The True Settlement of a Christians Faith, Letter 2

The True Settlement of a Christians Faith · Letter 2

p. 99A SECOND LETTER Wherein ſome Inquiry upon the times, and the work of Providence about the Church; but more ſpecially with reſpect to the publick State of Britain and Ireland in this laſt age, is ſeriouſly deſigned.

SIR,

I may truly ſay, it did raiſe a ſpecial value and eſteem on my ſpirit, to meet with one in ſuch a day, who hath ſo great a weight and impreſſion of the publick State of the Church, and a ſenſe of the preſent times, ſo far above the ordinare thoughts of men; when they ſeem ſo rare who look further then preſent things, either to what is paſt in theſe extraordinar times have gone over this Generation, or who hath another Judgment and Prognoſtication of what may be near, & yet before us, then from viſible and natural cauſes. But though I muſt decline an anſwer to what you are pleaſed more particularly to propoſe, under a juſt ſence of my unfitneſs herein, yet ſo far as I have attained in the matter of light upon a more general account with reſpect to the Work of God in theſe p. 100great changes past, I am free to impart my ſelf, and to offer humbly ſome few thoughts on ſuch a Subject, which hath had moſt ſpecial evidence and weight on my ſpirit in the preſent day.

1. I doubt not you make the ſame Judgment, and reckoning of this with more advantage then I can reach, that one of the moſt choiſe and weighty exerciſes of a Chriſtian, whilſt he is within time, lyes in a deep and ſerious obſervation of the times he is fall'n in, not only with reſpect to the adminiſtration of Providence in humane affairs, but what does more eminently relate to the Churches of Christ, and where their lott is caſt; ſince this is ane eſſential part of Religion, as it's alſo one of the moſt choiſe of humane excellencies, to diſcern and obſerve wiſely the ways of the Lord. But I can only shew you ſome of theſe things in a short touch, which I have found moſt engaging to ſuch an Inquiry in this day. 1. That as each diſtinct age hath a proper Talent given thereto, under truſt for obſervation of ſuch events of Providence, wherein the name of God is more near unto men in any ſingular way, then in the ordinare courſe of his actings, ſo hath the great Author of time choiſed to put a higher Glory upon one age, and period of time, then another, wherein it might be ſaid that the meaſure of one is five Talents, as to more ſolemn appearances of the Majeſty of God in his Providential Actings, when the meaſure of other times hath been this p. 101way but as two Talents. Such a differencing marke had that age of the Churches coming out of Egypt, beyond all which had gone before; yet was this comparatively little with reſpect to that glory, which was reſerved to the fulneſs of time, when our bleſt Redeemer did appear to the World▪ And it's clear how in theſe later times, that age which had it's firſt entry from the Year 1517. had a higher ſplendor put thereon, then had been known for a thouſand Years proceeding the ſame; but when I have thought on the way and conduct of Providence, and marvelous diſcoveries of God herein to this Generation, I could not but ſee ſomething in a moſt ſingular way of his appearance before the World to the ſame, as ſeems but yet little underſtood, tho this may be ſeen, that we have ſurely lived in an age of wonders 2. I have lookt on ſuch an exerciſe, to diſcern, and underſtand aright the times we are in, as one of the moſt ſingular means for ſtrenthning a Chriſtians Faith on the certainty of ſacred truth; when with theſe more immediate diſcoveries of God in the way and adminiſtration of grace by his ſpirit on mens ſoull, which is whelly hid from the World, they can ſee in what manner his truth does viſibly take place, and is atteſted by an external ſeall in the glory of his work before men, and I am perſwaded none thus did ever perſue a more near acquaintance with God, but hath had ſome peculiar ſtrengthning remarks of his way, p. 102that have been hid from others, tho of a ſerious ſpirit otherwiſe. 3. It is ſuch who have ſome greater weight of this choiſe ſtudy, and their ſpirits more fully join'd in therewith then others, who may attain more clear diſcoveries of light, for directing them to the duties and work of ſuch a time; and on this account I fear that there is much yet this day in the dark to us, and not underſtood, what hath been the Voice of the Lord for anſwering the great ends of his Providence, tho it hath been clear and diſtinct, where mens ſpirits were laid open to entertain the ſame. I confeſs it is not ſtrange as to the greateſt part of men this day, tho they keep at the furtheſt diſtance from what might bring near an affecting ſenſe of a Godhead to their ſoull in the ways of Providence, who are reſolute not to ſee, or be perſwaded of what doeth torment them hereby, whoſe great ſtudy is to live without God in the World, and ſeem emulous of theſe who can be moſt ingenious and expert, to confirm their hearts againſt all that is ſacred. 4. But I am ſure, it is ſomething much higher then any intereſt of men or of Nations, or the greateſt changes in the poſture of humane affairs, which should bear the greateſt weight in this exerciſe to underſtand the times we are in, and for a ſuitable obſervation thereof, if men could once reckon that their great buſineſs in the earth lyes with God, and in keeping ſight of him in the outgoings of his Providence, p. 103ſince the hidden wiſdom of God in a Myſtery is to be ſeen and ſought out in his Works, as well as in his Word; it's true publick Revolutions, and the fall and ſetting up of great men are things highly obſervable and momentous, but they are neither ſeen or underſtood, when they make not way for ſome greater ſight of the Majeſty of God, and the ſignal retaliations of Judgement herein, & what peculiar aſpects ſuch ſtrange Revolutions of Providence hath on the preſent Generation.

II. Though it might ſeem unſuitable to offer any ſpecial Remarkes and Obſervations upon this late time, to one of ſo diſcerning a ſpirit, of things of that nature; yet knowing how a mutual communication of light, about the Work of God, and his actings in our day, is ſo incumbent a duty, I shall point at a few things, wherein I have deſired to admire and obſerve the way of Providence in this remarkable age, but in the firſt place more generally touch ſuch a Head, ere I ſpeak in ſome particular way thereto.

1. When we ſee the ſeries of theſe times, and different meaſures of tryall and ſervice aſſigned thereto, ſince that bleſſed riſe, and recovery of the Church from Antichriſtian darkneſs, there might be ſeen alſo a growing increaſe of light, which in this age hath had ſuch ane advance, as it could not but be expected, that the Lord was to take ſome higher proofs of the improvements thereof p. 104from this Generation then of theſe paſt, after ſuch great things he had done for a full ſettlement of the Reformed Churches; when he had opened the graves of his people, and ſent forth his Priſoners by the blood of the Covenant, & the tr…h had made way for its ſelf over moun…ains, which once ſeem'd inſuperable; yea when this alſo is an age, where in a great concurrence of the Prayers of the Saints in times before, was …o meet for …he Churches intereſt; ſo that, unanſwerableneſs to the expectation of God herein, and to fruſtrate ſuch eminent methods of grace, might expect ſome unuſual work of Judgment to follow thereon, and the Lords coming at laſt to a judicial proces and procedure.

2. We ſee how theſe extraordinar occurrences of this time paſt, hath moſt remarkably had a joint reſpect both to Sacred, and Civil Intereſts, & quoad Fata Eccleſiae, & Imperii humani, ſo as in that ſence it might be ſaid there hath been a shaking both of Heaven and Earth, as to the Churches viſible State; yea ſuch hath theſe great changes from the right hand of the moſt high been within the meaſure of one age, as men could not poſſibly ſee with the eye of reaſon, without amaſement, tho it brings therewith one of the moſt diſmal remarks of the preſent time, if mens ſpirits be not ſeiſed with a deep and awful ſenſe of the tremendous Majeſty of God herein, and know there is no ſtability of humane ſtate this day in the earth p. 105but from him alone, who can bring judgement on the greateſt Nations, or Perſons, above the common courſe of nature, and influence of ſecond cauſes: but oh what intertainment should a di…penſation of Miracles find from the ſpirits of men now, when the Revelation of Christ, and Redemption by his Blood from Eternal Wrath, hath no greater effects on this Generation, and ſo few awak'd with the Glory of ſuch a light.

3. When I have conſidered this age, as that which might have been judged a time of great expectation for a further advance of the Kingdom of Christ in the World, which does ſpecially make a time more remarkable, yet how little acceſs hath been herein to ſee the Work of God in any new planting of Churches, or inbrirging of Nations to the Profeſſion of the Ghoſpel, as hath been formerly, but inſtead of new Conqueſt, rather a loſing ground, and is a difficult part become to maintain a defenſive work in behalf of the truth, and which may be a ſerious remark that in this age, one tribe hath as it were been cut off from the Reformed Churches; I mean as to that diſmal State of Bohem, where ſome time before had been ſo eminent and flourishing a plantation; it is true there hath been a ſolemn tide of the effuſion of the Spirit of God, allotted to ſomeof the Churches in this laſt age, that ſhould be ſtill matter of ſweet remembrance, but it's ſure this day we ſee the ebb as low in theſe places, in the life and power of p. 106Religion, and no viſible reviving almoſt any where can be heard of the Churches of Christ; which yet hath been to me ſo far a hopeful ſign of a near incalling of the Jews, ſince it will then find the Gentile Church in ſo judicial a Period of time, that it ſhall be as life from the dead.

4. Yet it is ſure on the other hand there hath been moſt ſignal honor and glory put on this age, and with a ſpecial reſpect to Britain and Ireland, in as great a harveſt of ſerious and ſolid Chriſtians by the Power of the Ghoſpel, then hath been in any time or place of the Earth, ſince the firſt three Centuries; tho not under that ſeall of Martyrdom as was after the Reformation, yet ſuch who ſhined in the truth and power of true Sanctity, and have left a fragrant Savour and remembrance to this day, when moſt of that bleſſed ſtock is now gone, and their room rarely filled up any where.

5. Yea this further may be matter of ſweet Reflection, how many ſuch hath been in this age, in whom that ancient greatneſs of ſpirit with Heroïck motions in appearing for God, and his truth might be ſeen; for tho they attained not to the meaſure of the first three, of our firſt and bleſſ'd Reformers, yet may it be ſaid, within the limits of this age, there hath gone off the ſtage innumerable inſtances of ſuch eminency of induements, and with that meaſure of power, and of a ſound mind, as might be compared with any of p. 107the Antients ſince the Apoſtolick times; and this is a remark that never faills of Chriſts imparting himſelf in theſe meaſures of his ſpirit to a Church in ſuch a time, according to the great ends he is to accomplish there.

6. Though great changes upon a Nation or Church, does not want previous and remarkable warnings from the Lord, we have ſeen with what a marvelous Surpriſal theſe have occurred to this Generation, that were moſt remote from all humane thoughts, and once not conceivable upon the higheſt principles of reaſon, how ever they should have taken place. It is becoming the Majeſty of God, to have his Arcana Imperii, in ſuch peculiar and reſerved caſes, as the moſt skilled in the ways and depths of Providence are called to be ſtill with a ſilent admiration, when he thus does ariſe, as in theſe times paſt, to do great things which was not looked for.

7. But how ſtrange and marvelous hath the ſurpriſalls been of Providence in our day alſo in the way of tenderneſs, and mercy, as well as of Judgment, which ſhould be a moſt ſtrengthning remark, if this had been more ſuitably improven; what unexpected and ſeaſonable interpoſitions have been of a divine immediate power, in extreme exigences, both of the Church, and particular Chriſtians, in theſe great changes paſt; and as Oppreſſors have grown up to a height of Violence, how obſervably have Carpenters been prepared, p. 108whence humane reaſon could not have fore ſeen to cut the horns of ſuch.

8. When we can not but ſee with what a ſignal evidence and commiſſion, the ſpotleſs Judgment of God hath gone forth in theſe late times, to all ranks and ſtations of men, eſpecially in the Iſle of Britain, there might be alſo ſome peculiar remarke of it's deſign againſt theſe, who were of the highest Staie, ſo as no time paſt did ever tend more to ſeal… inſtruction on the ſpirits of great men then of late, to have the fear and dread of God on them, when Princes might have been ſeen walking on foot, and Servants riding on horſeback; yea that there is a time of Gods making inquiſition for blood, of ſuch who ſeemed moſt ſecure from humane Power, and how this alone comes from a divine hand, when men are poiſoned in their own cup, and lays a ſnare to themſelf by which they are caught; it is true a clear application of Providences paſt, to the preſent times, is not eaſily attained, but I doubt not of a more full light and diſcovery for this end, as will ſilence all oppoſitions, that have been to the intent and Counſell of the Lord in theſe things which have occurred.

9. It hath been reſerved to our day, to ſee the Iſſue, and great Deciſions, which have been in theſe ſtrange Scenes of Providence, in this age paſt, and to have them now in our ſight in the whole ſucceſſive courſe thereof, and ſurely this might be a great and affecting ſight to ſuch who p. 109are ready to think that God hath forſaken the earth, and walketh only in the circuit of Heaven, when they cannot but ſee what amaſing events hath been of late brought forth by an inviſible and unpreventable conduct of Providence; and to ſee alſo in this late Revolution of the publick State of Britain, how by one great ſurpriſal, the whole Popish Meaſures there which had been of ſo long and painful a contrivance, was as in a moment broke and made void, when nothing leſs expected.

10. It is unqueſtionable, that the Lord does uſually act by ſecond cauſes, but there are ſteps alſo of his way wherein he alone appears, and will have them ſeen to be wholly his work, & this now hath eminently appeared in the great transactions of theſe late times, how bejond any humane power or might, it was a Standard by the Spirit of God lifted up, that did viſibly make way for the work he was then accomplishing, and did ſerve ſuch terror on his Adverſaries; yea how theſe who were acted forth to be inſtrumental thus on the ſervice of their day, were directed for that great end to the quieting of his Spirit in ſuch a piece of his Work.

11. And herewith what thoughts of heart may it cauſe now in the preſent ſtate and juncture of things, to ſee ſuch a Conjunction in this Weſtern Part of Europe, to ſerve the great ends of Providence, that if it had been told our Fathers by p. 110any, they would have been as ſuch who mock, that in the next age, the Houſe of Auſtria, of Spain, Lorrain and Savoy, ſhould have a joint intereſt with the greateſt Princes of the Reformed Religion, and take the Sword with one conſent againſt ſuch a Party, whoſe Sword hath been bathed, and yet ſtill is reaking in the blood of the Proteſtants, yea how this great inſtrument of Judgment, and Patron of the Romish Interest ſhould moſt actively make way to defeat his own Projects and Counſel, by an irreſiſtable conduct of Providence.

This is a great and unuſual Conjunction in humane affairs, ſuch as the Policy of the Weſtern Part of Chriſtendom is hereby caſt in a new mould, wherein we are called to adore God, and his Dominion over all Second Cauſes; tho it be a Depth of Providence, which is yet not opened up; only herewith ſome Reflections on the ſame I cannot wholly paſs. 1. What may be too juſtly feared of an inordinate reſpect to men, and concurrence of viſible means, above what it can bear, when nothing is more effectual to cauſe the greateſt humane ſuccor miſcarry, and ſink under this weight, thē relyances thereon, as if they could ſtand by them ſelf, without keeping in with God alone, with that God, who is of infinite Power both to hurt & help, whoſe preſence is ever the higheſt Security of a Nation, tho the whole World were againſt them. 2. But this alſo looks with confidence & hope, that p. 111the Lord is near to give ſome extraordinar demonſtration of himſelf by Providences, as this Generation shall not get their eyes shut at, yea that this ſtrange piece of his work, is a prelude and entry on a revolution of the publick State of the World, that ſhall be of a higher extent, then may be apprehended by moſt, and it's ſure when he does begin, he will alſo make an end. 3. I have lookt on this remarkable ſilence, and ſuſpence as to any publick Deciſion of Providence, this Year past, when things ſeemed to be in the higheſt foreign of a Criſis, that hereby the Lord would yet give men time to conſider his Work, and take to heart his Voice by ſuch a further warning; and have ſtill obſerved from the records of times paſt, as to his Procedure, that when he was to bring forth ſome great piece of his Work before the World, there hath been as it were an interval of ſilence for a time, & like ſome Ceſſation of Providence, which hath preceeded the ſame, and made the time of his Working, when it was leſt mens Expectation; yea the ſorer a ſtroak hath been when it came, the longer hath a tender forbearance gone before, even when the hand of Juſtice hath been lift up, the wheels ſometimes ſtand ſtill, and the publick ſtate of affairs is in a ſtrange manner becalm'd when the Lord is in ſome eminent manner to ariſe according to that Iſay 42: 14. I have long time holden my peace, I have been ſtill, I have refrained my ſelf, now will p. 112I cry as a travelling Woman &c. 4. Yea it may be a ſpecial remark, that when the Lord hath ſo ſignally appeared to make this great revolution in Britain effectuall, and to clear the sky and coaſt there from viſible oppoſition, with ſuch rare preventing Providences for that end, yet is ſo little ground gained by the unite ſtrength of this Confederacy, but it was in the one that the Lord did act in an extraordinar way of Providence, in the other things doe run more in the ordinare channel of viſilbe means. It looks as a ſign of great Wrath, that ſuch an Inſtrument of Judgment hath had his chain ſo far let forth in this day, who might be called not only Hoſt is Eccleſiae, ſed humani Generis, by theſe cruelties more then inhumane exerced in the Palatinate; and other Parts of Germany, but it's fitt the World should know of what ſpirit and way the great Perſecutor of the Proteſtants in this age is; yea for the Nations about to ſee there is no poſſible Moral Security for their Civil Intereſts from one whom no eſtablishments of Laws, nor that Law of Gratitude towards ſuch whoſe Fathers had brought the Houſe of Bourbon to the Throne could bind: but as there is an anointing and eſtablishing men for judgment, whoſe hand is made ſtrong untill that work be perfited, ſo is the Sin of Britain, and other Reformed Churches, the greateſt ſtrength of this Adverſary.

