The Pouring Out of the Seven Vials, Vial 5
THE FIFT VIALL.
REVEL. 16.10, 11.
And the fifth Angell poured out his Viall upon the ſeat of the Beaſt] or, as the word is in the Originall, the Thrones and his Kingdome was full of darkeneſſe, and they gnawed their Tongues for paine, And blaſphemed the God of Heaven becauſe of their paines, and their ſores, and repented not of their deeds.
IN theſe words you have deſcribed the powring out of the Viall of the fifth Angell, and deſcribed it is,
Firſt by the ſubject on which it was powred [On the throne of the Beaſt.]
Secondly by the effect of it, which is double.
1. Proper and primary [His Kingdome was thereby darkened]
2. The ſecondary and accidentall events were three.
1. Anguiſh and indignation… They gnawed their Tounges for paine.]
2. Blaſphemy [They blaſphemed the God of Heaven.]
3. Impenitency [They repented not of their deeds.
This Scripture and the interpretation of it, is the more difficult, becauſe it is generally conceived that the execution of Gods judgements upon the Beaſt, hath not yet gone beyond the powring out of the fourth Viall, therefore conjectures about it, will be the more difficult, and it may be more uncertaine: yet becauſe the Scripture in it ſelfe is not darke, how darke ſo ever we may be in our apprehenſions: The Kingdome of the Beaſt is darke, but not the Kingdome of Chriſt. And the Lord hath promiſed a gracious bleſſing upon all that read, and heare the words of this prophecy, Chap. 1. verſe 3. ſo that by the comparing of one part of this prophecy with another, and obſerving the due poiſe of every word in his place, with holy feare and reverence, the Lord is wont to lead his people into truth, according to the promiſe made to the Apoſtle, Iohn 16.13. (which is fulfilled to every ſucceſſour of theirs in ſome meaſure) Let us therefore goe on in the feare of God to conſider of theſe things.
Firſt the difficulty chiefely lyeth in opening the ſubject whereon this Viall will be powred, for open that, and the reſt will be cleare. The ſeat of the Beaſt is generally taken for the City of Rome, and it is confirmed from the like ſpeech, Rev. 13.2. Where the Dragon gave the Beaſt his power, and his ſeat, (or throne) and great authority, and therefore they gather from hence the ruine of Rome, applying alſo hereunto ſome prophecies of the Sibills, who in their Language tell us thus much, that Rome ſhall then be deſolate, and be as if it had never been a ſtate. Now though we have much cauſe to glorifie God for the labours of ſuch of his ſervants as have givē that expoſition, yet I muſt confeſſe I cannot reſt ſatisfied with that interpretation: for I finde it cleare in the ſequell of this Chapter, that Babilon (which is doubtleſſe meant of Rome [As throughout the ſeventeenth Chapter it is alſo] is ſaid to come up into Remembrance before God in the 19. verſe of this Chapter, And that is in the powring out the ſeventh Viall; which implyeth that before, it came not up in remembrance before God in point of actuall puniſhment, for things are ſaid to come up into …brance before God, when he taketh in hand either to ſhew mercy to them, or to powre out wrath upon them, a ſigne that the Viall and fierceneſſe of his wrath was not yet powred out upon Rome: beſides it is expreſſed in this Text, that upon the powring out of this Viall, the Kingdome of the beaſt was darkened, but there is a great difference betweene darkning, and deſtroying; Egypt was darkened, before Pharoh was deſtroyed, or the body of Egypt overwhelmed in the red Sea. Upon theſe grounds therefore I cannot conceive that it is meant of Rome, but of ſomething elſe, which in Scripture is to be underſtood by [Throne] ſometimes it is put for that forme of government and authority which any perſon or ſtate ſitting on that throne doth adminiſter, as it is ſaid of Chriſt, that his throne is a throne of Righteouſneſſe, and that is not ſo much ſpoken of the place where he governeth, as of the government it ſelfe, ſo in the 89 Pſalme 29. & 36, 37. I will make his throne as the dayes of Heaven, and againe his throne ſhall be as the Sunne before me; It ſhall be eſtabliſhed for ever as the Moone, and in Pſalme 122.5. Thrones of judgement are diſtinguiſhed from the thrones of the houſe of David, to wit, ſuch as David hath erected: ſo by the like propoſition it is here meant of that forme of government, which the beaſt exerciſeth in the Church both ſubjectively, that which himſelfe doth occupy over the Churches ſubject to him, and effectively, that which proceedeth from him, and is exerciſed by others in other Churches according to the frame and forme of government received from him, and that is ſuch a peereleſſe kind of government, as wherein one alone doth rule; for a throne is ſuch a kind of ſeate wherein one of peereleſſe authority doth governe; as a Monarch in his owne Dominion.
