The Coming Forth of Christ in the Power of His Death, Sermon

The Coming Forth of Christ in the Power of His Death · Sermon

p. 1A SERMON Preached before the High Court of Parliament on Thurſday the firſt of November, 1649. being a publike Thankſgiving for the Victories obtained by the Parliaments Forces in Ireland, eſpecially for the taking of Droghedah, ſince which Wexford alſo was taken.

Pſal. 18. v. 1.

To the chiefe Muſician, a Pſalm of David, the ſervant of the Lord, who ſpake unto the Lord the words of this ſong, in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul, and he ſaid,

I will love thee O Lord, my ſtrength.

THIS is a Pſalme of Praiſes, this is a Day, and an Age of Praiſes. I hope you will ſee anon, how well they fit one another.

The Title of a Pſalm is Scripture, as p. 2truly, as the Body of the Pſalm, endited by the ſame Spirit, recorded by the ſame Pen. It is ſometimes the Firſt Uerſe entire, alwayes Part of the Firſt Verſe. So it is in my Text, & ſo it is Part of my Text.

My Text hath Two Parts.

1. Part, the Title.

2. Part, the Ground-worke of the whole Pſalme.

My Method ſhall be, Firſt to goe over the words in Generall: then to ſelect one particular Doctrine out of them.

1. Part, the Title of the Pſalm.

To the chiefe Muſician, the Pſalme of David, the ſervant of the Lord, who ſpake unto the Lord the words of this ſong, in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hands of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.

This Title conſists of three Particulars.

1. Particular: the Dedication; To the Chiefe Muſician.

2. Particular, the Author, David, the ſervant of the Lord.

3. Particular, The Occaſion of the Pſalm: who ſpake the words of this ſong to the Lord in the day that God delivered him, &c.

1. Particular: the Dedication; To the Chiefe Muſician. The Roote of this word thus tranſlated; ſignifies a Conqueſt by Conflict, out-laſting, and out-wearing all Oppoſition. It hath a threefold ſenſe, in which it is uſed by the Pen-men of the holy Scriptures: 1. For Excellency. 2. For Victory. 3. For Eternity.

The Expresſion in this place hath a two-fold Interpretation. p. 3The firſt Interpretation relates to the Jewes the ſecond to Ieſus Chriſt.

1. Interpretation, The Iewes had all ſorts of Muſick, both Inſtruments and Voyces in their Divine worſhip. Each ſort of Muſicians had their Chiefe, their Preſident, the Maſter of the Muſick. When any holy ſong was deſigned for the publique ſervice of God, it was given up into his hands. This is the Chiefe Muſician in the Firſt Senſe.

2. Interpretation: Some expound this Chiefe Muſician to be Jeſus Chriſt, and accordingly they tranſlate the Word thus: To him that Excelleth.

The Phraſe may be applyed to the Lord Ieſus in Foure Senſes.

1. As it ſignifies Excellency: Hee is the only Excellent One, the Choyſeſt of Ten thouſand.

2. As it ſignifies Eternity: He only (with the Father) hath Immortality.

3. As it ſignifies Victory: He is the Conquerour, the Captain of the Lords Hoſt.

4. As it ſignifies the Chiefe Muſician: All the Muſicke and Muſicians among the Jews were but Types of Jeſus Chriſt. Hee is the whole Quire, and the Maſter of the Muſicke, Himſelfe in his own Perſon. There is a Muſicke of Hearts, Epheſ. 5. 19. Making melody to the Lord in your hearts. There is a Muſicke of Angels. The Four Beaſts have their Harps, Revel. 5. 8. Jeſus Chriſt is the Head of all this ſpiritual and heavenly muſick.

This Dedication affords us Four ſhort Notes to direct our Thankeſgiving.

1. Note; Dedicate all your Praiſes for every Mercy to the Lord Jeſus, He is the Exce…ng mercy. Raiſe p. 4him above the Head of all your Mercies. Let your Thankefulneſſe glance onelyonly at other Bleſſings; but aime at, and fixe in your Saviour, as its proper Mark. As the Prophets and Pſalmiſts do, ſo make it your end in all your Songs, by all your Deliverances and Delights, to ſhadow out Jeſus Chriſt, the Subſtance and Life of them all.

2. Note, Entitle all your Victories to the Lord Jeſus, He is the Conquerour, By Him you have overcome. Take to your ſelves the words of the Prophet, Pſal. 124. v. 1, 2, 3. If it had not been the Lord Jeſus who was on our ſ…de; now may England ſay, if it had not been the Lord Jeſus, who was on our ſide, when men roſe up againſt us; Then they had ſwallowed us up quick when their wrath was kindled over us.

3. Note. Wind up, and wrap up all your Mercies into the Perſon of Jeſus Chriſt In him they are all, Yea, and Amen, … Cor. 1. 20. He is the Eternall One, by whom, and in whom our Bleſſings are made Eternall. Mercies are Sweet, when they are the Sure Mercies of Jeſus Chriſt. When our Salvations and our Joyes ſavour of the Lord Jeſus, they become the ſweet Savour of an Everlaſting Memorial upon our owne Spirits, & in the Noſtrils of God the Father. Without Him they vaniſh at the preſence of every new Tryall, as the Morning dew before the riſing Sunne.

4. Note, Offer up all your Thanks to God by Jeſus Chriſt: Hee is the Chiefe Muſician: He alone can tune your ſongs, and ſet them in order before the Lord, to make them Spirituall Muſicke. Our bleſſed Saviour is the Altar that muſt ſanctifie the Gold of our praiſes.

p. 5Thus begin and end your Praiſes with the Lord Jeſus, Make him the Firſt and the Laſt Diſh in your Feaſts, the Seaſoning of all your Diſhes.

Engrave upon your Hearts in all your Mirth; ſet at the Head of all your Songs, this Inſcription, or Title: To the Chiefe Muſician in Heavenly things: To him that excelleth: To Ieſus Chriſt.

I have done with the Firſt Particular in the Title of the Pſalme; the Dedication.

2. Particular: The Author. He is deſcribed Two wayes.

1. By his Name, or Perſon: David.

2. By his Relation: the Servant of the Lord.

1. By his Name, or Perſon: David. David was the Type of a Juſt Power in Foure Reſpects.

1. David was ſought of God to rule his People after his owne Heart. 1 Sam. 13, 14. Samuel tells Saul, God hath ſought him a man after his owne Heart, and he hath commanded him to be Captaine over his People. A Ruler muſt be ſought out, by a Divine Spirit, Divine Providence, or Both. He muſt have a Command, either Expreſt, or Impreſt upon his Heart. He muſt command out of Obedience, not Ambition.

2. David was the Sonne of Iſhai, 1 Sam. 16. 1. God ſaith to Samuel: I will ſend thee to Jeſſe the Bethlehemite: I have provided me a King from among his Sons▪ Jeſſe, or Iſhai (for Both are one) ſignifies Man in his Excellency, in the true Being of a Man, that is, ſo farre, as he hath any Reliques, or Prints of that Image of God, in which Man was firſt made.

p. 63. David had Ieſus Chriſt for his Lord, and Son, Matt. 22. 45. Ieſus puts this Riddle to the Jewes from the 110^th. Pſalme: If David call Him Lord, how is He then his Son?

David had Chriſt for his Lord. He raigned Obedientially, as being ſubject to the Meſsiah, Deuteron. 34. 5. It is ſaid of Moſes, that He died according to the word of the Lord. The Hebrew hath it: At the Mouth of the Lord. The …ewes ſay: God tooke Moſes's Soule from him with a Kiſſe. So David raigned at the Mouth of the Lord Ieſus. The Kiſſes of Chriſt's mouth breath'd a Ruling Power, and Skill into him.

David had Ieſus Chriſt for his Son. David was Chriſt's Predecoſſour in the ſame Line, and His Type The End of David, and his Kingdome, was to Figure, and to further the Comming of the Lord Ieſus.

4. David ſignifies Beloved. He was Gods Favourite, protected, and bleſſed by Him. By the Bleſſing of the Lord, thorough many Dangers, in the midſt of many Difficulties, he was ſetled in his Kingdome, now, when he ſung this Song of Praiſe. Thus David was the Type of a Iuſt Power.

Right Honourable, and Noble Patriots; You are that Iuſt Power, of which David was a Type; if you not Seeking▪ b… Sought by the Lord, to Command; rule this People, not according to your owne Hearts, but His owne Heart. You are a Iuſt Power, while you are Sons of Iſhai, Repreſentatives of the People, not after their Luſts, and Humours; but …o farre as they retaine the True Being of Men, having p. 7the Image of God ſtampt upon them in Righteouſneſſe, and true Reaſon. … are a Iuſt Power, while you have Ieſus Chriſt for your Lord and Sonne; while you make the End of your Rule to be the Exaltation, and Manifeſtation of the Lord Ieſus; to Serve, Shadow forth, Uſher in Ieſus Crriſt

Upon theſe Grounds, you have been Beloved of the Lord, eminently Favoured, and Bleſt by Him. By the Bleſſing of the Lord after many Dangers, in the midſt of many Difficulties you are Setled to a good degree in your Government now, when you keep this Day of Praiſes.

But there is One thing more Remarkable in David, and Applicable to your ſelves, Honoured Senatours; which I cannot let paſſe. That is this.

David ſtands between Two Contrary Raignes; the Raigne of Saul, a Prince of Diſobedience, Witchcrafts, Idolatries: and the Raigne of Salomon, a Prince of Righteouſneſſe, Peace, and Glory. David was a Man of Blood, all his time full of Warres, and Troubles. He was not ſuffered to build an Houſe to the Lord, becauſe he had ſhed much Blood upon the face of the Earth before the Lord: 1 Chron. 22. 8.

