A discourse of earthquakes as they are supernatural and premonitory signs to a nation with a respect to what hath occurred in this year 1692, and some special reflections thereon : as also on that security and assurance of mind which is attainable in the light and power by the author of The fulfilling of the Scriptures.
         Fleming, Robert, 1630-1694.
      
       
         
           1693
        
      
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             A discourse of earthquakes as they are supernatural and premonitory signs to a nation with a respect to what hath occurred in this year 1692, and some special reflections thereon : as also on that security and assurance of mind which is attainable in the light and power by the author of The fulfilling of the Scriptures.
             Fleming, Robert, 1630-1694.
          
           [8], 128 p.
           
             Printed for Thomas Parkhurst ... and Jonathan Robinson ...,
             London :
             1693.
          
           
             "The fulfilling of the Scriptures" was written by Robert Fleming the elder -- DNB.
             Reproduction of original in the Harvard University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Disasters -- Religious aspects.
           Prophecies.
           Theology, Doctrinal.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           DISCOURSE
           OF
           Earthquakes
           ;
           AS
           THEY
           ARE
           Supernatural
           and
           Premonitory
           Signs
           to
           a
           Nation
           ;
           with
           a
           respect
           to
           what
           hath
           occurred
           in
           this
           Year
           1692.
           
           And
           some
           special
           Reflections
           thereon
           .
        
         
           AS
           ALSO
           On
           that
           Security
           and
           Assurance
           of
           Mind
           ,
           which
           is
           attainable
           in
           the
           Light
           and
           Power
           of
           Religion
           ,
           under
           the
           greatest
           Surprizals
           ,
           and
           Terrors
           of
           Sense
           .
        
         
           WITH
           SOME
           Enquiry
           upon
           the
           Grounds
           both
           of
           our
           Fears
           and
           Hopes
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           publick
           State
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           in
           this
           day
           .
        
         
           By
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           
             Fulfilling
             of
             the
             Scriptures
          
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           for
           
             Thomas
             Parkhust
          
           at
           the
           
             Three
             Bibles
          
           and
           Crown
           in
           Cheapside
           ,
           and
           
             Jonathan
             Robinson
          
           at
           the
           
             Golden
             Lyon
          
           in
           St.
           
           Paul's
           Church-Yard
           ,
           1693.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           PREFACE
           .
        
         
           IT
           is
           sure
           that
           the
           great
           Intent
           of
           Religion
           ,
           is
           to
           bring
           Men
           unto
           a
           near
           Communion
           and
           Intimacy
           with
           God
           ,
           whilst
           they
           are
           here
           on
           the
           Earth
           ,
           both
           by
           his
           Word
           and
           Providences
           ;
           and
           where
           this
           End
           is
           not
           designed
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           very
           low
           Interest
           that
           can
           be
           made
           by
           the
           Profession
           thereof
           :
           For
           it
           may
           be
           evident
           ,
           how
           the
           Intellectual
           Part
           of
           Man
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           in
           a
           serious
           and
           true
           Exercise
           ,
           must
           tend
           either
           to
           their
           greatest
           Torment
           ,
           or
           to
           an
           unexpressible
           Joy
           ,
           when
           they
           cannot
           but
           see
           that
           their
           Good
           is
           not
           in
           their
           own
           Hand
           ,
           but
           must
           every
           Moment
           be
           dependent
           on
           an
           invisible
           Refuge
           and
           Support
           ;
           since
           Men
           are
           no
           Statues
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           solid
           use
           of
           Reason
           ,
           must
           have
           deep
           Impressions
           ,
           both
           as
           to
           fears
           and
           hopes
           of
           future
           Events
           ,
           and
           how
           sad
           and
           
           surprizing
           Changes
           may
           be
           near
           ,
           in
           the
           Publick
           State
           of
           Nations
           and
           Cities
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           of
           Persons
           ,
           when
           all
           Humane
           Refuges
           and
           Assistances
           will
           fail
           ;
           yea
           ,
           when
           then
           the
           great
           Lawgiver's
           Right
           and
           Authority
           to
           a
           
             Passive
             Obedience
          
           ,
           will
           be
           found
           indisputable
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           over
           such
           ,
           who
           would
           not
           acknowledge
           the
           same
           by
           
             Active
             Obedience
          
           ,
           under
           a
           Treaty
           of
           Grace
           .
           But
           yet
           ,
           such
           is
           the
           tender
           Regard
           of
           the
           Majesty
           of
           God
           to
           Humane
           Race
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Work
           of
           his
           own
           Hand
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           most
           severe
           ,
           judicial
           Procedure
           with
           a
           People
           and
           Nation
           ,
           he
           does
           not
           surprize
           without
           previous
           Warnings
           
             before
             the
             Decree
             go
             forth
          
           ,
           and
           hath
           a
           time
           of
           Patience
           herein
           ,
           if
           so
           be
           ,
           the
           Voice
           of
           threatned
           Judgment
           might
           be
           regarded
           ;
           and
           whereby
           such
           Stroaks
           ,
           as
           have
           at
           last
           made
           desolate
           ,
           might
           have
           been
           prevented
           :
           Tho
           I
           find
           not
           either
           in
           Divine
           or
           Humane
           Record
           ,
           that
           any
           Kingdom
           or
           People
           ,
           did
           truly
           meet
           God
           in
           the
           way
           of
           his
           Wrath
           ,
           to
           put
           a
           Stop
           thereto
           ,
           upon
           extraordinary
           premonitory
           Signs
           ,
           except
           
           that
           one
           Instance
           of
           Nineve
           .
           I
           know
           it
           is
           no
           easie
           thing
           to
           understand
           Warnings
           from
           Heaven
           aright
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           a
           clear
           Interpretation
           of
           such
           Providences
           ,
           or
           to
           discern
           the
           Approaches
           of
           Divine
           Vengeance
           ,
           when
           such
           tender
           Intervals
           of
           Forbearance
           ,
           as
           are
           usual
           betwixt
           one
           Step
           and
           another
           thereof
           ,
           takes
           off
           all
           Fear
           of
           a
           greater
           Woe
           that
           may
           be
           to
           come
           .
           There
           are
           Two
           things
           which
           may
           occasion
           some
           deep
           and
           serious
           Thought
           about
           the
           same
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           this
           
             Juncture
             of
             Time
          
           we
           are
           now
           in
           :
           The
           First
           is
           ,
           as
           to
           that
           Difference
           which
           is
           betwixt
           extraordinary
           Warnings
           in
           the
           way
           of
           a
           Treaty
           ,
           and
           such
           astonishing
           Providences
           ,
           as
           are
           of
           a
           predicting
           Nature
           ,
           as
           
             presaging
             Signs
          
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           Signal
           of
           Judgment
           in
           its
           near
           Approach
           to
           particular
           Places
           ,
           which
           speaks
           the
           Certainty
           of
           what
           is
           signified
           thereby
           :
           This
           is
           a
           Subject
           that
           may
           surely
           cause
           matter
           of
           great
           Reflection
           upon
           what
           hath
           been
           both
           of
           late
           ,
           and
           for
           some
           considerable
           time
           past
           ,
           made
           visible
           by
           strange
           and
           unusual
           Discoveries
           of
           God
           this
           way
           ,
           both
           from
           the
           
