and enlightned Reaſon. And though the Meaſures of a Chriſtians Faith and Eſtabliſhment, be not alike, but of a very different Size, yet may this clearly appear and be underſtood by ſome ſpecial Characters to illuſtrate the ſame, 1. That he is one who in a ſerious Receſs, and Retirement of his Soul, hath made a juſt Reckoning of ſuch ſurprizing Tryals, as lyable to a Chriſtians State here on the Earth, where the alone way of believing againſt Senſe, muſt either be his Support and Security, or elſe periſh. And that no preſent Condition he is in, can be ſo proſperous or promiſing, but dark and black Clouds may fall down when leaſt expected, as all humane Comfort and Aſſiſtance may fail, and have no viſible Refuges to reſt on; which hath thus brought the ſerious Thoughts of Religion and his Soul, more cloſe together, to know ſuch an infallible way, as can never fail, and will bear the p. 59whole Expence of the moſt extraordinary and diſmal Trouble; and that there is indeed, ſuch a temporal Intereſt lying thereto, as an immediate Communion with Heaven, when the lower Springs of Comfort and Supply from the Earth, may be ſhut up; yea, ſuch a Reality, as ſupernatural Comforts in the Peace and Joy of the Holy Ghoſt, which are beſt known in the ſaddeſt Hour, to be undoubted and ſure. 2. But when he hath thus judiciouſly reaſoned himſelf to ſuch a Suppoſal, he is one who is no leſs deeply awakened to provide for the ſame, not only with reſpect to that last and great Adventure of Faith upon an eternal State, but to know where his Strength lyes, when ſuch a caſe may occurr; for then it muſt in a ſpecial way lye near, to have a Stedfaſtneſs of his own in the Truth, and to know the strong and firm Conveyances of the Security of our Faith on Divine Promiſe in ſuch a manner, as ſhould not need the Seal of a Miracle, or the Testimony of an Angel, to ſupport the ſame; ſince as ſuch a Settlement on the Teſtimony of God, is ſurely attainable, ſo he cannot conceive how Men can poſſibly walk in the Light of any true Joy and Comfort on the Earth, until they once be at Reſt here. 3. He knows alſo, that the greatest Tryals wherein he is p. 60ſisted within time, is upon the Work and Actings of Faith, in an Hour of Temptation, both in the Truth and in the Strength thereof; yea, how one day in his Life, may have ſome ſpecial Commiſſion for this end, more than many Years formerly have had; but does conſider herewith, how great the Recompences are even within time, that wait on the Iſſue, when the ſet Meaſure ſhall be perfected of ſuch unuſual Tryals that it ſhall be the ſame as in Job, 23. to bring them forth as Gold: And as he conſiders how high a value the Lord does put hereon, ſince the great Diſpenſation, whereby he deals with his Church in this militant State is in the way of Trust, and upon the Credit of his Truth, when there is no ſenſible Evidence; ſo it is the moſt important Study of his Life, how he may acquit himſelf, and ſtand to the Proof hereof, for the Honour of his God, and Maſter, who hath counted him worthy to put him on ſome hotter Service and more remarkable Conflicts this way than others; and that he may hold fast the beginning of his Confidence unto the end. 4. He muſt be reckoned one, who hath attained to a ſpecial Communion with God in the ways of Providence, by frequent and deep Obſervation of the ſame, and who thus can diſcern the p. 61great ends and deſigns which he hath upon his People, in ſuch Methods of his dealing with them that may ſeem more ſtrange and aſtoniſhing to others, and in what dark Paths he does uſually lead ſuch to whom he hath reſerved the greateſt Teſtimonies of his Love and Reſpect; ſo that what proves moſt ſtaggering to others, as to the way of the Lords training of his choiceſt Followers in this State of Warfare, is made a ſpecial Aſſiſtance to his further Eſtabliſhment. 5. But more eſpecially wherein his great Strength lyes is, on that acquaintance he hath attained with the Communion of the Spirit of God, which was once ſo dark, and not conceivable by Report; but now knows that it's an acquaintance of ſuch a kind, as is not remote or at a diſtance, but by near and ſenſible Approaches to his Soul; and is not by Words, but by things of the greateſt Subſtance and Reality, with the ſanctifying Vertue of the Spirit made ſo evident, as can make his Work and Services for God, to be matter of the higheſt Delight and Enjoyment; yea, he now knows what a ſpiritual Faculty and Life, is for correſponding with thoſe Divine Communications, ſo as with a judicious and diſcerning Ear, he can know the voice of his beloved Maſter, from the voice p. 62of a Stranger, both in its Sweetneſs to allure, and in its Power and Efficacy to draw, and conform their Soul into a nearer Reſemblance to himſelf, with that Tenderneſs and Fear, which is the native Reſult of ſuch an Intimacy of Converſe. 6. But as to this marvelous Acquaintance with the Spirit of God, in order to a higher Encreaſe of Faith; He is one who can give an Account hereof alſo, that in no ſingular way it was attained, but as it does reſpect the whole Community of the Saints by an unchangeable Rule, as attainable, not only in the retired Duties of Communion with God, but by an inviſible Trade and Commerce with external Ordinances, and the Out-lettings of Sanctury Strength this way, anſwerable to that Pſal. 20. 2. in both which Reſpects, his Faith hath oft gained a higher Intereſt and Eſtabliſhment, than by external Providences, as being more immediately dependent on the Spirit of God; and as all Cauſes muſt work anſwerably to the Nature thereof, ſo can he put his Seal and Teſtimony to that hid Vertue and vital Influence, which thoſe Divine Institutions of the Goſpel hath on Mens Soul, and is only peculiar thereto; yea, when others who ſtay only in the outward Court, are bounded this way with an audible p. 63Voice to their Ears, and literal Diſcovery of ſacred Truth to the Judgment, ſuch can witneſs what unexpreſſible Support hath been then enjoyed for a more full Settlement of their Faith, by immediate Conveyances of Power and Life to their Spirits, as hath made it ſweet matter of Admiration; what inviſible Strength hath in a moral way been thus imparted, and what remarkable Returns of Light they have had upon ſuch a Tryal of enquiring in the Temple, from the Fountain of Divine Light, in the way of his Word, under their darkeſt Hours; which ſometimes have been like Elijahs Meal, in the Strength whereof, he was enabled to go Forty days, without Faint and Wearineſs. 7. But for a further illustrating of ſuch an Example whatever in a preparatory way he hath thus attained for a ſpecial acting of Faith in the moſt extreme Caſe: Yet when this is not at a diſtance, but becomes a preſent viſible Object of Senſe, and comes ſo near as cannot but in ſome extraordinary way affect his Spirit, then does it yet more appear where his Strength, and immediate Relief does lye, in making that great Tryal of turning his Eyes wholly to God, by a preſent Addreſs for ſuch a ſpecial Allowance from Heaven, that his Strength may be p. 64according to his day; and then it is in his improvement of that way which God hath conſecrated for the moſt extreme Exigences of a Chriſtians Life, he knows the high Value and Uſe of ſuch great Experiments he hath formerly made of ſenſible Acceptance, and Audience in the moſt aſtoniſhing Straits, with ſuch Teſtimony from Heaven herein, and inward Evidence on his Soul, as if Fire had come from thence to conſume the Sacrifice, ſo as he could then ſpeak in that manner Pſal. 20. 