Indeed the univerſall ſupremacy of the Pope both in ſpirituall and temporall things, whereby he challengeth tranſcendent authority over all Kings and Princes, that was violated by the fourth Viall of theſe Angels: but yet ſtill here is another throne which yet hitherto remaineth unplagued, and that is his ſingular ſole authority, and monarchicall government, whereby he ſitteth chiefe and onelyonly Judge in Eccleſiaſticall cauſes in his own juriſdiction, and like unto which he hath eſtabliſhed the government of all National, Provinciall and Dioceſan Churches, and ſo this interpretation doth very fitly ſuit with the proper effect of the powring out of this Viall expreſſed in the Text [his Kingdome was darkened] foreign; and what kinde of government is that? ſuch as wherein one doth raigne, as they are wont to ſay there muſt be but foreign, One Prince in a ſtate: this forme of government himſelfe doth exerciſe ſtill in his owne juriſdiction inviolately, and this he hath brought into all national and Provinciall and Dioceſan Churches in the world where popery hath prevailed; and which ſtill continueth in ſome Proteſtant Churches, where though the Doctrine, and worſhip of Popery be aboliſhed, and the tranſcendent ſupremacy of his government, yet the forme of his government, monarchicall, or ſole and ſingular government by one, that is Epiſcopacy, is ſtill continued. Who is then the fifth Angel that hath powred out his Viall upon this peereleſſe government the Epiſcopacy? Though it be ſaid this Viall is not yet powred out, and though it haply was not powred out with the writings of ſuch men (who ſo conceived) were under their hands: yet Beza, and Cartwright did ſprinkle ſome drops of this Viall upon this government, though the power and ſtrength of the Epiſcopacy in their time was ſuch as drunke them up like the dry Earth, that drinketh in the raine; yet will not God be ſo put off from his word, he powreth out more drops upon them by holy Baines his triall of Dioceſan government, and godly learned Parkers Eccleſiaſticall Politie, but theſe were drops: you now ſee whole Vialls full of wrath powred out by the whole Church of Scotland, who have engaged themſelves, and their ſtate for ever in this quarrell, and have beene carried along herein, not in a way of popular tumult, but with ſuch wiſedome, courage, judgement and Piety, that you may ſee and ſay that it is not a Viall powred out by an unadviſed multitude, but by an Angell of God, by the Heavenly Miniſters of his wrath.
