the Time of Finding

CHAP. I. At what Time the Lord will be found of his Praying-Saints.

First. IT is a Time of finding, When the Lord's people are prepared for mercy, that is, thoroughly humbled, reformed, shaken off their dust, and have cleansed themselves of all filthiness of the flesh and Spirit. The Israelites were twenty years lamenting after the Lord. In this long time no doubt, they prayed and fasted often, yet was not the Lord found: neither had they found him afterward, had not Samuel took them off from a cold, formal, halting, and half seeking of him, to a right humbling and reforming indeed. The vessel must be very pure and clean, be-before we will pow • precious liquor into it: See I am. 4.8, 9, 10. when had Manasseh a Time of finding? the Text saith, when he humbled himself greatly before the God of his Fathers. What is the reason that many pray, cry, weep, &c. and yet no time of finding? the Lord sees they are not humbled enough, and so not fit enough for mercy.

And in truth it is a singular favor of God, not to give men the great things they ask, before they are prepared for them; for should they have them before they are truly humbled, and purely purged from all their dross and tin, they would make very il improvement thereof. As suppose a father should put a great estate into the hands of a little child, what pitiful work would he make in the misspending of it? I have thought many times, what mercy it was, that in the time of the Little Parliament, the Lord gave us not the things which we then desired; for had we received them, they had been in our hands, before we were meet for them; and so instead of honoring God, we should (as James saith) have consumed them on our own lusts.

When I consider what God's people are (at least many of them) and yet what they would have, I cannot better liken them, then to a man that hath a plaster or salve at his side; because he feels it smart, and puts him to sore pain, he intreats the Physician to take it off: but what saith the Physician? my friend, you must be patient, there is a great deal of corruption and rottenness behind, which must be fetched out, before the plaster can be removed. What is now our cry, and daily complaint? Oh that the Lord would take the plaster off, remove the yoke from our necks, spoil the spoyers, and them that have dealt treacherously, call forth his sanctified ones to execute the judgment written. But what saith the Lord? My dear children, be patient, quiet, contented; I am wiser then you, and know best what is to be done; there is some corrupt matter, some rottenness, which must be purged, before I can grant your desire: I must first bring away your covetousness, spiritual-pride, censoriousness, passion, &c. then will I arise for Zion, and restore comfort to her mourners.

The sins of the Amorites were full at the end of the 430. years, then came in the fourth generation; yet it was forty years after, before they came into the Promised Land. For howsoever the time (as I said) was expired, as to the Iniquity of the Enemies, that is, they were ripe for judgment; yet the Lord's people not being prepared for the promised blessing, fell short of it many years: The like may be said of things now, the time and times, and dividing of time, which (according to Daniel ) the Little Horn is to have, may be already expired, and his iniquity full, and so ripe for cutting down; nevertheless the Saints of the Most High, not being prepared to take away his Dominion, and possess the Kingdom, there may be some years (after the three years and an half are expired) before he be destroyed, and his body given to the burning flames: not but that the time may be ended, ( viz. the three years & half ) & the little Horn ripe for judgment; but the Saints are not PREPARED for such a dispensation.

We read that in all Jehoshaphat's reign, the high places were not taken away; and the reason is given, for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers: as if he should say, As other abuses and corruptions were removed, so had these high places been also, but that the people were not enough humble, holy, sincere, to receive such a mercy: the like may be said of the high places remaining with us, as the carnal-ministry, Tythes, Triers, the corrupt Law, &c. these (Gillulim) filthy things, would soon be taken away, were Saints prepared to meet their God in his judgments. See Psal. 81.13, 14, 15, 16. It is with Christ and a soul seeking him, as between the load-stone and iron: if there be any dust or filth that sticks to the iron, the stone refuseth to close with it, she will not be touched, nor touch where there is foulness; but take off the filth, and let the iron be clean, then they sweetly close together: so is the Lord's heart open, and his arms abroad, to take into his bosom such as are pure and clean in heart, have no defilements upon them, are pure vessels, meet for the Masters use, and prepared unto every good work; here the Lord will command the blessing, even the blessed TIME OF FINDING.

Secondly, It is a Time of Finding, When the Faithful have nothing left them for help, but the Lord only: MANS EXTREMITY IS GOD'S OPPORTUNITY. The Tide (you know) turns, when the water is lowest; would ye know the time of the Lord's turning and returning to his Church and people? It is at low water, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up or left: when their soul is melted because of trouble, and are at their wits end. Then (crying unto the Lord) he bringeth them out of their distresses: he maketh the storm a calm, and bringeth them to their desired haven.

Among men, to plead poverty and want, experience shows it signifies very little: should a poor man go to a merchant, and tell him nothing but of his nakedness and misery, this would not prevail with him for clothing and other relief; but with the Lord, no better argument to speed, then to spread miseries and wants before him. Hence the Saints usually in their prayers have mentioned their DISTRESS, as a great reason to move the Lord unto pity: thus did Jehoshaphat, ( O our God, wilt thou not judge them? FOR we have no might, neither know we what to do. So David Have mercy upon me, O God, FOR I am weak: O Lord heal me, FOR my bones are vexed. Again, Bow down thine ear O Lord, hear me, for I am poor and needy.

And for our encouragement herein, the Lord hath promised that it shall be A TIME OF FINDING, when in trouble we call upon him. He will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble: he will regard the prayer of the destitute, (or, naked shrub) and will not despise their prayer. When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. The poor woman that had the issue of blood twelve years, and in that time had spent all that she had on physicians, when she came to Christ in that extremity, was it not a time of finding? the Text saith, Straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body, that she was healed of that plague. And indeed her case is much like Ours; she came not to Christ, till all was spent. As long as we had a Parliament, a Council of State, an Army, a General, &c. we too much rested on them, as our Saviors and Deliverers: it is therefore well for us, that Jehovah hath broken these Egyptian reeds, and that we have at present none in Heaven nor in Earth but Jesus Christ to trust in; for now we may confidently expect A TIME OF FINDING.

When Christ saw that those who had continued three days with him in the wilderness, had nothing left, he took compassion on them, and fed them by a miracle. Again, when he was at Nazareth preaching in the Synagogue, he needed not to have been led from thence unto the brow or edge of the hill, he might have escaped long before; but he would suffer the enemy to go so far, to show, that it is his time to work deliverance for his people, when they seem to be in the greatest danger. Is there nothing left? no Parliament, Council, Army, Navy, General? Have all Zion's friends dealt treacherously with her, and become her Enemies? Is the GOOD OLD CAUSE brought to the brow of the hill? Then lift up your heads ye naked shrubs everywhere; now pray, pray, pray; you are come to the Finding time, and the mount where God will be seen.

Thirdly, It is a Time of Finding, When the enemies of Zion are at the highest, that is, Tryumph and insult as if all were theirs, and that they shall see sorrow no more: the wicked boasteth of his hearts desire: that is, perceiving his designs and actions to prosper by hypocrisy, apostasy, falsehood, &c. he glories in it, and thinks now, that neither God nor man can reach him: Thou puttest away (saith David) all the wicked of the earth like dross: the scum or dross when it is upmost and covers the liquor, then it is taken off and thrown away; so when tyrants and persecutors have Saints under them, make account to wear them out by cruel usage, and cry victory, victory; then coms the revenging hand of God upon them, & treads them as dung under his feet. Thus was the Lord found of good Hezekiah: note the message which Rabshakeh brought to him from his master, and what was in the letter which Sennacherib sent him, Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee: hath any of the gods of the Nations delivered his land out of the hand of the King of Assyria? Oh the height of this filthy scum! but how did the Lord meet with him? not only in giving a wonderful deliverance to his people, but by destroying his Army, and the blasphemer also. Thus likewise it was with Pharaoh, Haman, Herod, &c. and in our time with the King and Bishops; when they were highest in pride, pomp, and insolent practices against the Lord, his cause and people, he cut them off with a witness: and the like may we expect upon those, who domineer, hold up their heads and look big, Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice? Bow down, that we may go over. Whoso falleth not down and worshippeth the golden Image, shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. But whereunto may I liken such men, and others following their steps? to nothing fitter, then to a boil or botch, when it is swoln big, and risen high, then it breaks; and what follows? rottenness and stink. Are they swoln big, and risen high in power, titles, places? &c. it is a sign they will break the sooner: and as the waves of the sea after their lifting up, and roaring a while, leave behind them nothing but mire and dirt; so when the Lord shall cut them off, what then will remain? but the infamous memory of their former Apostasy, hypocrisy, and lies? It is truly my opinion, were God's people as fit for mercy, as their enemies are for judgment; were they as low • humiliation and Reformation, as the other are high in pride, blasphemy, atheism, we should soon see a vial pow • ed out upon them.

That place in the Prophet, me thinks notably agrees with our time They are all happy that deal very treacherously. But how doth he describ • them? Thou art near in their mouth, bu • far from their reins. As the water-ma • in his boat, rows one way, and looks another; so these profess great things, and talk much of God and his ways, but in their practices and actions, are most vile and wicked: what follows? Prepare them for the day of slaughter. When the beast is fat and full flesht, then the butcher knocks him down. We know now well enough, why the Lord hath suffered the Apostates to enjoy such fa • pasture, viz. the very pastures (or places) which fatted other beasts before them, it was (as the Prophet saith) that they might be filled, and their heart exalted, and so made fat, and fit for slaughter. It is time for thee O Lord to work, for they have made void thy Law. He doth not say, It is time, &c. because they speak against thy • awe, slight it, and regard it not; but, • ave made it void: signifying, when • en are grown to such a height of wic • edness, as the Laws of Christ are de • troyed by them, his cause and interest • hrown down to raise themselves, righeousness and truth made void, to set up oppression and falsehood; then indeed it is high time for the Lord to work, yea, and then is the TIME in which he will be FOUND of his faithful ones, hungering and thirsting after righteousness.

Fourthly, It is a Time of finding, When SEEKERS make Jesus Christ their ALL: all their hope, stay, and trust, and can truly say with the prophet, Whom have I in Heaven but thee? and there is none upon Earth that I desire besides thee. If we discern such as will not trust in us, but love to stand upon their own ground, we leave them to themselves, to shift as they can: as on the contrary, the more we see ourselves trusted to, the more we take care for them. When the Lord sees a poor soul gives up ALL to him, leaves hi • case wholly with him, depends altogethe • upon his power, goodness, faithfulness; as he delights to see his children in such a frame, so they may be sure, he will take care for them, and it shall go well with them. In my distress (saith David) I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him even into his ear. But when did David cry, and found the Lord thus good to him? after he had made him his rock and his fortress, his strength, his buckler, the horn of his salvation, and his high tower. A man that stands upon a rock, when he hears the sea roar, and the waves violently beating against the rock, all this puts him not into any fear, for he knows where he is; to wit, out of danger: so it is with every gracious Saint, he is beyond the reach of men and Devils, no adversary power can hurt him. I do remember what I was once told by a good old man, a Nonconformist-Minister dwelling nigh me: a neighbor of his being in prison for witch-craft, he went to visit him: this wretched man confessed to him, that he had hated him a long time, and fought to do him mischief; and for this end, there was a compact between the Devil and him, to destroy him; the witch spoke often to the devil for to hasten their design: now the devil told him, he had several times attempted it, but could not effect anything; and gave this for the reason, because he found him still either in prayer and communion with God, or had committed himself into the Lord's hand. This I mention, because I had it from the man's own mouth: and what may we learn from it? how safe and happy they are, who make Christ their ALL: It is not Satan, nor any of his cursed imps and instruments that can harm them: If God be with us, who can be against us?

That people trusting in God, shall have A TIME OF FINDING, appears in the example of the Reubenites, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Ebed-melech; so David asserts it often. But what was the reason that the Lord would not be found of Saul, neither by Dreams, nor by Urim, nor by Prophets? He had rejected the Lord, and would not depend upon him, but would do what seemed right in his own eyes: hence being left of God, he runs to a witch, to the Devil, to anything. How comes it to pass that some men make Soldiers their Saviors? their dependence is on the arm of flesh; viz. Ahitophels, Machiavels, Cardinals, Atheists: doubtless they see the Lord God hath forsaken them, for their abominable hypocrisy; and therefore being left of God, they are necessitated to make the best shift they can. In a sore famine, when wholesome meat cannot be had, people will eat dogs and cats, rats and mice, yea, and worse things too, rather then starve: many at this time are under a great famine; the Lord they cannot find, and therefore to keep themselves from starving, they will make use of any unclean thing; steal, murder, swear falsely, and make lies of all sorts and sizes their refuge.

David saith It is good for me to draw near to God: and he gives the reason: I have put my trust in the Lord God; that is, I may be assured by seeking to find him, having made him my hope and confidence alone: but saith he, Thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. What is it to go a whoring from God? I answer, To cast off his work and cause, turn with the dog to the vomit, and trust in lying vanities. I have read of a Tyrant, by his cruelties had so displeased the people, as he would not trust himself with men, but committed the guard of his body to dogs: some men by their SPIRITUAL WICKEDNES IN HIGH PLACES, do bring themselves into such a Case, God nor good men they dare not trust, having so highly displeased both; but rather confide in dogs, swine, foxes, wolves, as the Scripture terms wicked men.

Fifthly, It is a Time of Finding, When the enemies of God are plotting mischief against Jesus Christ, his interest, and people. Thus the Israelites found him, when Pharaoh said, Come, let us deal wisely with them. So afterwards when Haman took crafty counsel against them, you know how the proud tyrant was taken in the pit he had digged for others: so again, when Herod had designed the taking away of Peters life, the Lord so graciously answered the prayers of the Church, as Peter is not only enlarged, but the bloody wretch a little after miserably perisheth under Divine wrath. According to that saying, The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. As some fishes are taken whilst they are making snares, and in the very traps and gins which they lay for others; so persecutors very oft, as they are plotting mischief, and at work, are trapt in their own wickedness.

Julian the Apostate had a design at his return from the Persian wars, to have sacrificed the blood of Christians to his Idol gods. The like plot had the Constable of France; after the taking of St. Quintin, he vowed to destroy Geneva: now howsoever their designs took no effect, yet the Lord's did against them, for he gave them their own blood to drink, and so saved his people. He that moves the week of candle with his finger, mends the light, but burns and blacks his fingers: certain it is, the crafty plots of God's enemies, have very much profited the Saints, though it have been to their own ruin.

And many of Christ's little flock can speak it by experience, since the Last plotters came up, the Lord hath been very good to them, and they have found him more sweetly, and heart-feelingly then ever in their lives before. It was the speech of an honest man, being pitied that he had so bad a wife; Oh, said he, she is a good wife for me, she brings me often upon my knees, and to sighings and mourning before the Lord. In such a sense may many of the Lord's people say, Whereas hypocrites reign, truly it is good for us; we should not be so often with our God, and pour out tears day and night, nor have such times of finding, did not these plowers plow upon our back, and make long their furrows.

In great men's kitchins there are certain scullions, to rub spits, and make clean the dishes; and howsoever they are black and foul themselves, yet they are of necessary use, to have the vessels meet for service: what a great deal of filth and dirt hath the Lord lately removed from his little remnant, by his kitchen-drudges? of a truth, they were not half so fair, pure and lovely, some few years past, as they are now. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? This may serve to take down the pride of Tyrants, and insulting hypocrites; for what are they? (though Emperors, Kings, Princes, Protectors, &c. ) if they persecute the witnesses of Jesus, for speaking against their wicked ways, but as Christ's SKULLIONS and DISH-CLOUTS, to wipe off the dust and filth from the Saints, that they may be meet for the Masters use.

When it was told David that Ahithophel was amongst the Conspirators with Absalom, he knew then there would be deep and devilish plotting against him; and therefore presently cries out, O Lord I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness: and here David had a time of finding. For Ahitophels design is not only frustrated, but the traitor himself, (as a just reward for his villainy) for very shame hangs himself: from hence this may be gathered, when we understand there are any wicked designs set on foot against the Kingdom of Christ, (whereof David's Kingdom was a type) we must pray earnestly to God for the confusion thereof, it being then a TIME OF FINDING.

Sixthly, It is a time of Finding, When Saints are BOLD-BEGGARS, and will take no nay, or denial at the Lord's hand. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man, availeth much. A mother sometimes refuseth to give her breast to the child, though he ask it; but if he beg it with tears, cries, shrieches, she cannot but grant it: such was Jacob's seeking the blessing, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. But how did he hold the Angel? He wept and made supplication unto him. As if he should say, I am resolved never to cease weeping and crying, here will I abide in mourning and bitterness of Soul, till I am blest. Let me alone, saith God to Moses: In which words we have not only a condescension of divine Grace unto the cries and tears of the Godly, as if the Lord's hands were to be disposed by their prayers; but Moses importunity, as if he would not let go his hold, except his suit were granted. A man under a tree may reach some fruit, but if he clime up, and get to the top, there he shall have more fruit; and better fruit, riper, sweeter, larger. That prayer may AVAIL MUCH, it must be more then common or ordinary, strong crying, and without ceasing.

It is said of Elias, By his praying, he did shut and open Heaven: But how prayed he? earnestly, saith our Translation; the Text hath, He prayed a Prayer, or, in praying he prayed: so that there is single-praying, and double-praying, and they have theirs accordingly. There is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee. These people are not blamed so much for not praying, as for not putting forth themselves in prayer; they should (like Jacob and Moses ) have taken fast hold on God, and never have left off weeping and crying day and night, until their supplications had been granted: as an Arrow falls short of the mark, when the Bow is not well bent, the Arrow drawn up to the head, and delivered with strength: So our prayers ofttimes fall short of answer, because we do not press hard after God, take him by violence, follow him from place to place, and not let him go, till he cause his ear to hear.

This our Savior in one of his Parables notably shows, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity, he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. The word rendered importunity, is properly impudence: and it hath this meaning, Though among men it would be thought too much boldness and impudence, for a man not to be said nay; yet the Lord is so far from disliking it when it is his own case, as he would have his children to force (as it were) a grant from him: the like we have in the importunate widow. Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them, I tell you he will avenge them speedily. Methinks this bearing long, and avenging speedily, will not well accord, unless we take the sense thus: When the Lord shall raise up a poor destitute remnant, who (like the widow ) will never cease weeping and crying to him, then he will suddenly come forth to pour out the vials upon the Little Horn, the last Apostasy, Babylon, though formerly he kept silence a long time. I question whether that in the Prophet be yet fulfilled: I have set watchmen upon thy walls O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night; ye that make mention of the Lord keep not silence, and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. As things when they come near their Centre, move more swiftly and speedily then before; It seems to me, near or about the breaking forth of the Great work in the last days, there will be a people so engaged for Zion, that they will make it their whole work to mourn and weep before the Lord, never ceasing till he break the Heavens and come down. As soon as Zion traveled, she brought forth her Children. I think indeed, when the Lord shall put such Travels and Birthpangs upon the hearts of his people, as that they will give him no rest, but mourn like Doves perpetually before him, and make it their meat and drink day and night; we shall suddenly see the Lord bringing the Rod of his strength out of Zion, and to work terrible things in the Earth. A Blessed TIME OF FINDING. Amen: even so come Lord Jesus.

CHAP. II. When there is no Time of Finding, though the Lord be sought with tears.

FIrst, When men (like Esau) for light things and vanities, most profanely give up great Privileges. Of Esau it is said, for one morsel of meat he sold his birth-right: But what follows? Afterward when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. There are three things in the History, which aggravate Esau's profaneness, as to be sinful above measure.

1. The great thing which he lightly parted with, it was no less then his Birth-right: now the dignity of the first-born was very great, and many eminent privileges it had. The first-born were peculiarly consecrated and given to God. Next in honor to their prents. Had a double portion of the Fathers goods. Succeeded them in the Government of the Family or Kingdom. And likewise in the Administration of the Priesthood, and service of God: Yea, more, It figured Christ, and all true Christians, heirs of the New Jerusalem. All this (as if it had been nothing) he carelessly parted with.

But, Secondly, Not for the worth of it. The Text saith Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of Lentils, which was a kind of pulse much like to fetches or small pease, very course food: nevertheless so vile an exchange made he of his Heavenly dignity. Naboth upon no terms would deliver up the inheritance of his father to Ahab: But this man for one morsel of meat, sels that which was far better.

3. When he had done all this, He rose up and went his way, and despised his Birth-right: that is, he shown no remorse, sorrow or repentance, for selling so precious a thing for so poor a price: he esteemed his Birth-right very little before, but now he sets it altogether at naught, as being glad he had met with such a BARGAIN, and sped so well.

Verily, I think that blood is not more like blood, then Esau and the Revolters of this age are like one another. Neither since Esau's time till now, have any generation of men so MATCHT HIM in profaneness: and this I shall plainly demonstrate by the Parallel.

First, Let it be considered what they have sold: such a Glorious Cause as never was (I think) in the hands of men before. Not Civil-Rights and Liberties alone, but the GREAT CAUSE of God, the Interest of Christ and of his Kingdom, Laws, People. David thought it was honor enough, if a man might sit at the threshold of God's house; that is, be in the lowest place • and meanest service. In the late wars he that was but a common-soldier to fight against Tyranny and Idolatry; truly, his place and service was very honorable: then how much more a General, Colonel, Capt. &c. besides, the Lord was pleased to honor them with the Birth-right, they were the first-born: I say, the first to have brought the King home, and to set the Crown upon his Head. What could have been done more to men!

But, Secondly, What have they sold their Birth-right for? Oh, It grieves my soul to think of it, that ever such a thing should be told in Gath, and published in the streets of Askelon, that it should be said among the Heathen, EMINENT PROFESSORS OF RELIGION AND MEN PRETENDING GREAT THINGS FOR CHRIST AND ZION, HAVE SOLD THE GOOD OLD CAUSE FOR A MORSEL OF BREAD. Consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing: Hath any Nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. We think those foolish in their trades, that should lose many pieces of gold, to have a little bad coin. Let them look over their Bargain, what have they sold, and what they have for it: Alas, their Courts, Titles, Parks, Pleasures, &c. are all bad coin, Lentils, mere vanity and lies, things that will not profit in the day of wrath. But the Cause and work of God, which they unworthily have given up, had they been faithful to it, would have been better to them then gold; yea, then fine gold, & all the things that men desire, not to be compared to it. It is reported that those wicked Spirits (commonly called Fairies ) having stolen the true child out of the cradle, do secretly convey and place in the stead thereof, some • changeling of their own: what truth i • in it, I know not; but this I know t • be true, the Devil hath dealt so wit • Apostates, by a cunning sleight, h • hath taken the true Child from them that is, THE GOOD OLD CAUSE and hath left in the room of it a po • starved changeling, here the buyer m •• well say, It is naught, it is naught.

3. Are they sorry for what they have done? do they repent of it? Nay they are not at all ashamed, neither can they blush: but rejoice, feast and sing, having made such a Bargain. Judas after he had betrayed Christ, took little pleasure in the money which he had for the Treason, He brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the Chief Priests and Elders, saying, I have sinned, in that I have betrayed innocent blood. And he cast down the pieces of silver into the Temple, and departed, &c. But these men have not yet so much remorse on their conscience, for what they have done: but the Courts, Castles, Titles, Power, &c. the Money they had for the Innocent Cause, are the things they glory in, and brag of. I might have mentioned the greediness of Esau's appetite to the dish; that red, that red there, Gen. 25.20. The doubling of the word is to show, his hast and gluttonous desire: the color and taste seemed so pleasing and enticing unto him. Whether they have not been • ike a Lyon greedy of his prey. Psal. 17.12. Like greedy dogs which cannot have enough: Isa. 56.11. let their own practice be witness.

But there is one thing wherein Esau is more to be excused (if there may be any excuse made for him) then some now; he lay under some necessity: I am (saith he) at the point of death, and what profit shall this Birth-right do to me? But these men could not plead Esau's necessity, they were not ready to starve, but had enough; and therefore their sin was the more ( profaneness it may be called) to sell such a Blessed Cause, not only for so LITTLE, but having no need so to do.

The Conclusion is, If Esau for his profaneness were denied a Time of Finding, others then following his steps, and being as profane (or more) may not expect to find it better in their own case.

Secondly, There will be no Time of Finding, for old Hypocrites, whose bones are full of the sins of their youth, and do continually seek to hide and cover them under religious pretences as fasting, praying, weeping, &c. A old Hypocrite is like a child born crooked; no earthly medicines can make him right and straight: or like to old cloth, which being rotten, will not bear the needle and thread, and therefore not to be mended. Some men through their long hypocrisy, are become as rotten as dirt; no hope of mending: for they have so accustomed themselves to play the hypocrites, by weeping, praying, &c. as the Blackmore may sooner change his skin, and the Leopard his spots, then they cease from dissembling, and mocking God in religious duties. They who from their infancy are accustomed to take poison in small quantities, do enable their stomachs to digest more, till by long custom and increasing the quantity, it becometh so familiar to their stomachs, that instead of poisoning of them, they are nourished by it. Thus it is with such men who from their youth have used themselves to hypocrisy and falsehood, and risen by degrees; at length (specially when they come to be old) their hearts are so hardened, and con • ciences seared, as their hypocrisy is no poison, no trouble to them, but it turns to their nourishment, it feeds them like meat and drink, and they cannot live without it. It was a great sin in Judas to deliver his Master up into the hands of his enemies, the Scribes and Pharisees: but the sin of Judas had not been half so bad, if he had not so hypocritically betrayd Christ. He came to Jesus, and said, Hail Master, and kissed him. So for any man to deliver up Christ in his truth and Cause, into the hands of his bloody enemies; viz. Priests, Lawyers, Papists, &c. under a pretence of Religion, and the honor of God; this comes near the sin for which there is no sacrifice: But of all Hypocrites, beware of the WEEPING HYPOCRITE, as the most dangerous. Such a one was Ishmael, who by his Religious weeping, deceived fourscore men, and murdered them all as they were going with their offerings to the house of the Lord. This Weeping Hypocrite is like the strumpet Phryne, for this cause named 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , as if you would say, Weep-laugh, because commonly she did both together, havin • in the midst of laughter tears at command. As the silly fish swallows the hook, because of the bait that hides it, so many ignorant people are catched & snared by the Tears of Hypocrites: but howsoever by their weeping they may deceive men, yet God they cannot, neither cares he for their Tears.