6. Now know I that the Lord ſaves his Anointed; and Pſal. 40. 11. I know I ſhall yet praiſe him; yea, as he knows the way of humble Wreſtling in Prayer, is not bounded in its Warrant, by the greateſt Extremity, ſo, it hath been in ſuch a caſe, that when God does take ſome unuſal Tryal of his People and of their Faith, he then deſigns to give them ſome great and ſingular Tryal of himſelf. 8. It may be further applicable to ſuch an Example, that though the workings of a ſpecial Faith in ſome great Exigence and Diſtreſs be ſuch, that he cannot ſpeak to others, as it's then felt in the Light and Power thereof; yet does he then know the Security hereof, and preſent Settlement of his Spirit with ſuch Evidence, as he ſees as well as believes, when he cannot poſſibly demonſtrate this p. 65to the Conviction of others, but as he knows with Aſſurance his Truſt in ſuch an Hour, to be one of the moſt highly rational Acts of his Life, ſo is this no leſs evident and ſure, how the whole ſupernatural part of Chriſtianity, whereby a Chriſtian is raiſed above himſelf, and the Workings of natural Light and Reaſon, hath its alone Dependence on a near and immediate Converſe with Heaven; wherein his great Strength then lies, that when a Tide from without may be ſuch as ſhould quickly overwhelm his Soul, he is thus put on a higher Tryal than at other times, of the Certainty of Divine Support by a preſent gale of the Spirit to ſtemm the ſame; ſuch as riſeth higher than the Work or Aſſiſtance of Angels: Yea, how it is not habitual Grace only, that could make the practical uſe of the Shield of Faith to be clear and comforting in an Extremity, if there were not ſome very immediate Supplies. But if it be inquired what is the Ground whereon they muſt adventure, and reſt their Soul in ſuch an Hour, and ſhould ſpecially fix their Anchor on, it is not conceivable, without reſpect to two ſpecial actings of Faith, by which Abraham and Sarah did enter on the Enjoyment of the Promiſe, p. 66when nothing ſeem'd in an ordinary way more impoſſible, than this, that he was perſwaded, God was able to perform what he had promiſed, Rom. 4. And ſhe judged him faithful who had promiſed, Heb. 11. 9. But yet now let me add this more with reſpect to ſuch an Example; that he is one who in a Seaſon of greatest Tryal, knows the greatneſs of that Witneſs he is then ſiſted under, to be of another kind; than any humane Obſervation that may be upon him, when he hath ſo difficult and hazardous a part to act on the Theatre of his Life; and that he hath herein, not only the Witneſs of the elect Angels, the watching and conſidering Eye of the Powers of Darkneſs, who are againſt him, but above all, that he is in a more ſingular way than at other times, ſtated under the immediate Witneſs of the Glorious Trinity, to ſee how he acts ſuitably to the greatneſs of a divine Refuge, and theſe Aſſurances which the God of Truth hath given him to adventure on; then is it alſo that he knows the Tryal of his Faith, does not alone lie, when he is now at ſo eminent a Step thereof, for the quiet and ſupport of his own Spirit, but for ſuch an Appearance before Men, as may tend to ſanctify God before the World, and for a putting his p. 67Seal hereto, that he is faithful and true; to whom theſe have concredited themſelves; and that they durſt follow him, with a reſolute Reliance, when both Senſe and natural Reaſon did fail, and could give no Support in ſuch an Hour. Thus I have offered a View in ſuch an Example, where the Support and Strength of a Chriſtians Faith, in the moſt aſtoniſhing Hour of Temptation does lye; and of the ſolid judicious Actings thereof, both in the way of Light and Power: And there is herewith preſented, a ſpecial Series and Scale of theſe Steps, whereby ſuch a Meaſure of Eſtabliſhment is attainable under that bleſſed Conduct of the Word and Spirit of God, as it keeps cloſe by the Line of Truth, betwixt Hazards both on the Right and Left Hand; ſo that we may ſee on what firm and ſure Ground ſuch are, and have their Anchor fixed, who thus know the work of Faith in an extraordinary caſe of Tryal.

But now in the laſt place, I muſt yet in an applicatory way, ſhut up this Diſcourſe with a more ſpecial reſpect to the times we are now in, when ſuch great Thoughts of Heart, may be both from thoſe strange Providences that have of late gone over the Churches of Christ in thoſe Three Nations, and what p. 68my be yet expected, and on a near Approach; ſince it is ſure Men does not know their day, nor can take to heart, Time and Judgment, where there is no ſuitable Regard to the Voice of God in his Works, as well as in his Word, and what is given to be the moſt remarkable Talent of Obſervation, on ſuch an account. I have ſpoke a little to ſuch a ſtrange Suppoſal the Pſalmiſt makes, as to what might be the Tryal of his Faith, in the day wherein he then ſtood: But let me ſpeak a few things that may be judged more than ſuppoſable with reſpect to the preſent time wherein it ſeems in ſome ſingular way to be ſtated from other times; and though with humble Sobriety I have deſired to exoner my Soul on ſuch an Account, in a late Eſſay, which hath been publiſhed; yet having a riſe, both from this Subject, and the preſent Aſpects of Providences, I muſt crave leave to offer ſome Thoughts farther.

1. Is it not more than ſuppoſable that ſuch an Appeal from the Lord, as we have Iſa. 5, 4. hath a moſt peculiar reſpect beyond former times to this Generation? What could I have done more to my Vineyard than I have done, by new Methods and Tryals, both in the way of Grace, and in the Severity of Judgments, to bring the Churches of Britain, p. 69again unto God? Or hath there been ſuch Precedents in the way of the Lord, with any Churches elſe, and in that manner, as theſe 50 Years paſt, he hath made uſe of? And oh! what muſt be expected to work for ſuch an end, when no inſtituted means does anſwer thereto? and that it's evident what the higheſt Improvements of Mens natural Power can do, which is ſo much exalted by this Generation, to ſhut out the Neceſſity of ſupernatural Influences of Grace, with ſo little Fear of ſuch a judicial Reſtraint thereof, as is at this day: For if Men do but ſincerely reaſon their Soul unto ſerious Thoughts of ſuch a cafe, what can be ſeen now by ordinary means, to beget a deep and awful Senſe of God on Mens Souls, if he do not in ſome more immediate and extraordinary way appear; but, ſuch an aſtoniſhing Confidence and Contempt of all Divine Signs and Threatnings, ſeem diſcernable as nothing in a monitory way does work or affect in Mens Spirits: Nor is Judgment from Heaven, a matter of Fear with moſt, if it be not felt. But the ſame Spirit which we may ſee Iſa. 5. 19. may be viſible in the preſent times, when they ſaid, Let him make ſpeed, and haſten his work, that we may ſee it; and let the p. 70Counſel of the Holy one of Iſrael draw near, that we may know it; which was in an expreſs way to ſpeak, that neither their Faith nor their Fear, did riſe higher than ſenſible Evidence and Demonſtration of what was preſent in their ſight.