12. Have we not alſo been called to ſee p. 113ſuch viciſſitudes of Providence; that theſe for whom God had ſometimes most ſignally appeared in raiſing them to the highest greatneſs and power, as all might clearly diſcern it was his hand alone, that did the ſame; how in a way no l…ſs wonderful he hath made knowen his power in breaking and bringing them low, whilſt they did not know, and regard God in the day of their greatneſs, but thought to ſtand by themſelves, and gave ſuch a requital to him, as to betake themſelves to another ſtrength, then that which raiſed them, and try a new Scene of oppoſition to his truth, and interest; yea thus forgot the tempest they were once in, and theſe engagements, which were then on their ſoul, when they had once got to the Haven: It is ſure this hath been writ forth, as in Capital Letters once and again, that men who run might read the ſame, and know how great and terrible a party God is, when he is not for a Church or People, but against them; and how eaſie it is for him by ane occurrent of Providence, leaſt feared or thought off, to give a check to the greateſt deeps of humane Policy and Wit; and let ſuch know, when they judge themſelves ſecure from any hazard on the earth, there can be no ſtanding, when their counſels and confidence is derided from Heaven.

13. It hath been in ſome ſingulare manner alſo, that in this age we have been called to ſee ſin and judgment meet other with ſuch aſtoniſhing p. 114circumſtances, and ſo viſible a reſemblance and proportion betwixt the ſame, as the ſtroke herein pointing as with a finger at the cauſe, was unavoidable for a natural conſcience to diſcern, and ſee a just and Holy God, thus made known, and viſible in ſuch publick and tremendous inſtances of his Judgment, as bejond the rate of former times have been ſet up, as beacons in our ſight. I muſt join herewith, this ſad remark, which hath had a peculiar reſpect to theſe times, that as it's ſure nothing, but Religion in the truth thereof can effectually take off men from ſin, ſo hath nothing, ſo much as Religion been oft made uſe off as the grand Engine to ſecure them therein; and what was ſpoke by one of the Ancients, hath been more applicable to our day, then almoſt any paſt, that never was ane age more fertile of Religions under a different profeſſion hereof, and never more barren of Religion in the power, and efficacy of the ſame on mens ſoul.

14. It hath been in this age that ſuch a call often and alowd hath ſounded in our ears to come and ſee, how the greatest Powers and Nations of the earth are but as a little dust in the ballance for the Soveraigne God to blow off at his pleaſure, and that he hath reſerved to himſelf a dominion, and preeminence over the Kingdoms of the Children of men, to change the greatest Monarchies. Oh what a ſtrange reflex work might this be to have our ſpirits, but going back on theſe p. 115great and marvelous shakings, and utter razing hath been of publick ſettlements that ſeemd moſt firmly laid, the bowing down and fall of the greateſt of men, and raiſing up ſuch, who had b…en low, when the great God once begun to contend with the Oaks and Cedars, and herewith to ſee the extent of his power over mens ſpirits and inclinations, as well as their actings, ſo as to determine their concurrence, with their hand for his ends; contrare to the native byaſs, and ſway of their hearts; that men might know him who is the God of the ſpirits of all flesh can by one and the ſame Providence accompliſh various deſigns at once, and bring forth ſuch contrare effects, as no humane wiſdome could ever have ſuppoſed or forſeen, yea how theſe marvelous events might be clearly ſeen, was in their day no rare and ſtrange contingencies to aſtoniſh men, but ſuch as did bear a moſt evident ſignature and impreſs of the Majeſty of God, and of his name and truth shewed forth thereon.

15. I shall but add this more upon ſo boundleſs a Subject; that we have been ſpecially called in this age to ſee ſome unuſual variation in the ſpotleſs ways and methods of Providence about his Church, and in the cours of humane affairs from what hath been the manner of his working formerly, ſo as men could not diſcern his way oft by any footſteps or precedent of Providence in times past, but that ſomething hath been reſerved peculiarly to our p. 116day, of the Lord riſing up as in mount Peradſim, and his being wroth as in the valley of Gibeon to do his ſtrange work, and bring to paſs his ſtrange Act Iſay 28: 21. And tho we but ſee in part hereof, yet may we now know and underſtand upon theſe times past, more then ſuch who was then preſent actors on the ſtage could reach in diſcerning the intents of providence when things were in their first mould, as is now clear in their after tendency and reſult; nor could poſſibly have that judgment of the Work of God in ſome parcels as may be now attained, when it's in a more full and entire frame; when ſuch a ſight is ſett before us, as should call to have our ſouls bowing down with an awful regard and homage at ſo august, and immediate a diſcovery of the Majeſty of God in his Work and actings before this Generation.

A III. Head on this Subject, that I would offer ſome thoughts on, is as to the Lords ſingular way of dealing with the publick State of Britain, and Ireland bejond any other of the Reformed Churches in this laſt age; and is indeed a Subject of ſerious regard, to conſider what manner of time hath our lot been caſt in, and the meaſure of that talent for obſervation, we ſtand accountable for upon ſuch great and extraordinare events as hath occurred: but here I have deſired to have my thoughts tranſlate, to what hath been from the first entry on ſo marvelous a ſeries of providence, about the ſtate of theſe Nations, for almoſt fifty p. 117Years past, for a more clear proſpect how each ſtep herein in its ſucceſſive place, and room, hath tended to give light to another; which I ſhall reſtrict wholly to the more immediate appearances of God, from what hath been mens part, and actings upon ſuch a diverſity of intereſts as might too viſibly be ſeen to influence many in their way; and offer but a few ſerious reflections on the ſame, to one who can more clearly obſerve, and diſcern things of that kind.

1. That it's ſure Britain and Ireland hath been of late a Theater of ſuch ſtrange and extraordinare viciſſitudes in it's publick ſtate, from the Year 38. of this age, as in no times paſt can be reſembled; what wonderful Revolu…ions did then ſucceſſively follow other, and were made the object of mens ſenſe, as could not poſſibly have had credit or been a matter of Faith, if the ſame should have been foretold, and may juſtly render ſuch a period of time unto this day, to be matter of aſtonishment to any of a ſerious ſpirit. It is true there is no time wherein the Lord hath not given ſome more ſingular diſcoveries of himſelf, and theſe changes of providence which are in the perſonal caſe of Chriſtians, and lyes more cloſe and near to their Senſe, then things of a publick concern, are oft ſo extraordinare as would be not eaſy for others to credit; but it muſt be ſaid what we have ſeen here, and may know of the work and appearances p. 118of God in that Land can never be a Subject of ordinary thoughts.

2. It is known how ane avenging Sword, which was bathed in Heaven, had it's commiſſion thence, to go forth againſt both Britain, and Ireland, and did not ceaſe to perſue it's end until theſe flourishing Nations, was made a viſible field of blood, yea did not rest, until in the righteous, and Soveraign diſpoſal of God, a potent and ſettled Monarchy there, of a long deſcent having no fear, or oppoſition from any forren power, was yet broke, and made void, and did fall in their high places; and what ane account this ſhould have been to the World, if it could have been poſſibly ſeen or judged in the Year 40. what the 50 Year following was to bring forth, and was then in the boſome of ſo ſhort a time.

3. But when thus the Lord did once appear, and go forth in a judiciary way, we might ſee how each of theſe three Nations had their proper share, and meaſure allotted in the ſtrokes, and judgments of that time▪ tho in ſome different method and manner; there beeing a more ſingular part aſſigned to poor Ireland then, by the Holy and juſt God in that bloody and terrible Scene, which was acted there, yet this was in common to the whole of theſe Lands that it was an inteſtine Sword, and not of a forreiner that was then call'd for, which p. 119ſpoke the Judgment to be the ſorer and more of divine wrath in it; where on part of a Nation, is made the rod, and executioner of his judgment on another, and their deſtruction from amongst themſelves.

4. If it be conſidered, what manner of time, that was of ſo extraordinare things, it may be obvious, how this followed a long and unuſal ſettled calm, and tranquillity, which had gone before in the publick State of theſe Nations, when ſo great a flame had been round about; it was immediatly after a bloody Sword had done its work in Germany, which from the Year 30. had brought with it ſuch diſmal effects there; but what would ſeem moſt aſtonishing here, that tho a time of the patience and long ſuffering of God, had in a ſingular manner gone before, & the treaty of the Ghoſpel might be ſeen to have a ſmall acceptance, and ſuch judicial effects, with moſt of that Generation, when the Red Horſe, and its Rider went forth to take peace from ſuch a part of the earth, yet was not the hight of Profanity, and Atheiſm nor meaſure of ſin then in theſe Nations come near to ſuch a degree, as is now the meaſure of this time, or had any ſuch prodigious appearance; only we ſee not yet what is coming to anſwer this.

5. It is not above 40 Years past, ſince we might ſee a powerful ſtate, & commonwealth both raiſed and formed in theſe Nations on ſo great a ruine, had p. 120gone before, and thus ſuch a new and wonderful Scene of Providence brought forth on the ſtage, which made a Revolution in the civil ſtate of that nature as Britain had never before known, a State whoſe ſtrength whilſt it ſtood firm was made formidable both by Sea and Land to the Nations about, with ſo ſtrong a tide of ſucceſs, as nothing was able to ſtand againſt the ſame, but all eſſays, which tended to an oppoſition then, moſt viſibly fruſtrate, and no plots, or mine laid ſo deep and cloſs, which did not ſpring upon themſelves who wrought therein; ſuch was the concurrence of favourable things, and in ſo ſtrange a manner until they had ſtood o…t that tryal wherein they were then ſett, how they ſhould anſwer the call, and intent of ſuch a Providence.

6. But when the eyes of moſt every where was aloft, as to the iſſue of this ſettlement, and all humane contrivance, or forecaſt put to a ſtand herein, on what ſide the ballance might cast amidſt ſuch different Parties, and intereſts as was on foot; it was then as with ane amaſing earth quake, that the whole foundation was razed, and tho it was unqueſtionable that many of a ſerious ſpirit, and deſign in the things of God was amongſt ſuch, yet whilſt the date of their commiſſion was once expired, and keeped not themſelves in the way of mercy, they are at laſt brought to know what it was to have God againſt them; a God impartially hating ſin before whom it is more highly p. 121aggravate and provockting the higher Profeſſion of his way and truth men ſtands under, yea then was it that it mig…t be no leſs clearly ſeen, how in t…e ſame manner of …heir raiſing, by a moſt viſible ſeries, and irreſiſtable courſe of Providence, ſo was there fall▪ and down caſting made wonderful, there Councils disordered, diſpirited in their reſolutions wherein the ebb did run as low, in impreſſions of fear and deſpondency on their ſpirits, as it had once lowed, who ſometimes before they knew what it was to be acted above their own ordinare reach; and thus as in a moment might it be ſeen how this frame and mould was broke as without hand. This was the ſecond overturning in the publick State of Britain, in a very short time after the former, anſwerable to that Ezek. 21: 27. I will overturn, overturn, &c.

7. It is now that a great, and marvelous change we may ſee again go over theſe Nations, & an other piece of the Work of God brought forth on the ſtage, and new Actors made uſe of herein; which cauſed great thoughts of heart to know, what aſpect ſuch a criſis might have on the publick State of Religion; then was the Regal Power, and Government in Britain, raiſed again to its higheſt ſplendor and extent, and this change in ſuch a manner accomplisht as the moſt judicious, and diſcerning ſpirits ſtood amaſed to ſee over what oppoſitions, and difficulties, which ſeemed inſuperable, p. 122this was carried; and that ſurely it was the ſame hand who threw them down, which did then lift them up, with whom it is eaſie to make a way where there is none for any peece of his Work, when he goeth forth herein.

8. But when it might have been hoped and expected ſuch extraordinare providences ſhould work on theſe who were most intereſſed in this great Reſtauration, when it was not there Sword or Counſel, but the finger of God, which wrought the ſame; and that ſurely this might put a more then ordinare weight how to reſtore the Nations unto God, who had reſtored them to the ſupreame Power, and Government over the ſame, loe then was it in the Room hereof that theſe things might be ſeen. 1. How the Sluces were immediately let open, for an impetuous flood, and deluge of wickedneſſe to break in over the whole Iſle; ane unbridled licence to all immoralities, and impiety, and no reſtraint but what might tend to promote the Kingdom of Jeſus Christ amongſt men; ſo as theſe Years past ſince the 60. hath tended to lay a lod of guilt on Britain bejond the meaſures of any times past, and is ſtill lying upon the ſame; which will be found ſore and heavy in the iſſue if Soveraign Grace do not wonderfully interpoſe. 2. As it was then that ſuch a criſis had ſo diſmal and mortal an aſpect there within theſe hights of Profanity vvhichwhich did go over all banks, & bejond ane ordinare cure or relief, ſo there might be p. 123ſeen a new way and unuſual methods of ſinning; and a new progreſs, and advance in Atheiſm, bejond what hath been known in any times paſt, yea this with ſuch confidence in the publick light, and before the ſun as might be an amaſement even to the infernal ſpirits to think how far they were out gone by ſuch who were of humane race this way. 3. But it was herewith alſo, when it might have been thought, that God should ſtay his hand no longer or forbear, that the ſeall of their commiſſion, whoſe power had then the greatest influence might be diſcernable to all; that they were aſſuredly established for judgment, and had ſuch a judicial work under their hand; ſo as the moſt deſtructive deſigns of that party for a further Ruine to the Church, ſeemed ſtill then to have the greateſt ſucceſs; and no attempts or oppoſitions whatſoever could withſtand the ſame or ſtop it's courſe, until their meaſure, and the Epha was further filled up, but ſuch who did moſt haſten to brake priſon as it were before the time, found their bondage grew ſtronger hereby.

9. But whilſt ſuch was thus at work, and acting ſo diſmal a part on the publick Theater of Britain; leſt they should reckon that ſurely God had forſaken the earth, and that the Cry of ſuch prodigious wickedneſs was not ſo loud as to go up to Heaven; then was it that he came down in a viſible way, to make himſelf known, and bring near his judgment, p. 124with a very tremendous voiee; then was it that he gave a ſpecial commiſſion to one of the three great Judgments the devouring Peſtilence to go to the moſt eminent and conſpicous part of Britain, and the publick Seat of the Regal Power and Authority; and make that great City deſolate for a time, and make their dwellings void of Inhabitants, in the Year 65. yea in ane extraordinare Conjunction did double ſuch a warning by putting them in a flame, that it might ſpeak as a publick Herauld to theſe Nations, and thus give a Second Cry, that when his Wrath was begun to kindle a little, men might meet him in the way of his Judgment ere it come to the utmoſt and a greater wo follow thereon. This ſurely was the voice of God by a moſt ſtupendous diſpenſation, and does ſpeak ſtill to this day, tho there may be few now to hear it. This was a Entry of Judgment, and ſtroke of that kind on which the Lord did put a moſt diſcernable impreſs of his Greatneſs, and Terror.

10. Yet even then after this there was a moſt obſervable Pauſe, and tender forbearance, in the way of the Lord to bring Judgment a further length; the God of Patience, who does not eaſily deſtroy the Work of his own Hand, and bears long ere a hight of ſin does extort the last Stroke of Vengeance, did then give ſuch a new breathing, or long intermiſſion, as to any extraordinary Acts of Judgment; but did herewith p. 125ſend new Offers, and Conditions of Peace, before the decree bring forth Zephan 2: 2. ſo as the next great warning, which was given to theſe Nations, was in an other way and method; to take a new tr…all how this yet would work by a moſt rare preventing Providence, in the diſcovery of the Popish Plot, which under the ſhadow of civil Authority had been ſo long hatching, and ripening until this mine was ready to ſpring, to a viſible Ruine of the whole proteſtant Interest in theſe Nations. This was a ſingular ſtep of Divine Providence, tho the ſence hereof may be gone off the Spirits of moſt, wherein he made us ſee that he was yet ſtill watching over theſe Lands for their good, when they were not aware and would not only warn, by ſo awakning a Providence, but turn that contrivance againſt the contrivers, if ſo this might at last Work, and anſwer the intent hereof.

But now I muſt further add, what lyes nearer to our ſight and obſervation, upon this extraordinare courſe, and Conduct of Providence from the Year 60. to that late call we have been ſiſted under, to ſee what the Year 88 following did bring forth; and here to fix our thoughts with a deep advertency, on this ſtrange ſight and turn of providence; which the moſt wiſe Diſcerners could not ſome time before, have ever ſuppoſed on principles of Reaſon, or by any natural connection of things; a turn, and viciſſitude of Providence of ſuch a kind where men may ſee the Name & Majesty of God, p. 126in ſome august, and ſingular way ſhewed forth thereon, and his ariſing to make way for his Power and immediate Appearance in ſuch a manner as had not been known in former times? This is indeed a peece of the Work of God that might bring near the Senſe of a Godhead to the conſcience of the moſt ordinare Obſervers, and what ever ſad, and Judicial ſigns be too evident this day of the improvment made by moſt hereof, yet ſhould it deeply concern us, that the Glory and Honor of God in ſo great a discovery of himſelf be not darkned or obſcured. This is a Work vve ſee but in part, and the first Scene, of vvhat is yet further in bringing forth, and can be little knovvn or taken up by the neareſt events of Providence untill the Viſion-Speak, and the vail be further taken off the ſame▪ but it is ſure herein that theſe of the moſt prejudged Spirit at ſuch a Providence hath been conſtrained to ſee, that this vvas by an immediate divine Hand, contrare to the ordinary Courſe, and Actings of Second Cauſes; and how ſuch vvho moſt eminently acted as Instruments herein, vvhat ever acceſs or advantage, they had of Reſolution, Spirit, and Counſel in ſuch a Work, yet vvere then only called forth to ſtand ſtill, and ſee a higher Power moving in the ſame, vvho did there look down as in the morning watch to trouble the Motions of theſe, who were againſt them, and in an inſtant took off their Chariot wheels, and made them knovv it vvas in p. 127vain, either to ſtand, or flee, vvhen they had God against them, who tho they reckoned to go forth, as at other times they knevv not, that their day, and fatal period vvas novv come.