We read often in the Prophets, the reason why the Lord would not be found of the Jews, when distresses and troubles were upon them; it was, they had dissembled with him, been old Hypocrites, sought to hide their falsehood, lying, Covenant-breaking, Oppression, &c. By covering the Altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping, and crying out.

I cannot better resemble men accustomed to Hypocrisy, then to that old Traitor Tyrone, his manner was to send pictures to Queen Elizabeth, in which he would lie weeping at her foot; but still in rebellion against her: the Queen hereat was extremely displeased, saying, We will have no more of his Pictures, but the head of the Traitor. What may these men think of themselves, when they lie weeping at the feet of God? If they continue rebels against him, do they expect a Time of finding? How can that be? Doth he not see their Hypocrisy? surely yes, and will speedily take vengeance on them for it.

Thirdly, There will be no Time of Finding, For such persons who are so obstinate in their sins, as no admonition or reproof can reclaim them. As clay under the shining Sun, grows harder and stiffer: so the more they are told of their hypocrisy, pride, falsehood, oppression, &c. the worse they are: Thieves whilst they have liberty, none are bolder, nor will they regard anything that is spoken against their wicked course of life; all good counsel is rejected and scorned: but when trouble comes, when they are brought to the bar, then down upon their knees, Good my Lord, pardon, pardon; but then no pardon is to be had. And as it is thus with little Thieves, so it will be one day with the Great Thieves and Great Murderers, Because I have called and ye refused, I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded: But ye have set at naught my Counsel, and would none of my reproof; I also will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not FIND ME.

Again, They refused to hearken, and pulled away their shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear; yea, they made their hearts as an Adamant-stone, lest they should hear the Law, and the words which the Lord of Hosts hath sent in his Spirit by the former Prophets. Therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of Hosts: therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of Hosts, but I scattered them with a whirl-wind among all the Nations whom they knew not.

It may not be thought that all those of whom the Prophet here speaks were Reprobates; for without doubt (as to life and glory) many of them were saved: nevertheless he will not hear them, as to spare them from the common judgment. In this respect (though God's chosen ones) they shall have no more Time of finding, then others: partakers in sin, partakers in punishment. A father though he do not disinherit his child, and quite cast him off, yet he may (and justly too) severely chastise him for some gross miscarriages, And not let his soul spare for his crying, as the wise-man hath it. What means the Lord in saying, Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues? the words are plain enough; those that abide in Babylon, notwithstanding again and again called upon to come out, may suffer Babylon's plagues, that is, fall and perish with the wicked, as to their bodies and estates, howsoever saved in the day of Christ.

Judgment must begin at the house of God: and at his Sanctuary. The wine-cup of fury is to be given, first to Jerusalem and the Cities of Judah; afterwards all the Nations of the earth must have it. The Lord of hosts will shake the Heavens and the Earth. First, Heaven, then Earth: therefore let Churches and Church-Officers now look about them: The Lord hath a controversy with HIS people, and he will plead with Israel: and what follows? Hear YE the rod, and who hath appointed it. That the Lord will begin with Churches, and with a professing people, there are many reasons for it.

1. Because the Hypocrisy, Pride, Self-seeking, deceit, unfaithfulness, &c. of a Professing people, more dishonors God, and scandals the Gospel, then the evils and sins of any other people. The Name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through YOU. As a servant in the family by his ill carriage, more disgraceth the house, then hundreds or thousands who are not of it. But to speak home, No people (I think) upon the face of the earth, have brought more dishonor to God, and reproach to the truth, then the back sliding-Churches, and professors of our time. For, 1. Who had a hand in the late REBELLION, more then they, To appoint a CAPTAIN to return to Bondage; whereby not only to build again the things which they had destroyed, but to bring the sin and guilt of all the blood shed in the three Nations, upon the interest of Christ and his people, and so to justify and acquit the Cavaliers. 2. Who manageth and maintains the oppressions and heavy burdens which lie upon the Souls and Bodies of good people everywhere? (No King or Bishop,) but a Professing people; yea, Saints, as they would be thought. 3. The gross Hypocrisy and Falsehood of some PROFESSORS, hath of late so clearly broken forth, as it hath caused many to become Atheists, at least to think in their heart there is no God. Neither may this be thought strange: for what can lead men sooner unto Atheism, then to see Professors often weep, fast, and pray before the Lord, and yet in their actions not make conscience of anything? 4. There hath been such unheard-of impiety committed under a show of Religion, that it is now a common saying among Cavileers, when they hear of any base thing done, I warrant you (say they) it is some Professor hath done it. As informer time, when any Libel came from Rome, presently Parsons was thought to be the Author; and the more vile, the more Parson-like. I mourn, because I cannot mourn enough; wherefore came I out of the womb to such a day? Ah! That the enemies of the Gospel should have so much cause given them, as to think, the worse the action is, the more likely to to be done by Professing people. 5. Such an Apostasy is seised on Churches (especially in the Officers) as none do more obstruct and hinder the Lord's work of the day, then some of them. In the time of the Prelates, if a good man out of Conscience opposed the Priests, and held forth a public testimony against their corrupt ways; he was presently rayl'd at, counted factious, and cast out of their Synagogue. And is it not so now? I could give many instances, that the old Priests hardly shown more bitterness against the Lord's-witnesses, then some Church-Officers do at this day against honest men, for being faithful in the work of their Generation. But to proceed.

2. A Professing people causing scandal by their evil walking, the Lord will soon take a course with: when we see children rebellious and disobedient, we are ready to say, It is a shame to their parents to suffer them so to do: what say profane men now! Looking upon the actions of Professors? Oh, say they, these call God Father, and they would have us think none are his children but they: if he be rheir Father, how is it that he suffers such horrible lying, falsehood, oath-breaking, and self-seeking in them? I will sanctify my Name which was profaned among the Heathen, which YE have profaned in the midst of them, and the Heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God. They were Professors of whom the Lord complains, Behold I am pressed under you, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves. The sins of Non-Professors are a burden; but Professors sins are more then a burden, and therefore not so long to be born: They were a backsliding people (as ours are) of whom the Lord speaks, That their Oblations, Solemn meetings, and their appointed feasts, were a trouble to him, and he was weary to bear them. How can a man that is weary of a burden, have ease, if he cast it not off? they are the Professors of the last Times, which the Prophet mentioneth: These are a smoke in my nose: Smoak continueth not long, it soon vanisheth; signifying, that the Back-sliders of this age are short lived.

3. That judgment doth begin at the house of God, it will be for the silencing of them that are without, when their day shall come. Lo, I begin to bring evil on the City which is called by my Name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? ye shall not be unpunished.

4. It is a Professing people which have made the Last Apostasy: the subject (I conceive) of the first vial.

Fourthly, Such will have no Time of Finding, Who glory in their shame, and think it their Grace, that they are graceless: As David said of Doeg, do boast themselves in mischief: for having done as wickedly as they can, they rejoice in and bless themselves in it. Is not this great Babylon, that I have built, for the house of the Kingdom, by the might of my power, and for the honor of my Majesty? Is not this the wealth, the power and greatness, which I have gotten by craft, deceit? &c. I have seen children when they have purposely made their hands and fingers black and foul, have held them up, and laughed to see what they had done: Is there not a Generation of men, who have made themselves foul and black within and without, no Leper more foul? nevertheless how do they glory in it, boast of it, and laugh to see so much blackness upon their fingers. Among the Indians he is taken for the gallantest fellow, that can make himself most ilfavored: and is it not so among some Christians (so called?) Is not He the None-such, who by Hypocrisy and double-dealing can deform himself most, and of all men is the UGLIEST to look on? Woe worth the day.

Quest. But where is it proved, when men take delight in their sins, they shall have no Time of finding?

Answ. In God's Holy Book often. 1. The Prophet Ezekiel plainly tells us so: Hast thou seen this, O son of man? is it a light thing to the house of Judah, that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the Land with violence, and have RETURNED to provoke me to anger; and lo, they put the Branch to their nose. Therefore will I also deal in fury, mine eyes shall not spare, neither will I have pity, and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them. It was the manner of the Heathen (and probably practiced now by the Jews) to carry Branches with them to their sacrifices, and to put them to the Idol, and there to sprinkle them, either with the blood of their Idolatrous sacrifice, or to sweeten them with some Idolatrous perfume; then to put them to their nostrils and kiss them, showing thereby how greatly they approved what was don: so that the meaning is, when men not only do base things, as break their oaths and Covenants, set up Tyranny & Idolatry, persecute the Interest of Christ & his people; but likewise take pleasure therein, and rejoice in the wickedness they have done, such in the day of trouble shall have no TIME OF FINDING.

Again, as we read in the Prophets, of men that had Whores-foreheads, refused to be ashamed, and could not blush, would discover their sins like Sodom, and hide them not, and set their blood (meaning cruelties and oppression) upon the top of a rock, to be seen of all the world: so we find in the same places, that the Lord would not spare them, but cut them off, and not regard their cries in the day of trouble. I have read it (somewhere) that in Cumena a wide mouth is in fashion; and what is more in fashion now, then a WIDE MOUTH? He that hath the Impudence and Boldness to defend hypocrisy and falsehood, and to justify oppression and Tyranny, hath the Fore-head to plead for wicked persons and things, he shall have Balaam's wages and promotion, and be the Prophet of this people: and hence it is, that profaneness, Atheism, and the great contempt of God and his ways, so woefully abounds everywhere; namely, of the impudence and Bold-face of sinners, as being no whit ashamed of their doings, but rather glorying, and priding themselves therein. As the Heathen Youngman hearing of the Adulteries and other wickedness of the gods, Do they so, (saith he) and shall I their inferior stick at it? And indeed how can it be otherwise, If the Leaders of the people (as Magistrates and Ministers) live without Conscience, and commit sin without shame; But others of lower Rank and condition will be encouraged to do as bad? But woe to that man by whom the offense cometh.

Fifthly, No Time of Finding, For Tyrants Oppressors and men of blood, who live by thefts and murders, as ravenous beasts by prey. Judgment without mercy, that hath shown no mercy. A man looking into a glass, what his own countenance is there, the like he sees in the glass: if his own be friendly, cheerful, pleasant, &c. so is the other; if stern and froward, he sees the like: To know how the Lord will look upon us in time of trouble, we need go no further then to observe with what Face we look upon other men: With the merciful, he will show himself merciful; with the froward, he will show himself froward. With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with what measure you mete unto others, it shall be measured to you again: thus the Devourer shall be devoured, and the spoyler spoiled. And so it was in the case of Pharaoh, Ahab, Saul, Haman, Herod, &c. they took no pity on others, neither would the Lord pity them when their day came. Rahab had a Time of finding, so had Ebed-melech the Ethiopian: but what were they? no Persecutors of Saints, no Banishers and Imprisoners of the Lord's people, (never showing any reason for it) but on the contrary, were helpful to them in their afflictions.

Hear I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye Princes of the House of Israel: is it not for you to know judgment? who pluck their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones. Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them, and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the cauldron? But some may say, what is all this? we see as much as this done every day, what course will the Lord take with these Tyrants? Then shall they cry unto the Lord, but he will not hear them; he will even hide his face from them, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings. As the fish greedy of the worm, swallows the hook with it, and feeling the prick in her bowels, draws back, and seeks to get off, but cannot: so Tyrants thirsting after the Blood and Treasure of the people, therewith swallow down the CURSE OF GOD; and perceiving afterward they are hookt and catched, Oh, what struggling is there to be loose! one while by vomiting all up again, otherwhile by fasting and prayer: if neither will do, then Moses is sent for in hast, To entreat the Lord his God, that he may take away from them this death only. But, This iniquity shall not be purged from them till they dy. But the Lord hath something more against the Oppressing Rulers of Judah, why he will hide his face from them in the day of trouble: They build up of Zion with Bloods, and Jerusalem with iniquity; the Heads thereof judge for reward, and the Priests thereof teach for hire, and the Prophets thereof divine for money, yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us. Here are several things worth the observing.

1. Between the Rulers and the Priests (it seems) there was a wicked combination; viz. whatsoever oppression and cruelty was done by the Rulers, the Priests were to justify it; and for this they were to have so much per ann. (as their hire) either in money, or some other way. Thus They drew iniquity with a cart-rope. As many threads twisted together make a strong cord; so the Rulers, Priests and false Prophets agreeing together, could easily (as with a cart-rope ) pluck from the people what they pleased, even, their skin and flesh from their bones.

2. That both States, viz. Civil and Ecclesiastical, were now built and kept up by the ruin of the people. As men using their beasts, think they are not bound to give them a reason of the service they put them to: so these Tyrants did what they listed, neither was it for the people (according to the Doctrine of the Priests ) to be otherwise then Beasts, in submitting to the will and lusts of the Heads in everything.

3. Yet they leaned upon the Lord: that is, howsoever they had cast off the Power of Godliness; yet kept up still the the form: As a man that hath gotten scabs and ulcers upon his body, will not cast off his clothes, but rather put on more and better, that his sores may not be seen.

4. Is not the Lord among us? This seems ro be the saying of the Priests and false Prophets, for their hire and money: We are under the best Government that ever was, Our Heads will make us a happy people; we need not fear foreign enemies, neither plague, famine, pestilence; for our Rulers are good men, love the Temple, and give large maintenance to the Priests, so that no evil can come upon us.

Sixthly, Such will have no Time of finding, Who turn with the dog to the vomit, by breaking vows and engagements, and building again what they had destroyed. The Back-slider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: But what are his ways? (Lying, Treachery, Self-seeking, Hypocrisy: as the Prodigal had nothing to fill his belly with, but the husks which the swine did eat; such will be the portion of Revolters from God: instead of peace of conscience, joy in the Holy-Ghost, and sweet communion with God, They shall be filled with their own ways: their Apostasy, Hypocrisy and Falsehood, shall be meat in their bowels; with this, as the gall of Asps within them, they shall be filled: thus it was with Judas.

The Lord by his Prophet tells Judah, Though Moses and Samuel stood before him, yet his mind could not be towards them: this is much, that the Lord will not hear prayer; no, not the prayer of a Moses and Samuel standing together before him: but what is the reason? Because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah King of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem: now that which aggravated Manasseh's sin, and most provoked the Lord to such wrath, it is expressed thus: For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; intimating, had there not been such a great Reformation a little before, his wickedness had not been so foul and great: but after so much time, and labor and treasure spent, in rooting up Idolatry and Tyranny, and to have the true worship of God, with other good things, settled in the Common-wealth: that he should be so graceless and impudent, presently to make things as bad (or rather worse then they were before) here the Lord will not hearken to prayer, but his fury must break forth, and there is no remedy. In one respect (and it is a great one too ) some men have done far worse then Manasseh; for Manasseh built not again the things which he himself had destroyed; neither in doing what he did, was he a Covenant-breaker with the people, that we read of: whereas they have built the high places which themselves destroyed, and against vows and Oaths also.

And here we may understand what the Holy-Ghost means, by saying, It had been better for them not to have known the way of Righteousness, then after they have known it, to turn from the holy Commandment; that is, in the day of God's wrath, when he is pouring out the Vials upon the Nations, it shall be better with them, who have not known the Truth, nor made profession of righteous things, then with enlightened professors, being led aside with the error of the wicked, and fallen from their own stedfastness. When prisoners are taken in war, if any RUN-AWAYES are found among them, such seldom are spared, though the rest have quarter.

They are turned back to the iniquities of their fathers, which refused to hear my words, and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken the Covenant which I made with their fathers; Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them. Again, Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or a prayer for them, for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble. So that now it is neither their own praying, nor the Prophets praying will avail.

Object. But what if with prayer, they had joined fasting, as the present Back-sliders do?

Answ. For all this there had been no Time of finding, When they fast I will not hear their cry, &c. But I will consume them by the sword, and by famine, and by pestilence.

Neither is it strange that the Lord should be so severe against Covenant-breakers and Back-sliders, for none more wound him in his honor & cause, then they. Formerly in wars they used Elephants, which did much service; but if they gave back, did more hurt then the enemy: so long as some men stood fast and faithful in the Lord's Battels, they did the Lord and his people singular service; but by GIVING BACK, they have more dishonored God, and trampled the Good old Cause underfoot, then the Common-Enemy ever did: it may be said of a truth, that the Common-Enemy never gave so deep a wound to the interest of Christ and his people, as some have done by GIVING BACK.

Object. But it will be said, the Prophet speaks of a Covenant made with God, which to break is dangerous; but with men not so.

Answ. Oaths and Engagements made with men, are Divine things; called in Scripture, The Oaths of God. Therefore thus saith the Lord God, As I live, surely mine Oath that he hath despised, and my Covenant which he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head. Though it was made with Nebuchad-nezzar, an Heathen King, an Idolater; yet the Lord owns it as made with himself, because his sacred and dreadful Name was taken therein, and counts the violation and breach thereof, as if it had been formally made with himself: so when Joshua had made a league with the Gibeonites, and the Princes had sworn unto them; though they were deceitfully brought thereunto by the Gibeonites craft, yet they durst not violate the League made and sworn, and so put them to the sword, as they did others: but said, We will let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the Oath. For such therefore as slight the Promises and Covenants which they have made with men, they shall one day know, as they have taken the great name of God in vain, so he will not hold them guiltless, but will remember their great wickedness, and not spare them, nor pity them in the day of his anger.

Seventhly, When the Lord hath separated the precious from the vile, there will be no finding time for the rest. No sooner are the Israelites on dry land, but Pharaoh and his host are covered with waters: if Noah be in the Ark, then presently comes the Flood: no sooner is righteous Lot plucked out of Sodom, but fire and brimstone burns the place: when the mourners are marked, then immediately the Angel is bid to smite, and spare none: so when the Lord's people are in their chambers, Behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. And this I take to be one reason of the Lord's great patience at this time; though Sodom be ripe for judgment, yet the Angel will have Lot out before he execute it: Haste thee, escape thither, for I cannot do anything, till thou be come thither. Why is not the vial poured out upon this Apostasy? surely the Lord waits to be gracious unto his elect among the Apostates. He is not slack, concerning his promise (as some men count slackness) but is long suffering TO US-WARD, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance: whereas therefore he defers his wrath, it is to have his people out of Babylon, and from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram: he would have them remember from whence they are fallen, and repent, and do their first works; and were this done, he would soon take vengeance on the rest.

If a father be spoken unto concerning a rebellious child, and counseled to cast him off; what saith he? Ah! I am his father, I cannot do it, I must yet try some other means, and exercise longer patience towards him. Indeed we have not (as the Lord hath) Fatherly bowels towards Christ's sheep going astray: our passion is such, we would sometimes have them cast off, and looked no more after: but what saith the Lord, I cannot do so, I am their Father, I must wait yet, that I may be gracious to them. If there be but a little corn among a great deal of chaff, the husbandman will have that forth before he burns the chaff. For conclusion, Let us earnestly seek the Lord, that he will pluck all Zion's sons out of Babylon, and plant their feet in the pleasant paths of Christ: this being done, I say, the wheat being separated, the tares straightways will be cast into the lake of fire, where will be no Time of finding.

CHAP. III. Certain grounds and reasons, wherefore there will be A TIME OF FINDING. 1. In respect of God himself. 2. In respect of his people. 3. In respect of the Cause, or, Things they seek him for.

THe Lord will be found in respec • of himself: First, Because he i • good, and his mercy endureth forever: Remember O Lord (saith David) thy tender mercies, and thy loving kindnesses, for they have been ever of old. You cannot touch a man so soft and easy upon the apple of his eye, but he will feel it: What are the tears, groanings, and sighings of Saints, but as the touch of a finger upon the apple of God's eyes? there is nothing we can do, whereof the Lord is more sensible and hath more feeling, then of Soul-travelling sobs and pangs. It is usual in the Prophets, when they are exhorting people, to seek the Lord by fasting and prayer, for their encouragement to mention how pitiful and full of bowels the Lord is: Turn ye unto me (saith the Lord) with all your hearts, & with fasting, and with weeping, & with mourning; & rent your hearts & not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God. Now observe the reason or motive to it: For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil: As if he should say, You fall not into the hand of man, but into the hands of the Lord, whose mercies are exceeding great, and will pity you as a father pitieth his children. So in another Prophet, Who is a God like unto thee? that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy: he will turn again, and have compassion upon us, &c. Note one passage here, He delighteth in mercy: If it be a thing a man well likes, and takes great pleasure in it, you need not press him very much to it, he will be free and forward enough of himself to do it for you. It is true, when the Lord is to afflict his people, here he seems to be UNWILLING, it is not from his heart, (as the Hebrew reads) he delights not in it; but it causeth him to fetch a groan or sigh: Ah! woe is me! How shall I give thee up? my heart is turned within me, &c. But to be found of his children, and to heap blessings upon them, here is his delight, in this his Soul is well pleased.

For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord. If you mark the word (NOW) it makes the sense thus: As if the Lord should say, I cannot see my oppressed ones in tears any longer before me; my bowels so yearn at their groanings, that I must forthwith arise against their proud and cruel enemies. If men who are evil, having pity and compassion in them, cannot but regard the sighs and cries of poor distressed creatures, and their hearts will be drawn out to relieve them: And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him? I tell you, that he will avenge them speedily.

It was a proverb among those of Genoa, when any was injured, to say unto him that had done the wrong; If you will not right me, my Lord Marshal will: with more certainty may Christ's persecuted members say to Tyrants, and proud Hypocrites, Whereas we are imprisoned by you, and spoiled of our goods; our God will right us (though you do not) to your confusion. If Benhadab had ground of hope that Ahab would show him favor, because, The Kings of the house of Israel were merciful Kings: with what full assurance then may the present mourners in Zion expect a Time of finding? he being the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, unto whom they make supplications and prayers.

Secondly, The Lord will be found, because of his word and promise sake. Among men there are some who will not break their promise for anything: Ruth having told her mother in law what Boaz had promised to do for her, what saith Naomi to it? Sit still my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day. Is there so much heed and conscience in man (a poor worm) to be faithful to his engagement? what may we think of God, That cannot lie: with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning; but always speaketh in faithfulness and truth? Now we read in Holy Scripture, that the Lord promiseth there shall be a TIME OF FINDING. ( Call upon me in the time of trouble, and I will deliver thee. Observe how he speaks here like himself; like a God, as one that hath all power in his hands, and can do whatsoever he pleaseth: I WILL DELIVER THEE. If a poor man come to us for relief, such may his case be, as we cannot promise to help him, but tell him we will do our best, and help him if we can: But the Lord speaks not by iffs and may be, but promiseth certain deliverance: I will, be thou clean.

The like in Isaiah I said not to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain; I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. Suppose a beggar should have an engagement under the hand of a King, wherein he promiseth to do so and so for him; it were no presumption in this poor man, having access to the Prince, if he should mention it, & show it to him, & humbly desire the performance of it: neither would the other (though a King) be offended at it, but bid him rest content, for he would not be worse then his word. Though the disproportion is far greater between the Creator and the Creature, then between the greatest Monarch of the world, and the poorest beggar on earth; yet have the Lord's people many times remembered him of his promise, and spread it before his face, and besought him earnestly to look thereon, and not forget it: Thus did Moses: (i) Remember Abraham, Isaac and Israel thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, &c. So David: Remember thy word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. And Solomon likewise, Therefore now, O Lord God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my Father that thou promisest him. Again, Let thy word I pray thee be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my Father. So Jeremiah, Remember, break not thy Covenant.

Neither was the Lord offended with them, that they did put him thus in remembrance; much less did he answer them as some men use to do, when they are minded of their Oaths, Vows, and Solemn Appeals to God, that they would do such and such things for Christ and his people, and the good of the Nations; Ho, say they, Those Promises and engagements were but pro Tempore, that is, (as their practice shows) they never meant to keep their word, but as it should make for their own interest and advantage. But our God abhorreth such deceitful men, and all such execrable Hypocrisy. For He changeth not: All his promises are yea, and Amen: Yea, so far is the Lord from breaking Covenant, that he hears the cries and prayers of his people for his promise sake. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his Covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. So a little after, I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered my Covenant. When Doves sigh and mourn in clifts and secret holes, it doth presage (say they) that destruction is nigh the Birds of prey: not to speak of Pharaoh, Haman, Herod; a little before the fall of the Bishops and the King, the Lord's hidden ones were in bitterness of Soul, and poured out mournful complaints day and night against their persecutors: but much more have they sighed and groaned before the Lord, since this sad Revolt broke forth, in regard of the scandal and reproach brought to the Gospel by it: And what doth this signify? That the Lord will suddenly take away this image of jealousy, and revive his work in the midst of the Nations. But to proceed.

That the Lord forgets not what he promised, might be shown in many other places: He hath remembered his Covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand Generations. And in the same Psalm, He remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant: Again, Nevertheless, he regarded their afflictions, when he heard their cry; and he remembered for them his Covenant. See 2 Sam. 7.21. Here we may not omit how far the Lord's ways, and some men's ways are unlike; the Lord takes it well to be remembered of his Covenant and promises, and would have his children to mention them before him: whereas you cannot more grieve and vex certain NEW LORD'S, then to tell them of their engagements; should any but show them the Oaths and Vows published under their hands, what they protested in such a year, at such a place, for the interest of Christ and his people; their asseverations and imprecations, the curses and judgments they wished to light upon themselves and posterity, if they did not such things; add hereunto their frequent tears, hands laid on their breasts, and eyes lifted up to Heaven, calling God to witness, as to the plainness and singleness of their hearts: should this (I say) be told them, what would they say? Treason, Treason, Put this fellow into prison, &c. In all the reign of Caligula, if a man did but name a Goat, it was a crime (of Laesae Majestatis ) against the Imperial person; this was of his hairy body. A very strange thing, that a man could not say Goat, but he must mean the Emperor. Can you say, Covenant-breaker, self-seeker, deceiver of the people, but the Lawyer cries out, Master, thus saying, thou reproachest us also?

Thirdly, It must needs be, That there will be A TIME OF FINDING, because the Lord hereby will be honored and glorified many ways. There is nothing that a man will sooner regard and hearken to, then when his own profit and advantage is propounded. To speak soberly, and no more but what the Scriptures hold forth; It is good for the Lord himself, That there be a time of finding.

