The Faith of Dying Jacob, Part 8
The Church shall survive all its storms and troubles.
1. Because by all wicked men do against it they undo themselves: over-match'd by an Almighty invisible hand after a bragging rant, they clap up a bad bargain, and purchase to themselves a shameful ruin: When the wicked spring as the Grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish, it is that they may be destroyed for ever, Psal. 92. 7. One man ruleth over another unto his own hurt. The empty Fox creeping into the Chamber of plenty, there stuffed and grown bigger than the passage, was taken with shame: Men surcharged with feasting on the rights and profits of Gods people, like Judas betraying his Master, have swell'd and burst asunder. The foolish Traveller in the Forrest of Ravenna bringing home a sack of rarities, of gay Hornets, opening it to the greedy expectation of his merry Friends, they proved deadly to them; so hath it hapned to all witty bad devices. That King Dan. 5. 23. after his carousing had a terrible Huzza, God hath numbered thy Kingdom and finished it: That Prince Dan. 8. 24, 26. prospered by his craft and policy against the holy people, but was broken without hands. Blasphemous Sennacherib, having put on foreign, an impudent face, threatning Jerusalems ruin, is slain by his own Sons in the House of Nisroch his God; his Epitaph was of use foreign, look on me and fear God. Pharaoh pursuing Israel perisheth in the Sea. Haman made a shift to ascend the Gallows designed for Mordecai. The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead, Prov. 11. 4. Men blow hard, but God scatters, and turns the wind in their own face, snaring them in the work of their own hands. foreign: The gates of Hell cannot prevail. I will curse them that curse thee, was the Lords promise to Abram and his Seed.
2. Because all done against the Godly tends to their rise and glory. 'Twas Bishop Hoopers Motto; a Lamb in a flaming Bush with the Sun shining on it. At the end of Balaams Conjurations Israels God turned the curse into a blessing, because he loved him: And Balak stands fretting, thou hast blessed them altogether: Haman holds Mordecays Stirrup, and by his rage is a means to turn the Jews bloody day to a good day. The Balls Motto belongs to the Church, percussa surgo, ascending the higher, the harder 'tis dash'd against the stone. The Grave was Christs foot-stool to glory. Pilate condemns him. The Jews with one suffrage cry, Crucifie him, and applaud the sentence, execution is done, a massie stone is roll'd on him, that they could dance on his Grave, the Soldiers make all sure, but while they sleep he awakes from the Grave, vincit victoriam, and ascends triumphant to the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens. Job 22. 29. When men are cast down, thou shalt say, there is a lifting up, that is by way of prayer, let there be; or by way of prophesy, there shall be a lifting up, and he shall save the humble person, humiliatum vel humilem. Persecutions like the Vines amputation, have made the Church more flourishing and fruitful: So the Vine told the Goat, browsing on her, and drinking her Blood, Eat me to the Stumps I will yet grow, and be fruitful. The Lord made Joseph fruitful in the Land of his affliction: His Jerusalem is built in troubleous times: When watered with Blood the Church thrived: Bleeding made way for better Blood: Mowing hath made the Grass grow thicker. Caesar sending the Protestant profession abroad for advice, spread it more then the Lutheran Preachers. Austin call'd the Jews capsarios ecclesiae, Servants that carry Gods Books after it, though to their own condemnation: Herods consult about Christs Birth cleared up the prophesie of his being born at Bethlehem. The translation of the Scripture into Greek, by the order of Ptolomy Philadelphus, was a prospective Glass to shew the world that the Star of Jacob was rising, and prepared the Gentile world to receive the Gospel divulged in Greek which it understood, by comparing the Law and Gospel together. Thus unawares, besides intention, the more sober, and also the more violent part of the world have promoted the Churches welfare: and when fury hath proceeded to death, the Body killed, the Soul hath been sent to the Glory of Heaven.
