The Little Horns Downfall, Treatise 2 · Discourse · Part 3 · Description 4 · Part 6

The Little Horns Downfall · Treatise 2 · Discourse · Part 3 · Description 4 · Part 6

p. 244But thus having ſpoken in the general of the happy condition in which the Saints ſhall be, in regard of the fulneſs of the Spirit which ſhall be poured out upon them; I ſhall now proceed to the particular effects which the Spirit ſhall then work in them; as the Scripture declares, that the Saints in theſe days ſhall be filled with the Spirit.

1 By which they ſhall be filled with knowledge.

2 By which they ſhall be in an humble frame.

3 By which they ſhall be filled with love.

4 By which they ſhall be filled with a holy filial fear.

5 By which they ſhall be enabled to worſhip the Lord acceptably.

6 By which they ſhall be all united.

7 By which they ſhall be enabled to act juſtly and righteouſly.

8 By which they ſhall be put into a meek and ſweet frame.

9 By which the weak ſhall be made ſtrong.

10 By which they ſhall be enabled to ſpeak a pure language.

11 By which their minds and affections ſhall be raiſed and made heavenly.

12 By which their wills ſhall be ſwallowed up in the will of God.

p. 24513 By which they ſhall walk in the integrity and ſingleneſs of their hearts.

14 By which they ſhall be enabled to mortifie all corruptions.

15 By which they ſhall appear very glorious in the eyes of all.

16 By which they ſhall be enabled to make a holy uſe of all the creatures. And,

17 By which they ſhall abundantly be filled with divine joy.

I ſhall begin with the firſt; That the Saints having an abundant meaſure of the Spirit, ſhall then be filled with knowledg**How Saints ſhall be fil'd with knowledge.. And this appears cleerly in that known place, Iſa. 11. 9 For the earth ſhall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the ſea. This whole chapter is a cleer Prophecie of this time, when there ſhall be new Heavens, and a new earth; and an univerſal rectitude ſhall appear in all the world: as appears in that chapter. Then ſhall knowledge abound in the world: the earth ſhall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. It is not ſaid, With humane knowledge; but that knowledge which is infinitely tranſcendent unto all humane knowledge, the knowledge of the Lord; yea, ſo full of divine light and knowledge ſhall they then be, as they p. 246ſhall have no cauſe to complain, that they have but little, and they want more; for if the Sea may be ſaid to want waters, then may they complain; but they ſhall have no cauſe: for they ſhall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the Sea, in this day when Jeſus Chriſt and his Saints ſhall gloriouſly reign on earth. And then in a moſt eminent manner ſhall that part of the new Covenant be made good, which ſaith they ſhall no more teach every man his neighbour, ſaying, Know the Lord; for they ſhall all know me, from the leaſt of them, to the greateſt of them, ſaith the Lord, Jer. 31. 34. Though it is true that in a ſence this is now made good to the Saints; for the leaſt of Saints hath a true knowledge of God, though but in a weak degree; but then moſt eminently ſhall this promiſe be made good.

Again, Iſai. 54. 13. in which Chapter, the Lord makes many glorious promiſes of what he will do for his people, in this time wherein he will put more glory upon them, then ever he hath yet done. At the thirteenth verſe it's ſaid, And all thy children ſhall be taught of the Lord, and great ſhall be the peace of thy children. Thus with an abundant meaſure of divine knowledge, ſhall p. 247Saints be filled in that time.

But ſecondly, being thus filled with the Spirit, they ſhall be thereby made fully ſenſible of their own unworthineſs, and ſo walk humbly **That Saints ſhall be in an humble frame in thoſe times.before the Lord. For when they ſhall conſider in that time, what great and glorious things God hath done for them; how he hath magnified his grace to them, in giving of them full deliverance; and times of peace and joy, for all their times of ſorrow; and doubling their joys for their ſorrow, (as Iſai. 61. 7.) ſo as they never underwent ſo many ſorrows, but they ſhall partake of double joys; and that everlaſtingly: and when they ſhall conſider that all this is from free love, and tender mercy to an unworthy people, it will put them into a very humble poſture. And this is clear, Ezek. 16. 60, 61, &c. where the Lord having promiſed, that notwithſtanding all the unworthineſſes of his people which are there enumerated, yet he will do glorious things for them; but he tells them, that when he doth ſo for them, that then they ſhall be aſhamed of their ways, and remember them, and be confounded, and never open their mouth any more, becauſe of their ſhame, when he is pacified toward them. The conſideration p. 248of the grace of God to ſuch as were unworthy, ſhall ſo melt and humble their hearts before him, the Spirit being abundantly in them, as they ſhall never be lifted up in the pride of their hearts any more. The like we have, Ezek. 36. which is a Prophecie of this time; where, at verſ. 27. God promiſes to pour out his Spirit upon them: and when he hath ſo done, at the 31 verſe he ſays, That then they ſhall remember their evil ways, and doings that were not good, and loath themſelves in their own ſight, for their iniquities and their abominations. Though theſe be times in which Saints ſhall be advanced **The higher the Saints are, the more humble.higher then ever they were; yet, being filled with the Spirit, they ſhall walk more humbly then ever, and be more little in their own eyes then ever. The truth is, none but ſuch as are humble, ſhall be the Citizens of this New Jeruſalem: and therefore, Mal. 4. 1. it is ſaid, that when that day cometh, it ſhall burn as an oven; and all the proud ſhall be burnt up: no proud men muſt be left; it ſhall be onelyonly ſuch as walk humbly before the Lord, that ſhall live in this Kingdom.