Quest. What Good hath the Lord by it?

Answ. 1. By this means the Saints will bless him, and the high praises of God will be in their mouth. Now whoso offereth praise, glorifies him. Was not the Lord glorified, when he answered the groanings of his people in Egypt, plagued the Egyptians, and destroyed Pharaoh, and his host in the Red Sea? Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto Jehovah, &c. Who is like unto thee O Jehovah among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders! When Babylon shall lie under wrath, sunk like a great millstone cast into the Sea, and shall be found no more at all; What immediatefollows? I heard a great voice of much people in Heaven, saying, Hallelujah, Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power unto the Lord our God: And again they said, HALLELUJAH: and a little after, another great multitude, saying, HALLELUJAH, for the Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth.

As when a judge hath done some notable and eminent act of justice upon a notorious offender, he is highly commended for it: so will the Lord have unspeakable praise from his people everywhere, when he hath judged the Great Whore, destroyed the false Church, Ministry, Worship and Government, plucked her up root and branch with all her props and Lovers, HALLELU-JAH, and again, HALLELU-IAH. What doth the Lord at present hear and see among the Antichristians? But Blasphemy, railing, lying, murders, sorceries, &c. nothing in truth, but what tends to the dishonor of his Great Name: but were the whole Kingdom of the Beast destroyed, then would the Lord have glory and praise, for being found of his people. What man would not have a filthy stink removed, that a sweet persume might be in the place thereof? so long as Hypocrites reign, and Tyrants rule the Nations, their sins like dung will stink in the nostrils of the Lord; but when they are removed, he will smell a sweet savor of praise and thanksgiving.

Besides, the Saints do often use it in prayer, as an argument for a time of finding, namely, the praises he shall have of them: Have mercy upon me, O Lord, consider my trouble, &c. That I may show forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughters of Zion. Again, Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee, &c. Preserve those that are appointed to dy, and render to our neighbors seven fold into their bosom, &c. So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture, will give thee thanks forever, we will show forth thy praise to all Generations. So then, do any desire to know, why the Lord's little remnant at this day are so earnest in prayer against the enemies of God's glory? Why they would have the sinners in Zion afraid, and fearfulness to surprise the Hypocrites? That such as are turned aside to their crooked ways, may have their faces filled with shame, and confounded in all their counsels and designs? It is for this end, that the Lord alone may have praise. It is reported of Nero, when he had banished any good Commonwealths men, or put them to death, he would keep a day of thanksgiving; that is, thank his gods for his great deliverance. It is true, the faithful do abhor such kind of thanksgiving, and leave Nero's exsample to be followed by corrupt men and such as he was. They dare not praise God, because Hypocrites reign; but on the contrary, when they see the Lord doth punish them, for their wickedness, then they will praise him with their whole heart.

But, 2. Should Saints forget their duty of thanksgiving, yet would the Lord be a Gainer, that there is a time of finding, in respect of his great Name. What wilt thou do (saith Joshua) unto thy great Name! So Moses Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out! That is, though thou hast matter enough against this people, to consume them as one man, and to withdraw thy presence from them, yet remember thine own Concernments; to wit, how deeply thy Glory, Power and Faithfulness will suffer, if thou appear not again for them. When Hanun the son of Nahash had most unworthily abused David's Messengers, it was David principally that was wronged; neither could he in point of honor and justice put it up, without taking severe revenge upon the enemy for it. It is Jesus Christ, who at this day is the greatest sufferer, in his Cause, Name and Kingdom; and therefore should he not in judgment come forth against the despiteful abusers of him, what would become of his Glory? would not an evil and adulterous generation conclude, The Lord sees them not, neither regards he good or evil?

When the Israelites were in great distress at the Red-Sea, Moses cried unto the Lord: It is true, they had then a time of finding, but why was it? He saved them for his Name sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. There is much comfort in the words, if well considered. Many honest hearts looking on their tears, sighs, and groans, are discouraged, to think what poor and weak things they are; what is all our weeping (say they) and mourning before the Lord? Shall we have a Time of finding for such low things? Do you stick here (precious ones?) But consider, there is more in the Lord's eye (why he will be found of his people) then their cries and tears; he will hear them, for his Name sake, that his Power, Justice, Mercy, Faithfulness, &c. may be known. So then, though you should question whether the Lord, in regard of your poor prayers and groanings, will arise against Evil doers; yet methinks it is not possible you should doubt, but he will do it FOR HIS NAME SAKE.

Not unto us Jehovah, not unto us, but unto thy Name give the glory; for thy mercy, for thy truth. I cannot but think we are nigh THE TIME OF FINDING, because Christ's little flock have God's glory so much upon their hearts. As a servant in the field sowing seed, he doth it not to have the crop, but for his masters profit: so the Saints up and down the Nation are sowing in tears, and crying day and night to the Lord, that he will arise and have mercy upon Zion, Break in pieces and consume the fourth Monarchy, and render double vengeance upon Babylon. But for whom is this sowing? Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us. Let thine enemies be confounded and troubled forever; yea, let them be put to shame and perish: That men may know, that thou whose Name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the Earth.

I know well enough what the faithful are charged with, for witnessing against the unrighteousness of men; viz. That that they would have others down, to have all power and greatness themselves, and that they allow of no Ministry or Magistracy. For

Answ. 1. The Lord who seacheth the hearts knows all this to be false: If it be rebellion, or if in transgression against the Lord, save us not this day. 2. The Accusers themselves, know it to be false. For would some men for worldly Advantages, corrupt their consciences, they have had not a little proffered them, of Esau's Pottage and Balaam's Reward. But 3. This is true, we pray against the Antichristian Ministry and Magistracy, that the Lord would pluck them up, Root and Branch, and cast them, as unsavory Salt, to the Dunghil. And this we do (not being against all Magistracy and Ministry, but) to have Judges restored • s at the first, and Pastors according • o the Lord's own heart, and so Christ • he ONELY POTENTATE. Lastly it is our Opinion, until the last Apostasy be destroyed God's way will not be known upon earth, and his saving health among all Nations: for it is THIS THAT LETTETH the ruin of Babylon, and the Gathering of the Nations to Jesus Christ: viz. Jews and Gentiles.

We read in the History of the Waldenses, when these good people denied Christ's human Body to be in the Sacrament, the Priests would report they denied God: So not allowing the Virgin Mary to be prayed to, that they had blasphemed her. Just so are we slandred at this day: Because we are against an unlawful Ministry and Magistracy, Ergo, saith the Accuser of the Brethren, we deny all, and will have none.

Thirdly, the Lord being Found of his People, will have the more love from them many ways.

First, A TIME OF FINDING is an heart-enlarger of dear affections to Jesus Christ. I love the Lord (saith David) because he hath heard my voice and my suplications: So in another place. Did not David love the Lord before he had these deliverances? yes, doubtless, and very much: Notwithstanding by this means he loved him a great deal more. As a man by stretching out a Bag or Purse, it holds more then it did before: So every Finding Time, is a reaching and stretching out the heart; our love riseth and grows by it exceedingly.

Secondly, more Love to his Truth, and holy Ways: Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross, Therefore I love thy Testimonies. Is not this harsh, that David should be encouraged to love the Laws of God, of the dreadful Judgments he had seen executed upon Hypocrites, Apostates and Tyrants? If it be a thing very rich and precious, yet so long as it is wrapped up and foulded together, few regard it, neither know we what it is: God's wrath poured out upon the Workers of Iniquity, is (as it were) the opening of himself, of his Kingdom and Laws; and until he doth so, he is not known, nor his appointments. But When his • udgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. He is known by the judgment which be executeth, and glorified by it. So • ong as HYPOCRITES REIGN, • nd the LAST APOSTACIE stands, the Lord's Testimonies will not be loved, but the Statutes of Omri kept: not the Lord's Messengers hearkened unto, but the deceitful workers of Antichrist. But when all Murderers of souls and bodies shall be put away like dross; then will People everywhere love the Testimonies and Laws of JEHOVAH.

Thirdly, If we have a TIME OF FINDING, we will provoke others to love the Lord: Thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee: And what follows? O love the Lord all ye his Saints; For the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the PROUD DOER. If we have a friend that doth very much for us, we would have others (besides ourselves) to love him likewise. Of all men, those who do most experience the love of God towards themselves, do especially provoke and stir up others to love him, and trust in him. So David in another place, I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears: O taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the ma • that trusteth in him. The Prophet here is like one that hath experienced • thing, and found it very good; persuades others to make use also of it.

Fourthly, This TIME OF FINDING will cause many (hearing of it) to love, fear and honor the Lord. When Jethro heard what the Lord had done unto Pharaoh, and unto the Egyptians, for Israel's sake, he rejoiced, saying, Blessed be the Lord, who hath delivered you, &c. Now I know the Lord is greater then all gods: For in the things wherein he dealt proudly, he was above the • We read in Esther that many of the people of the Land became Jews; but when was it? after the Time of Finding, when Haman and his sons were hanged; Then they cried, The Lord he is God, the Lord he is God: but whilst Haman stood in power and greatness, who more honored then he? So when the good news of the Great Earth-quake shall • be spread thorough the Nations, and the perishing of the Last Apostasy, under the first Vial, Oh, what rejoicing will this be to the Churches and Saints everywhere! how will they bless the Lord for it! Just and true are thy ways, thou King of Saints! for thy judgments are made manifest.

Now they will clearly understand that all the pretences and protestations which some made against the Pope, & for THE PROTESTANT CHRISTIAN RELIGION, were mere delusions and falsehoods. Neither was Babylon in her idolatry and cruelty supported by any Power or State more then by them. And that they were the chief obstructers of the Lord's work against the GREAT WHORE. If irons be taken off from hand or foot, this sets the whole body free. The last Apostasy is as a great chain upon the Lord's work; howsoever it be broken but in one Country, nevertheless the whole Body, all the members of Christ, will have Spiritual Liberty by it. And therefore doubtless when they shall hear of this Earth-quake, they will (like Jethro ) bless the Lord for it.

Fourthly: Times of Finding give encouragement unto Saints to trust in the Lord at all times, and to pour out their hearts before him: And this is to give glory to God: They that know thy Name, will put their trust in thee. But how is the Name of God known? truly not in anything more fruitfully and teachingly, then by Times of Finding; here his glory passeth before us; we behold him with open face; here we have his power, goodness, faithfulness, &c. made known to us: Because he hath inclined his ear to me, THEREFORE will I call upon him as long as I live. A man knowing where the Fountain is, and being at it a thousand times, and always satisfied, knows where to go when he wants water. O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Had we not a gracious answer of our cries and tears against the King and Prelates? He bowed the Heavens, and came down; then the earth shook: He also thundered in the Heavens: And what more? He gave us the neck of our Enemies, we beat them small as the dust before the wind, and did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.

Quest. But what hath the Lord gotten, by granting such A TIME OF FINDING?

Answ. The honor of trusting in him: Because thou hast been my help, (saith David,) Therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. That the Lord heard us in the late wars, and was found JEHOVAH-JIREH, a God seen in the mount; We can pray now against all the Hypocritical enemies of his Cause and Kingdom more earnestly; In faith, nothing wavering: which is greatly to his Glory. The bramble would have all the trees put their trust in his shadow. Indeed Tyrants would be trusted, though there be neither trust nor Truth in them. I have read the story, how Dominique dreamt, the Church of Rome was falling, and that he upheld it with his shoulders. Have we never heard the like fable? In what sore distress the Church and State were, both ready to split, had not a Minion Idol been devised, (like Dominique 's shoulders ) to keep them up. The Triers (probably) will apply this, because it is like that Shameful thing for all the world. But to proceed: Did not David very much honor the Lord by trusting in him, when he went forth against Goliath? But what caused David (by believing) to do so? he tells you: The Lord that delivered me out of the Paw of the Lyon, and out of the paw of the Bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. I know there were many complaints and heart-groans, poured out against the King and Bishops, for their Tyranny and Idolatry; but this I can truly say, For twenty years and more, (in which I suffered under them) the Lord did not draw out my heart to so much mourning and sighings, as I have done within these three or four years, against the GREAT BETRAYERS of the interest of Christ and his people. And this I find (as a burning fire shut up in my bones) that I cannot hold my peace day nor night.

Besides, Howsoever I am a poor worm, and the least in my Father's house; yet herein I can give glory to God: I do believe the Lord that delivered his afflicted people out of the paw of the Lyon, and out of the paw of the Bear, (King and Bishops;) he will deliver them from all PROUD PHILISTIMS, that defy the Israel of God; yea, and that speedily.

Fifthly, Times of finding engage the Lord's people, to do him more work, and better service afterwards. If Beasts, the larger allowance they have, will do their master the more service: Surely then, the better Christ is to his children, the more they will strive to do his will in everything. Thou hast delivered my Soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling: I will walk on before the Lord in the land of the living: That is, Seeing I have had a Time of finding, I will so improve this great mercy, as the Lord shall have much glory and honor by it. Methinks, it is at this day with some honest hearts, as it was with the Laborers, which stood idle in the market-place: Should they be asked, why they are not at work? What would they say? We are calling upon the Lord for employment, we would willingly be at work, for it grieves our very Souls to stand thus idle. Now hath not a master more profit that his servants are at work, then standing still? When the Great TIME OF FINDING comes, then will Zion's children be at work indeed: for now they may be said, to be idle, comparatively to their work THEN: Then some shall be the Angel, To preach the Everlasting Gospel: Others the Angels, to pour out the seven last plagues. Some, to bind their Kings in chains, and their Nobles with fetters of iron. Others, to execute vengeance upon Babylon: Come Lord Jesus. When the Lord made use of Moses and Aaron to pour out vials full of wrath, upon Pharaoh and Egypt; and of Elias, to destroy the Prophets of Baal; and of Joshua, to cast out the Canaanites: Was he not in those things very much glorified? If so, then much more when he shall answer the prayers of his people, concerning his Son and Zion, and the destruction of Babylon, and all Tyrants. Which is better, and more for the honor of a King, that Thieves, Murderers and Rebels, do spoil and destroy the good people; or to be taken and punished? What is it that Saints pray for, and desire a Time of finding? Truly this, That Hypocrites and Apostates, be consumed out of the earth, and bloody Tyrants be no more. That all the Kingdoms of the world may be Christ's, whose right it is. And in order hereunto, they are to ready to follow the Lamb (in his work) wheresoever he shall lead them.

But howsoever some men by Times of finding are the better, yet many are the worse. Here Jesus Christ may say, For my Love they are my Adversaries. That is, for the Deliverances, Victories, Preferments, which I gave them, I am the more wronged by them, in my Great Name, Cause, and Kingdom. And truly I think, never a generation of men more sin'd against kindness, then some of this generation. Hear ye Heavens, and give ear, O Earth, for the Lord speaketh, I have nourished and brought up (or made great and exalted) children, but they have revolted from me. It is a pitiful fight, to see a poor Bird killed, with the feathers plucked from her. They are not only contented to feather their nest, with the interest of Christ and his people, but with those feathers, i. e. power, places, Offices, and preferment, which they have plucked from it, shoot at her, and murder her most unworthily. Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? Is all forgotten? What shall I render unto the Lord, for all his benefits towards me? Psal. 116.12.

CHAP. IIII. Reasons, Why there will be a Time of Finding, in respect of God's people.

First, BEcause of the scornings and revilings of the proud, as reproaching the Godly for their mourning and tears. Had not the Lord been found of Hezekiah, he had not been able in a little while to have born Rabshakehs and Sennacherib's blasphemies. That which caused Hannah to be in bitterness of Soul before the Lord, (and no doubt moved the Lord to take pity on her) it was the extreme provoking of her adversary, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb. Our Adversaries are fallen upon Rabshakehs work, and seek to provoke us, by the like scornful reproaches. Where is the fruit (say they) of your tears and cries? You may see the Lord cares not for your weeping, fasting, and praying: did he regard them, he would have helped you ere now: Ah, ah, Do ye think that sobs and groans will do it?

Of such Libertines and profane scoffers David speaks The Counsel of the poor afflicted, ye would make aba • hed, because Jehovah is his hope: that is, Ye have derided the Godly, when ye heard them in affliction to call upon the Lord, and would discourage them from making God their Hope by faith and prayer. Indeed this strikes deep, when the Enemy reproacheth our prayers: Job found it so, I am as one mocked of his neighbor, calling upon God. And David sadly complains of it, My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say, Where is thy God? Again, As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me, while they daily say unto me, Where is thy God? A man that hath a weapon thrust to the bone, cannot bear it long; he must have it forth, or dies. Though it be a grievous thing to have our prayers reproached, yet this help we have by it; namely, it will force us to be the more fervent and earnest with God, and not to rest day nor night, till there be A TIME OF FINDING.

We find in Scripture, that the triumphing of the wicked, hath lain very much upon the Spirits of Saints; and therefore have desired a Time of finding, that the Enemy might not insult: Consider, and hear me, O Lord, lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him, and those that trouble me, rejoice. Again, Grant not, O Lord, the desire of the wicked, further not his wicked device, lest they exalt themselves. What is it that Apostates and other wicked men would have? That Mourners in Zion might have no Time of finding. And what would they do, should they have their desire? It is not to be uttered, the wickedness they would commit. The Jews report of one presuming to enter into the Holy of Holiest, and abusing the Treasure there, was by the hand of God immediately smitten. The prayers and groanings of Saints are no other, then Choyce things in the most Holy place. And therefore when men begin to deride and reproach these Holy things, surely judgment is not far off.

I remember Hezekiah's words: This is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children are come to birth, and there is not strength to bring forth. What he speaketh there, is our present case: when the child is at the birth, the woman hath her sorest travel; then either death, or a speedy deliverance. That our Tears, Prayers and Sighings are reproached, it hath brought the Work to the Birth. Ah! how Zion now travels, as having her last and sharpest pangs and throws upon her. Methinks I hear her cry, Master, Master, we perish. But fear not Zion, hear what thy God speaketh, Shall I bring to birth, and not cause to bring forth? As the Lord by the blasphemous reproaches and scornings of the Enemy, ( viz. Priests, Lawyers, and Soldiers) hath brought the work to the Birth, and put the sharpest pangs now upon thee; so he will speedily work out thy salvation? The zeal of the Lord will perform this.

Secondly, Mourners shall have a Time of finding, Because the Lord knows their frame, and remembereth they are dust. Things that are brittle and tender, should they be roughly handled, would soon break to pieces. As the Lord knows, we are weaklings, Babes, Bruised reeds and smoking flax; so He is touched with a feeling of our infirmities, and will not contend forever, lest our spirits should fail before him. If a father should see his child at his foot gasping for life, would he not pity him, and preserve him (if he could) from perishing? When my Soul fainted within me (said Jonah) I remembered the Lord, and my prayers came unto thee, into thine Holy Temple.

And this also makes me think a time of finding is nigh, Because the Name of God, and the Cause of Christ, lies with such weight upon the Spirits of Mourners, as they are even fainting under it. Poor Hagar could not endure to hear the death-groans of her child: for though she had heard him awhile weep and cry for water, yet when she thought he was fainting away, She leaves him, and goes a good way off, and lifts up her voice and wept. As DEATH-GROANS are now upon travelling Zion; so the Lord sees it, and he will not do as Hagar did, go off from her: (there is no need, for the water is not spent in his bottle,) but out of his fullness, he will speedily supply her, by granting her a blessed time of finding. If a man should hear lamentable groanings and screeches at his gate, and looking out at his window, should behold poor people ready to starve through cold and hunger, he could not (having enough by him) suffer them to perish. It is thus with many of God's people at this day; they lie ready to starve before the Throne of Grace, either FINDING or FAINTING. And will he suffer such to famish? Surely he will not, he cannot; for his promise is to do otherwise.

Suppose a Beast carry a burden so long, as through weakness it begins to sink, what man would not pity it, (though it be a Beast) and ease him of it? The BURDEN hath been so long on the Lord's Little ones, and the Horn so weared them out, as poor hearts, they seem almost tyr'd. One cries, My foot slippeth: another Oppression makes him mad: others Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost, &c. others, The rod of the wicked hath been so long upon them, as they are ready to put forth their hands to iniquity. All this God knows to be true; and he knows the flesh is weak, and Parents must not provoke there Children, lest they be discouraged. But what may we gather from it? Our God will suddenly come, and not keep silence, to save all the meek of the earth.

Better one man should die, then the whole Nation perish. Methinkes things are come to that STRAIGHT, that if Christ's Enemies live, his faithful Friends die; if their spirits fail not, the others will: If God do not suddenly arise for his great Name, some Sobbing-hearts will break at his foot. But fear not thou Worm-Jacob I will give men for thee (saith the Lord) and people for thy life. He will give the Little Horn to the burning flame; The Last Apostasy shall perish: THE HYPOCRITE SHALL REIGN NO MORE, rather then thy Spirit shall fail, for not having A Time of Finding.

Thirdly: Because they are the Lord's People, his Jewels, Servants, Children and Friends. I am thy Servant (saith holy David) give ME understanding. If another man's Child or Servant should ask something of you, you might in all reason (especially if Enemies) bid them go to their own Father and Master, why do they come to you? It is very true, such as as are the servants of Antichrist, and do serve the base lusts of Tyrants, yea, and are Tyrants themselves; The Lord may justly say unto them, when they Call upon him, as the Prophet did to the King of Israel: What have I to do with thee? Get thee to the Prophets of thy Father, and to the Prophets of thy Mother. So may the Lord say to REVOLTERS, Why come ye now to me? have ye not rejected me, and cast me off, in my Son, Zion, Cause and Kingdom; broken your Vowes and Covenants with me? Therefore get ye unto the Head of the Last Apostasy, and the Great Whore, the Head of the First Apostasy, whom ye have honored more then me: And it seems to me, David in the Spirit foretells this very thing They cried out, but there was none to save; unto JEHOVAH, but he answered them not. A Prophesy to be fulfilled in the Last Days (as I take it) upon APOSTATE PROFESSORS.

But howsoever the Lord will thus deal with his enemies for their Crooked ways, yet with his Friends and faithful Servants, who continued with him in his temptations; Suffered banishment, imprisonment, spoiling of their goods, &c. rather then to forsake THE GOOD OLD CAUSE, These shall call, and the Lord shall answer; They shall cry, and he shall say, Here I am Can a Mother forget her sucking child? &c. If a child be crying in the streets, and multitudes of people should pass by without taking notice of the child; yet no sooner doth the mother hear it cry, but runs to it, kisseth it, and carrieth him home in her bosom. What though profane people, and proud carnal professors that are at ease, regard not the Mourners in Zion, but reproach their very sighings and groanings, laugh and deride their prayers? yet they have a father that hears them, and puts all their tears into his bottle, and in due time will put off their sackcloth, and gird them with gladness.

Fourthly, Because in seeking him, they seek only his Glory. As a shooter hath one eye close, and with the other sees nothing save the mark at which he shoots: thus it is now with the Little Remnant; their eyes are shut from all Self-respects, they look not upon any worldly advantage, neither ask anything of God, but what may be to the glory of his Great Name. If they ask health, Liberty, food, &c. it is, that God may be glorified in the right improvement of them: if they pray against Apostates and Covenant-breakers, it is, that the Lord alone may be exalted. To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain: that is, so Christ may be glorified, I am willing to live; and if glorified, I am willing to dy: it is all one to me whether I live or dy, so Jesus Christ by it may have glory.

Could a father see a child at his foot crying to him with tears, that he might know his will, and upon no other account then to honor him in the doing of it: I say, could a father see all this; and not be found? For men's judgment, we pass it by, as a very small thing; the Lord knows it is true, viz. That there is a Seed of God at this day in bitterness of Soul, to know what is that good, that acceptable and perfect will of God; and for no other end, then to serve the Lord: and not as Turn-coats and Revolters do, to serve themselves upon him. The Lord was well pleased with Solomon, Because he asked not for himself long life, nor riches, nor the life of his Enemies, but understanding to discern judgment; that is, he asked that thing, whereby he might most honor God: and the Lord gave him his request, and more too. Never had Saints more cause then now to believe a time of finding is nigh, and that all their tears and sighings will be speedily answered, seeing they go not unto the Lord (as Hypocrites do,) For corn and wine, and rebel against him; but for this end, that the Lord's name may be hallowed.

But this corrupt men cannot do. It is not God's Counsel they desire to know, nor his good Cause to carry on; but that their own wicked devises might prosper, & that the Lord would give his glory to them. As the rainbow never appears, but is in opposition to the Sun; so some men if they appear publicly or privately, in fasting and prayer, they are never in that side of the world where God's Glory is, but quite in opposition to it. I have read of a certain Soldier, having done great service for the State, was bid to ask some reward for himself: to which he answered, For himself he would ask nothing, but had a Petition for the Church and People of God. I hope there is such a frame of Spirit among the Mourners everywhere, they have laid aside their own concernments, and are seeking the things of Christ and Zion; if so, then hold up your heads, The time of finding is come.

Fifthly, Because the prayers of Saints are not only by Jesus Christ presented to the Father, and by him made a sweet sacrifice, but likewise he himself moves and intercedes in their behalf. Thus Christ in Heaven is as a Favorite at Court, takes our Petitions and speaks to them: So saith Paul, He is at the right hand of God, making intercession for us: The Text carries it, that he is in Heaven with his stripes, wounds, blood, death, setting them before the eyes of his Father, and all for Zion. Some men after their exaltation and preferment, forget their poor Brethren and old friends, (as Pharaohs Butler forgot Joseph: ) but Christ doth not so, we are as a seal set upon his heart, there he wears us, and keeps us, not only for an ornament, and to show how precious he accounts us, but that we might be always in his sight and remembrance.

The encouragement given us to come boldly to the Throne of Grace, is, For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted, yet without sin. There is no man will prosecute a business for another so fully, as he that is tenderly affected with the case. The troubles and distresses which are now upon God's people for poor Zion, are upon the heart of Christ, yea, and much more upon his heart then theirs; and therefore doubtless, he will press home their SUITS in Heaven. Besides, that which Adonijah said to Bathsheba, is most true of Christ: The Father will not say him nay. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. A man will be the more willing to help another, if he see himself concerned in the thing, and that it is his own good that is desired. For whom do the faithful sigh and groan? Is it not for Christ? as the Prophet saith, Prayer shall be made for him continually. When they pray against Babylon, Tyrants, Triers, Lawyers, Soldiers; Is not this to pray for Christ? viz. That his enemies may be made his footstool, (as he expecteth) and all the Kingdoms of the world become his, whose right it is. And what may we learn hence? Surely Christ will look after the tears and cries of Mourners, because they are poured forth for his own righteous cause.