It hath beene taken in hand with ſerious and deepe and generall humiliation, judging themſelves for their toleration of ſuch a government amongſt themſelves, and ſo ſeconded in their conſtant fruits of Reformation, as that their very adverſaries ſtand amazed to behold them, and theſe are not drops alone, but like unto great ground ſhowers which grow unto a floud and overflow all for they have turned away the floud of ſuperſtition in their owne Country, by the Rivers of the power of God, and his Evangelicall truth, ſo now they have alſo flowed into England, inſomuch that a great many of the Commons of England and many noble Peeres, doe begin to ſay that Epiſcopacy is an antichriſtian frame and forme, which he brought in, and doth ſtill countenance and animate, and while it continueth, popery will not fall: whereupon, It hath come to paſſe (if your intelligences faile not) that many ſad conſiderations have beene taken up in England, whether it be not beſt to abandon all ſuch thrones: men will not fight for the defence of theſe thrones, nor draw their purſes to maintaine ſuch warre, but men begin generally to be taught of God, that this is not the forme of the government of Jeſus Chriſt. Nor doe I know that any of the former Vialls have beene powred out by any men, whoſe loines have beene more gert with truth, and whoſe cloathing hath beene more pure, and white, then theſe ſervants of God have been gert, and cloathed withall. Theſe things being thus underſtood, take you the ſequell, and it will eaſily interpret it ſelfe; for doth not hereby the Kingdome of the beaſt (his monarchicall forme of Church government) grow full of darkeneſſe? Is not Epiſcopacy now foreign? the very word of the Text, as it were alluding to the Nation that darkeneth it? Epiſcopall government doth it not grow darke? yea full of darkeneſſe? Is it not ſcotized, darkned and beclouded with a Scottiſh miſt? ſo as that it groweth baſe and vile, not onelyonly in the eyes of godly, wiſe, and judicious Divines, but in the eyes of good people; nor of godly people alone, but of many civill, and orderly mindes: mervaile not therefore if it be ſaid that the Kingdome of the beaſt (that is, this forme of his government be full of darkeneſſe: And hath not this darkeneſſe procured other ſecondary effects? doe they not gnaw their tongues for very indignation, what doe you thinke of the chiefe Church governors of Scotland? and ſome of the chiefe of that order in England, and their chiefe companions (if your reports be true) doe they not get themſelves into darke corners?
2. And for the ſecond event [They blaſphemed the God of Heaven] have you not heard that the powring out of this Viall hath beene by them accounted nothing elſe but Rebellion againſt the ſtate duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page of the Kingdome? have they not taxed that (which is the reviving of the Church and Common wealth) to be the ruine of both?
And for the third event [They repented not of their deeds] have they no cauſe thinke you to repent of all their oppreſſions and tyrannies over godly men, through many ages? for that their governments have been formidable to none but the peaceable men of the Land: if it be a drunkard or ſome baſe fellow that commeth to their Courts, they ſay to him, what doeſt thou here thou ſimple fellow? pay thy fees, and be gone: but for the people of God, nothing will ſatisfie but their extirpation from their Miniſtery, livings and dwellings; they ſhall not be allowed to breath in the free aire, if any priſon in the Countrey will hold them. And is it not to be repented of the invaſions of the liberties of Church, and of civill liberties which have beene by ſome of them deſperatly impeached, ſo as that neither ſubject nor Prince ſhall know what belongeth to either of them; and ſome of the throne of the beaſt will tell you, that betweene Prince and ſubject there is no meum, & tuum, but the Prince may ſay omne meum, are not theſe things to be repented of? And is there no ſuperſtition to be repented of? And have they repented of theſe things? doth any ſemblance of repentance appeare? have they not ſtill gone an end, even while this Viall hath beene in powring out to put new inventions upon Gods people? have they not impoſed an Antichriſtian Oath, that this is the onelyonly government, and that they neither doe acknowledge nor ever will acknowledge any other, and is not this a blaſphemy againſt the name and Crowne of Chriſt Jeſus? and yet they repent not of theſe deeds: therefore they have ſaid not much amiſſe, that ſaid that all the miſchiefes that have ſprung up in any ſtate in the World, where theſe thrones have beene ſet up, have ſprung from them that ſate upon theſe thrones. Thus you ſee what is the true and ſimple meaning of theſe words, and I durſt not have ſpoken it, but that no other interpretation will well abide by the words of the Text. Babilon will not abide it, for that commeth up into remembrance in the ſeventh Viall; doe but conſider all things together, and weigh the words of the Text well with what goeth before, and with what will follow after by the helpe of God, and you ſhall find this to be the true meaning. Nevertheleſſe though theſe former and late attempts againſt Epiſcopacy may bee the beginning of this Viall, and ſome good meaſure alſo of the powring it forth, you may believe that it will not reſt here, but as Moſes ſaid Deut. 32.4. Perfect is the worke of God, and as the Lord ſpake concerning Eli. 1 Sam. 3.12. When I begin, I will alſo make an end, ſo (reſerving all due honour unto thoſe interpreters who reſt from their labours and their workes doe follow them) I doe conceive, and believe, that this Viall will goe on from our native Countrey to all the Catholickes Countries round about them, untill it come unto the very gates of Rome it ſelfe. In the meane time all theſe Vialls are at worke, and one is not ended when another is begun, though that which moſt excelleth is moſt in obſervation, and the powring out thereof, is the worke which the Lord calleth men principally to attend upon, and wherein God hath manifeſted his preſence moſt, and wil goe on ſtill to manifeſt more of the preſence of his wrath unto other ſtates: now the points that ariſe from the words are two.