But thirdly, The Spirit being thus abundantly poured out upon the Saints, they will be p. 249thereby filled **How Saints ſhall then be filled with Love.with love, and that in a moſt eminent manner; ſo that, as David, being filled with the Spirit, ſays, I will love thee, O Lord my ſtrength; ſo ſhall they alſo moſt truely and cordially ſay it, with wonderfullyraiſed and inflamed affections. For where much of the Spirit is, there muſt needs be much Love; for the Spirit of God is the ſpirit of Love it ſelf. And becauſe of the great love that Saints ſhall have to God, it's ſaid, Pſal. 149. 3. that the children of Sion ſhall be joyful in their King: he alone indeed ſhall be the joy of their hearts; in him and in nothing elſe, will they be ſatisfied: It is not their corn, and wine, and oyl; it is not all the outward enjoyments which they ſhall then abundantly have; but it is the Lord alone, that will be their greateſt joy and pleaſure: and therefore, Mal. 3. 1. it's ſaid, The Lord, whom ye ſeek, ſhall ſuddenly come to his temple; even the Meſſenger of the covenant, in whom ye delight. There Jeſus Chriſt is ſet forth as the object of the Saints love and delight. It's true, he is ſo now; but in that day, will moſt eminently be ſo. And it's evident it will be ſo: for, if we compare Rev. 19. 7, 8. with Rev. 21. 2, 3. we ſhall finde, that then p. 250the Saints are ſolemnly taken, to become the Bride, the Lamb's wife; which argues that ardent and entire affection ſhall then be in the Saints to Chriſt. But then, O what mutual exchanges of love will there be between Chriſt and his Saints! And therefore the Lord thus highly and wonderfully expreſſes himſelf, Zeph. 3. 16, 17. (which I can never read but with great admiration) In that day ſhall it be ſaid, Fear thou not, Sion: for the Lord thy God in the midſt of thee is mighty: he will ſave thee, he will rejoyce over thee with joy; he will reſt in his love; he will joy over thee with ſinging. What high and marvellous expreſſions are theſe, that the moſt high and holy One ſhould thus expreſs his love to poor, empty, unworthy, nothing creatures! What, that he will rejoyce over them! Shall they be a joy to him! Nay more, that he will not onelyonly love them, but reſt in his love; as being that wherein he can acquieſce, reſt, be ſatiſfied: And what? be ſo well ſatisfied therein, as to joy over his Sion with ſinging. O wonderful! what can be more ſaid! Who can ſufficiently admire at the height, and depth, and breadth, and length of this love of God, which paſſeth knowledge! And how great muſt the love of Saints be, when they come p. 251more fully to apprehend this! For this love begets their love: His love to them, is the ſpring of their love to him.

But fourthly, Being filled with the Spirit, they ſhall be thereby **What holy, ſweet, & filial fear ſhall be in the Saints then.filled with a holy fear of the Lord: Not that any diſtracting diſquieting fear ſhall be upon them, or any ſlaviſh fear; but a holy filial fear ſhall abide upon them; ſuch a fear as will well become the ſons and daughters of the Almighty; whereby they ſhall be the better fitted to ſerve and honour their God and Father. And of this the holy Ghoſt ſpeaks, Iſa. 60. 5. where ſpeaking of theſe times, wherein God will do ſuch glorious things for his people, he ſaith, Their heart ſhall fear, and be enlarged. It ſhall not be a fear that ſhall diſturb the Saints, or make them walk heavily, or ſtraiten them in their ſervices; but an enlarging fear: Their heart ſhall fear, and be enlarged. Such a holy fear the Spirit always puts into the hearts of the Saints, to make them fit for the ſervice of God. And therefore the Pſalmiſt hath this expreſſion, Pſal. 2. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoyce with trembling: implying, that ſuch ſervice, and ſuch joy, is moſt acceptable, is ſweeteſt, is beſt. And ſo again the Prophet p. 252Hoſea ſpeaking of this glorious time, Hoſ. 3. 5. ſays he, They ſhall fear the Lord, and his goodneſs, in the later days. It is not, that they ſhall fear the Lord and his wrath; that they ſhall fear the indignation of the Lord: no; they ſhall have no cauſe ſo to fear, his love ſhall be ſo viſibly and gloriouſly manifeſted to them; but they ſhall fear the Lord, and his goodneſs: a holy reverential fear, under the ſence of goodneſs, ſhall be in their hearts. And that ſuch ſervices as have moſt of this holy fear in them, are moſt ſpiritual, and moſt ſweet, is well known to the experience of Saints. And that ſuch a fear ſhall be in the hearts of Saints in that time we are ſpeaking of, is alſo expreſt, Jer. 33. 9. And they ſhall fear and tremble, for all the goodneſs and for all the proſperity that I procure unto them. The manifeſtation of goodneſs and love ſhall beget in them in whoſe heart the Spirit is, a holy fear and trembling before the Lord.