             Heavens
             ,
             and
             the
             Earth
             beneath
             :
          
           
           Nor
           can
           it
           be
           in
           the
           Dark
           ,
           how
           such
           are
           become
           then
           portentous
           Signs
           and
           Prognostications
           of
           future
           Events
           ;
           when
           they
           cease
           to
           affect
           and
           warn
           ,
           or
           to
           work
           in
           a
           monitory
           way
           upon
           Mens
           Spirits
           ;
           when
           the
           saddest
           of
           moral
           Signs
           does
           not
           awaken
           ,
           nor
           tend
           to
           reclaim
           ;
           when
           the
           Dread
           and
           Reverence
           of
           God
           does
           not
           accompany
           the
           most
           extraordinary
           Occurences
           of
           Providence
           ,
           but
           Men
           thus
           become
           rather
           more
           hardned
           ;
           yea
           ,
           when
           such
           unusual
           Signs
           meet
           in
           an
           extraordinary
           Season
           of
           Sin
           ,
           and
           point
           as
           with
           the
           Finger
           thereat
           ;
           which
           is
           a
           Conjunction
           of
           another
           kind
           ,
           that
           hath
           a
           more
           dismal
           Aspect
           ,
           than
           all
           that
           was
           ever
           pretended
           ,
           or
           feared
           from
           the
           Planets
           :
           
             But
             oh
             !
             who
             shall
             live
             when
             God
             does
             this
             ,
          
           and
           does
           cease
           to
           warn
           any
           more
           ,
           after
           renewed
           and
           unusual
           Methods
           he
           hath
           taken
           with
           this
           Generation
           for
           this
           end
           ?
           But
           there
           is
           a
           Second
           thing
           to
           be
           matter
           also
           of
           serious
           Thoughts
           herewith
           ,
           for
           what
           ends
           such
           extraordinary
           Signs
           may
           be
           directed
           ,
           since
           they
           never
           be
           in
           vain
           ,
           when
           now
           there
           seems
           no
           promising
           Efficacy
           or
           Influence
           
           therewith
           ,
           on
           the
           Spirits
           of
           most
           ,
           and
           are
           so
           easily
           past
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           no
           Commission
           from
           Heaven
           to
           discharge
           :
           But
           sure
           then
           is
           it
           that
           the
           Majesty
           of
           God
           will
           make
           known
           ,
           
             he
             hath
             not
             forsaken
             the
             Earth
          
           ;
           so
           that
           when
           his
           Word
           hath
           no
           Regard
           or
           Intercourse
           with
           Mens
           Souls
           ,
           he
           will
           not
           yet
           leave
           them
           without
           some
           sensible
           Demonstration
           of
           himself
           ,
           and
           of
           a
           Divine
           and
           Invisible
           Power
           above
           them
           ;
           as
           this
           way
           he
           will
           also
           awake
           and
           put
           his
           People
           more
           on
           their
           Watch
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           on
           a
           preparatory
           Work
           ,
           whatever
           Storm
           may
           be
           to
           blow
           .
        
         
           This
           Scripture
           on
           which
           the
           
             following
             Discourse
          
           is
           founded
           ,
           does
           give
           a
           most
           singular
           Account
           ,
           how
           far
           a
           Christian
           may
           be
           raised
           above
           his
           ordinary
           reach
           ,
           by
           a
           
             special
             Faith
          
           ,
           in
           the
           Power
           and
           Evidence
           thereof
           ,
           when
           it
           can
           have
           no
           possible
           Rise
           from
           any
           natural
           Cause
           ;
           yea
           ,
           as
           there
           is
           a
           Supposal
           here
           made
           of
           such
           a
           prodigious
           Concussion
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           Frame
           of
           Nature
           should
           be
           dissolved
           by
           some
           Earthquake
           ,
           and
           is
           there
           literally
           to
           be
           understood
           ;
           it
           did
           give
           a
           special
           
           Call
           to
           speak
           thereon
           
             in
             the
             first
             part
             of
             this
             Discourse
             ,
          
           when
           such
           a
           concurrent
           Call
           was
           also
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Providence
           thereto
           ,
           and
           to
           offer
           some
           special
           Reflections
           on
           what
           hath
           in
           this
           
             last
             Year
             1692
          
           occurred
           .
           I
           know
           the
           Publishing
           thereof
           ,
           might
           seem
           now
           too
           late
           ,
           tho
           I
           hope
           it
           may
           be
           the
           more
           seasonable
           to
           revive
           the
           Sense
           and
           Remembrance
           thereof
           ,
           after
           some
           others
           have
           ,
           (
           I
           doubt
           not
           )
           with
           much
           Advantage
           discours'd
           on
           the
           same
           Providence
           ,
           tho
           I
           knew
           not
           thereof
           ,
           when
           this
           was
           writ
           .
        
         
           And
           I
           had
           not
           the
           least
           Thought
           to
           have
           touched
           any
           thing
           of
           that
           
             Additional
             Discourse
          
           which
           is
           in
           the
           Close
           ,
           if
           (
           in
           the
           Blessed
           Disposal
           of
           the
           Lord
           )
           there
           had
           not
           then
           been
           some
           remarkable
           concurring
           Providence
           ,
           which
           thus
           put
           me
           to
           some
           deep
           and
           serious
           Thoughts
           on
           such
           a
           Subject
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           my
           Soul
           more
           nearly
           join'd
           in
           therewith
           ,
           for
           keeping
           Sight
           of
           the
           way
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           in
           such
           Steps
           thereof
           ,
           as
           needed
           his
           special
           Conduct
           and
           Teaching
           ,
           in
           a
           more
           than
           ordinary
           way
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           A
           DISCOURSE
           OF
           Earthquakes
           .
        
         
           
             
               Psal
               .
               46.
               1
               ,
               2
               ,
               3.
               
            
             God
             is
             our
             refuge
             and
             strength
             ,
             a
             very
             present
             help
             in
             trouble
             .
             Therefore
             will
             not
             we
             fear
             ,
             though
             the
             Earth
             be
             removed
             :
             And
             though
             the
             Mountains
             be
             carried
             into
             the
             midst
             of
             the
             Sea.
             Though
             the
             Waters
             thereof
             roar
             and
             be
             troubled
             ,
             though
             the
             Mountains
             shake
             with
             the
             swelling
             thereof
             .
          
