Meat out of the Eater, Dedication
To the Honourable Houſe of Commons aſſembled in Parliament.
THat which was preached by your command is now publiſhed, when the great voice ſaith Come up hither, tis an evill modeſty to hide among the ſtuff. In theſe buſie times they are happy to whom God hath vouchſafed the ſhelter oſ an obſcure privacy; yet upon a call we ſhould not conſult with our own eaſe & quiet. The times are violent and blaſting, & this poor endeavour is likely to undergoe ſeveral miſconſtructions. But (I thank God) I am learning to paſſe througha2 Cor. 6. 8 good report and evil report, and to diſvalue cenſure, when it ſeizeth upon me in the way of duty, I have dealt freely and impartially againſt the miſcarriages of both parties, & happily my liberty may diſpleaſe ſome, others may look upon the things offered here as too low and trivial, & not weighty enough to reach the end of the deſign; let them remember, the intent of theſe propoſalls is only to ingage to a further conſultation about the matter, the entire diſcourſe were fitter for a Treatiſe then a Sermon; and yet ſomething is offered, which by the bleſſing of God may be ſerviceable to reduce men from their violences & extremities to ſome better temper and moderation. Some poſſibly may diſlike the whole deſigne, ſpirits now are very keen and exaſperated, men think 'twill be a cooling of their zeal if we ſhould a little take off their edge and ſharpneſs; fire wil not be quenched without hiſſing. To theſe I ſhall only profes, that if I know mine heart, I abhor all ſuch moderation & compliances as wil not ſtand with chriſtian zeal, and may diſadvantage truth and religion, what ever become of my own party I would be faithfull and true to that intereſt. I know that as 'tis hard to be moderate without danger, ſo alſo without ſin, men of middle intereſts do alwayes diſpleaſemen, and they ſhould be carefull they do not diſpleaſe God, there are many counterfeits of Chriſtian moderation, a cold or at beſt a tepid indifferency; lukewarm Chriſtians may eaſily middle it; Carnally-wiſe neutrality, it's no wonder to ſee men that obſerve the times, neither hot nor cold. James 1. 8A doubtfull uncertainty, foreign are foreign double-minded men are unſtable, and their compliance is promiſcuouſly diſpenſed: ſome poſſibly may have ſo much of child and ſelfe in them, as to mind Church-peace only as a taking theam, & ſpeak for it rather from their brain then their heart; Dan. 11. 23.others may (like him in Daniel) deale deceitfully, and preſs a league that they may become ſtrong with a ſmall people, mind moderation for their own advantage, ſome out of a deſire of their carnall eaſe and quiet, may be againſt ſtirs. I fore-ſaw theſe rocks, deſired grace to avoide them, therefore I hope nothing will be found here to occaſion any ſuch prejudice & ſuſpition againſt this endeavour: however it ſpeedeth abroad you were pleaſed to honour it with acceptance, and to do ſomething upon it, which I hope you will revive againe, when it ſhall comport with the times. I ſhall deſire God to guide you in that and other your great affaires; the Wonderfull Counſellour be with you in all your ſtreights,Eſay 9. 6. make you underſtanding men of the ſeaſon, carefull to apply apt remedies to the diſtempers of it.1 Chron. 12. 32.
So prayeth your meaneſt ſervant in the Lords Work, THOMAS MANTON.
MEATE OVT OF THE EATER; OR Hopes of unity in and by dividing and diſtracted TIMES. Diſcovered in a Sermon Preached at Margarets Weſtminſter, before the Honorable Houſe of COMMONS, on their ſolemne day of Faſt. June the 30th 1647.
ZECHARIAH Chap. 14. ver. 9, latter part.
In that day there ſhall be one Lord, and his Name one.
THe whole chapter, but chiefely the context immediately preceding is ſpent in the deſcription of a wounderfull day, which ver…e the ſeventh is ſaid to be one day, that is one intire period and joynt of Providence …or in the manner of Propheticall ſpeech … times put for year…, or moſt uſually for ſuch whole intire diſpenſations and periods of Providence as continue without interruption and eminent alteration, though perhapps for many yeares, for a day, being the naturall diſtinction of time (thoſe of yeares houres and moneths are artificiall) moſt obſerved & uſed by the Hebrews in their computes; and that onelyonly ſpace of time which continueth without viſible alteration, is very properly uſed in this caſe: … why day; But then verſe 9. tis called the day of the Lord, tis called ſo becauſe of the glorious appearances of Chriſt in his power and Soveraignty, and becauſe (I ſuppoſe) the evening of the day here ſpoken of will end with the comming of the Lord and all his Saints with him in glory to judge the world. This day is deſcribed verſes 6, 7.