But fifthly, Being thus filled with the Spirit, they ſhall be enabled to worſhip the Lord acceptably **How Saints ſhall then purely worſhip God.and purely. The worſhip of God ſhall then be totally freed from mens inventions; and they ſhall then worſhip God according to his own will: For, what his will p. 253about his Worſhip and ſervice ſhall then be, ſhall be clearly known among his people, and be viſible to all that truely deſire to worſhip him; as appears, Iſa. 2. 2, 3. and Mic. 4. 1, 2. It ſhall come to paſs in the laſt days, that the mountain of the Lords houſe ſhall be eſtabliſhed in the top of the mountains; and all nations ſhall flow unto it: And many people ſhall go, and ſay, Come ye, and let us go up unto the mountain of the Lord, to the houſe of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths. For out of Sion ſhall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jeruſalem. Here it is evident, that he will then clearly diſcover his will about his Worſhip to his people; and that his people ſhall purely worſhip him. A parallel place to this, we have, Zech. 8. 20, 21, 22. And there ſhall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: and the inhabitants of one city ſhall go to another, ſaying, Let us go ſpeedily to pray before the Lord, and to ſeek the Lord of hoſts: I will go alſo. Yea, many people, and ſtrong nations, ſhall come to ſeek the Lord of hoſts in Jeruſalem, and to pray before the Lord. What is meant by Jeruſalem here ſpoken of? Whether it may be myſtically or literally taken, p. 254I will not here diſpute: but whether it be taken myſtically, or literally; this is cleer, that in this time, the multitudes of the Saints of God in all Nations, ſhall cleerly know the minde of God about his worſhip, and by the Spirit ſhall be enabled purely to perform it.

But here ſome may queſtion, what Ordinances ſhall be uſed at that time? And how ſhall Saints then worſhip God?

To which in anſwer, I ſay, That what Ordinances there ſhall then be uſed, is hard to be determined; in regard the Scripture ſpeaks not directly, and particularly, what the Ordinances are, that ſhall then be uſed: but as the practice of ſome of them is to be referred for thoſe times onelyonly, ſo likewiſe is the cleer knowledge of them; not to be had till thoſe times.

And for my part, I ſhall not dare, not preſume to ſpeak any thing about the Ordinances, or manner in Worſhip, that ſhall be in theſe times, but what the Scripture cleerly holdeth forth; which is doubtleſs ſufficient for us to know.

And firſt, to ſpeak of what ſhall not then be practiſed. I finde it implyed by Paul, 1 Cor. p. 25511. 26. **That the Ordinance of the Supper ſhall then ceaſe.that the Ordinance of breaking bread ſhall not be then practiſed: for he ſays there, that in that Ordinance, they do ſhew forth the Lords death till he come; implying, that when he cometh, and is preſent with his people, it ſhall not be then practiſed; they ſhall not need to do that in remembrance of him, as now they are commanded to do.

But whether any other Ordinance ſhall ceaſe, or not, the Scripture is ſilent. And the Scripture being ſilent, who dares ſay that any other ſhall ceaſe? Though on the other hand, there be no ground to ſay, that ſuch or ſuch an Ordinance ſhall continue; if the Scripture ſay it not.

But ſecondly, This the Scripture cleerly ſpeaks, that that part of the worſhip of God which conſiſteth in **How God ſhall then be worſhipped in prayer and praiſes.Prayer and Praiſe, ſhall continue. So that it concerns all to beware how they ſay that it ſhall ceaſe: for that theſe ſhall continue, is cleer, in the forementioned place, Zech. 8. 20, 21. Where it is ſaid, that many people ſhall go to ſeek the Lord of hoſts, and to pray before the Lord. And Iſa. 12. 1. 45. In that day thou ſhalt ſay, O Lord, I will praiſe thee: and ye ſhall ſay, Praiſe the Lord, call upon his name, declare p. 256his doings among the people; make mention that his Name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things; this is known in all the earth. Cry out, and ſhout, thou inhabitant of Sion; for great is the holy One of Iſrael in the midſt of thee. And Iſa. 65. 24. In that day it ſhall be, that before they call, I will anſwer; and while they are yet ſpeaking I will hear. And Jer. 33. 11. In that day there ſhall be heard the voyce of them that rejoyce, and ſay, Praiſe the Lord of hoſts; for the Lord is good, for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that ſhall bring the Sacrifice of praiſe into the houſe of the Lord. Thus is it cleer, in theſe Scriptures, that this part of the worſhip of God, which conſiſteth in Prayer, and praiſe, ſhall then continue.

But thirdly, There are ſome things about the worſhip of God that ſhall be in theſe times, which the Scripture ſpeaks of, but not cleerly; as that there ſhall be an obſervation of **That there ſhall then be an obſervation of new Moons and Sabbaths, and a keeping a feaſt of tabernacles, wherein God ſhall be worſhipped.new Moons, and of Sabbaths, wherein God ſhall be worſhipped; and a keeping of a feaſt of tabernacles; As Iſa. 66. 23. And it ſhall come to paſs, that from one p. 257new moon to another, and from one Sabbathto another. ſhall all fleſh come to worſhip before me, ſaith the Lord. And Zech. 14. 16. And it ſhall come to paſs, that every one that is left, of all the nations which came againſt Jeruſalem, ſhall even go up, from yeer to yeer, to worſhip the King, the Lord of hoſts; and to keep the feaſt of tabernacles. Here it is expreſly ſaid, that from one new Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all fleſh ſhall come to worſhip before the Lord. But what Sabbaths theſe ſhall be, and what worſhip ſhall be performed on theſe Sabbaths, the Scripture ſpeaks not cleerly of. And here it's ſaid, that there ſhall be an yeerly keeping of the Feaſt of Tabernacles, wherein they ſhall worſhip the King, the Lord of hoſts; but what feaſt of Tabernacles this ſhal be, and for what particular end it ſhall be obſerved, is doubtful. We know that under the Law, the Feaſt of Tabernacles was kept at the ingathering of all the fruits of the fields; wherein they were all to rejoyce before the Lord. But this rejoycing Feaſt, that ſhall then be kept, may be for higher things then theſe: but poſitively to ſay this, or that, we may not; for the Scripture is therein ſilent.