        
         
           IT
           is
           one
           of
           the
           most
           adorable
           Mysteries
           of
           Truth
           ,
           that
           for
           an
           Eternity
           the
           glorious
           God
           would
           hide
           himself
           within
           himself
           ,
           in
           that
           unconceivable
           Fellowship
           ,
           and
           Enjoyment
           of
           the
           Blessed
           
           Trinity
           when
           there
           was
           no
           created
           Existence
           .
           But
           as
           such
           a
           Reflection
           must
           be
           bounded
           with
           a
           Becoming
           Silent
           and
           Humble
           Admiration
           ,
           as
           being
           too
           wonderful
           for
           us
           to
           think
           on
           ;
           so
           is
           it
           Matter
           for
           the
           highest
           Joy
           and
           Exultation
           of
           Spirit
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           have
           this
           day
           such
           a
           Being
           as
           admits
           us
           to
           see
           and
           enquire
           upon
           the
           Glory
           of
           that
           Work
           ,
           which
           he
           hath
           brought
           forth
           within
           time
           ,
           so
           infinitely
           becoming
           the
           Perfections
           of
           the
           Deity
           ;
           and
           to
           have
           so
           clear
           a
           Discovery
           of
           the
           same
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           the
           whole
           Dispensation
           of
           Nature
           and
           Providence
           ,
           but
           as
           it
           's
           more
           nearly
           relative
           to
           us
           in
           the
           Dispensation
           of
           Grace
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Speciality
           of
           that
           Work
           that
           he
           hath
           about
           each
           of
           his
           People
           in
           this
           Militant
           State
           ;
           yea
           ,
           thus
           to
           see
           on
           what
           Security
           we
           are
           fixed
           against
           the
           greatest
           Hazards
           ,
           and
           fear
           of
           future
           Events
           :
           It
           was
           on
           this
           account
           that
           the
           Psalmist
           here
           ,
           bears
           so
           great
           and
           wonderful
           a
           Testimony
           for
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           sureness
           of
           their
           State
           ,
           who
           have
           him
           to
           be
           their
           alone
           Refuge
           ,
           and
           trust
           in
           the
           most
           extream
           Case
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           indeed
           a
           
             rare
             passage
             of
             Scripture
          
           ,
           and
           does
           imply
           ,
           1.
           
           A
           Supposal
           of
           that
           which
           is
           one
           of
           the
           most
           tremendous
           Providences
           that
           can
           occur
           ,
           
             a
             Concussion
             of
             
             the
             Earth
             ,
          
           whereby
           the
           whole
           frame
           of
           Nature
           would
           seem
           not
           only
           to
           be
           shaken
           ,
           and
           cast
           into
           a
           trembling
           posture
           ,
           but
           turned
           out
           of
           its
           place
           :
           And
           there
           is
           nor
           eason
           to
           account
           a
           Metaphor
           that
           the
           Psalmist
           makes
           use
           of
           ,
           but
           to
           be
           taken
           in
           the
           
             literal
             Sense
          
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           is
           supposable
           may
           occur
           to
           the
           most
           excellent
           on
           the
           Earth
           .
           But
           2.
           
           What
           is
           more
           wonderful
           here
           ,
           is
           a
           Supposal
           made
           of
           such
           a
           Stupendous
           Earthquake
           by
           this
           Man
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           though
           it
           were
           present
           and
           visible
           to
           his
           Sense
           ,
           without
           any
           
             Trepidation
             or
             Earthquake
             on
             his
             Soul
             ,
          
           to
           shew
           what
           a
           pitch
           sometimes
           the
           
             Faith
             of
             Assurance
          
           may
           be
           at
           ,
           and
           what
           Relief
           thus
           is
           attainable
           amidst
           the
           greatest
           Terrors
           of
           Sense
           ,
           in
           the
           Light
           and
           Power
           of
           Religion
           ,
           as
           is
           above
           the
           Comprehension
           of
           Nature
           .
           He
           was
           one
           who
           had
           made
           a
           great
           Tryal
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           Acquaintance
           with
           him
           by
           inward
           Converse
           ,
           and
           does
           thus
           speak
           in
           a
           Dialect
           that
           's
           not
           intelligible
           to
           such
           who
           may
           pretend
           the
           highest
           Flight
           by
           Reason
           in
           the
           Searches
           of
           Nature
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           offer
           some
           Propositions
           for
           a
           more
           clear
           Understanding
           and
           Improvement
           of
           this
           Scripture
           ;
           the
           
             first
             whereof
             is
             this
          
           ,
           That
           the
           most
           select
           and
           eminent
           of
           the
           Saints
           may
           meet
           with
           such
           a
           Trial
           to
           their
           Faith
           
           of
           the
           same
           nature
           as
           is
           here
           mentioned
           ,
           of
           some
           extraordinary
           
             Concussion
             of
             the
             Earth
          
           ,
           as
           would
           seem
           to
           overturn
           the
           setled
           Course
           and
           Constitutions
           of
           Nature
           :
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           such
           a
           strange
           Providence
           is
           not
           still
           alike
           in
           the
           same
           manner
           or
           measure
           ,
           but
           sometimes
           is
           with
           the
           most
           tender
           Reguard
           ,
           as
           a
           
             premonitory
             Warning
             and
             Sign
             only
          
           ,
           when
           at
           other
           times
           it
           is
           with
           the
           greatest
           Terror
           of
           an
           
             immediate
             desolating
             Judgment
          
           .
        
         
           That
           a
           Supposal
           of
           this
           kind
           may
           be
           suitable
           to
           the
           most
           endeared
           Favourites
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           needs
           be
           no
           strange
           or
           difficult
           thing
           ,
           when
           it
           's
           considered
           how
           it
           's
           by
           no
           
             external
             Providences
          
           the
           Lord
           hath
           design'd
           the
           
             more
             special
             Discoveries
             of
             his
             Love
          
           to
           his
           People
           ,
           and
           that
           no
           Tryal
           can
           be
           so
           astonishing
           or
           at
           such
           a
           pitch
           ,
           as
           to
           exceed
           the
           measure
           and
           allowance
           of
           their
           Grace
           ;
           but
           that
           the
           Expence
           this
           way
           be
           ever
           proportioned
           to
           their
           Receipts
           ,
           and
           
             Measure
             of
             Faith
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           how
           it
           is
           to
           the
           most
           dismal
           
             Tryals
             and
             Extremity
          
           the
           Lord
           hath
           reserved
           the
           
             greatest
             Experiments
             of
             his
             distinguishing
             respects
             to
             Christians
             ,
          
           and
           where
           his
           leading
           into
           the
           one
           by
           an
           immediate
           Conduct
           ,
           hath
           been
           made
           so
           observable
           to
           make
           way
           for
           the
           other
           ,
           and
           some
           more
           extraordinary
           appearance
           of
           himself
           in
           such
           a
           case
           .
        
         
         
           It
           is
           not
           needful
           to
           insist
           on
           any
           Concurrence
           of
           natural
           and
           occult
           Causes
           ,
           that
           may
           be
           in
           so
           stupendous
           a
           Providence
           ,
           when
           such
           Difficulty
           and
           Contradiction
           is
           to
           be
           seen
           amongst
           the
           late
           Writers
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           have
           made
           the
           greatest
           search
           upon
           this
           Head
           ;
           and
           is
           so
           
             conjectural
             and
             problematick
             a
             thing
          
           ,
           to
           know
           what
           Influence
           herein
           the
           Sun
           may
           have
           ,
           
             or
             Subterraneous
             Fires
             ,
             as
          
           Descartes
           
             speaks
             ;
             or
             mineral
             Vapours
             and
             Irruptions
             of
             Winds
             ,
             penned
             up
             in
             the
             Caverns
             and
             Bowels
             of
             the
             Earth
          
           ;
           so
           dark
           is
           the
           Judgment
           that
           is
           on
           such
           an
           amazing
           Phenomenon
           ,
           though
           it
           fall
           in
           within
           the
           
             Sphere
             of
             Nature
          
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           so
           visibly
           preternatural
           ,
           besides
           the
           Course
           thereof
           .
           But
           it
           's
           a
           remarkable
           Reflection
           which
           Aristotle
           makes
           ,
           speaking
           upon
           this
           very
           Subject
           ,
           that
           they
           must
           be
           bruitish
           and
           stupid
           who
           are
           not
           deeply
           affected
           with
           so
           amazing
           a
           thing
           as
           an
           Earthquake
           ,
           not
           only
           upon
           the
           Hazard
           ,
           but
           as
           to
           the
           Original
           and
           Cause
           thereof
           ;
           yea
           ,
           whatever
           subserviency
           the
           Majesty
           of
           God
           may
           make
           of
           inferiour
           Causes
           in
           such
           Providences
           ,
           when
           he
           does
           in
           so
           stupendous
           a
           way
           appear
           ;
           yet
           it
           calls
           us
           to
           a
           deep
           and
           tremendous
           Sense
           hereof
           ,
           as
           his
           alone
           Work.
           