Lastly, That Believers should come unto God by Christ, the holy Ghost giveth this reason Seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Your Fathers where are they? and the Prophets do they live forever? How often comes it to pass that there is not a Moses to stand in the breach? not a man to he found. Is it not now our sad complaint? We see not our Signs, there is no more any Prophet, neither is there among us any that knoweth how long. Nevertheless Jesus Christ our great High Priest LIVETH FOR EVER, and ceaseth not to plead Zion's Cause, (or his own Cause rather) before the Throne. Doubtless thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not. Thou O Lord art our Father, our Redeemer, thy Name is from everlasting.

And here it falls in our way to discover the great presumption of Christ's Enemies, which will not that he should reign over them; But instead of exalting him, seek to exalt themselves. It is much they are not afraid to take Christ's Name in their mouth. For unto whom may they be likened? To a company of Usurpers, who keeping an honest man out of his lawful possession, will yet go to him and entreat him to assist him against himself. Surely he cannot but think they mock him most grossly. I leave the application to such as will not that Christ should take to him his great power and reign; yet say, Lord, Lord.

Sixthly. Because they seek the face of God, with the groanings of the Spirit; And this is to pray in the Holy Ghost: i. e. when the Spirit works all our sighings, wrestlings and strong cries. As the Master holding the Childs hand, what is so written, is done by him, and he cannot but like it, because it is his own Act: Thus in our sincere Mournings before the Lord: they must needs be accepted, because they are the work of his own Hand; not our sighings and prayers, but as David said, Of thine own have we given thee. When the Heavens and the Earth were finished, and all the hosts of them, it is said, And God saw everything that he had made, and behold it was very good. It could not but be lovely, fair and excellent, being his own work-manship. Are our Mournings the work of the Spirit? Surely then, as God sees them, they are very good.

And this is matter of singular comfort and encouragement unto all Mourners in Zion: What though their sighs and cries (as looked on by Enemies) are slighted and scorned? What do those feeble Jews (Fifth Monarchy-men) will they fortify themselves? do they think by their weeping to build Zion? Will they revive the stones of the heaps of the rubbish which are burnt? Ah, ah, say they (poor deceived people; that which they build by their praying and fasting, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall. It is true, thus are our tears and cries to God mocked and despised; but let us not be discouraged for all this, remember (what was said) they are not our groanings, but the Spirit's and in that regard, by terrible things in righteousness, wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation. The Spirit helpeth our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for, as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us, with groans which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the heart, knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the Saints, according to the will of God: That is, we being weak, and prayer a great work, the Spirit helps us to carry the Burden with us, and for us; and supplies our want of knowledge, by prompting (as it were) our lesson unto us, to ask such things, and in that manner as God requireth and alloweth. Parents many times hear their children sob and groan; but not knowing the cause thereof, cannot help them. But the Lord knows the mind of the Spirit. Though we do but Chatter like a Crane or swallow, and mourn as a Dove; Speak only in our hearts (like Hannah) and no voice is heard: This before the Lord is as incense, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice.

Quest. But how may we know the Groanings of the Spirit, from our own?

Answ. 1. Nothing will quiet the Spirit (as to cease groaning) but satisfaction in the thing groaned for. Though Elkanah spake comfortably to his wife, when he said, Am not I better to thee then ten sons? yet that would not help: she was in bitterness of Soul before the Lord for a child, and nothing but a child will comfort her. As Rachel said, Give me children or else I dy; Thus it is with Saints groaning in the Spirit for Zion, and the Great Name of God, and against the abominable Falsehood and Hypocrisy of men. Their Souls refuse to be comforted, until the Lord graciously answer them here. I have seen children cry and roar after a piece of money, but no sooner hath a counter or bable been put into their hand, but they had done crying, and all is quiet and well again. What great mourning was there some few years since in Churches and among professors, after righteousness and judgment, and to have all heavy yokes broken? but now the Abby-key being found, and the fish caught; that is, great places, Offices, and preferment gotten, we hear no more crying out against oppression, all is quiet now, and well again; now they can hold their peace, though the time be worse then before, in respect of the interest of Christ and his People, and the public good of the Nations.

But what may we gather hence? They were not the Lord's Remembrancers. Their tears and groans were their own, and for their own interest, not the Spirit's, and for the things of Christ: for had the Spirit set them on work, had they been the Spirit's sighs and sobs for Zion, they would not have held their peace day nor night, nor given the Lord rest, UNTIL he had made Jerusalem a Praise in the Earth. If they had been of us, they would no doubt, have continued with us.

2. If they are the Groanings of the Spirit, nothing will be asked, but what is, according to the will of God. Not my will (saith Christ) but thine be done. So again, The will of the Lord be done. As a man that is doing something for a friend, will endeavor to do it so, as the party for whom he doth it, may like it, and have content: thus it is with us, when the Spirit helpeth us with groanings which cannot be uttered: We are all for pleasing God; we would not speak, nor have our hearts move or think of anything, but what the Lord should take pleasure and delight in. It is true, Hypocrites can groan, and like Esau, will beg blessings with tears; but observe this, it is to serve themselves upon the L •• d, and to have their will done, whethe • it be God's will or no: thus they will have the Lord to bless their Counsels and designs, though they are against Himself, his Son, and Zion: so when they have made a Covenant with death, and with hell are at an agreement, then must Priests and People be called together, to fast and pray, that it may prosper.

3. Spirit-Groanings are like Elias chariot and horses of fire, carry the Soul into Heaven. It is the Glory of God, which now is only eyed. As the Mariners needle always trembles and shakes, till her point be towards the Pole: so it is with right Mourners, they are not satisfied in weeping and sobbing before the Lord, unless they have the sight of his glory; then they are quiet, seeing the mark they look after. When the sun is risen, we see not a star in the Firmament: Reader, note it. What is it when thou art in bitterness of Soul, that vanisheth? Is it SELF? Seest thou no Honor, Credit, Preferment, Relations, nor any other worldly Respects? Seest thou the great Name of God, dearer to thee then thy soul? And for afflicted Zion, thou weepest, thine eye, thine eye runneth down with Tears. Bl •• sed art thou that thus mournest; the Lord shall restore comfort to thee.

4. A man never sees more emptiness, unworthiness and poverty in himself, then when he is under the strongest groanings of the Spirit; neither is his heart at any time more broken then at the woeful sight thereof. Woe is me, I am undon &c. For mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts: The Spirit in our mournings is as a light that shineth in a dark place. We did not think to have found such nakedness and baseness as we do: Again, the Spirit-Groanings are like fire in the Soul: such may the fire be, as it melts down Iron, breaks Rocks and Stones asunder. It is a good sign a man is under the Mournings of the Spirit, when finds his corruptions and lusts (hard as flint) to melt and break in pieces, and by the power of the Spirit, consumed and brought to nothing.

The groaning of Hypocrites, is like the drawing of a Curtain, whereby things are hid and covered: The more they weep, fast, and pray, the less fight have they of their sins: For what is the reason some men see not so much evil in their ways, now as they did some years past? I answer, in their fasting, and praying ever since, they have been drawing curtains over their filthy sores: Not but that they are far worse then they were; but they see it not, because of their hypocritical Tears.

5. The Spirits Groanings leave two things (especially) upon the Soul. 1. Refreshment: as when a man hath eaten well, he finds his spirits strengthened and comforted: But this is not so with unsound hearts. It is reported of Witches, when they have eaten and drunk of the best, and to their thinking largely, they find themselves presently in a condition ready to starve. Should some men speak their experiences, they could not but confess, when they have been some hours in prayer, and sighed often, they have been afterward no other then like Pharaoh's lean and ill-favored kine, not had any soul-strengthening or feeling refreshing at all.

2. The Soul is left in a sweet and blessed frame; as Wax that is soft, is fit to take any impression: so is a Saint wrought up wholly for God; his will, affections, desires, run out with Paul, Lord what wilt thou have me to do? That is, I am ready to receive any truth, and to deny myself in everything, so that I may follow thee, and serve my Generation.

It is a common saying (and I have heard it often) when some men talk of fasting and prayer Now (say they) beware, there is some Plot or other in hand. And usually it is so: For after the Formality of the work is over, their doings are worse then ever; so far from loosing the bonds of wickedness, and letting the oppressed go free, and breaking every yoke, &c. as on the contrary they smite with the fist of wickedness their fellow-servants, and cast out their Brethren more cruelly then before. But what saith Solomon? To do Justice and Judgment, is more acceptable to the Lord then sacrifice, I will have mercy and not sacrifice.

Seventhly, Because the Lord is teaching Zion's Mourners the ART OF SEEKING. You know by long practice and use, a man becomes expert and skillful in a trade, especially having a good master. This benefit (through Grace) some of the Lord's people have received, since the Apostasy, came up; namely, they have been learning the Art of Prayer: for not only of late years, have they been more frequent in the practice, but have gotten more experience of the thing then ever they had before.

According to the Scriptures, men must pray in faith: with fervency and earnestness: watching thereunto with all perseverance: and not faint. If thousands had thrown stones at Goliath, and bigger then David 's was, and hit him too; yet I question, whether he had fallen: but that STONE which went out of David's sling, sunk into his forehead, and he fell down dead upon the earth. The Lord hath some (I hope many) in the Nation, who are going (as so many DAVIDS ) against the Philistine (Babylon and all her Brats and Props. ) And howsoever he is cursing them by his gods, and laughs to see nothing in their hands, but a sling and stone; only sighs and groanings: yet let this HEAVEN-DARING GIANT know, that the Little Stone which he derides, (faith and prayer) shall within a little while, sink into his forehead, and the MONSTER shall fall, and his flesh be given to the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field; That all the Earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

I well remember in the time of the Bishops, when there rose up any cruel Persecutor, the good old Puritants would say one to another, Come let us pray this enemy of our Lord Jesus Christ and his people to death. And I could give some memorable instances, what a wonderful Return of prayer they had, i. e. how the revenging hand of God smote the Enemies, sometimes dead immediately upon the sighings and groanings of his people against them: a warning to all new Persecutors to look about them: Zion's children are crying day and night unto God against them; and they have learnt now, the Art of praying, never to be silent, till they have prayed them to death, that is, prevailed with the Lord to execute upon them the judgment written.

CHAP. V. That there will be a Time of Finding, because of the good Things prayed for.

WHatsoever the Lord in his word promiseth to give, that we may ask, and shall surely have it: so saith the Apostle, If we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us. No child could better love a mother, then Solomon loved Bathsheba; and there was no reasonable thing, but she might have had it of him. Nevertheless when she came to speak unto him for Adonijah, (who had usurped the Kingdom) he not only denied her, but gave her a close reproof. Though they are the Lord's own people, yet when they will take that boldness, as to pray for Traitors and Covenant-breakers, and that Hypocrites may reign, and that the Lord will bless their Councils, Armies, Navies; I tell you, the Lord doth not take it well at their hands, neither shall they have a time of finding: But will be angry against the prayer of his people. I will pray (saith Paul) with the Spirit, and I will pray with understanding also. So in another place: If there are any that understand and seek God: Intimating these must be join'd together, viz. an understanding-seeking of God. A man out of his way, the faster he goes, the farther off he is from the place where he should be. So for men to ask things altogether contrary to the express word of God; to wit, for Babylon, the Little Horn, and bottomless Beast, and that Satan may not be bound up, but reign and prevail still in his wicked and murderous instruments: surely this must needs be out of God's way, and not the way to find him, but rather a great provocation.

Quest. But do any pray for Babylon, and that Satan may prevail still in his destroying instruments?

I answer: Most do so, but under another name: the Zion they pray for, is indeed Babylon; the Ministry and Magistracy which they cry up, and call Lawful, is Antichristian and sinful: thus They call the proud happy, and they that work wickedness are set up. But how set up? The Priests plead for them, and pray for them, and so make their Building strong, (as the Hebr. reads) by blessing an Idol. If dung or trash should be presented to a Prince, yet so, as under the name of rich Pearls and jewels, would he accept of it (knowing what it is) because it is brought to him not as dung, but pearls of great Price? I am a great King, saith the Lord of Hosts, and cursed be the deceiver. Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, &c. But indeed these deceitful workers cannot deceive God; men they do, and their own souls likewise, as they will see ere long, to their bitterness and shame.

Quest. But what are the good things which the Lord's people are asking according to the will of God, and wait for a time of finding?

Answ. 1. That the Lord will remember his Great Name, and suffer it not any longer to lie under reproach and blasphemy; but arise, and show forth his Power, Faithfulness, Mercy and Judgment, in reviving his work in the midst of us, Mat. 6.9. 1 Cor. 10.31. Exod. 32.12. Num. 14.13, 14. Josh. 7.9. Psalm 83.17, 18. Hab. 3.2.

2. That Jesus Christ (Heir of all things) may have his right and possession: That is, that all corrupt powers on earth may be broken to pieces, His Enemies made his Foot-stool, and he alone exalted, and the only Potentate, Psal. 2.8. & 72.8, 15. Dan. 2.34, 35. & 7.14. Luk. 19.12. Obad. 21. Rev. 11.15, 17. Isa. 2.11, 12. &c. Heb. 10.13. 1 Tim. 6.14, 15.

3. That Jehovah (the Judge of all the earth) would lift up himself, and in some way or other make it publicly appear, who are faithful to him, and who are the Apostates which have betrayed the interest of Christ and his people, Psal. 94.2. 1 King 18.36, 37, &c. 1 Sam. 14.12. Mal. 3.18. Psal. 99.6.8. Num. 16.16, 17. & 17.5, 8, 9. Gen. 18.25.

4. That the Lord will speedily avenge the blood of his servants shed upon Babylon, and take vengeance on all Civil Powers, for their oppression & cruelty against the Lord's servants, and bring in the great day of Deliverance and Restauration to the whole Creation, Psal. 74.2, 18, 22. Jer. 51.35. Deut. 32.35, 41, 43. Psal. 94.1. Jer. 50.15. Isa. 34.4, 5. & 47, 34. Luk. 18.7, 8. Rev. 18.5. Act. 3.21. Rom. 8.19, 20, 21.

5. That the Lord in wrath will remember mercy, 1. In finding out and punishing ACHANS and TROUBLERS, that none (innocent) may suffer for the rebellion and Apostasy of others, Num. 16.22. Josh. 7.24, 25. Gen. 18.23, 24. Psal. 125.4, 5. Isa. 3.10, 11. & 33.14, 15. &c. Psal. 32.6, 7. 2. That the Lord will be merciful to his people in BABYLON, as he was to Lot in SODOM, and bring them forth, that they be not partakers of her plagues, Gen. 19.16. Rev. 18.4. Zach. 3.2. 2 Tim. 3.2, 3, 5. 2 Cor. 6.17, 18.

6. That the fullness of the Gentiles may come in, and all Israel be saved, Psal. 67.2. Gen. 49.10. Hab. 2.14. Isa. 25.7. & 32.6. & 35.6. & 43.19. Hos. 1.10, 11. & 3.5. Rom. 11.25, 26.

7. Whereas men's rebellion against the Lord, and their opposing HIS WORK, WAYS, KINGDOM and PEOPLE, is carried on under fair pretences, whereby many in their simplicity are led aside into great transgression against Jesus Christ, Their prayer is, that all such liars, and dissembling Hypocrites may daily be more discovered, and their designs broken, by some signal appearing of the Lord against them, Num. 16.15. Psal. 55.12, 15. Hos. 11.12. Ps. 140.8, 11. Isa. 27.3. 1 Sam. 15.17, 18. with Chap. 18.14.

8. As they cannot hold their peace for ZIONS SAKE, so the Lord is earnestly called upon, 1. that he will REMEMBER HER TREACHEROUS AND FALSE FRIENDS, viz. Church-members, Professors, Soldiers, Lawyers; all such as have basely betrayed her to the ENEMIE: Lam. 1.2. Psal. 41.9. & 55.12, 15. 2 Sam. 15.31. Jer. 18.20.

2. Not to forget the reproach and scandal which she suffers, by reason of their abominable hypocrisy and falsehood: having rendered the very NAME OF RELIGION odious to them that are without. Lam. 2.15. Rom. 2.14. Isa. 52.5. Ezek. 36.20, 26. Gen. 32.30. Eccl. 10.1. Amos 4.10. 3. That the temptations and afflictions now upon her may thoroughly cleanse her, and make her meet for the masters use, Isa. 1.25. Mal. 3.5. Dan. 11, 35. 2 Tim. 2.21. 4. That the Lord will turn unto her a pure language, heal all breaches and divi • ions, that so her Children may serve him with one consent. Zech. 3.9. 1 Cor. 1.10. Isa. 11.13. Psal. 134.1. Act. 2.1. 5. That the Spirit from on High may be poured out upon all her Sons and daughters, whereby their understanding may be opened to know all things, Joel. 2.28, 29. Act. 1.4. Luk. 24.49. Dan. 12.10. Amos 3.7. Rev. 22.10. John. 14.16, 26. 1 John. 2.20.

6. That she may have her Judges restored as at the first, and Pastors after GOD'S OWN HEART. Hence the Lord is daily called upon to pluck up by the roots all false Offices, Ministries, Callings, Administrations and Maintenance, both new and old, Isa. 1.26. Ier. 3.15. & 23.4. Ezek. 34.25. Mat. 15.13. Hos. 2.16, 17. Zech. 13.2. & 14.20, 21. Rev. 18.21. &c.

Lastly, seeing it will be a great and dreadful day, when the Lord shall answer the prayers of his people, Even burn like an Oven; and who shall stand when God doth this? therefore is the Lord entreated to be so gracious unto his LITTLE ONES, as they may not be offended in what way or manner soever his great work comes forth, but may be prepared to meet the Lord, and counted worthy to follow him, Mal. 4.1. Num. 24.23. Isa. 22.18, 19. & 25.9. 1 John 2.18. Luk. 21.36. Amos 4.12. These are the things which the faithful of the Land are praying for, and the Apostates scoffing at. But it is not their derision can make the promise of God of no effect, Heaven and Earth (saith Christ) shall pass away, but my words shall not, pass away.

CHAP. VI. Reasons, Wherefore the Lord will not be found of some People, though they call upon him in the Time of trouble.

First, BEcause in their prosperous condition, when they are grown thick, and covered with fatness, they will not know the Lord. But speak with a stiff-neck. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? we desire not the knowledge of his ways, &c. Some people in seeking God are like a sort of Beggers, who standing at your door, will tell you, they make not a trade of begging, neither do they come often, and had it not been for necessity, they would not have troubled you at this time. Are there not many (should they speak truth) must confess, this is their very case; they make no trade of begging, unless they are in some want: God is not in all their thoughts; neither would they seek him in their troubles at all, if they knew how to be helped without him. No doubt in the days of Noah, when the waters came and took away the wicked people out of their houses and beds; yea, fetched them off from the high hills and mountains, where they fled for safety, there was bitter mourning and crying to the Lord, but all in vain; as they would not know him in their prosperity, so now he will not deliver them, when Fear, and the pit, and the snare are upon them. Job saith, God will not hear the hypocrite, when trouble cometh upon him: that is, seeing he calls not upon God (unless it be deceitfully and mockingly) but when great distress is upon him, therefore he shall be left to the destroyer, and no eye shall pity him. Hence it is, that the Scriptures speak of Seeking the Lord while he may be found, and while he is near: and of the time accepted: and while it is called today: denoting, that men may forfeit their time, and come after the Gate of Grace is shut. And if so, then no time of finding.

Besides, the Lord takes it as not sought unto, nor called upon, when men only cry to him in time of trouble. It is said of Saul, He inquired not of the Lord, therefore he slew him: yet in another place it is, When Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor Urim, nor by Prophets: the meaning is, when Saul knew not what to do, but saw the wrathful hand of God ready to cut him off by the Philistines, then (like a malefactor going to execution,) He enquires of the Lord; but this the Holy-Ghost calls, not enquiring, because it was only for his own end; and till great distress came upon him, he regarded not the Lord, but had cast him off, & sought himself in everything. The fox in a snare, looks wishly, hangs the head, will sigh extremely, and you may see tears fall from his eyes; but all this will not serve his turn, nor save him from being knocked on the head. Reader, shouldst thou live to see an OLD HYPOCRITE under Divine wrath, thou wouldst see him just like a fox in a trap, his countenance altered, groan and sigh, as if his heart would break, and tears at command. I have sinned, I have sinned, (will the OLD FOX say) in betraying that INNOCENT CAUSE. But the Lord will neither trust him, nor believe him anymore; his day is now come, in which the Judge of all the earth will pay him home, for all his former craft and falsehood. So let all thy enemies perish O God. Judge. 5.31.

Secondly, Because they say, A Conspiracy; that is, mix themselves with the unhallowed lump, keep unsanctified places and standings, in Babylon, and the last Apostasy, and so not separated from the corruptions and evils of the time: Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and I will be a father unto you, &c. Plainly showing, unless we forbear to follow the multitude, or, Great men: Come out of Babylon: Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness: And depart from the tents of Corah, Dathan, and Abiram, and all such wicked men, the Lord will not be a Father to us, in answering our cries, when calamities and troubles are upon us. What the Lord may do in respect of his unbounded bowels, and free grace, it is a thing too high for us. For he is many times better then his promise, and above it. But this I say: So long as men wrap themselves in the sin and guilt of others, plead for Baal, and endeavor to strengthen Tyrants in oppression and blood, follow Balak (as Balaam did) for the wages of iniquity; these cannot (thus doing) by any Scripture-promise, expect a time of finding: I speak of a temporal deliverance, as to be hid in the day of the Lord's anger.

There is a twofold separation which the Lord requires of his people at this time. 1. From things. 2. From persons. And the followers of the Lamb they do both. They are redeemed from the earth; that is, from the carnal Church-Ministry, worship, and Government; they will not communicate in any of their devised service, forms, customs, administrations, nor contribute anything to their maintenance. Numb. 7.3, 5. Neh. 10.23, 39. Likewise, They are redeemed from among men: who these men are, the Apostle shows, viz. the Apostates in the last days: MEN, that shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, proud, &c. from such turn aside. 2 Tim. 1.2, 5.

Charles 9. having a petition brought to him from the Admiral Chastillon, he refused to receive it, saying, If he will forsake the Rebels (meaning the Protestants) and come to us, we will hear him: but so long as he encourageth the enemy, we will receive none of his Petitions. I wish with my Soul, that some eminent professors would lay things to heart: How can they think that the Lord will receive any of their Petitions, if not only they abide with his Enemies, and take their part openly against him, but seek to strengthen and maintain (what they can) the greatest revolt that ever was made against Jesus Christ? It is said, But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord: Why Noah more then others? why was the Lord better to him then to a whole world? He was A SEPARATIST, and a strict one too; for he made conscience of his ways, and wherein he saw others differed from truth and righteousness, therein he differed from them.

Qu. But why are not many professors Separatists ( like Noah) now, so to have a time of finding when the Flood comes?

Answ. To speak my thoughts, it is because of Self-love and Covetousness: These two great leading sins (like two huge Beasts ) open a wide Gap to the rest of the sins in the last Apostasy, For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves thorough with many sorrows. Howbeit in some ground there are ill Weeds of several sorts; yet commonly there are one or two rifer and ranker then others. I am the more confirmed to think the last Apostasy is come, not only because all the Weeds appear foretold, but that Self-seeking and Covetousness, first named, are higher and ranker then the rest.

The Story of the Usurer may fitly come in here: when he went abroad, people pointed at him, and shook their heads; whereby he knew his way and trade was generally dislik'd: this sorely vexed him, until he came home, and saw his Bags; then he would laugh, and say to himself, Ha, ha, Now let them laugh at me, here is that makes a mends for all: and thus his grief was over. I know, it doth many times extremely trouble some professors to hear and see what they do: That is, how they are condemned by all faithful people, for serving the lusts of men; and for countenancing Covenant-breakers, and such as have betrayed the glorious Cause of Christ. This (I say) vexeth them at the heart; and the more, because their Consciences cannot but check them for building again the things which they destroyed. Notwithstanding, when they come home, and see the BAG, what WEALTH IS GOTTEN BY THIS CRAFT, so much honor and preferment at Court, such a gainful place in the Army, so much per ann. in the College, such a fat living or augmentation in the Country; besides the pride and gallantry of their Wives and Children, all Ladies and Prince-like: Ha, ha, (say they) now let them laugh: what care we for the FIFTH MONARCHY-MEN, or their witness against us? they call us Time-servers, Turn-coats, Court-flatterers, and such as will crouch for a morsel of bread. But these High-places, Offices and preferment, make us amends sufficiently. Besides, what can their poor son of Jesse do for us? But let them take this into the BAG too: As the Partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not, so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool. Nurses count them good Children which though they are ready to cry at every turn, yet are easily quieted with some toy. The Devil is little troubled that men do weep and cry now and then, and are sometimes prick's at the heart for their corrupt walking; so that for a little honor, pleasure, profit, and such like toys, their consciences are soon quieted. Again, I speak not this, as taking delight to discover the nakedness of professors: the Lord knows, my desire is, That the precious might be separated from the vile, and that none of God's elect among the Back-sliders might be partakers of their plagues. And therefore in the Bowels of Jesus, I beseech them to Consider,

1. What a sad thing it is, that men not looking to themselves, should lose those things that they have wrought, and not receive a full reward. I have thought sometimes of Joab's case, after he had fought many Battels; yea, the Lord's Battels, ah, that his gray hairs should go to the grave under so much scandal and dishonor: But more sad is their case, who having opposed the Prelates, and fought valiantly for the truth; yea, (some of them) left their Country for the Gospels sake, should now for looking back, Not be in the Assembly of God's people, neither written in the writing of the House of Israel, neither enter into the Land of Israel, nor be mourned for as the prophets were, Oh my Father, my Father, ah his Glory.