1. By it's beginning and progreſſe.
2. By it's end and cloſe.
1. It's beginning and progreſſe for a long while is dubiouſly interchangeable, The light ſhall neither be clear nor darke, it ſhall be neither day nor night, that is, there ſhall be a ſad conflict between Truth and Error, miſery & happineſſe, (for they are often expreſſed by light and darkneſſe in Scripture) and ſuch a mutuall viciſſitude and alternate ſucceſſion of each to other, that a man cannot tell, which ſhall have the upper hand, all the comfort is, this day is knowne to the Lord, that is, commeth by his appointment, and hath a ſpeciall marke & ſeale of Providence upon it, and but one day, a Providence of the ſhorteſt ſize, ſad and ſhort, an uncertaine day, a day known to the Lord, and but one day.
2. For the evening and cloſe of it, tis ſaid in the evening it ſhall be light, that is peaceably glorious, Truth ſhall gaine upon Error, happineſſe upon miſery, and all former diſtractions, & miſeries ſhall be huſht and gone, for tis light as comfortable, and as much day as you would have it, the comfort and happineſſe of this glorious evening is ſet forth in three things.
1. The propagation of the Goſpel.
2. The Reigne of Chriſt.
3. The unity of the Churches.
1. The Goſpel ſhall be propagated and the knowledge of it diffuſed farre and neere, that's implied in the 8th verſ. Living waters ſhall goe out from Jeruſalem towards the former and latter Sea &c. That is Goſpel refreſhments, the doctrine and knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt, together with plenty of gifts and graces, ſhall be diffuſed and ſcattered abroad among all Nations, who are here hinted in thoſe expreſſions of the former and latter Sea, which allude to the watery borders of Paliſtina, which were the lake of Sodom, and the Mediterranean, now its uſuall in the Scriptures, to ſet out the Evangellicall Church by termes proper to the Jewiſh Border.
2. The next priviledge of thoſe times is in the beginning of the 9th verſe, And the Lord ſhall be King over all the earth. Why! you will ſay the Lord is ſo alwayes, Chriſt was long ſince inaugurated into the Kingdome, & hath for many ages actually adminiſteredit in the world: But the meaning is he ſhall ſhew himſelfe to be King, hee ſhall be known to be King, 'tis not ſpoken in regard of right or actuall adminiſtration, but in regard of ſenſe and apprehenſion, hee will ſhew it partly by his Providence, and his owne diſpenſations, partly by doctrinall diſcoveries in the Church, men ſhall more diſtinctly hold of the head, Phil. 2. 10, 11.Col. 2. 18. Partly in the adoration and acknowledgements of men, every knee ſhall bowe to him, and every tongue and language call him Lord, all ſhall aſcribe to him Sovereignty, the Lord ſhall be King, and tis added over all the earth, not only over a few Churches, but over all Nations. Chriſt will ſhew himſelfe in the l…rgeneſſe of his power, not onelyonly as King of Saints, Revel. 15. 3. But as King of Nations, Jer. 10. 7. as head to the Church: but yet ſo as over all things, Epheſ. 1. 22. Ruling both with his golden Scepter, and alſo his iron Mace; This will be the ſtate and happineſſe of thoſe times, you will ſee Chriſt upon his Throne, in all his Royalty and glory.
3. The next priviledge is the unity of the Churches, in the words of the Text. The Lord ſhall be one and his Name one.
By this view we have found the words to be the third priviledge of the glorious evening, obſerve in them.
1. The time in that day.
2. The bleſſing which is unity, The Lord ſhall be one, and his Name one. Which words doe hint.
1. The cauſe of this unity, there ſhall be one Lord a joynt ſubſcription and ſubmiſſion to Jeſus Chriſt.
2. The meaſure of it, one Name, ſuch an unity and conſpiring together in the Worſhip of Chriſt, that all names and badges of diſtinction ſhall be taken away.
This reſolution of the Text, doth ſomewhat open it to you: But let us goe upon the words more expreſſely and directly.