2. It's a matter of Truth alſo, is more than ſuppoſable, that the Stability of the Earth beneath us, can give no Aſſurance and ſolid Quiet of Spirit, to thoſe who dwell thereon, until they be at Peace with Heaven: But whilſt they reckon that nothing is more ſure to build their Hopes on, than this lower Earth, and thus have their Hearts on the ſame Level therewith, may ſee how amidſt their greateſt Confidence and Expectation, their Judgment may then immediately have its Riſe from the ſame, ſo as in one Hour, to make the alone Support of their Confidence, to be the Grave thereof; and whatever ſome have writ as to the foregoing Preſages of any remarkable Earthquake, before it took place, yet was it never known, that an Appearance of God this way, either to forewarn as a Sign, or as a preſent Judgment, did occurr but with a preſent Surprizal, when nothing hereof, was feared or ſupected: And it hath ever been one of the moſt immediate Signs of ſudden Deſtruction, when p. 71a Peoples Security hath come to that height, as nothing could be awakning in ſuch a caſe, anſwerable to that 1 Theſſ. 5. 3. when they ſaid, Peace, Peace, then was a deſtroying Stroak moſt imminent and near: And I may ſpeak this with Aſſurance, that either theſe late Providences by which God hath in ſo remarkable a manner made himſelf known, ſhall be regarded as Signs, and carry Mens Spirits above any Product of natural Cauſes herein unto God, or will at laſt be felt, by what is ſignified thereby.

3. I hope, it can be no queſtionable thing with any of a ſerious and conſidering Spirit, that as the ſtanding of the World, and its being ſecured from the Extremity of Juſtice, is alone by a Diſpenſation of Grace, and the Tenor of the Second Covenant, with reſpect to the Church therein, ſo is it in no other way but of Grace only, that Britain hath this day, any Claim or Charter of Right, to the Bleſſings of Providence, and for having the Hedges of Divine Protection kept up: Nor could the furtheſt of humane Strength and Counſel avail then, if once the full meaſure of the Long-ſuffering and Tenderneſs of God, ſhould be ſummed up, that hath aſſuredly its ſet Bounds, to the moſt eminent Churches p. 72where ſometimes God hath moſt remarkably ſhined; and oh! what a thing ſhould this World be to live in, were it but fore one Day or Hour, if there ſhould be a withholding of an immediate Divine Care and Inſpection over the ſame, or for ſo ſmall a time, that Door could be ſhut up of Entercourſe betwixt Heaven and the Saints here, which by a Divine immutable Conſtitution of Grace, is kept open, whilſt they are within time: But this is a thing as to any publick and national Intereſt, that ſeems to have little Credit or Regard with Men, what inviſible Influence ſuch a hid Party, who makes leaſt Appearance in the Earth, hath on the greateſt Changes thereof; and how a filling up the Meaſure of the Elect, in a Nation and Continuance of the Candleſtick there, with the overſight of a ſpecial Providence, is ſtill of the ſame Extent.

4. It is a Dilemma of undeniable Evidence, as to the publick State and Interest of thoſe Nations, that we muſt either have God for us, in the Efficacy and Out-goings of his Providence, or againſt us: That God, who in the ſupreme Adminiſtration of his Government over the World, ſtands not as Nouter, or as a Witneſs only to the Actings of Men; but if he be not p. 73on our ſide, and intereſted in our Cauſe, we muſt then know him as an Adverſary: For there can be no poſſible midſt herein, that God, whoſe Room all the World cannot ſupply, if he ſhould be ſhut out of our Counſels; yea, ſuch a God we have both to fear and rely on, who is not one like to our ſelves, to be put off with Words, or a complemental Addreſs in a ſtated Form only, or can expect in Faith, that this will bring Aſſiſtance to turn the Scale of Providence on our ſide, if he be not according to his revealed Counſel, with an intire Reliance on him alone, adored and feared as God: Yea, it's ſure in no humane Affairs, he does more immediately appear, and by an extraordinary Miniſtery of the Angels, than in the deciſion of War and of Battels, For which cauſe he does in ſo ſpecial a reſpect, take that Style unto himſelf, to be the Lord of Hoſts. It ſhould ſeem a ſtrange and aſtoniſhing thing, how Men can live in the Earth without God, without whom they cannot live for one Moment, and in whoſe Hand their Bre…h is; yet if we look to the publick state of Religion this day, nothing may be more applicable to the moſt numerous part of the Reformed Churches than this; and that the Senſe of a Deity, hath more Power and Influence amongſt Heathens, p. 74who walk in the Name of their God, than it hath amongſt Millions of profeſſed Chriſtians; for except we ſhut out Reaſon, ſuch muſt be ſurlie ſaid to live without God in the Earth, and not to walk in his Name, who live without any reſolute dependance and truſt upon him in the courſe and conduct of their affairs; whoſe great buſineſs in the World lies only with Men, and are much more influenced by ſuch a fear, than of his ſrownings, and terror, who made Heaven and Earth; when it ſeem's now eaſie with moſt to loſe God, if they may gain Men, and make an intreſt that way, tho the purchaſe will never bear the expence; yea, can go the fartheſt length of external Worſhip in Church Aſſemblies, and yet be without God, then as to any internal converſe or injoyment of him by inward acts of adoration; and what account can ſuch poſſibly make of an inviſible God, who know no other meaſure of their confidence, but as viſible things do either ſmile or frown upon them; but there is one reſpect further wherein we may ſee how moſt, who profeſs the name of God, do this day live without him in the Earth, which is in the way of obſervation of what paſſeth betwixt him and p. 75them, whether by providences or influences on their Soul, but take all things at an adventure, without any higher looke than what is from Secondary cauſes, though it was in this way that an Enoch, an Noah, and the whole race of the Saints, who have gon before, knew what it was to walk with God in the Earth, no leſs in diſcerning his appearances, and work towards them, than their way and ſervices towards him; But oh! what will he do with us, when it may be feared that the moſt prevailing ſuffrage and vote of the generation we are now in, ſhould be this (if their Soul might ſpeak for them in ſuch a caſe) let God depart from us, for we deſire not the Knowledge of the Moſt High, ſince this lght tends only to be tormenting, and does afford no comfort to ſuch; or can it be expected, that he will allow in this age a Reſtoring Miracle to bring men again to the faith and ſenſe of the Deity, as he did in the days of Elia, when we have a much greater Talent to be accountable for, than theſe had, or any former Ages paſt, having the whole income of their Confirmations and improvements added to our Stocks?