        
         
           But
           since
           this
           is
           a
           Subject
           of
           such
           Weight
           ,
           and
           what
           may
           justly
           cause
           great
           Thoughts
           
           of
           Heart
           in
           the
           present
           day
           ,
           I
           shall
           speak
           a
           little
           to
           some
           special
           Enquiries
           hereon
           .
           The
           First
           is
           this
           ,
           on
           what
           
             clear
             and
             infallible
             Grounds
             such
             an
             astonishing
             Concussion
             of
             the
             Earth
             by
             an
             Earthquake
             ,
             should
             be
             reckoned
             as
             a
             divine
             Sign
             ,
             and
             to
             have
             a
             supernatural
             Causality
             in
             directing
             the
             same
             to
             a
             Nation
             ,
             and
             some
             particular
             place
             more
             than
             to
             others
          
           ;
           for
           giving
           Light
           thereto
           .
           1.
           
           It
           cannot
           possibly
           be
           denied
           that
           such
           as
           are
           
             Sacred
             Signs
          
           ,
           and
           expresly
           
             foretold
             in
             the
             Scripture
          
           to
           take
           place
           ,
           must
           have
           a
           
             divine
             and
             supernatural
             Causality
          
           for
           accomplishing
           the
           same
           ,
           that
           go
           above
           all
           
             inferiour
             or
             secondaryCauses
          
           ,
           and
           can
           have
           no
           dependance
           thereon
           .
           2.
           
           It
           's
           sure
           also
           ,
           how
           this
           stupendous
           Providence
           is
           in
           a
           peculiar
           way
           reserved
           by
           the
           Lord
           to
           be
           a
           
             Demonstration
             of
             himself
          
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           in
           the
           
             greatness
             of
             his
             Power
             and
             more
             immediate
             Presence
             ,
          
           by
           making
           that
           which
           he
           hath
           setled
           and
           made
           firm
           in
           it self
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           shake
           ,
           but
           cleave
           asunder
           ;
           to
           shew
           his
           absolute
           Dominion
           over
           the
           most
           setled
           Constitutions
           of
           Nature
           .
           Thus
           did
           he
           in
           such
           a
           way
           cause
           the
           Earth
           to
           rent
           in
           
             two
             ,
             and
             swallow
          
           Dathan
           and
           Abiram
           ,
           to
           set
           up
           such
           a
           stupendous
           Sign
           of
           Judgment
           hereby
           ,
           where
           Nature
           could
           have
           no
           Concurrence
           ;
           yea
           ,
           in
           this
           way
           ,
           though
           in
           a
           
             promissory
             Sense
          
           
           did
           the
           Lord
           give
           so
           extraordinary
           a
           
             Demonstration
             of
             himself
             and
             of
             his
             immediate
             Presence
             upon
             that
             marvelous
             Effusion
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
          
           Act.
           4.
           31.
           when
           he
           caused
           the
           House
           and
           Earth
           to
           shake
           underneath
           ;
           both
           to
           seize
           their
           Spirits
           with
           a
           more
           deep
           Fear
           and
           Reverence
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           Sign
           that
           he
           would
           make
           the
           Nations
           to
           shake
           and
           tremble
           before
           his
           divine
           Power
           by
           the
           Gospel
           .
           Yea
           ,
           in
           the
           same
           manner
           did
           he
           bear
           Testimony
           to
           the
           
             Divinity
             of
             Christ
             in
             his
             Sufferings
             ,
          
           by
           such
           a
           tremendous
           Earthquake
           ,
           as
           an
           immediate
           and
           supernatural
           Sign
           ;
           in
           which
           sense
           through
           the
           Scripture
           as
           it
           is
           ever
           given
           ,
           as
           an
           extraordinary
           appearance
           of
           God
           for
           some
           special
           end
           ,
           so
           it
           's
           unquestionable
           ,
           the
           greatest
           Commenter
           we
           have
           on
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           is
           that
           which
           is
           writ
           by
           the
           Finger
           of
           God
           himself
           in
           his
           Work.
           3.
           
           It
           is
           with
           an
           undeniable
           Evidence
           ,
           we
           see
           a
           supernatural
           Influence
           and
           Causality
           in
           such
           a
           Providence
           ,
           hath
           in
           all
           Ages
           been
           matter
           of
           solemn
           Observation
           upon
           these
           remarkable
           Events
           have
           followed
           such
           a
           Sign
           ;
           so
           as
           in
           the
           most
           judicious
           Records
           of
           History
           ,
           we
           do
           rarely
           find
           the
           one
           mentioned
           without
           respect
           to
           the
           other
           :
           Thus
           Josephus
           does
           most
           punctually
           relate
           these
           Earthquakes
           ,
           that
           did
           so
           nearly
           preside
           the
           Destruction
           
           of
           Jerusalem
           ,
           and
           the
           Expiration
           of
           the
           judaical
           State
           ,
           as
           they
           were
           predicted
           by
           our
           Lord
           himself
           ,
           Matth.
           24.
           7.
           4.
           
           Yea
           ,
           it
           's
           beyond
           question
           how
           sometimes
           such
           Earthquakes
           fall
           out
           with
           these
           
             tremendous
             Circumstances
          
           ,
           and
           clear
           Evidence
           of
           an
           immediate
           divine
           Appearance
           ;
           as
           serves
           a
           Constraint
           herewith
           ,
           on
           a
           
             natural
             Conscience
          
           ,
           to
           see
           and
           acknowledge
           a
           
             supernatural
             Cause
          
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           have
           some
           extraordinary
           Commission
           ;
           so
           as
           it
           's
           not
           possible
           then
           for
           the
           worst
           of
           Men
           ,
           to
           keep
           off
           the
           Terror
           and
           Impression
           of
           an
           
             invisible
             God.
          
           And
           we
           see
           little
           what
           Interest
           
             the
             Ministry
             of
             the
             Angels
          
           hath
           herein
           ,
           who
           have
           surely
           a
           more
           peculiar
           Delegation
           and
           Service
           in
           such
           extraordinary
           Acts
           of
           Providence
           .
           5.
           