Tho there was nothing common or ordinare in this stupendous work, wherein ſuch incredible occurrences of providence, did then concurr as might conſtrain the naturall conſcience of men to ſee a ſupernaturall cauſality herein yet did ſomethings ſpeciallie, meet here to render this Work of God more highly aſtonishing. 1. That when the fears of moſt were at the furtheſt hight of ſome deſolating stroke to accompanie the ſame, where the contrare parties, were ſo ſtated as the one could not ſtand but on the ruine of the other, and their intereſt on every ſide ſo extenſive, and great, yea when in no times paſt the harvest of the earth, and in theſe parts thereof, ſeemd more ripe for putting in the Syckel, yet even then did the Lord in his ſoveraign and marvelous diſpoſal ſpare; and went not forth as at other times, with garments rolled in blood nor did the actings of his providence appear ſo terrible as when preſages of judgment were more diſcernable; but as this was the opening of the first ſcene & who ſees what God is to do, who knowth his mind, as to theſe great changes in the externall ſtate of this weſtern part of the World, by ſuch a remarkable entry to the ſame; but this may be fully clear to any who does wiſely conſider the Work of the Lord herein, that p. 128this was a new and higher tryall which he would yet once more take of theſe nations, and did therefore hold his hand, when the ſtroke ſeemd ready to fall down. 2. It might ſeem unaccountable to all reaſon, ſuch a conjunction, and concurrence of inſtruments as was in this work; for tho the appearance of ſome herein who did moſt eminently appear, and act, did witneſs ſpeciall, high, and heroick motions in the ſame; yet how vast & numerous a part was imbarked upon this interest, and in behalf of the Protestant Religion, who could claime no roome or title in the very form, and viſible profeſſion of Christianity, or to have any place in the out…er court; but it might, here with amaſement be ſeen how upon the one ſide, were ſuch ſtated, who maintaind Christs bodily preſence in the earth, in that ſacrifice of the maſs, as the hibboleth of their profeſſion; and on the other ſide how great a part was there who did ridicull all revealed Religion, and ſeemd not to beleeve his reall preſence in heaven. But here was it diſcernable what a return this was by the voice of providence, to that grand engine, and too known a deſign of the Romish ſpirit for many years paſt, to take vvay for popery, by destroying men, eſpecially the youth in Britain, in the moralls of Chriſtianity, and to to take thus off all ſerious Senſe, and weight of Religion from their Conſcience, that herein this deep of Hellish Policy did at laſt turn against themſelves, and tho they judged themſelves p. 129ſecure from any ſerious influence of Religion on ſuch a Party, yet could they not ſecure them from acting as men on principles of reaſon, who could not but ſee the intereſt of Popery, and of their civil Rights, and Properties were incompatable; yea that tho they were acted from no internal motives on a Religious Interest, it could not be eaſie to join in with ſuch a Religion, as was made up wholy of external Rites, and ceremonial Severity, and Strictneſſe, and had no poſſible conſiſtency with it ſelf. But if we ſeriouſly ponder this great viciſſitude of Providence in it's Conjunction, with what hath gone before, it's here we muſt ſee a thrid, marvelous overturning. which in one and the ſame age, hath been ſuccesſively in theſe Kingdoms, according to that forementioned Scripture Ezek. 21: 27. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, and it shall be no more until he come, whoſe right it is, and I will give it: which is to be underſtood there, of ſuch great Revolutions, as ſhould in their proper order follow upon other. For tho this had a reſpect. then to theſe great shakings which was to come upon Juda, and the Houſe of their Kings in the entry of their captivity, yet may none bound the intent of the Holy Ghost in this Prophecy, as if there only it was to take place, and had not a Reſpect to ſome further accomplishment of the ſame in after times, which ſurely was ſince, never more clear in the event then in this late p. 130wonderful Series of Providence, that hath been in theſe overturnings. But now let me ſpeak herewith, what hath been ſometimes deeply affecting, how there is ſomething yet more ſolemn and extraordinare now in this thrid call, then all that hath gone before, to be awakening to this generation, and that which with too clear evidence may be judged the last cry and call, ſuch as hath no dark or uncertain ſound therewith to the State and Churches of Britain, and unto all ranks there, if there be not a reſolute ſhutting of our ear at the ſame, that this is aſſuredly the voice of the Lord, I will yet once more take proof and tryall of theſe Lands, which I did choiſe, and in ſo ſingular a way deall with bejond other Churches and Nations; and will yet reſpite the laſt ſtroak of Judgment; and if tenderneſs and forbearance in a moſt ſurpriſing and extraordinare diſplay thereof will once work; if the actings of providence ſuch as could not of late have been beleeved by men will once reclaim, and return Britain and Ireland again unto God, I will then take of both their fetters and fears, and give a new ſettlement to their civill rights and intereſt, will ſeaſe their adverſaries with terror and trembling, and yet ſpare their blood; will ſett ſuch alſo upon the Throne, who shall ſeek the good and welfare of their People, under whoſe shadow ye may ly down ſafely without dread either of the terrors by night or ſuch p. 131affrightments by day they were once under; and take off any fears of external force. But oh if this voice can not be heard, when it is ſo clear and audible which if ſome knew ever any thing, or had diſcerning of the ways of God and of the times, they cannot but hear, this to be the preſent voice of the time, it then ſeems to be come to the last and highest tryalls that theſe Nations ever ſtood under; when ſuch extraordinar meaſures of divine patience, and long ſuffering, and ſo long a day given to repent muſt either be ſpeedily anſwered, or it be found that the ſtroke will be the more terrible, when it comes, the longer it hath been deferred; that threatned judgment shall aſſuredly at last come to a year of recompence, yea to a preciſe day of the ſpotleſs Vengeance of God, when his ſpirit will no more ſtrive with men, when he will clear his Juſtice, and go forth to ſee the Authority of his Laws and Sentences of his Word ratified in the execution thereof, when no Interceſſor shall be then heard tho a Noach, Daniel, and Job were upon the earth; and it shall be then no more poſſible to hold off that long threatned ſtroke, or turn Judgment out of his way then for men to ſtop the courſe of the Sun to recall the day and years that are paſt, or make void the Ordinances of Heaven, but then will the Works of God gett a hearing, when his Words could not.

p. 132A IV. Head, on this ſubject; which I muſt join in with the former, that is of great weight, and conſequence, is this; to know what aſpect, ſuch extraordinary providences of theſe times past, now hath on the churches there, and whither ſo great a criſis, as hath been in the publik State of affairs, hath more promiſing, or threatning ſigns, therewith. It was the higheſt part of Hezekiah obſervation, upon that great deliverance he met with Iſai. 39. not to ſee only God in his immediate hand herein, but how his heart, was toward him in the ſame; as is there expreſſed thou hast loved my ſoul, out of the pit of corruption, for ſo does the originall render it. A looſing ſight of providence, in what the Lord doth ſpeak to men thereby, maketh way not only for great shakings, but to read the ſenſe thereof, contrair to its intent; and tho there be a regarding by all, the viſible effects of providence, and what herein lyes neareſt to our ſenſe, yet few goes a further length in their obſerving. It is undenyable that an extraordinare condeſcendence of grace, and of the long ſuffering of God, might be ſeen in theſe great things here done of late, but the next enquiry lyes here, how ſuch ane unuſual application of providence does work? It was upon ſome ſerious thoughts hereof, and this preſent State of things, I ſett my ſelf, for more clear diſcerning of the way of the Lord and his voice to this generation in theſe aſtonishing p. 133changes hath gone over the ſame of late, to have my own ſpirit fix'd herein, and ſome higher ſtrenthning on the faithfulnes of his truth; but in the firſt place, there are ſome undoubted principles of truth, which I would mention here, and muſt hold by, as truths which are of ane eternall verity, and may have a clear applicatory light, to the preſent day we are in.

1. That it's ſure, the moſt notable mercies which hath been bequathed of the Lord, either to churches, or perſons, have alſo been an entry to the greatest of judgements, when not anſwered, it was with the brighteſt ſunshine of ane immediate appearance of his hand, and ane extraordinary courſe of miracles, that Iſrael, entred into the wilderneſs; whereon ſo black a night of diſmal providence: did fall; and is it not the ſame voice which is now ſpeaking to us, that we have Malach. 2. 2. if ye will not lay to heart, to give glory to my name, ſays the Lord of host, I will curſe your bleſſings.

2. It ſtands ever ſure, and unchangeable, that God will never return to a people, againſt whom he is wroth, untill the cauſe of his departure be taken away, for both the ſame date, and meaſure, which mens forſaking of God, doth bear, the ſame alſo does his departing bear unto them, and tho repentance where it is in truth, can never be in vain, yet may it come to late, to prevent temporal judgment, or to regain ever again, a ſeaſon p. 134of acting for God, when there is a more eminent call thereto, at one time, then another.

3. It is ane unchangeable truth, which varies not, with the changes of time, that there is no condition on the earth can be ſafe whither as to a a Nation, or Perſon, were it never at ſuch advantage, in external things; wherein they cannot ſay, God is with us herein, and we are deſigning for him; as on the other hand, it muſt be founded wholly on Atheiſm, where the ſtate; and danger of a Nation is not judged from the ſins thereof, and the meaſure of the ſame, more then from any viſible hazard; for tho particular places, and people, under a Profeſſion of Chriſt, comes not to the ſame hight in filling up the meaſure of ſin; yet it muſt ſurely have it's fatal period, when deferred Judgment will nat ſtay on day longer.

4. What ever uncertainty be in humane things, yet is this unchangeable, and ſure, that ſuch who inherit the ſame ſins of others, againſt whom God hath appeared in any eminency of Providence shall inherit the ſame Judgements; which hath not only been meaſured out to ſuch as hath gone before, but are pledges to after times of what may be expected. For as the way of grace, changeth not, and the redeem'd of the Lord, as dear to him now, as ever; ſo is he immutably juſt, and his ways keeps the ſame meaſure with his revealed truth, ſo as a Solid Interpretation of Scripture p. 135needs no extraordinare Prophetik Spirit, to infer Judgment, from ſin, where there is no ſerious returning unto him, and when the Lord God hath ſpoken, who can but Prophecy Amos 3: 8.

5. It is of unqueſtionable evidence alſo, that national ſins, wherein the body of a Nation, and People is unite, and hath a joint acceeſſion herein; when it is thus the publick Sin of a Community, muſt meet with a Stroke, and Judgment within time of as publick extent, and cannot be laid over in this reſpect to the Judgment of the great day, when once it's meaſure is filled up here; ſince elſe the Glory of God in his truth, and remunerative Juſtice, should not have on ſuch an account, a Vindication before the World, in the ſight of Angels, and Men, if his ſpotleſs Judgment should not thus bear ſome proportion, to the nature of that guilt; the God of truth hath given his Word, and Dominion, and Authority over Nations both to pluke up, and to plant, as well as over perſons, which can never be made void.

6. There can be no doubtfulneſs here alſo that it is ſimply impoſſible for a church to ſubſist, or preſerve ît's ſtation in a Church state by a naked external form only; or in the purity of religion, without ſome life, and power, of the ſame; ſince if there were no reall inbringing, or building up of the elect there, then the Goſpel had no more work in the ſame, and no interest were there for the Spirit of God to keep fellowship with; ſo that p. 136the intrinſick ſtrength of any particular church, yea of the politick bodie therein; lyes not in the number, or bulk, but in the weight, nor is't the extenſive growth of a church to a viſible profeſſion that makes, a reall increaſe; but how great an interest does a few ſuch, whoſe way is the life, and power of that doctrine they profeſs, make in the place they are in; tho this ſeems litle apprehended, what influence the hid part in a nation of humble, ſerious chriſtians hath on the external State thereof, and on the adminiſtration of providence in the world, who makes least appearance in it, by a near entercourſe with heaven, and by ſuch high value, and regard which they have there, ſo as the Lord hath even ſubjected the greateſt viciſſitude and changes of the time to the interceſſion, and prayers of ſuch.

Let me but add this herewith, that tho the Lord does ever diſtinguish betwixt the Godly, and the reſidue of men in times of publick calamity, and Judgments, ſo as not to lay them common herein with the wicked, yet on the other hand, it is not a numerous Party, even of moſt choiſe, and Reall Chriſtians in a Land, will ſtand in the way of wrath, and of ſome diſmal ſtroke, when the ſett time of Judgment is once come; but may be then ſuch with a Nation, when there is no more hearing, or interceſſion, but for that inſtance of the Lords ſiſting his judgment, if there had been but 10 Perſons in the Cities of the Plain: it p. 137was an eminent return to Abraham, and extraordinar act of condeſcendence, that makes no rule. There was a choiſe and numerous remnant in Judea, who ſought the Lord then, when that diſmal night of the Captivity came on; and it is of late, that ſuch a tremendous inſtance, we have before us in the Caſe of Bohemia, where ſo conſpicous a part then was of a People zealous for God, when ſuch a publick overwhelming ſtroke came on.

But now in the Second Place I muſt ſpeak a few words to what ſeems in ſome ſingular way, to ſpeak to Britain, and Ireland by very ſad, and monitory ſigns, bejond any of the Churches about: it is, I know, eaſie, and uſual to challenge the darkneſs of Providence, more then to regard, what is clearly revealed to us▪ as the intent & voice thereof; and theſe are indeed ſad, and diſmal like dispenſations, that tho they be not ſilent, but have a diſtinct, and audible voice, yet Seals no Instruction herewith, on the ſpirits of men. I confeſs a natural Reſpect, and tye, to ſuch a Part of the earth, bejond any elſe, renders this to ſome, to be more heavie, and dreadful that if Soveraign grace, do not wonderfully interpoſe, it cannot be found in the courſe of divine Providence, ſince the beginning of time; that ever the meaſure of ſin, contempt of a Deity, and oppoſitions to the Holy God in the deſigns both of his Word, and Providence hath come to ſuch a hight as is viſible p. 138in theſe Churches this day; but that ſome extraordinare appearance of Wrath, and Judgment from the Lord hath as viſiby followed thereon, to be a publick monument, for after times, wherein theſe Remarks, are ſo unavoidable.

1. To what a ſtrange, and fatal iſſue, hath that purest profeſſion of Christ, in the Proteſtant Religion, which hath been long enjoyed there, now come, when ſuch publick contempt, and ſcorn, is thrown upon the ſame, in the truth, and power thereof, as a matter of their greateſt abhorrence; when the moſt numerous part of the multitude, every where may be ſeen in a stated oppoſition to the dominion, and authority of God in his laws, yea ſuch horrid tenets, as well as practices, even in the common ſenſe of mankind, may be diſcernable there, as in pagan nations, under ſome aw…, and reſtraint of a natural conſcience would be affrigting; ſince every nation will walk in the name of their God; but theſe are ſuch as have at once diveſted themſelves of all hope and caſt off all fear, or dread, of a wrath that is to come.

2. And as to one ſpecial evidence hereof, what cauſe may it be to meditate terror, as to the preſent ſtate of theſe nations, when a ſpirit of blaſphemie is let forth there and gott ſuch a prevalence amongſt all ranks, as it's accounted a matter of fashion, and breading, to go a length bejond other, in tearing that bleſſed name of God, in p. 139whoſe hand is their breath, by profane, and blaſphemous oaths. This is a thing by it ſelf, that's purely diabolick, and hath nothing humane in it, can have no affinity with the flesh, nor is as ane ordinarie degree, of a reall poſſeſſion by the Divel, and much ſadder, then that which hath been on many by conſtraint, and putting a force upon their tongue to blaſpheme, which otherwiſe would have been a horror, and dread, ſince this is by conſent, and a delight, that could have no poſſible riſe, but from pure enmity to the Holy God, yet is it now come to ſuch a prodigious height, as if Britain did deſign a proper monopoly this way, and Preheminence, of the ſame, above all nations of the earth; tho none more will pretend a nationall love, and reſpect, to it's ſtanding, and interest, to whom that ſaying of one of the ancients, may be applicable, if ſuch would once give it a hearing; ſi tibi non vis parcer…, attamen parce Patriae tuae; do we thus provoke the Lord to jealouſie, are we stronger then he; but when ſuch a contagion ſeemes to be paſt the reſtraint of humane Laws who declares their ſin as ſodome, will not the great lawgiver, at laſt take it under his hand, to vindicate his authoritie.

3. But what a ſymptome, is this herewith of approaching judgments when to ſuch a hight, and ſo univerſalie, the corruption of the youth, is in this day, and theſe parts, in ſo ane uſual a way; and among ſuch, a Spirit of Atheiſm, and p…ofanity, p. 140is in that manner got up, as may be ſadly foreſeen, what a diſmal night muſt follow hereon, and cauſe theſe know, whoſe reſpects ſeem to run ſo high for a national interest, that what does thus strike, at the root, truth & Godlineſs, amongſt men, in ſo ſtrange a debauchery, of the generation that's coming up, gives the ſame ſtroke, to the greateſt ſecurity of goverment, and to what founds the greateſt obligations, to civil, or moral duties; yea hath a native, and unavoidable tendence to ruine the politick bodie, to emaſculate the ſpirits of men, and obſtruct the vigorous improvments, of their natural parts, and will in a short time depreſs, and change the very genius of theſe once renouned nations, if there be no due application, of the proper, and adequate remedie for the ſame.

4. And do we not with too great evidence now ſee, how much that old Proteſtant ſpirit, which was in the power, and life of that profeſſion, is gone, and extinguiſhed this day; before which the Romish interest could not, poſſibly ſtand, when humane power and might did litle concur therewith; ſo as it may be a ſtrange but too viſible a remark, how that diſtinction, hath got ſuch place in Britain, bejond any other reformed churches elſe, which is betwixt the Proteſtant interest, and politick concerns thereof, and the Proteſtant Religion, which lyes in the pure doctrine of Christ, in its truth, and efficacy on mens ſoul, p. 141and practice; when thus may be ſeen, what a throng and eaſie concurrence is there to promote the one, and bear the higheſt reſpects thereto, ſo far as they find a private interest, and external motives renders this neceſſary, who does hate, and to the utmoſt oppoſe themſelves to the other; yea fears nothing more, then to have this get any authority over their conſcience; and oh thence it is that when priveledge and propertie upon a temporal intereſt, are as the apple of mens eye, when theſe are once touched, yet are the higheſt indignities, and affronts to the honor of God, and to his truth of a ſmall regard.