5 Tho the great intreſt of that myſterie of a Chriſtians Faith, which is the p. 76ſpecial Subject of this Diſcourſe, does in the firſt place reſpect our Reconciled State, and juſtification before God, yet is it too evident that the moſt uſually trying and difficult part thereof, is, with reſpect to the Tryals and conflicts of time, and ſucha day, when they muſt live immediately on God, and give him the Glory of his Godhead when no viſible means can ſupport, which is that wonderful experiment of Faith in the power thereof that is here expreſly pointed at, when it is by the Spirit of God as his immediate work alone proportioned to the moſt extraordinary hight of a Christians Tryal; but as to the filling up of this great work of Faith in the appointed meaſure thereof, it does principally 1. reſpect the whole State and times of the elect Church, and on this account, there is ſtill a growing increaſe as to the meaſure of the work of Faith ſince Abel the righteous, and is not yet come in many degrees to that full hight of perfection which it muſt have before the cloſe of time; yea, herein hath each of the Saints their proper ſhare and intereſt for bringing forth the Glory of this excellent Grace to it's greateſt diſplay before Angels and Men, which is an end worthy of all the Tryals, and ſuffering p. 77times which have ever gone over the Church, becauſe this way of giving glory to God is only within time. 2. But it muſt be underſtood alſo that in each age of the Church there are ſome more illuſtrous examples that the Lord does afford to the World this way, in whom his Grace in the power thereof hath a greater triumph in the way of paſſive valour than in theſe, who have been moſt admired upon their Heroick Actings and conqueſt over Men. 3. It is undeniable alſo what eminent experiments have been thus afforded, upon theſe adventures of a Chriſtians Faith, which did not then anſwer the ordinary Standard of the Tryals, which others have had; and though we may confidently hope, that the higheſt meaſure of the ſuffering times of the Church is now accompliſhed and paſt, and of the tryal of the paſſive Graces of the Spirit, yet it may be matter of fear that the Faith of Chriſtians in this day may have ſome more extraordinary Eſſay in the way of Judgment, as to the publick State of the Church, and of theſe Nations now in theſe laſt times of the Gentiles, than what hath been in ages paſt, and may need more than ordinary ballast to bear up againſt the darkneſs p. 78thereof, when ſuch a midnight hour ſeems immediately to preceed the dawning of that bright Sun-ſhine, which may be truly reckoned the brightneſs of Chriſt's ſecond coming, in that laſt ſtate of time.

6. May it not be matter of unavoidable evidence alſo as to the preſent State of the Church that there is ſurely ſome eminent period of providence, to which ſo ſwift and extraordinary a courſes of remarkable changes, as hath in a ſucceſſive way ſtill attended theſe Nations, have aproper tendency; theſe being ſo unuſual and aſtoniſhing, and out of the way of the Lords ordinary working, as the moſt judicious, and deep diſcerners of things could not to this day have reaſoned their falling out on principles of humane reaſon; yea ſuch, as I muſt humbly judge, will not ceaſe, until the Spirit of God be quieted in that great Deſign which he is to accompliſh hereby anſwerable to that Zach. 6, 8. on which he hath ſet his heart, who leaves not his work unperfected, which hath alſo the ſame ſenſe, and intent. Iſa. 66. 9. Shall I bring to the birth, and not cauſe to bring ſorth, &c. nor (I am perſwaded) will any humane counſel make civil establiſhments to be effectual, until that great deſign of Providence p. 79be more underſtood, and concurred with.

7. It is now a day of great expectation how the next ſcene of Providence may open for a farther clearing of this deſign of the Lord about which I judge theſe who have neareſt converſe with God this day by his Word and Spirit, ſee cauſe to give their fears the firſt place before their hopes, as to ſome very extrordinary work of judgment that from all ſigns ſeems to lie neareſt now to the reformed Churches in the frame of providence, tho we are like to have little either of Faith or fear, when it comes, until it be made an object of Senſe; but I am ſure a few of theſe evident prognoſticks that now are in our ſight, would have deeply affected the Spirits of ous Fathers, when we may ſee no Providences are ſo extraordinary, as to have any ſanctifying influence on Mens Souls for the moſt part, or to advance the publick ſtate of Religion as formerly; when an outward Calm and a dead Lethargy herewith does ſo viſibly ſtill go together, which hath a more mortal aſpect on the preſent ſtate of Britain than might be judged from the higheſt Paroxiſm of perſonal ſufferings; when the Chriſtian interest this day for p. 80accompliſhing the great deſigns of Grace under a reformed profeſſion thereof is as a low thing in Mens eyes in reſpect of what is more extrinſick, and foreign thereto; when alſo the long decreaſe of that tide of power, and influences of Religion on Mens Souls hath at laſt come to ſuch an ebb by theſe judicial removes of the Spirit of God, that without ſome very immediate appearance from Heaven we might fear leſt Truth ſhould quickly periſh from the Earth; yea, when it's ſo evident that God is yet calling for ſome to stand in the gap, and make up the hedge before Judgment go forth, butt almoſt none ſound to anſwer it's voice; ſo intently are Mens Spirits now, even of ſuch, who outgo others in a profeſſion ſet upon deſigns about their own things; and it hath ſurely ever been a diſmal ſign to a Nation, when it becomes rare to find any ſuitable Inſtruments, and Tools to anſwer a restoring work therein, or to ſee that raiſedneſs of Spirit for ſuch an end, as hath been formerly, which may be feared ſpeaks the long ſhadows of the Evening before ſome horror of great Darkneſs are too viſibly ſtretched out. But if Men do count theſe things ſmall and remote from their eyes, and will raiſe a confidence, p. 81that it ſhall be Peace, until there be another Appearance for God and the Intereſt of his Kingdom, than hath yet been. It may make the Diſappointment Sad, and Dreadful in the Iſſue: One thing I have thought ſtrange, how there can be a National Love and Reſpect to its Intereſt in another way, than to have God Intereſted both in their Caſe and Cauſe, in the firſt Room; or how Solemn and Publick Thaksgivings, in a ſtated external Form for the moſt eminent Appearances of God, whether as to a Nation, or to a City, or to Perſons, is ſo viſibly divided from ſuch an eſſential part thereof, which is by Thankofferings, and ſome Returns to him in a promiſſory way by Deeds and Performances, as well as by Words, ſuitable to the Weight of ſuch Engagements. But this is a rare Practice now to be found on the Earth, to deſign ſome ſpecial Conſecration of the Gain of any eminent National Mercies unto God this way.