Davids Raigne was a Type of the Kingdome of Chriſt in its Conflict: of the Church in her Paſſage from the Land of Darkneſſe, and Bondage under Anti-Chriſt; to the Land of Reſt.

David raigned fourty yeares from Saul to Salomon; according to the yeares, in which the Children of Iſrael were journeying through the Wilderneſſe; according to the Dayes, in which Eliah was travelling without foode to the Mount of God, when he p. 8fled from the face of Iezabel, 1 Kings 19. 8. according to the Dayes, in which Ieſus Chriſt was encountred, and tempted of the Devil in the Wilderneſſe.

Right Honourable, If we may give credit to Reverend, Learned, and Holy Men, You are now upon the Entrance into thoſe Times; You have had the Honour to be made Inſtruments in the Hand of God to bring about the Beginnings of thoſe Times of the Church, to which Davids Kingdome was a Type, and no more.

Ieſus Chriſt is now comming forth with his Garments dyed Red in the Blood of his Enemies. The Prophet Iſaiah ſaw theſe Times, when he cryed out: Eſai. 63. v. 1. Who is this that commeth from Edom? with Dyed Garments from Bozrah? The Iewiſh Rabbins teach us, that Edom in the old Teſtament points out Rome, which is the Seate of the Whore. The Prophet goeth on, v. 2. Wherefore art thou red in thy Aparrell? He anſwers concerning his Enemies, v. 3. at the latter end: Their Blood ſhall be ſprinckled upon my Garments, and I will ſtaine all my Rayment.

This is the Firſt Raign of Chriſt, after the ſimilitude of David, that is, in the Power of his Death; This Power of our Saviours Death muſt have a Double Effect: One to cover the Earth with His Slaine: the other to cruciſie the Earthly Part in his Saints.

I will here crave leave to inſert one place of Scripture, which ſeemes to ſuite my preſent Purpoſe. It is Daniel 12. ver. 11. And from the time, that the daily ſacrifice ſhall be taken away, and the Abomination that maketh deſolate ſet up, there ſhall be a thouſand two hundred, p. 9and ninety dayes: v. 12. Bleſſed is he, that waiteth, and commeth to the thouſand three hundred, and five, and thirty dayes. v. 13. But goe thou thy way till the end be: for thou ſhalt reſt, and ſtand in the L…t at the end of the dayes.

There are Two Computations of theſe times which I ſhall mention.

1 Computation: from Conſtantine the Great, the Firſt Chriſtian Emperour. He became Chriſtian about three hundred and twelve yeers after Chriſt.

Now the ten Perſecutions, ſo bloody, and fiery under Heathen Emperours were ended. The Church was cloathed with worldly Riches, and Greatneſſe. A Voyce was heard from Heaven, ſaying, This day is Poyſon powred forth into the Church. Now did the Croſſe of Chriſt beginne to be made of none effect: and the Power of Chriſts Death was either no more remembred, or no more underſtood by the Generallity of Chriſtians. This was the Taking aw…y of the Daily Sacrifice: the Daily Sacrifice among the Jewes being a Type of our Saviours Death, by which He offered himſelfe up once for ever in His owne Perſon; and offereth himſelfe up Daily in His Members; 1 Corinth. 15. 31. I proteſt, ſaith Saint Paul, by our rejoycing, which I have in Chriſt Jeſus, I die daily.

Now alſo the Imagery, and Idolatry of Croſſes, Temples, Saints Reliques began, principally by the Superſtition of Helena the Emperours Mother. So the Abomination, that maketh Deſolate, was ſet up.

Theſe are the Two Marks, that Daniel ſets upon the Beginning of his Yeeres; Dayes being ſo taken in a Propheticall Language, each Day for a Yeere.

1. The Taking-away of the Daily Sacrifice.

2. The Setting up of the Abomination, that maketh Deſolate.

p. 10Now, if you take the three hundred, and twelve years after Chriſt, when Conſtantine was made a Chriſtian, and adde to that number, one thouſand, two hundred, and ninety yeares, the whole ſumme of yeares will amount to one thouſand, ſix hundred, and two years.

In this yeare, King Iames came to the Crowne of England. They that underſtand that Reaſon of State, by which King Iames ruled in Scotland, and which hee brought from thence with him into this Nation, know, that then the Foundations were laid for thoſe Changes, which have been lately brought forth, though nothing, as yet, appeared.

Therfore the Prophet addes: Bleſſed are they which reach to the Th…uſand, three Hundred, and Thirty five dayes. This number exceeds the former by Forty five yeares, which are expired about one Thouſand, ſix Hundred, Forty ſeven after the Birth of Chriſt: Then is the Bleſſedneſſe. For then doth the Lord Ieſus begin Eminently, and Apparently, to ſet up his Croſſe among men, both in their Fleſh, and Spirits.

Now He goeth about to ſhake, and unſettle the Abomination ſet up: to ſpoile the Beſtiall, and whoriſh Powers of this World: to Baptize all Fleſh, even that of his Holy Ones, with Fire.

This is the Firſt Account of theſe Times of Daniel.

2 Computation: from Iulian the Apoſtate. Iulian being Emperour, had a very great Enmity againſt the Lord Jeſus. He undertakes a deſigne to prove our Lord a Falſe Prophet, in thoſe things, which He foretold concerning the City, and Temple of Hieruſalem. He employes the Jewes to re-build the Temple, whoſe foundations p. 11yet remained in the Earth. While they were thus buſied, a violent Tempeſt from Heaven, partly ſcattered, partly conſumed with fire, their Materials; ruined their whole work: nay more, tore open the Bowels of the Earth; tore up, threw away, and waſted That of the Foundation of the Temple, which had been hitherto preſerv'd. This, which was intended for a Contradiction to, was an Accompliſhment of the Prediction, Matth. 24. 2. That, No one ſtone ſhould be left upon another.

The Temple was the Seat of the Dayly Sacrifice: The Temple being now the laſt time, totally, made Deſolate, and quite taken away; the Dayly Sacrifice now of neceſſity is taken away with the Temple, Radically, and Fundamentally.

Iudaiſme thus fully ceaſing in this Part, makes a more clear way for Antichriſtianiſme to come in, which is the Abomination to be ſet up.

All this came to paſſe about three Hundred, Sixty two. If you reckon from thence, Daniels firſt Number will end in Fifty two, which is now approaching.

But why then is the Bleſſedneſſe defer'd till Forty five years after that, be run? becauſe Ieſus Chriſt begins now to reign in the Power of his Death, as a Man of Blood. And now the Devil will rage, becauſe he finds, that his time is but ſhort upon the Earth; and he feels, that the Sword of Chriſt is now made to reach him, and to pierce within his Scales.

The Outward Calling, though not the Inward Converſion of the Iewes, is expected neare this time; to which, perhaps the Affairs of Conſtantinople, as they now ſtand, may make way.

But ſuch Calamities, and Confuſions, as the World p. 12never ſaw to this day, muſt follow, when once Ieſus Chriſt ſhall begin to appeare for His People, and the Return of the Jewes. So Daniel ſpeaketh expreſly, D…n 1…. 1. At that time ſhall Michael ſtand up, the great Prince, which ſtandeth for the Children of thy People: and there ſhall be a time of trouble, ſuch as never was, ſince there was a Nation, even untill that time.

The Deſtruction of Rome, and the Papacy, is alſo hoped not to be far off; which alſo wi…l be a Scene▪ or Action of many yeares, and much blood; as appeares by Saint Iohn in the Rev…lation, Revel▪ 14. 8 Babylon, is fallen, is fallen, that great City, that made all the Nations drink of the Wine of the Wrath of her Fornications. Her Fornica…ions, are her Idolatries: her Wrath, her Perſecutions. The Wine of both is Bloud: the Bloud of Soules in one, and of Bodies in the other.

But afterward it is added, concerning thoſe that worſhip her; verſ. 10. They ſhall drink of the Wine of the Wrath of God. This Wine, their own Bl…od. They ſhall be tormened with Fire and Brimſtone in the preſence of the Holy Angels, and th… Lamb. The beginnings of the Day of Iu…gment ſhall take hold of them. Hel… ſhall boyle up, and flame forth in the midſt of them. There ſhall be Spirituall Wayes of Tormenting them. And all this ſhall be, by the manifeſt Breaking forth of Ieſus Chriſt, after a Spirituall and Extraordinary manner; Miraculouſly by his Holy Angels; Miniſterially by his Saints. The Puniſhment ſhall be after the Similitude of Hell, from the Immediate Preſence of God; and the Irreſiſtableneſſe of His Power, taking hold of Soule and Body at once; with Convictions flaſhing in the face of their Spirits; with Rage, and Blaſphemies, increaſing by their Convictions.

It is added, page 10. That the ſmoake of their torment p. 13aſcendeth for ever, and …v…, and they have no reſt, Day, …or Night. This argues the Swiftneſſe, the Fier…eneſſe; the Conti…uity, the Continuance; the Compl…atneſſe of their Deſtruction.

The late Providence of God in this Iſland and Ireland ſeem to give a Riſe to the fulfilling of this part of the Revelation.

Yet we read alſo of the ſame Seaſon, as of a Seaſon of great Trouble, as alſo of great Triumph to the Saints themſelves; Trouble in the Fleſh, but Triumph in the Spirit: becauſe now Jeſus Chriſt in His Members is exalted in the Power of his Death.

Page 12. Here is the Patience of the Saints; wh…le they are …innowed from all their H…sks, and Straw; that nothing may be left, but pure Corn for the Ga…ner. Here are they that keep the Commandements of God, and the Fa…th of Jeſus. They are now Diſcovered, who are built upon the Rocke of a Divine Principle: who live by V…ion with Jeſus Chriſt; not looking upon things, that are ſeen; but upon things, that are not ſeen. Now is the Tryall of thoſe, who are not carryed about with the Winds of Fancy, Philoſophy, or Divers, and Deluſive Spirits; but cleave faſt to the Commandements of God.