3. The Church yet lives, because the time of its extremity hath ever been the Lords opportunity: Who is foreign, most active for forelorn clients, Psal. 12. 5. For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise saith the Lord, and set him in safety from him that puffeth at him (who thinks to blow him away with a breath, or in scorn puffs at him) or from him that would ensnare him. Isai. 33. 10. Now, saith the Lord, will I arise, be exalted, lift up my self: In these dangers shall I sit with folded hands? The child sick, the Mother bestirs her self, Zech. 1. 8, 13. The Lord stands among the Myrtletrees in the Bottom, speaking good and comfortable words. Theodorus tortured had an Angel by him in a young mans shape, wiping off his Sweat, and cooling him that he felt no pain: The Lord chuseth in the Furnace of affliction, when ready to be burnt to ashes; he is a God for straits. Witness Abrahams Jehovah Jireh, in the Mount God will see, provide, or be seen: And Jacobs Bethel, and Peniel, when he saw the Face of God after his Wrestlings with God, and escapes from Esau's Expected rage: And Moses Jehovah Nissi, Exod. 17. last. The hand upon the throne of the Lord, meaning Moses hand by prayer, or Amaleks by rage, or because the hand of Amalek is against the Throne of the Lord, therefore, wrath was sworn against him, witness also Samuels Eben Ezer. The Lord is most and best, when most needed. The Male Children murdered, tasks doubled, Moses steps up. Hag. 2. Christ the desire of Nations came, when the Scepter was departed from Judah; Herod an Edomite, a stranger made King, the People oppressed by the Romans; The World taxed by Augustus, to succor them in their Bondage. Peter in Chains consigned to Death, is rescued by the Angel just before Execution. There is commonly some violent foreign before the sick mans recovery: Satans rage is greater as time is short, at his last assault most furious. God repairing his Church there is a sad tumultuary noise of Axes, and confused jumble of unfit materials. But that which gives the Church the greater hopes, is, that extremities are signs and Symptoms of approaching mercy. When the skie is red, of a Sanguine complexion, men say 'twill be a fair day. 'Tis darkest near morning, and coldest toward the spring. The Rainbow that conceives waters, concipit iris aquas, is pitch'd into the watery Clouds that have Seas of Water, to be a presage of Fair Weather. The Bloody Dioclesian preceeded Constantine: Mens hearts failing for fear, Look up, saith Christ, your redemption draweth nigh. The Poets say, when all miseries were rushed out, there was lux spei in ima pixide, the light of hope shining in the bottom of the Box. In the Evening time it shall be Light.
4. The Church shall surely survive from the Revocableness of the Lord's anger, and the Irrevocableness of his love and promises. The Lord may be angry, but in love. Hercules's Club was made of Olive wood; but he will soon be friends, rest, be silent in his love, Zeph. 3. 17. The Father writes a chiding Letter, but subscribes it, Your Loving Father. Jonathan's Rod was dipt in Honey. Davia's bowels yearned towards his rebellious Absolom, Isa. 12. 1. & 54. 7, 10. Though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. God would not afflict the house of David for ever: He will repent him concerning his servants, Nah. 1. 12. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more. Every stroke on the Child is felt at the tender Mother's heart. Alexander told Antipater, accusing his Mother, that a few Mothers tears would wipe away many such Letters, Jer. 31. 19, 20. The Lord soon took an kandkerchief to wipe Ephraim's mourning eyes. Tho' a jarr distast may be, he is soon reconciled. The Lord tells Moses in angry words, as disowning a people, Go, get thee down, for Thy People which thou broughtest out of the Land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves; as unconcerned and uninterested, the Lord calls them Moses People; but they are soon returned to their Owner; Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy People? And at that prayer the Lord owns them, and lays them in his bosom again: And the Lord repented of the evil that he thought to do unto His People, Exod. 33. 7, 11, 14.
His love and promises are unrepealable; as the Waters of Noah; his Covenant inviolable; he hateth putting away; 'tis firm as his Covenant with night and day, and the Ordinances of Heaven and Earth, Psal. 89. 32, 33. Jer. 31. 35. & 33. 25. By the fixed courses of the Sun and Moon, and the morning-light, we have an assurance of its stability. Threats are made in terrorem, as Pursevants to bring in the Malefactor, that they may not be executed. Promises are so made, that they may not be revoked. His displeasure is but an interim, till his People learn and do something that they have neglected. He will not cast off for ever: Though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.
If arguments be wanting in his People defective of goodness, he will fetch some from the wickedness of the wicked, their rage, cursings and blasphemies, which often stand them in more stead than their own prayers, Deut. 9. 9. 'Twas not for Israels righteousness they possessed the Land; But for the wickedness of these Nations doth the Lord drive them out, Deut. 32. 27. The Lord feared the wrath of the Enemy, not that it would hurt him, but might hurt his People. For Sennacherib's rage the Lord put an hook in his Nose, and a bridle in his Lips, 2 Kings 19. 28.