8. Yet whatever may be too evident in the matter of our Fear, it's ſure that the juſt Grounds of our Hopes in behalf of the Church, does far exceed the ſame: And though there be many extraordinary Signs to cauſe Terror and Conſternation of Spirit, there is one Sign of another kind, that p. 82will compenſe all, which is that Sign of the Son of Man, Mat. 24. 30. as it is to be underſtood in a promiſſory Senſe; and how that great Mourning of the Tribes of the Earth, which is there ſpoke, to attend ſuch a Sign, hath the ſame Senſe with that, Zach. 12. 10. and is clearly expoſitory of the ſame, They ſhall look on me whom they have Pierced, and Mourn, &c. as alſo that evident Parallel, Rev. 1. 6. ſince theſe do ſo jointly bear evidence to the Nature and Intent of ſuch a Sign, as will then have an eminent Appearance with the firſt entry, and returning of the Jews unto him, whom their Fathers did pierce. I know ſome of the greateſt Writers of this Age, ſuch as Ʋſher, Twiſs, and Mead, and of late that Worthy Man Mr. Mather of New-England, take this in the ſame Senſe, only ſeem to reckon this Sign to be the thing ſignified of Christ himſelf, in a viſible Appearance then to the World: But this will be e're long in another manner underſtood in the Event. Yet I have found it ſo ſweet a Subject of Thoughts in theſe diſmal and ſad Times, when other Signs are ſo tremendous, that in ſome things which are moſt clear herein, and ſuitable to humble Sobriety, I muſt ſpeak a few things. 1. How it is unqueſtionable, this is that one p. 83Sign by way of Singularity, which our Bleſſed Head and Redeemer, does appropriate to himſelf as his, and to be the Sign foreign of the Son of Man, ſuch as hath never been given to the World like thereto, nor will ever be, until he come himſelf to Judgment. 2. It is ſurely a Sign which muſt be Publick and Conſpicuous to the World, in ſome extraordinary Viſion to humane Senſe; for therein is the Intent of that Prediction made expreſs and clear: But as to the Nature hereof, or its Duration, I judge it ſuitable not to enquire, where the Holy Ghoſt hath not more particularly cleared the ſame, and reſerved a further Diſcovery thereof, to the Event. 3. It is ſure alſo, when this great Appearance ſhall be to the World, it will be with that demonſtrative and undubitable Evidence as the Sign of the Son of Man, as will beyond any Contradiction, expound it ſelf, and verify ſuch a Prediction of our Bleſſed Lord, before Angels and Men. 4. It muſt be underſtood as a Sign that will be deeply affecting, and work in an extraordinary way on Mens Spirits, to cauſe ſo great and univerſal a Mourning, which will not be as ſom have underſtood, a Mourning from Horror, but what will be a Reſult not only p. 84of the Greatneſs and Certainty of the Sign, but of an extraordinary Concurrence of the Spirit of God herewith, to anſwer that eminent Deſign of Grace, with a peculiar reſpect to the Jewiſh race, as may be clearly ſeen Zach. 12. 12. And herein I humbly judge, as in the firſt times of the Goſpel, the Jews did require a Sign from Heaven to engage them to the Chriſtian Faith, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks 1 Cor. 1. 22. ſo that this way now in the laſt times, both with an eminent Rebuke to their Infidelity, and marvelous Condeſcendence of Grace, he will yet in ſuch a manner appear. 5. But it muſt ſtill be according to what the Scripture expreſſes, a Sign, and not the thing ſignified, or perſonal Appearance of our Bleſſed Lord in his humane Nature, whom the Heavens muſt contain until the full Reſtitution of all things; wherein I muſt differ from the Judgment of ſuch great Interpreters, who take it in the other Senſe, though this will aſſuredly be ſuch a Sign, as is then to have ſome extraordinary Impreſs and Signature upon it, to be demonſtrative to the World, and the Jews more peculiarly, of the Humanity of our Bleſſed Redeemer. 6. But whatever may be the Glory and Splendor of ſo extraordinary an Appearance, it p. 85muſt be ſtill reckoned ſuch as the ſtate of Mortality can bear, ſince that Viſion that he gave to his beloved Diſciple John, of himſelf in his glorified State, Rev. 1. was ſo overpowering, as he who had ſometimes leaned on his Boſom, whilſt he was on the Earth, did then fall as dead at his Feet; and except it were ſuppoſed that he ſhould put a Veil on his Glory, in ſuch a viſible and immediate Appearance of his humane Nature, it is not conceivable, how even the Saints on the Earth, much more the reſidue of the World, could bear a ſign of that Nature: And herein my Soul doth reſt with Aſſurance, as to the Senſe and Intent of the Scripture, about that much deſired Sign, after ſerious and humble enquiry about the ſame. Though I muſt crave leave to add this further, with a ſpecial Confidence, that this Sign, which is to be the greateſt, is to be given in a Monitory way gof his Second coming, is now ſurely on a near Approach, as being both that great Signal of Grace to the poor Jewiſh World, and of its being very near to a perfecting of the Work of time, and his coming to judge the World; yea, ſince the finiſhing of the times of the Gentiles, and that great Tide and Effuſion of the Spirit, p. 86which will then bring a Reſurrection therewith, from the Dead to the Jews, does contemporate together, the promiſſory Evidences of the near Approach hereof, are ſuch as I hope many of this Generation now in the Earth, may be made Witneſſes thereto.

9. I know it is reckoned uſually, that the accompliſhing of theſe great Deſigns of Providence, which are yet to take place now in the laſt Ages of the World, and the Exhibition of this wonderful Sign of the Son of Man, may be at a great diſtance of time, as to the Event thereof, upon which I have had the ſame Thoughts, until a more deep enquiry and ſearch about the Counſel of God herein, hath brought me under a conſtraint of Light, to ſee how the work of time in all its Intents, is nearer to a final cloſe, than ſeems to be apprehended by moſt; and that we are now ſurely near to an entring on the laſt Watch of that long Night of the Churches Militant State, when her Warfare ſhall for ever be accompliſhed, and there will be no more ſuch long Stages in the Courſe and Procedure of Providence, as hath formerly been; but when the last part of Scripture Propheſie is once come to the Birth, and full height of Accompliſhment, then i'ts p. 87to be hoped that a few Years will bring forth more than hath been formerly attained in ſome Ages; yea, to this doth the Spirit ſpeak expreſly with reſpect to that great and wonderful Revolution in the laſt times, by the incalling of the Jews, and final Deſtruction of Antichriſt, that then he will cut ſhort his Work in Righteouſneſs, and finiſh the ſame; becauſe a ſhort Work will the Lord make upon the Earth, Rom. 9. 