p. 258But fourthly, The Scripture cleerly declares, That in that time, they ſhall have the Lord himſelf to be to them **That Saints ſhall then have no need of a Temple, no need to be taught by others; the Lord ſhall be in ſtead of a Temple to them.in ſtead of a Temple: As Revel. 21. 22. And I ſaw no Temple in the new Jeruſalem; for the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb, are the Temple of it. The Temple in this place, is to be underſtood as the place where they were wont to reſort for knowledge: for in the Temple was the Ark of the Teſtament; there the Will of God, and the Laws of God, were to be underſtood. And therefore David, Pſal. 73. 16, 17. profeſſes his ignorance, until he went into the Sanctuary, and there received knowledge. But in this time, there ſhall be no need of a Temple for this: For the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb, are the Temple of it. And it follows, verſ. 23. And the city had no need of the ſun, neither of the moon to ſhine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. They ſhall then have no need of thoſe men, that ſhine as the Sun and Moon to the Church, to inlighten others: no, but then, as I have ſaid, They ſhall be all immediately taught of God; and they p. 259ſhall not need to teach one another, ſaying, Know the Lord; but the glory of the Lord, and the Lamb, ſhall lighten them.

And thus, as far as I have been enabled, and the Scripture giving clear teſtimony, have I anſwered that Queſtion, What Ordinances ſhall be uſed at that time, and how ſhall Saints then worſhip God? I proceed.

Sixthly, The Saints being filled with the Spirit, they ſhall then be enabled to worſhip the Lord with one **The Saints ſhall then all worſhip the Lord in one way.minde, and one heart, and in one way. It ſhall not be then, as now in theſe dark times it is, wherein one is of this minde, and another of that minde, and a third of a third minde, about ſeveral parts of the Ordinances of God: and theſe diviſions in Opinion reſt not there onelyonly, but make diviſions in Affection alſo. But then it ſhall not be ſo; and therefore we finde mention made but of one ſtreet in the New Jeruſalem, Rev. 22. 2. implying, that they ſhall all walk in one way. And Zeph. 3. 9. the Lord ſays, that he will turn unto the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the Name of the Lord, and ſerve him with one ſhoulder. And this p. 260appears alſo in that fore-mentioned place, Zech. 8. 20, 21. where it is ſaid, that the inhabitants of one city ſhall go to another, ſaying, Let us go ſpeedily to pray before the Lord, and to ſeek the Lord of hoſts: I will go alſo. Yea, many people, and ſtrong nations, ſhall come to ſeek the Lord of hoſts. Where it is clear, that all people in all Cities and Nations, ſhall be of one minde in the Worſhip of God. And Jer. 32. 39. the Lord there ſays, that in that time he will give his people one heart and one way.

And ſeventhly, The Saints being thus in that time abundantly filled with the Spirit, all **Juſtice and righteouſneſs ſhall flouriſh in thoſe days.juſt and righteous things ſhall be done by them. And this is clear, Iſai. 60. 18. Violence ſhall no more be heard within thy land, nor waſting nor deſtruction within thy borders. Though there hath been violence in the Land formerly yet then there ſhall be no more; but (verſ. 21.) Thy people ſhall be all righteous, they ſhall inherit the land for ever; the branch of my planting, that I may be glorified. And ſo full of the ſpirit of judgement and righteouſneſs ſhall the Saints then be, as it is ſaid, Iſai. 32. 16. that judgement ſhall dwell in the wilderneſs, and righteouſneſs p. 261remain in the fruitful field. In the verſe before, it is ſaid, that the Spirit ſhall be ſo poured out, as that thoſe that had been as a barren wilderneſs, ſhould now become as a fruitful field: and in this verſe it is ſaid, that in all (whether they were ſuch as had been a wilderneſs, or ſuch as had been a fruitful field) judgement and righteouſneſs ſhould dwell.

And to this ſame purpoſe is that, Iſai. 1. 26, 27. Afterward thou ſhalt be called the citie of righteouſneſs, the faithful citie. The like is ſaid of it. Jer. 31. 23. They ſhall uſe this ſpeech of thee, The Lord bleſs thee, O habitation of juſtice, and mountain of holineſs. How full are theſe expreſſions, ſhewing how glorious for holineſs this new world ſhall be! And for this cauſe it is, that when theſe new heavens and new earth are promiſed, they are diſtinguiſhed from the old, or former heavens and earth, by this character: WHEREIN DWELLETH RIGHTEOƲSNESS. Thus the Saints in theſe times ſhall be ſo full of righteouſneſs and judgement, as they ſhall receive their very denomination from it. And as it is ſaid of the Lord God Almighty, that his Name is holy; ſo is it ſaid of them, They ſhall be called The city of righteouſneſs, the faithful p. 262city, the habitation of juſtice, the mountain of holineſs: ſo gloriouſly ſhall they then ſhine in righteouſneſs and juſtice.