But, 2. And this I wish that they would seriously lay to heart, viz. how the dishonor of God's great Name occasioned by this late Apostasy, lies principally at their door. Our holy profession had never been rendered so odious as it is, if Professors and Church-Members had not been. Hence it is, when some have been told of breaking their promises and e • gagements, and casting off the Lord's work, and setting up their own interest: to name such and such professors and Church-Officers who went along with them, as if they did nothing without their counsel and encouragement. The old Non-conformists were wont to say of the Conformable Ministers, that, The best were the worst; meaning, those who subscribed to the Prelates, and used the Service and Ceremonies of the Church, (though otherwise good men) did more hinder the work of Reformation, and harden ignorant people in Error and Superstition then, then all the ignorant and scandalous Priests of the Nation. And questionless it was so. And what may we say of the present Conformists? The best are the worst. For howsoever in many things they walk better then the rest, and we hope better things of them as to their Soul-state; Yet considering how they have left the Lord's work, and are fallen in with a worldly interest, and what evil Instruments they have been in obstructing the good old cause, in these respects and such like, it may be fairly asserted, The best are the worst; I say, the professor worse then the profane, and Church-Officers worse then the ignorant and scandalous parish-Priest; especially if it be minded, how many Simple hearts in City and Country have been deceived by these men, and hindered from being faithful to Jesus Christ in their Generation-work. I shall conclude in Paul's words, Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it. Because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is, &c. If any man's work shall be burnt, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved: yet so, as by fire. What this fire means, is worthy of Consideration.

Thirdly, No time of finding, because their hands are full of Blood. The Hebrew hath Bloods, signifying how the Priests and False-prophets, by their flatteries and lies, destroyed the Souls of the people; and the Rulers, their bodies and estates, by oppression and cruelty. But the Allusion which the prophet here useth, notably sets forth the impudent boldness of these men: It is taken from a Murderer, who having washed his hands in innocent Blood, comes and shows them to the Judge, as taking delight to have them seen in that Bloody color. Much blood, precious blood was spilled in the late wars: the which some men by their falsehood and breach of promise have not only contracted to themselves, but bring their bloody hands to the Altar, lifting them up before the Lord, Angels and men, as glorying (it seems) there lies the guilt of so much blood upon them.

I cannot forget David's example: when they brought unto him the water of the well of Bethlehem, He would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord, saying, Be it far from me, O Lord, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardie of their lives? therefore he would not drink of it. It were well if some men's hearts would smite them as David's did. David's worthies only jeoparded their lives; no blood was spilled: but many of the Lord's worthies in the late wars, did more then jeopard their lives, for they lost them in the high-places of the field. But hath their Blood been poured out to the Lord, (as David did the water?) I ask again, Hath it? or rather, have not some men drunk it themselves? And with this blood purchase Courts, Titles, Superiority; with this blood clothe themselves and families (like the Glutton ) in purple and fine linen, and fare sumptuously every day: Do they not with this BLOOD persecute the very cause and interest of Christ for which it was spilled? yea more, do they not with this BLOOD build again that cursed Ierico, by which it was overthrown? Woe to him that buildeth a Town w • th blood, and stablisheth a City by iniquity. Woe to the bloody City, it is full of lies and robbery, and the prey departeth not.

As such men are unlike David, so like Nero and Julian the Apostate, for all the world. The first having killed his own mother, persuaded the people (publica fortuna extinctam) that she was put to death for the public good of the State. The other, when he opened the temples of the Pagan gods, and repaired their Altar, it was (securitas reipublicae) for the safety of the Commonwealth: have there been none since, having murder'd the Commonwealth, in her Laws, Liberties, Privileges, &c. and re-established old Popish Idols, would make the Simple believe all is done for the public good and safety of the people? What shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?

But to return to our Prophet: howsoever both Priests and Princes have their hands full of blood; yet they make many prayers: multiply prayer, saith the margin. Hence observe, 1. No people are more forward in outward services, then Hypocrites and Apostates: for when they have cast off the power of Godliness, they will be the more busy about the form. 2. Whilst men's hands are full of blood, there is no Time of finding, though they multiply prayer. This later is plain in David's case: All the while he kept silence, and acknowledged not his sin (which doubtless was blood) his Bones were broken, and waxed old, and his moisture was turned into the drought of summer; that is, he could hear of no joy and gladness, but lay roaring under pangs of conscience, having the strength of body and soul consumed, through grief and mourning: if it were thus with David, for one man's blood, what may we think of their case, who (by power and policy) shall wrap themselves in the guilt and blood of many thousands; yea, more, Shall crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to open shame; that is, shall treacherously murder Jesus Christ in his righteous cause: and which is more, shall deride and mock the Lord's people, and persecute them, if they speak against them for such things?

Fourthly, Because of men's allowing themselves in some known wickedness. If I regard wickedness in my heart (saith David) the Lord will not hear me. Observe, 1. He doth not say, If there be iniquity in my heart, but, if I regard it; that is, delight in it, and allow it, and would have it abide there as a friend and beloved. Hence we may see a difference between a sincere Christian, and a corrupt heart. A sheep by occasion may fall into mire and dirt; but he likes not to be there, he likes not the place; whereas a swine in dirt, is where he would be: it is true, the choicest Christians are sometimes overtaken, & yet through Grace, they can say, We know nothing by ourselves; that is, no evil which (knowingly) they approve of: but what God loves, they love, and what he hates they hate, whatsoever they know to be a duty and truth, they will do, and what is evil and sinful forsake. If you cast stones or gravel into a fountain, the water becomes thick and muddy: but within a little while, it purgeth itself again, and is clear and sweet as before. So a good man, by reason of temptations, is sometimes troubled, and passions rise in him: but through the power of Grace, he is soon restored to his former sweet and holy walking. But with the wicked it is not so: his heart is like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest: always casting up mire and dirt. Wickedness is sweet to him: he keeps it within his mouth. As men to keep their goods, have strong walls and doors about their houses; so have Reigning Hypocrites about them: some to write for them, others to preach for them: some to fight for them; and all is, that the Hypocrites GOODS may not be lost: to wit, his pomp, pride, oppression, &c.

Quest. But how may it be known when a man regards iniquity in his heart?

Answ. 1. When he corrupts men by gifts and preferment, to defend his unrighteous doings.

2. When he fears not to commit the greatest sin, so he may satisfy his will and lust.

3. When he will fast, and pray, and weep, that he may the sooner effect his wicked designs.

4. When he counts such his greatest enemies, who deal plainest with him about his foul miscarriages.

5. When nothing will make him blush or ashamed.

But secondly, This regarding iniquity is in the heart. The Scibes and Pharisees outwardly seemed to be good men, religious and devout, (like the Hypocrites of our time) but Christ who knew their heart, shown what they were: A brood of Vipers, painted sepulchers, their inward parts very rottenness. The Wood-picker (a little Bird) when she is seeking a place to breed in, lights on the side of a Tree, and with her Bill gives a knock; if she perceive the same to be hollow, then to work she goes, and with her Bill makes a little hole in the Tree, thorough which she creeps into the hollow part, and there builds her Nest, lays her eggs, and hatcheth her young ones. The Devil is like this Bird: when he comes to a professor, and by knocking him with preferment and profit, finds he is hollow-hearted, there he falls to work, and in he goes; here he hath his Nest, eggs, and young ones. And in truth, never had he entered into so many professors, (as of late he hath done) but that after a little KNOCKING, (all this will I give thee) he perceived they were hollow: I say, HOLLOW-HEARTED, notwithstanding their oaths, vows and engagements: neither was he deceived, (as we see by sad experience) for he hath found room enough in that hollow and rotten part, to build his Nest, and hatch his young ones. But what saith Christ of such people? The last state of them is worse then the first. There is little hope for men to have a time of finding, so long as Satan hath his Nest, eggs and birds in them.

Fifthly, Should some men be spared, it would encourage them to go on in their sinful ways; they would presume, grow more confident and vile, if possible. Had not Pharaoh and his host perished in the Red-sea, they would have been more inhumane and cruel then ever before. Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil: that is, because the judgment of God is so long put off, wicked men plead as it were a prescription of impunity; & persuading themselves, that the execution of the sentence (which is so long delayed) will never be laid on them, hence are hardened and made worse in their sinful courses. In the Hebrew Text, their heart is full to do evil: that is, full of evil purposes, full of wicked imaginations, cursed plots and devises for the bringing forth the works of darkness; so full, that there is no room for the fear of God's wrath, no room for the consideration of their own danger, no room for the apprehension of their falsehood, hypocrisy, backsliding, whereby to restrain them in any measure; but they run with a full stream into the practice of all kind of wickedness.

It is true, God is angry (or angerly threateneth ) with the wicked every day: the sentence against every evil work, is already given: but because the execution is deferred, because wickedness is not fo • thwith checked, blamed, punished, men think they shall be longer licensed in sinning. As the Stars, though in themselves very great, yet being seen a far off, seem to be little: So Apostates, and other ungodly people, persuading themselves the day of vengeance is a long time to come, they are little or nothing moved by it: if we bring this home to the sinners of our time, we shall have ground to believe that their judgment is nigh.

For, 1. The Lord having through infinite clemency, forborne them a while, and not fallen presently upon them, they are become the Scoffers in Peter, and have belied the Lord, and said, It is not he, neither shall evil come upon us, neither shall we see sword or famine. And the Prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them; that is, mock at God's menaces, and jest at his judgments, as things that never shall come to pass and be effected. As Agag, when he saw he was not cut off with the rest of the Amalekites, concludes, Surely, the bitterness of death is past: So because they were not swept away in such a month or such a year, what say they now? The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth. Because they do not immediately see the whole Prophesies accomplished, (concerning the Little Horn, the Last Apostasy, and the Beast which ascendeth out of the bottomless pit ) they contemn them, and laugh at them, as though they should never be fulfilled; and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations. Though we have done such things (sworn falsely, and betrayed the interest of Christ and his people) and have been grievously threatened for the same; yet we are delivered from their THREATNING TESTIMONY, and are well, safe, and without fear or danger, and shall go on, and prosper still; yea, (and which is more) they Desire the day of the Lord; In a profane boldness provoke and dare the Lord to bring that once to pass, which he hath so long threatened. Where are his Battle-axes: the vial-Angels: his sore great and strong sword: Let him make speed, and hasten his work that we may see it, and let the Counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh, and come, that we may know it.

2. Judgment not being speedily executed, What is the evil that their heart is full of? We will not have this man to reign over us. The war now is (like that of the Old Giants ) against Heaven, against God and Christ, how to Break their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from them. As Herod no sooner heard of one born King of the Jews, but immediately he sought the young Child 's life to destroy him. The very rumor of Christ's coming forth to reign, and to break all corrupt powers, makes Tyrants mad, and it is their greatest care and study how to prevent him.

But 3. And let it be heeded, when men are emboldened and made worse, because judgment is delayed; this shows not only that Divine wrath is very nigh at hand, but it shall rest and abide upon them, till they are consumed to ashes (as fire doth wood) No time of finding, for their prayers, cries and tears the Lord hates and despiseth.

Sixthly, It is much to the praise and Glory of God, when Apostates, Hypocrites, and other corrupt people, have not a time of finding.

Quest. Wherein is the Lord honored, not being found of his people?

Answ. 1. In vindicating his Justice, Providence, and Great Name. When God is silent, and spares Hypocrites, They think him like themselves, altogether as they are. As the Tyrant having a safe passage homeward, thought the gods well pleased with his robbery: Thus do wicked men; if they prosper in unrighteous ways, or see others prosper therein: Their heart is as fat as grease; and are ready to say, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil: nay, they begin to call in question his Justice and Providence. Everyone that doth evil, is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them; that is, accepteth and approveth of the wicked, justifies them; yea more, takes pleasure in them. How many in these late years, by their Atheistical conceits, and blasphemous speeches, have wearied and vexed the Lord! and whence hath it risen? Where is the God of Judgment? As if there were no Providence, no God that did judge and govern things upon earth, because he doth not presently punish the workers of iniquity. As one not long since most blasphemously said, If he be a God, why doth he not show his judgment upon such a one? I could name both. Now howsoever many reasons might be given for the prosperity of the wicked, and their impunity, yet doubtless, the glory of God is exceedingly manifested in his Government and Administration, when he breaks the power of the proud, and makes them like ashes under the soles of his feet. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? &c. for thy judgments are made manifest. By that revenging stroke from Heaven which reached Julian the Apostate, many who formerly had spoken wickedly of Christ, repented, and acknowledged their blasphemy, and gave glory to him. In some such way (I am persuaded) will the Lord vindicate his Providence and Justice; namely, by making SOME MEN public Examples of his wrath: such I mean, who by their false-swearing, and horrible hypocrisy (and prospering a while therein) have occasioned many to have had hard thoughts of God: WHERE IS THE GOD OF JUDGMENT?

Memorable is that story of Amurath at the battle of Varna: when he saw the slaughter of his men, and all things brought into extreme danger, he plucked out of his bosom the writing wherein the late League was comprised; and holding it up in his hand, with his eyes lift up to heaven, said, Behold thou crucified Christ, this is the League thy Christians in thy name made with me; and they have without cause violated: Now if thou be God, as they say thou art, and as we dream, revenge the wrong now done unto thy Name and me, and show thy power upon thy perjurious people, who in their deeds deny thee their God. Was a Turk heard against Idolaters, for Covenant-breaking, And will not the Lord much more bow his ear to the strong cries of his children, holding up in their hands the Protestations, Vows, and solemn Engagements (not of Papists, but) of great professors, which they publicly have broken with God and men; when they shall say, (as still they do) Behold Lord, see here, these are the Oaths, Attestations and promises, which thy great professors have made with thee, and for the interest of thy Son and Zion; and without any cause (but to satisfy their own lusts) they have violated: Now therefore, as thou art a jealous God, and tender of thy great Name, Glory, Providence; so show thy great Power, upon these false and dissembling people, who in their works deny thee their God?

Secondly, By making himself gloriously known in his truth and cause. That Saul had no time of finding, but was left of God in the day of distress; this made way for David's kingdom: So when Tyrants are broken in their power and Government, it is in order to the exalting of Jesus Christ in his kingdom and rights. The Lord is known by the judgments which he executeth: and till then, his Name is not feared, his truth and cause denied, and his honor is laid in the dust. But when the Lord, by destroying the enemies of his Glory, shall put a Crown upon his GOOD OLD CAUSE: then it shall be said, Verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth. And there is none else. And the enemies (as Lawyers, Priests, Soldiers, and Apostate-professors) shall be found liars. I will stretch out my hand upon them, and make the Land desolate; yea, more desolate then the wilderness toward Diblath in all their habitations. But what will the Lord get by this? And they shall know that I am the Lord. As if he should say, Their loss shall be my gain; their fall, my rising: for whereas by their Covenant-breaking, and horrible Apostasy, they have brought my Name and Glory under reproach; I will recover all again upon their mine.

Was not the Lord eminently known in this Nation, when he executed judgment upon the King and Prelates, and that party? To my knowledge, the fear of God's people fell upon the Nations about us: and they confessed the Lord had done great things for us, and began to inquire after our good cause, and had honorable thoughts of it. But true it is, since this unblessed Apostasy came up, (occasioned by professors) they judge otherwise both of us and it. As for the English professors, they call them, A pack of dissemblers; their profession, falsehood and craft; and the good old Cause (so signally owned by the Lord) they spurn at it; nay more, (and truly I mourn as I wite it) by reason of the gross miscarriages of some Professors, the very Name of Religion is become so odious, that they have made Ballads and Songs against it, and they are sung by base fellows up and down the Nation; and what is the Burden of their Song? No Cheater like the Professor.

But though this be so, yet when the Lord shall execute judgment upon those men who have brought such dishonor and reproach to him, and so build the old wast places, and be called, The repairer of the breach, and restorer of paths to dwell in: Then he will recover the glory of his great Name, and be more admired of the Nations then before, When the Scribes and Pharisees had put Christ to death, what ado they made to have kept him in the grave, and that he might not rise again • but they imagined a vain thing. It was not the great stone which they rolled before the door of the Sepulcher, nor their sealing it, nor setting Soldiers to watch, that could do it: but he rose in the spite of them all, and declared himself to be the Son of God. Since they crucified the Lord's Cause, what hath been their work? but how to keep it from rising. Truly little else hath been thought of, or looked after: the help that is called for from this party, and the other, it is only to strengthen the hands of the wicked. Now as the Lord will not easily part with his glory, so (I think) it will not be recovered without executing judgment upon the enemies of it, and reviving his glorious work and cause again: but in what case then are Revolters? for if God in this way be glorified, they must needs be ashamed. If the Lord do magnify his great Name, by lifting up the interest of Christ and his people, it must be to the shame and confusion of their faces, who have brought it underfoot. As those that have been whores to great men, being cast off, or their masters dead, everybody points at them and scorns them; there goes one that was such a man's whore, fie upon her: no less detested will they be, who have served the unclean interest of men. The time (I am persuaded) is nigh, that they shall not show their heads abroad, but men, women, and children will point at them, saying, LOE, THERE WALKS ONE, A PROFESSOR, A CHURCH-MEMBER, WHO FOR A SALARY, A PLACE, AN OFFICE, A MONOPOLY, PROSTITUTED HIS HONESTY, FAITH, CONSCIENCE, COUNTRY, TO THE LUST AND WILL OF MEN.

Thirdly, The Lord not granting a time of finding unto some, but leaving them to perish under wrath, is glorified of many by it. I have been thinking sometimes, what might be the cause, that in pouring out the seven last plagues, we find nor any to give glory to the God of Heaven, but when the seven thousand were slain in the Earth-quake. Now my opinion is, in the destruction of the Last Apostasy (under the first vial ) God's Justice, Holiness, wisdom, &c. will occasion some extraordinary glory to be given to him. For whereas he begins with a professing people, and spares them not; this will be more to the praise of his Justice, then when his wrath afterwards falls upon Idolaters, and such as know not God. And hence it is, that the Mourners in Zion, cry day and night with a loud voice to him that sits on the Cloud, Thrust in thy sickle and reap, for the time is come for thee to reap, for the harvest of the Earth-Apostasy is ripe. Not that they fret at the prosperity of evil doers, or are impatient under their oppressions, or delight in blood; but because of the exceeding great glory (they know) Jesus Christ will have by it. When weeds overtop the corn, briars and thorns are grown great and thick, high above the vine, unless they are cut down, there will be no harvest, no vintage. When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. When the thorns and briars, which are grown great and high among us, are plucked up by the roots, then will this Nation learn righteousness: then shall the Lord have a glorious harvest and vintage, even sweet and blessed fruit; then there will be a generation of Professors sincere, single hearted, faithful to God, and faithful with men: whereas now too many are Lovers of themselves, Covetous, Boasters, Proud, Blasphemers, Unthank-full, Unholy, Trucebreakers, Traitors, &c. Having a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof.

Howsoever it be true, That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction; yet this day and destruction is, For God 's own glory: but when they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath, how is he then glorified? Truly in nothing more, then when others seeing the vengeance: not only justify it, but are instructed, and kiss the Son, and stand in awe, and sin not. Zion heareth and rejoiceth, and glad are the daughters of Judah, because of thy judgments, Jehovah. Those people which are a while without the Sun, no sooner have a sight thereof, but leap and clap their hands for joy, as having now their light and life and comforts restored to them. So long as men are under Tyranny and oppression (which will be till the vial-plagues be gone ) what have they, but night and darkness, sorrows and vexations continually? Now Christ rising in judgment, removes these heavy yokes and burdens, and plants peace and righteousness in the Earth. Hence not only will the righteous shout for joy, but the Lord everywhere praised by all sorts of people, even the whole Creation.

Fourthly, As no people by their sins do so much press and burden the Lord, as back-sliders, and luke-warm Professors; so he is not at rest and satisfied, until he have thoroughly executed his judgment upon them. For this we have an example in the old Apostate Israel, when they fell into the hands of their enemies, were plundered and spoil'd, had their children ston'd, and tumbled in blood, their City and Temple burnt to ashes, and all their power, glory and greatness laid in the dust; then God caused his fury to rest, his jealousy to depart; then was he quiet and still, and angry no more. The Lord seems to be troubled and unquiet, before his judgment is executed; but when that is once done (especially upon an Hypocritical Nation ) then he is at rest, pacified and comforted. Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be COMFORTED: and they shall know, that I the Lord have spoken it in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them. Again, It is my desire, that I should chastise them. As a man that longs for a thing, is unsatisfied, and restless till he have it; so the Lord seeing them grown desperately wicked, Will ease himself, with their just punishment.

Before Jonah had judgment past upon him, There was a great wind, and a mighty tempest in the sea; the Lord's displeasure and anger was up, and let out: but when Jonah was cast into the sea, when justice was done upon him, it is said, the sea ceased from her raging. God is quiet first, then the waters. So when judgment was executed upon Achan, the Text saith, The Lord turned from the fierceness of his anger. Again, when judgment was executed upon the bloody house of Saul; After that, God was entreated for the Land. Till that was done, the Lord was not at rest, his jealousy and wrath ceased not. The Lord threatens to bring the Assyrian upon the Jews, who should take away their fair Jewels, strip them, and leave them naked and bare, burn their houses, and thrust them thorough with the sword; and what then? So will I make my fury towards thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry. The indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction: as if he should say, when I have destroyed them, and laid all waste, then I shall have ease, my anger and fury will cease. They hanged Haman upon the gallows, and then was the Kings wrath pacified.

And as the Lord is not quiet and satisfied, till he have executed judgment upon Apostates; neither is he at ease, until he have done the like upon Lukewarm Professors. Because thou art neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. When a man hath something upon his stomach, which he cannot brook, but it is loathsome to him, he hath no ease or quiet, till he have cast it up. They that are not hot, having not the power of Godliness; nor cold, having yet the form, they are a burden and trouble to Jesus Christ, till he have (by some judgment) quitted himself of them. For conclusion, I have a few things to propound, to the earth-thriving Professors of this age, who are at ease in their fat places.

1. Whether the Lord be not more pressed and burdened with the sins of Revolters and luke-warm professors, then with the sins of any other people?

2. Whether any people since the rise of the Beast, have made a greater revolt from God, or have been more Luke-warm (all things considered) then the present English Revolters.

3. Whether the latter Apostasy mentioned by Paul, 2 Tim. 3.1, 2, 3. be not in every particular (to the life) fulfilled in them.

4. Whether the Lord can be at rest, satisfied and comforted, till he have thoroughly executed his judgment upon such enemies of his Glory, Cause and Kingdom.

5. Seeing it is not the Dragon, but his Tail, that drew the third part of the Stars of Heaven, and did cast them to the Earth;

I query, 1. Who is meant by the Tail of the Dragon.

2. Who are the fallen Stars?

3. Unto which of the Apostacies do they belong? for to one they must, if not to both.

Seventhly, Because men mourn and weep for the punishment of their sins, but not for their sins which caused the punishment. As the Dog under the whip, howls and cries for the pain, but not for the fault and cause of his beating. Thus did the old Jews, when the Amorites came out against them, and chased them as Bees do, and destroyed them in Seir, even unto Hormah, They returned and wept before the Lord: but the Lord would not hearken unto their voice. And why so? because they lamented the loss of their Brethren, but not their sins (not their Apostasy, Rebellion, Unbelief, ) which provoked the Lord to smite them. When news came that the English were killed like so many Flies in Hispaniola; so shamefully destroyed, as I think never the like dishonor and shame befell the Nation before; (the Lord by the judgment signally showing his displeasure against them) It is true, there was fasting and mourning; but why? (as the old Jews did) Because their brethren were slain. But was there any repenting of the Cause? was there any sincere acknowledgment of the sins which had provoked the Lord so extremely against them? who like David spake then to the Lord, and said, Is it not I that commanded the people to to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned, and done evil indeed. But as for these sheep, what have they done? Let thine hand, I pray thee, O Lord my God, be on me, and on my fathers house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued. David had a weeping heart besides weeping eyes, and was no Hypocrite. But the Crocodile (as some write) having devoured a man, weeps over the Skull, when nothing else is left; not repenting of his Deed, but because on that bone there remains no flesh to eat. The Hieroglyphic is applied to 〈◊〉 and WEEPING-HYPOCRITES, who will shed tears when they have murdered the people: yet so, as not repenting for what they have done; but fearing lest they should not have enough of MANS BLOOD to drink and swallow down.

Quest. But if men acknowledge their sins before the Lord, with fasting and weeping; shall they have a time of finding, doing no more?

I answer, No, Except they turn from their evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. When Joshua, and the rest of the congregation, knew who was the TROUBLER, had they only acknowledged that great wickedness, and mourned for it. I say, done no more, there had been no time of finding: and so much the Lord tells them, except you destroy the accursed thing from among you, I will not be with you anymore.

So when it was told David, that The three years famine was for Saul and his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites: Had there been no more 〈◊〉 •• nfessing the sin, and asking forgiveness, the Lord would not have been entreated for the Land. So it may be said of all others in the like case, should they confess their Apostasy, Falsehood, Oppression, &c. I say, publicly acknowledge the same before God, Angels, and men, appoint solemn days of fasts to weep and mourn for their sins; Nevertheless except THE ACCURSED THING BE DESTROY'D, the TROUBLER ston'd, and judgment executed upon the BLOODY HOUSE OF SAUL, there is no time of finding, neither will the Lord regard such things: and this the Scripture makes good, He that covereth his sins, shall not prosper; whose confesseth and FORSAKETH them, shall have mercy. If it be so, in what case then are such men, who are so far from forsaking their sins, as they will not confess them; but call evil good, &c. yea more, make account by keeping the Accursed thing, to prosper, and to carry all before them, in spite (as it were) of God, and of his Son, and Zion. But the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. Prov. 11.3.

CHAP. VII. How Saints may know it is a Time of Finding.