5. But if we yet look further, in to the Publick State of Religion in theſe Churches, there may be a more aſtonishing ſight, and of greater abominations ſtill, anſwerable to that viſion Ezechiel 8; when within the precincts of a Chriſtian Church, once ſo purely reformed, ſuch a party is got up and growing, whoſe work is not onlie to take men off the ſerious work, and power of Chriſtianity; but to ſubvert wholly the foundation of our faith, under that late deſignation of Deiſts, and that men are now become ſo wearied of the Chriſtian Profeſſion, as were their power anſwerable to their will, they would bring in a new model of paganiſm, and fix themſelf at laſt there. And oh is it come to ſuch a day, after ſo bright a ſun shine of the Goſpell hath gone before, and after ſo great ane effuſion of the Spirit of God, that ſuch p. 142a party should be upon the encreaſe in ſo horrid an appearance, were it poſſible, to make void the whole frame of the Goſpel, to juſtle our ever bleſſed Redeemer, who once was the deſire of the nations, off his throne, to thruſt the crown off his head, the ſcepter of whoſe goverment is righteouſneſs, & peace; and give, if they could, a mortall ſtroke to him, who is the life, and light of men, and by whoſe ſtripes we are healed, yea as if they could make their party good againſt that rod of iron, with which he bears rule over his adverſaries. But what can theſe deſign to themſelves to render humane being deſirable here on the earth, except to have a ſhare of the ſame priveledge, with the beaſts, of the field, that within a little they should have no more being, and oh what a God does ſuch deprive themſelves of who only propitious, to poor man in Christ, and otherwiſe not the object of our trust, but of terror; yet is this way now come to that length, as it would ſeem to deſpiſe all moral releef.

6. I muſt yet add here, tho it be a very ſad ungrateful Subject, how we are faln in a day, when the greateſt diſcoveries of God, both in the way of Judgment, and mercy ſeems to have no affecting ſenſe, or regard on this generation, and the great deſigns both of grace, and providence amidſt ſuch marvelous changes hath gone before, in that manner withſtood as moſt ſeemes to unite there ſtrength herein; even when this may be in a p. 143ſingular way applicable to our time, what the Lord did once ſpeak to Iſrael by Moſes; your eyes have ſeen the great Acts of the Lord, and theſe great temptations, the Signs, and Wonders, which he hath done in this last age; yet if Soveraign grace do not marvelouſly appear, it may be fear'd, that both the voice of God in his Word and Works hath discharg'd their commiſſion, without any due regard to the ſame; and that judgment, and mercy after ſuch extraordinar methods of divine patience have done their part, and is now come to ſuch a judicial withdrawing, and departure of that great Ambaſſador, the Spirit of God from his Church, that there ſeems but ſmall acceſs to ſerious Publick Humiliation, and faſting, or to call for ſolemn Aſsemblies for this end, except to Perſonate, & Act ſuch a part as that of the mourning Women amongst the Jews at Funerals, and amongſt theſe of the moſt ſerious Spirit in this day, ſuch a reſtraint may be found of that Seriousneſs and fervor herein which once did appear, as renders it a more ominous Preſage that there may be nothing to follow but that laſt ſentence, let them alone; and muſt not all thus reaſon and judge, that as the intereſt of Sacred Truth, and the Honor, and Glory of God in mens ſubjecting thereto is of much higher value then any temporal Interest; ſo is the Vindication of the ſame before the World of a greater concern then the ſtability or ſtanding of Kingdoms, yea to fear more p. 144deeply that ſuch a time, how long ſo ever deferred, muſt at laſt take place, when his ſpotleſs procedure of Judgement, ſhall be then cleared fully; shall I not viſit for theſe things, shall not my ſoul be avenged on ſuch a People.

But now in the third Place, there is one Inquiry that ſhould ly near, and hath a more then ordinary call for the ſame in ſuch a day; to know what is yet left, and acceſſible in the matter of duty, that might be as a door of hope for the Lords Returning once more, and his reſpiting of imminent Judgement, when ſo great a Ruine is like to fall under the Hand of this Generation. I know any ſuch thing will be to moſt as matter of deriſion, whoſe fear, and hopes of this kind goes no higher then preſent Objects of Senſe, and it is little I can adventure to ſpeak hereon, but as to any meaſure of light I have attained, I can no more queſtion, that the ſame voice from the Lord, is now going forth to the Churches of Britain, and Ireland; then that I read what is ſpoke to Juda Ezechiel 22: 30. And I ſought for a man amongst you that should make up the hedge, and ſtand in the gate before me for the Land, that I should not deſtroy it, but I found none; therefore have I poured out my indignation upon them, I have conſumed them with the fire of my Wrath, their own wayes have I recompens'd on their Heads, ſays the Lord God. It's ſure then wrath was near to a breaking forth, when this last call came yet with an offer of Peace, p. 145nor is it queſtionable there was a ſerious part then who were deeply affected with ſuch a time, tho it was not eaſy to find one of a truly raiſed ſpirit, to do and endure ſomething more then ordinare for God, when ſo great a ruine was ready to fall under their hand; but to clear the import of ſuch a call, with reſpect to the publick State of the Churches of Britain, under this alluſion, here made uſe off, to ſtand in a gape and breach, when the Church as a defenced City is laid open to an extream and imminent hazard; I muſt ſpeak a few things to be conſidered, what muſt follow if no Interceſſor be found, to anſwer the voice of this call, by a ſuitable appearance herein.

1. Tho it may be now reckoned, that the sky is more clear as to the State of Britain, then for many Years paſt, when the breach ſeems to be made ſure againſt either Forrain or inteſtine Aſſaults, and that in the way of reaſon and the ordinare courſe of humane affairs, things are come to a more ſecure and ſettled State, yet is there an other aſpect of things, that ſhould deeply affect our ſpirits, when the publick hazard of the time is greater then from all humane power, and the party to be moſt feared, is aſſuredly divine Wrath, after a long interval of forbearance, that is ready to break forth in ſome extraordinar Acts of Judgment, for where a day of attonement goes not before, can no true deliverance be expected, to raiſe and ſettle theſe Nations; yet how rare are p. 146they who take this to heart, or tremble within themſelf on the thoughts of Judgment to be near, if it does not appear from natural or viſible cauſes, tho nothing be more diſcernable from Moral Signs.

2. What ever preſent calm be from theſe terrors and fears that have been of late, yet may it be judged whither it be a ſerious buſineſs, or not to ſtand in ſuch a breach as is this day, when the greateſt intereſt of our Faith, is laid open to ſuch numerous aſſaults; as there ſeems no leſs cauſe to ſtand, and contend for the Chriſtian Cauſe and Interest now in theſe Nations, againſt ſuch who are under a viſible Profeſſion of the ſame, then once was againſt the Heathens; whilſt that primitive Spirit, which was then a Spirit of Power and of Glory, does too rarely appear, or theſe meaſures of grace in ſuch impreſſions as was then that are under a ſad and judicial reſtraint; moſt being taken up ſo entirely with private refentments of perſonal Injuries, and bitter in eſtine conflicts, as the ſound of ſuch a hazard cannot be heard, until it be felt. It was the Power and Evidence of Chriſtianity on mens ſoull, that did firſt make Proteſtants, and made way for the planting & ſettlement of the Reformed Churches but it would ſeem now reckoned that the Proteſtant Interest can ſtand, tho the Chriſtian Faith, were extinct in the power and vitalls thereof, and might eaſily be given up by the greateſt part of p. 147this Generation, if it's outworks could be preſerved, where a temporal Interest …enders that neceſſar; whilſt that magnetick power and vertue, which the Truth once had on the World is not to be ſeen, or any deep ſence of that Intereſt which Religion once had in the Glory of a paſſive Teſtimony for the ſame.

3. Is not the gape and breach, we have to ſtand in this day. of ſuch a kind, that where the ancient Love of theſe renowned Churches, the Love of their Youth, and Kindneſs of their Eſpouſals unto God, did ſo brightly ſhine forth after the Reformation from Popery, it is now reſolved unto ſo diſmal a change, as with moſt what ever is moſt lovely, excellent, and deſirable in the Revelation of the Ghoſpel, and ſhould have the moſt attractive influence on mens ſoull, is viſibly deſpiſed and vilified; yea which renders this breach and gape more dreadful, that after all the cost & expence which the Lord hath wared in planting, and letting forth a vine yard to Britain, ſending moe Servants then at the firſt with the indearing perſuaſives of the Ghoſpel, and on the other hand with ſolemn and expreſs warnings of the hazard of ſuch Strokes of Judgment, to come, as hath been afterwards felt; yet hath the return been in a continued and growing enmity againſt the truth, and inſtead of rendring the fruits of this Vineyard in its ſeaſon, hath rather conſpired to deride and deſpitefully uſe ſuch as have come to p. 148demand the ſame, and what can be judged will be the reſult hereof, if men have not concluded that God hath forſaken the earth; can it be thought that the Breaches of theſe Nations ſhall be bound up, but that they muſt widen further, if there be not in ſome ſingular manner a ſtanding up in this breach, to turn away his wrath; which is a ſervice that comes now under our hand, as may not linger or ſtay, when warnings of ſo extraordinar a kind are reinforced; for this is a call, hath a limited time and ſeaſon allotted thereto, that may have a shorter period then we apprehend when a door of Interceſſion hath been in ſuch unuſual manner kept open, and Grace hath ſo long interpoſed, before Judgment should come to a final execution.

4. I muſt add hereto what ſence ought to be of the hazard of ſuch a breach, when a hight of all Immorality and Ungodlineſs is turned ſo open and viſible, as if Sathan did eſſay to have an open Throne again ſet up, as once he had amongſt the Nations; whilſt the ſpirit of few are ſeaſed with any ſuitable impreſſion of the ſame, leſt this be the voice of the Lord without recalling, shall I not viſit theſe things, shall not my ſoull be avenged on ſuch a Nation Jer. 5: 9. and what a time is it, when the Reverence and Authority of Religion is ſo far gone off mens ſpirits, that if ſuch can bring up a private intereſt, and have ſome treaſure of that kind laid up, they are under no fear of treaſuring p. 149up Wrath and Judgment; it was a rare example that of Daniel, who upon the foreſeeing of a ſtroke which he was not to fear for himſelf, yet was aſtonished for ane hour, and his thoughts troubled him, by reaſon of the ſtrangenes of it Dan 4: 19. That there is a moſt choiſe and ſerious part yet in theſe Nations as is this day in the earth, is unqueſtionable, but even ſuch who in theſe difficult & perillous times paſt, have been helpt to ſtand, and go through a variety of dark and ſtrange Diſpenſations, I ſuppoſe have not found a time in a more ſingular way trying in the matters of Conſcience, then is this day; and that there was never more hazard of an inſenſible wearing out from under former impreſſions of duty and the ways of truth, which once they had, or a more difficult part to have that ancient fear, and tenderneſs of light kept in exerciſe which as the apple of the eye, may be eaſily hurt, but not ſo eaſily helped.

But tho it is clear that this voice and call for ſtanding in the gape and breach, does reſpect all of a ſerious ſpirit in the things of God, yet are there ſome more eminently fitted from the Lord with peculiar Excellencies on their ſpirit then others, to appear on ſo high a ſervice; which as it is a talent not bequeathed in vain, where this in a more remarkable way is let forth, ſo is it of greateſt weight to know time and opportunity for this end, and when a ſeaſon of Providence may p. 150call to ſome higher improvement hereof for God, then ever again may occur; yea it may be ſeen in how ſtrange a manner the choiſeſt inſtruments in the ſervice of their day, are made to differ not only from others, but from themſelves, as they are helped to anſwer ſuch a call, and to know the Counſel of God herein. But that I may touch this more particularly, it is requiſite to know who may be at the greateſt advantage, and in a nearer capacity then others for ſuch a ſervice, about which I judge theſe things will not be queſtionable. 1. That ſuch as have a more near and intimate converſe with God in this day, hath a great room alſo in this ſervice, to ſtand in ſuch a Gape, yea to ſave a Kingdom or Nation, when Judgment is ready to break forth; theſe have their Soull kept in that manner under the power and attractions of the things of God, bejond the reſidue of men, as not to be affrighted or taken off from appearing for him by the force and prevalence of example; it is theſe who are at moſt advantage to diſcern the Judicial Removes of the preſence of God from the Church, and the Generation they live amongſt, and the imminent hazard of Wrath, and approaching Judgment; yea it's theſe who from internal Motives can find it eaſy to lay their deareſt things at the ſtake, in behalf of the Truth and Glory of Chriſt in the Land they belong to, and without reſpect to private intereſt lay themſelves in the way of a publick hazard p. 151with the Spirit of bleſſed Bernard, as he ſpeaks, Malo in nos murmur bominum ſit quam in Deum, bonum est ſi Deus me digne…ur uti pro clypeo. 2. They are in a ſpecial way fitted to anſwer this call and ſervice, who hath the Senſe of any ſingular engagements they are under to God, much on their heart, and what hereby they owe in a peculiar way to do for him, and for a more ſpecial ſervice to the age they live in, to ſeek the intereſt and wellfare of their People, to whom they have the neareſt natural tye; which is that ſervice for the Generation, and publick truſt ſhouldly near theſe who have had more then ordinare receipts of mercy from the Lord, & of theſe ſpecially it might be expected that they dare ſtand up for God, and the Intereſt of his Truth, tho they ſhould ſtand alone herein, which ſurely in the iſſue will be found a ſafer ſtanding then with the multitude, or ſuch whoſe deſign for the publick intereſt goes no further, then their private concerns does influence. It is ſure the Words of Mordechai Eſth. 4: 13. Are ſtill directed to this day, think not with thy ſelf thow shalt eſcape, for if thow altogether holds thy peace at this time enlargements and deliverance shall ariſe from another place, but thow and thy Fathers Houſe shall be deſtroyed. 3. But it is undoubted that this Service does in ſome peculiar way ly to the door of Princes and Rulers, according to their Station, who are of more publick relations then others; their Authority came p. 152in with the ſecond Covenant, which by the fall of man was rendred neceſſar, and have their Power derived from him, by whom Kings Rule and Princes Decree Judgment Proverbs 8. 15. ſo as the advance of the Ghoſpel of Christ, and Preſervation of Sacred Truth, both in its purity and power, is made the object of their higheſt truſt, yea what a ſingular bleſſing this is to a time, when ſuch does eminently interpoſe upon any imminent hazard to the Church, and thus bears evidence that they have ane Unction from God on their heart as well as their Office, And it came to paſs 2 Chron. 34: 19. that when the King heard the Words of the Law, that he rent his Cloathes, and commanded Hilkia the Son of Shaphan &c. go, and enquire of the Lord for me, and for them that are left in Iſraël and in Juda, concerning the Words of the Book that's found, for great is the Wrath of the Lord that's poured upon us, becauſe our Fathers kept not the Word of the Lord, to do after all that is written in this Book. This hath looked as a door of hope to Britain in the preſent day, when ſuch of a ſerious & excellent ſpirit have come to the Throne, if the ſin of this Generation, as may be feared, be not come to that height, of a reſolute oppoſition to any reſtoring means, but if the Authority of God ſould be thus taken off the conſcience of men by ſo publik abounding Atheiſm and Impiety, it shall be found that the Honor and Authority of Magiſtrates will fall p. 153herewith before men. 4. They have a peculiar acceſs alſo to ſuch a ſervice for God, and the intereſt of the place they live in, who have more advantage then others by the Repute and Authority of their Example, to walk in a countermotion to any publick and contagious evill of the time, as are moſt prevalent, and thus to affright the bold and daring countenance thereof; this ſhould be a honourable appearance to oppoſe the Kingdom of Sathan, wherein it's getting moſt remarkable ſtrength and credit by the Cuſtomarineſs thereof. 5. But in a ſpecial way theſe who would aim at ſo high and bleſſed a Mark as this, muſt know ſome higher a…quaintance with that Myſtery of Faith, then what ſeems to be underſtood by moſt in this day, and of a relyance on God by a partiticular trust, yea the truth of ſuch ſpecial aſſiſtances of the ſpirit, as can raiſe the ſoull to a higher reſoluteneſs in the matter of duty by oppoſition, ſo as it can be born up amidſt the ſtrongeſt difficulties, from no humane intereſt, or the greatneſs of a party in the earth, but from the greatneſs of their God: It is true the way of beleeving is an immutable Ordinance, which God hath ſettled for the ſupport and ſervices of his People within …ime, and ſhould be the leading principle of a Chriſtians Life, to go through all conditions and changes in adventuring on that God, who is of infinite Power both to hurt and help, but it is one of the great experiments alſo of Religion, to p. 154what a pitch and degree the Faith of ſome of the Saints hath been raiſed upon ſome extraordinar Service for the Lord, where no natural cauſes could influence the ſame, and above what they could in an ordinare way reach. 6. Yet is not the door for ſuch a Service shut on any who have an intereſt in the Truth once delivered to the Saints, but may ſtill have ſome ſhare and room in ſo great an Undertaking for God, and the Intereſt of his Truth; and ſhould each of a ſerious ſpirit, deſign ſomething perſonally for anſwering this call, to ſuſtain a part in ſo choile a ſervice for the truth, ſuitable to their Station and Talent, it should bring a marvelous change therewith on the times, and cauſe another face appear in the publick face of the Church; nor is it expreſſible what the improvement of a little ſtrength, when it hath been deſigned for the Lord, & under his call hath oft attained, which in no ordinare w…y, or from any viſible appearance could ever have been expected, yea what a marvelous uſe the ſoveraing God can make of a few nay of one, where his concurrence goes forth therewith.