Concerning theſe it is Proclaimed by the Spirit: page 13. Bl…ſſed are the Dead which dye in the Lord; (namely, by reaſon of the Troubles, and Perillouſneſſe of theſe Day…s.) For they reſt from their Labou…s, and their Works follow them. For the End will be ſuddenly. The Reſurrection from the Dead, with the Burning up of the World and the Conſummating of the Saints, now maketh h…ſt, and i… even at the Door.

In the yeere 1656. th… Flo…d came upon the …i…ſt p. 14World. Then it rained forty Dayes, and forty Nights, Geneſis 3. 12. When this Flood was ſpent, and the dry Land appeared, Noah came forth from the Ark at the Commandment of the Lord, and planted a Vine. About the ſame number of yeeres from the laſt▪ Man may God rain Blood upon the Face of the Earth, for the ſpace of forty Yeeres, to weare out the Race of the Wicked, and to waſh off the Worldly part from the Righteous. In the mean time ſhall the Saints be lifted up above the Earth, upon the Face of this Deluge, being …id with Chriſt in God, the true Ark. After this ſhall Jeſus Chriſt come forth, and all His Saints with him. Then ſhall He plant Himſelf, as a new Vine upon the Face of the whole Earth, to che…r both God, and Man with His Wine

But the Waters of the Flood prevailed upon the Earth one Hundred, and Fifty Dayes, though it rained onelyonly Forty Dayes, Geneſis 7. In this laſt Deluge God will wonderfully ſhorten His Worke, and contract the Times, Mat. 24. 22. Accordingly the Difference in Daniels laſt Number, which reacheth to the Reſurrection of the Juſt, from His firſt Number is Five, and no more above Forty.

Happy, and Bleſſed are you, that live to the Brinke of theſe Times. Happy, and Bleſſed are your Eyes, that ſee Jeſus Chriſt lifted up in the World by His Croſſe. This is your Seaſon to rejoyce; Now, in the midſt of Wars, and Rumours of Wars: for now your Redemption draweth nigh, Luke 21. 18.

Now lift up your Heads, and look forth; your Redeemer is comming, as a Gyant refreſht with Wine, to run his Race thorow the World, over the Necks, and Breſts of His Enemies. When He hath finiſht this Courſe, He p. 15will come forth, as a Bridegroom from His Chamber, to receive you into his Everlaſting Embraces.

Here is the Faith, and Patience of the Saints. Here is the Faith of the Saints, to ſee their Saviour raigning like David, in Blood. Here is the Patience of the Saints, to wait all this Forty yeers of His Firſt, and David▪ like Raign; for His great, and laſt Appearing. Then ſhall …e come like Salomon, the Prince of Peace, having changed His Red Apparell for the Wh…te Garments of Righteouſneſſe, and everlaſting Joy.

I have done now with the Auther of the Pſalme, as he is deſcribed by his Name, and Perſon; David.

2 Deſcription: His Relation; The Servant of the Lord. Davids Wiſedome, …n… Courage, had a great ſhare in Victories which he obtained. Yet he gives all the Glory to the Lord, and puts in himſelfe, only under this Title, the Servant of the Lord.

A Servant, is a living Inſtrument. David was carried from a Shepherds life, through many D…fficulties, and Dangers, ſafe to a Kingdome. He ownes nothing of all this. Neither the Deſign, nor the Working of it, were his. He was an Inſtrument, a Toole, a Weapon in the …and of his God, and no more.

The Higheſt Praiſes come from the Humbleſt Hearts. Noble Patriots, This is your Copy, after which, you alſo are to write in this Day of your Praiſes, your Titles, the Servants of the Lord. I appeale to your own Breaſts, whether God hath not wrought you, (and perhaps is ſtill working you) to Great things, beyond your Ay…, or Imagination.

As the Paper in a Letter; ſo you, Right Honourable, have had the Honour to Convey the Words, the Works p. 16of God to us; But the Head, that beares the Senſe, and Contrivance; the Hand, that formed them, theſe have been the Lords nor Yours.

I have done with the Second Particular, in the Title of the Pſalm, the Author.

3 Particular: The Occaſion of the Pſalme. This is twofold.

1. Generall

2. Particular.

1 Generall: A Univerſall Deliverance from all his Enemies to that day: When God had delivered him from the hand of all his Enemies

2 Particular: and from the Hand of Saul. Saul ſignifieth Askt Saul was given to the People in Diſpleaſure: For they deſired a King, upon a Heatheniſh Ground; that they might be like the reſt of the Nations. 1 Samu. 8. 5. Now make us a King to judge us, like all the Nations. They deſired a King upon a Profane Ground, in Oppoſition to their Thearchy, their Government under God by Judges. 1 Sam. 8. 7. They have not rejected Thee, but Me, that I ſhould not reign over them.

This Saul was forſaken by the Lord, haunted by an Evill Spirit, could finde no Reliefe from It, except only by the Sweet Strokes of Davids Harp. Yet he hunts David all his Dayes, for his Li…e, as a Pa…tridge upon the Mountains. David was now delivered from the Power and Malice of King Saul.

Yet Saul left a Son. His name was Iſhboſheth, which ſignifies a Man of Shame. He had the Affections of the greateſt Part of the People, and ſucceeded his Father in p. 17the Kingdome of the Ten Tribes. He acted nothing in his own Perſon, but by his Servants, eſpecially Abner, his Chiefe Captain.

He was a Slight, and a Short trouble to David. He never proſpered, ſtill declining. He continued not above two yeares: … Sam. 2. 10. He was betrayed, and flain by thoſe of his own Camp, and Court.

God hath delivered you, Right Honourable, not only from Saul, but alſo from Iſhboſheth, in a very great Degree, by thoſe la…e Victories, and Succeſſes in Ireland

I have journeyed thorow the Firſt Part of my Text: the Title of the Pſalme; I paſſe now into the Second Part

The Second Part.

The Ground-work of the Pſalm: I Love thee, O Lord, my Strength.

This Part hath Two Particulars in it.

1 Particular: A Profeſsion of Affection; I love thee, O Lord.

2 Particular: An Expreſ…ion of the Reaſon; My Strength. I love thee, O Lord, my Strength.

1 Particular: The Profeſsion of Affection. I lo…e thee. The Word tranſlated Love, is taken from the Belly, the Bowels, the Inward Parts; Rechem.

It implyes a Three-fold Property in Love.

p. 181 Property: Inwardnes. Divine Love is from a Divine Principle: not from Senſe, or Fancy; but the Heart: not a Guilding upon the Ou…-ſide of Fleſh; but Pure Gold growing in the Inward Hidden Mine of the Spirit. He is a Jew, that is One, Inwardly; ſaith St. Paul, Rom. 2. 29. He is a Lover of God, who is One, Inwardly. The true Love of God is a Spiri…uall Fire in the Bowels. It conſumes the Inward Parts; like the Fat about the Heart, which was to be conſumed by Fire in all the Sacrifices. Thou ſhalt love the Lord thy God with all thine Heart; ſaith Ieſus Chriſt in the Goſpel.

2 Property: Tenderneſs. Love to God muſt be a Senſible, Sympathizing L…ve. The Bowels, the Inward Parts are Seats of Tenderneſs, Paſsion, Sympathy. When Two Lutes are rightly tuned one to another; touch a String upon One Lute, and the ſame String upon the other Lute will anſwer it with a like Sound. Ieſus Chriſt, and a Saint are thus tuned by mutuall Love, each to other. Their Bowels are Muſicall Strings. Let One be touched in any Kinde; and the Bowels of the Other will ſound.

3 Property: Strength. Spirituall Love hath one Seat, and Root with Life; our Inward Parts. Love is ſtrong, as Life: nay it is ſtronger than Life. For Love is ſtrong as Death, which maſters Life: Cant. 8. 6.

The Loving Kindnes of God is Better, Sweeter than Life; ſaith the Pſalmiſt: Pſalm 63. 3. For when Life can afford no Comfo…t, but is full of Bitternes: the Love of God will then Sweeten Life. When Life failes us, the Love p. 19of God will then receive us into its Manſions.

So the Love of a Saint to God, is Stronger then Life. For he may loſe his Life, but not his Love to his Saviour. Yea, he will lay down his Life for the love of the Lord Jeſus.

The Love of a Saint to God, is ſtronger, then Death. It will carry him thorow Death, make him more then a Conquerour over it.

Thus much for the First Particular, the Profeſsion of Affection.

2. Particular: the Expreſsion of the Reaſon; My Strength, O Lord my Strength. The Word is Ghazak. It hath Foure Senſes:

1 Senſe: Durableneſſe. The Lord is a Strength, upon which nothing can make Impreſsion, to ſhake, or weaken it.

2 Senſe: Puiſſance. God is the Lord of Hoſts. He beares down all things before him.

3 Senſe: Praevalency. God can doe any thing; He can bring forth all things out of the Treaſury of His Fulneſſe. He is Full and Fruitfull. He is not onelyonly an Active Potentiality, like a Living Spring; but a Potent V…i…erſall Act, like the Over-whelming Sea, before the Dry Land appeared. God can out-doe, and out-goe all things in all Kindes of Excellency, Activity, and Fruitfulneſſe.

Thus God is round about His own; A Wall encompaſſing, encloſing them round; a Fire devouring Outwardly every Evill, that would break in upon them; a Light ſhining inwardly, multiplying upon them all Formes of Life, all Beautifull, Glorious Manifeſtations; ſhooting ten Thouſand Beames of Joy into their Hearts.

p. 20Thus the Lord hath been a Wall to us, a Sea-wall, a Wall between us, and a Sea of Blood. The Lord hath been a Fire for us, Conſuming our Enemies. He hath been a Light, ſtanding ſtill over our Heads, like the Sun over the Head of Ioſhua, while he purſued the Canaanites, and made an End of them. He hath been a Calme, Sweet Light to us in the midſt of a Thick Darkneſſe, and a Tempeſt.