First, WHen a man finds, that all distractions and unquietnesses are removed from him, and a sweet calm breathes upon his Spirit. I sought the Lord (saith David) and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Again, This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. What his fears and troubles were, the title of the Psalm shows: David for fear of Saul, goes to Achish King of Gath; and being there, he is in more fear then before; Insomuch (to save his life) he useth strange gestures, indeed not beseeming a man, much less the Lord's anointed: But what doth he else? Inwardly his soul is calling upon God; and finding that all terrors and amazements were over, and his spirit quiet, he concludes, it was a time of finding. You shall see in time of much rain, as the waters run down the hills, they make a great noise, by reason of the rubs in their way; but no sooner are they fallen in, and closed with the river, but the hissing is ceased, and all is quiet and still. Oh! the unquietness sometimes of a poor soul, by reason of the multitude of RUBS; what through troubles without, and fears within, there is a strange noise, confused, like the noise of many waters. I am weary with my groaning. My throat is dried, all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with tears; mine eyes fail, while I wait for my God. Notwithstanding all this, no sooner is this poor trembling shrub fallen into the stream of love, and sweetly closeth with it, but all casting down and disquietness is over: Jehovah is my light and my salvation, for whom should I fear? Jehovah is the strength of my life, for whom should I dread?

We have the like example in David another time, when Absalom made that unnatural rebellion against him: at first, he was much troubled; for the conspiracy was great, and the people multiplied still with Absalom: but when he poured out his Soul before the Lord, he had that given in to him, as he neither feared the number which the Traitor had with him, nor the hellish counsel which Ahithophel might give him. If a man should see a Lyon or Bear coming fiercely against him, this could not but at first amaze him; notwithstanding, if he should perceive a place of safety by him, and run to it, and see himself in it; now he would fear no more. The malice and wrath of Persecutors, their threatenings, banishment, imprisonment, ruin of families, and killing the body, doth at first startle and affright a good man; but having been with the Lord, and graciously found him, he fears not what any Tyrant can do, cares not for his big words and stout looks; for he sees the Tyrant bound, and knows the Lord will not unchaine him, neither suffer him to stir, otherwise then it shall make for the glory of his great name, in the salvation of the one, and perdition of the other.

It was an evident sign, that the Lord answered not Saul, seeing his terror and trembling continued upon his heart. Is not that Scripture in part fulfilled at this day, The sinners in Zion are afraid, fearfulness hath surprised the Hypocrites? Is not Cain's case, the condition of many? they think everyone that meets them will kill them. In the midst of laughter their hearts are full of sorrow. Magor-Missabib, fear is round about them. A dreadful sound is in their ear. They dream of danger when they sleep, and where ever they come, Have no assurance of their lives. Oh! what fantastic and panic fears, and Satanical delusions, an unquiet guilty conscience causeth. He that hath a mind to hurt others, fears it is in the mind of everyone to hurt him. But what may we think of such people? Truly I think, if the Lord had any regard to their prayers, he would not leave them under such continual terror and dreadful amazement. A good man shall not be afraid of any evil tidings. But these people, when they have heard any evil tidings, they are faint-hearted. And though it be but a Hear-say, and a Noise, and nothing in it; yet they tremble, as if they saw Death, Hell, and Judgment, and all ready to take hold of them. When news was brought unto Lewis, of the death of his Mother, perceiving by the countenance of the messengers, that they were ready to tell him something that would afflict his heart; Let me pray first (saith he) and then speak what ye have to say. A man may be sure it is a time of finding, when he can experience, not only present fears removed, but his spirit brought up into such a gracious frame, as he can quietly hear anything without dishonoring God, through murmuring and sinful passions, either in his thoughts, speech, or action.

Secondly, It is a time of finding, when the Lord's people faint not in their SEEKING, but are kept up, and have life and power given them to persist and persevere to the end. As fresh Oil poured often into the Lamp, preserves the light from going out; so their groanings and cries cease not day nor night, through fresh supplies of the Spirit. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might, he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary; and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as Eagles: they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. The meaning is, whereas proud Hypocries, trusting to their own strength, power, parts, gifts, lose what they have, and make Ship-wrack of all; On the other side, such as are poor and despised things of the world, God makes his power to appear in their weakness. For though of themselves they can do nothing, yet he enables them to do anything: And when they seem utterly spent, they have a new supply of strength to enable them to bear up, and hold out; and thus he perfecteth the good work begun in them. And indeed this is a gracious return of prayer: when the soul is not only strengthened and enabled to hold out, but is sweetly raised and enlarged in the work. Though we have not the thing we ask, yet if we can sigh more, and weep more for it then we did: Here is a time of finding; yea, such a FINDING, as it is much better sometimes to be kept up (by fresh supplies of the Spirit) in sighs and tears, then to have presently what is asked. As the Husbandman, the more seed he sows, the larger is his Crop at harvest. Doth the Lord keep thee sowing in tears? doth he supply thee with precious seed? Oh, it is a blessing of blessings: thy reaping in due season shall be accordingly. I know Satan and Hypocrites are ready to reproach us, with the little profit we have by our mournings: You have been (say they) these three or four years in tears, & nothing but sighing & crying out against Self-seekers, Oppressors, Covenant-breakers: but what hearing-time have ye had? What profit is it that ye have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts? To this we answer, Whereas we have not fainted, but have been kept up in the work all this time; yea, have had such fresh springs of encouragement and enlargement, that our tears and sighing, the last to be more then the first: Hence we are satisfied, that the ears of the Lord of Sabbath have been open to our prayers. Many and great were the discouragements which the woman of Canaan met with, when she besought Christ for her daughter: 1. Christ goes away from her, as if he would not hear her: when she had followed him, and gotten a word from him, what was it? truly a hard saying, He is not sent unto such as she. Well, she faints not, neither is weary, but continues her cry, Lord, Lord, have mercy upon me. What follows next? that her request was unseemly, unreasonable, viz. To cast Children's bread to Dogs. A man would think whilst Christ carried himself thus towards her, it was no time of finding; whereas in truth she found him all the while: I say, all this time that these discouragements and temptations lay upon her, it was A TIME OF FINDING. But you will say, How? I answer, both in keeping up her soul, that she fainted not; and in making way for the discovery of that great faith, which he gave her. So that it was better for the woman that she was deferred a while and strengthened in the work, then to have had her request sooner granted. To you therefore my Brethren and Companions in Tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, this I would humbly send to you: whereas the Lord hath strengthened you in mourning and crying against the Abominations of the last Apostasy; it is not only matter of comfort to assure you that there hath been a time of finding; but also (and note it well) there is a blessing in it, and much divine love: Oh it is love indeed, unspeakable, when the Lord draws from us abundance of tears and groans, and enables us to wait long before he gives the blessing.

A word likewise to our DISSENTING-BRETHREN, whose mourning of late is turned into laughter, and their heaviness to joy. Josephs afflictions are no more remembered, neither the oppression and cry of the poor and needy Their heart is not now in the house of mourning, but in the house of mirth. As if they were placed in the earth (as Leviathan in the Sea) only to take their sport and pastime therein. Here lies the difference between you and your Brethren; you laugh, and are more merry then you used to be, because of the advantages you have by these corrupt times; whereas your poor Brethren are more in tears and in bitterness of Soul (these 3. or 4. years ) then they used to be, for the great dishonor, scandal, and reproach which you have brought to the name of God, and profession of Religion, by assisting and justifying of men's INTEREST against the interest of Christ and his people: hear what the Lord saith to both; Blessed are ye that weep NOW, for ye shall laugh, Woe unto you that laugh NOW, for ye shall mourn and weep.

Thirdly, When Mourners have such a return of prayer, as they rest fully satisfied therein. My meaning is, the Lord persuades their hearts, that he will so answer the travel of their Souls, as all things shall work together to his Glory, and their comfort and content: and thus had Paul a time of finding, when the Lord told him, My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness: as if he should say, Though I will not remove suddenly this wicked Angel from thee, yet I will so fortify thee with my grace against all his fiery darts, that thou shalt be more then a conqueror, and get the victory over him: and the greater thy assaults and temptations are, and the weaker thou art by reason of infirmities; the stronger my Grace shall be in supporting thee in all assaults of temptations. As a loving mother, whilst the child cries, she takes him on her lap, wipes off the tears from his eyes, and kisseth him often, and suffers him not to go away, till he laughs again, of the content and satisfaction which he hath; In such a way deals our Heavenly Father with his Mourning children; as their cheeks are running down with tears, he takes them in his arms, and kisseth them with the kisses of his mouth, and speaks so comfortably to the heart, as they go away with their mouths filled with laughter, and their tongues with singing.

And such a time of finding, David often had: we find him in the Psalms, to make very sad complaints, by reason of the great afflictions and troubles which lay upon him: nevertheless in the close, rejoiceth, and giveth thanks to God; signifying no doubt, he had received Issachar 's portion, satisfied with favor, and full with the blessing of the Lord. For howsoever he was not certain of the time of his deliverance, neither how, and in what manner he should be delivered; yet this he knew (and by the Spirit it was confirmed to him) that it should go well with him; and what was best for him, he should have; and everything promised him, should be made good. That saying of Solomon may have place here, The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his Soul, but the belly of the wicked shall want: these sentences are both true, applied to sincere Christians and Hypocrites, in respect of Soul-satisfaction. The former are brought into the banqueting house, and have Loves for delights. fat things full of marrow, and wines on the lees, well refined: what can a man have more at a feast then content, and satisfied in whatsoever he desires? such a FILLING have those at the throne of Grace; it is a LOVE-FEAST where Christ and the Soul banquet and rejoice together; yea, sometimes there is such an overflowing-fullness, as they are constrained to say, It is enough Lord, it is enough, I am satisfied with the fullness of joy and pleasures at thy right hand. But the Hypocrites belly shall want; did he find no more satisfaction in his falsehood and craft, then in fasting and praying, he would soon give up the trade, or starve. If a man being extreme hungry, instead of wholesome meat, should take some poisonous thing, his misery and pain would be greater then before. That which Hypocrites and Apostates suck from duties, is (spider-like) only poison; for their unbelief and fears do rise, and they are afterward more unquiet and restless then before: and hence it is, that after they have fasted and prayed, they have usually in hand one pestilent design or other.

Quest. But do not Hypocrites and Apostates find Soul-satisfaction in fasting, praying, and other Ordinances?

Answ. 1. Imaginary they may, but truly and really they do not; for here that is made good, The Lord of Hosts curseth their blessings. Besides, what Soul-satisfaction can there be had in things which God hates and despiseth, and are an abomination to him? As a man in his sleep dreams he eats and drinks largely, but when he awakes, finds himself almost dead for hunger; or like little children, sucking a stick or finger in their mouths are satisfied with it, though they draw no sweetness out: So Hypocrites (as filthy dreamers ) fancy a feeding, and please themselves (like children) with nothing; it being the will of God, that they should be hardened and ripened for judgment in such a way.

But 2. There is a satisfaction which Hypocrites and Apostates have by fasting and praying: for hereby they do deceive others, and the more easily carry on their own designs. As I have heard of a GREAT HYPOCRITE, who having by his weeping, prevailed with some honest men to think better of his actions, then they did before; no sooner were their backs turned, but he laughed at them, and called them fools, that they should believe anymore, or trust him for his tears. Thus they are like the Magician, which had the enchanted Egg; howsoever, being broken, there was nothing but wind in it; yet many (bewitched by him) thought it had a world of happiness.

A weeping Hypocrite knows well enough, were his prayers and tears discovered, there is nothing but JUGLING in them: they are all wind, lies and falsehood; nevertheless, by a kind of enchantment, the simple are made to believe there is a world of truth and love to the good old cause, under the Egg-shell of a dis-figured (Jesuitical) face. But leaving Hypocrites to the great day of discovery.

For those who walk uprightly, times of finding must needs be satisfactory of the experience they have of Divine Love. If the Bride knows she is taken up in the Heart-love of her Friend, though he should say nothing to her of what he would do for her; yet she is sure he will look after her, and provide for her, that she wants nothing. So a Saint taken into the bowels of Jesus, needs nothing more: for here he sees all things, Whether Paul, or Apollo, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are his. And so much he sweetly experienceth, to a full content of his soul.

Fourthly, It is a time of finding when mourners in Zion have the things given them, and done for them, which they asked. As the Fish is caught while the Fisher is angling for her, so is the promise: While they are yet speaking, I will hear. Again, Thou shalt call, and the Lord shall answer: thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. Such a time of finding had Jacob, Moses, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, Elias, Daniel, &c.

Neither hath the Lord's hand been shortened, or his ear heavy (in this very thing) toward his present mourners: for many of the great things which they have sought with tears, he hath given them in according to their hearts desire: so that their sowing in tears hath not been without some precious fruit, as to a harvest already.

Quest. Wherein hath the Lord answered the prayers of his people, in giving them already what they asked?

Answ. 1. Many have been the sighs and groans which they have poured forth before the Lord, that he would discover all deceitful workers, take away their vizard and sheep's-clothing, that so the foulness, and wolvishness of their ways might be known, and their folly manifest unto all men. True it is, when the Apostasy first broke forth, many good people Believing all things, and hoping all things) had some hope, that the Covenant-breakers, under their public miscarriages, had secretly some good intent to promote, not their own interest, but Christ's and his people. Hence for a while they were silent, judging the best: but as the Apes were known by the nuts, though taken for men before, and admired for their dancing: So it was not long after some had taken greatness and power upon them, but such ambition, oppression, covetousness, and BASE-SELF appeared, as honest people everywhere perceived, they were APES, Revolters, the very men characterized by Paul in Timothy, howsoever formerly deemed otherwise. That this time of finding may the better appear, let us consider some particulars, wherein the Lord hath most graciously answered the prayers of his people in unmasking evil men.

1. Their unthank fullness; this is one character of the Last Apostates: & I am persuaded, there is no History (Divine or Human) of men more monstrous, ungrateful & inhumane towards their friends and Benefactors, then some of late have been. Toads leave their poison, where they had shelter and refreshment, and the Eagle kills the Swan that nourisheth her. Are not good men just so served? those who have sheltered the Backsliders, kept them alive, and raised them up, how are they rewarded for it, but with poison and murder? for they study and watch, how to render evil for good. Here we have the truth of that Proverb, As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool. If you fling a stone up into the air, and mount it above the clouds, there it will not tarry, but presently falls down again, choosing rather a dunghill, or some such filthy place to be in. When some men were first raised up, their places were high, honorable and lawful; but they would not abide there, but be on a dunghill rather, where they might wallow in luxury, pride, wantonness, and have dirt enough to cast on the faces of their best friends.

2. Committing the same sins, which formerly they condemned in others. As one said of the Trent-Fathers, They would pare other men's nails, but let their own grow: So the excess, riot, ambition, oppression, &c. of former Kings and Bishops, these must be par'd and cut off; though themselves in the mean time more sinful in the same ways and courses. Who spake more against covetousness then Crassus, and yet who more covetous? who wrote more against the Title of Universal Bishop then Gregory the Great? yet no man more liked it, and affected it, then himself: so Sylla and Richard the third commanded other men to be sober and honest, and yet none worse then themselves: who was he that would have no Government by Kings, because of their wastful Courts, and putting the Nation to unnecessary charges in maintaining the pride of their children? and who is he that hath been more lavish and expensive then any before him? What a deal of good doctrine have some men in their sermons, and so in their books, concerning humility, self-denial, contentment, and to mortify the members of the body! Oh! what a noise have they made against the world, this bewitching-world, and that men should not seek great things, honor, riches, Court-Promotion! In their words and writings, here all is dung, and vanity of vanities: But should a man come home to their practice, and observe what heaps of this DUNG and vanities they have scraped together, and are like the daughters of the horseleech, Crying, GIVE, GIVE, never satisfied, nor say, It is enough; He would almost think, they walked in their steps of whom our Savior speaks, They say, and do not: when they are teaching others, we have this very soberly from them; We would think him unwise, who hath brought much sweet water into his cistern, and largely gives it out to others, but himself drinks that which is bitter and unwholesome: what profiteth it a steward to know the nature of meats, and not to taste them; or to be able to dispute of the nature and use of fire, and yet to die for cold? I shall leave the application to themselves; and the rather, because they do not think to be saved by their book.

3. A base compliance for the wages of unrighteousness, with the corrupt interest and lusts of men. As puppets are moved wholly at his direction and bent that extends or slacks the strings whereon they dance; and the blind-bayard rusheth into the battle, but which way he goeth he sees not, he cares not, save only his rider spurs him: such a discovery there hath been of late, that whatsoever some persons have commanded (though against Reason, Religion, Law, Conscience, yea, their own former Vowes and Oaths) the same hath been immediately put in execution. If a Ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. A wicked Ruler will have none about him, but such as shall serve his turn and purposes. As a man will not be at the cost of keeping beasts unless he think to have profit by it. When Elisha had promised a child to the Shunamite, it was very much that she should say unto him (especially knowing him, and confessing him to be a man of God, Do not lie unto thine handmaid; a very harsh expression: But what might be the reason? He had talked to her before of the Court, and of his greatness there, asking her, what he should speak for her to the King, or to the Captain of the Host: upon this, the good woman presently suspected that he spake as a Courtier to her; and howsoever she took him for a Prophet, yet perceiving he had such an interest with the King, and his Courtiers, and his Soldiers (all Apostates) she much feared he had learnt some of their principles, i. e. to complement, dissemble, flatter, lie: &c. O thou Seer, go, flee thee away to the Land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: as if he should say, if thou meanest to be safe, and not to starve, leave this place; for if thou meddle with the Apostasy, Hypocrisy and baseness of the Court, thou wilt have neither peace nor livelihood: and doubtless the thing is true: there is no bread, no STATE-DISHES in Apostate-Courts, for any Seer that shall keep a good conscience, and deal faithfully in the Lord's Message: for should they declare the whole Counsel of God, and come home, (as John did to Herod ) and tell them particularly what is not lawful, they would soon dismiss them, and tell them, it is the KINGS CHAPPEL; yea, and well if they can escape with their liberties and lives.

There are two things enough to discourage every honest man from being a Servant to a wicked Ruler.

1. The suspicion and jealousy which all good people will have of him, if he turn Courtier, as not to be the man he was before, viz. for truth, integrity and plain dealing: but as a Candle turned the wrong way, and held downward, it goes out; so out goes the light of simplicity, and singleness of heart, and up riseth the snuff and stink of flattering lips, and a double-tongue.

2. How basely their great Masters will cast them off: As a man that rides in post, takes often fresh horses, and looks no more after the Beast he used before: Thus do Tyrants, those that will not hold out and keep pace with them in all their sinful ways, away they are turned, and up they get upon the back of a fresh horse.

Fourthly, The horrible and unheardof wickedness, never the like seen or known before, among a professing people: not by fits, and now and then committed; but constantly, like a gutter which always runs with foul water. As low Meadows and Marshes, when they come to be overflown, and the waters to stand in them, breed nothing but Toads and Frogs that continually creep and annoy them: or as Knats and Vermin in a dead karcase, by the clear sun-shine of one day, are produced and multiplied in multitudes. I would gladly know what the last Apostasy hath begotten and brought forth since it ascended out of the bottomless pit, unless croaking Frogs and other Vermin, filling every corner of the Land. It is not long since Priests and Lawyers had their waters so dried up, as they were almost dead, and could hardly croak for drought: but now they increase again, and grow fat, having power given them to devour every green thing.

Hazael would not believe that he should ever commit the villainy which the prophet told him. Though some professors were suspected (of many) to be rotten at the kore, long before their ROTTENNESS brake forth (like Gehazi 's Leprosy) on their Fore-heads; yet I think no man thought they would have been half so bad as they are: for if you mark it, their design is closely and by degrees to suppress every good thing that stands in the way of their interest, and so to have their will and lust alone exalted. Moles cannot see, but it's the better for their working under ground. That some men's eyes are blinded, their hearts hardened, and consciences seared, it is much to the advantage of their design: for now like blind Moles, their work will go on the faster; whereas had they eyes to see, hearts and consciences that would be smiting and checking them for their deceit, falsehood, hypocrisy, &c. Oh this would be a great trouble, and they could not work so fast under ground.

Fifthly, The Instruments employed by them to defend what they have done, and how. 1. The prophets are ashamed everyone of his own vision; they hold down the head, and dare not speak anymore, things being so intolerably out of order. Thus we see fulfilled in our days, that marvelous work and wonder, of which the prophet speaketh, The wisdom of their wise men shall perish: and the understanding of their prudent shall be hid. Neither is it strange they are all silent; for what can the new Doctors, or Triers, or any of the money-Prophets bring forth to justify some States-men's doings, but Gardners argument against relying on the merits of Christ? Allow that (said he) and ye open a Gap to the taking away of the priests profits. It is sure enough, if Christ in his Kingdom, Laws, Worship, &c. should reign: open that gate to the King of Glory, down goes the wantonness, pride, riot, and gallantry of our new Princes and Prelates, and their Dependants. 2. For those fools which which will be meddling and prating, what do they but make lies their refuge? Oh the wonderful victories, and prosperous successes which they have had in the West-Indies, and other parts against the Spaniard, and what huge credit and glory the English Nation hath gained of late among Turks, and Jews, and Heathens, and where not! When I hear such gross untruths, and consider for what end they are devised; that Beast comes into my mind (called Bonosus ) not being able to defend himself with his horns, poisoneth the Dogs with his dung: seeing they can do nothing by their power, but the Lord breaks their horns everywhere, they hope to help themselves with THEIR EXCREMENTS, (men that shall write for the Turk or Devil, if he will hire him) and therewith to poison the ears and understanding of the people.

But some may say, they are not believed, their news is taken for lies in all places. Though this be true, yet their wickedness is not the less: viz. when God is visibly against them, and curseth their blessings, for them THEN to boast of victory, prosperity, good success, &c. who unless Atheists would do so?

3. Another way whereby their new Babel is under-propt, it is by raising Calumniations and Slanders against the Lord's people. What strange and monstrous people are the Fifth Monarchy-men and Common-wealths-men reported to be? And doubtless the simple who believe every word, think it is all true which Apostates say of them. When the name of Hugonite came first up in France, much enquiry there was what those people were: The priests (ever the forewardest in such a work) gave out, they were MONSTERS, headed like Lions, footed like Bears, &c. and would eat Children; and a great deal more to this purpose: whereupon the ignorant people, believing the things to be true, (because their Priests said so) cried out, Oh kill them, kill them, kill them. Just thus do the Backsliders deal with their enemies, I mean such as hold forth a public Testimony against them: if you ask them what are these Fifth Monarchy-men, and Common-wealths-men, that are so talked of; they will tell you, they are Monsters, monstrous Monsters, men that will have no Government, no Magistracy, no Ministry: men that will have all things common, allowing no propriety; and whoso are not of their principles and opinion, they will either eat them, or make them vassals to them. Now what say the poor ignorant people, hearing this, and not questioning the truth of it, (for how should they, seeing Priests, Lawyers and Soldiers, tell them so? Away with them, away with them, crucify them, we have no King but Caesar.

Take notice, Reader, this is an old stratagem of the Devil, and a lesson which he hath taught his children in all ages, that is, to be like a cunning thief, who in the crowd, cries, Stop the thief, stop the thief; not caring who is taken, so himself may escape, that hath done the robbery. When Balak would have Balaam come to him, to curse the Lord's people, he conceals the truth of Israel's case and carriage, makes no mention how the Lord had of old promised them the land of Canaan, nor how the Canaanites wickedness was grown so great, that the land should spew them out: neither speaketh he of their sore oppression & bondage in Egypt, & miraculous deliverance from thence; nor how Israel being come out, had not harmed either Edom or Moab, but passed by them in peace, and warred only with the cursed Canaanites, devoted to destruction: all these things Moab knew, as well as Edom; but here he is silent: and what he doth report is most false: Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt; behold, they cover the face of the Earth, and they abide over against me: As if he should say, there is an uncivil and barbarous people come up from Egypt, who they are, I know not, but they plunder and destroy the Countries where they come, and they are now waiting an opportunity to invade us, and turn us out of our lawful possessions. Are not our enemies and Moab here alike? Do they not altogether conceal the case and carriage of Christ's faithful witnesses? where do they fairly and honestly report their principles and judgment? But lay to their charge, things they never knew. I have in part shown, what they hold, and what they desire to have: This I shall add, as Righteousness exalteth a Nation, (not craft, policy, power, or making another house) so they would have all oppressions and grievances taken away, no man to be committed or detayn'd in prison at the will and pleasure of any man: they would not have the blood and treasure of the Nation spilled and spent, to serve any man's lust; they would have the thievish Lawyers suppressed; they would have those righteous things done which the Army promised. And if Charles Stewart justly suffered, (and his family too) for exercising an arbitrary and unlimited power, they know no reason, why any man, if he govern worse then the King did, should be suffered.

4. Another help is a Mercenary Army. But of these men I need not say much; for the Nation knows them too well. A hedge-hog seems to be a poor silly creature; yet being full of bristles and prickles, a man may be shrewdly hurt by it. I cannot for the present think of a comparison fitter or truer: It's become a HEDG-HOG indeed; a poor silly thing, it hath no beauty, comeliness, credit, honor, &c. only bristles and prickles to wound the interest of Christ and his people.

5. But who, thinkest thou (Reader) brings up the Rear? Even Wizards and South-sayers: another of Satan's tricks to deceive poor people. There is to be in our days, a certain Conqueror (an Emperor he must be, saith another parasite) descended from the Princely race of North-Wales, who shall destroy the Pope and the Turk, and most part of the world; bear the Imperial rule at Sea, reform the Church, settle peace, and nothing shall stand in his way: and that this is true, many Magicians, Sorcerers, and British Bards are reckoned up, who above 1000. years ago spake of it; and several Honorable Titles he is to have (saith a later Wizard) about July next. It grieves my Soul to see our profession, Religion, and the Holy Name of God thus abused and prophan'd by the vilest instruments the Devil hath. But the Scripture must be fulfilled. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions, that they should believe a lie, that they all might be damned, who believe not the truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousness. As he loved cursing, so let it come upon him; as he delighted not in the blessing, so let it be far from him. It was a righteous thing with God, to give up Ahab to his false Prophets, and by their lies to destroy him, having refused to hearken to the Lord's Servants: so when men will not follow the Counsel of God, but cast his Word and Law behind their back, what more just then to leave them to Wizards and Stargazers, to be blinded & harnded by them, and prepared for slaughter? I have read somewhere of one Athol a Scots man, being told by a Sorceress, that he should be crowned in a great concourse of people; believing the witch, & to make way for the crown, he killed James 1. Now there was some truth in what the Witch had told him; for being brought upon a Scaffold for this treason and Murder, a crown of red hot Iron was set upon his head, and so he miserably perished, many thousands looking on. So may they be crowned that seek it in such a way.