But ſince the publick State of things this day is ſuch as ſeems, to controul any confidence or hope for anſwering ſuch a call, to ſtand in the breach of ſo trying and hazardous a time, I would ſpeak a few things in the third place, which may put ſome more then ordinare weight of this call on our ſpirits. 1. That as it's eaſy for the Lord to raiſe p. 155and excite the ſpirits of men to ſuch duties, as in the way of humane reaſon would ſeem wholly inſuperable; ſo can it not be found in the Records of times past, that where grace did interpoſe in any ſingular way to prevent Judgment, and for recovering of a Church in ſome extreme caſe, but there hath alſo been ſomething more extraordinar then at other times, in the acting forth and excitment of ſome inſtruments, to appear for God with a more Heroick motion on their ſpirits, then what hath been uſual, and when he hath had a ſaving work and deſign to accomplish, then Saviours have come upon Mount Zion Obad v: 21.

2. If it be a ſerious buſineſs to diſcern the times, we are in with reſpect to the publick State of theſe Nations, the voice of this call might then ly near our ſpirits, ſince if we turn our eyes back, it is demonſtrably evident that the Lord hath not dealt ſo with any Nation of the Gentiles under the New Teſtament, as with the Iſle of Britain, both as to eminent experiments of Providence, and the diſpenſation of Grace and meaſures of light eſpecially ſince it's recovery from the Power of Antichriſtian Darkneſs; ſo as it is not ſtrange that he hath gone forth in a more ſingular way of Procedure therewith then other Churches, and tho nothing is new under the Sun as Solomon ſpeaks, yet there may be ſeen ſome thing peculiar and aſtonishing as to the way and Actings of Providence there in this age, as will not be eaſy for the moſt p. 156judicious Obſervers, to find a precedent for the ſame; and if we now conſider the preſent time, as things are ſtated after ſuch reſolute oppoſitions to the voice of theſe times past, and when no viciſſitudes of Providence hath yet put any ſtop to a growing hight of Apoſtacy, as may bee too viſible there; yea that it's ſure, God will not loſe his Work or Intent in the great expence he hath been at for reclaiming this Generation, it may be then without a Prophetick Light ſeen that ſomething very extraordinar is near, either in the way of Judgment or Mercy; ſo as this ſervice and appearance in the preſent Breach ſeems to be in another manner call'd for bejond that of an ordinare day, when there is yet room, and the door of interceſſion not abſolutely shut; but if this ſeem light, it will be found that the longeſt meaſure of divine Patience will come to a Year and a Day at laſt.

3. It is ſure and unqueſtionable alſo, that the anſwering of this call, is the alone way to have God intereſſed in the publick State and Concerns of Britain in the preſent day, before whom all Nations are as nothing, and the greateſt Train of Inferiour Cauſes, when their furtheſt ſtrength and activity is put forth, of no weight, when he withdrawes his influence as Job 7: 8. thy eyes are upon me, and I am not. It may be matter of ſerious remark, that in this late time ſomething more then ordinare hath appeared in the French ſtanding and ſtrength, and tho on principles of reaſon p. 157the Power of ſuch an Adverſary ſhould not be ſuch matter of fear, when an unuſual concurrence of means is to ſtem ſuch a tide, and under the conduct of ſo Wiſe and Heroick a Leader; yet on the other hand, Ashur the rod of my anger Iſay 10: 5 is a formidable Party; and it s a threatning caſe when the ſecurity and intereſt of a Nation ſtands more by a permiſſive Providence, and ſingular longſuffering of God, then by promiſe. The diſcovery of hid Plots and Contrivances against the Government hath been of late in a ſpecial manner remarkable, but oh! there is one Plot, which is of ane other nature, to be above all fear'd, that's caried on not in the dark, but in the publick light, to betray theſe Nations to the Common Adverſary, it is ſuch a Plot, as was betwixt Balak and Balaäm, to divide Iſraël from God, that their ſtrength might depart from them, when once there is a ſad departure from him; and it's ſure theſe, who ever are intereſſed herein, hath the moſt active concurrence to weaken, and bring low the Politick Body of Britain, to haſten on a diſmal night, and advance the intereſt and ſtrength of viſible Adverſaries: But if there be no ſuitable appearance in this day, to counteract ſo diſmal a Plot, and the growing ſtrength of ſuch a Conſpiracy herein, there may be then too juſt cauſe for theſe of the moſt ſerious ſpirit, to long to have their part acted, and be gone off the ſtage ere they ſee the dreadful Effects p. 158hereof: and what ever advantage be of external means, it might be too eaſy then to judge of future things, where an inordinate reſpect to men, and a low regard to keep in with God, is one of the publick ſigns of the time we are in. I know it's no eaſy thing to improve the Providences of times past, that are at any diſtance from us, or to bring them home by a juſt application to the preſent day, and to compare what we now ſee of the Way and Workings of God, with what hath already paſt in theſe late Years, but if this were more improven and underſtood, there might be another view and diſcerning of the times we are in. and what of the night now it is: we have ſeen in ſome ſingular way, the riſing and falling of humane intereſts ſo contrare to humane reaſon and expectations, as might tend fully to clear from what hand they came, and to what Iſſue they were directed, we have ſeen ſuch Revolutions, which the Churches of Britain hath gone thorough, and hath paſt over the ſame, as ſeem yet little underſtood, and it muſt be a perverſe and falſe Judgment, if it be ſuppoſed that we have no more to do herewith, but a naked remembrance of ſuch things in the matter of Fact, and what was mens way and part therein. But that I may come more near on this Subject, there are ſome things that need to be further underſtood thereon.

1. That it's ſure when ſuch a Gape this day is p. 159lying open betwixt us and divine Wrath, there can be no ſtanding herein without a ſerious interceeding Work with God by immediate addreſſes, when its unexpreſſible what a mighty efficacy this hath on the World, and the great changes thereof, and how far he hath ſubjected the Intereſt of Nations to the Prayers of the Saints. It is a hopeful ſign when Rulers and Magiſtrates do call and excite a Nation to publick faſting and prayer, but in the ordinare way it's followed this day, upon ſo extraordinare an application to the Majeſty of God, it may be juſt matter of fear, if ſuch eſſential requiſites be not concurrent therewith. 1. That the ſame Authority and Power be interpoſed for a ſerious and impartial Inquiry as to National Sins, which are moſt prevalent in the time, where the current of the multitude runs, and hath the loudeſt cry to Heaven; ſince otherwiſe a ſolemn addreſs of this kind might bear a ſad evidence of Atheiſm and Impiety, to ſuit National Deliverances and Protection, and that the Holy God would be with us, and propitious to us for the publick State of the Nation, whilſt we are not with him, yea that he would not forſake us, whilſt our forſaking him is ſo viſible, which is in effect to plead that the moſt ſettled & unalterable eſtablishments of his truth be made void, and reſcinded for our ſake; yea can another return be expected in ſuch a caſe then what is Ezech. 14: 4. 2. That ſomething then upon ſo extraordinare an addreſs p. 160to Heaven, might be deſigned by publick Authority in a promiſſary way to be made practicable, as ſould tend to a more viſible reſolute withſtanding the growing ſtrength of ſuch National evils, and may thus bear a publick teſtimony and appearance againſt them from ſuch who ſtand under ſo high a truſt unto God for this end.

2. Where this great ſervice is taken to heart for ſtanding in the gape this day before God, there needs alſo ſome clear diſcerning of the end and deſign of Providence, in theſe aſtonishing ſu…ceſſive changes, which hath of late gone over this Generation: it's true there may be many ends at once reached in any ſignal piece of the Work of G…d about his Church, yet is there ſurely ſtill ſome higher & great end which he hath therein, that should be moſt deeply enquired into, and tho I can attain little this way in reſpect of others, yet may with humble confidence ſay, that under a ſerious preſſure of ſpirit I have ſought to underſtand the ſame, and how to trace the Lines of Providence in the ſtrange Revolutions of this age, to the Center of that great Deſign of the Lord therein, to which all theſe oppoſitions, which hath been made to the ſame hath ſo remarkably brought on their own fall and breaking in that way, but this I muſt further in ſiſt on, tho there needs ſpecially a turning our eyes firſt back to times past, for diſcerning the Work of God in our day, and to ſee in what a p. 161circuit divine Judgment did go from on part of the Reformed Churches to another, with the very firſt date and entry upon this remarkable age; and when that Sword which was bathed in Heaven, and had it's commiſſion to Germany, and Bohem in that ſore, and long inteſtine War there, had once done it's work; then did it in a ſuccesſive courſe enter on the Churches of Britain, and Ireland, and a c…p of trembling from the Lord put into there hand; and then did begin that great Scene of Providence which hath been ſince acted there, wherein, as in all the moſt remarkable Steps, and Periods hereof, hath the voice of the Lord, been expreſly pointing at this great end, and deſign in the ſame, for bringing his counſel more clearly to light, if we had eyes to perceive, and hearts to underſtand what is his work, and declared intent herein; which is that the Kingdoms of this World may become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, who shall reign for ever and ever Revelat. 11: 15: and that his Interest in theſe Nations, as a part of that inheritance which was in a peculiar way given him of the Father Pſalm 2: 8. be more fully aſſerted in the Glory of his Regal Power, againſt all ſuch who would withſtand the ſame: for which end may it be clearly underſtood what ſuch ane appearance did mean, in ſo ſtrange ane adminiſtration of providence by the Sword to theſe Nations in this age; what ſuch unuſual shakings and overturnings p. 162there, yea by ſuch reſtleſs oppoſitions to any civil ſettlements, ſince the Lord begun to shake Britain; to make knowen this ſolemn period of time was come, and the days of the 7t. Trumpet, when our Lord Jeſus should take to himſelf his great Power, and Reign, which had been ſo long darkned by the uſurpations, and enmity of men thereto; yea that he was ſurely gone forth, who hath that name writen on his veſture, and thigh, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, to make good the ſame; and will have this name engraven, on all the ways, and actings of Providence, who must reign until he hath putt all his Enemies under his feet 1 Corinth. 15: 25. and the Nation, and Kingdome, that will not ſerve him, shall perish, and theſe Nations shall utterly be layed waſte Iſay. 60: 11. for thus hath the Lord ſpoken, and is ſettled, & ſealed by the decree of him that chaingeth not. It is true he hath been walking in the dark as to moſt in theſe times past; and even from his choiſeſt people there hath been oft a hiding of his work, and keeping it out of their ſight, amidſt theſe ſtrange changes, as hath put the moſt diſcerning to a ſtand; it might be eaſie to ſee mens intent in their actings, and under what influences they hake moved; yea what bitter riſings of heart, an… quarrellings hath been upon the miſcarrying o… their ends; but this is an other ſight, and of a higher concern, to ſee and diſcern wiſely the Work of the Lord, and how amidſt all the realings p. 163of theſe ſtrange times, his way, and courſe of providence hath been ever ſteady, and ſixt.

3. It may be thus clearly ſeen, if our ſpirits were more deeply lett forth on ſuch a ſtudy, that the ſtrength of our day, yea the ſtanding and ſecurity of the publick ſtate of theſe Nations, does aſſuredly ly in a reſolute concurrence, with this great deſign of the Lord; ſo as otherwiſe there can be no ſtanding in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath. But ſince this Subject, of the Catholick Right, and Kingdom of Jeſus Christ, over the Kingdoms of this Earth, is ſo ſtrange a myſtery to many in theſe times, and ſuch different thoughts and conceptions are hereof; as I have deſired to know the way of truth, on theſe ſure principles, and grounds, that I might have full reſt and ſettlement to my own ſpirit herein; ſo I may ſay, that in the clearneſs of this light, I have found a ſpecial ſtrengthning in the Chriſtian Faith, when with the furtheſt evidence it may be ſeen:

1. How that which is ſpoken of the donative, and univerſal Kingdom of our Lord Jeſus, which was given him of the Father, as incarnate, and after his Aſcenſion, is not to be underſtood of that which is his eſſential, and natural Kingdom, which did belong to his perſon, as he is the brightneſs of the Fathers Glory, and God equal with him; but is ſuch as was promiſed, and by ſpecial donation given to him, that the ends and uttermost Coaſts of the Earth, ſould be his inheritance Pſ. 2: 8. p. 164and his Dominion to be from Sea, to Sea, and from the River, to the ends of the earth Pſalm 72: 8. yea is the ſame which was given to him Dan. 7: v, 14. when he was inveſted, with Dominion, Glory, and a Kingdom, that all People, Nations, and Languages should ſerve him, &c.

2. As there can be no ſuſpence, or darknes in this, ſo is it no leſs clear, his entring on the adminiſtration of his Mediatory Kingdom, was reſerved only to the times of the N. Teſtament, to which the fall of the 4 greatest Monarchies, which ever was in the earth, was direct, and ſubordinate, to make way for the ſame: and loe, here may we ſee the first period of the viſible Glory of Chriſts Reign, and his entrance on the ſame, when after ſuch ſtrong oppoſi…ions, the Pagan World, was at laſt, made to bow down, and fall before his truth, and ſubmit to him.

3. But herein it cannot be underſtood by this ſpecial bequeathment of the Kingdoms of the World, to be the Lords; in that ſenſe only, of inbringing the Elect out of the ſame, or of his internal Reign, on the hearts of men, but that it lyes, in a viſible ſurrender, and ſubjecting of the collective body of Nations, to the Scepter of his Government, when the Princes and Kings of the earth ſhould ſubject, their Regal Authority to his Rule and Empire; as holding their Dominion from him, to whom all power, and judgment is committed, and can bear that ſtile only of being the Catholick King, p. 165and Lord of all: for this is a truth that ſhines with ſo clear a light from the whole Scripture, as it may be ſtrange how poſſibly it should be queſtioned, & nothing can be more comforting to Chriſtian Magiſtrates, then to have ſo highly deſirable a holding of their power, as they may have the Son of God, thus intereſſed in their ſecurity, and interest as a part of that inheritance, which belongs to his Mediatory Kingdom. Nor does it evacuate the Magiſtracy of Heathens for the intereſt of humane ſociety, tho they have none in the Church; as it can never make void alſo his Catholick Right, and Dominion over them, by whom Kings reign, Prov. 8: 15. although it reſtrains the exerciſe thereof.

4. But there is yet a further, & growing light on this great ſubject which now meet us, & to be clearly ſeen, how the more eminent appearance of the Lord Jeſus Christ, in the Glory, and State of his Mediatory Kingdom in the Earth was alone reſerved to the dayes of the ſeventh and last Trumpet; for which as nothing can be more evident, then the contemporating of the ſame, with that period of time, in which was the firſt riſe, and reſtoring of the Church, from Antichriſtian darkneſs, when the Lord did himſelf go forth in the glory of his power, to plant and ſettle the Reformed Churches; and thus to make way for his Kingdom, did with the first blast of that Trumpet ſound a retreat, to his people out of Babylon: ſo I have herein, p. 166been made to admire with joy, the exactneſs of that correſpondence betwixt the events of this Trumpet, that hath already taken place, with what is ſo punctually foretold hereof Rev. 11: 15. for as it is ſurely there promiſed, that then should be an opening of the Temple of God in Heaven, and the Ark of his Teſtimony be ſeen there, which had been formerly shut up; loe how expreſly hath the God of Truth made good his Word herein, and keept the time, which he had ſet for the ſame, in the bright shining forth of his truth, and the way of Salvation, when for ſo many ages keept hid from the World; to which are the whole Reformed Churches this day a ſtanding witneſs. yea have we not ſeen his appearance alſo in ſo unuſual manner, in the greatneſs of his power, & with garments dyed in blood, to make way for the viſible Glory of his Reign, as we can ſee it was there foretold, how the Nations were angry, and by their oppoſitions to him, made way for his wrath in ſuch tremendous effects thereof, as it hath had theſe days paſt, to shew the time was at last come, to let the World know, that the Lord Jeſus Christ is no titular King, he to whom all power is given in Heaven and Earth, nor will bear that Name, and Stile in vain, or admit a complemental Profeſſion of the ſame; but that it is ſure his Dominion, & Kingdom, hath a ſetled interest and revenue, belonging thereto, which none may alienate from him, and the greateſt of humane powers muſt be accountable for his claim thereto.