If the Lord be at a stand, he can work for his Names sake, Ezek. 20. 44. And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have wrought for my Names sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings. And his People failing, he betakes himself to his own Covenant, Psal. 106. 45. & 111. 9. He sent Redemption to his People, he hath commanded his Covenant for ever.
Again, if his hands be straitned or tied, and his heart exasperated, he cools it, looking upon the Rain-bow, pacifies himself by looking upon Christ, and stirreth up him to interpose, Isa. 8. 8. The Assyrians shall pass through Judah, he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck, and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy Land, O Immanuel, q. d. O Immanuel, stand up, bestir thy self to make peace, and to defend, else thou wilt lose thy Land, and be an Head without a Body.
5. The Church shall live from the relativeness of the word and works of God, in his Covenant and providential actings, that like Janus look backward and forward, as the Cherubims looked one another in the face. The experiences of former and future Ages are all in connexion as links in a Chain, answering to one another, as face answereth face. When the Lead of distress is sinking the Church, these as Cork bear it up, as Bladders do the drowning man: These are Types and Copies for after Ages. Old Evidences are needful when new Suits are commenced; good Crutches to lean on; Spectacles to help a dim sight, Isa. 38. 16. By these things men live, and in these is the life of my Spirit.
The actings of the Father's love and providence unto Christ, were a specimen and samplar of his like extensive care to all his members, who are loved together, John 17. 26. & 20 17. Gal. 3. 16. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made; he saith not, and to seeds, as of many, but as of one, and to thy seed which is Christ; to Christ and all his members, quasi unum foreign.
God's Covenant word is to a thousand generations, 1 Chron. 16. 15. setled in Heaven for ever. When Jacob wept, prayed, prevailed, Hos. 12. 3. There he spake with us. Deut. 5. 3. & 29. 15. The Lord made not this Covenant with our Fathers, but with us, even with us, who are all of us alive this day, and also with him that is not here with us this day. Such Presidents were the Lord's Judgments on Egypt, Amalek, Og, Sihon, Sisera, Jabin, and Midian, Deut. 1. 30. The Lord shall fight for you as in Egypt, &c. 3. v. 21. & 7. 18. Judg. 5. 31. Isa. 51. 5. Ezek. 30. 9. Psal. 83. 9. Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera and Jabin at the brook of Kison, which perished at Endor: They became as dung for the Earth: Make their Nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb, all their Princes like Zebah, and Zalmunna, who said, Let us take the houses of God in possession: O my God, make them like a wheel. Korah became a sign.
The Lord's delivering Providences were Presidents for after Ages: He that was their Arm in the morn, will still help in the day of trouble, Isa. 33. 2. Hag. 2. 5. Deut. 1. 30. Zech. 10. 11. The deeps of the Assyrian River shall be dried up as at the Red Sea: Moses Rod, that summoned the Plagues of Egypt, broached the Rock for Water, and made a path in the Sea, is not become a dry stick, or dead drug, but is full of fresh operative virtue.
With the Artillery of these old doings Saints have afresh beseiged God, Psal. 77. 6, 11. Isa. 51. 5, 9. Art thou not he that hast cut Rahab? and wounded the Dragon? Art thou not it, which hath dried the Sea? And to the review of these the Lord retreats to quicken himself, Isa. 63. 11. Then he remembred the days of old, Moses and his people.
These Chronicles of active Providences shall be new printed, and that with additions. The Lord's hand is not out, Isa. 11. 11. The Lord shall set his hand a second time to recover the remnant of his people, Isa. 43. 19. Behold I will do a new thing—The beasts of the field shall honour me; The Dragons and the Owls. He is devising and minting new things, can do marvellous things without number, even all their impossible things for his people. He is not at a stand, a dead set, or ne plus ultra; is not yet gone to his utmost. It shall be no more said, The Lord liveth that brought his people out of Egypt; but the Lord liveth that bringeth his people from the Land of the North.