In that day, that is the day ſpoken of ver. 1. deſcribed verſes 6. 7. what this day is, is ſomewhat doubted, moſt grant it cannot be taken properly, as if all theſe things, could be tranfacted in the ſpace of 24 houres, though indeed ſome be ſo fond, as to interpret all theſe things in the rigour of the Letter: But what is intended then?
I ſhall only mentiō the moſt probable opinions, ſome referre it to the firſt times of Chriſtianity, and the dawnings of the Goſpel in the world: but ſure that's a miſtake; for it muſt be ſuch a day, whoſe morning is miſerably troublous, whoſe evening is eminently glorious, which will hardly agree to thoſe times: others referre it to the day of Judgement: but though the evening of this day hath no end till then; yet I conceive that is not intended, for theſe happineſſes here mentioned, of the propagation of the Goſpel, the acknowledgedment of Chriſts Sovereign…y, & the peace of the Churches &c. though rare and high priviledges yet are ſomewhat lower then thoſe diſpenſations, which Chriſt will give out at the day of Judgement, others referre them to the times of the calling of the Jewes, and the Churches recovery from the Apoſtacy and defection of Antichriſt, ſome more yet more particularly to the deſtruction of the laſt enemies and thoſe ſecrets about Gog and Magog, for the preſent, becauſe I drive at other things, I ſhall forbeare the through diſquiſition of this matter, and ſhall only generally and ſafely referre the words to ſome latter providences, probably the times moſt neerly preceding the day of Judgement, for I conceive this text is exactly paralleld to thoſe promiſes that are every where in ſcripture ſaid to be fulfilled in the latter dayes, and ſpeake of ſo much glory and ſweetneſſe as then ſhall bee exhibeted and diſpenſed to the world, therefore if we will know what this day is, let us know what is intended in that expreſſion, the latter dayes, it is uſed either
1. More largely for all that effluxe of time and ſucceſſion of ages betweene Chriſts aſcention and his ſecond comming to judge the world: all that time in ſcripture is looked upon as the latter dayes, for ſo the times immediately after Chriſt are expreſſely called, Act. 2. 15. and I remember the Apoſtle Paul calleth his times the ends of the world 1 Cor. 10. 11. the reaſon of which expreſſions is, becauſe, after Chriſts aſcention there is no change of diſpenſations, as there was before: from the Law naturall to the Law of Tables, and from the Law of Tables to the Goſpel; but now beyond this time there is nothing but the everlaſting ſtate. There remaineth no more ſacr…fice for ſinne. H. b. 10 26No other way of ſalvation to be expected beyond the Goſpel, this is the largeſt ſenſe which not being noted hath occaſioned ſome miſtakes.
2. More ſtrictly for that ſpace of time, that immediately precedeth the worlds ruine, & that is to be conſidered in its morning and evening.
1. In its morning or former part, which is every where in Scripture made to be of a diſmall and doubtfull appearance, and therefore doe we ſo often heare of the evil of the latter times, dayes ful of deluſion & deſolation, a world of deluſion and error there is then, 1 Tim. 4. 1. The Spirit ſpeaketh expreſſly that in the latter dayes men ſhall depart from the faith, and give heed to ſeducing ſpirits. God hath expreſſly foretold what will be the fate of thoſe times. So for deſolation, 2 Tim. 3. 1. in the latter times there ſhall come hard or perillous times foreign, times of great difficulty and diſtreſſe.
2. In its evening or latter part which is bright and glorious, & therefore do we ſo much heare of the goodneſſe of the latter dayes, as Hoſea 3. 5. They ſhall make haſt to feare the Lord and his goodneſſe in the Latter dayes. So of ſafety, no provoking briar, no pricking thorne, Eze. 28 24. So alſo Iſa. 2. 1, The mountaine of God, above all mountaines, in the latter dayes, that is above the reach of oppoſition and violence, looke as there is a morning light that goeth before the Sunſhine, ſo there are ſome ſtreakes of glory: and times grow better and better, as they draw neerer & nerer to the great day of the Lord. I have done with that expreſſion, (in that day.)