           As
           it
           's
           needful
           to
           understand
           the
           
             Rule
             of
             Providence
          
           ,
           e're
           we
           can
           discern
           aright
           the
           Seals
           appended
           thereto
           ,
           so
           is
           it
           evident
           that
           a
           great
           and
           stupendous
           Earthquake
           is
           foretold
           to
           be
           one
           of
           the
           
             strange
             Events
             of
             the
             last
             Trumpet
          
           ;
           which
           must
           assuredly
           take
           place
           in
           these
           last
           times
           ,
           and
           have
           a
           literal
           Accomplishment
           :
           And
           though
           its
           Appearance
           then
           will
           be
           something
           we
           may
           judge
           of
           an
           extraordinary
           kind
           ,
           with
           some
           astonishing
           Marks
           of
           Judgment
           ;
           yet
           is
           the
           intent
           of
           that
           Prediction
           clear
           herein
           ,
           that
           when
           there
           is
           any
           appearance
           of
           God
           this
           way
           ,
           it
           
           calls
           the
           World
           to
           a
           very
           solemn
           and
           awful
           regard
           of
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           for
           some
           Correspondent
           acts
           of
           Reverence
           and
           Homage
           ,
           as
           is
           suitable
           to
           a
           Providence
           whereon
           he
           does
           put
           so
           signal
           an
           Impress
           of
           his
           Terror
           and
           Greatness
           .
           But
           it
           were
           well
           if
           Mens
           Spirits
           were
           more
           prepared
           and
           inclinable
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           entertain
           any
           such
           Intimation
           with
           Reverence
           and
           Fear
           of
           the
           Divine
           Majesty
           ,
           but
           to
           improve
           the
           same
           for
           a
           greater
           strengthning
           of
           their
           own
           Faith
           of
           his
           glorious
           Being
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Divinity
           of
           his
           Word
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           also
           directed
           for
           such
           an
           end
           .
        
         
           A
           
             Second
             Enquiry
          
           upon
           this
           Subject
           and
           of
           great
           Use
           ,
           is
           what
           may
           be
           more
           specially
           judged
           as
           the
           Grounds
           of
           any
           such
           
             extraordinary
             Warnings
             and
             Signs
             to
             a
             Nation
             ,
          
           where
           God
           hath
           clearly
           revealed
           his
           Counsels
           and
           Judgments
           by
           his
           Word
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           making
           use
           thereof
           .
           Though
           here
           the
           Soveraignty
           of
           his
           Will
           should
           both
           silence
           and
           subject
           our
           Spirits
           in
           such
           a
           case
           ,
           yet
           there
           can
           be
           no
           Darkness
           therein
           ,
           to
           any
           of
           a
           serious
           and
           judicious
           Spirit
           ,
           when
           they
           see
           ,
           1.
           
           Such
           a
           suitable
           Congruity
           therewith
           ,
           to
           that
           Tenderness
           which
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           hath
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           to
           Kingdoms
           and
           Nations
           in
           his
           Government
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           not
           only
           speak
           
           by
           his
           Word
           ,
           but
           go
           to
           the
           utmost
           ,
           by
           more
           
             extraordinary
             Warnings
          
           of
           some
           great
           and
           unusual
           Stroak
           of
           Judgment
           e're
           it
           come
           ,
           so
           as
           nothing
           may
           be
           wanting
           either
           to
           reclaim
           ,
           or
           render
           such
           a
           People
           unexcusable
           :
           And
           it
           hath
           a
           most
           sad
           and
           fatal
           Aspect
           ,
           if
           this
           hath
           no
           suitable
           Impression
           in
           the
           present
           day
           .
           2.
           
           This
           can
           be
           no
           dark
           or
           strange
           thing
           ,
           when
           the
           times
           we
           are
           in
           ,
           are
           such
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Honour
             and
             Glory
             of
             the
             Godhead
          
           is
           interested
           to
           appear
           in
           some
           unusual
           manner
           before
           Men
           ,
           when
           no
           Application
           of
           Light
           to
           the
           Judgment
           ,
           either
           from
           his
           Words
           or
           Works
           ,
           in
           an
           ordinary
           way
           does
           prevail
           ,
           when
           his
           Name
           is
           in
           so
           visible
           a
           way
           blasphemed
           ,
           and
           all
           wherein
           he
           has
           placed
           his
           Name
           of
           so
           low
           a
           regard
           with
           this
           Generation
           .
           3.
           
           Yea
           ,
           may
           not
           yet
           some
           more
           strange
           and
           immediate
           Appearance
           to
           this
           Generation
           be
           expected
           ,
           when
           such
           a
           visible
           Tendency
           now
           is
           to
           
             sacrifice
             to
             natural
             Causes
          
           ,
           whatever
           hath
           the
           greatest
           Evidence
           to
           bring
           near
           an
           affecting
           Sense
           of
           the
           Deity
           unto
           Mens
           Conscience
           ;
           and
           to
           account
           it
           a
           small
           thing
           to
           arraign
           and
           subject
           the
           greatest
           of
           his
           Works
           to
           the
           Comprehension
           of
           their
           dark
           and
           limited
           Reason
           ;
           and
           that
           their
           Wisdom
           hath
           such
           a
           Dominion
           and
           Influence
           on
           future
           
           Events
           ,
           as
           they
           can
           
             give
             Law
             to
             Providence
          
           ,
           and
           lay
           Wagers
           on
           what
           the
           next
           day
           is
           to
           bring
           forth
           :
           Oh!
           may
           not
           some
           unusual
           Application
           be
           yet
           more
           than
           expected
           ,
           to
           let
           Men
           know
           they
           are
           under
           the
           Dominion
           of
           that
           God
           ,
           who
           can
           in
           a
           Moment
           ,
           break
           the
           most
           promising
           Means
           and
           Measures
           taken
           by
           Human
           Counsel
           ,
           by
           one
           touch
           of
           his
           Hand
           ;
           and
           what
           hath
           been
           thought
           most
           infallible
           in
           the
           course
           of
           Humane
           Affairs
           .
           4.
           
           And
           may
           it
           not
           be
           feared
           ,
           that
           when
           these
           are
           so
           rare
           ,
           who
           
             tremble
             at
             the
             Word
             and
             Threatnings
             of
             an
             invisible
             God
             ,
          
           they
           should
           meet
           with
           such
           awakening
           Signs
           ,
           as
           cause
           the
           
             Earth
             to
             tremble
          
           beneath
           ?
           which
           in
           the
           very
           Nature
           thereof
           ,
           is
           suited
           to
           beget
           an
           awful
           and
           trembling
           posture
           of
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           let
           us
           see
           how
           every
           Moment
           it
           is
           dependant
           on
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Reverence
           thereof
           ,
           that
           the
           Earth
           does
           not
           rent
           and
           swallow
           Men
           up
           .
           But
           it
           is
           clear
           also
           that
           extraordinary
           Appearances
           of
           God
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           Judgment
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Grace
           ,
           have
           been
           most
           discernable
           ,
           when
           things
           have
           come
           to
           an
           Extremity
           in
           the
           Tryals
           of
           Christians
           ,
           and
           when
           their
           Faith
           and
           Patience
           have
           been
           ready
           to
           be
           overset
           by
           Disappointments
           ,
           and
           contrary
           Appearances
           ,
           answerable
           to
           that
           of
           
             Isa
             .
             Now
             will
             I
             
             arise
             ,
             now
             will
             I
             be
             exalted
             ,
             now
             will
             I
             lift
             up
             my self
             ,
             saith
          
           the
           Lord.
           