Eighthly, By this abundant pouring out of the Spirit upon the Saints in that time, they ſhall be put into a very **The meekneſs of the Saints in thoſe days.meek and ſweet frame of ſpirit. In Pſal. 149. (which is a place I have already cited, ſhewing that it is a Propheſie of theſe times) at verſ. 4. it is ſaid, that the Lord will beautifie the meek with ſalvation: whereby it is clear, that they ſhall be meek ſpirits that ſhall then be beautified with ſalvation, that ſhall be members of that kingdom. And indeed, it muſt needs be ſo, for their Saviour is ſo: they do learn, and ſhall learn of him, to be meek and ſweet, and lowly in in their hearts and carriages: but not ſo, but as that this meekneſs ſhall be conſiſtent with courage, ſtoutneſs, and valour alſo, when God calls them to exerciſe it: And therefore as our Saviour is a Lamb, and a Lion; ſo they ſhall be as meek as **How a Lamblike and a Lionlike nature may be conſiſtent.Lambs, and yet as bold as Lions; and not fear to do the work about which they are ſet, as appears, verſ. 6. 7. where it is ſaid, They ſhall have the high praiſes of God in their mouthes, and a two-edged ſword p. 263in their hands, to execute vengeance upon the heathen, and puniſhments upon the people; to binde their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron. Thus meek and ſweet in ſpirit ſhall the Saints be; and withal, full of life and courage. Again, that the Saints ſhall be full of meekneſs at that time; appears by that ſpeech of our bleſſed Saviour, Matth. 5. 5. Bleſſed are the meek; for they ſhall inherit the earth. Now the Saints could never be ſaid ſo fully to have this promiſe made good to them, as they ſhall in that time: for many of the Saints, in a ſence, never inherited the earth: And as their Saviour ſpake of himſelf, in the days of his humiliation; ſo may it be ſaid of them, in theſe days of their humiliation, That they have not (many of them) where to lay their heads: And, for the moſt part, wicked men have poſſeſt the earth; but many of them never had any inheritance in it. And I am perſwaded that our Saviour had this time in his eye, when he ſaid, Bleſſed are the meek; for they ſhall inherit the earth. So that though yet this promiſe was never fully made good, yet there is a time coming, wherein it ſhall be clearly and fully made good. And of this time alſo ſpeaks David, when he ſays, Pſal. 37. 11. But the meek ſhall inherit the p. 264earth, & ſhal delight themſelvs in the abundance of peace. He had ſaid, in the two former verſes, that evil doers ſhould be cut off; and that, though the wicked did flouriſh for a while, yet it was but for their time; and after that, they ſhould be no more: And in verſ. 13. that though the wicked plot againſt the juſt, yet the Lord ſhall laugh at him: for he ſeeth that his day is coming. In all which, he ſpeaks of a time, and a day, when the wicked ſhall be wholly cut off; but, ſaith he, the meek ſhall inherit the earth, and ſhall delight themſelves in the abundance of peace. And verſ. 18. The Lord knoweth the days of the upright, and their inheritance ſhall be for ever. So that it's clear, that thoſe that ſhall inherit the earth at that time, and be delighted in the abundance of peace, ſhall be of meek and ſweet ſpirits.

And again, ninthly, When the Spirit ſhall be thus abundantly poured out upon the Saints in theſe times, there ſhall be then no ſuch complaining among Saints, as there hath been formerly; and yet is, That Oh▪ they are weak**Saints ſhall then have no cauſe to complain of weakneſſes., and they are ignorant, and they are fooliſh, and they are dull, and ſlowe, and lame in duties; and many times they are p. 265dumb, or at leaſt ſtammerers, when they come to pray, or propheſie: but the Spirit then ſhall be ſo abundantly poured out upon them, as it ſhall remove all theſe impediments from them; as appears, Iſai. 35. 1. The wilderneſs and the ſolitary place ſhall be glad, and the deſart ſhall rejoyce, and bloſſom as a roſe. This is ſpoken of the pouring out of the Spirit upon thoſe that were as a barren wilderneſs, which ſhall make them thus to bloſſom as a roſe. Well: but what follows? Verſ. 5. Then the eyes of the blinde ſhall be opened, and the ears of the deaf ſhall be unſtopped: then ſhall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb ſhall ſing. Here then we ſee that all theſe complaints ſhall be removed. They that complained of ignorance, their complaint ſhall be removed: the eyes of the blinde ſhall ſee. They that complained of deadneſs and dulneſs, their complaint ſhall be removed: the ears of the deaf ſhall be unſtopped. They that complained of weakneſs and lameneſs in duties, their complaint ſhall be removed: then ſhall the lame man leap as an hart. A hart is a ſwift creature: they ſhall have more then ordinary abilities, and ſtrength, and activity, which before were lame and weak: The lame man ſhall leap as an hart. And p. 266anſwerable to this, is that paſſage Iſa. 32. 3, 4. And the eys of them that ſee, ſhal not be dim; and the ears of them that hear, ſhall hearken. The heart alſo of the raſh, ſhall underſtand knowledge; and the tongue of the ſtammerers ſhall be ready to ſpeak plainly. Thus all theſe weakneſſes and infirmities ſhall be removed, and Saints ſhall be compleatly furniſhed with abilities, whereby they ſhall be enabled to ſerve and worſhip the Lord; and they ſhall no more do it ſtammeringly, and brokenly, as formerly they did. And this is to be done, as appears, verſ. 1. at that time, when a King ſhall reign in righteouſneſs, and Princes ſhall rule in judgement: When the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, ſhall be King, and of his Saints, he ſhall make **Pſ. 45. 16.Ps 45:16Princes in all the earth. Then, then it is, that all theſe infirmities ſhall be removed from all his people. This likewiſe is that which is ſpoken of, Zech. 12. 8. In that day he that is feeble among the Saints; ſhall be as David; and the houſe of David, as God; as the Angel of the Lord before them. Such ſtrength and power will he put upon all his people.

Tenthly, When the Spirit ſhall be thus abundantly poured out upon his people, they p. 267ſhall all ſpeak **They ſhall ſpeak a pure language.a pure language a ſpiritual language; having a holy, heavenly ſtile. For as in their actions, and doings, there will be a glorious reformation; ſo alſo in their words: and therefore, Zeph. 3. 9. the Lord ſaith, That in that great day, when all the earth ſhall be devoured with the fire of his jealouſie; that then, He will turn to the people a pure language, or a pure lip (as the word is) which implyeth pure ſpeech. There ſhall be no fooliſh, defiled ſpeech coming from them. No, they ſhall have a pure lip, and call upon the Lord; and this pure language, or this pure lip, is that which is called, The language of Canaan, Iſa. 19. 18. Where it is ſaid, That the Egyptians being converted unto the Lord, they that are in the Land of Egypt, ſhall alſo ſpeak the language of Canaan, or the lip of Canaan: or with this pure lip, or this pure ſpeech, which the Lord ſhall give to his people.