2. The next is there ſhall be one Lord. Hitherto there have beene divers Lords. The Heathens had their ſeverall Deityes, the Turkes their Mahomet, the Jewes their imaginary Meſsiah, the Papiſts their Lord the Pope, many nations doe not as yet call Chriſt Lord, Other Lords have dominion over them, Iſaiah 26. 13. But then Jeſus Chriſt ſhal be the perſon acknowledged, he ſhall be acknowledged alone, hee ſhall be acknowledged as Lord, all this is included in the expreſſion &c. That Chriſt alone ſhall be ſpoken of invocated & adored in all the Churches, they ſhall be ſubjected to him as the only King, and guided by him as the onelyonly Shepheard, Ezek. 20. 24. Hold of him as the only head, and ſtand to his appointment as the only Law-giver, James 4. 12. And indeed here is the ground of all; for tis unity of Religion that begetteth unity of affection, the one Lord cauſeth the one Name, when men have one King, give themſelves up to the will of Chriſt, and have one Shepheard guided by the Spirit of Chriſt, and have one Law-giver, are willing their opinions ſhould ſtand or fall at the appointments of Chriſt, then will there be a ſweet and happy agreement.
3. The laſt clauſe to be examined is that, his Name one, at firſt I conceived the meaning to bee that men ſhould looke only at one power and dignity, whereby to indeare themſelves to the reſpects of God, & thought the expreſſion paralell to theſe Scriptures, Act. 4. 12. That there is no other Name given under Heaven whereby we muſt be ſaved, but only by Jeſus Chriſt, this is the one name, or that Phil. 2 10. That at the Name of Jeſus every knee ſhall bowe. But conſidering it more ſeriouſly, I ſaw the neceſſity of another ſenſe, for this is but the reſult and effect of the former phraſe, now it ſeemes to be added for the greater Emphaſis, and aggravation of the mercy, that there ſhould be not only one Lord but one N…me: therefore what is intended? There are divers acceptions of the Name of God in Scripture, that which I conceive moſt proper is, when 'its taken for Worſhip, the way of our Religion and profeſſion, as Micah 4. 5. All people will walke every one in the name of his God, but we will walke in the Name of the Lord our God, for ever and ever. That is, ſeverall people ſerve there ſeverall diſtinct wayes of Worſhip and profeſſion, and the reaſon why the Scripture uſeth this word in this matter, is becauſe men are called and named after the way of their worſhip and profeſſion, thus the holy worſhippers are called Chriſtians from Chriſt, and Mahometans from Mahomet, &c. and among Chriſtians men are called according to their diſtinct way & chiefe opinion, as Papiſts, Socinians, Arminians &c. well then 'tis promiſed here that there ſhall be one Name, that is, as one Lord, ſo one way of worſhip and badge of diſtinction, we ſee now, and wee may bewayle it, that among the holy people, there are diſtinct names as Lutherans, Calviniſts, Presbyterians, Independants: But then all theſe ſhall vaniſh & be no more heard of, the whole family ſhall be named Chriſtians from Chriſt, And indeed this is no meane bleſſing, the Divell gets great advantage by names, and therefore his inſtruments are buſie this way, inventing ſuch as may either tend to contempt and diriſion*Ipſum no… perperam a vobis pronuncia…ur Ch…ſtianus Tertull in Apol cap. 310. as Chriſtians of old Puritans of late or to tumult and diviſion, as thoſe names amongſt us under which the members of Chriſt ſadly gather into bodies and parties.
I have done with the explication, I come to the points, they are two
Doct. 1 1. That in the latter dayes there ſhall be great unity in the Church of God.
D. 2 2. That this unity ſhall ſpring from their acknowledging of the right Lord, and the right way.
Purity is the ground of this unity, I ſhall at this time diſcuſſe the firſt point, That in the latter dayes there ſhall be great unity and agreement: The maine confirmation of the point lyeth in Promiſes, for that's the aſſurance wee have of it, however I ſhall forbeare to heape up Scriptures together, you will finde many in this diſcuſſion reduced to their proper place and heads.
The Reaſons are theſe.