That forme of government, wherein one by ſole and ſingular Doct. 1 authority doth govern the Church ſpecially many Churches and moſt of all, all Churches doth ſpring from the Earth and ſavoureth of the Earth, for ſo it appeareth to be from the Text, for all theſe Angels powred out their Vialls upon the Earth: Verſe 1. Not as Earth is oppoſed to other elements, but as it is oppoſed to Heaven: ſo that as their Earth is earthly, ſo is their Sea, and their Rivers, and Fountaines, and their Sunne: and this throne is but an earthly throne, you ſee no ſuch throne in the Tabernacle of the Teſtimony opened in Heaven: ſo farre as Churches are Heavenly, theſe thrones are not ſet up in them: for this is it which Iohn reprooveth (3. Io. 9.) in Diotrephes, that he loveth to be a primate and would not regard a letter from Iohn himſelfe though an Apoſtle; & for the brethren he would not receive them himſelf, and forbad them that would, and caſt them out of the Church, the true ſpirit of an earthly Primate, for they ſavour of earthly ambition and covetouſneſſe, love Balaams wages, they ſtick not to buy their places for ſilver, care not what they give for them, but having gotten them with buying, they muſt maintaine them by ſelling, they muſt ſell Ordinations and Abſolutions, and Diſpenſations, and muſt be maintained by the benevolences of their obedient Clergy, and in truth the ſumme of the matter is, quid mihi dabis? and what is all this but earthly bravery, if ever you have beene at their thrones (though it were but the thrones of their chauncellors and Officialls) you ſhall ſee nothing but that which ſavoureth of the Earth, earthly pride, or pleaſure or Covetouſneſſe, I am, (and have leſſe cauſe then many others from my laſt Dioceſan, who being more learned, was more ingenuous and favourable then many others) not wont to ſpeake theſe things, yet when the neceſſity of clearing my Text leadeth me to them, I may not without unfaithfullneſſe to God and his Church, keepe ſilence, we came not hither to ſpeake hardly of other Churches: but when the Word of God calleth for it, we ſhould be wickedly ſilent if we ſhould not let the people know, what the mercy and bleſſing is, which we doe enjoy, and what we are delivered from.
Rea. 1 The firſt Reaſon of the Doctrine is from that forme of Church eſtate, which Chriſt hath inſtituted in his Word, which is no other, but the government of a Church of a particular viſible Congregation; He owneth no other, nor giveth any government to any beſides them. If thy brother offend thee, goe and tell the Church, and muſt the offence ſtay till all the world be gathered together; or if it were meant of one Dioceſan or provinciall Church, when will they meete? therefore the Church that muſt heare al offences is the Church of a particular Congregation, which may all of them meete together in one place (1 Cor. 14.23.) and then though offences come thicke, they may all be orderly heard and remooved. And conſider moreover (that which further cleares up this firſt ground) what variety of officers God hath given to this Church, not many Pariſhes to one Biſhop, but many Biſhops to one Church, ſo as that Paul writteth to the Saints at Philippi, with the Biſhops and Deacons, Phil. 1.1. And he ſendeth for the Elders of the Church of Epheſus Acts 20.17. Whom he calleth Biſhops Verſe 28. And they were more then one in every Church, according to Acts 14.23. They ordained them Elders in every Church, directly contrary to the practiſe of the Lord Biſhops of theſe dayes; Theſe things we ſpeake, that the people may know we ſet forth no new inventions, though it be true that there is a newneſſe in all the bleſſings of the new Teſtament, whereas all the inventions of men wax old as doth a garment, and there is no new thing under the ſunne, as touching mens inventions, but they will grow old and vaniſh away, as all Dioceſin Churches will doe, which the Lord hath not inſtituted: Though indeed in the old Common wealth of Iſrael the Church was Nationall, and there was but one high Prieſt who was a type of Chriſt, but now Chriſt is come he hath delivered all his counſell to his 12. Apoſtles, and they have left the ordering of his Church to ſome paſtors, and ſome teachers and ſome ruling Elders, and ſome Deacons. But beſides theſe the Goſpel knoweth no other.