6. The Church shall over-live its storms from the influence and interest Christ its Head and Saviour hath with the Father, who gave it to him, promising that he should see his seed, and prolong his days, and that the pleasure of the Lord should prosper in his hand: This himself bought with his dear, precious blood, and for it stands responsible, numerare pecus, truly to give in the tale of all committed to him, without losing any: In whose behalf he is vested with heavenly glory and plenipotentiary power, over all flesh, over all in Heaven and Earth, with the keys of Hell and of Death, John 17. 2. Ephes. 1. 22. Mat. 11. 27. & 28. 18. Rev. 1. 18. And 'tis this Church that is the Metropolis of his Royal Empire, to which as Captain General he is to give conduct, and hath the promise of the Father to concur with him; The Father worketh hitherto, and I work. With this Lamb upon Mount Zion stand the forty four thousand with the Father's name in their forehead, Rev. 14. 1.
The interest wherewith he moveth is not only of a dear only Son, or mere favour, but of pacifying, satisfying and purchasing blood, for whose sake the Church shall continue, and have all its great things done for it, Jer. 33. 15, 16. For the sake of the Branch, the Lord our Righteousness, Israel shall be saved. From the influence of his pacificatory Sacrifice the Lord swore to Noah, I will no more curse the ground for man's sake. This brought Israel out of Babylon, Zech. 9. 11. As for thee also, by the blood of thy Covenant, I have sent forth thy Prisoners out of the Pit. 'Twas by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of Testimony, the Martyrs overcame, Rev. 12. 11. And Daniel disclaiming all creature Righteousness, thus pleadeth, O our God, hear the prayer of thy Servant and his supplication, and cause thy face to shine upon thy Sanctuary, that is desolate for the Lord's sake, that Lord, who finished transgression, and made an end of sin, Dan. 9. 17, 24. That, which moved God to take off the Assyrian yoke, was because of the Anointing, or the face of the holy Oil, that was upon the Lord Jesus, Isa. 10. 27. When the heart of Ahaz was moved as the Trees of the Wood with the Wind, the Lord gave him this sign of deliverance; Behold a Virgin shall conceive, meaning, that if he had love to give his dear Son, he would with him freely give deliverance, and all good things, Rom. 8. 32. 2 Pet. 1. 3, 4. So that till Christ be out of the way, or out of credit, or divested of power, and his blood hath lost its virtue, the Church shall live. The successes of the Church are upon Christ's account. 'Tis said, that Constantine marching against his Enemies saw a Cross in the Air with this Inscription, foreign, In this conquer. The French Pagan Clodverus, in battel with the Alemaines, nigh worsted, by the advice of his Christian Wife Clotildis, called on the name of Jesus, promising if succeeding to turn Christian, and presently conversa belli alea, the battel turned to him. Samuel offering the sucking Lamb, that great Type of Christ, prevailed, 1 Sam. 7. 9. Hos. 1. 7. I will save thee, saith God, by the Lord: 'Twas he that was the Good will of God that dwelt in the bush. Gideon's sign was, Ros in vellere, the dew in the fleece, that is, Christ in the Virgin Mary. Jacob, in his prophetick Agony of Faith, though somewhat abrupt, crieth, I have waited for thy salvation. 'Twas in the prospect of Dan's misery, infested by the Amorites, and Philistines his neighbours, though merited by his Idolatry, he first having the Teraphim, Judg. 18. 30. and having also the Golden Calf, 1 King. 12 29. So pernicious was Idolatry to bring War into his Gates, Judg. 5. 8. Now this salvation was not by Sampson a Judge, and Saviour in that Tribe, but by Christ, non sufficit Sampson, venit Shilo. The Tunicle wherein the Child lies is called Shiloh: Hence, think some, delivery is promised to the big Woman, foreign, by the birth of the Child Jesus, 1 Tim. 2. 15. The Macedonians invaded by the Illyrians, Regem infantem in cunis productum ante aciem collocabant, set the Infant King in a Cradle in the front of the battel, and it proved auspicious to them. This Christ, Sol in nube, lux sub modio, a Sun in a cloud, a light under a bushel, shall scatter all clouds, and in medio coeli, shall shine in brightest glory in the midst of the Heavens.
7. The Church shall survive from the good effects and issue of its militant estate. Times of War train up the best Souldiers, and Seamen. Lambs breed in Winter. Quails come with the Wind. Days of affliction have brought forth the bravest Christians, and bravery of Christianity, then the Spirit of glory rests on them in its radiant splendour, to the admiration of Angels, and torture of Men and Devils; yea to the admiration of God, spectaculum Deo dignum, who laughs at the tryal of the innocent, not for their misery, but the exercise of his unconquerable grace in them. The Roman Gallantry were raised from hardship the Spade and Plough, Mascula militum—Proles sabellis docta ligonibus—Versare glebas, & severae-Matris ad arbitrium recisos—portare fustes. Hor.