I have now gone …ver my Text in Generall.

Now, Honoured Patriots, I hope you will give me leave, and cauſe, to repeat my Text, in your Names, with a little Change, after this manner:

To Him, who Excelleth; To the Conquerour; To the Chiefe Saviour, and Singer of Iſrael; To Ieſus Chriſt: A Pſalme of Praiſe, of the Commons of England, the Servants of the Lord: who ſpake to the Lord, the Words of this Song, in that Day: when the Lord had delivered them from the Hand of all their Enemies; and from the Hand of Saul; and from the Hand of Iſhboſheth, that feeble Man, that Man of Shame, thoſe Men of Same in Ireland by the taking of Droghedah: in that Day, when they ſaw the Lord Ieſus comming out of His Place, to raig…e over the whole Earth in the Power of his Death: Then they ſaid,

We love Thee; We love Thee Inwarly, Tenderly, Strongly; We love Thee, O Lord, Our Strength.

I come now to that, which I promiſed, as the Second Part of my Sermon, and that is a Particular Doctrine taken up out of the General Senſe of the Words; and That is This:

p. 21Doctrine▪ The Lord is the Strength of his People. I will give you Three Demonſtrations of this Doctrine, and ſo deſcend to the Application.

1 Demonſtr. There is a Neere, and Mutual Vnion between God and a Good Man. This Vnion is tied by Two Strong and Faſt Knots at Both Ends. Love is the Knot by which it is faſtned on Gods part. Faith is the Knot on a Saints part. The Spirit is the String, or Chain of Gold, on which theſe Knots are Knit.

St. Paul ſaith, 1 Cor. 6. 16. He, that is joyned to the Lord, is one Spirit. No Things are ſo capable of Vnion, as Spirits. They can pene…rate, deſcend into, dwell in, fill, poſſeſſe one another. Thoſe things claſp one another cloſely indeed, which are Spiritually united. The Vnion between God and His People, is Strict, and Strong; for it is Spirituall.

The Nature and Exerciſe of Faith and Repentance, is beſt expreſt by the Fulneſſe of this Vnion.

This Vnion empties a Man of his Luſts, the World, the Fleſh. For it makes a man Spiritual, a Spirit. For it is the Baptiſme of a Spirituall Fir… unto Repentance.

This Vnion empties a Man of Himſelf, and fills him full of Ieſus Chriſt. For it makes a Man to be no more upon his owne Bottome; but One Spirit with his Saviour. Thus this Vnion is the Helme of Repentance, and the Hand of Faith upon that Helme; which turnes us quite about, and makes the Great Change in us, from Weſt to Eaſt, from Death to Life.

This Vnion empties a Man quite out of Himſelfe▪ into Ieſus Chriſt. A Man is no more One Fleſh with himſelf; but the Lord, and He are One Spirit. Here is excerciſed that Act of Repentance, and Faith; by which a Man p. 22thruſts away from him, the Shore of Selfe, or Fleſh; and lancheth forth… into Ieſus Chriſt, as a Spirituall Sea.

This Vnion is the very Eye of Repentance, by which a Man weepeth out Selfe in Tears; and taketh in Chriſt in ſweet Beames. It is that Mouth of Faith, by which a Man breathes forth himſelfe into his Saviour, and ſucks in Ieſus Chriſt, as a Quickning Spirit. It is the Putting off Selfe; and the Putting on Chriſt.

It is a Reciprocall Union: God maketh himſelfe One Spirit with thee in thy loweſt ſtate. He puts on thy Weakneſſes and Infirmities. Matth. 8. 17. He took our Diſeaſes, and bare our Infirmities. The Lo…d takes off our Diſeaſes by taking them on Himſelfe. He beares our Infirmities, whi…e He is made One with us in them. So He beares up us, and our Infirmities, both at once in one.

The Lord maketh us One Spirit with Himſelfe in His high Eſtate. We put on His Strength: Epheſ. 6. 10.

The ſureſt way of Maſtering Things is by being One with their Principle. The Principle of all things is the Lord. A Saint is One Spirit with the Lord, and ſo One with the Supreame Principle of things, thorow which he hath a Soveraigne Power over them. I am able to doe all things thorow Chriſt, that ſtrengtheneth me; ſaith St. Paul: Philip. 4. 13.

The whole Creation is, a Ship. God is the Pilot. Jeſus Chriſt is the Helme, by which God governes, and turnes about the World. A Saint is One Piece with Chriſt in the Helm. He hath his Hand with the Father upon this Helme. Thus he rules in the World, ſitting at the Helm of things in the Lap of his Father, and growing into One Helme, or Rudder with Chriſt by His Embraces. All things are Yours, and You are Chriſts, and Chriſt is Gods, 1 Cor. 3.

p. 15This is the Firſt Demonſtra…ion, that God is the Strength of a Good Man, the Vnion between him, and his God.

2. Demonſtra. God, and His People have Both One Intereſt, One End. The Intereſt of God in the World is the exaltation of Ieſus Chriſt, Pſal. 8. 6. I will proclaim the Decree; I have ſet my King upon mine Holy Hill of Sion.

The Intereſt of a Chriſtian is Ieſus Christ in the World, Philip. 1. 21. To me to live, is Chriſt: 22. If I live in the Fleſh, this is the fruite of my Labour.

The End, which God hath, is His Glory in the Saints: Eph. 1. 18. what is His Inheritance in the Saints. That which God deſires to Inherit of all that he hath plan…ed, and ſet in the Creature: The Harveſt which He waits for from all, that he hath ſown in the World, is the Maturity of His Glory in His Children.

The End, which a Chriſtian hath in the World, is …he Glory of the Lord in himſelfe: Phil. 1. 20. Chriſt alſo ſhall be magnified in my Body, whether by Life, or by Death.

As Chriſt appeares, ſo a Saint appeares in the World: Coloſſ. 3 4. When Chriſt, who is our Life, ſhall appeare: then ſhall we alſo appeare together with him in Glory.

As Chriſt is ſeen, and ſet up; God ſhines out among men: 2 Cor. 4. 6. The Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Chriſt

Thus God, and a Good Man have their Merchandiſe bound up together. They have all their Riches lad…n in One Bottom. Their Intereſts & Ends being the ſame, muſt of neceſſity be carried on by the ſame Tide, and Winde; the ſame Streame of Providence, and Breathing of the Spirit.

p. 243 Demonſtra. The Secret of God is with a Good Man. Pſ…lm 25. 14. The Secret of the Lord is with them that feare him. The Jewes call this Secret, the Shekinah, which being interpreted, is, the Dwelling-place, or Tabernacle of God with Man; the Divine Preſence. So it is expounded, Pſal. 31. 20. Thou ſhalt hide them in the Secret of thy Preſence from the Pride of man; thou ſhalt keep them ſecretly in a Pavilion, from the ſtrife of Tongues. The Secret of the Lord is His Preſence, an Inviſible Glory circling in a Saint, and hiding him within a Ring of Divine Beames. This is the Pavilion of the Godhead ſet up in every Member of Chriſt, pitcht over his Head, and planting it ſelfe round about him.

This Secret, or Inviſible Pavilion of the Divine Preſence, is deſcribed, Rev 4. 2. Immediatly I was in the Spirit, and a Throne was ſet in Heaven, and one ſa…e on the Throne. Here you have a Secret. For all is a Diſcovery in the Spirit, manifeſt onelyonly to a Spirituall Eye, a Myſtery hidden from the World of Fleſh and Blood. You have for the Pavilion, a Heaven, with a Throne in i…. The Divine Preſence is exp…eſt by One ſitting on the Throne.

Verſ. 5. And out of the Throne proceeded Lightnings and Thundrings, and Voyces. By theſe are repreſented the Severall Orders, or Rankes of things in the Creation, together with all their Various Workings; from the Higheſt Glory of Inviſible Angels, to the Loweſt, and moſt Divided Duſt of Viſible, and Bodily Things, united by Intermediate Spirits ſtanding between Both.

And there were Seven Lamps burning before the Throne, which are the Seven Spirits of God. It was the cuſtome of old to divide the Time by L…ps, as p. 25by Houre-Glaſſes. So it is reported of a King of England, that he Divided his Naturall Day into Three Parts, allowing for each, Eight Houres; one Part for Nature; a Second for Devotion; a Third for Civill Affaires. And he divided hi… Time by a Light burning in his Chappell, as I remember. After the like manner theſe Lamps are Seven Spirits, which rule and meaſure out the Ages of the World.

See more of this Divine Preſence, cap. 5. Verſ. 11. And I beheld, and heard the Voyce of many Angels round about the Throne, and the Beaſts, and the Elders, and the Number of them was ten Thouſand times ten Thouſand, and Thouſands of Thouſands. All the Infiniteneſſe of Inviſible Beings, both Angels, and Spirits, under their ſeverall Heads; the Beaſts, (or Living creatures, or Springs of Created Life) being Heads to the One; the Elders being Heads to the Other.

Theſe Two Troops with their ſeverall Characters, or Numbers of Ten Thouſands, and Thouſands wait as a Guard about this Divine Pavilion.

This Secret is made up of a Fourfould Glory.

1. The Spirituall Appearance of God in Chriſt. The Glorified Humanity of Chriſt is the Throne. The Godhead is the Perſon on the Throne. The Spirituall Man of a Saint is the Heaven, in which this Throne is ſet up. This is the Secret of God, the Divine Preſence with the Perſon of a Good man.