The ſecond ground is taken from the kinde of power which Rea. 2 God hath given to his officers in his Churches, hath he given to them a Lordly or a Miniſteriall power? ſurely no Lordly power, neither over their fellow Elders nor over the Church, But he hath in his Word prohibited both theſe. Math. 20.25, 26, 27. The Princes of the Gentiles exerciſe dominion over them, & they that are great exerciſe authority upon them, but it ſhall not be ſo amongſt you, but whoſoever will be great amongſt you let him be your Miniſter, and whoſoever will be cheife amongſt you let him be your ſervant. Amongſt the Officers of Chriſt honour is carried by the moſt labour, and not by moſt outward ſplendor: But thoſe that ſit upon the throne of of the Beaſt doe not labour in any kinde of government but that, which is merely antichriſtian, to foment ſin and let looſe the reines of all prophaneſſe: neither doe the officers which Chriſt hath ſet in his Church reach after outward honour, but the cheife of them make themſelves equall with them of the lower ſort, as Peter (though an Apoſtle) when he writeth to the Elders ſtileth himſelfe a fellow Elder 1. Pet. 5.1. and exhorteth them to feed the flock of God, not as Lords over Gods heritage, but being examples to the flock; ſo the Apoſtle in his ſecond and third Epiſtle ſtileth himſelfe an Elder, ſo farre is he from affecting Lordly authority: by all which we may ſee that all this kinde of Lordly, and ſtately government is no way compatible to that government, which Chriſt hath inſtituted in his Church.
The third reaſon is taken from that authority which the Lord Rea. 3 hath given to every Church over their Biſhops, as well as to their Biſhops over them, which cannot ſtand with Epiſcopall ſoveraignty, It is true, the Lord hath given them power over the Church, let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, &c. 1 Tim. 5.17. A power they have to call the Church together, as the Apoſtles did for the choiſe of Deacons, Acts 6.2. And to open the doores of ſpeech, and ſhut the doores of ſilence, Act. 13.15. A power they have alſo to diſmiſſe the aſſembly as they ſee cauſe, for they that begin they alſo make an end, and ſend away the people with a bleſſing, Num. 6.24, 25, 26. Power they have to direct, to admoniſh privately, publickly, to rebuke with all authority Tit. 2.15. And ſundry branches of rule may be deduced out of theſe: yet as true it is alſo that the Lord hath given power to the Church over their Rulers, as firſt to chooſe them, they ordained them Elders by lifting up their hands, Acts 14.23. And when there was an Apoſtle to be choſen in Iudas his roome, they out of an 120 perſons choſe two men, and preſented them to the Lord, Acts 1.23. Secondly they have power to ſend them forth about the Churches ſervice, as they ſent Paul and Barnabas to Ieruſalem, Acts 15.2. And without controverſie he that ſendeth is greater then he whom he ſendeth, Ioh, 13.16. Secondly they have power to admoniſh them, if they doe offend, ſay to Archippus, take heed to they Miniſtery, &c. Col. 4.17. And the Church contended with Peter for eating with the heathen, Acts 11.2, 3. And had he not given them the better anſwer, they would have proceeded againſt him: Theſe things then laid together, what a beaſtly power is that of the Church of Rome, and of ſuch as imitate them, as uſurpe authority, and judgement over ſo many Churches, and will be judged by none?