p. 1675. But now as our day, and lot, does thus meet in ſo extraordinar a period of time, which hath been ſo long expected and prayed for in ages past, it may be a time of great thoughts, and expectation of what is yet to come, as to the viſible Reign of the Lord Jeſus; our bleſſed Head in the Glory and Majeſty of his Kingdom, without his perſonal Reign or bodily appearance unto men; which with full aſſurance of faith we ſould now wait for, when the voice of this Trumpet shall bring with it, ſuch a reſurrection from the dead of theſe dry bones, of the Jewish Nation, with ſo immediate an appearance of God alone herein, as shall dazle with aſtonishment all the Nations about; yea when its ſound and voice alſo shall call the whole Church that's on the earth, to that higheſt gratulatory ſong of Moſes, and the Lamb, as once was at the Red Sea, for the final ſtroke & judgment on the Kingdom of Antichrist; wherein the viſible glory of his Reign will then be ſeen with that evidence, and brightneſs, as if he were perſonally on the earth: and here is that true Millennium which is now in ſome meaſure begun, and we are ſurely called to expect, in a gradual increaſe to ſuch a hight, that in the value, and ſplendor of this bleſſed Reign, the light of one day, shall be as ſeven days in one, and the meaſure of one age then anſwer, yea exceed a thouſand Years before, and is ſo before him, with whom one day is as a thouſand years;

p. 168This ſeems to many in ſuch a time, as a thing remote from their ſenſe, whoſe thoughts are bounded with preſent appearances, whilſt our bleſſed Head is now gone unto a far Country, to receive a Kingdom for himſelf, and is inviſible to men in theſe preparations, he is making for this higher glory of his Reign upon the Earth; ſo that he is no object of humane ſight, nor can we come bodily to him, to receave his verbal commands from his mouth, as from an earthly Monarch, and for theſe inward, and great demonſtrations of his Reign, they ly deep, and hid, betwixt him, and the ſouls of his People; but if our comfort, and hope ſtand by the Chriſtian Faith this day, and on that aſſurance dare venture our ſoul upon an Eternal State; we should then with as full certainty of mind as of any viſible things, give faith to this, that the Son of God will not loſe the Work he hath begun, and ſo eminently appeared in; that the interest of his Kingdom, on the earth is the alone higheſt object of the divine care, and providence; and though his Kingdom is not of the World, but is purely ſpiritual, yet does the World ſtand thereby, ſo as it may be juſtly ſaid, ſine praecibus & pietate non ſtaret mundus; nor is it queſtionable, but that his Work will be anſwerable this day, to his revealed will & intent, or can it be in the dark to us, what he is now doing in the World, when he hath made ſuch publick intimation hereof by the voice of the last Trumpet, as should render p. 169this the moſt deſirable part, that men can act, to fall in with this great, and riſing interest of his Kingdom, in the ſeaſon, and opportunity hereof; & it will ſurely be found in this time, that where the downfal of the Kingdom of Antichriſt, is made remarkable in a Nation, where the terror of its riſe, and grouth, had ſo lately gone before; and the Kingdom of Chriſt, is not ſet up in its room, nor with a higher regard ſubjected to; that it muſt then quickly ripen, and make way, for ſome great outbreaking of wrath and judgment in ſuch a place; for the time is come, that nations, which have imbraced the Profeſſion of Chriſt, muſt ſtand, or fall, according to their concurrence with that intereſt on which the Lord is now gone forth, whoſe work carries not for men, nor is dependent on humane Counſels, yea it's ſure theſe great Miniſters of providence the Angels tho not ſeen to us are eminently join'd in on this ſervice, who are the ſtated Servants of Christ as Mediator, & Head of the Church, and have accordingly their delegate charge, and commiſſion to particular Churches, and Kingdoms, as that great deſign of Providence for the advance of his Kingdom in the World does require; and if the giving forth of the Law was ſo glorious upon that ſolemne entry, which the Churches Head then made on his Regal Office over Iſraël, by ſo extraordinar a miniſtration of the Angels, what a higher Glory muſt be on his entring on the greateſt diſcovery and adminiſtration of his viſible Reign p. 170within time; bleſſed are they amongſt men who may have ane intereſt in this ſervice, tho with moſt it comes not under their thoughts, and apprehenſion, but as it was ſaid of Dux de Alva, upon ane Eclips of the Sun which was then, when he was in a hot perſuit of the Wars, that he had ſo much to do upon the earth, as gave him no leaſure to look up to Heaven; fo is the great noiſe, and buſineſs of this day, how things may ſtand ſure with us upon the earth. It is become the proverb of theſe times we are in, that interest will not lye, becauſe according to this, men will always appear, and diſcover themſelves; and when ever that word interest is made uſe of; it's judg'd to bear no other ſenſe, then of ſome temporal concern only, becauſe the ſcent, that moſt of this Generation ſeemes to be wholly on, is how to ſeek their own things, but not the things of Jeſus Christ, which is truly the ſame, for men to reckon that their ſoul, is a forreine thing to themſelves, and that they have no reall intereſt in the great things of Religion, or a hope bejond time: but it's well, that there is yet ſuch a party this day on the earth, who's way can give that proverb the lie, and are of another ſpirit, ſo as to lay their greateſt temporal interest down, that they may intenſly perſue the things of God, and the interest of his truth, and Kingdome amongſt men, who with reſpect to this, would account it a ſmall thing fo be the greateſt favourits of Princes, if theſe ſhould once come in competition.

p. 1714. But I muſt now in the last place, add ſomethings further on this ſerious Subject; ſince if it be clear, and undeniable, ſo as to have our ſpirits once acquieſcing herein, what hath been the great deſign of Providence, with reſpect to Britain, and Ireland in all theſe great, and aſtonishing changes, which have of late been there; it may be then fully undrſtood, what the preſent day does moſt call for, and where the higheſt improvment of ſuch an extraordinare time does ly, which I hope will not be queſtion'd, to have the Kingdome of the Lord Jeſus Christ, and his preē minence herein, more entirely acknowledged, and ſettled in theſe Nations, when he is yet once again taking a new tryall of them for this end. We find under the Law ſuch a thing, which was called the Lords part, and tribute payed unto him Numb. 31. as a memorial, and oblation, to witneſs their holding of him alone, all which they did enjoy; we ſee alſo a national claime layd to a propriety, and part in the Lord, as their alone greateſt intereſt in the earth, and that they might not be ſhut out herein Joſua 22: 25. which would be a rare ſight in this day, to ſee Nations contending thus for a part in the Lord, and to have their joint right ſecured this way, as was then betwixt the two tribes, and the half bejond Jordane, and the reſidue of Iſrael; we have alſo things claim'd by the Son of God, as his alone propriety, which are called the things of God Matt. 22: 1. & are purely p. 172ſacred to him, which are not mens, and non… may alienate to any private intereſt, or end; yea there is a bringing preſents to him, which is expreſly foretold, and promiſed under this bleſſed Reig… Pſalm 72: 10. when thus Princes, and Kings ſhould ſerve, and do homage to the Lord Jeſus Christ, not as men only, but as Kings, in giving their Power to the furtheſt to uphold the authority of his Regal Power, and Dominion; and here I muſt ſay what ever be threatning in ane unuſual manner from the ſpirit, and temper of this Generation; when nothing would ſeem more hopeleſs, then ane unite, and publick concurrence, to anſwer this great deſign of the Lord, and herein to ſtand in the gape, before him, for turning away of his wrath; or to deſign a National Reconciliation, as well as Perſonal; yet may there be no ſetting bounds to him therein, who is able to ſubdue all things to himſelf, and who in the way of his grace, does oft exceed, what could be poſſibly hoped for by men, in ſuch a caſe: ſince now if after ſuch ſignal indications of Providence, this ſhould be the ſeaſon and time deſign'd of the Lord, for a reſtoring work in theſe Nations, and in other of the Reformed Churches; and that he will yet ſpare a little as to the cutting down of the tree, even when the ax is laid to the root; it is then ſure, that this deſign shall make way for it's ſelf, and go over ſuch difficulties, as at other times would be inſuperable, and make the greatest p. 173Mountains be as a plain; but if this one tide, and opportunity for ſuch a ſervice be now loſt in joining in with ſo eminent a call of Providence for this end, it looks to be the shutting of the door, with ſuch a judicial barr, as should never be again opened, and the last woe be more ſore, and dreadful then all which hath gone before. But now I muſt ſpeak a little more particularly, wherein it is theſe things doe moſt ſpecially ly, which in that ſenſe are the things of God, as purely ſacred to him, ſince all things whatſoever are his, and belongs to him, yea wherein that which is the Lords tribute, and part is to be underſtood now in this day, that should be returned, with a reſolute, and cheerful conſent unto him.

1. It does in a peculiar reſpect ly here, to have the ſame publick, and national regard, to the authority of the Laws, and ordinances of his Kingdome, as a people who are ſtated in as near a relation to God, as once the Kingdome of Iſraël, and Juda was: this being a truth of the moſt undeniable evidence, tho not in things ceremonial, or typical, or ſuch Laws of Government, as had a temporary reſpect to that diſpenſation only, yet in a moral ſenſe is it clear, as to what does moſt eſſentially relate to a Nation, or Kingdomes being the Lords. For it's ſure theſe 3 Nations are this day, under a higher diſpenſation of grace, have a greater extent of their Priviledges, and ſtated under more ſingular engagements, now under the Meſſia's p. 174Reign, then ever Iſraël was: and it is in this ſenſe, that the Laws of the Kingdom of Chriſt are Royal Statuts, and Laws James 2: 8. ſuitable to the ſtate, and dignity of ſo great a King, and Lawgiver, whoſe authority will not be baffled, and hath a higher power, then that of Angels, or Men, to take account of their obſervance, wherein is ſettled ane obligation on the ſouls, and conſcience of men, without exception of perſons herein; in which our life as Chriſtians, and the ſtanding, and ſafety of Nations in a publick ſtate does unavoidably ly; but theſe are Laws, & Ordinances of ſuch a kind, as they can not poſſible be obſerv'd, and not loved, nor have any true regard amongſt men, without internal motives make way thereto: and what a ſad account may this be, that theſe Kingdomes, who were once ſo entirely ſubjected to Antichrist under the darkneſs of that diſmal Reign, and did give their power, to uphold that intereſt, with ſuch ane unite conſent, yea did ſo reſolutely give implicit obedience to his Decrees, and Cannons; now under the brightneſs of the light of the Ghoſpel, comes not up to any ſuch regard to the Authority of the Lord Jeſus, and to theſe Laws, which he hath eſtabliſh'd, tho with the greateſt endearments of love commended to his Church: there hath been great ſtumblings at the Providences of the times past, and what it ſhould mean that this last age, with ſuch a differencing mark ſhould be call'd the p. 175Iron age; that thus the Holy God hath in ſo unuſual a manner made uſe of a rod of Iron, in theſe Weſtern Parts, where the Reformed Religion is moſt profeſſed; but it ſhould be no dark riddle, when the oppoſitions there, to the Kingdom of his dear Son, hath been at ſuch a height, that if we could wiſely diſcern the Work of the Lord, ſince the first riſe of the civil Wars of Britain, we might clearly ſee how this was the Signal given, that he was then gone forth, and on the way, to take account of Nations, as well as Perſons, that would oppoſe his intereſt.

2. It is ſure this can not be queſtioned alſo, to be one of the great things of God, which is alone ſacred to him what concerns the publick rights, and freedome of the ſpiritual Kingdom of our Lord Jeſus Christ, as a viſible politick body, with the higheſt reſpect to his Royal Authority, who is the alone Head, and Lawgiver thereto. It is known that he hath given ane expreſs Charter for the ſame to his Church under the New Teſtament, according to which the due limits, and bounds of that ſpiritual Jurisdiction, which he hath ſettled there, and the full extent hereof ſould be both keep'd clear, and cloſely adhered to, as ane Interest of the Lord Jeſus. which is as the apple of his eye, he hath join'd alſo theſe two great Intereſts of the Civil, and Eccleſiaſtick Power, in ſo entire a harmony, that tho they are to be ever keep'd diſtinct, yet are not to be divided from other, but p. 176to move jointly in ſuch a bleſſed, and deſirable Union, as may moſt ſerve the great ends of the Kingdome of Chriſt, and the publick good of humane Society: and now when this great promiſe of Chriſts entring in a more conſpicious manner on the Glory of his Reign, is come to the birth, and begun to bring forth, which is that period, where to, it may be ſaid, hath been reſerved the perfections of ihe Churches viſible ſtate here on the earth, how highly deſirable should it be to be found aſſiſtant thereto in ſuch a day; but oh is it poſſible, that theſe who have ſuch raiſed hopes of an eternal Crown, and Kingdome in Heaven, can have ſo low deſires, or deſigns, how to be ſerviceable to the Kingdome of Chriſt here in the earth, yea when none can want an intereſt and room in this ſervice, where it hath once a weight and value on their heart: but yet it may be a matter of hope this day, that theſe who by ſo ſingular an appearance of God, hath now the Soveraign Power, and Authority in theſe Nations, are no leſs eminently fitted to appear for him herein, then they are ſtated under the highest engagements for ſuch ane end.

3. It is ſurely one of the things of God, and an intereſt which is purely ſacred to him, wherein the ſpreading of his Kingdome in the World, is moſt nearly concerned; which lyes in a ſerious and faithful Miniſtry to the Church, and is of that concern, as it may be juſtly called; Indicium p. 177ſtantis & cadentis Eccleſiae; for this is one of the higheſt Ordinances of Christ given to the Church, and that way which he hath himſelf conſecrated for the inbringing and perfeiting of the Elect; by which ſo great effects are wrought in the World, where ever there is a divine miſſion for the ſame to any part thereof, & the Church is in a building up there; ane Ordinance by which moſt viſible efficacy & ſupernatural influences are conveyed in a moral way under the bleſſing of that iuſtitution: but on the other hand nothing is more threatning to a Nation, as to the falling down of ſome diſmal night of judgement, then the corruption and debaeſing of that which in it's own nature is ſo excellent, where things that are more extrinſick and of a humane concern, are ſo much looked after, but that which is Gods part in the great intent of this erection is of ſo low regard; that if ane Inquiry were made through a great part of Britain, they ſhould find the dark places of the earth there ſtil amidſt ſo bright a day of the Ghoſpel as is now ſhining, & what a multitude is thus periſhing thorow want of knowledge whilſt it ſeems ſo …itle deſired or deſigned, to have ſuch a Miniſtry, whoſe higheſt ſtudy should be upon the great Intent of Chriſtianity, to bring men to Chriſt not to themſelves, and to allure and perſwade their coming under his bleſt dominion and yoake; to preſs internal renovation of the heart and a neceſſity hereof, with that ſeriouſnes as might take p. 178hold on their conſcience, and let them ſee there can be nothing more highly irrational then to ſiſt in ane exterior profeſſion and form of Religion, and not prove once upon their own tryall the truth hereof in its power and efficacy, and whither it hath not a vital part which lyes in ane inward life of Communion with God; for as this alone is ſuch a Miniſtry that should be the bleſſing of a Nation, and Kingdom, ſo in reſpect of this, to be of ſuch a diſtinguishing Profeſſion tho in its ſelf moſt agreable to the truth, should be of no regard where this is wanting, as a teſt for ſo ſacred ane Office. It is, I hope, unqueſtionable, that the trust of the ſouls of men is greater, then any temporal concerns of a Kingdom, or State, and how this Ordinance is that which hath the moſt peculiar influence to prepare the way of the Lord, in this day for that bleſſed and near approaching time, of his more conſpicous Reign on the earth in the Glory thereof; I abſtract here from any thing controverſal as things are ſtated in the preſent day, only as to what I hope, there may be ane unite agreement in by all, who have a deep ſence on their ſpirits, of the blood and perishing of immortal ſouls this way, and a ſerious reſpect to that Catholick Intereſt of the Kingdom of Chriſt amongſt men. I know it was never a harder part then in this age to ſtemm ſuch a tide as ſeems yet on the growing hand, of prejudice againſt the way p. 179of truth, when ſo many are in the dark, tearing one another, and counting it deſirable to have where at they may offend and ſtumble, whilſt that ſtudy is not more followed to prevent, ſo far as is poſſible, mens taking of offence, even where it is not given, according that of the Apoſtle who is offended and I burn not: the exceſs of diſputing in this age hath been a peece of our judgement, and the managing thereof ſo little to that end of edification; but the defect may be no leſs evident on the other hand for the ſuitable improvements of Chriſtian prudence, as a duty and ſervice to God ſo abſolutely neceſſar for the regulating of duties, according to the circumſtances of the Churches caſe, and what the preſent day can bear without coolneſs or indifference in any concern of truth, which is that part of our Religion, that hath been too little improven.