Much more might be said concerning the Lord's answering the cries and sighing of his people in the discovery of these men, viz. their devouring skin, bones and all, by NEW TRICKS; so the Thief hath the true man's purse, he cares not how he gets it. As a roaring Lion, and a ranging Bear, so is a wicked Ruler over the poor people: that is, the right which he pleadeth, is nothing but might; the mercy he shows is only where he cannot show more cruelty; and whatsoever he takes away most unjustly from poor people, he saith, It is his right, and he must and will have it. Again, the Lawyers never tormented poor men more then now: the old Superstitious Priests, how are they thumming over the English Mass again! so in many parts of the Land, their Malignant Justices persecuting honest men under the name of conventicles, putting in execution the bloody Laws of the Beast enacted for the suppression of the truth: other things are too FOUL to be named. Herod feared John for his piety and strict walking: so did Saul fear David. But no man needs to fear this Generation of men for holiness, justice, righteousness. Indeed for the contrary, there is cause enough; but howsoever, in this God's people may take comfort, for thus it is promised: Thou shalt go even to Babylon, THERE shalt thou be delivered, THERE the Lord shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies. I hope we shall never be brought nearer Babylon then we are.

Secondly, They have prayed, that the Lord would not bless or prosper the designs of the froward and crafty, who to set up their own interest, have betrayed the cause of Christ; but that He would make them as a rolling thing, as chaff before the wind. How the Lord hath answered them, will appear first by some Queries.

1. Had Charles Stewart sent an Army to Hispaniola, and ten of the Spaniards had killed an hundred of them, a hundred a thousand: Whether people would not have said, God's curse was upon that action?

2. Had Charles Stewart (to satisfy his pride and lust) put the Nation to some millions of expense, to keep a great Fleet about the Straits, and after some years, a part had returned, bringing nothing back but shame and dishonor to the nation: Whether people would not have said, This action likewise was given to the curse?

3. If Charles Stewart, for the business at the Isle of Ree, and violating some Privileges of Parliament, &c. was fairly dealt with: Whether other men (after him) should they do worse, might not be called to such an account?

4. If that Parliament, and High Court of Justice which arraigned Charles Stewart, deserved much love and praise of the nation for it: What deserve they, and are worthy to have, that shall betray their public Trust, by giving up to one man, the Power, Laws, Rights and Privileges of People and Parliament?

5. If Charles Stewart in three or four years had unnecessarily wasted more then 4. Millions of the Treasure of the nation, and in that time had destroyed more then forty thousand men's lives, and only for his own pleasure; and afterward should have gotten a pack of his own creatures together, who in Parliament (as he would call it) should justify and confirm what he had done: The question is, Whether in this case there had been any way or means left to the people, whereby they might lawfully and justly have called Charles Stewart and his Juncto to an account for the same?

A poor man that oppresseth the poor, is like a sweeping rain, which leaveth no food. Morsus macri pediculi pessimus, the biting of a LEAN LOUSE is worst of all, saith Lyra on the place. I have read of a great man being bitten of a weasel, and understanding there was no hope of cure, nothing grieved him more at the hour of his death, then to think it was a weasels biting; had it been (said he) a LYONS BITING, it would not have troubled me half so much.

2. What is it that crafty men by their power and policy have lately effected? (I say) since God's people have prayed against them, what have they brought forth save wind and vanity? Behold, he travelleth with painful iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth a lie. As a woman after sore and hard travel is delivered of a dead child; so hath been the fruit of their painful travel. Their affairs and transactions almost in all places and in all things, have been like a sword put into the scabbard the wrong way; the more force, power, craft, the worse: And no marvel, seeing they are going the wrong way, viz. against Christ, and the cries of his people. What is become of that THING, which was like Queen Mary's goodly Boy? Did not the Priests in their Pulpits describe it, and pray for it? What is become of the Boys nurse? A nurse many times is more fond of the child she sucks, then the mother that bare it.

3. It appears the Lord heard their groanings, by sending an evil spirit among the Plotters of iniquity to divide them, and that they should seek to destroy one another. When Amnon had his desire upon his sister, he hated her the more: So Hypocrites commonly most abhor such men as do prostrate themselves to their sinful designs, when they have served their lusts upon them.

4. It shown Saul was in great extremity, having destroyed the witches, that he should yet go to one of them, and make use of their devilish art. Oh! how desperately straitened are those men, and know not what to do, having fought against Malignants and Cavaliers, against Epispopal men and Presbyterians, shall afterward run to them, court them, and crouch to them, as seeing no way else to be helped Did ye not hate me, and expel me out of my fathers house? and why are ye come unto me, now when ye are in distress?

Thirdly, Prayer hath been made without ceasing, that God's elect everywhere might forsake all unsanctified places and standings; and that their feet might be turned into the pleasant paths of truth and righteousness; and in this likewise they have seen the travel of their souls.

For, 1. Very many of the most conscientious people everywhere, have given up their commissions, places, offices, Salaries, &c. Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. If a man have a thing in his mouth, though he like it well for the sweetness of it, yet he will not keep it there, but spit it out when he knows it is naught and hurtful: so will good men do (specially if their hearts be very soft and tender) forsake all places, offices, employment, maintenance, &c. which they see they cannot hold without scandal and offense, though much worldly sweetness doth come in thereby. And this is indeed that great lesson of Self-denial, and Mortification, which Christ teacheth us.

2. There are some, who wanting faith to trust God for a livelihood, lie under sad affliction and trouble of spirit about their places and employments. When my Master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon; the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing: as if he should say, I do not like my place, that I should be so nigh the King when he is in the Temple at his idolatrous worship; I question the lawfulness of my presence there: but if I do it not, I must lose my place, and then I shall not live in that credit, plenty, state, pomp, which now I do. It seems, Naaman knew not the Scriptures, how a little, a handful, a dry morsel, a dinner of herbs, well gotten, and with quietness, and peace of conscience, and the fear of God, is better then great revenues without right, and with the trouble of a tormented conscience. But Naaman knew not this; if he had, probably he would not (as I doubt too many do) Transgress'd for a piece of bread.

3. For many which keep their places and employment, though they seem satisfied as to their standing, yet the query is, Are they satisfied as to their Masters DOINGS? What meaneth then the bleating of the Sheep in mine ears? With whom can you converse, (if they have not lost all former principles of honesty and liberty) but you shall hear them bitterly exclaim against some persons, for their falsehood, Covenant-breaking, seeking themselves, and opposing the work of God; yea, now and then a discontented household-servant will be twitting his Master publicly at his nose, for casting off the interest of Christ and his people, and complying with the Malignant party. What said Nabal's servants of him to their Mistress? He is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him: (Belial signifies one without yoke, or lawless) as if they should say, There is not a man alive worse then our Master: he cares not what he says, nor what he does, nor who he wrongs; his will is a Law; and ordinarily, they who have done him most good, (as David for example) he is most spiteful and malicious against; and if any man do but speak to him of his covetousness, cruelty, unthankfulness, or seem to cross him in his pride and willfulness, he will stamp, and stare, and curse like a mad-man, or devil, and do him what mischief he can: Therefore certainly evil is determined against our Master, and against all his household. Reader, take notice when thou hearest some SERVANTS to call their Master a son of Belial, that is, one that will be under no yoke, no Law or Government; one that is an enemy to good people, and cares for none but such as will be servants to his lusts and will; this is a great return of prayer: for howsoever some servants have not the grace nor honesty to leave such a Nabal; nevertheless, speaking so openly against his wickedness, as they condemn their own sinful standing: so they justify all other servants which have cast off such a SON OF BELIAL.

Lastly, There is another sort, who like their places as ill as their Masters, and have not a good word for either; only the old Serpent hath taught them a trick to cozen their own souls, which is, to keep their places, in hope to serve their Country the better, if a turn or change should come. Mock on: we know well enough, did not these men love themselves a great deal better then they do their Country, they would not support oppression (as they do) for their base pay & hire. But an ill-favored face needs painting.

Fourthly, the Lord hath been earnestly called upon, that howsoever the Witnesses should be slain, yet not suffered to be burnt, but that a remnant of the woman's seed might be preserved to keep up the memory of the work and cause of Christ. Now truly, I think the Father of Mercies hath not in any one thing more clearly answered the Soul-Groanings of his people then in this.

For, 1. Consider how grievously God's people have been tried and tempted these three or four years, not only by great poverty and outward wants, but by the enticements & baits of worldly advantages; as riches, honor, promotion, pleasure, all these things will I give thee, IF THOU WILT, &c. A man that should stand before the mouth of a Cannon going off, or walk upon the ridge or pinnacle of a Tower, or sail among most dangerous rocks and sands; it would be thought very strange, if he should escape all danger. Some of God's people lately have had a more wonderful deliverance, if the snares be minded which the Lord hath broken for them: O let them confess to Jehovah his mercy and his marvelous works.

2. Howsoever the love of many is grown cold, and they are turned with Demas, and with the Dog, to the world, and their vomit again; yet hath the Lord preserved a litte flock, a few names which have not defiled their garments by partaking with the last Apostasy, but (through grace) have kept themselves unspotted from the world. When Gideon's Army of 32000 came to be 300. then indeed it was excellent and glorious, and meet for the Lord to work Israel's deliverance by it. Though the followers of Christ are very few in number, to the worshippers of the Beast; yet this I may say, as the prophet saith of the Figs, they are very good: the Lord having by their many temptations & trials, purified them unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

CHAP. VIII.

FIftly, It is A Time of Finding, when there is no staggering at the Promise: But the things asked, are by Faith obtained. So certain, as if they were already in our own hands. Thus Hannah was sure of the Child as if he had been in her arms. So Moses at the Red Sea saw Pharaoh and his host drowned, before ever they went into the water. In dividing the Land of Canaan, not only did Joshua and the people by lot, lay out the Inheritance of every Tribe, in the Countries which they had conquered: But likewise all other parts of the Land, which at present they possessed not. And this they did, believing what was not yet in their hands, it should be theirs so sure, as the parts and places already taken. No less confident and certain are Saints now, i. e. as some of the Canaanites are cast out: Moncks, Friars, Arch-Bishops, Bishops. So the Land, ere long shall spew out the rest of them: And it shall be given to the Saints of the most high. Though the Israelites after they came out of Egypt, had a stop for forty years in the wilderness; yet God gave them the peaceable possession of Canaan according to his promise. So Jerusalem and the Temple were built. Howsoever thorough the malice of the Enemy, there was some stop, put to the work awhile. True it is, the work of God, THE GOOD OLD CAUSE, hath met with A TROUBLER, an ACHAN, for through the falsehood and hypocrisy of some men, it hath been killed and lain in the street, like the dead bodies of the Witnesses: howsoever not suffered to be put in graves. But what of all this? so mercifully hath the Lord answered the Cries and Tears of this people, as by faith they see it risen, and like a Conqueror standing on its feet, to the Terror, Shame and Ruin of the Adversaries.

Quest. But wherefore hath the Lord suffered his work to be stopped, and to lie (as it were) under a death?

Ans. Howsoever neither men nor Devils could have stopped it, had he pleased (not to have had it so) Yet he would have it stop'd a while for these Reasons.

1. To dismiss from the work some Regiments of profane Esau 's, and worldly Demasses; who followed it not for love but loaves. Such Hypocrites and rotten hearts, the Lord could not endure to see in his work, and therefore brought his Army out of the Field, to disband them, and to lead them forth with the workers of iniquity. A good Riddance. A Dogg that followeth two men, is not known to which of them he belongeth till the way part: Then indeed you shall see: Howsoever we knew not plain and honest hearts, from dissemblers, so long as the Interest of Christ, and worldly profit kept together. Yet the Lord by this STOP hath made a marvelous discovery of both. A good separation.

2. That the Scriptures might 〈◊〉 fulfilled: For by this STOP came in the perilous Times, of which Paul gave warning in Timothy, meaning the second Apostasy. How the Characters set down there by the Apostle, parallel with the Backsliders of this age I have largely elsewhere shown. In some Fenny Countries, where people are troubled with GNATS; they use to hang dung in the midst of a room, as a bait for the Gnats to fly to, and so catch them, as a snare provided for that purpose. Why would the Lord have a STOP to the work, and by that STOP bring up the Apostasy? It is plain enough, that it might be a Pit and a Snare (dung indeed) to catch all the GNATS of the three Nations: For I verily believe there is not a worldly minded Professor (whether Church-member, or Church-Officer, or otherwise) but he is fallen into this Trap. The light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. For be is cast into a net by his own feet, and his own counsel shall cast him down. The gin shall take him by the heel, and the rob ••• shall prevail against him. The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way. Great and marvelous are thy works Lord God Almighty.

3. As the Lord made a Proof or Trial of Abraham's faith, love and obedience, by his willingness to offer his son Isaac: So this STOP hath been, viz. that they which are approved may be made manifest. If a Maid, that she might be such a man's Wise, should refuse a great Estate, and live very poorly with him, would not this argue she married him for Love, and nothing else. There are many since this Apostasy came up, for the love and affection which they bear to the GOOD OLD CAUSE, have refused great places high promotion and honor, and suffered Banishment, Imprisonment, cruel mockings, and spoiling of their goods: And what doth this signify? Now I know (said the Angel to Abraham) that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. Surely a man showeth great affection and faithfulness unto Jesus Christ, when riches, preferments and great men's favors are rejected, and his poor, despised, betrayed, and crucified Cause is boldly owned of him.

4. That the Lord may make a short work upon the earth, when his work shall be revived again. As a man intending to show his skill by leaping far, goes backward first a little: So the Lord intending more than an ordinary speed & quick dispatch of the seven last plagues, seemeth first to go backwards. Behold the third woe cometh quickly. Thus it was with Israel in Egypt. After Moses and Aaron had been with Pharaoh they had more work laid upon them, and their bondage greater than before. But when the Lord revived that work, How fast went it forward then? In less than thirty days all the ten plagues were poured out upon Egypt. So after the forty years, when the Lord's work came on again, the Land of Canaan is presently conquered, & one and thirty Kings put to death. How soon was the Lord's House built when the work was revived, in four years at most: And so I take it here, the Lord means by this Stop, HAST HAST afterward.

5. To strike the greater dread and horror upon wicked men at the rising of the work: Herod thinking Christ to be John the Baptist, he thought likewise John being risen, he came with more strength and power than he had before; and this tormented him: That the Cause and Interest of Christ, thought to be dead and buried, should be raised again: No marvel the sinners in Zion will be afraid, and fearfulness surprise the hypocrites; they know it comes forth in Power, Glory and Majesty to take vengeance on them for their falsehood and unrighteousness.

6. There is a STOP that ungodly men in this Time may fill up the measure of their sins, & so be fatted for the slaughter. Thine end is come, and the measure of thy Covetousness; that is, when Babylon's Covetousness is full and ripe, then come the vials of wrath to be poured out upon her. Among the Egyptians it was a custom, when any man was condemned for some notorious crime, to feast him and fat him, that he might undergo the greater Torment. I think no man will deny, but some men of late are fatted to purpose: Their heart is as fat as grease. But it was not thus before the STOP: For their Coveteousness, Pride, Lightnesse, Luxury, was nothing in measure and height to what it is now. A sad stop: woeful places, offices, promotion, maintenance, &c. that prepares men like Sheep for the day of slaughter!

7. For the praise of his great power: Christ was able to have kept Lazarus from death and the grave; but he would not: and why? That the son of man might be gloried: And indeed (I think) there was no miracle which our Savior wrought more to his glory than this. Not only is Lazarus dead and buried, but supposed to stink, having been three days buried. And for all this to raise him up, what a wonderful work is this? Though it be true (as was said) the Lord could have prevented all STOPS; yet he would not: But he will have his Cause slain and buried, and in the opinion of the Enemy, to rot and stink: (no fear of rising again) And then will he awake as one out of sleep, break the heavens and come down, shake the mountains and raise up his friend Lazarus, to the glory of his power, the joy of his people, and the confusion of his Enemies. Amen, Amen.

Quest. But what reasons have you to believe that the good old Cause will be revived again.

Answer 1. Because the honor of God is much concerned in it since the STOP. What say the Scoffers This man began to build, but was not able to finish it: As if some, by their craft and policy had over-reached Jesus Christ. As long as Pompey stood and flourished, Cato stoutly maintained a Providence: But when he fled into Egypt, and was slain of a base fellow, and lay upon the shore without any honor of Burial; when Cato also was beset with Caesar's army. He fell from his former doctrine, turning his tale, as if there were no providence at all: but everything went by hap. It is too probable by some late Turnings, many are turned Atheists. And therefore questionless, God will revive his work again: For otherwise how can the great reproach and dishonor be taken off from his Providence and Government.

So 2. Is Religion & the true profession of the Gospel; which never will have the Credite, Glory, Beauty, it had formerly, if the interest of Christ and his People be not revived. Nothing better heals the sting of Vipers, than to apply their own flesh to the disease: The dust of a Toad put to its venomous biting takes away the poison. It is much upon my heart, by some such APPLICATION the Lord will heal those fearful wounds and bitings, which are upon the truth. Though men have not regarded the Credit and Honor of it, yet Christ doth and will recover it and revive it again; by destroying the fond glosses, and covetous practices of corrupt men, and raising up faithful ones to preach the everlasting Gospel.

Eusebius writes of Peregrinus the Philosopher; having gotten a great estate, by feigning himself a Christian, that he might consume it the more freely on his lusts, revolted to Gentilism. It is plain enough to see, why some men have left the Lord's work and this people; It was that they might be at liberty to spend what they had gotten in excess, pride, riot, lasciviousness. They well knew, should they have kept close to Christ and his interest, they could not have fulfilled the desires of the flesh, and walked after their own lusts. And therefore thought it better to turn Heathens again. For so doing they knew they should have elbow-room enough, & might do whatsoever seemed good in their own eyes. But what of all this, let such know the Lord will make That Holy Profession of his Name, Gospel & Kingdom glorious and honorable again. Though they have made it vile and contemptible in the eyes of the world. I will sanctify my great Name, which was profaned among the Gentiles: which ye have profaned in the midst of them.

3. Such were the wonderful actings and appearances of God, for and with this Cause, as it is not possible it should come to nothing (vanish away like smoke) which yet will be so, unless it be quickened and raised again. If the Lord were pleased to kill us, he would not have shown us all these things: Let no man think that he would so eminently have shown his power, justice, and wrath against the late King for his Tyrany and Arbitrary Government; So against the Bishops for their pride and human inventions, but that he means to destroy the like wickedness in others, if afterward they shall take it up. When I begin I will also make an end. Though it be a judgment (and to be executed upon his own people) yet he will perfect the work. And will he not do so (and more willingly ) when it is to have mercy upon Zion.

4. In reviving this work he will Restore Comfort to his Mourners would not thou revive us again, that thy people may rejoice in thee? That is, when thou shalt take that which letteth out of the way; and bring us again upon thy work: Our mourning will cease, and thy power, faithfulness, goodness, justice, will be soul-refreshing unto us. I know some men can take pleasure in beholding beastly and filthy things: So is oppression, falsehood and deceit, to a time-server & turn-coat a most pleasant sight: As Hannibal, when he saw a pit full of man's blood, O formosum spectaculum: and the Scots Queen seeing her Subjects lie dead and stripped on the earth, cried out, The goodliest Tapestry that ever she beheld. The cries and groans of the poor under their oppressions and heavy burdens, what sweet music makes this in the ears of Self-seekers: Now their pay comes in, their salary, and their so much per annum. But the joy of good men riseth otherwise When the wicked beareth rule, they mourn: and when wicked Rulers perish, they shout for joy. So that until this work be revived, Saints may expect little joy as to outward and public Affaires.

5. This Cause will surely be revived, because it is not man's but the Lord's: For, 1. Are not Christ's Enemies to be made his footstool, and he to sit upon the holy hill of Zion? 2. Is not all oppression to cease, and Violence to be heard no more in the Land: The first and second Apostasies both to be destroyed? 3. Must not Truth spring out of the earth, and Righteousness look down from Heaven? And the Saints possess the Kingdom? But can these things be and not the work revived, that is impossible. When it is night and dark, whence do ye expect to have light again in this visible world: Is it not by the rising of the Sun? So these great things which we are waiting for concerning Jesus Christ and his Kingdom, the coming in and accomplishment of them will be, by the Lord's reviving his work and Cause again.

Quest. But is there not something for the Lord's people to do, in order to the reviving of the Work?

Ans. Yes surely. For, 1. Howsoever Achan was the TROUBLER and had caused the STOP, yet Israel had sinned also. Your Iniquities (saith the Prophet) have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. When the clouds are scattered which hide the Sun from us, then we behold his shining face again: So the Lord, he forgives the iniquity of his people, Blots out their transgressions and sins as a thick cloud, and then he will be favorable to his land, and bring back the Captivity of Jacob. So that it is the duty of every Saint (waiting for the great Promises of the Father) to be at the foot of God, exceedingly bewailing his Own, and his Brethren's great miscarriages: And as there is hope our Deliverance is nigh, so our hearts should be the more broken and in bitterness, and our tears and sighings increase; now we should rise at midnight and cry, Spare thy people, Lord take away all iniquity, & receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. We must not so look upon Achan's & Troublers abroad & without, as not to see the Achan's and Troublers at home, in our own hearts. Though some have been pricks in the eyes of the Lord's work and the good old Cause, and Scourges and Thorns in the sides of his people; yet must we confess the righteousness of Jehovah, and say, he hath punished us less than our iniquities deserve. In short, our sins are as the Stone upon the grave which must be rolled away by confession and heart sorrow, in order to the reviving of the work.

2. Though the Lord will revive his work, yet for this, he will be sought unto by his people to do it for them. A man may be willing to do his Friend a good Turn, yet he expects he should ask it of him: Ask and have. Be silent O all flesh before the Lord, for he is RAISED up out of his holy habitation. Observe, it is not said he is risen, but he is raised. Well, Who shall Rouze him up? Who hath raised the Lord out of his holy habitation? The Prophet will tell you. For the sighing of the needy now will I arise saith the Lord. Thus the Church in the Wilderness, to have the work up again, and to go forward, is earnest in prayer; Return (O Lord) how long, and let it repent thee concerning thy Servants. O satisfy us early with thy mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. Let thy work appear unto thy Servants, and thy glory unto their Children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish thou the work of our hands: Yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

3. That Council of our Savior is to be heeded, Let your loins be girded about, and your light shining: That when the Lord cometh and knocks, you may open unto him immediately. If a man have a promise of some great office and preferment, should he not endeavor to fit himself for it? How to be prepared for the Lord's work, when it shall come forth again; is shown us in the Characters of the Lambs followers: they have his Fathers name (not the Mark of the Beast) written in their foreheads. These are they which are not defiled with women, for they are Virgins: These are they which follow the Lamb wheresoever he goeth, these were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and the Lamb: And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. What is the reason so many have fallen under the Lord's work, made shipwreck of it and themselves too? They took it up, before they were meet for it. If a Fool or Mad man be at the Helme, neeeds must that Vessel miscarry. If the Guide be blind, the Followers of him will miss their way: Woe to thee O Land, when thy King is a Child, and thy Princes eat in the morning; that is, one who out of inferior Condition is leapt into a Throne, and gives himself (with his New Lord's) to lust and pleasures, and make their own Interests and Profits the chief thing that they look after, and prefer that before the Public good. As we expect therefore not to be laid aside, and stand ashamed when the work shall be revived: Let us not sleep as do others, but be sober and watch, keep oil in our vessel, Hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, and not cast away our confidence which hath great recompense of reward. When a man is to begin a thing, and makes only a rough draught, any instrument will serve the turn; but afterward when he comes to fine work, then he useth (and must have) better tools. Though I do attribute to the work done as much as any man rightly can, yet this I humbly conceive, it hath hitherto been but a rough draught (very low and mean) comparatively to what the work will be, when the Lord shall give it a Resurrection. And therefore as the work will be much finer, so he will use better instruments, or if he use any of the former instruments, he will make them purer and better than ever: He will have a Created people, Sanctified ones: Called, and chosen, and faithful: Cloathed in pure, and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

Quest. But how and in what manner will the Lord revive his work: And when will that blessed Time of finding come?

Ans. There are many signs which go before a storm, and • any symptoms which discover d • seases before men fall into them: So (I think) before the Lord will appear again for the old Interest of Christ and his people against the enemies thereof; there will be some signs and Symptoms going immediately before. The husbandman that hath the eye of experience will give a fair guess of the whole day by the morning; I shall leave other men to their own conjectures: For my part I do apprehend so far already a dawning of the work, as I dare adventure (in the strength and power of my God) to give a sober guess of it.

God's work in the womb of Providence is according to what the Prophet speaks of God's forming him in the womb of his mother; He begins with his unformed substance, or Embryo, that is, the body in the womb before it hath perfect shape; then he speaks of being covered with skin and flesh: Lastly, how curiously he was made, namely with sinews, veins, arteries, and variety of limbs: As an Embroiderer joineth many parcels, and wier-work of various colors, very artificially and curiously together, until there comes forth some goodly portraiture, or other dainty workmanship; and all this is done in the lowest part of the earth; so he calleth the womb, because of God's secret and unknown making of men there. In such a way is the work of God in the womb of providence: Oh it is fearfully and marvelously made: It is at first (as it were) unwrought, afterwards it hath flesh and bone; but curiously embroidered, like a piece of needle work, before it comes visible forth: In this womb of Providence are the seven last vials formed, and the Angels which shall pour them out. So the little Stone which shall smite the Image, and the weapons of war, which shall thrash Babylon, and all the mountains of the world. That this work should be in the womb of Providence (yea, and so curiously wrought, as ready to come forth) & yet not perceived it is no wonder. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with Child: so thou knowest not the works of God who makes all God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.

Quest. But can you demonstrate by any fair Arguments, that the work is no Embryo, but curiously wrought, and coming forth out of the womb of Providence, at the Man-child to rule the Nations with a rod of Iron?