In this militant state God and themselves are at once glorified: Father, saith Christ, glorifie thy Son, that thy Son may also glorifie thee. Now the truth and virtue of Grace hath its illustrious visible shine: Without this many would be unknown to the world, and to themselves. Paul's fame spread to Court and Country from Nero's Prison; though esteemed as the off-scouring of the world. Scouring makes the Plate brighter. Stars glitter in the frosty nights. The coldest Climates makes the healthiest bodies: Praise the Lord from the Earth, ye Dragons and all Deeps: Fire and Hail, Snow and Vapour, stormy Wind fulfilling his word. The wrath of man shall praise thee: from Hell gates the Lord will have praise. Now is the Saints transporting Faith, flaming Zeal, ardent Love (stronger than Death) invincible Patience, Heroick Courage, in their full glory. The generous masculine Child is born in the time of the Dragon's rage. Apollonius being asked if he were not afraid of his Enemies, said, No, God hath given him a terrible countenance, and to me an undaunted heart.
8. The Church shall overlive from the care and design of God in all afflictive dispensations, and civil alterations, taking some down, and setting up others; bitter potions, lancings, cauterizings are reconciled by the end, Life and Health. Finis dat amabilitatem mediis.
One Pharaoh is kind to Joseph, till the Lords first born was ripened in the Womb, then comes another whose heart was turned to hate his People. Psal. 105. 25. And was a severe Man-Midwife to help on Israels groans, and the extremities of the Birth pangs, that opened the Womb: The Chaldean and Assyrian Empires come on, to perform the whole work of God upon Mount Zion, Isai. 10. 12. and that done, that Rod is cast into the fire. The Kingdom turns about to the Persian Cyrus, Artaxerxes, and Darius; by whose favour and assistance they had a release from Babylon, and liberty to rebuild their desolate Jerusalem. To provide against the Bloody rage of Haman, Vasthi the Queen becomes imperious, is deposed from her Dignity, and Esther, of the Jews seed, is exalted in her room: By that means with other concurring Providences disresting the Kings sleep, Mordecai is advanced, and Haman hanged out of the way. Ahab was greatly wicked, and made Israel to sin; Jehu is brought on to revenge his Blood and Idolatry, and to reform that people. Dan. 2. 44. In those four visible Monarchies, one subdues another, till in the fourth, the Roman, Christs Kingdom is entered, that gradually grows up to a Mountain, à lapide in montem, and fills the Earth. In these changes the Lusts of men, their Pride, Passion and revenge seem most visible, yet by divine over-ruling wisdom made ministerial to good, as Treacle from Poyson. The reformation in Germany was commenced to prevent the growing Empire of Charles the Fifth. Who knows not the occasion of the change in Religion by Henry the eighth? A Wheel was within a Wheel: So little reckoning does the Lord make of Princes and their Dignities, in serving the designs of his Glory among his People, Isai. 43. 4. Psal. 136. Because his mercy endureth for ever. Psal. 52. 1. Why boastest thou thy self in mischief, O mighty man? The goodness of God endureth continually; as the Church needeth Food or Physick; Cordials or Corrasives, Civil Instruments are altered: Whatever is done in the Kitchin is principally for the sake of them in the Parlour: Christ is head over all things to the Church, The Lord hath made all things for himself, even the wicked for the day of Wrath, to be executioners of his deserved just Vengeance: 'Tis sin lies at the bottom of misery, the Scabbard whence the Sword of justice is drawn, the bark in which the sap runneth. As People grow better Judgments grow fewer: After the Bloody devastations in Jerusalem, by the several incendiary parties, Titus, looking over the Wall, beholding the slain cryed out, foreign, this is not of my doing; and offered a triumphing Crown for the conquest of Judea, replyed, he had nothing to do in the glory of that action, but was only the instrument of Gods dreadful vengeance.