2. The Spring of the Creation iſſuing for…h from this Secret. It is ſaid, Geneſ. 2. 10. A River went out from p. 26Eden to water the Garden, and from thence divided it ſelfe into Foure Heads. The Divine Preſence is the true Eden, the Secret of Spirituall Pleaſures. From this the Spirit, as a River, goes forth to water the Spirituall Man of a Chriſtian; and from thence it divides it ſelfe into thoſe Foure Heads, the Foure Life-Springs to the whole Creation.

All the Beings, and Changes of the Creature have their Fountain, and Fa…e in the Secret of the Divine Preſence.

3. The whole Hoſt of Innumerable Angels, and Spirits goe along with this Preſence of the Lord. They are the Royall Guard pitcht round about the Pavilion of the Almighty.

4. All the Creatures, all theſe Angels, and Spirits in this Secret make up One Diuine Preſence, one Divine Appearance. Each beares the Form, and Face of the Whole Preſence. For they are united in One Spirit, in One Spirituall Body, in the Perſon of Jeſus Chriſt.

This is that Glory of God, which Ezekiel ſaw; Ezek. 1. 28▪ v. 26. There was above upon a Firmament a Throne, and on that Throne the Likeneſſe of a Man, which is the Glorified Perſon of our Saviour. Verſ. 5. Below were the Four Living Creatures, the Heads of the Inviſible Part of Things.

Verſ. 15. There are Four Wheeles full of Eyes, ſtanding by the Living-Creatures. Theſe are the Bodyly Part of things, as they ſhall be in the New Hieraſalem, recollected into the moſt Perfect Figure of Vnity, in Orbes (as the Word may well be, and is interpreted by ſome,) p. 27not Wheels. Their Subſtance being all Tranſparent, as Glaſs, Quickned by a Living Luſtre, Gold like, is ſet forth by being Full of Eyes, Rev. 21. 21.

All theſe were acted Joyntly by One Spirit; Verſ. 20. All made up One Appearance of the Glory of God. Verſ. 18. Each Particular had the Full Form of a Man, of that Man, that ſate over their Heads, Jeſus Chriſt: Ver. 5. Thus they made a Chariot on which Jeſus Chriſt rides forth.

This is that Name of God, of Chriſt, of the New Hieruſalem, which ſhall be written openly upon every Saint, Rev. 3 12. In the mean time it is a Hidden Name, written upon the VVhite Stone, the Spirituall Man, which is concealed under the Cloud of the Naturall Man, while this World continues, Rev. 2. 17.

This is the Secret of God with a Saint. This is the ſtrength of God Warding about him, and Warring for him; according to that of Pſal. 34. 7. The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about thſoe that fear him; (or the Angel the Lord.)

David rocketh, and ſingeth himſelfe to a Secure, and Sweet Sleepe with this Confidence: Pſal. 3. 5. I laid me down, and ſlept: I awaked, for the Lord ſuſtained me. Verſ. 6. I will not be afraid of ten thouſand Enemies, that have ſet themſelves againſt me, round about. A Good man may lye downe Securely, and ſleep Sweetly in a Field of greateſt Dangers. For the Secret Preſence of the Divine Glory is as a Royall Standard, or Pavilion pitcht over him. And Mighty Armies, though unſeen by Carnall Eyes, Millions of Angels, attending upon this Standard, encamp round about him.

See, what eſteeme Job had of this Secret. Job 29. 2. p. 28O, that I was, as in times paſt! Verſ. 4. As I was in the dayes of my Youth, when the Secret of God was upon my Tabernacle: Verſ. 5. When the Almighty was yet with me, when my Children were about me: Verſ. 6. When I waſht my Steps with Butter &c.

Right Honourable,

What will yee render unto the Lord for all His Benefits? The Light of the Glory of God hath ſhewen over your Heads. The Secret of God hath been upon your Councell-Chambers in the City; and your Tents in the Field. This hath been the Reaſon, that you have had your Victories round about you, like Numerous Children, call'd by the Names of thoſe Places, where they have been brought forth; as Preſton Moore; Naſeby; Dublin; Droghedah; &c. This hath been the Reaſon, that you have waſht your Steps in Butter, while your Enemies have waſht their Steps in their own Blood.

Should this Secret withdraw it ſelfe from off your Tabernacles, as that Glory of God went off from the Temple, and Hieruſalem, in Ezechiel; ſhould this Light ceaſe to ſhine over your Heads; how quickly would you feele a Change? how ſoone might you bid, Good-Night to all your Succeſſes, and Proſperities?

I have ended the Third Demonſtration, and ſo …iniſht the Proofe of the Point. I come now to the Application.

p. 29Ʋſe 1.

For Thankfulnes, Let us praiſe the Lord and rejoyce in the God of our Strength.

There are Four wayes of Expreſſing our Thankfulneſſe to God.

1. Way: The Recording of His Mercies.

2. Way: The Reſtraint of our ſelves from our Peculier Sins.

3, Way: A Glorying in the Croſſe of Chriſt.

4. VVay: A Rejoycing in the laſt Appearance of the Lord Jeſus.

1. VVay: The Recording of His Mercies. This is Davids way in the Title of this Pſalme, and throughout. Let this be our Way. Let us anſwer one another in our Songs; how the Lord hath ſlaine Thouſands of Viſible Enemies in One Place; how He hath ſlaine His Ten Thouſands of Inviſible Enemies in another Heart.

Let us reckon up, how many wayes our God hath been our Strength. Saint Paul ſaith; 1 Cor. 1. 21. Jeſus: Chriſt is made unto us of God; VViſedome, Iuſtification, Sanctification, and Redemption.

The Lord is a Four-fold Strength to us,

1. Strength: of VViſedom.

2. Strength: of Iuſtification.

3. Strength: of Sanctification.

4. Strength: of Redemption.

p. 301. Strength, of VViſedome. It is not in man, who walks on Earth, to order his Steps, or to governe his way thorow the World. Poor man is borne into the World, as a Wild Aſſes Colt; Iob 11. 12. Rude, Unskild of all things. The World about him, is as the Whoriſh Woman in the Proverbs: Her Eyes are Snares, and her Hands, as Bands. Her Pleaſures, and Poſſeſsions catch the Soul, and Keep it down: firſt entangle, then impriſon it.

The Generallity of Mankind are of the Serpents Brood; Principled only with Cunning and Malice.

The Devil, the God of this World, the Power that acts it, that lurks in every Point of it; he hath his Methods, his Trains, his Deviſes, his Depths.

We ſay of a Wiſe man, that he hath a Strong Head. He that hath Ieſus Chriſt, hath of a Truth a Strong Head. He hath a Strength of Wiſedome, by which he breaks the Worlds Snare, and Band; he Knowes, what is in Man; neither is he ignorant of the Devils Deviſes, but fathoms all his Depths.

Bleſſed be the Lord Ieſus, by whom a poore Wayfaring Chriſtian, though a Fool, erres not in the Way, Eſay 35. 8.

Bleſſed be the Lord Ieſus, by whom poor Wayfaring England, though fooliſh enough, hath not hitherto ſo erred in the Way, as to looſe her ſelf.

It is the Lord, who hath alwayes turned the Wiſdom of your Enemies into Fooliſhneſſe; and often turned your Fooliſhnes into Wiſdom.

p. 312. Strength: of Iuſtification. Nothing weakens a Man, or Nation, like to Guilt. O the Guilt of our Hypocriſie! O the Guilt of our Covetouſneſſe! O the Guilt of our Vncleanneſſe! O the Guilt of our Pride, and Oppreſsion! O the Guilt of our Profaneneſſe, and Atheiſme! O the Guilt of our Apoſtatizings to the Fleſh-pots of Egypt! O the Guilt of our Blindnes to ſee the Work of the Lord Ieſus in the Spirit! O the Guilt of our Hardnes to beleeve thoſe things which all the Prophets, and Scriptures have ſpoken concerning the Lord Ieſus in the laſt times, which are now come upon us!

No Mil-ſtone faſtened to a mans Neck is ſo Heavy, as the Guilt of th…ſe Sins to ſink a Perſon, or People down to the Bottom of the Sea of Shame, and Perdition; never to riſe more.

But Ieſus Chriſt is the Strength of an Everlaſting Righteouſneſſe.

When a Poore Soul hath the Guilt of his Sins like the Serpents of that Magician the Devill, crawling in his Boſome, twiſting about his Heart, ſtinging him to Deſpair, and Death: then appeares the Righteouſneſſe of the Lord Ieſus, like Moſes Serpent, and devoures all the other Serpent…, that not ſo much, as any Reliques, Print, Stain, or Mark of them is left.

When Poore England was, like Iſrael, Ezekiel 16. as a Babe newly ſprung out of the Wombe, lying upon the Earth in its Blood; then had its Nakedneſſe been ſeen, an ſhame diſcovered to all the Nations round about; then ha… it periſhed in its Blood, in the Infancy of its Deſignes, if the Lord Ieſus had not ſpread the lap of his Garment over it.

p. 32Rom. 8. 34. Who ſhall lay any thing to the Charge of Gods Elect? It is God, that Iuſtifieth. Verſ. 35. VVho ſhall condemn? It is Chriſt that died, or rather, that is riſen again. If it be God, who will freely Iuſtifie a Land, or Heart; who ſhall Charge it? If it be Jeſus Chriſt, who interpoſeth His Death, to Juſtice, for the Sins of any People; if it be Jeſus Chriſt, who is Riſing in any People; what ſhall Condemn that People? No Guilt ſhall prevaile againſt them.

This is our Second Strength in God, our Juſtification.

3. Strength: Sanctification. This is the Reformation, which we concurre in, Pretendedly, as our Common End: for which we have Covenanted, by Profeſſion: For want of which, we all Complain in Appearance.

I wiſh, that I had more to ſay Experimentally of this Strength manifeſted in the midſt of us.

There is a Twofold Sanctification, or Reformation.