We are indeed bleſſed with an unchangeable rule of Sacred Truth, which hath no dependence on humane Counſels or Power, to change or alter the ſame, or on the mutable revolutions of time, and can never vary from its ſelf, yet is the tenderneſs and wiſdom of divine Condeſcendence, in the application thereof, to be ſo far regarded, as on of the moſt weighty parts of Religion, lyes therein, how preſent duties may be with a judicious diſcretion, directed to that great end of edification, ſince that which may be neceſſare in one caſe, as it is cloathed, with other circumſtances, p. 180may be hurtful, and deſtructive. This is one of the moſt difficult parts, that ſuch, hath allotted to them in the times we are fal'n in, who would ſtand in ſuch a gape, & breach, where oppoſitions now thereto are ſo ſtrong; and it may ſeem almoſt hopeleſs to crave juſtice in behalf of the truth, at the bar of mens conſcience, when a latitude on principles, hath come to ſuch a height, as the authority of light, is without fear controlled: yet on the other hand it may be feared, that the anſwering of that Command of the Holy Ghost is not ſuitably taken to heart, & the great conſequence thereof, which is to walk in wiſdom, towards theſe who are without, tho not being in that Sence, without the Church, yet as no leſs ſtated in a viſible enmity to the truth, which is according to Godlineſs, then ſuch could be: there hath been much ſerious ſtudy, and deſigns by the Servants of Christ in this age to promot his Kingdom in Britain and Ireland, and there are yet there eminently fitted for ſo difficult a ſervice, how to gain and prevail with the furtheſt meaſures of prudence and judgement, upon the moſt obſtinatly prejudged as any in this day, there hath been alſo of late a ſingular improvement made and bleſt, for a more unite contending for the Faith once delivered to the Saints in ſo hazardous a time: but it is ſure there is yet ſome further length and eſſay called for, upon this great ſervice, for the Kingdom of Chriſt, in taking off letts and ſtumbling p. 181bloks out of their way, who may be upon a ſad precipice of breaking, and further alienation from the truth, and for ſome more full clearing of the ſame, from theſe deſigned reflections caſt thereon, in ſuch a way, as convictions might thus inſenſibly prevail, and gain ground with the greateſt Gainſayers; whilſt we know little what deſign grace may in this day have on ſuch, and as the furtheſt regard ſhould be kept to light, upon any controverted truth, without loſing ground herein, yet ſhould I judge it a door of hope to ſee theſe who are unite in the great concerns of Truth and Godlineſs, once meet in a more joint concurrence in behalf of theſe great things of God, which are not controverted, when the face of this Generation, is ſo threatning as to a further revolt from the Chriſtian Faith, both in the pureneſs, and power thereof. This is to be a work by its ſelf, which as it's of the higheſt publick concern, ſo does it require a more then ordinare meaſure of Judiciouſnes in following the ſame. My Unfitnes to ſpeak on ſuch a Subject, should have reſtrained me herein, were it not to witneſs ſomething of a ſerious deſire, under which my ſoul is preſt, for ſuch ane end, when the hazard of the perishing of ſo many who hath ane Eternal State before them is ſo viſible this day, and yet no further tryall made to gain and recover, according to that rule, and practice of the Apoſtle I was all things to all, that I might gain p. 182ſome. Others can more fitly judge, as to the ſuitable managing of ſuch a ſervice, and how to fall in on the right lith of duty herein, only ſomethings, I should wish were more deſigned, for taking off prejudices, and to breake thus one of the greateſt Engines of Satan this day, againſt the intereſt of the Ghoſpel. 1. In coming a greater length by theſe who are of a ſerious ſpirit; to Sacrifice private reſentments, to that publick Interest of the Truth, upon conceived Injuries, when its ſo evident what ane influence perſonal prejudice this day hath to keep up diſtance, to highten differences, and cauſe further eſtrangement on ſuch an account, from any fervent appearance for God; and this is ſurely one of the moſt honourable parts of a Chriſtians work, how far he might overcome the diſtempers of others by humility, tenderneſs, and love, and walk in ſuch a countermotion to the ſpirit and temper of this day. 2. It is a ſervice this day much cals for, to have ſtumblings more prevented againſt theſe unqueſtionable ſettled adminiſtrations of the Government of Christ in his Church, ſo as the way and manner of his Spiritual Kingdom might be rightly underſtood; the proper object whereof is the ſoul and inward man, and it's great deſign to reſtore & edify; which is in ſuch a way, that where it's truly anſwered, nothing can be more tender and healing and to attract any of a ſerious ſpirit to join in herewith; for it is a ſad meaſure that the truth should p. 183ſufler, from the weaknes or exorbitancies of any. It was ſuitable for the Chriſtian Church in the primitive times to plead that from Heathens, that the offence, and practices of none should be charged upon the rule of their Profeſſion. 3. It were deſirable alſo that further conviction might be ſerved on theſe who are prone to ſtumble, how in the promoting of truth, and Godlineſs there is no perſuing any divided interest of a party, and that if ſuch would once try and ſee, they can then judge, where the moſt comprehenſive interest within time lyes, which all are jointly concern'd to promote, who hath any deſign on the Chriſtian Profeſſion for eternal things. 4. I shall but add this more, what ane advantage should it be for the truth, and to conciliate a greater reſpect thereto, that all might ſee how ſweet a Contemperature and Harmony there is betwixt pure zeal for God, which is according to knowledge, and the furtheſt prudence and tenderneſs towards men, and how the rule and ſpirit of the Ghoſpel can admit of no bitterneſs, wrath, or recrimination, which are ſo abounding this day in the Church, in perſuing of differences upon any concern of the truth; for herein doth the glory, and honor of our bleſſed Head more eminently appear in ſecuring the concord, and unity of his Church, under a diverſity of light, and judgement, in ſome leſſer differences about the truth by a ſpirit of love, and by its power, and efficacy p. 184upon mens heart, in ſubdueing the diſtempers of their mind, then by impoſing the moſt ſevere and abſolute uniformity in all things to be the meaſure of Church Communion; and it is ever found how this hath been, moſt eaſy, and practicable, among ſuch who hath made the higheſt advance in the life, and power of Chriſtianity then any elſe, ſince he nearer the lines, are to the Center, the nearer alſo, are they among themſelves; and I muſt add herewith, that it may be little known what convictive power, might follow in a time of ſuch high diſtempers as this, on a ſuitable application of that wiſdom, which dwells with prudence, and comes from above, according to the rule, given for the ſame James 3: 17. to make a higher intereſt for the Kingdom of Chriſt, and to the ſaving of the ſouls of many, then now in an ordinare way, would ſeeme poſſible.

4. As the furtheſt tenderneſs, and prudence, is called for, to prepare the way of the Lord, for a further advance of his Kingdom, in taking out of the ſame ſo far as is poſſible theſe lets, and ſtumbling blocks, where the greateſt hazard may be of offence; ſo should it be much preparatory alſo for a higher ſervice, & a more unite appearing for God herein, and to ſtand in the moſt hazardous part of the breach of this day in behalf of that great intereſt of our Religion, which is upon the Authority of God in his truth, and Teſtimony, as the alone ground, on which the ultimate reſolution of our p. 185Faith muſt found; ſince this is the very ſame inconvertible terms, to give to the Divine Majesty the Glory of his Godhead, and that tribute, which is moſt inviolably ſacred, and eſſential to him, it would ſeem almoſt incredible, that fuch ane hour of the power of darkneſs should fall in with the growing light of the Ghoſpel, as the ſtrange prevalence of a way, which is to commenſurat the perfections of God, and the greateſt myſteries of his truth, to our underſtanding, and to make humane reaſon, tho corrupt, finite, and limited, to be the alone Judge, and meaſure of our Faith of divine things, when the higheſt principle of reaſon, which is prima veritas, without which reaſon hathno principle to reſton, & no Standard elſe, is this, that where the God of Truth is the Revealer, and that it's ſure it is his Testimony, it muſt then be as infallibly true, as it is ſure he is God, ſince it is ſimply impoſſible, to find ever another foundation of truth, and certainty but this. We are fal'n in times of great expectation as to a near approach of the higheſt Glory of Chriſt's Mediatory Kingdom on the earth, and it would ſeem a ſtrange prelude thereto, that ſo black a darkneſs should fall down, with ſo aſtonishing ane encreaſe thereof, as tends not only to eclips the ſame, but to deny him his eſſential Kingdom, who is the only begotten of the Father, and brightneſs of his Glory; yet I am ſure it is a ſign of that kind, as the morning darkneſs, which is p. 186the darker the nearer it is to the day. It is indeed here, we may ſee ane oppoſition to the Majeſty of God, in ſuch terms, that we might reckon humane nature could not be capable of, and be juſt matter of horror to a natural conſcience, to ſee ſo numerous a party, who claims to be Adorers of reaſon turn'd ſo viſibly madd on their own deſtruction. I know the furtheſt improvements this way; by rational Inquiry and Tryal, hath a greater Intereſt in Religion, and for ſtrenthning of our Faith therein, then may be ſuitably apprehended; but it is ſure the ultimate Inquiry herein can poſſibly go no further in the uſe of reason, but that what we beleeve is the undoubted Revelation of God himſelf unto men, & can we deſire more when this is ſure, for a full quiet, and acquieſcence of the ſoul, tho it ſeem wonderful in it ſelf, and exceed our dark, and limited thoughts, when it is impoſſible for him, who is truth it ſelf, to lie, whoſe word is ſuch, cui non potest ſubeſſe falſum; as it is no leſs ſure that he who is infinitly good, can not deceive, or put ane impoſture in ſtead of truth in their hand, who truſt him; divine truth is the firſt groundſtone of our happineſs, but is not conceivable by the light of nature, to beleeve his being truly God, and not the truth alſo of his promiſes, which ever conform not only to the things ſignified, but to his intent therein, who can never delude, or deceive. But whilſt I have been put to ſome thoughts with amaſement p. 187on ane appearance of ſuch a kind againſt God this day amongſt men, not only within Christendom, but by ſuch as once layd claim, to the Proteſtant Profeſſion; ſome Reflections tended to give more clearneſs, and ſettlement, to my own ſpirit herein, which I ſhall but in a few words mention, 1. that when the darkneſs of ane implicite Faith, and relyance on men under Popery hath been ſo ſore bafled, & turn'd out of credit in ſuch an inquiſitive World as this, loe Satan hath taken himſelf to the very contrare air…h, and knew how to fall in with the temper of a br…k, bold, and daring age, that he might ſettle a new oppoſition againſt God, and the intereſt of his Kingdom, wherein he hath unite, and fixed his greateſt ſtrenth, ſo that ſince he was caſt down from his Throne by the Power of the Ghoſpel, he hath not had a greater Triumph, then in this attempt, how to bring man upon it, and ſett humane reaſon at once both againſt God, and it ſelf, in ſuch a manner, as to be it's own Executioner, and in ſubjecting the higheſt myſteries of truth to it's comprehenſion to make it not only equal to God, but give it a preference to him, who is the alone former thereof, which I muſt reckon to be the neareſt approach that humane nature yet ever made to that ſin, by which the Angels did first fall, and that it it is the maſter peece of that Prince of darkneſs, and his ultimus conatus againſt the truth, who knows his time is short: 2. It may be with p. 188aſtonishment, diſcernable under what a ſtroak ſuch are as not to ſee, whither this way hath led them, and how far the Holy God, hath thus confounded their reaſon, as viſibly, as once theſe were in their Language, who would attempt to build a tower up unto Heaven, when this way, left to ane abſolute uncertainty, ever to fix their Faith, the Standard, and meaſure whereof, muſt be the comprehenſion of reaſon, which hath no firm or infallible ground to ſettle on beſides it ſelf, and whilſt they cannot make the reaſon, and judgement of others, as conſiderate, and knowing as themſelf, meet with theirs, the reſult thereof is to put a judicial madneſs in the room of reaſon, ſo as to conceive a created, & dependent God to give divine homage to, and that at once he ſhould be both a God, and a Creature, and adore a comprehenſible Object with divine Worship, yea this way without a contradiction to themſelf they can give no faith to the Creation as being brought purely out of nothing, or to the Reſurrection of the dead, as wholly incomprehenſible to reaſon, they muſt deride Iſraëls Paſſage thorow the Red Sea, or the Suns ſtanding ſtill on Joſua's call to verifie that Rom. 1: 21, becauſe that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, but profeſſing themſelves to be wiſe, they became fools, thence is ſuch ane amaſing ſtroke thus inflicted on their reaſon, for it may be ſaid as in the Poëtick Fiction of Phaëton, that when he ſought to p. 189guide the Chariot of the Sun, for a time, he was like to burn the earth, until he was ſtruck with a thunderbolt from Heaven; ſo hath this party tryed how to manadge reaſon, as the ſupream Directour, and Judge upon all that is ſacred, as they have gone near to deſtroy both Reaſon, and Religion at once, but tho the ſtrongeſt rational Arguments, with ſuch ſeem to bear no weight, I doubt not ere long of ſuch a viſible demonſtration of the Divinity of our ever Bleſſed Redeemer, which he ſhall give before the World, that he may be known to be God, as will for ever end this Controverſy. There is a conſtraint on the Elect Angels, to admire what they cannot comprehend of the Mystery of the Ghoſpel, and that incomprehenſible love of God to fallen man, but oh what a return, and recompence does engaged mankind, give to him who counted it no robbery to be equal to God, yet to become man for our ſake, that in the face of the greateſt brightneſs of light, does bear ſuch enmity to his Godhead, as the eye of reaſon muſt be put out to ſerve this end, and when ſuch a light is turned into darkneſs, how great is that darkneſs! I have thought to the furtheſt to know, where the ſtrength of ſuch a Profeſſion could poſſibly ly, this being ſo great a Head, whereon the truth, or nullity of the Chriſtian Faith is ſo viſibly ſtated; and I durſt appeal their reaſon and conſcience if a reſolute averſion, to the Perſon of our Redeemer, in the union of p. 190the divine, and humane nature, and to the purenes, and ſanctifying vertue of the Ghoſpel, ly not more in the will, then their judgment, and be not the leading principle of this ſtrange Controverſy. For the true Interest of reaſon, in Religion, I may ſay, it hath been one of the great ſtudies of my life, to improve the ſame, for a ſolid, and judicious eſtablishment in the Faith of the Ghoſpel (which I should ſtill commend with the greateſt reſpect to any of a ſerious ſpirit) but herewith I could poſſibly go no further without giving up with all uſe of reaſon, or give a higher preheminence thereto, then in a full evidence, that what we are called to believe is of divine Revelation; nor can deſire more to warrant a hope and confidence, tho against hope, as to all rational grounds, but that it ſurely hath a divine promiſe to lean on. It might be judged, Sathan needed no humane aſſiſtance to theſe fiery darts, which are ſo uſually thrown at the choiſeſt Chriſtians, to shake their faith on this bead, but it is not at an ordinare rate, that its great Author hath deſigned the tryall thereof. 3. There is one Reflection further hath affected my ſpirit upon this Controverſy, as to the juncture of time, when it is become now ſo contagious and prevalent, whilſt we are to pray, wait, and hope with aſſurance for the renting of the vail yet off many dark places in the earth, to make way for that higher Glory of Chriſts Reign thereon, which shall be to the p. 191gentile Church as life from the dead; yea when it is drawing ſo near to that great Revolution of Providence, when Shem, and Japhet shall yet again meet in the ſame Tents; how ſo ſtrong a conſpiracy is on foot to oppoſe the ſame, and to shut any door whither for Jews or Pagans, to enter at upon the Chriſtian Faith, but where they find ſo venerable a thing, as reaſon, ſtanding in their way to tell them, that the moſt eſſential part of Chriſtianity is incompatible therewith, & that they muſt ſubject themſelves to the authority of humane Jndgment, and not to God, if they deſign to be Chriſtians. It is a famous paſſage, I muſt relate here of that great Jewish Council, held in Octob. 1650. in the plain of Ageda, 30 leagues from Buda in Hungary, to ſearch the Scripture concerning the Meſſias, and the truth of the New Teſtament, where after ſeven dayes debate about the ſame, and not a few Arguments offered from their continued deſolation and captivity ſince the time of Chriſt; ſome Popish Deputies at laſt were admit, who in ſtead of promoting the Chriſtian Faith, preſſed them to believe the Worſhip of the Saints departed, and of the Virgin Mary, upon which that great Aſſembly broke up in a tumult, crying no Chriſt, no Images, no Woman God, and caſt duſt on their heads, upon ſo irrational a Blaſphemy: It is true, ſome of the Rabbies then, did much deſire Proteſtant Divines to p. 192have met with them, but that the Pope and Emperor had joined to shut them wholly out, tho thouſands of Strangers were then preſent at a meeting of ſo great expectation, of the Jews coming in to the Chriſtian Faith; but I mention it for this end, what a cry would that have made, if they had been told of a created and dependent God, & to ſubject themſelves here to the greateſt contradictions to Reaſon.

5. I shall now in the cloſe but add this further, what should be ſpecially expected upon the growing ſtate of Christs viſible Kingdom in the World, that as theſe Fogs & Miſts which have been raiſed upon the authority of his truth, will be then quikly diſpelled, ſo is there a higher Tribute to be given into him of the Glory of his Works, and the Outgoings of his Providence about the Church in theſe last times. I know, the work and buſines of this day lyes not here, or in deſigns of that nature, but it were well if much of that which makes the greateſt noiſe this day in the way of Religion, had its room filled with ſo choiſe a ſtudy as this is, tho it is indeed one of the peculiar endowments of the Spirit of God, given to ſome more eminently then others, to be skilled in the Methods and Deeps of Providence, and to underſtand aright how the Work of God lyes towards the Church, and his deſigns therein, according to theſe diſcoveries given of the ſame in his Word, and what watch of the night we are now p. 193under; but on this Head, I ſhall ſpeak to a few grounds, whereon this Tribute to the declarative Glory of God, from his great Works of Providence about his Church, will in another manner be rendred to him then heretofore.

1. Becauſe it is ſurely in this way of his great and extraordinar Works, that the Lord does deſign a more eminent diſcovery of himſelf, then in all theſe times that are hitherto paſt, and will thus enter his Church on that brightneſs and ſplendor of his ſecond coming, which belongs to the last ages; when his going forth in the greatneſs of his ſtrength will be with that evidence, as shall ſeaſe the World with fear and aſtonishment; and when he is in another manner to glorify himſelf in his People, then was formerly in theſe ſuffering times, which are now past, wherein his Glory was to shine forth in the eminency of the paſſive graces of his ſpirit; for now is the Myſtery of God, in what yet remains thereof to be finished, in another way to take place, as shall call the Generation that's coming up to ſuch an obſerving and admiring Work of the great Acts of God, that may need a more then ordinare meaſure of grace to anſwer the ſame: but we muſt look for great things of Judgment, coming on, to be accomplished, as well as of mercy, the Vyalls of divine Wrath, and last Plagues, are but in part poured out, wherein the appearance of God will be with much terror to the World, and that laſt p. 194Triumph of his Juſtice within time, will not be of ane ordinare kind; we are to expect great shakings of the Nations, and times of breaking down, as well as of building up, which are yet to come, and drawing near.