9. The Church shall survive from the promise of the Father, of its fuller, more glorious state on the Stage of the Earth, to which all overturnings shall work, Ezek. 21. 27. Christs Bride is not yet so fine as she shall be. Princes shall think their glory best bestowed, when brought in to Deck her, as Egypt did Gods Israel with its Brace-lets and Jewels: Great promises are yet to be compleated, Dan. 2. 44. Rev. 11. 15. The Rose of Sharon is not yet at its full blow or beauty, Zech. 6. 13. Even he shall Build the Temple of the Lord, and he shall bear the Glory, 10. and 6. The House of Judah and Joseph shall be strengthned: And they shall be as though I had not cast them off; for I am the Lord their God, and will hear them, Ezek. 36. 11. I will set you after your own Estates, and will do better to you, then at the beginning. Till the Jews come in the Sun of Righteousness, will have no constant or full shine: The Lord was long limning the Creation, but at last it was a glorious one. Christ hath been long polishing and dressing his Bride, what will she be at last, when in all the Embroideries of richest Orient Glories? That this may be believed, saith the Angel, These things are faithful and true, Rev. 21. 5. 22. and 6. They being to common apprehension incredible.
The Foundation of Jerusalem shall be of Saphires, gemmae gemmarum, the Prince-Jewel of admirable splendour: The Empire and High-Priesthood of the Egyptians were signified by it: The Chief Priests and Judges wore them about their Necks, and the Pope used to send his new created Cardinal a Saphire: it flames, and sparkles with purple Veins, and a pleasant blue skie Colour: There was seen under the feet of the God of Israel as it were the paved work of a Saphire Stone, Exod. 24. 10. It was the Ornament of Christs Throne, Ezek. 1. 16. signifying Brightness, Majesty, Purity and Chastity. To this are added Agates and Carbuncles. Isa. 54. 11, 12. And what shall be done to the man whom the King delighteth to honour? St. John is high in his description, Rev. 21. where we have a double number, of twelve for the twelve Tribes of Israel; and of three on each side for the Gentiles in every quarter: and a double unity, one of matter, all the Gates made of Margarites, and an unity of form, all made of one Margarite apiece, signifying, Christ the only Gate for Jews and Gentiles unto God: A Pearl as big as the top of a thumb is rare, what is it then for a whole great gate to be one Pearl? However then the Church hath lien among the Pots, she shall be as the wings of a Dove covered with Silver, and her feathers of yellow Gold.
The numerous confluence that shall then flow in, shall promote this glory, Psal. 22. 27. All the ends of the Earth shall remember, and turn to the Lord. Psal. 72. 16. There shall be an handful in the Earth, on the tops of the Mountains, and the fruit shall shake like Lebanon: The encrease shall be such that the Church in admiration shall cry out for room, Isa. 49. 21. The Lord shall bring in from Egypt and Assyria, that there shall be no room for them, Zech. 10. 10. Glory and rest are taking things: In Esthers time many became Jews; and at their return from Babylon many took hold of the Skirt of a Jew. 2 Chron. 15. 9. unto Asa reforming, there fell to him out of all Israel in abundance; When they saw that the Lord his God was with him. But this glory shall consist in quality as quantity, Psal. 68. 29. Because of thy worship at Jerusalem, Kings shall bring presents to thee, Rev. 21. 24. 26. And the Kings of the Earth do bring their glory and honour into it. O praeclarum illum diem. The Lord Christ sits in Heaven to see this done, and this done, he shall deliver up the Kingdom to the Father.
10. Because the Lord rather than his Church shall fail is resolved upon extraordinary ways, Isa. 28. 21. The Lord shall rise up, as in Mount Perazim, when he brake forth on Davids Enemies as the Breach of many Waters, 2 Sam. 5. 20, 25. He shall be wroth as in the Valley of Gibeon, where Joshua slew five Kings of the Amorites, that he may do his strange work, and bring to pass his strange act, that is, in delivering his People after a new fashion Hence that King said; There is no God can deliver after this sort. And 'tis said, the Lord drying up the Red-Sea, not that God barely saved, but thus the Lord saved Israel, Exod. 14. 13. He never dryed up Seas, nor made the Sun stand still, nor the Stars to fight in their courses, nor stop the mouth of greedy Lions, and hungry flames to save wicked men. Zech. 12. 2, 3. The Lord resolved to make Jerusalem a cup of trembling and a burdensome stone, but how? In smiting every Horse with astonishment and the Rider with madness.