The Fulfilling of the Scripture, Title page – To the reader
THE FULFILLING OF THE SCRIPTURE, OR An Eſſay shewing the Exact Accomplishment of the Word of God in his Works of Providence, performed and to be performed.
For Confirming the Beleevers, and Convincing the Atheiſts of the preſent time.
Containing in the End a few rare Hiſtories of the Works and Servants of God in the Church of Scotland.
ISAI. XLVI: V. X. My counſel shall ſtand, and I will do all my pleaſure.
JOHN. X: V. XXXV.— And the Scripture cannot be broken.
ACT. 1: V. XVI. Men and brethren, This Scripture must needs have been fulfilled.—
Printed in the Year 1669.
THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.
READER;
It is like you m… expect ſome accompt anent the riſe and occaſion of this diſcourſe, that on ſo great, and weighty a ſubject ſo ſmall an eſſay ſhould venture abroad, eſpecially in a time, when it ſeemeth more ſafe, and prudent to keep ſilence, to be ſwift to hear, and ſlow to ſpeak, which ſeldome hath an after challenge; the Author will ſay litle for his apology herein, though he hopeth, he may finde it more eaſy to ſatisfy others, then he did himſelf: this fredome onelyonly he shall take to confeſſe, that ſometime it hath been matter of earneſt, yea hat… cauſed ſome toſſing, and exerciſe upon his ſpirit, and preſſed a more ſerious enquiry, and ſearch, with a reſpect to his own caſe, to be perſwaded anent the Scriptures divine authority, that Godlines is not an empty name, or shadow, but of an undoubted truth, which indeed of all other things is the greateſt, and of moſt near concernment: and truely anent that, this grave convincing argument of the Scriptures certain accomplishment, hath not onelyonly oft ſtared him in the face, with a ſatiſfying diſcovery, and impreſſion thereof, as a moſt quieting, and unanſwerable demonſtration of the truth, but he muſt alſo ſay, that by very remarkable confirmations from the Lord, this hath been ſo convincingly witneſſed to his experience, as leaveth him under engadgement (were ſuch a poor teſtimony of weight) to put his ſeal to the Word, that it falleth not to the ground, neither doth the promiſe of God fail.
It is a dark time now with the Church of Chriſt, which we ſee every where almoſt ſuffering and afflicted, whileſt the whole earth beſides ſeemeth to be at eaſe, Chriſtians alſo even beyond others, in their privat lot, tryſted with very sharp tryals, though I think ſuffering may be the leaſt of our fear at this day, while Ath-iſme doth now appear on ſo formidable a grouth, and hath a more threatning aſpect then the rage, or violence of men: we ſee a ſa… d…cay likewiſe on the Churches abroad, Religion every where under a great conſumption, and wea…ing out, that ſeemeth to have reached it in its vital parts, men ſearch after an unuſual way of ſinning, as if they ſcorned to be wicked at a common and ordinary rate, prejudice eaſily taken up and enter…ained againſt the way of God, whileſt the good man doth alace perish, without any affecting obſervation thereof, the choiſe, and excellent of the earth pluckt away, and none to fill their roome; Chriſtians burials now frequent, but the birth, and inbringing of ſuch to the Church rare. This is indeed a ſad ſubject and ſo much the ſadder that few are found whoſe eye affecteth their heart, whoſe teares, and groaning ſeem to anſwer ſuch a ſtroke, and ruin which now is like to fall under our hand, but I shall leave this; prayer will be the beſt cure, and is this day more fit, then complaining, to turn unto him who ſeeth the wayes of his People that he may heal them, and can prevent theſe with mercy, who ſeem leaſt fit for the ſame; onelyonly two or three ſad remarks of this time, I cannot altogether paſſe, which indeed are ſtrange ſymptomes of the Churches preſent caſe, and diſtemper. 1. To ſee men own the doctrine of ſanctification, who yet can profeſſedly diſown, yea, make it their work by reproach to beget a prejudice againſt the practice thereof, Oh ſtrange! to finde ſuch as will dip their pen in gall againſt a tender and ſtrict walk in Religion, and revile it in the power thereof, whileſt they doe not deny theſe truths, and principles that neceſſarily oblidge to ſuch a tender practice; who in the moſt grave concerning dutyes of Chriſtianity think it enough to charge their brethen with Phariſaical oſtentation, and hypocriſy; whileſt they muſt confeſſe theſe duetyes to be unqueſtionably binding, and that they can be no competent judges of ſuch a challenge, which the great witnes of the heart and inward parts of men can onelyonly determine. 