Ʋſe 1 For uſe in the firſt place, this may be a ground unto us of juſt acknowledgement of the Lords faithfulnesſe and truth, who is not unmindfull of all that he hath ſpoken by his ſervants the Prophets, but in due ſeaſon doth fulfill his word. The Apoſtle Iohn hath beene dead above 1500 years, he dyed with the end of the firſt hundred yeares after Chriſt, but the word ſpoken by him dyed not with him, according to what we read Zach. 1.5, 6. Your fathers where are they? and the Prophets doe they live for ever? but my words and my ſtatutes which I commanded my ſervants the prophets, did they not take hold of your Fathers? So (though Iohn be dead) whatſoever Iohn hath ſpoken with his mouth he will fulfill with his hand, and will not leave till he hath finiſhed all the words that are written in this booke. And what marveilous ſtay in this to the ſoules of thoſe that build their faith upon the word of God: He will ever be mindfull of his Covenant, Pſalme 111.5. He did let none of the words of Samuel fall to the ground. 1 Sam. 3.19. He will not leave fulfilling, to fulfill untill he hath fulfilled all, and then Chriſt wil come to gather his people to himſelfe, therefore let not your hearts faile, becauſe God remaineth faithful and whether Zachary believe or no, the Lord wil fulfil his Word, Luke 1.20.
The ſecond uſe may be, to take off that amazement which hath Ʋſe 2 been found in the hearts of ſome, concerning the undertakings of the Scots in our native Country, ſince the world began was it never known (for there are no Hiſtories of note but are commonly known) ſuch a patterne as this, that ever a whole Nation did riſe to take up ſuch a quarrell, with ſo much juſtice, wiſdome and piety, a thing to be wondred at, that a whole Nation ſhould carry ſuch a matter in ſuch a way: many things have been done in Holland, in Geneva, for reformation, but with much more tumult, which when the Papiſts have objected, our Divines have been wont to anſwer, that they doe not excuſe mens thruſting in their own weakneſſes into Gods Worke: but wonder not overmuch if you finde it otherwiſe in this matter, for the Angels of God are their guides, ſo that their foote ſhall not ſwell, but they ſhal keepe their ranks, and places, and remember that they are ſubjects through they carry their ſwords in their hands. Juſt care is taken that there be no robbery nor pilfering, no oppreſſions, no violation of any mans bed, nothing taken up but it ſhall be duely paid for, and yet the proceeding made with ſuch conſtancy, that (in a way of humility) the end muſt be attained, or elſe there wil be no place in the concluſion. Theſe are great things: but if men take them in hand that are girded with golden girdles, when their Bibles goe along with them, when Faſting and Prayers ſteere along their courſe, you need not much wonder in ſuch a Caſe.
Thirdly, this may ſerve to teach us, that ſurely this worke will Ʋſe 3 proſper, becauſe the Lords Angel is in it: and the Viall of Gods wrath in his Hand, and he will not be beaten off; though ſome inſtruments may quaile, yet will he ſtil raiſe up more in their ſtead till thoſe plantations be rooted out, according to the word of Chriſt, Mat. 15.15. Every plant which mine heavenly Father hath not planted ſhall be rooted up. In vaine therefore is it for men to uphold ſuch ſandy buildings, which wil in the end be ſhaken down; whatſoever dammes men may make to uphold the Epiſcopacy, it will befall unto them as when men make dammes to ſtop water courſes, others come and caſt in ſome ſmall quantity of quick-ſilver, or Aquafortis, which eates ſuch holes through the ſtones that it will ſoone iſſue out the water, ſo this Aqua omnipotentis, the vialls of the wrath of God wil at laſt conſume and waſt all things whatſoever ſtand up againſt them.
Ʋſe 4 Fourthly, let it teach us to praiſe the Lord, for our gracious deliverance from the power of this Government, brought in by the beaſt, unto the government of Chriſt in his Church, let thoſe that count it new Wine refuſe it, it is old Wine unto us, let us therefore in the name of the Lord rejoyce with trembling, for our great liberties, and pray that God will never leave, untill he have rooted out not only the throne of the Beaſt, but the Beaſt himſelfe, that the world may never more be peſtered with them.