        
         
           A
           
             Third
             Enquiry
          
           ,
           That
           I
           humbly
           judge
           is
           of
           Concern
           here
           ,
           is
           
             what
             suitable
             and
             safe
             Application
             may
             be
             made
             of
             such
             extraordinary
             Providences
             ,
             to
             the
             present
             Day
             and
             Place
             we
             are
             in
          
           ;
           since
           it
           is
           requisite
           that
           any
           Impression
           of
           Fear
           on
           such
           an
           account
           ,
           be
           fixed
           on
           solid
           and
           rational
           Grounds
           ,
           and
           we
           be
           not
           affrighted
           with
           Shadows
           ,
           but
           according
           to
           that
           Evidence
           they
           bear
           of
           being
           supernatural
           Signs
           and
           Forewarnings
           ,
           to
           have
           an
           answerable
           Sense
           thereof
           ;
           on
           which
           account
           ,
           as
           to
           a
           clear
           and
           applicatory
           Judgment
           in
           such
           a
           case
           ,
           I
           shall
           yet
           further
           offer
           a
           few
           things
           to
           be
           considered
           for
           this
           end
           .
           1.
           
           That
           when
           something
           astonishing
           and
           unusal
           ,
           above
           any
           Influence
           of
           natural
           Causes
           ,
           is
           given
           to
           be
           a
           
             premonitory
             Sign
          
           to
           a
           Nation
           or
           People
           ,
           and
           hath
           an
           extraordinary
           Call
           with
           it
           ,
           it
           does
           surely
           speak
           there
           is
           some
           more
           than
           ordinary
           Piece
           of
           the
           Work
           of
           God
           than
           in
           bringing
           forth
           there
           ,
           and
           on
           a
           near
           Approach
           ;
           yea
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           on
           some
           great
           and
           important
           Ground
           ,
           when
           the
           Lord
           does
           this
           way
           appear
           .
           2.
           
           It
           is
           of
           undoubted
           Evidence
           which
           we
           must
           peremptorily
           hold
           by
           ,
           that
           where
           the
           Majesty
           of
           God
           takes
           an
           unusual
           way
           to
           awake
           and
           
           warn
           a
           People
           ,
           they
           must
           either
           answer
           the
           same
           ,
           or
           else
           they
           are
           infallible
           Prognosticks
           of
           Wrath
           and
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           some
           dismal
           Night
           coming
           on
           :
           Nor
           can
           any
           Sign
           be
           more
           mortal
           than
           this
           ,
           that
           Men
           
             will
             not
             consider
             the
             Work
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             regard
             the
             Operation
             of
             his
             Hand
             ,
          
           when
           it
           hath
           unavoiadble
           Evidence
           to
           be
           his
           alone
           Work.
           3.
           
           There
           may
           be
           a
           clear
           and
           infallible
           Application
           of
           what
           's
           more
           extraordinary
           in
           any
           Appearance
           of
           God
           to
           a
           Nation
           ,
           when
           such
           Forewarnings
           have
           most
           immediately
           gone
           before
           some
           astonishing
           Judgment
           ,
           on
           a
           People
           who
           have
           not
           been
           under
           more
           aggravating
           Circumstances
           of
           Guilt
           ;
           yea
           ,
           not
           comparable
           to
           the
           height
           that
           is
           this
           day
           in
           our
           case
           :
           Since
           such
           Precedents
           of
           the
           Severity
           of
           Judgments
           in
           one
           place
           ,
           are
           undoubtedly
           given
           to
           be
           a
           
             premonitory
             Sign
          
           to
           another
           .
           4.
           
           Yea
           ,
           when
           there
           is
           some
           more
           singular
           
             Conjunction
             ,
             and
             reiterating
          
           in
           a
           successive
           way
           of
           such
           
             awakening
             Signs
          
           ,
           it
           then
           hath
           not
           only
           a
           distinct
           Sound
           ,
           but
           a
           loud
           Cry
           of
           some
           near
           and
           immediate
           Approach
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           may
           come
           upon
           the
           
             last
             Call.
          
           I
           know
           it
           is
           one
           of
           the
           greatest
           things
           of
           practical
           Religion
           ,
           that
           needs
           a
           near
           intercourse
           with
           God
           ,
           to
           have
           any
           such
           Application
           brought
           near
           to
           Mens
           
           Souls
           ,
           both
           in
           order
           to
           fear
           ,
           and
           to
           account
           also
           the
           more
           immediate
           Appearances
           of
           his
           Power
           and
           Workings
           ,
           as
           a
           matter
           of
           their
           greatest
           Joy
           ,
           that
           the
           sense
           of
           a
           Deity
           might
           thus
           more
           strongly
           work
           on
           such
           a
           Generation
           :
           But
           oh
           !
           how
           sad
           a
           Token
           is
           it
           ,
           when
           such
           are
           not
           only
           rejected
           ,
           but
           have
           a
           sinistrous
           and
           false
           Application
           made
           of
           the
           same
           ;
           and
           to
           see
           the
           Earth
           trembling
           at
           the
           near
           Approaches
           of
           divine
           Wrath
           ,
           when
           such
           as
           dwell
           thereon
           ,
           have
           no
           fear
           of
           this
           kind
           ,
           as
           Habac.
           3.
           10.
           
           
             The
             Mountains
             saw
             thee
             and
             they
             trembled
             ,
             the
             overflowings
             of
             the
             Water
             passed
             by
             ,
             the
             Deep
             uttered
             its
             Voice
          
           ;
           but
           says
           the
           Prophet
           there
           ,
           
             Was
             the
             Lord
             displeased
             against
             the
             Rivers
             ?
             Was
             his
             Anger
             against
             those
             Elements
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           No
           ,
           it
           was
           against
           Humane
           Race
           ,
           and
           given
           to
           be
           a
           Sign
           thereto
           .
        
         
           But
           there
           is
           a
           
             Fourth
             Enquiry
          
           ,
           which
           comes
           more
           close
           and
           near
           to
           us
           on
           this
           Subject
           ,
           to
           know
           what
           Evidence
           such
           
             late
             extraordinary
             Providences
             do
             bear
          
           ,
           as
           was
           at
           Jamaica
           ,
           June
           7.
           
             and
             here
          
           ,
           September
           8.
           
             to
             be
             the
             alone
             Work
             of
             God
             in
             such
             an
             immediate
             and
             unusual
             manner
             ,
          
           and
           to
           go
           forth
           on
           a
           
             special
             Commission
          
           to
           England
           ,
           
             and
             to
             this
             great
             and
             renowned
             City
             of
          
           London
           ;
           
             yea
             ,
             the
             whole
             Island
          
           :
           For
           Answer
           thereto
           ,
           I
           must
           crave
           
           leave
           with
           humble
           Sobriety
           ,
           to
           offer
           
             some
             Reflections
             on
             both
          
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           express
           Signature
           and
           Impress
           ,
           they
           bear
           not
           only
           of
           an
           extraordinary
           Appearance
           of
           God
           herein
           ,
           but
           of
           his
           Counsel
           and
           Intent
           in
           this
           day
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           As
           to
           that
           
             tremendous
             stroak
             on
          
           Jamaica
           ,
           we
           cannot
           but
           see
           1.
           