28. by which the way and manner of the courſe of Providence, is clearly expreſſed, as it will be in the evening of time, from what it hath been formerly; the Word there in the Original, is foreign to ſhew that as the work of God which he hath upon the Earth, is the alone Product, and Accompliſhment of his Word, ſo when the Adminiſtration of Providence, is drawing near to its laſt Period and Cloſe, then will he cut it ſhort, and haſten the ſame in ſome extraordinary way; yea, allot more to a Day or Year, than he did to many Years before, in the ordinary courſe of his working; and as the firſt bringing forth of the Creation was a ſhort Work, and a ſwift courſe that Omnipotency took herein, ſo may the laſt Conſummation and Cloſe of the great Work of Providence, be expected to make no Delay: I am ſure the Holy p. 88Ghoſt ſpeaks expreſly for this end, in that aforecited Scripture, beſides other Paſſages of Sacred Truth, which give Light and Confirmation thereto; but in what Senſe the cutting ſhort of the Work of God in the last times, and his making a ſhort Work in the Earth is to be underſtood, I muſt humbly offer what I am in Faith perſuaded hereof, as agreeable to the Intent of that Scripture. 1. How it is to be a ſhort Work, and a very ſwift Motion that ſhall be then in the Churches Increaſe, and in gathering of the Elect, as what will be anſwerable to that great extent of the Church Ʋniverſal, when it is made up both of Jews and Gentiles, and in ſuch a day of Power, as the Dew of his Youth, ſhall be as the Womb of the morning, Pſal. 110. 3. For though it be clear that the laſt Triumph of Chriſt's viſible Kingdom, and the Glory of his Grace in order to Converſion, muſt aſſuredly have a great Harveſt therewith, for in-bringing of the Saints, and filling up of that large Room, which is yet void in the Church Triumphant, in the whole appointed meaſure thereof, yea, may be judged ſuch as ſhall bear a Reſemblance to that Progreſs of Grace, and wonderful Product of its Efficacy in the first times of the Goſpel, ſo is it to be expected p. 89that this laſt Tide of the Effuſion of the Spirit of God, ſhall be ſo ſtrong and prevalent, as to attain the Work of an Age formerly in a very ſhort time, and verify that Scripture to the Amazement of the World, Iſa. 66. 10. how a Nation and People ſhould be Born, and formed to the Lord in a day. But I muſt herewith ſpeak to a ſad Miſtake, that I humbly judge many are upon, as to the meaſure of that Prophetick Millennium, and higheſt Glory of Chriſts viſible Reign herein, as if that definite time of a Thouſand Years, ſhould be underſtood extenſively of ſuch a preciſe number of Years, and of ſo long a Duration, when the Intent of the Holy Ghoſt herein, ſeems ſo clear and evident, that it's rather intenſively to be taken in the Value and Splendor thereof, when the Light of one day will be as of ſeven in one, and the Work of God in a ſhort meaſure of time then, will virtually amount to a Thouſand Years. I know it's accknowledged by all, and clearly underſtood as David ſpeaks Pſal. 90. and the Apoſtle, 2 Pet. 2. how a Thouſand years with the Lord is but as a day; yet ſeems the Senſe of this to be little apprehended by moſt, how a day before the Lord, may be as a Thouſand years: And how it's intended there, to ſhew his p. 90ing ſuch a Value and Glory thereon, as it may amount to the Product of a Thouſand years formerly in the ordinary courſe of Providence. 2. It is in this reſpect alſo that the Lords making a ſhort work in the Earth, in the laſt times of the Church, may be underſtood by a more ſwift courſe than uſual, in order to the perfecting of the Saints, who then are on the Earth, and ripening of them for Heaven; ſo that anſwerable to their Attainments of Grace in a more extraordinary growth herein, their Tranſlation to Glory will be the more haſtned, and the Meaſure of the Work and Services of their time, more quickly perfected: This with humble Sobriety, I have ſometimes, and do ſtill judge, that the Lords cutting ſhort his work then, may be no leſs remarkable in the ſhort Period and Duration which the Saints ſhall have on the Earth, after their Calling, than that long Meaſure which was allotted to Men in the firſt entry of time, as congruous to this deſign of Grace, to make a ſhort work then, and haſten the full Tranſlation of the Church to its Triumphant State. 3. It is to be judged in this reſpect alſo, will appear that cuting ſhort of the Work of God in the laſt times, by bringing forth the great deſigns of Providence, p. 91which are then to have their full Accompliſhment, with ſo extraordinary a gale of Divine Power, and ſwift courſe thereof, as will admit no Halting or Delay, but ſhall attain that in a very ſhort time, which to our Thoughts, would ſeem great for an Age to bring forth. We can ſee now with full evidence for what great ends the Service and Ʋſe of time hath been from the firſt entry thereof, and what deſigns the Bleſſed Author of the ſame, hath had on the Ages paſt: But when we look forward to the laſt Intent and Work thereof, there ſeems to be very dark and ſtrange Thoughts hereof, by many, though the Spirit of God by Divine Revelation, is clear and expreſs about the ſame, as to what muſt be yet filled up of the Work and Adminiſtration of Providence before the end: The Teſtimony of Chriſt, which is the Spirit of Propheſie, was moſt ſpecially directed under the Old Teſtament, upon his Prieſtly Office; but now is the Glory of this Teſtimony, as to the Propheſies under the New Teſtament, in a peculiar way, ſettled on his Kingly Office, in the whole Progreſs and Gradations of his viſible Kingdom, until the cloſe of Time; and it's in a Twofold reſpect, that the Spirit of Propheſie does reveal the great deſigns of Providence, p. 92which are yet to be perfected before the end of time: The firſt is as to a breaking down, and final Overthrow of the Kingdom of Antichriſt under the laſt Vials; yea, as to the Methods of Providence, and the manner hereof, is alſo expreſs and clear, that when the time is once come for this great and magnificent Act of Judgment on that City, and Seat of the Beast by the Fifth Vial, it will then make a ſtrange and unuſual diſpatch, and be an amazing Surprizal, as the Scripture ſpeaks Rev. 18. 7, 8. when ſhe ſays, I ſit as a Queen, and ſhall ſee no Sorrow; then in one day ſhall her Plagues come; for ſtrong is the Lord God who judgeth her. Nor can this be more marvelous in our Eyes when it comes, than what we have ſeen of the degrees of Wrath and Judgment, that are already fulfilled on this Adverſary; ſo as I muſt judge by Scripture Evidence, this will be a work of ſhort time, as it will bear an extraordinary and immediate Appearance of God therewith: But there is one great deſign further in that way of breaking down, and overturning which muſt yet take place in the final Judgment of the Mahumetan Empire, both as to Turks and Perſians; which as it may be clearly underſtood by the Sixth Vial, and does with great evidence p. 93relate to what is foretold of this Adverſary, Rev. 9. 