2. It is a ſad remark alſo of the time that Proteſtant writers, profeſſing the Reformed Religion, shall ſtate themſelves in oppoſition to the moſt concerning grounds thereof, ſuch as imputed righteouſnes, and juſtification by faith, which are well called Articulus ſtantis & cadentis Eceleſi…. I cannot have that charity, that it is from ignorance, but from a height of malice, that ſome of late reproach the Proteſtant doctrine, in this great fundamental of juſtification, as if it preſſed beleeving and reſting upon Chriſt without reſpect to works and holines; I confeſſe, we put not inherent righteouſnes in the room of imputed, though we aſſert each is neceſſary in their own place, the one in order to ou… right the other in order to the actual participation of that right, yea, that holines is abſolutly neceſſary not only neceſſitate praecepti, ſed medii, and juſtifying faith doth neceſſarily require works, ſed non qua, & quatenus juſtificat, but ſure, if theſe men grant we are juſtifyed by the ſatiſfaction of Chriſt, they muſt needs confeſſe it is by imputation, ſince if the debtour be acquit by the cautioners payment, is it not by the imputation there of to him? O ſad! to ſee ſome put their invention upon the rack how to wound the Church (yea, a death wound it would be if they could reach their end) in that great truth of imputed righteouſnes, but it were beſt they denyed that ſixt ver. of the 4. Chap. to the Rom. to be canonick Scripture, which none can read and shift, it being ſo clear, that the bleſſed man is there held forth, uuto whom God imputeth righteouſnes without works, ſure that cannot be inherent righteouſnes, elſe it were contradictio in adjecto, I profeſſe theſe, what ever they pretend, I muſt look on as adverſaryes to the Reformed Churches, and there is nothing more dangerous then a pirat going forth under a counterfut flag. 3. Is it not likewiſe ſad, yea, aſtonishing to ſee Miniſters now in theſe times, who are the expreſſe Embaſſadors of Chriſt given to the Church for her edification, ſtand ſo directly croſſe to the very end of their work and Miniſtry, many of whom may be ſaid that knowingly, and deliberatly they oppoſe piety, that ſuch should perſecute, whoſe work is to feed, and wound in ſtead of healing, grieve the ſpirit of the Godly, who should be helpers of their joy, that none are a greater plague to corrupt the Church, and cauſe the ſacrifice of the Lord be abhorred, then ſome of theſe who should be the falt of the earth, yea, none more obſtruct the treaty of the Goſpel, betwixt Chriſt and his Church, then Miniſters who are called the friends of the bridgroom, Oh, what a ſtrange and aſtonishing contradiction may this ſeem, but it should be no reproach to that holy, and excellent calling of the Miniſtry, for of ſuch the Scripture hath expreſly warned. I confeſſe it may be ſaid no Atheiſt like an unſanctified Miniſter, yea, no Atheiſme of ſo black a dye as theirs, who being ſtill enured with holy things have yet no ſenſe thereof.
Now in this very dark houre, wherein the Church ſeemeth to have fallen in a death like pang, and oh, many of her Children in a ſad l…thargie, that if we looked in an ordinary way, her wound might ſeem incureable, there are a great and concerning Quaeries that I think should much take us up. The one is to know what the Scripture ſpeaketh to the Church, what ſolid ground of encouragement is there held forth, for truely if we had not that ſure teſtimony of the Word, we might fear Religion should quite wear out, and truth perish from the earth, but doth the Scripture ſpeak peace? all then is well; that, O that is ſufficient ſecurity to put the Churches hope beyond further debate, though men should threaten, though the earth were overturned, and the foundation shaken, this is a determination above men, above all the rules of humane policy, yea, above the ſtars, which fruſtrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad, even that revealed Counſel of God, taking place anent his work and People.