           It
           s
           being
           directed
           to
           a
           place
           where
           the
           whole
           
             Country
             was
             purely
             English
          
           in
           its
           Interest
           and
           Inhabitants
           ,
           and
           thus
           a
           part
           of
           the
           same
           Nation
           ,
           though
           at
           a
           distance
           ;
           so
           that
           it
           can
           be
           no
           more
           evident
           that
           such
           a
           strange
           Stroak
           was
           real
           and
           no
           imaginary
           thing
           ,
           than
           that
           it
           hath
           a
           proper
           Aspect
           in
           a
           
             monitory
             way
             on
             this
             Island
          
           ,
           and
           set
           up
           as
           a
           
             publick
             Beacon
             and
             Monument
             of
             Judgment
          
           in
           this
           respect
           ,
           to
           shew
           how
           
             terrible
             a
             thing
             it
             is
             to
             fall
             immediately
             into
             the
             Hands
             of
             the
             Living
             God
             ,
          
           when
           a
           People
           may
           seem
           most
           secure
           from
           all
           humane
           Power
           ,
           yea
           ,
           that
           there
           can
           be
           Safety
           on
           the
           Earth
           ,
           where
           their
           Adversary
           is
           above
           them
           ,
           and
           is
           God.
           2.
           
           We
           see
           its
           being
           directed
           also
           with
           a
           special
           Commission
           to
           
             that
             one
             place
          
           ,
           which
           alone
           was
           the
           most
           flourishing
           ,
           populous
           Part
           of
           the
           whole
           Country
           ;
           and
           thus
           made
           the
           Scaffold
           on
           which
           so
           dreadful
           an
           Execution
           of
           Judgment
           was
           acted
           ,
           as
           did
           in
           
             Two
             Moments
             ,
             swallow
             up
             near
          
           2000
           
           of
           its
           Inhabitants
           ,
           whilst
           no
           part
           else
           of
           the
           Island
           had
           any
           such
           dreadful
           Effects
           ;
           and
           was
           this
           a
           contingent
           and
           casual
           thing
           only
           ,
           if
           Men
           do
           but
           excercise
           Reason
           herein
           .
           3.
           
           This
           as
           it
           's
           publickly
           known
           ,
           was
           after
           some
           remarkable
           Forewarnings
           ,
           given
           by
           a
           
             trepidation
             of
             the
             Earth
          
           there
           ,
           a
           short
           time
           before
           though
           in
           that
           manner
           ,
           and
           with
           such
           tenderness
           then
           ,
           as
           might
           shew
           a
           holding
           of
           the
           hand
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           even
           when
           it
           
             was
             lifted
             up
          
           .
           4.
           
           It
           's
           yet
           further
           remarkable
           as
           I
           find
           it
           related
           from
           some
           who
           dwelt
           in
           that
           place
           ,
           that
           no
           Instance
           of
           traditional
           Conveyance
           ,
           was
           before
           ever
           known
           there
           ,
           not
           only
           since
           the
           
             first
             english
             Plantation
          
           ,
           but
           under
           
             the
             Spanish
             Power
          
           ;
           so
           as
           in
           that
           sense
           as
           Moses
           spoke
           ,
           
             Numb
             .
             16.
             13.
             
             The
             Lord
             did
             thus
             work
             a
             new
             thing
             in
             such
             a
             place
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
          
           as
           it
           's
           thus
           circumstantiate
           .
           5.
           
           But
           that
           which
           may
           most
           direct
           our
           Eyes
           to
           see
           an
           immediate
           Appearance
           of
           God
           herein
           ,
           and
           a
           Causality
           above
           Nature
           ,
           was
           ,
           as
           is
           by
           all
           acknowledged
           ,
           when
           such
           
             a
             prodigious
             height
             of
             Impiety
             and
             Wickedness
             seem'd
             to
             have
             filled
             up
             its
             full
             Measure
             ,
          
           and
           no
           ordinary
           means
           could
           reclaim
           ;
           so
           as
           the
           Holy
           God
           upon
           the
           Honour
           of
           his
           Justice
           and
           Government
           ,
           was
           thus
           interested
           to
           put
           so
           astonishing
           a
           Mark
           of
           his
           Severity
           and
           Wrath
           on
           the
           same
           ,
           
           and
           make
           known
           what
           one
           Day
           and
           Hour
           ,
           may
           at
           last
           bring
           forth
           on
           a
           
             City
             and
             Country
          
           after
           a
           long
           Forbearance
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           least
           expected
           or
           feared
           .
        
         
           But
           it
           is
           on
           this
           
             last
             Sign
             and
             extraordinary
             Concussion
             by
             an
             Earthquake
             ,
             that
             was
             in
             the
          
           8th
           .
           of
           September
           ,
           I
           must
           offer
           a
           few
           Reflections
           further
           ,
           that
           hath
           come
           nearer
           to
           our
           Sense
           ,
           with
           so
           unusual
           an
           Aspect
           .
           1.
           
           That
           it
           was
           given
           in
           so
           near
           a
           Conjunction
           with
           the
           former
           ,
           and
           with
           such
           Evidence
           as
           the
           Lord
           speaks
           to
           Moses
           ,
           Exod.
           4.
           8.
           
           
             If
             they
             will
             not
             hearken
             to
             the
             Voice
             of
             the
             first
             Sign
             ,
             they
             may
             yet
             hearken
             to
             the
             Voice
             of
             the
             second
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           when
           the
           first
           had
           the
           less
           Influence
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           so
           remote
           in
           its
           Distance
           ,
           this
           comes
           and
           speaks
           in
           that
           manner
           as
           Jeremiah
           ,
           
             I
             am
             a
             God
             near
             at
             hand
             ,
             and
             not
             a
             far
             off
             only
             .
          
           2.
           
           If
           we
           look
           on
           the
           manner
           of
           it
           ,
           it
           is
           so
           astonishing
           ,
           as
           is
           unaccountable
           to
           all
           Humane
           Reason
           ,
           that
           so
           discernable
           a
           trepidation
           should
           be
           in
           one
           Room
           in
           the
           same
           House
           ,
           and
           not
           in
           another
           ,
           as
           was
           certainly
           known
           ;
           yea
           ,
           in
           so
           distinguishing
           a
           respect
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           most
           perceptible
           and
           terrifying
           to
           one
           in
           the
           same
           Room
           and
           not
           to
           another
           ;
           tho'
           both
           in
           the
           sober
           Exercises
           of
           Reason
           .
           3.
           
           And
           whence
           should
           such
           a
           Correspondence
           in
           
             this
             great
             Sign
          
           have
           a
           Rise
           ,
           that
           almost
           
           in
           the
           same
           Hour
           it
           made
           the
           Earth
           to
           tremble
           at
           London
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Sea-Coasts
           there
           ,
           in
           so
           astonishing
           a
           manner
           ,
           and
           then
           also
           give
           the
           same
           Signal
           and
           Warning
           through
           the
           
             whole
             Low-Countries
             ,
             with
             other
             adjacent
             parts
             of
             Germany
             ,
          
           when
           so
           great
           an
           Extent
           of
           Sea
           lyes
           betwixt
           the
           same
           ;
           since
           it
           is
           not
           possible
           that
           in
           the
           ordinary
           course
           of
           Nature
           ,
           the
           
             Influence
             of
             any
             subterraneous
             Fires
             or
             Vapours
             ,
             should
             have
             so
             immediate
             a
             Conjunction
             with
             Places
             so
             vastly
             remote
             ,
          
           and
           separate
           from
           other
           by
           so
           great
           an
           Extent
           of
           the
           Sea.
           I
           find
           some
           famous
           Searchers
           into
           natural
           Causes
           ,
           writ
           that
           an
           Earthquake
           is
           simply
           impossible
           in
           Nature
           ,
           to
           be
           of
           any
           universal
           Extent
           .
           4.
           