1. Private; of a Perſon.

2. Publike; of a People.

Each of theſe is alſo Twofold:

1. Inward; in Spirit, and Power.

2. Outward; in Practiſe, or Appearance.

Alas! I fear, that, whatever there is of a True Reformation, and Powerfull Sanctification among us, lyes in a narrow Compaſſe, in ſome little Corner of a very few Hearts.

p. 33I have read of an Idol-Image in the Eaſt, which when it was broken, ſent forth from a Hollow Part of it a Vapour, which ſpread a killing Plague all over Aſia, and Europe. How is there a Catching, and Killing Plague of Prophanneſſe and Atheiſme Kindled and Burning fiercely from Soul to Soul upon Multitudes in this Iſland at this day: as if the Images of Tyranny, and Superſtition being broken down, had ſent forth an evill Spirit of Abomination, and Deſolation to revenge its Ruine?

But the Devil when he is caſt out, will alwaies goe out with a Stinke, and carry away Part of the houſe with him in a Violent Manner.

When Ieſus Chriſt was coming to heal the Child in the Goſpell tormented by the Devill, then did the Devill rage in the childe after a more extraordinary manner; he threw him down, and tore him. Yet was this Tearing Extremity, but the Unclean Spirits way of Taking his l…ave.

But, perhaps, we have made no better Progreſſe in the Work of Sanctification; becauſe we have not enough conſidered, where the ſtrength of our Sanctification lyes, which is Jeſus Chriſt.

If the Waters of Corruption ſee the Lord Jeſus in thy Spirit, they will flee backward, and bee dried up. Otherwiſe, they will return upon thee, like the waters of the Red Sea upon Pharaoh, and utterly overwhelm thee.

If the Building of your Sanctification and Reformation be raiſed upon this Rock, it will ſtand. If it have any other Foundation, the Fall of it will be great.

p. 34The Scriptures, Ordinances, Performances are, as the Pool of Betheſda, the Healing Pool. At the Brim of theſe we are to lay our Sick, our Selves, and wait. But the Angel of the Covenant, the Lord Jeſus muſt come down into them to give them their Healing Vertue. Without Him, they are as Abana, and Parphar, rivers of Damaſcus; 2 Kings 5. 11.

Whoever attempteth, like the ſeven Sons of Sceva, to Exorciſe, and caſt out the evill Spirit of Prophanneſſe, Uncleanneſſe, Atheiſme, by the Name of Chriſt, without his Preſence, by the Letter of Ordinances, without the Spirit: he will m…et with that, which befell them, Acts 19. 16. The Evill Spirit will flee in his Face, beat him, ſend him away Naked, and Wounded; Naked of that clothing, in which he Gloried; Wounded in that Strength, thoſe Comforts, on which he truſted.

Eliſha ſtruck the Waters of Iordan with the mantle of Eliah, and cried out: Where is the Lord God of Elijah? 2 Kings 2. 14. So do yee. Strike the Waters of Wickedneſſe with the Mantle of Chriſt, the Ordinances of Magiſtracy, and Miniſtery. But, as yee ſtrike, cry; Where is the Spirit of Ieſus Chriſt?

This is the Third Strength, which we have in Chriſt: the Strength of juſtification. That which comes next is:

4. Strength: Redemption. The Lord Jeſus hath abounded towards us in this kinde.

Hee hath redeemed the Perſons of ſome of us, from four great Evils, from which we could never have eſcaped. 1. From the wrath of his Father, p. 35which was as a Heaven of molten and burning Braſſe over our Heads: 2. From the Curſe, which made the Earth as Iron to us, Barren, beat out into Chaines, binding us down perpetually, eating into our Fleſh, and it ſelf. 3. The Devill, who had caught us in his Snares, who rode upon our Immortall and Naturall Spirits, as God rideth upon the Cherubins and the Winds. 4. Hell, which opened it ſelf in an endleſſe Labyrinth of Horrors, a Bottomleſſe Gulf of Torments to devour us: 5. Potent luſts, each of which was, as the fire that never goes out; and Preſsing cares, which were, as the Worm that never dyes.

Let the Redeemed of the Lord Ieſus ſing. Hee hath delivered them from all theſe, with a Highhand, and an Out-ſtretched-Arm.

The Lord Ieſus hath redeemed the People of England, in Six Troubles, and he is ſaving them out of the Seventh.

But the Holy Ghoſt hath ſaved me a Labour, and ſuited our Experience in Publike Deliverances with moſt Proper Expreſſions by the Pen of David in this Pſalme.

The Publike Redemption of this Land is repreſented in 3. Heads.

1. Head: The Distreſſe.

2. Head: The Deliverer.

3. Head: The Deliverance.

1. Head: The Distreſſe. You have this in the Prophets words: verſ. 4. The ſorrows of death compaſſed p. 36me: the Floods of ungodly men made mee afraid. Verſ. 5. The Sorrows of Hell (or the Bands of the Grave) compaſſed me about: the Snares of death prevented me.

Can any Extremitie goe beyond that, to which Ours have arrived? How often have the Spirits of this Nation wrought and laboured under the very Pangs of Death and Ruine? Were we not numbred among the Dead, bound about with Grave-clothes, like a Corſe, laid out for Buriall, a little before the Thundering of the Almighty from His Place, in theſe late Times?

What Floods or Inundations rather of ungodly men very lately covered the Face of the whole Land, and of our neighbour Nations? Came they not up, upon the Country, the City, even within thoſe Walls where you ſit, Honoured Senatours, like Elijahs Cloud, that grew from the Bigneſſe of a Hand, till it overſpread the whole Heaven? How high did they raiſe their Proud Waves? with what noiſe? They went over our Heads. Their Waters came in even to our Souls. Did not the cauſe of Fear ſeem juſt, and great to the Wiſeſt and Stouteſt Spirits?

As that Poet at Sea cryed out: Nihil eſt, niſi Pontus, & Aether, which way ſoever I looke, Nothing appeares but Sea or Skie. Such was our condition; Nothing appeared on every ſide; but Danger on Earth, Deliverance onelyonly from Heaven. The Snares of death prevented us, were before us, as well as behind us. What Counſell, or Courſe ſo…ver we could take, ſeemed alike to haſten Ruine; like every touch p. 37of a Dead Body, that hath ſtood many yeers in a dry Vault, and falls into duſt upon the Gentleſt Motion.

This was our Diſtreſſe, nay this was the Outſide onelyonly, and Groſſe Body. It had a Spirit, and Inviſible Part, the Life of the Danger, and Diſtreſſe.

The Sorrowes (or the Cords, the Bands, the Companies, and Troops) of Death, ver. 4. The Devill hath the Power of Death, Hebr. 2. 14. This is the Sting, the Spirit of Death.

The Devill is the Cord, or Chaine of Sickneſses, and Death, Luke 13. 16. This woman, whom Satan hath bound.

The Devill is, like Gad, a Troope, a Band, a Multitude. My name is Legion, for we are many, ſaith the Devill in the Goſpell.

The floods of the ungodly, (Beli. jagnall) verſ. 4. The Floods without a Yoake, or Bridle: The Floods that rebelled. Floods, Rivers, and Waters, do ſignifie in the Language of the Scriptures, Inviſible Spirits, becauſe the Viſible Part of things ſtandeth out of theſe, and in theſe; as the Earth ſtandeth out of the Waters, and in the Waters, 2 Pet. 3. 5.

This Word ſignifieth Floods, that run low, and deep in Valleyes.

The Grave, or Hell, is a Degree of Darkneſſe, a Depth below Death. It hath other Troops of Evill Spirits belonging to it. One ſort of Devils are the Miniſters of Death; Another Sort the Miniſters of the Grave, or Hell; though Both be ſubject to One Chiefe, the Prince of Devils, Revel. 20. 13. Death, and Hell, (or the Grave) gave up the Dead, which were in them.

p. 38The Inviſible Legions from below invaded our Land. The Evill Angels, that had the Power of Death, have been in the midſt of us, with their Bands, hoping to ſwallow up our Naturall Lives, and Outward Comforts; to have made us a Place of Skuls, inſtead of Men.

The Evill Angels, that inhabit and command in the Deeps of Hell, below Death; theſe roſe up out of their Bottomleſſe Pit, like a Smoak. Theſe deſigned and indeavoured to infect our Soules, to darken the Sun of Righteouſneſſe over our Heads, to carry away our immortall Spirits in a Helliſh Miſt of Confuſion, into their Accurſed Manſions. Our Land, and Hearts, ſhould have been made the Seat of …im, Eſa. 13. 22. This Word ſignifieth Dry Spirits, Dry Devils, which have nothing of the Water of Life, nor are ever refreſht with any Sweetneſſe, or Fruit, fulneſs; but labour in the Barrenneſs, Drought, Heat, Darkneſs of the Infernall Fires: according to that, Mat. 12. 49. The Evil Spirit walked thorow Dry Places.

Thus the Fountaines of the Great Deeps of Death, and Hell from below were opened upon us. Such was our Diſtreſse. This is the Firſt Head.

2 Head, The Deliverer. He is ſet forth by a Twofold Deſcription:

1 Deſcription: The Place, from when hee comes forth.

2 Deſcription: The Pompe in which he comes forth.

1 Deſcription: The Place, from which Hee coms forth, ver. 6. He heard my voyce out of his Temple.

p. 39The Lord had a Materiall Temple among the Iews. But now he hath a Spirituall Temple. Ieſus Chriſt is His Temple. The Lambe is the Temple, Revel. 21. 22. His Saints are His Temple, 1 Cor. 3. 17. Which Temple Ye are.

When God comes forth to make any Eminent Change in the World, His Firſt Movings are in the Spirits of His Holy Ones. The Decrees are paſſed and fixed in Ieſus Chriſt in Heaven. The Diſcoveries of the Deſignes, and Firſt Preparation to act them upon the Stage of this viſible World, is from Ieſus Chriſt in the Hearts of His Members.