I knw ſome grave writers of theſe late times, doe expreſſe their fear that the horrid wickedneſſe & apoſtacy of the Gentile Church may at laſt reſolve in the Lords departure and an univerſal darknes, that as the rejection of the Jewes made way for the Gentiles incoming, ſo their fall may as remarkably preceede that ſolemn return and reſtauration of the Jewish Church, it is alſo become the fear of many that Popery may yet once overrun the whole Reformed Churches before Antichriſt fall: but ſince theſe ſad thoughts, nor any appearances of the time, are no part of our Bible, we should learn neither to ſtretch our fears nor expectations, beyond that which the Scripture warranteth, and if the Lord be God, and this his very word, let us adhere to it and wait for its accomplishment. A 2. Quaere which is ndeed no leſſe concerning in ſuch a time, may be anent Duety, what ſo imminent an liazard of the Church, and this great decay of Chriſtianity doth moſt preſſingly call for, but this is a ſubject which requireth another pen, and too large, to touch with a paſſing word, yea, we may ſay the great want of theſe dayes is not anent the diſcovery of duety, but of the practice of known, and diſcovered duetyes, for the Scripture giveth a certain and diſtinct ſound in the darkeſt time, and hath not left us to doubtful inquiries and debate in this matter, I shall therefore leave it with a few things onelyonly to be in the general conſidered. 1. It is ſure, that every time hath its preſent duety, and the wiſe diſcerners thereof will knw thence what they ought to do, what work and ſervice the preſent circumſtances of that time cals for, shall the earth have its ſeaſons wherein things are beautiful, shall the ſtork and ſwallow know their time, and yet Chriſtians not know how to bring forth fruit in their ſeaſon, and diſcern the ſpecial time and opportunity of duety? 2. It is alſo ſure, that every Chriſtian in whatſoever capacity or condition as he hath his meaſure and talent, ſo hath ſome work and opportunity of duety, wherein they may ſerve the Lord in their generation, yea, it is not the meaneſt lot or condition that shutteth that door upon any, that they have no work for God, who deſire to be faithful for him: Oh that in this threatning time when darknes is like to overſpread the Church, it were more upon the heart of Chriſtians to ſtrive together, and contend by a ſerious improvement of their ſeveral capacities to preſerve Religion, and tranſmit the knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt to the poſterity, that the Chriſtian parent, or Maſter of family did witnes more that great reſolution in a time when many are drawing back, but as for me, I and my houſe will ſerve the Lord. 3. It is found that the moſt eminent and honourable ſervice of the Church doth uſually tryſt her in a low and ſuffering condition, when there hath been but little ſtrength, many outward diſadvantages, then both their call and furniture hath been moſt obſervable, to confeſſe the truth, to endure for the Goſpel of Chriſt, to overcome by the Word of his teſtimony, a piece of ſervice whereto more proſperous times doe not give ſuch an opportunity, yea, it hath been in ſuch a caſe, Dan. 11: 32. that theſe who knew their God, were made ſtrong to do exploits. 4. It doth much concern us to put a high value on the truth in a time when men muſt either loſe it, or buy it, and O what a choiſe purchaſe is that which cannot be bought too dear, though at the rate of our liberty, eſtate, credit and reputation, yea with the loſſe of peace when it cometh in competition with it? For it is that great depoſitum o…ce d…livered to the Saints, the inheritance of our Children, that way whereby Jeſus Chriſt keep…th intercourſe with his Bride on the earth, yea, the charter of all our mercyes, and of our hope through eternity. 5. Though every line of di…ine t…uth is ineſtimable, yet it is ſure there is a more preſſing ca…l for our adherence to that truth which is moſt controverted in the time, for it is the word of his patience and the matter of our preſent teſtimony, and it is known through all ages what a ſingular bl…ſſing, hath followed the contending and witneſſing of a few for the truth in a ſpait of publick defection, to keep it alive, when it was like to be ſwallowed up, yea, to effects above rational beliefe, unus Athanaſius contratotum orbem, many ſuch remarks have not been wanting. 