1. Becauſe this will ſuite beſt with the quiet and happy eſtate of thoſe times, God will uſher in the glorious and everlaſting eſtate, by ſome preparative degrees, the latter times are more bleſſed times, *Rev. 21.former things are to be done away: That is, the former kinde of diſpenſations and providences; many promiſes there are which hint the great peace and reſt that ſhall then be in the Church, now that could not be if there were diviſions and diſtinctions, they would produce factions and factious Warrs and contentions, and the contentions deſolations, Amos 7. 4. The fire devoured the great deepe, that is, contention brought deſolation upon places and countreys that are moſt populous. Publicke differences will end in publicke disturbances, this is all wee can looke for in ſuch caſes, and therefore if there were not unity, how could the other promiſes be fulfilled? ſuch as theſe, Iſa. 33. 10. Thine eyes ſhall ſee Jeruſalem a quiet habitation, a …abernacle that cannot be taken downe, the ſtakes thereof ſhall not be removed, nor the coards broken. Tis ſpoken of the Church in the times of the Goſpel, whoſe ſtate hitherto hath been moſt diſturbed and perplexed, like the Arke upon the waves; it may be there hath been ſome relaxation and ſhort breathing time, as 'tis ſaid, Rev. 8. 1. There was ſilence in heaven for the ſpace of halſe an houre, a little reſpit given to the Church in Conſtanti…e's beginning, till Licinius (becauſe not equally prayed for and honoured by the Chriſtians, with Conſtantine) rayſed a new perſecution then: and ſo at other times there hath been ſilence for the ſpace of halfe an houre, but then the miſeries returned againe with violence enough: only in the latter dayes is Jeruſalem a quiet habitation, a fixed Tent, then there are not ſuch uncertaine happineſſes, and ſuch interchangeable removes, ſo Ezek. 28. 24. And there ſhall be no more any pricking thorne, nor any provoking bryer of all that are round about her. God hath promiſed to take away all provocation and moleſtation, and what ever is grievous; therefore all the cauſe of its difference and diſagreement, differences in Religion ſtirre up the greateſt violences, and moſt deadly hatred; that which ſhould reſtraine and bridle our paſſions, is the fuell of them; as long as there is difference in Religion and worſhip, there will bee diſturbances, and there cannot be that quiet and happy ſecurity, which the promiſes doe generally annexe to thoſe times.
2. Becauſe God will then make ſome viſible proviſion againſt the ſcandall of diſſentions; the glory of Chriſt hath bin mightily darkened by them; no ſuch ſtone of ſtumbling and rock of offence to the world as the contrariety of opinions, and great differences that have bin among Chriſtians: Obſerve, and you will finde it alwayes to be the great prejudice againſt Chriſtianity in the primitive times.*foreign. Zozomen ſaith, many would turne Chriſtians, but they were alwaies diſcouraged by that diſſonancy of doctrines and opinions that were amongſt them. And ſo*Venit Gentilis quidam et dicit, Vellem fieri chriſt…anus, ſed neſcio cui parti adhaeream: multae euim ſunt inter vos pugnae, ſ…ditiones et tumultus: neſcio quod dogma eligam, quod praeferam. ſingulienim dicunt, Ego ve…um dico. Hanc ob cauſam d…ridiculo factiſumus et Gen…ilibus et Iudae is, dum Eccleſiam mille partes ſc…ndi…ur, &c. Chryſo. in cap. 1. Epiſt. ad Galat. Chryſoſtome ſpeaketh of a certaine Ethnicke that came unto him and told him, I would become Chriſtian, but there is ſuch variety of Sects among you, that I cannot anchor upon any thing as certaine in your Religion. Certainly nothing begets Atheiſme ſo much as this. Men have ſuſpected the Goſpel becauſe there hath bin ſuch differences and ſtrife about it, it makes them doubt of all, to ſee diſtinct factions making the word of God ductile and pliable to ſo many ſeverall purpoſes. Therefore now an univerſall unity would much vindicate and recover the glory of Chriſt out of the hands of ſuch a ſcandall, and be an excellent proviſion for the credit of Chriſtianity; to this end Chriſt prayeth and urgeth this very argument to his Father, John 17. 23. Let them all be one; and again, Let them be made perfect in one, that the world may know that thou haſt ſent me; as if he had ſaid, Father thou knoweſt how eaſily the world doe take up any prejudice againſt my doctrine, now if there ſhould be diviſion among my worſhippers, they will thinke the Goſpel a fable, Religion but a device, oh let them be perfect in one, that the world may know, and owne me for the true Meſsiah. Should wee goe to our owne experiences, this we finde amongſt our ſelves, that Religion never loſt its awe ſo much as now. God was terrible in his holy places, in the aſſemblies of his Saints, and in the lives of his holy people, the gravity & the ſtrictnes of their converſation had a majeſty with it, and did dart reverence and awe into the hearts of men: but now all this glory and power is loſt, and religion is looked upon but as an empty pretence and covert to ſome deſignes. 