Now from the effects that follow upon the powring out of this Viall we may obſerve this ſecond note.
Doct. 2 That upon the powring out of the Viall of Gods wrath upon the throne of the Beaſt, their place, the Pope himſelfe and the reſt of their Prelates, and all their favourites and followers have not turned to God by Repentance, but have broken forth againſt him in indignation and blaſphemy. His Kingdome was full of darkeneſſe, but what profit have they made of it? they gnawed their tongues through vexation, rage, and malignity of ſpirit againſt the Lords holy providence, and the ſuccesfull proceedings of theſe holy Angels, they blaſphemed the God of Heaven, and looke at reformation, as Rebellion, as if it were the diſſolution of al goodneſſe, and at length they wil ſay, that they feare Chriſt himſelfe is become a Puritan, and have they repented of their tyrannies, and uſurpations over Miniſters and over Churches? but they have broken forth ſtill more, and more againſt the Lord, his ſervants and Churches, and what more may come forth I know not, judge you what they ſpeake in ſecret, when they write ſuch things as theſe openly: we ſpeak of the generality of Prelates, not of ſome to whom God hath given a better ſpirit, then the ſpirit of the throne they ſit upon.
Reaſon The firſt ground hereof is taken from the nature of all theſe judgements, they are the laſt plague, Rev. 15.11. The very dreggs and ſediments of the wrath of God; and there is no grace of Repentance laid up in them, for the wrath of God is come upon them to the uttermoſt, wonder not therefore if you doe not heare of many Biſhops or Pariters repentance though God may bring ſome of them to Repentance, yet the body and ſtate of them is not like to repent, but to belch out blaſphemings againſt the Lord.
Rea. 2 Secondly, the reaſon is taken from the cauſe that moveth God to give men up to ſuch deluſions; Becauſe they received not the love of the trueth that they might be ſaved, therefore doth God give them up to the efficacy of deluſions, that they ſhould beleive a lye; that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleaſure in unrighteouſneſſe; thoſe that preached the truth and Doctrines of Repentance, and reformation, they branded them with the name of Puritans, they hated them with a perfect hatred, they loved not bleſſing therefore it is far from them, it is the nature and common faſhion of ſuperſtition to leave men beſotted in their owne Religion.
This may teach us to looke at it, as a ground of Faith, that the Ʋſe 1 Lord will goe on to deſtroy the throne of the Beaſt; for when God taketh a ſword into his hand, it is not his manner to put it into his ſheath againe, according to that which Amos ſaith Chap. 3.5. Shall one take up a ſnare from the Earth, and have taken nothing at all? noe, the Lord will either ſubdue their ſpirits to unfeigned Repentance, or elſe he will goe on inſnaring to inſnare them till he have ſwept them like doung from the face of the Earth, For when Iſrael turneth not to him that ſmiteth him, then is not his anger turned away, but his hand is ſtretched out ſtill, Iſai 9.12.13 Therefore men cannot more diſhonour nor oppoſe the Lord then by ſeeking to underprop this ſandy building.
The Second one of this point may be to teach us all in the feare Ʋſe 2 of God, what to doe whenſoever we feele but drops of wrath powred upons us you ſee to whom it belongeth to be impenitent, to whom it belongeth to blaſpheme the name of the Lord, even to thoſe that ſit upon the throne of the Beaſt, it is an Epiſcopall ſinne, an… Hierarc…icall wickedneſſe, a beaſtly frame of ſpirit, for men whiles they are under Gods Hand to grow more froward and diſcontented and filled with indignation. If therefore the Lord afflict the whole ſtate of the Country, with any drops of his diſpleaſure, let us not cry out upon the Lord and his dealing, nor upon the Churches, but let our unthankfull hearts for his mercies, beare the burden, and learne we to repent of our deeds, that know not how to keepe our ſelves cloſe to the ordinances of God, when we grow not thankfull nor fruitfull under light and liberties received.