6. I shall only adde that which is alwayes neceſſary and binding, yet, we may ſay in a time of the Churches hazard and ſuffering is more preſſingly called for, even the ſtudy of Chriſtian prudence, a duety convincingly neceſſary, for regulating of duetyes, according to the circumſtances of the Churches caſe, which doth ſo nearly concern the intereſt and preſervation of Religion, that I muſt ſay, a breach in that concord betwixt zeal and Chriſtian prudence, when there is not ſome equal reſpect ſtudyed in the exerciſe of both, cannot but give the Church a ſore wound, this is indeeda large theam, but I shall onelyonly point at in 3 things. 1. In our avoiding and being tender to give offence, not only to keep a diſtance from evil, but from the ſmalleſt appearance thereof, I muſt ſay they are bad caſuits, and have litle reſpect to the Churches edification, who make it their work, not ſo much to keep men from ſin, as to shew them, quam prope ad peccatum ſine peccato accedere liceat, O what a becoming fear is that, not to lay a ſtumbling block in the way of others, to grieve the weake, or confirm ſuch who uſe to found their prejudice againſt the truth, and way of God, upon the miſcariage of ſuch as profeſſe the ſame. 2. This excellent ſtudy of Chriſtian prudence hath a reſpect to mens taking offence as well as their giving it, to our being ſober in judging, in perſonal reflexions, to cover and hide the infirmities of others rather then ſpread them, even for the Goſpels ſake, yea, to shut as it were our eyes, and caſt a mantle on their nakednes, who overtaken with the violence of ſome temptations may yet be ſerviceable to the Church, but eſpecially this should preſſe us to a watchful regard of any breach, and rent in the Church, and to ſtudy a healing ſpirit ſo far as is poſſible without prejudice to truth. 3. It is alſo a concerning piece of Chriſtian prudence, hovv to vvalk vviſely tovvards theſe vvho are vvithout, vvhen prejudice againſt the vvay of God is now in ſuch a grouth, to ſtudy hovv vve may convince, gain ground, and by Chriſtianly prudent and tender carriage conciliat reſpect to the truth, and thus commend holines, and theſe vvho profeſſe it to the conſcience of men, to ſtudy that rule of expediency much in things of themſelves vvarrantable, vvhat fitnes, and advantage, preſent circumſtances may offer, or deny for edification, and promoting that great intereſt of the Goſpel in our converſe vvith men.
I shall novv ceaſe to trouble yovv further, onelyonly vvould premit ſome fevv things vvith a reſpect to the ſubject of this follovving eſſay. 1. Should vve not vvith vvonder and aſtonishment look on this great record of the Scripture? by vvhichwhich the glorious Majeſty of God doth ſpeak to men, yea doth as certainly communicat his Counſel and minde, vve may ſay more certainly, then if vve had an immediat audible voice from Heaven, O could vve have ſuch ordinary thoughts of this, if vve conſider hovv near God cometh therein to us? I think if there vvere but one corner of the earth, though in the remoteſt parts, vvhere men might go and get a look of ſo vvonderful, and important a thing as Gods expreſſe vvill vvritten and ſent from Heaven to the earth, anent our duety here, and bleſſednes for ever, should vve not think it vvorth our croſſing the ſea, and of the greateſt expence of time or labour? it is truely a vvonder hovv vve can read and conſider the Scripture, vvithout vvondring. 