And that by a pure lip, is meant a pure ſpeech, is cleer, Prov. 22. 11. Where Solomon hath this expreſſion: He that loveth pureneſs of heart, for the grace of his lips the king ſhall be his friend. Implying, that from a pure heart proceedeth gracious language; ſuch a man hath grace in his lips, a pure lip. Thus p. 268in an eminent manner, ſhall Saints then have grace in their lip, have a pure language, when the Spirit ſhall be ſo gloriouſly poured out upon them.

Eleventhly, When the Spirit ſhall be thus abundantly poured out upon the Saints, their mindes, and affections ſhall be raiſed, and put into a **The Saints ſhall be in a rais'd, high and heavenly frame.heavenly poſture. It will be much below them, to have their mindes ſet upon vanitie: and though it be certain, that they ſhall injoy all outward injoyments to the full, yet they ſhall not manifeſt that vanity in the uſe of them, as now appears in moſt people; as to obſerve the fickle, nice phantaſtical, and fooliſh cuſtoms, or faſhions of the time; in their cloathing, houſehould furniture, and deportments towards each other; wherein much vanity and foolery ofttimes appears. No, theſe things will be far below them**It will be fabelow the Saints to minde vain faſhions and fooleries., to have ſuch unſetledneſs, and ſuch vanity, in theſe reſpects appearing in them. But they being filled with the Spirit, will manifeſt more gravity, ſobriety, and compoſedneſs of Spirit; and will not minde ſuch vanity.

p. 269Not that the wearing rich apparel, or having rich furniture, and utenſiis in the houſe, is a ſin, or unbecoming a Chriſtian; for riches they ſhall then plentifully injoy: But deforming apparel, and the fickleneſs of the minde and fancie about theſe things, is I fear the ſin of (I am ſure it is very unbecoming to) Saints. For Saints to be thus light, and vain, and every day to be minding the new faſhion, and altering their apparel ſeveral times before it is worn out; How uncomely is it! And how unſuitable to their high calling! as if they had not things of a higher nature to minde!

Not that in ſpeaking thus, I do commend thoſe that keep themſelves in ſuch faſhions as wherein they appear ridiculous to all others, being altogether out of uſe; nor do I ſay, that it is an evil to come into a faſhion after it hath been ſome time uſed, if it be ſober. No, I ſay not ſo; for I know no Scripture that ſo ſays.

But I ſay, that it becometh Saints to be more compoſed then others, and not to be ſo forward as others, in minding ſuch vanities; and not to put themſelves into immodeſt habits; but to do what in them lies, to reſtrain the exorbitances of the times in ſuch things. And this I ſay, That they do diſcover that they p. 270have very little of the Spirit, that are not able to deny themſelves, not ſometimes, in very fooleries in this kinde. Not but that rich apparel may be worn, and comely ornaments may be uſed. Holy women **Gen. 24. 22, 30, 47.Gen 24:22Gen 24:30Gen 24:47have been and may be adorned with Bracelets, and Rings, and Jewels: But fooleries, and immodeſt apparel, &c. muſt be avoided; and when the Spirit is more abundantly poured out, it will be ſo; And they will be very regardleſs of theſe vanities; and be more grave, compoſed, and diſcreet in their carriages. For then, in all their clothing, furniture, and neceſſary utenſils, ſhall appear, not vanity, but Holineſs to the Lord. They ſhall be ſo clothed, and have ſuch furniture, as ſhall manifeſt, that they are not a vain people, but a holy people: As appears, Zech. 14. 20, 21. For they ſhall make an holy uſe of all the bleſſings which God ſhall multiply upon them: They ſhall no more abuſe them, but they ſhall be ſanctified to their uſes, ſo as all ſhall have this inſcription upon them, (in reſpect of their holy uſe of them) HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD. Thus Saints ſhall not minde vanity in theſe times; But ſhall have their Spirits raiſed, and lifted up, into an heavenly and holy frame.

p. 271Again, twelfthly, Another effect of this more abundant pouring out of the Spirit upon the Saints, will be this, that they ſhall be more fully centred in the will of God; and it ſhall be their reſting place: his **How Saints ſhall will the will of God.Will will be their Will, and be the ſatisfaction of their ſpirits. This the Spirit always works in the hearts of the Saints, where he comes: and the more of the Spirit a Saint hath, the more of this appears in him. But in thoſe times we are ſpeaking of, when the Spirit ſhall be thus gloriouſly ſeen upon the Saints; then, in a moſt eminent and full manner, ſhall this appear in them: all the will of God ſhall be ſweet unto them. And this is intimated, in that excellent pattern of Prayer which our Lord and Saviour hath communicated unto his people, in theſe words, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven: Where our Lord would have us to pray for the coming of this his Kingdom, and for the doing of his will on earth, as it is done in heaven: which will be, when that his Kingdom cometh. For though now many know their Lords will, and do it not; yet it ſhall not be ſo then; but, knowing his will, they ſhall do it, and delight in the doing of it: for his will is their will; and theirs it is, becauſe it his: ſo that they ſhall p. 273all pray, and ſay, Thy will be done; and ſhall have ſtrength to do it. His will ſhall be done in earth, as it is in heaven, in that day.