A Philoſopher is ſaid to have foreſeene, and foretold an Earthquake, from the motion of the Waters, trembling at the Bottome of a Deep Well. So do Spirituall men perceive beforehand, when God is about to ſhake the World, or a Land, by the Stirrings and Prophetick, Preparatory Motions, in the Bottome of their Spirits, which lye neer to, and touch upon the Inviſible World, the Angelicall, and Divine Nature.

Rome had its Shield dropt from Heaven; Troy its Divine Image of Fallas. While theſe were preſerved, it was impoſſible to deſtroy theſe Cities. The Saints are the Temple of the Lord in the midſt of us.

Preſerve theſe with all Tenderneſſe. For they are our Sanctuary. The Preſence of the Lord is with us by Jeſus Chriſt in them. God heareth our Cry, and ariſeth to deliver us, from Jeſus Chriſt in their Spirits.

This is the Firſt Deſcription.

2 Deſcription: The Pompe, in which the Deliverer comes forth, ver. 9. He bowed the Heavens alſo, and p. 40came downe. God is repreſented, as Deſcending in State; comming down to be upon the Earth, after the ſame manner, in the ſame Majeſty, as He ſits upon His Throne above; Bowing the Heavens, as He deſcends, deſcending upon them, as a Pavement to his Feet. The ſenſe is, that God appeares like a God, as a God Preſent in the midſt of us, Putting forth Himſelfe in a Heavenly, Divine, Extraordinary way, above the Reach, beyond the Compaſſe of Humane Wit, and Capacity, as the Heavens are above the Earth.

The Heaven of God is the Heaven of Heavens, a Spirituall Heaven. God comes downe among us upon thi… Heaven, upon this Mount Sion, where He dwels in the midſt of His Ten Thouſands of Angels, and Glorified Saints.

Thus Heaven and Hell meet upon this our Earth, in the Mid-way. Every Good, and Evill is Spirituallized in the midſt of us. The Devill comes up from Hell with his Inviſible Legions. God comes downe from Heaven with His Inviſible Chariots. While Men fight, Angels fight: Michael, and his Angels, with the Dragon, and his Angels.

He wants his Spirituall eye, who hath not ſeene God Deſcending, the Devill Aſcending, Both meeting on this Portion of the Earth in theſe Times, and Both Contending, …onflicting ſharply, for the Body of Chriſt, and Chriſtianity among us, as once they did for the Body of Moſes.

He wants the Eye of Reaſon, that hath not ſeene God, and the Devill reſiſting one another, after a Supernaturall manner, by Supernaturall Powers, and p. 41Policies, in our Naturall, and Civill affaires; as Jannes and Iambres reſiſted Moſes. Who is not forced to confeſſe of One Party, that the Hand of Satan hath bin with them, as the Hand of Ioab was with the Wiſe woman? Who likewiſe can deny of thoſe Things, that have been brought to paſſe on the Other Party; That, It is the finger of God?

Verſe 10. Hee rode upon a Cherub, and did fly; yea Hee did fly upon the Wings of the Wind. The Angels, and the Elements have marched, and fought in their Courſe under the Banner of the Almighty. Angels have been the Horſes; Winds the Wheels of the Chariots of the Lord of Hoſts. On theſe Hee did fly over the Heads of our Enemies.

The Motions of Providence, and Mercy have been ſo Strong, and Swift in theſe Iſlands, that it is manifeſt, the Lord hath uſed the Miniſtery of Angels more then Men; and hath made His Spirits, as a Powerfull Blaſt, a Conſuming-Changing Flame.

Thus much for the Second Deſcription, the Pomp in which our Deliverer comes forth.

3. Head. The Deliverance. This hath its

1. Circumſtances.

2. Concluſion.

1. Circumſtances: Theſe are Three.

1. Diſtempers.

2. Diſcoveries.

3. Darknings.

p. 421. Diſtemper. Verſ. 7. Then the Earth ſhook, and the Foundations alſo of the Hills mooved, and were ſhaken.

The Earth often ſignifies the Common-people: The Hils, the Potentates of the Earth. The Common-People are ſhaken; but the Foundations, the Greatneſſes of the Potentates are mooved, and taken away by theſe Shakings of the Earth.

The Earth is ſometimes put for men: Hills, for Spirits, or Angels. Men tremble, and feel a Commotion in the Frame of things. Thoſe Evill Spirits, which rule as the Gods of this World tremble much more; becauſe they cleerly perceive the Foundations of their Kingdome to be ſhaken, and almoſt overthrown.

Theſe are the Impreſsions made upon the Creation by the Eternall God, as he goes forth.

The People are affrighted by the Amazing Changes, that come to paſſe; they tremble, they run together in Mutinies. They fear the Earth, on which they ſtand, is going away from under their Feet, and all things running into their Firſt Abyſſe, or Sea of Darknes, like the Swine of the Gaderens in the Evangeliſt.

Great Men reel, feeling their Foundations like Rolling Sands, or Tumbling VVaves before the Lord.

2. Circumſtance. Diſcoveries. Verſe 15. Then the Channels of the Waters were ſeen: and the Foundations of the World were diſcovered: At thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blaſt of the breath of thy Noſtrills.

The Spirits of Men and Things which run deep, p. 43and covered, like Channels of Water hidden, having their Dark Paſſages in the Bowels of the Earth neer the Center; theſe are now expoſed to an open View, and ſeen by every Eye.

The Principles of Church and Common-wealth; Naturall, Civill, Supernaturall; are drawn forth and diſcovered.

It is Light that maketh Manifeſt, ſaith S. Paul. God is Light, ſaith S. John. The Deſcent of God into the World, is as a Great and Bright Light held neer to the Object. It maketh manifeſt the Hidden things of Darknes, and the Secrets of Hearts.

As the Sun by its Powerfull Heat examineth all ſorts of Seeds in the Earth, drawing them forth in their ſeverall Vertues, and Properties, ripening them to a cleer Diſtinction in their Proper, and Perfect Fruits: ſo doe the Strong Shinings forth of the Lord Ieſus work upon Spirits, and Principles.

As the VVindes ſhake the World with Tempeſts, and Earthquakes, which cleave the Earth, and rend the Rocks, lay open the In-moſt, the lowermoſt part of Things; letting in Day upon the Ever-laſting Night: ſo doth the Blaſt of the Breath of thy Noſtrills, O God; ſo doe the Mighty Breathings, and Breakings …rth of thy Spirit. They rend to the Bottom the Spirits, and Principles of Men. They ſhow to the Open Day, the moſt hidden Tracts, the Deepeſt Seeds, and Roots of Nature, the Letter; the p. 44Law, Formality, Hypocriſie, Profaneneſſe, Atheiſme, the World, the Devill.

The Spirit of God puts it Hook into the Noſtrils of each Spirit, drawes it forth from the midſt of the Deep waters where it hid, and ſported it ſelfe, and layes it naked upon the Dry Land.

3. Circumſtance: Darknings. v. 9. Darkneſs was under his Feet. As the Great Fire of the Sun puts out the Leſſe Fire upon the hearth by ſhining on it: ſo are the goings forth of the Lords-work unto ſuch as are below them, who ſee not his face in them, but lye under his feet. They trouble that Light, which before they had, and leave them Darker.

Divines tell us, that the Saints in Heaven ſhall have their Underſtandings ſtrengthened by a Light of Glory, to inable them to bear the Beatificall Viſion of God. The Soul, even now, ſtands in need of a Glorious Light of Grace, to proportion it to the Preſent Appearances of God. He that hath not this ſpirituall Illumination, as to the Diſpenſations of the Lord in our Dayes, will bee exceedingly dazeled in the eye of his Underſtanding, by the Brightneſſe of theſe Lightnings upon the World.

Verſ. 11. Hee made darknes his ſecret place, his Pavilion round about him were dark waters, and thick clouds of the Skie. The Angels, which wait upon the Preſence of God, as miniſtring Spirits, are both Lights to ſh…w Him, and Veils to hide Him. They are, as Candles or Lamps, ſet up round about the Throne of God; as Revel. 4. 5. They are alſo as p. 45clouds overſhadowing the Almighty; as the Cher… bims in the Sanctuary overſhadowed with their wings the Mercy-ſeat.

Angels are the Deep Waters of the Skie, above the Firmament; when they are Calm, and Cleer, they are as a Chryſtall glaſſe, they diſcover the Face, and Wayes of God in them. But, when they pleaſe, they thicken, and trouble their own Waters, that the Paths of the Lord cannot bee diſcerned.

When Moſes deſired to ſee the Glory of the Lord, God hid him in the Cleft of a Rock, and laid His Hand upon him, as His Glory paſſed by. Then He took off His hand, and let him ſee His Back-parts onelyonly, Exod. 33. 22, 23.

While God paſſeth by among us, in the midſt of all His Holy Angels, by Glorious, and Active Providences: His Angels lay their Hands upon the Eyes of moſt men, not ſuffering them to ſee the Glory, the Face of that Divine Preſence, but the Back part onelyonly, the Change, and Trouble upon the Worldly Part of things.

Verſ. 12. At the Brightneſſe that was before Him, His thick Cleuds paſſed. When the Sun ſhines in its ſtrength, it drawes up ſtore of vapours, which gathering into Thick Clouds, paſſe along before the Sun over the Heads and Eyes of men. After the ſame manner the Spirituall Diſcoveries of Chriſt extract and attract the ſeverall Principles of Carnality, Morality, Enmity in the Hearts of men. As God goes on, theſe having thickened themſelves into Clouds, paſſe along over the Heads of ſuch Soules, taking p. 46away the Sun, their God, quite out of their eye.

Theſe are the Circumſtances of the Deliverance.

The Concluſion followes.