'Tis ſaid Acts 4. 32, 33. The multitude of believers were of one heart, and one ſoule, and then the truths of Chriſt had power, and great grace fell upon them. Chriſtianity hath more luſtre when there is ſuch a common conſent, and ſweet brotherly accord. The truths of God have their power, and the ſervants of God their grace with them. Well then, the ſcandall being ſo great, the Prayer of Chriſt ſo urgent, God will at one time or another doe ſomewhat eminently and viſibly to right the honour of Jeſus Chriſt, and to recover the luſtre of Chriſtianity, and our glorious profeſſion: for I take this for graunted, that at ſome ſpeciall times God will roll away the reproach of every eminent ſcandall, that hath bin caſt upon Chriſt, and Religion. And becauſe God loveth like the good houſholder to bring forth the beſt wine at laſt, it hath not bin done hitherto, but is reſerved for the latter dayes; for indeed you ſhall finde that all the latter providences are but ſo many vindications, and clearings of Chriſt from the former ſcandalls of the world; as for the ſcandall of meanneſſe hitherto, Not many noble, not many wiſe men after the fleſh, not many mighty are called: Chriſt's company hath bin deſpicable, and poore; but now in the latter dayes it is every where promiſed that Kings ſhall bring their glory into the Church, that they ſhall hold their mouthes at Chriſt, Iſa. 52. ult. That is, with ſilence and reverence receive his commands: and the like every where. So for the ſcandall of perſecution, it is every where declared that in the latter dayes the enemies ſhall be the ſubjected party, glad to take bold of the skirt of a Jew, Zech. 8. bowe to the ſoales of their feet, Iſa. 60. The magiſtrates ſhall call the inhabitants of Jeruſalem their ſtrength; and the like elſewhere. So againe, the Church hath beene under the abaſure of reproaches, but God hath promiſed a vindicatiō in the latter dayes, that he will eſtabliſh Zion a praiſe throughout the earth, ſet it as a royall diadem, Iſa. 62. 3. with the 7. that he will give them prayſe in the lands of their ſhame, Zeph. 3. Proportionably to their abaſures that they ſhall have glory. So for paucity and fewneſſe, which is another ſcandall, there are promiſes of the Goſpel's being propagated, of the flowings out of living waters, of the flying in of Converts like doves to the windowes, Iſa. 60. and the like. So in this preſent caſe, becauſe of the variance of the people of Chriſt under former diſpenſations, there are promiſes of ſpeciall unity and ſweet accord in the latter dayes, Of one Lord, and one King, of one Shepheard, one Head, Hoſea 1. 11. of one ſhoulder, Zeph. 3. 9. And that God will make Jew and Gentile, and all that feare him, to lye down together in peace and ſafety, and to be all called by one name.
3. The miſery of theſe times doth ſeeme to inforce the greater unity. I take this for the manner and courſe of heaven, to worke one contrary out of another, by the greateſt diſtractions to make way for unity and order. It is ſaid Pſal. 18. 11. He hath made darkneſſe his ſecret place. God's counſells are always carried under the covert of darkneſſe; uſually when he intendeth the greateſt flouriſhing, he worketh the greateſt deſolation in the earth; and when unity, he ſuffereth the greateſt diſtraction; (for what grounds I ſhall tell you by & by,) hence is it that we doe ſo often heare of the miſery of the latter times, and yet againe of the bleſſedneſſe of the latter times; hard times, and happy times; miſerable in the beginning, happy in the end and iſſue. Hell is let looſe in the latter times, they ſhall give heed to ſeducing ſpirits; and heaven is opened in the latter times, there ſhall be great light and r…re love: when there is ſuch a conflict and conteſtation between light and darkneſſe, the …ight will be the clearer afterwards, and the more doubtfull the day is, the more glorious will the evening be; for this (I ſay) is the law and the courſe of divine diſpenſations, after the greateſt diſtr…ctions to bring forth the greateſt harmony, and the moſt bleſſed ſweetneſſe and accord; therefore there being in the latter dayes ſuch eminent and viſible diſtraction, by the proportions of heaven, there will be eminent and viſible unity: Of this more by and by.