2. It is a great concernment to knovv that the Scripture hath ſuch a vvitnes as experience, and that there is ſuch a trade, & correſpondence as this betvvixt the Saints and the Word, vvhichwhich lieth not in the common road of the World. O vvhat an empty thing should Religion be if it had not this vvord experience in its grammar, that ſecret & ſure mark vvhereby the Chriſtian knovveth the Scripture is of God, hovv thus the Lord hath oft ſealed their inſtruction in a dark plunge; hovv life and povver, inlivening influences, to the melting of their heart, hath oft tryſted them there in a very dead frame; and novv they knovv that verily God heareth prayer, novv they are perſvvaded, and have learned by the croſſe that he is indeed a comforter, yea, many can shevv hovv by the Word their firſt acquaintance vvith the Lord did begin, hovv ſome particular truth, like a pickle of corn throvvn in at their heart, by the bleſſing of the great husbandman vvas made to take life, and grovv. 3. It much concerneth us to knovv vvhat an excellent key the Scripture is to unlock that ſealed book of providence, and that no other key can fit the ſame, many have tried another vvay but loſt themſelves on the ſearch, and the more they preſt by humane vviſdome, they became the more dark. I truely think there is not a more ſatisfying diſcovery vvithin time, then this, to trace divine truth back until vve ſee its firſt breaking forth out of his eternal decree and council who is the author thereof, hovv thence it taketh hold of the vvord vvhichwhich is the adequate ſign, and declaration of his purpoſe, and then hovv the vvord taketh hold of his vvork and providence, vvhere vve may ſee the face and condition of the Church clearly vvritten out through all the changes of time, hovv providence keepeth a certain and ſteady courſe even amidſt the moſt perplexed motions and reelings of of the earth, yea, hovv all things even theſe vvhichwhich vvould ſeem moſt contradictory, run vvithin that ſtraight channel of the vvord, and cannot go vvithout t…eſe bounds, 4. It is the pri…cipal, and moſt concerning Scripture-promiſes, that are onelyonly touched in this follovving diſcourſe, theſe vvhichwhich carry along vvith them a clear continued ſeries of the Churches condition through time, and shevves the moſt remarkable changes of her lot, for it is clear that in diverſe prophecies and in a different manner the Spirit doth point at one and the ſame thing: and truely it should cauſe no miſtake, or prejudice, thar vve finde ſeveral of the Scripture prophecies expreſt in ſuch dark termes, ſince the vviſdome of God ſaw it fit that for a time theſe truths should be locked up, and ſealed; but novv light hath ſo far broken up vvith the event, as vve may ſee hovv very ſignificant and ſuitable to the matter theſe moſt dark aenigmatick termes are. 5. We vvould upon no accompt shut our eares vvhere the Scripture is clear, and giveth us ground to vvait that the outgoings of the Lord for his people in their deliverance, and for the deſtruction of his enemyes novv in theſe laſt times, shall be very glorious, yea by ſome ſtately and ſtupendious acts of providence that he shall accomplish his judgement on Antichriſt: neither muſt vve take a prejudice at truth, becauſe of the vvilde fancyes of many vvho vvould extend it beyond its bounds, or that near reſ…mblance vvhichwhich the errour of ſome in this time may ſeem to have thereto, for that hath been an old ſtratagem of the Devil to prejudge the World at ſome of the truths of God, by ſetting up a counterfut thereto. I shall adde no more, onelyonly vvhat accompt is given upon the cloſe of the laſt argument of ſome remarkable paſſages of providence in the late times, as herein the author hath ſome confidence to profeſſe he did endeavour vvhat could be attained for certainty of the ſame, and if any circumſtance of theſe relations should be found a miſtake, he dare ſay before Him vvho is greater then our conſcience it vvas not the neglect of a ſerious inquiry, ſo he muſt alſo premit, the inſerting of them vvas upon no further intent, then to be a vvitnes to that truth of the Lords eminent appearance for his Church in the laſt dayes: it vvould be of great uſe and profit to the Church that ſome more fitly qualified vvould ſtudy a more large collection of this kinde. O that this might go forth vvith a bleſſing from him vvho by the meaneſt things can ſerve himſelf & promote the edi…icaaion of his Church, and that the Lord vvould raiſe ſome up vvith much of his Spirit to make a further ſearch and enquiry in this great and vveiguty truth.