2 The Concluſion of the Deliverance. The very Repetition of ſeverall Paſſages in this Pſalme, with very little Alteration, or Addition, will fully ſuit with our Purpoſe, and Poſture.

Ver. 34. He teacheth mine Hands to warre, ſo that a Bowe of Steele is broken by mine Armes. Who taught that New Army of Raw Souldiers to fight ſo, that a Royall Army was broken by them at Naſeby? was it not thou, O God?

Ver. 29. By thee I have run thorow a Troop, by my God I have leaped over a Wall. By their God a Few men ran thorow Numerous Troops in Kent, in Lancaſhire the laſt Yeere, at Dublin this. By him they have formerly leaped over High Walls at Briſtoll, Bridgewater, and now this yeere at Droghedah, Waterford in Ireland.

Verſ. 37. I have purſued mine Enemies, and overtaken them; neither did I turne againe till I had conſumed them. The Firſt Part of this verſe is paſt on your Part, Noble Senators. The Second Part remaines to be made a Prophecy with a little Change. You have purſued your Enemies, and overtaken them: Neither ſhall you turne againe, till you have conſumed them.

There are Two things, which are to be obſerved for this Concluſion of the Deliverance.

1▪ The Perſons on whom theſe Deliverances are beſtowed.

2 The Praiſes which are to be given for theſe Deliverances.

p. 471 The Perſons, v. 5. Great Deliverance gives He to His King; and ſheweth mercy to His Annoynted, to David, and to his Seed for Evermore.

David was a Type of Chriſt. Chriſt was the Seed of David. God made David, His King, his Annoynted, in a Figure, a Shadow: but Ieſus Chriſt, in Truth, and Subſtance.

Ieſus Chriſt, and His Seed are the Proper Grounds and Subject of all Deliverances, and Mercies. So far as we have an Intereſt in Chriſt, we have an Intereſt in theſe Bleſsings. So farre as we have a ſhare in the Lord our Saviour, we have a Share in theſe Salvations. Thus theſe Salvations ſhall proceed, and grow upon us to Eternity.

Otherwiſe we do lye the longeſt in that Sun of theſe Mercies, like Stubble to dry, that we may burn in the Fire, the Laſt, but the moſt furiouſly.

2 The Praiſes. Verſ. 46. The Lord liveth, and Bleſſed be my Rock: and let the God of my Salvation be exalted. Let us unite our Hearts in this Song, for a Cloſe of our Praiſes.

Honours dye; Pleaſures dye; the World dyes: but the Lord Liveth.

My Fleſh is as Sand; my Fleſhly Life, Strength, Glory, is as a Word written on Sand: but Bleſſed be my Rock.

Thoſe are for a Moment: This ſtands for ever.

The Curſe ſhall devoure Thoſe: Everlaſting Bleſſings on the Head of This.

Let Outward Salvations Vaniſh: Let the Saved be Crucified: Let the God of our Salvations be exalted.

p. 48This Lord is my Rock: This God is my Salvation.

I have finiſhed the Firſt Way of Thankfulneſſe; The Recording the Goodneſſe of God.

2 Way: The Reſtraining our ſelves from our Peculiar Sinnes. Verſ. 23, I have kept my Selfe from mi…e Iniquity. This is of a Twofold Concernment.

1. Concernment Particular, to Each Perſon. Every one beſt hnowes his owne Iniquity; that, to which he is eſpecially inclined; that, by which he is oftneſt overcome. Let him Keepe himſelf from that. Keepe thou thy ſelfe from thy Covetuousneſſe in Place of Truſt. Keepe thou thy ſelfe from thy Oppreſsion in Place of Power; Oppreſſion Poſitive, or Negative, by not Hearing, not Searching out the Cauſe of the Poore. Keep thou thy ſelf from thy Pollutions: thou from thy Profaneſſe, &c.

2 Concernment Publique to the Nation. If I may have leave to preſent my Humble Opinion, concerning this Nations owne Sinne, not Excluding, or Pre-judging other Opinions of other men; I ſhould with Submiſſion conceive it to lye under theſe Two Heads.

1. A Fatneſſe of Heart. Luxury in Feeding full upon Fleſh is in a Morall way reputed the Nationall Vice of Engliſh men. The Like unto this is Englands proper Sin at this day: The Fatting of it ſelfe with Fleſhly Confidences.

Give me leave to reaſon, as Saint Paul doth, Galath. 3. 2. How have ye received the Spirit by the works p. 49of the Law, or by the Hearing of Faith? How have we▪ obtained theſe Victories, and Succeſſes? by our Morallitie, Legallity, by our diligence in Ordinances? God forbid. Let my Tongue cleave to the Roof of my Mouth, rather then make ſuch harſh Muſick. But there is a Difference between raiſing theſe above the Head of our joyes; and treading them under the Feet of Prophane, or Senſuall Affections.

It is not Conformity to the Letter of the Scripture, or Communion in Ordinances, which I queſtion: but a Confidence in theſe, a Competition of theſe with the Lord Jeſus.

I ſay then, How have you proſpered? How have you bin ſaved? By theſe Things? or by Free Grace, and the Spirit of God? They ſhall cry, Grace! Grace! Not by Might, nor by Power; but my Spirit, ſaith the Lord, Zech. 4. 7. O England! Truſt thou in the Lord Jeſus. This is the Firſt Head.

2. A Blindnes of Minde. It was the ruine of Hieruſalem not to ſee the things of their Peace, in the day of the Fleſh of Christ. I pray, that it may not be the Ruine of London; not to ſee the Things of the Spirit, in the Day of the Spirit.

The Lord accompliſh upon the Common wealth of England, a Prayer made for the King of England by a holy Martyr, in the Time of Henry the eight: Lord, Open the Eyes of the People of England; to the Spirituall Preſence of Jeſus Chriſt in the midſt of them.

Thus much for the ſecond way of Thankfulneſſe. I ſhall make Short Stages of the other Two; that I may come to the end of my Journey.

p. 503. Way. Rejoycing in the Croſſe of Chriſt. S. Pauls language is; God forbid, that I ſhould glory, ſave in the Croſſe of Chriſt, by which I am crucified to the World, and the World to me, Gal. 6. 14.

What is it in which you rejoyce this Day? Is it to ſee a Reed ſhaken with the Wind? Victories, Conqueſts of Kingdoms, changes in Common-wealths are Chances in this courſe of Mortality, like the Shaking of a Reed in the Wind.

But what is it in which you rejoyce? Men clothed in rich Apparrell? Your ſelves clothed with the Riches, and Greatneſſes of this Life? They that are thus clothed are in Courts, and Kings Houſes. You have ſeen Courts, and Kings Houſes made Deſolate before your Eyes.

Rejoyce in this, that you ſee the Croſſe of Chriſt exalted, and the Lord Jeſus Crucifying upon it, the Powers, and Glories of this World. This is the Signe of the Son of Mans approach in the Clouds.

Rejoyce in this, that you feele the Croſſe of Chriſt in your Selves, crucifying you to the World. This is a Sacrifice of Praiſe, which will have a Sweet Savour in the Noſtrils of your God, if you love to ſee the World, and your Selves offered up as a Whole Burnt-Offering to the Lord, in the Fire, which Chriſt Kindleth upon the Earth by His Croſſe.

Invite the Bird of Heaven, the Eagle, the Spirit, to your Feaſt of Thankſgivings this day; to come and feed upon your Fleſhly Deſignes, and Delights, till it have quite devoured them All.

4 Way: The raiſing of our Selves to the Great Day of our Saviours laſt Appearing. David onelyonly toucheth p. 51at Sauls Slaughter, His ow…e Soveraignty: but he immediately flyes at, and fixeth on that Day of Judgement, thoſe laſt Flames of the Worlds Confuſion, and Chriſts Coming.

Thus we ſhall Keep a Holy Solemnity to the Lord, if we alſo by occaſion of our Deliverances, be tranſported, and raviſht in Spirit, to that Glorious Day, that Day of Jubile.

Abraham received Iſaac from Death in a Figure. He ſaw the Day of Chriſt in that Figure, and rejoyced to ſee it. Let us alſo make our Victories a Proſpective to the Eye of our Faith, that thorow theſe, we may looke to that Houre, in which the World ſhall diſſolve, Jeſus Chriſt deſcend in the Glory of His Father, with all His Holy Angels.

Behold a way of making your Table, at which you are preſently to feaſt, the Table of the Lord.

Speake ſuch words as theſe one to another: As we now fe…d upon Birds and Beaſts, that we may enlarge and heighten our ſelves, that we may bring forth them againe, in the Life and Forme of Men: So hath Ieſus Chriſt in theſe times …ed upon the Fleſh of Nobles, and the f…t of Princes, that He might appeare more fully in the Spirit. And▪ as we have ſeene Him come this Day in this Little Corner of the Earth: ſo ſhall He ere long come upon the Whole World. He ſhall eat the Fleſh of Power, and Glory; He ſhall drink the Blood of the Naturall Life, of Every Creature; of the Saints themſelves; that He may bring forth Himſelf, and Them againe, together with Himſelfe, Spiritually, in His Everlaſting Kingdome. Even ſo, Come quickly, Lord Ieſus.

FINIS.

ERRATA.

In the Epiſtle. Page 8. Line 23. reade like time for like the times. In the Booke. Pag. 6. Line 15. re. Predeceſſor for predecoſſour, p. 19. l. 25. re. God is with his owne f. round about his owne. p. 20. l. 20. r. ſhame f. fame. p. 27. l. 19. re. thoſe f. thſoe. p. 28. l. 1. r. were f. was. p. 28. l. 8. r. ſhone f. ſhewen. p. 38. l. 27. r. whence f. when.

There are ſome other Errata's, with ſeverall miſtakes of the Printer in the points, which the judicious Reader will of himſelf correct.

End of the text · Peter Sterry, The Coming Forth of Christ in the Power of His Death (1650)