14. under the Sixth Trumpet, ſo as to the manner hereof, in that Alluſion of drying up the River of Euphrates; when formerly we ſee how theſe Angels were let looſe for Deſtruction, who were bound thereat: We may ſee how the ſame Alluſion does ſpeak ſuch a work of Judgment, as will be ſtrange, ſudden and ſurprizing, as the drying up of Euphrates, by Diverſion of that River, did in one Night, make way to finiſh the Babyloniſh Empire in the time of Cyrus; and now ſome prelude and remarkable Steps of Judgment, as to the fall of that Empire, have been of late very obvious: But yet in a Concurrence herewith, there is one great deſign of Providence, to be accompliſhed before the end, which is for building up, and a reſtoring work on that great and long Ruin of the ſcattered Jews; and thus for gathering together in one, in the Diſpenſation of the fulneſs of time, all things in Chriſt, even in him, Eph. 1. 10. which Scripture, I muſt humbly judge, ſpeaks peculiarly to that laſt uniting work about the Church Ʋniverſal, both of the Jews and Gentiles: When the times of the Gentiles are once Accompliſhed, which as I have a little touched before, then will it be underſtood p. 94in the Event, how the Value and Intereſt of a day, may be by the Lord in that manner heightned as to ſum up and abridge therein, what had not been attained in a Thouſand years before: It was in the first times of the Goſpel, that the Effuſion of the Spirit of God, and Out-goings of his Power was ſo wonderful and ſtrong, as in Forty years, the extent of the Chriſtian Church, after the Aſcention of Chriſt, was then greater in the World, than it ſeems to be at this day; which I do not queſtion, ſhall yet once more before the cloſe of time, be no leſs wonderful in the ſwift Courſe and Conqueſt of Grace, both as to Jews and Gentiles, than it was at that time. But as no great Excellencies, or extraordinary Splendor in any Appearances of God, have been of a long Duration, whilſt the Church here is Militant, ſo the nearer all things are to the Center in the final cloſe of time, we ſhould expect as God hath expreſly ſpoke, that it will be with a remarkable cutting ſhort of his Work then; and that the World will be in a ſtrange manner ſurprized with his laſt coming: Yea, that the greatneſs of ſuch a Harveſt of Iſraels Converſion, will bring in more in a ſhort time, than many Ages hath done formerly. 4. It is alſo in this p. 95reſpect that the making a ſhort work in the cloſe of time, may be judged, that after ſuch extraordinary Diſcoveries of God, and Methods of Grace, the final Oppoſition then made thereto by the World, will to the furtheſt, make way for the laſt deciſion of Judgment, when the Harveſt of the Earth is thus ripened and made White, under ſuch prodigious meaſures of Guilt, more than in all Ages paſt; as the Righteous God will then be Intereſted in Vindication of his Glory, to ſhut up for ever, that long Period of his Patience and Long-ſufferings. 5. Let me but add upon this Head, that I account it a peculiar Demonſtration of God, which he hath reſerved to the laſt times of the Church, to ſhew before Angels and Men, what uſe he can make of a ſhort time, for the greateſt ends, and how far he can cauſe it to amount in perfecting of his Work, to bring forth ſuch wonderful things in a few days or years, that would ſeem as incomprehenſible to Reaſon, as for the Earth to bring forth in a day, or for a Nation to be created therein, Iſa. 66. 10. It hath been the Glory of God, that ſome ſhould live more in a few years, and act a greater part on the Stage, than others in a long Age; the firſt Service of time was beyond all that ever followed p. 96upon this Account, made wonderful and glorious, when one day brought at once forth the Sun, Moon, and Stars; and ſet them in their proper Orbs, and another day brought forth that Intellectual Being of Man, made after the Image of God; and can it be ſtrange that the ſame God give ſuch a Demonſtration of himſelf, and of the glory of his Power, in the laſt ſhutting up of his Work, as the World may ſee it's not in the Reverence of Time, nor of Ages, when his Deſign and Counſel herein is to take place: But if Men will raiſe and build their Hopes on the long Duration of this horrid and ſad World now in its Old Age, and think their Houſes ſhall be continued for many Generations; it will be a ſad Surprizal in the Cloſe, when they are found in the ſame Poſture at the coming of the Son of Man, as it was in the days of Noah: And I doubt not the ſwift motions of Providence, for making a ſhort Work in the Earth, will be yet rendred more aſtoniſhing than all we have hitherto ſeen; Bleſſed are they that watch and wait with Joy, for the drawing near of this great day of their Redemption, though the preciſe day and time hereof, be alone known to the Lord.

p. 9710. It is true, that the way of the Lord may ſeem to controul any ſwift Motion and Courſe of Providence in his Procedure this day, when the Wheels do to our Senſe stand ſtill, and things yet kept in a Suſpence, as to any great or remarkable Deciſion in the publick State of Affairs; yea, when after ſuch Expectations now for a conſiderable time, there is ſo ſtrange an Interval of Silence, as to the Work of God in this Part of the World, and the Ballance kept in an unuſual manner, equal betwixt the French and the whole Confederates, which are againſt him: It is unqueſtionably, matter of great Thoughts of Heart, what the Event may be e're long of ſuch an aſtoniſhing Calm and Stop. But in order to this, let me humbly ſpeak a few things to be conſidered. 1. How in all times of the Church, it hath been made obſervable, That when the Lord is to bring forth ſome great Work of Judgment on the World, and on particular Nations, he does not only reinforce Warnings, and gives time herein to anſwer his Call, but even when his Hand is lifted up, will yet hold the ſame: But where the moſt Signal Delay and Forbearance hath gone before, it's ſure the more dreadful and ſad, is the Stroak when it p. 98comes at laſt. 2. Though there needs a Divine Light to make a right Eſtimate and Judgment of things which relate to the preſent day, yet if Men admit Reaſon, it may be too eaſie to ſee, that there is no ſlow motion in the viſible tendency of things, as they now move in theſe Three Nations to ſome fatal and ſudden Period; except theſe things which ſhould thus awaken our Fears, have a more ſpecial Influence to direct unto theſe Duties, which might yet prevent the ſame: For even judicious Reaſon may Prophecy what Aſpect ſuch Evils have, as by a native and unavoidable Reſult have the moſt near and immediate Influence on a Nations Ruin, when they are come to that Height, as will admit no Cure: And when the moſt numerous Part of a Proteſtant Profeſſion therein, are ſo viſibly ſtated in Emnity to other, purſuing different and contrary Intereſts, as cannot but lay a dead lift on all publick Actings this day: When alſo the Contagion of Example is ſo prevalent and mortal, but the Comfort thereof ſo rare, as to any of a truly Raiſed and Heroick Spirit. And if we look to theſe who have a leading Intereſt in theſe Nations, as to their Stations and Qualities, how few of ſuch may be now found, whoſe Anceſtors p. 99had an eminent Appearance for God in their day, that have the Spirit of their Fathers reſting on them?