Again, in the thirteenth place, The Saints, in this time, being filled with the Spirit, ſhall **Saints ſhall then walk in the integri…y and ſingleneſs of heart.all walk in the uprightneſs of their hearts. Integrity and ſingleneſs of heart ſhall appear in them; and hypocriſie, and doublemindedneſs, ſhall be loathſome to them, and be utterly contrary to their natures. They are children that will not lye: and none but ſuch, ſhall be inheritors of this kingdom; as appears, Pſal. 24. 4. where the Pſalmiſt ſays, that none ſhall enter into this holy hill, but he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lift up his ſoul unto vanity, nor ſworn deceitfully. And ſo alſo Pſal. 15. 2. the Pſalmiſt again ſaith, that he that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteouſneſſes, and ſpeaketh the truth in his heart, ſhall dwell in it. So that ſuch, and none but ſuch, ſhall poſſeſs this Kingdom. And Pſal. 37. 18. this is again confirmed: The Lord knoweth (ſaith the Pſalmiſt) the days of the upright, and their inheritance ſhall be for ever: they ſhall poſſeſs this inheritance. And of the upright ones is it ſaid, Iſai. 33. 15. that they p. 273ſhall dwell on high, and ſhall ſee the King in his beauty. This is their Character: They that walk in righteouſneſſes and ſpeak uprightneſſes, v. 15.

And in the fourteenth place, The Spirit being thus abundantly poured out upon the Saints, they ſhall thereby be enabled to mortifie all corruption, ſo that it ſhall not at **Corruption ſhall not at all break out in the Saints thenall break out in them: for though it be true, that all that is born of the fleſh, is fleſh; and thoſe that are in the ſtate of mortality, ſhall carry fleſh about them: yet they being all new born, ſhall be then ſo filled with the Spirit, as that they ſhall mortifie all the deeds of the body; and the Spirit alone ſhall live, and act, and ſway, and bear rule in them; and they being born of God, ſhall not ſin, but ſhall hate every falſe way, and not ſuffer the leaſt evil motion to take place: for indeed, it is not poſſible it ſhould, they being ſo full of the Spirit: for Saints do experiment this now, that when the Spirit, in the power, and life, and glory of it, doth abide in them, (as ſome taſtes of it ſome Saints ſometimes have) O then, not the leaſt evil motion will take place in their hearts; there is an utter antipathy in their ſpirits, at that time, to every thing that is not pure: But when this p. 274is withdrawn, then they are often foiled with temptations, and vanity hath too much place with them, until a freſh ſupply of the Spirit come and mortifie it. But when the Spirit ſhall be ſo abundantly poured out upon the Saints as the Scripture declares, What a wide difference will there be, between their condition now, and their eſtates then! Then ſhall they always walk up and down in the ſtrength and power of the Spirit, and never want its preſence; and then it ſhall be their continual delight, to walk in the paths of holineſs; and nothing will be more irkſome and more loathſome to them, then any ſin, or ſinful thought. And though by the firſt Adam ſin came into the world, ſo that all are born ſinners; yet being new born, the ſecond Adam ſhall ſave them from all ſin; and that not onelyonly from the guilt of ſin, but ſprinkle clean water upon them, (pour out the waters of the holy Spirit upon them) and they ſhall be clean from all the filth of ſin, in a more eminent and glorious manner then ever they have been: ſo that corruption ſhall not then break out, and uncleanneſs ſhall not then appear in them; and this appears, Iſa. 62. 12. And they ſhall ſay to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy ſalvation cometh; behold, his reward is with p. 275him, and his reward before him: and they ſhall call them, THE HOLY PEOPLE, the redeemed of the Lord: and thou ſhalt be called, Sought out, a citie not forſaken. And Joel 3. 21. For I will …eanſe their blood that I have not cleanſed: for the Lord dwelleth in Zion. And Iſai. 1. 25. And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy droſs, and take away all thy tin. And in Iſa. 60. 21. and Jer. 21. 23. places already mentioned.

Again, in the fifteenth place, the Spirit being thus abundantly poured out upon them, it ſhall make them appear very **Great ſpiritual glory will then appear in Saints.glorious in the eyes of all: for herein will their greateſt glory then conſiſt; this is that which will make Sion the praiſe of the whole earth, That ſhe ſhall be thus gloriouſly adorned with the Spirit, which is that glorious apparel which maketh the Kings daughter all glorious within, as well as without; Pſal. 45. 13. The Kings daughter is all glorious within; her clothing is of wrought gold. And therefore it is, that, Rev. 21. this New Jeruſalem is thus deſcribed: The building of the wall of this beloved City, (which, verſ. 2. is ſaid to be prepared as a Bride adorned for her husband:) I ſay, the p. 276building of the wall of this City is ſaid to be of Jaſper, and the City is ſaid to be of pure gold; like unto clear Glaſs; and the foundation of the wall of the City, to be garniſhed with all manner of precious ſtones: the firſt Jaſper, the ſecond Saphir, the third a Chalcedony, the fourth an Emerauld, the fifth Sardonix, the ſixth Sardius, the ſeventh Chryſolite, the eighth Beryl, the ninth a Topaz, the tenth a Chryſopraſus the eleventh a Jacinct, the twelfth an Amethyſt. And the twelve gates are ſaid to be twelve Pearls; every ſeveral gate of one Pearl: and the ſtreet of the City to be of pure Gold, as it were tranſparent Glaſs. All which ſerves to ſet out that luſtre and glory which ſhall appear in the Saints, the beloved City of God, by reaſon of that abundant meaſure of the Spirit which they ſhall enjoy in that day. And expreſſions to the ſame purpoſe we have, Iſa. 54. 11, 12. O thou afflicted, and toſſed with tempeſt, and not comforted; behold, I will lay thy ſtones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with Saphirs; and I will make thy windows of Agates and thy gates of Carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleaſant ſtones. The Saints of God, which for a long time have been afflicted, and toſſed with tempeſt, and not comforted, both by reaſon of p. 277enemies from without, and corruptions from within, ſo that no beauty nor comelineſs hath appeared in them, ſhall then be ſo freed both from outward afflictions, and (by the plentiful enjoyment of the Spirit) from inward corruptions, as they ſhall appear very glorious, all fair, and richly garniſhed, and adorned with the choiceſt ſpiritual jewels. And therefore, not without cauſe doth David ſay (Pſal. 87. 3.) Glorious things are ſpoken of thee, O city of God.