Ans. As this is a great Question, so I shall modestly speak to it, from that light • have received. Indeed I cannot decline my former opinion: But do think the work (as an unformed substance) begun about June: And that it is now covered with skin and flesh; full wrought and coming forth. It seems so to me for these reasons:

1. I do observe, that the Spirit of the Lord is so full and mighty with some of his hidden ones, as they cannot cease f • om crying to him day and night. Thrust in the sickle and reap, for the time is come for thee to reap: for the harvest of the earth is ripe. Not now for a discovery of the Apostasy, for that is apparent enough: Nor so much now for Separation, as to have the judgment written, speedily executed. It is doubtless a truth, when the Lord shall spirit a people (though very few) and bring them forth, as his Jobs, Samuel's and Daniel's to stand before him, and withal gives them a grain of that faith of which Christ speaks. Whatsoever they ask in that FAITH shall be given them. A little time will show, by whose LEADING and MOTION I write thus: Namely, That the Lord's work is reviving, and will suddenly appear in the destroying of the last Apostasy, and this done by that Faith (which some poor worms have received) to which all things are possible.

2. I think Providence is opening the womb, Because some men (like Jehu ) drive too furiously to hold out long. Blood-suckers when they are ready to burst, draw strongest. Thus it was with Pharaoh, Absalom, Haman, when they begun to pull hard they streightway perished: No otherwise than like Rats and Mise and other Vermin, whilst they are pulling hard at the bait, down falls the Trap, and so are taken: So Geese many times break their own neck, with biting and pulling hard the root which they hold in their Bill. What the Bait is, and the Root which some men are pulling at, most do know: But what is the Trap? Verily Providence: And you shall see, when they come to their strongest Pulls, to pull with BOTH HANDS, down falls the Snare, and the Vermins crushed to pieces.

3. Because the Controversy riseth high between the Lord's Witnesses, & the Lord's Enemies. When we see a woman big with Child, we conclude she hath not long to go. Can the controversy be higher? Is it not about the Title of the Crown, Kingdom, Government; yea, and who shall Reign and be King? Whether Jesus Christ in his Laws or proud flesh in his Lusts? Methinks by the greatness and swelling of the womb, there is hope of a speedy birth: It was so in the Case between Moses and the Magicians, Elias and the Priests of Baal: So the Scots and the Prelates. When the difference and controversy grew high on all sides; What immediately followed?

When we shall see the contest at that height, either men must move for their Lives, Laws, and Liberties; or be absolute Slaves; Suffer their witnesses to be put in graves, or stand up for their Rising; Then will the Lord's work come forth in quickening and spiriting a dead people, and

4. The Lord hath made everything beautiful in his season. That is, the work of divine providence, is the more comely and excellent, in respect of the Season, in which it comes forth: Thus it is in natural things. The Spring, Summer, Autumn. Winter, everything in his season, oh how lovely and fair it is: So in all the works of God about his Children: Whither it be the punishing of the wicked for their sakes: or their own deliverance. He will make the work honorable and glorious in respect of That Season and Time he brings it forth. Hence I am persuaded the Good old Cause is reviving. Because methinks it is now, such a Season, as will put upon it the Beauty of holiness.

5. When I consider the wheel in the midst of a wheel, and the wheels full of eyes. And withal observe many late providences, this likewise much confirms me: You may easily know which way a man means to shoot, by his holding of his musket or Bow: Against whom of late hath the Lord held the mouth of his Canon: The Head of the Arrow of his Wrath, and the point of his great and strong Sword. Truly he must be very ignorant in public affairs that cannot point at them: And what may we gather hence? That he will discharge his whole Cannons among them: make his Arrows drunk in their Blood, and they shall not escape his drawn sword, and this suddenly too. In war usually there are some light skirmishes before the main Bodies do Engage: So before a great rain and storm, little dropping: The Lord hath been skirmishing with them both by land and sea: and shamefully beaten them everywhere; and terrible drops have fallen upon them like hail-stones: So that now he is coming against them with the Body of his Army: And

6. Judgment is at the birth against a professing people, when the Counsel of the Lord in all his Servants is rejected: and they are hearkening to flatterers, liars, Wizards, who will humor them in their lusts, and encourage them in every sinful Action. This is plain in the Cause of Joash After the death of Jehoiada came the Princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the King: then the King hearkened unto them. These Princes were the old malignant Courtiers in the reign of Jehoram, Ahaziah & Athaliah. The thing that he hearkened to, was to destroy that good Reformation which himself had made a little before: that is to set up again the Idolatry and Tyrany which he had thrown down, and to cast out the just and righteous things which he himself lately had established. The evil of this is told him again and again: But no admonition will take place. For he grows so wicked that he causeth the Prophet (who reproved him) to be stond: even his son who had set him on the Throne. But what followed? oh sad things (and that suddenly) first upon the Land that was made the seat of war, spoyld and plunderd; afterward a sore punishment upon himself, by the hand both of God and man.

The like befell Amaziah his son I know (saith the Prophet to him) God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened to my Counsel. The which thing came to pass soon after. Again it is said of Eli 's children They hearkened not to the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them. That is he gave them not grace to repent, but did more and more forsake them, & gave them in his justice over to a reprobate mind, to their own ruin and destruction: Which also came to pass. When Ahab hearkened to his false Prophets, & not to Michaiah; God's Judgment soon reached him. Was there ever a Generation of men that did cast off the threatenings of God against their sins with more contempt and scorn than some do now? For unless he be an Ahithophel, a Machiavel, a Subtil Serpent, tush they care not for any man's Counsel a rush. But is not this some notable sign of the Times? Yes surely (e) When it is evening ye say it will be fair wether. For the sky is red And in the morning it willbe foul weather today; For the sky is red and and lowering. Such is my confidence in the Truth of the Scripture, as from the Premises I can sooner believe, that there is some great judgment very nigh the dispisers of good Counsel, than conclude fair or foul weather from such signs in the face of the sky. That the work 's upon reviving: This also shows it: near in my apprehension did Time look so like midnight as now. Night it hath been some years together. But no Midnight till of late: If sleep hath not seized on the Virgins ( Wise as Foolish ) yet truly a great slumbering doth; for there is not (methinks) that activeness, that life and soul to the great Cause of God, as sometimes there was: Several ways people may fall a sleep: And children very often sing themselves asleep And are there not some of the Lord's sweet Babes, fallen now into some slumbering as to THE DAY WORKE, by their own pleasant Singing. I should be a great deal more affected and dissatisfied with this late slumbering of the Virgins, but that I consider the Scripture must be fulfilled I looked (saith the Lord) and

For if the wise Virgins fall asleep who then are left, Though this be so, yet herein am I comforted: The Midnight-time being upon us: It declares that the womb of providence is opening: and the Crie nigh Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out and meet him. Yea, and it is a mercy, seeing the Midnight Time is upon us, that there is a Uoice kept up to awaken such as are asleep.

7. Reader, mark this: Such men as by engagement ought to join with the Interest of Christ & his people, if they neglect their duty here, & join with the Lord's Enemies against him and his Cause, there is certainly some great judgment nigh them. It was Midians duty to have met Israel with bread & with water in the way when they came forth out of Egypt. That is, they should have refreshed & assisted their Brethren in their travels towards Canaan; but instead of doing so, Midian hired a Wizard, a Witch to curse the Lord's people: But what is his punishment for it? He shall not enter into the Congregation of the Lord forever. Israel must never seek his peace nor prosperity. Many Reasons there were, why Achitophel should have stood faithful to David and his Righteous Cause: But (like an unthankful wretch) he went with Absalom in that unnatural Rebellion: But how sped he? When he saw his counsel was not followed, he went home and hanged himself. Again whose part should Judas have taken? (in point of Reason, Religion, and Conscience) Doutless his Masters; but he falls in with the Scribes and Pharisees to take away his Masters life. What his end was, and how he was rewarded for it. (It is recorded) He went and hanged himself And falling headlong burst asunder in the midst, and his bowels gushed out. Are there any such in our Time, who in respect of many Engagements, should assist and help the Lord's people, stand up with them, for Righteousness and Truth: And do they (like Midian, Achitophel, Judas ) side & take part with Wizards, Rebels, Pharisees, (and marked Slaves of the Beast. I say, are there such? If so, then I question not but Providence ere long will show some notable work upon them. Come, and behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

Lastly, And which is not the least that persuades me, the good old Cause is ready to rise: I do observe that the Lord's people everywhere are expecting it. Now what means this (k) singing of the Birds, if the spring be not nigh. Is it possible that it should lie (with so much weight) upon the Spirits of all the little remnant; that the Lord is coming forth to take vengeance on his adversaries, and to comfort Zion: And nothing should be in it: I cannot think so, neither is there any reason for it. Indeed,

Thus Reader thou seest the Reasons why I think, the WORK is at the Birth. I shall offer a little more to thee And no more (I hope,) then what is according to Truth: and with supplications the Lord hath led me.

From the Creation to the Flood (according to the best account that I have seen) were 1657. years. And so many years we reckon past, since Jesus Christ was born. In this year ( viz- 1657.) doth period the 42. Months and 1260. days in which the Beast was to reign, and the Saints to suffer. Mr. Tilling hast (of Pretious memory) beginning at the Head of the account; i. e. at the rise of the Beast, brings down the two Numbers to the year 1657. I have done something by inquiring at the foot, to wit the last three years and an half of the Account, and here we do agree as to the Time of the End: That is, whereas the Woman must be

Both these Numbers (signifying indeed all one time) do end in the aforesaid year, 1657. This humbly do I conceive:

I know what will be here objected. If this were so, we should see some

But things stand as they did before: The Dragon, Beast, Little Horne both Apostacies as Rampant as ever, yea rather of late grown greater, & are at the rising hand, than otherwise.

Ans. This being a hard knot. I trust the Lord will the more help me to untie it, & so to take this Stumbling block out of the way of his people.

1. I would say (as the Lord said to Job Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail? Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew? out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of Heaven? who hath gendered it? Hath the Lord a Treasure for snow and hail, a Father to beget the rain and drops of dew: and a womb wherein the ice & hoary frost are gendered? and afterwards brings them forth, as he thinks good to use and spend them? Then much more a Treasure, a Father, a Wombe for higher things, & greater works, wherein his name, glory, kingdom & people are especially concernd.

Again though it may not be questioned But The Lord will do all his pleasure upon Babylon: Nothing shall fail of his threatenings, against the Dragon, Beast, Little Hornet Yet the ordering, managing and governing thereof, that only and wholly belongeth to him, both when to begin, and how to do it. Hence I humbly conceive, if we should see nothing done in the year, 1657. as to the rising of the Witnesses or ruin of the Bottomlesse, Beast, and last Apostasy: It will not therefore follow that the 1260. Yeares ended not in that year. No more reason: Then because the Child is not Born, Ergo, not conceived in the womb.

2. Christ's words must be remembered The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation, that is, not in such manner at first, that it can be taken notice of by things done. Observe, it is not said, the kingdom shall have no Observation. But Cometh not. Showing how at first little will be seen to demonstrate that such a kingdom is come: But afterward it shall be visible, and plain enough to be observed. And to this purpose speaks the Prophet, Lord though thy hand be lifted up, yet they see it not. But they shall see it. This was the great Stumbling block, which lay in the way of the Jews, when Christ came in the flesh. Because he came not as they expected before hand (as it is in the coming of worldly Princes) in great state and outward Pomp, they would not believe in him nor receive him for the true Mesias. And why may not the like be the Case of people now. Because they see not as they expected WONDERS in 57. Some extraordinary power and presence of God with his people, and great overturnings and breakings of Nations, hence conclude, it was not the Time of the End. But let such know the Scripture favors no such Conclusion.

Question, But shall the forty two months ( given to the beast) end, without observation.

Answ. Howsoever immediately upon the period of the 1260. years there will not be I think actions of much Observation, either in respect of Zion or Babylon, yet the Time of the End, cometh not without Observation some other way.

For, 1. The serious Observation of the Prophesies and Visions of the holy Scriptures relating to the last days, will lead a heart (if it hath nothing in it but truth and uprightness, and the glory of God) to the knowledge of the Times. 2. There is the Observation of the Spirit: The unction from the holy one; and here we do observe how the Holy Ghost opens our understanding, and not only so, but those great things which he reveals to his Babes and Sucklings, he confirms them therein; whiles they are in tears and weeping before the Throne. 3. The Observation of Providence, which hath brought • orth the Persons and Things which were (according to the Prophesies of the Scripture) to finish and end the 1260. years.

But 3. Did not some men do, like one, who whiles he is striving to have a great gripe, comes off with nothing in his hand. They might see that 57. hath not altogether been without OBSERVATION: For howsoever

I say, howsoever his Counsel, Government, Administrations, and the manner of proceeding is beyond all searching into: yet if matters soberly be considered by wisdoms Eye, Fifty seven hath shown "some token for good, and that For,

1. What may be meant by that Government which was set up December 16. 1653. and laid aside again June 26. 1657. It stood

Ashur shall fulfill his decree and counsel: Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so.

2. What things have been done, and how managed, and what success hath followed in 57. it is so well known (to many men's cost) as I need not mention it. But what may we gather hence: I mean from the Lord's Acting and appearing already against some men? That the National affairs in their hands is like the Fig-tree under the curse Let no fruit grow on thee henceforth forever.

3. When Agag thought the bitterness of death was past, then came sudden destruction upon him. Fifty seven is not yet ended

Though the man-child in June were but yet who knows what in nine Moneths the womb of Providence may bring forth: Whilst the FOOL is thinking of building his Barns greater, death ceaseth on him; That he might go to his own place.

4. When Caleb encouraged his brethren to fight the Canaanites: He told them Their defense is departed from them: That is, the Lord would protect them no longer. But why is their shadow & Covert now gone? doubtless he hath respect to the time of the end. As if he should say the 430 years (given to • he Amorites ) being expired, and so their iniquity full: the Lord will deliver them into our hands, if we are fitted for the work: From which place, this I would gather: That the reign of the Beast may expire in 1657. and the enemies of God THEN ripe for judgment: yet the instruments not being prepared for execution: In this respect little or nothing for the present may be done.

Quest. When the 430. years were expired, the Israelites came out of Egypt the same day. So from Baby • on as soon as the 70. years ended. Why then should not the Witnesses rise: and the little-horn, and beast be slain immediately at the ending of the 1260 days:

Answ. 1. Howsoever it be so concerning their coming out of Egypt and Babylon; yet there was sometime before they came to Canaan and Jerusalem: So in order to the rising of Witnesses. No sooner are the three years and a half ended, but the work begins The spirit of life from God enters into it. The wheels of Providence are set running; But there must be some time to have it perfected, as it was in the case of the Israelites.

But 2▪ Israel's case and this here, are not alike: For as they were people, i. e. Men, women, children; So nothing could be done to their enlargement, but it must needs be obvious and visible. But this about the Witnesses, &c, hath much in it which is spiritual and mystical: And therefore a work (as to the rising and growing of it) not so plainly to be observed and discerned as was the other, especially at first.

Neither 3. do I find the promises alike, for it seems to me, by promise they were to be in Egypt, but 430 years: And in Babylon 70. and no longer. But it is not said, the witnesses shall stand upon their feet as soon, as the three years and half are ended. Indeed the Text saith, And after three days and an half, the spirit of life from God entered into them; and they stood upon their feet: That is, such a time being expired, the Lord will revive his work and good old cause again. But how long after, it is not said: only this is in the promise: From that very time, it shall not lie dead as before; but the Lord will be forming it (for its birth) in the womb of providence.

4. The business of Egypt and Babylon was such, that until the people came out, the first part of the promise was not performed. But here it is not so, for the work may be begun, & go forward, and much done (according the Scripture) and yet not seen or •• lieved, scarce by any. As water • ns a great while under ground, be •• re it comes out at the Spring head: • o after the 1260. years are expired, • efore the work will openly appear, 〈◊〉 setting the Witnesses upon their feet, 〈◊〉 taking the little horns Dominion from • im, it will be as water under ground wrought in the lowest parts of the • arth.

Quest. But how can the 1260 years • e ended, seeing it is the opinion of many • ood men, that the Witnesses are not •• ain, neither hath the little-horn yet • een; nor the second Beast risen out of the earth: besides many other things not • et fulfilled, which must be before the 42. months do expire?

Answ. Because there are many men (and some whom I know and honor) of this judgment: I do intend by the good hand of God assisting me, to publish very shortly a particular Answer to this Objection. And to give my Reasons & grounds, why I think there is nothing foretold in Scripture, which should come to pass in the 1260 years, but hath had its due accomplishment.

Question, If the Work be so nigh r • viving? How, and in what manner wi •• the Lord by Providence bring it forth?

Answer, I hope the God of truth b • his word and good spirit will so graciously guide me here: That I shall • not intrude into those things whic • I have not seen. But give my judge • meant as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. Tha • I may be in this great point the better understood: howsoever I think whe • the Lord shall bring this work on again in the Vials, it will be as the lightning, which cometh out of the east and shineth even unto the west. Namely with great swiftness, and brightness the whole world over, Nevertheless at first it will break forth (as the dawning of the day) but in one part or Country. And I think some what to this purpose.

1. Neere or about the visible reviving of the work A voice will be heard from heaven, as the voice of many waters and as the voice of a great Thunder. Waters are from beneath, Thunder from above: So then by the Voice of these Waters, I understand a terrible Appearance and standing up of much • eople (or Common-wealths men ) for • ivil Rights: Crying JUSTICE • USTICE against oppressors and • rong doers. Neither will they be fi • enced or quieted (no more then wa • ers) till they have recovered their • reedom and Liberties.

2. Thunder (as I said) is from above. • nd here may be meant Fift Monarchy • en, speaking very high, for the • ights of Jesus Christ, his kingdom • rown and dignity: And howsoever • t is but one Thunder, and the Waters many, yet it will not only make a • ouder sound, and be Farther heard, • ut likewise be more dreadful and • errible wheresoever it comes Put • ourselves in array against Babylon round • bout: all ye that bend the bow: shoot at her, spare no arrows, down with her, down with her, in all her Abominations: In her Tythes and Triers as the rest of her whoredoms and Fornications.

3. That the Waters are set before the Thunder. It may import, that the work will begin (at least by most owned) upon a Civil Account. As the lesser wedge makes way for the greater: So in CLEAVING the kingdom • of the Beast. The controversy will b • first about lesser things, as the Powe • Freedom, and Privileges of th • people, and so rise higher and high •• until the OLD BLOCK Babylon b • made Chips for the Fire.

4. There is a Voice of Harper • Harping with their Harps. This may signify how lively, cheerful & resolved they are to engage for the GOOD OLD CAUSE And it came t • pass when the Minstrel played, the han • of the Lord came upon him. Formerly there was a death upon them, a bas • fear and Cowardliness; But now th • spirit of life from God is entered into them, and they stand upon their feet. Now they look with Lion like faces, and quit themselves like men. Though Peter shrunk and drew back at the speech of a poor wench, yet when he had received power from on high, He feared no coulers, he could then look with Boldness any Tyrant in the face; So howsoever before, they had not life and courage, yet when the Harpers Harp, such will be the hand of God, upon them that they will not regard what their Enemies can do either by fraud or force He that is feeble among them, at that day, shall be as David, and the house of David, shall be as God, as the Angel of the Lord before them.

5. And great fear fell upon them that saw them. Though there be nothing yet done, but a more lively owning of the Lord's cause than before, and declaring publicly for it, yet this strikes a terrible astonishment and trembling among the Adversaries;

And their amazement is the more to hear how the number daily increaseth in all parts, Saying We will have Besides they see no means or way how to keep the people's Liberties and rights any longer from them.

6. Whiles the adversaries are thus in confusion and fear, a happy union and accord will be made between the Waters and Thunder: So much I think is meant, by the

It is but one cloud that hath them both. Hence about this time, I do expect a great uniting of the Common-wealth men & fifth Monarchy men upon good & righteous Principles: Unanimously agreeing to carry on the Lord's work With one consent or Soulder, Ephraim shall not envy Judah and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. But the Lord will join them one by another into one stick, & they shall become one in his hand. This blessed agreement of the People, instrumentally will be made, by some eminent and choice Christians, men that Have understanding of the times: to know what Israel ought to do. And this I take to be the great voice from Heaven, saying unto them come up higher.

7. Union being made and all in Heaven, here the Lord of Hosts mustereth the host of the battle, and the armies of heaven; here he clothes the Vial Angels in pure and white linen, having their breasts girded with a golden girdle. This is Zion, out of which the Lord will send the rod of his strength; & the Mount Zion where the hundred forty and four thousand stand with the Lamb. Here he fits his people for the work, and appoints them their work: So that my opinion is, for any people to go forth with the material Sword against Babylon, or the Kings of the earth, or to set up the visible Kingdom of Christ, before the Lord hath brought them to this Heaven, into the Temple, to Zion, and Mount Zion, yea, and to some good accord among themselves: They will not be upon the Lord's work as to the pouring out of any vial.

8. Howsoever the Lord's Sanctified ones in heaven: are not smiting the Image: yet its said Their enemies behold them. As how? Terrible as an army with Banners: Lifting up an ensign to the Nations, and publishing war against Babylon. Ye shall not go out in hast, nor go by flight: For the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rearward. i. e. Seeing God hath taken away all their Feares, and given them great faith, made them one in the work, and fitted them for it, and withal experiencing the powerful presence of God among them, and how he hath left the enemy to fears, darkness, division, destruction &c. The Dragon and the Beast shall behold what they do. They need not fear these men for secret plots and treason, they scorn it, they need no such shifts: What they do shall be in the sight of the Sun. Stand now with thy enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thouhast labored from thy youth: if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail, So will these say to their Enemies, bring forth the falsehood and lies ye trusted in. Now see if your hypocrisy and craft will help you anymore. Now run to your Soldiers, Lawyers, Priests, &c. try what they can do for you.

9. The Lord having called his mighty ones for his anger. Next he brings them forth With the high praises of God in their mouths, and a two edged sword in their hands, to execute the judgment written. And the same hour was there a great earthquake. Here I understand, begins the Uial work. And the earth-quake to be the pouring out of the first Uial upon the earth: The same with the reaping of the harvest of the earth and Clusters: Only with this distinction. The first Vial hath two parts, or two effects (which you will) The first in the earth-quake. The other in the sickle. And the tenth part of the City fell; The earth-quake reacheth but a tenth part, the other nine are reserved for the Sickle.

As there are two Apostacies, and they have each a distinct Head. So they are set forth in this book by two Cities, the one is called the Great City; And always so when the first Apostasy is meant. The other hath not the word Great given to it: because the Latter City (or Apostasy ) shall not be so large, big, strong, and populous, neither of that antiquity and continuance as the former. Understanding what this City is, i. e. The last Apostasy, It will be easier to know the rest. And in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand. The Greek hath 7000, Names of men. In Scripture, persons that are famous & renowned for Power, Wealth, Wisdom &c. are called Men of Name. On the contrary, men without credit and respect in the world, Children without name: In this last Apostasy, who are Men of name, yea, would be thought and counted the only men of name? If not Church-members and Church-officers, those that are in the Congregational way, as they call it: As for the Cavileer Church, that hath no name, and the Presbyterian very little. The Common wealths men and Fift Kingdom men, all under hatches: Their crown is fallen, they must go for a company of idiots, giddy heads & silly fellows: In a word all without name that bear a faithful Testimony to the good old cause. Hence I am persuaded (and in the fear of God I speak it) by the 7000. Names of men, is meant, such

The judgment follows: Were slain. As the Witnesses were not corporally slain. So may this be understood of a spiritual death upon the Churches, Officers, Worship, Government. Which is worse & more grievous than the other. Neither is this without some appearance already; For,

1. Is there not an earth-quake in their Churches: From whence else are all those Rents, Divisions Distractions.

2. Is it not evident that the Lord of late hath very much withdrawn his presence from them: so that they have not the power, comfort, and sweetness of his ordinances as formerly.

3. Do not the gifts and parts of their Officers sensibly abate, and wither.

4. For the Characters of the last Apostasy, viz. Self-seeking, Coveteousnes, Pride, &c. do they not spread and appear like a Gangreen, every day more and more?

But 5. What means this bitter complaining of late, among the new raised Masters and Doctors: That the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for them; not only get away their places, but jeer and deride them. If half be true which themselves report; the Lord hath met with them already for their unfaithfulness. Now howsoever these things are but a beginning, and little to what (probably) will follow; yet enough to show, if the earth-quake be not come, there is a Type of it at least.

11. The other nine parts of the City (which I take to be the Civil power) these are left to the stokels. For their vine is worse than the Vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are of gall, their clusters are bitter: their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of Asps. A reason why they are cast into the great wine-press of the wrath of God. Observe Reader, Reaping is man's work, but to cause earth-quakes is proper to God. This makes me think that the judgment on Churches, and professors; will be by some immediate hand of God, but the other which is to be executed upon the Civil state, will be by the hands of men, They shall take away his Dominion to consume and destroy it unto the end. So then though the latter Apostasy be the subject of the first vial, yet it must be understood as Church and State, and the judgments distinct.

12. No sooner are the effects seen of the first vial, but the Nations are angry, Jehovah reigneth, the people are stirred: As men that have noisome and grievous sores upon them: are extremely impatient, so profane men and Idolaters, when they shall see the kingdoms of this world, are become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ (as they will soon do in the effects of the first vial ) oh how will they storm and ragel no torment like it. But the children of the kingdom will do otherwise. The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice, let the multitudes of Isles be glad thereof.

I shall conclude with a short word: Though these things should come to pass, yet they may be so mixed as not easily observed, when the Lord shall bring them forth, without marvelous and serious Watchfullness. If to a little wine, as much water be put: Though the wine remain in the vessel; yet not so well to be known wine, as if no water had been mixed with it. It is my Opinion with much Confidence when the witnesses shall stand on their feet, and ascend up to heaven, and the first Angels pouring out his vial: and the earth-quake come: Here the works, ways, judgments and appearances, of God, will be so manifold, various and strong: That in this regard very few even of God's own people (at first) will discern or understand how the JUDGMENT WRITTEN is executed upon the little Horne, Bottomless Beast, and last Apostasy. Watch therefore and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things which shall come to pass, and to stand before the son of man.