But now in the 3d. place, I muſt crave leave to ſpeak a little more fully in order to a trying and inquiſitive Judgment on a very great and affecting Head, what it ſhould mean that there are ſuch threatning Appearances of Hazard to Britain from the French Power, in theſe times we are in: I know it may ſeem a hopeful Sign, that ſuch a Party as we have to deal with, are ſuch alſo againſt whom the Blood of Thouſands of Proteſtants is crying to Heaven. And I am perſwaded, that the Holy God will in due time, avenge theſe ſtrange meaſures of Cruelty exercis'd there, upon the Houſe of Bourbon; and have Indignation againſt that Race, until the Sun ceaſe to Riſe and Set: But on the other hand, I muſt ſpeak, that ſurely there ſeems ſomething in an unuſual way, threatning in the preſent Aſpect of this Adverſary; on which I ſhall offer a few ſerious Reflections. 1. That for ſeveral Years paſt there hath been ſuch remarkable evidence of a Seal of their Commiſſion for Judgment, not only to take Peace from this part of the Earth, but to be the Rod of Divine Indignation againſt the Refomed Churches: For it hath been under this Rod, that hitherto the moſt deſtructive Ddſigns have had the p. 100moſt viſible Succeſſes; and when an Inſtrument of Judgment is of Gods chooſing, and hath an anointing for this end put upon him, it proves then to be very formidable, as it hath the Impreſs of his Terror and Greatneſs put thereon, beyond what is at another time; and is thus acted with an inviſible Power and Concurrence, until ſuch a Work of Judgment be accompliſhed. 2. We ſee this is an Adverſary who in this late Deſign againſt the whole Proteſtant Intereſt in the Kingdom of France, hath had ſuch prevailing Succeſſes, to carry on a ruining and judicial work of that nature, when in former times the Proteſtants there, did with an Heroick and Invincible Spirit, bear out againſt the utmoſt Power and Violence of Four Kings ſucceſſively; and could ſee them by an extraordinary Divine Hand broke: But oh! now was the day turned no leſs remarkably, and the Attempts of this King followed with that Terror, Fainting and Lowneſs of Spirit, as to any ſelf Defence, that it might be ſeen, as in the caſe of Samſon, their Strength this way was departed, ſo as nothing could avail until ſuch a Work both of Tryal and Judgment, was accompliſhed: This I confeſs hath oft had an affecting Senſe on my own Spirit, and brings a more extraordinary Call therewith, to p. 101have our Reliances more abſolutely fixed on God, and promiſe leſs to our ſelf from viſible means; yea, how to prevent ſuch a Hazard at the Fountains Head, as is ſtill threatning, when there may be juſt matter of Fear, that the date of his Commiſſion is not yet expired. But 3. Is it not known that this is ſuch an Adverſary, over whom the Engliſh Nation once had ſo great an Aſcendent in times paſt, as they were a Terror unto that People who now does not only keep, but gain Ground againſt the united Strength of ſo great Confederacy? ſo that there may be cauſe for a higher Look than to what is humane, in the Standing, Supports, and growing Strength of that Party: And it's ſurely one of the great Demonstrations of Providence in the World, which is both in the riſing and depreſſing of the Genius of a Nation and People, anſwerable to the Deſigns which God is accompliſhing hereby: But this I leave to the more ſerious Thoughts and Judgments of others, what Appearance ſuch a Sign hath to us this day. 4. It is in ſome ſingular way that it may be ſaid the French have attained beyond others, to be united within themſelves; and on the other hand, no leſs skilful to divide and promote Diſcords amongſt thoſe who are againſt them, and p. 102who now in this critical Juncture of Affairs, know how to graft their deepeſt Deſigns on theſe intestine Diſtempers, and Convulſions which are ſo viſible in the Politick Body of theſe Nations; yea, know how to foment the ſame, whilſt intestine Conſlicts, even amongſt the moſt ſerious part of Proteſtants, are ſo unceſſant as to ſhut out all fear of this kind, and deſpiſe any moral Relief or Cure. 5. Tho' it may be of ſmall Notice or Remark, upon any threatning Aſpect of ſuch a Party, yet I muſt look otherways thereon, even in this Particular, that there has been ſuch a long and reſolute conforming amongſt us to the way of that Nation, in the moſt Prodigions Faſhions and Attires, who have delighted herein to copy after ſuch a Patern, that they may be at laſt in the Righteouſneſs of God, made to have as ſad a Tryal of them in the way of Judgment, as of that continued Inſtuence and Aſcendent they have had over them in the way of Sin. 6. But there Is one Reflection I muſt yet further offer upon this Head, which in this day hath had a ſpecial Impreſſion on my own Spirit, that the laſt Effort and ultimus conatus of the Kingdom of Antichriſt before its final Fall, may be feared, is not yet accompliſhed as to the ultima clades of the Reformed Churches; yea, that this work hath fallen under his Hand as the Inſtrument waited and fitted by Divine Providence for ſuch an end; which hath oft made me judge, that the date of his Commiſſion is not yet expired, when the ſame provoking Cauſes of ſuch a deſolating Stroak as p. 103hath been of late on the Church of France, are no leſs viſible amongſt us, and may have the ſame Ground to fear, when we ſee ſuch a remarkable Beacon in their caſe ſet before us. The God of the Reformed Churches is no Reſpecter of Perſons and Nations, who will not ſtill bear with a naked Shew, and an uninlivened Profeſſion of that pure and excellent Religion we enjoy; yea, when the moſt near and immediate Signs, which in former times have gone before ſome extraordinary Stroak of Judgment on Nations and Churches, are rather in ſome further Degree, applicable to us: There may be more than ordinary cauſe to meditate Terror on ſuch an account, that there is a Sound of great Wrath on this Generation, yea, that a Sword is fourbiſhed and ſheathed in Heaven, which is to have ſome great deſtroying work under its Hand, before it be put up: But oh! nothing is like to do until ſomething more extraordinary than we have yet ſeen, draw aſide that Veil of Security we are now under, and hide theſe things from our Eyes. But I ſhall add herewith, as it ſhould be a Bleſſed Surprizal, if the God of Patience might yet ſpare and prolong a Seaſon of Grace, and Reſpite ſo threatning a Woe; ſo on the other hand, an experimental Knowledge of the Truth of Divine Premunitions, when it's too late, and is had at ſo dear a Purchaſe, will be very ſad, when no Conviction or Repentance, can regain ſuch a Seaſon as we now have, if it be once loſt: But as the Proverb ſpeaks, non licet in bello aut morte bis errare.

There is one thing yet further now in the ſhutting up of this Diſcourſe, which I muſt in a few words touch; that as it is the alone Prerogative of the Deity to declare things to come, before they ſpring forth, and who hath bounded the Proſpect and Evidence of his People as to future Events, or what he is yet bringing ſorth of his work in the laſt times, according to the extent of Divine Revelation herein, (ſince this is to be the meaſure of our Light and Diſcoveries, until the ſecond p. 104coming of the Lord.) So it's no leſs evident and ſure, that any Pretence or Proſpect of the Events of Providence, which have no Dependance on any natural cauſes, is beyond the poſſible reach of all natural Science, or of that horrid Profeſſion which is ſo much aloft in theſe times of judicial Aſtrology, as it relates to future and contingent Events; wherein Men as free Agents do act, when beſides the known Vanity of any ſuch Pretence, the God of Truth hath put them in the ſame Claſs with Sorcerers, Iſa. 47. 12, 13. Stand now with the Inchantments, and the multitude of thy Secrets, and let the Aſtrologers and Stargazers, ſtand up and ſave thee. It is little taken to heart how deep ſuch real Homage to the Devil, under a ſplendid ſhew of a Dependance on natural Cauſes herein, may draw to a coming under greater Invaſions of his Power, when it's ſo far a giving up with their Baptiſmal Covenant. I could ſpeak what hath been with too ſad evidence known of its Tragick Effects, but one Inſtance leads me now ſpecially to ſpeak thereto; that before this laſt Tremendous Earthquake at Jamaica, there was ſo ſtrange and univerſal a Tendence in that Place, to conſult Aſtrologers in their uſual Ʋndertakings as to the Event, as did inforce a ſerious Miniſter of the Goſpel, who was there a little time before that Stroak; not only to Preach, and appear againſt ſuch a Contagious Wickedneſs, as that which brings ſome remarkable Judgment with it, but to Publiſh ſomething in Print againſt the ſame; which is here extant: But they could not thus foreſee their own Deſtiny that was ſo near approching. I might further add a very ſad Inſtance as to a Perſon who was unqueſtionably of eminent Piety and Parts, who by a too eager Curioſity, was carried to make ſome Tryal of that Study, which tended not only to be his Snare, but to moſt Tragick Effects in his own Perſonal Lot: Though I forbear to ſpeak more particularly herein, only that God is a jealous God, who will not paſs ſome Evils, without a ſevere Remak thereon.