Again, in the ſixteenth place, The Spirit being thus abundantly enjoyed by the Saints in theſe times, they ſhall thereby be enabled to make a holy uſe of all the creatures which **Saints ſhall not ſin at all in the uſe of the creatures.they ſhall then enjoy. And that which was ſaid of thoſe holy men of old, ſhall be then truly ſaid of them; they ſhall viſit their ††Job.tabernacles, and not ſin; and they ſhall walk within **Pſal. 101. 2.Ps 101:2their houſe with a perfect heart. They ſhall indeed build houſes, and inhabit them; and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them; but they ſhall not defile their houſes by ſinning in them, nor ſhall they ſin in uſing the creatures which they ſhall enjoy: their corn, and wine, and oyl, and flocks, and herds, and fruits of p. 278the trees, and of the field, which they ſhall enjoy, ſhall in no ſort be abuſed by them: for the Spirit ſhall guide them to uſe all the creatures in a holy manner, enabling of them to receive them with prayer and thankſgiving; as Joel 2. 26. And ye ſhall eat in plenty, and be ſatisfied, and praiſe the Name of the Lord your God. And Iſa. 62. 8, 9. Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies, and the ſons of the ſtranger ſhall not drink thy wine for the which thou haſt laboured: but they that have gathered, ſhall eat it, and praiſe the Lord; and they that have brought it together, ſhall drink it in the courts of my holineſs. And as they ſhall thus praiſe the Lord for all his mercies; ſo doubtleſs ſhall they pray unto him for a holy uſe of them, though the Scripture do not particularly ſpeak of it: for at this time though they ſhall be aſſured of all mercies, of all ſorts; yet ſhall it be no **A full aſſurance of having mercies, is no hinderance to a real Saints praying for mercy.hinderance to their praying for them, as to make them argue thus: Why I am ſure I ſhall have theſe and theſe mercies, whether I pray for them or not; and therefore what need have I to pray for them? No; but as now thoſe that have moſt true and real aſſurance p. 279of mercies, are moſt in prayer, as the Lord Jeſus himſelf was, and as Paul was; ſo ſhall it be in theſe times, when the ſpirit of grace and ſupplication ſhall be moſt a bundantly poured out, ſo that all creatures ſhall be ſanctified to them, being received with prayer and thankſgiving. They ſhall eat and be ſatisfied, and praiſe the Lord.

And in the ſeventeenth place, The Spirit being then thus abundantly ſhowred down upon the Saints, it ſhall fill them with holy **Saints ſhall be filled with joy, joy without any mixtures of ſorrow at all.joy and gladneſs of heart: for it is the very nature of the Spirit, to be a Comforter; and therefore where much of the Spirit is, there muſt needs be much joy; and ſo indeed there ſhall be: and therefore it is ſaid, Iſai. 65. 18, 19. Be ye glad and rejoyce for ever in that which I create: for behold I create Jeruſalem a rejoycing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoyce in Jeruſalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping ſhall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. It's true, that to compleat this joy, they ſhall have many external or outward mercies: but the pouring out of the Spirit is the main ingredient of their joy; and without it, their joy in all p. 280other enjoyments, could be no joy, no true joy. The voice of weeping, nor the voice of crying, ſhall be no more heard among them: and it is true, that in reſpect of outwards alſo, there ſhall be no cauſe for weeping or crying: they ſhall not then loſe their dear relations, and other outward enjoyments, to their grief, (as I ſhall ſhew by and by) but ſhall comfortably enjoy them. But the top-flower, the crown of all their joys, ſhall be ſpiritual, even thoſe ſpiritual enjoyments which they ſhall then be made partakers of. And in that reſpect chiefly it is ſaid, Iſai. 35. 10. That the ranſomed of the Lord ſhall return, and come to Zion with ſongs, and everlaſting joy upon their heads: they ſhall obtain joy and gladneſs, and ſorrow and ſighing ſhall flee away. And therefore alſo is it ſaid, that God ſhall wipe away all tears from their eyes, Rev. 7. 17. They ſhall be no more afflicted, and toſſed with tempeſt, and not comforted, as they have been, for want of ſpiritual enjoyments: no; but they ſhall have ſuch full ſupplies of the Spirit, in all caſes, and upon all occaſions, as they ſhall not have cauſe to bewail, and mourn, and ſigh, for the want of it: No; but the Spirit ſhall be as bread to ſtrengthen them; and they ſhall walk in the ſtrength thereof: and as new wine, to p. 281refreſh, and make them cheerful. Zech. 9. 17 For how great is his goodneſs and how great his beauty? Corn ſhall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids. Thus with holy joy and gladneſs, ſhall the hearts of Saints be then filled. And everlaſting joy ſhall be upon their heads.

And thus have I as briefly as I could, declared what the ſpiritual and internal priviledges are, which the Saints ſhall be made partakers of, in this new Jeruſalem.