II. Becauſe we are entred on theſe times, when the Lord is in a more ſingular way then heretofore, to put the whole Generation of his People, on that part of Divinity, and the ſtudy thereof, which relates to his Works, and that great Myſtery of Providence about his Church; when the Key shall then be put in their hand for opening up, and a more full underſtanding the way of the Lord in theſe times past under the New Teſtament. This is indeed a weighty part of Divinity, which is reſerved to the latter times in the perfections thereof, and theſe higher improvements, to be made on that bleſſed ſtudy, then was attainable in former ages, when his work now is coming to a more full point. It hath been remarkably the buſineſs of this age, to make a more accurate ſearch, and ſome greater diſcovery upon natural cauſes, and the workings thereof, but I doubt not, that ere long the inquiſitive World, shall be in another manner awaked, and their Inquiries run in a higher channel above all ſecond cauſes, to ſee and admire the great Acts of Providence, in the Divinity thereof, and not what is humane therein, but as they are by way of Eminency the Works of God, in the brightneſs of his immediate p. 195appearance in the ſame. It is one of the diſmal ſigns of the preſent time, how much the ſpirits of men are at work to darken ſo far, as poſſible the moſt eminent Diſcoveries of God in his Works, and in the moſt extraordinare revolutions of humane affairs, as if they would ſet bounds and limits to him, according to the courſe and order of ſecond cauſes, and ſubject, both the truth of his Word and his Works to the comprehenſion of their reaſon, tho ſome civil reſpect, they will give, and the name of his being the prime cauſe, but shut their eyes on what is more extraordinar and ſolemne in any piece of his work. I would yet point at ſome ſpecial Heads, that belong to this choiſe part of Divinity, which we are to expect, will in another manner be opened up, and I deſire to rejoice in the hope hereof. 1. As to theſe more ſingular caſes of Providence, which hath been in the Churches courſe, ſince her first tranſlation from the Jews to the Gentiles, with the isſue and conſequences thereof, contrare to the rules or principles of natural reaſon, which is ane Inquiry to be more fully improven, then whatever hath been attained this way; when men shall ſee the end of the Lord herein, with ſuch evidence as shall tend to clear all bygones in his work. 2. Theſe remarkable Periods of time, wherein the Prophetical Part of the New Teſtament, hath been ſucceſſively brought forth in their proper Seaſon, as was foretold, is yet to p. 196have the ſeall more fully taken off, and that vaill, which was over them, ſo as it shall be clear and eaſy to ſee how the Lord hath not only kept his Word and Truth to his Church, but hath kept theſe times alſo exactly, to which ſuch great events of Providence did relate. 3. There is a greater diſcovery yet to be made, then hath been hitherto, how the Church hath been led in a right way, and by a ſtraight line in her whole courſe, through that long, and terrible Wilderneſs, which she was to paſs, under the diſpenſation of the Ghoſpel; and what eminent ſervices the Saints have been put on in theſe ſtrange meaſures of their warefare, which was then allotted to them, and in theit overcoming work thereby; yea what a higher Triumph our bleſſed Redeemer hath had in the Faith, and patience of his People in ſo diſmal a time, then in any external flourishing ſtate of his Church, ſo as it might be ſaid it was then day, as to the preſence of his ſpirit, and irreſiſtable efficacy of his truth on his followers, when it ſeemed otherwiſe as the darknes of midnight. 4. There belongs to this part of Divinity, ſome higher breaking up of light, yet to be made on that Myſtery of the Communion of the Saints here with other, in the way of providence, and what a joint intereſt they have herein, as to what hath been more ſingular in the Lords way, and diſpoſal about others of his People: we have little underſtood what ane inriching trade, we might drive p. 197upon that ſtock of theſe ancient experiments of Chriſtians in following the Lord, and theſe eminent tryalls they have made of the truth, who hath in ages paſt gone before, and what a Pawn is thus put in our hand, for a further ſtrengthning in the Faith; yea what publick intereſt thus the whole Church of Christ hath, in ſome eminent acts of Providence about particular Chriſtians, which in the import and greatneſs thereof was not given for themſelf only, but as a publick concern to the whole Generation, that ſeek after God in their day, and for the times to come, according to that Pſal. …0: 3. Many shall ſee it and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. 5. I muſt add, one great improvement of this ſpecial Head of Divinity, which will yet be above the meaſures of times paſt, in the extent of that Reference, and Appeal, before Angels and Men, in behalf of the Truth, and Faithfulneſs of God, for what he hath ſpoken and promiſed to his Church; and is that Tribute of praiſe, which in a higher degree is to be payed in to him, now when it's ſo near to the cloſe of time, then by that great teſtimony of Joshua 25: 14. how not one thing had fail'd of all the good things the Lord had then ſpoken in behalf of his Church, but had fully taken place, and was the ſame Appeal, which Solomon made I. Kings 8: 56. for this with a higher glory and evidence is to be the Teſtimony of the latter days, when it's drawing near to that magnificent cloſe and period of Prophetick p. 198Chronology, and finishing of the Myſtery of God therein; how his ſpotleſs truth hath as the Sun in his ſtrength kept it's way and courſe amidſt all theſe dark clouds, which hath ſpread to darken the ſame; and no promiſe or prediction of that ſacred record of the Scripture, hath ever fail'd or fallen to the ground, now when it's drawing ſo near to the perfect Day. It is true each age, hath had their proper meaſures of light, in order to the ſervice of that time, and ſomething peculiar allotted in the diſpenſations of Providence, yea ſome greater eminency did belong to theſe times past, when the ſufferings of Chriſtians did moſt abound, in the adventures of Faith, and in the tryal of love, then in after times, but as to higher diſcoveries of the works of God & the depths of providence about his Church, theſe was reſerved to that period, when the Myſtery of God hereon ſhould be more fully perfited, and in this reſpect it's to be ſaid, bleſſed is he that waiteth, and cometh, to ſuch a ſolemn time, and to have his lot fall therein, as is ſpoken Dan. 12: 12.

III. But for a further clearing of this Subject, ſince the Glory of the Kingdom of Christ is ſo nearly concern'd in the diſcovery and entertainment of his Works, in the day thereof, and now when a more eminent appearance thereof is near, that Kingdoms and Nations in their Complex Body, ſhall in a more ſolemn way be the Lords; It ſhould be expected that the return and oblation of praiſe p. 199upon the great Acts of his Providence ſhall be more remarkable, as a publick deed of Nations, and Churches then hath yet hitherto been; yea that when the Lord does in any ſingular way appear, for their ſecurity, and ſtanding, by Providences of a publick and national extent, that a gratulatory retribution, on their part muſt be of the ſame extent, under a publick care and regard. It is true, there is a ſettled frame of ſubordinat means, by which the Providence of God does work in the great deſigns thereof, that we are called to regard, wherein I doubt not, but the Miniſtry of the Angels hath the greateſt intereſt, as one of the great Ordinances he hath ſetled in behalf of his Church, tho as to their ſpecial offices, and d…legate ſervice to particular Churche… and Chriſtians, is ſomething that's more dark; but it may be hoped wil ere long be with a clearer evidence known in theſe great transactions of Providence, which are yet to take place, when a nearer Communion may be then attained betwixt theſe bleſſed Spirits, and the Saints here on the earth, then is yet known, but tho there is no time wherein the Lord will not put honor on inſtituted means, and on that eſtablished order of his working, yet whilſt moſt have ſuch ordinare thoughts of God herein, and are ſo ready to fix their eyes wholly on men, his honor is concern'd to let the World know he is God by more extraordinar demonſtrations, yea ſuch are moſt of the great events of his Word, p. 200which are yet to be brought forth as cannot poſſibly in an other way be expected. But on this Subject I would humbly offer ſome few reflections, which ſhould be matter of a ſerious regard.

1. That as its highly becoming, on ſome eminent piece of the Work of God, or publick deliverances, for a Nation or State to have ſolemn and publick returns of thankfulnes to him thereon; yet is it ſtrange how ſo little regard should thus be to have the greatnes of any ſuch mercy ſought out, and the ſame publick care extended, for keeping up a venerable remembrance thereof, ſo that ſuch a ſervice of Gratitude be not bounded with the tranſient work of a day, ſince otherways it is a moſt eſſential want, and with holding a proper and important part of that Tribute, which is due into God herein, for there can be no ſuitable regard to ſerve the end of ſuch Providences, and what was ſo ſtraitly injoined of the Lord under the Old Teſtament, which was the Churches continued practice there; yea of the ſame moral and perpetual uſe in all after times, if it should not be ſtill a publick trust under the furtheſt humane care to promote the ſame, tho divine Record and Hiſtory for this intent does now ceaſe.

2. But as this hath ane unqueſtionable tye on Churches, and a Chriſtian State to deſign the moſt honourable reſpect, and entertainment of the great Acts of God in their day, and is made their proper talent to anſwer to; ſo does a juſt exoneration p. 201herein, call for the moſt exact ſcrutiny and ſearch on the truth and evidence thereof, on which the weight, and credit of this ſervice does ſo far depend, to cauſe a more full aſſent, by theſe who come after to ſuch a teſtimony, that theſe rare Providences, wherein the Lord did thus make himſelf known, were not only in the preſent time ſought out, and enquired unto, under their proper círcumſtances, but by ſuch of greateſt weight, and advantage, for a work of this nature; whoſe ſincerity and judiciousneſs might be convincing, and the integrity of ſuch ane Intent, cleared from any partial reſpect or end, but allennerly for exalting the Majeſty of God, and ſtrengthning men in the Faith, by ſo great a ſeal to his Truth, and for the intereſt of the Poſterity; yea wherein theſe who in ſome leſſer differences did not fully meet in the ſame Judgment, yet might intirely unite, in ſuch a ſervice and teſtimony as this.

3. Where the Lord makes himſelf known in more illuſtrious acts of his power, as may be called Magnalia Dei, to ſome particular Nation, and Church beſide others, who herein are in a more then ordinare way intereſſed; it might ſeem equal, and anſwer to the higheſt reaſon, they ſould be of that value, as to be entred on a National Record, and have that concurrence of humane authority, to make the evidence hereof as authentick, as the publick deeds, or rights, which p. 202belong to ſuch a ſtate. It is true, there is no want of Hiſtories, and the Church hath been bleſſed with that ſingular mercy of Martyrologies by faithful and impartial hands, to atteſt the power of divine grace, and ſupports of the ſpirit given to ſufferers for the truth, and of late it was of great uſe the concurrence of Civil Authority to that Work of the Hiſtory of the Church of England, that's now extant, by an excellent Writer; but for this intent, … is ſomething diſtinct by its ſelf, with reſpect only to theſe Monuments of Providence, relating to a particular Ch…rch, that are of publique, clear, and uncontrolled evidence, to have the remembrance thereof with the highest honor, kept up, and ſecured from the prejudices and cavills of men thereat; yea to ſuch Paſſadges in that day, whereon the Signature, and Impreſs of the more immediate appearance of God hath had moſt full and bright evidence; theſe great changes of a publique intereſt, which hath then occurred, wherein ſome extraordinar Conjunction in the courſe of Providence, might be ſeen, above natural cauſes, and the ordinare way of Gods Working, ſuch interpoſitions of his wonderful power, by which he hath deſigned to put ſome eminent honor, on acts of trust, and relyances on his truth, as might be exemplary to after times, and ſerve for that end, that they who come after, might ſett their hope on God, and not forget his Works Pſal. 78: 7. yea extraordinar Acts alſo of p. 203divine Judgment, whereby he hath appeared in ſome unuſual manner, to vindicate the honor of his Laws, againſt publick and notorious violations of the ſame, which may be clearly ſeen were not deſigned for that age only, but as a publick concern for after times.

4. Can it be queſtioned, that ſince that Sacred Canon of the Scripture is ſealed, and conſigned to the Church, to have no more addition thereto, but that it's now a part of the higheſt trust upon the Gentile Churches, to have a moſt venerable reſpect for conveyance of the great Works of God, from one Generation to another, & to bear ſuch evidence thereof, as the nature of theſe things is capable of, for a moral certainty; yea that this might be on ſuch tryall, as should ſilence and convince the moſt inquiſitive, and ſuſpicious ſpirits of men herein, this is of a ſerious and weighty import, if it were conſidered: 1. How ſo high a concern of the Glory of God is thus intruſted to tradition by humane teſtimony and record, and to the credit thereof, as that way only which the Lord hath now fix'd for the convoyance of his marvelous works to after times, on which he once put that value as to give them a ſpecial room in Sacred Writ, and tho there is no ſuch way now to atteſt the ſame, yet is not the weight of that ſervice taken off the Church, which is mentioned Iſay 62: 6. to be the Lords Remembrancers and Recorders of his great Acts, as the Original there bears. 2. It p. 204is unqueſtionable that be hath reſerved the greateſt of his Works, wherein he will moſt eminently appear, to the last times, and what a loſs hath it been to the Chriſtian World unto this day, that unfaithful part which we muſt charge upon former ages, in no ſuitable regard to have ſuch ane intereſt and treaſure, with a publick care, ſecured for the poſterity, through which the credit and honor of tradition hath been ſo much broke as hath rendred the uſe thereof of ſmall effect. 3. And it's known how difficult a part it is to gain credit in this day, to the truth of what's more extraordinar in paſſages of providence, even where the relaters thereof h…th as to their own conſcience and conviction the moſt full aſſurance, and hath deſigned what Inquiry was ſuitable in ſuch a caſe; whilſt the want of a more unite and publique concurrence takes off ſo much of that weig…t, which it might have in after times; but I have confidence, that a higher ſervice of this kind in the improvement of ſo great a Talent for the honor of God, does yet wait on the Church, & ſucceeding race, as ſhall tend to bring up what hath been detain'd of ſuch a rent and tribute of praiſe, yea that theſe whoſe Lot ſhall be in the dayes that are now coming, and fall in with the growing ſtate and glory of the Kingdom of Chriſt to ſee theſe things, which will exceed the thoughts and faith of this day herein, ſhall ſee and enjoy ſuch Records of theſe times, where the p. 205great intent ſhall be of that kind Revel. 15: 3. Great and Marvelous are thy Works, Lord God Almighty, Juſt and True are thy Ways thou King of Saints, and where the credit of ſuch a teſtimony shall not be perſonal only, but national in a more ſolemn, unite concurrence herewith then hath been hitherto known.

4. It is on this Subject, I muſt add further, that a traditional conveyance of more ſpecial and momentous things of Providence, might be of much uſe, were it ſuitably improven, to have a remembrance thereof continued in a Family Line and Relation, which is one peculiar way, whereby the preſent Generation might declare the truth and faithfulneſs of God to the next. It is true, there is no ſerious Chriſtian, but is thus ſiſted, and accountable on ſuch a ſervice to put to his ſeall, by ſome explicit perſonal teſtimony, that God is true, upon his tryall hereof, and moſt ſpecially to improve that ſeaſon, when it is near to the cloſe and shutting up of time, that with his laſt and dying breath he might bear the ſame witneſs to the truth of Chriſt, and to the advantage and excellency of his way and ſervice, which he did in the whole courſe of his life paſt, and of that joy, complacence & aſſurance of mind, which theſe have found, and now hath in the way of truth; but there is ſomething more peculiar in this Teſtimony, to be underſtood, with reſpect to theſe to whom things in a more ſingular manner p. 206hath been allotted then to other Chriſtians, in the way of Providence, and hath in the Record and Journal of their life had more extraordinar Remarks and Confirmations from the Lord, as gives higher acceſs to this ſervice, and adds to the value of ſuch a Teſtimony. I would offer but a few thoughts on ſuch a Head, which may poſſibly ſeem a ſtrange and dark thing to ſome: 1. It was once for a long time that the Series of the Church was kept up in a Family Line from Abraham to the 12 Patriarchs, and what a rare courſe and conduct of Providence was thus tranſmit to after times, which is ſo great ane intereſt, and treaſure to this day, and tho that convoyance was by an infallible ſpirit, yet is this ſo far exemplary thereby, for ſuch a confirmatory witneſs, by obſerving Chriſtians, to the truth, when it comes to their last improvement of time, and of what hath been more ſignal and eminent in the Lords dealing with them, that it should be one of the choiſeſt Legacies they could be queath to their Relations, yea a ſingular mean to have Religion thus kept alive in a more venerable reſpect thereto in a Family State, and to fix ſtronger engagements to the way of God, on their ſurviving Friends. 2. I hope there be no ſerious diſcerning Chriſtian, but hath ſome more ſelect Obſervations of their life, and what hath been moſt remarkable in the courſe of Providence towards them, layd up, ſomething of which might be of ſingular uſe, beſides p. 207their own perſonal inter…ſt therein, to a further eſtablishment of others in the way of truth; tho any improvement of that kind needs much Chriſtian prudence and ſobriety to qualify the ſame; yea, were this ſuitably deſigned in ſuch diſmal times, we are now fall'n in, what acceſs might private Chriſtians have, theſe ſpecially who have gone through more extrao…dinar tryalls then others, to be thus a publique bleſſing to their Generation; and how honourable a ſervice were it for God, to advance the credit of Religion, and fix deeper impreſſions of the ſame on mens ſpirits, that theſe who have been admit to more ſpecial adventures of Faith, amidſt the various conflicts of their day, should in the cloſe thereof have this as their proper work to deliver the truth off their hand, which they had receaved, with their ſeal and teſtimony to the ſame, as that which they had proven and tryed in a more then ordinare way, and which had brought them ſafe and honourably through, as was the laſt Words and Witneſs of David 1 Kings 14. Who ha…h delivered my ſoul out of all diſtreſs: this I humbly judge falleth in as the laſt and peculiar ſervice of a Chriſtian, when it hath the advantage to be more valuable and convincing to others, then in any other time of their life, & were a thing highly deſirable, that a work of this kind should be ſuitably prepared, to prevent a ſurpriſal of death, & going ſilent off the ſtage, which hath been the lott of theſe who have shin'd moſt p. 208brightly thereon; and as it ſurely hath the moſt opportune ſeaſon in the last Scene of a Chriſtians Work, ſo may it be yet more deſigned and regarded in the last ages of time, when thete is to be expected ſuch Teſtimonies for God, and to the Glory of his Truth, as will much exceed the ordinar Standard of theſe times paſt, and we are now in. The full ſenſe of that Scripture John 3: 33. should have a great weight herein, he that hath received his Teſtimony, hath ſett to his ſeall that God is true, where there is a peculiar debt, and trust on the one hand that is put on ſuch, who hath the truth and teſtimony of God conſign'd for tryall of the ſame; and a diſcharge thereof, which on the other hand they ſtand accountable for putting to their ſeall that God is true, which is the moſt ſolemn way of a Teſtimony before men; tho ſome may be thus in a ſpecial manner ſtated by higher engagements to fanctify God before others, and when ſome more ſingular paſſages of Providence comes under ſuch a witneſs and ſeall as a diſtinct part of a Chriſtians Teſtament in his parting with time, it brings the ſtrongeſt evidence that humane teſtimony can poſſibly have for conveyance of the ſame.

FINIS.

End of the text · Robert Flemming, The True Settlement of a Christians Faith (1692)