           And
           though
           we
           read
           in
           the
           
             English
             Histories
          
           some
           strange
           extraordinary
           Instances
           that
           did
           occur
           of
           such
           a
           kind
           in
           
             Queen
             Elizabeths
             Reign
          
           at
           London
           in
           the
           Year
           1580
           ,
           at
           
             Marcly
             Hill
          
           in
           Herefordshire
           in
           the
           Year
           1571
           ,
           where
           it
           removed
           it self
           from
           the
           place
           where
           it
           stood
           ,
           and
           travelled
           to
           another
           place
           ;
           as
           also
           a
           Prodigy
           of
           the
           same
           kind
           ,
           which
           was
           in
           Dorsetshire
           1582
           ,
           yet
           was
           none
           of
           these
           ,
           in
           the
           least
           ,
           of
           such
           a
           Nature
           as
           this
           ,
           or
           in
           any
           respect
           parallel
           thereto
           ;
           but
           were
           restricted
           only
           to
           particular
           Bounds
           ,
           tho'
           they
           were
           then
           matter
           of
           great
           Observation
           
           in
           their
           day
           :
           But
           I
           humbly
           judge
           if
           the
           most
           exact
           Search
           were
           made
           into
           
             History
             both
             Modern
             and
             Ancient
          
           ,
           under
           such
           Circumstances
           ,
           no
           Instance
           so
           strange
           and
           unaccountable
           ,
           as
           to
           any
           natural
           Causes
           herein
           will
           be
           found
           .
           5.
           
           And
           what
           a
           State
           should
           we
           have
           been
           in
           ,
           if
           it
           had
           continued
           but
           
             Three
             Minutes
             more
          
           ?
           Or
           was
           there
           any
           Humane
           Counsel
           or
           Power
           ,
           that
           could
           either
           prevent
           or
           restrain
           the
           same
           in
           the
           least
           ,
           of
           its
           going
           so
           far
           and
           no
           further
           ,
           but
           we
           might
           see
           at
           once
           ,
           our
           Hazard
           and
           Deliverance
           set
           in
           our
           sight
           ,
           from
           an
           invisible
           Power
           .
        
         
           But
           as
           all
           the
           Works
           of
           God
           ,
           even
           such
           as
           fall
           under
           the
           Observation
           of
           each
           day
           ,
           should
           be
           matter
           of
           special
           regard
           ;
           such
           wherein
           his
           Appearance
           is
           more
           extraordinary
           ,
           calls
           for
           some
           greater
           Advertence
           and
           enquiry
           about
           the
           same
           .
           I
           must
           therefore
           offer
           a
           few
           Reflections
           further
           on
           this
           late
           astonishing
           Providence
           .
           1.
           
           That
           as
           it
           was
           now
           
             Ten
             Years
             ago
          
           since
           the
           Lord
           gave
           a
           Sign
           in
           an
           unusual
           manner
           from
           the
           
             Heavens
             above
          
           ,
           by
           that
           great
           and
           remarkable
           
             Comet
             in
             the
             Year
          
           80
           ,
           so
           now
           after
           such
           an
           Interval
           of
           Patience
           to
           this
           Generation
           he
           hath
           given
           a
           Sign
           of
           another
           kind
           ,
           
             which
             is
             from
             the
             Deep
             beneath
             ,
          
           that
           comes
           more
           near
           to
           us
           ,
           answerable
           to
           that
           of
           
           Isa
           .
           7.
           where
           we
           may
           see
           how
           it
           is
           most
           eminently
           in
           these
           two
           ways
           the
           Lord
           does
           appear
           ,
           when
           he
           is
           to
           give
           
             some
             great
             and
             significative
             Sign
             to
             the
             World
          
           of
           
             unusual
             Events
          
           ;
           and
           as
           nothing
           can
           bring
           more
           Terror
           therewith
           ,
           than
           an
           Appearance
           of
           such
           a
           kind
           ,
           so
           needs
           it
           not
           be
           strange
           that
           this
           day
           ,
           when
           the
           Earth
           hath
           so
           near
           a
           Resemblance
           to
           the
           Infernal
           State
           ,
           why
           this
           should
           be
           from
           beneath
           ,
           and
           have
           so
           dreadful
           an
           Aspect
           .
           2.
           
           Though
           there
           might
           be
           cause
           why
           such
           a
           
             Concussion
             of
             the
             Earth
          
           should
           cause
           just
           Fears
           and
           Tremblings
           of
           Heart
           ,
           yet
           does
           it
           exceed
           all
           Humane
           Comprehension
           such
           a
           Circumstance
           herewith
           ,
           which
           was
           so
           universally
           noticed
           
             of
             its
             affecting
             the
             Head
             with
             a
             sensible
             Giddiness
             ,
          
           even
           before
           they
           did
           apprehend
           ,
           and
           understood
           any
           thing
           of
           
             an
             Earthquake
          
           ;
           which
           was
           so
           obvious
           to
           the
           most
           judicious
           Observers
           ,
           that
           it
           seemed
           as
           if
           an
           
             Apoplectick
             Distemper
          
           had
           seized
           upon
           them
           ,
           without
           any
           known
           Cause
           for
           the
           same
           :
           This
           I
           have
           found
           so
           general
           a
           Remark
           ,
           as
           I
           could
           not
           pass
           it
           over
           ,
           though
           without
           any
           Application
           else
           ,
           but
           that
           no
           natural
           Cause
           can
           be
           supposable
           herein
           .
           3.
           
           And
           if
           we
           regard
           the
           manner
           of
           this
           Sign
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           directed
           to
           such
           a
           time
           we
           are
           in
           ,
           and
           in
           so
           strange
           an
           Extent
           thereof
           ,
           may
           it
           not
           
           also
           as
           with
           clear
           and
           articulate
           Voice
           be
           understood
           ,
           that
           what
           
             is
             signified
             thereby
             will
             prove
             matter
             of
             Trembling
             and
             Astonishment
             ,
          
           and
           may
           cause
           a
           Trepidation
           in
           these
           
             western
             parts
             of
             Europe
          
           answerable
           thereto
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           
             shake
             the
             most
             setled
             Constitutions
             of
             Nations
             ,
          
           if
           so
           solemn
           a
           Call
           be
           not
           regarded
           .
           4.
           
           And
           though
           it
           might
           seem
           a
           strange
           Criticism
           ,
           yet
           I
           hope
           not
           unsuitable
           to
           be
           noticed
           ,
           that
           this
           
             last
             Warning
             was
             given
             in
             the
          
           2d
           .
           
             Week
             of
          
           September
           ,
           as
           directed
           to
           revive
           the
           Sense
           ,
           and
           Remembrance
           of
           what
           had
           been
           so
           highly
           remarkable
           to
           this
           
             great
             City
          
           in
           the
           
             first
             Week
             thereof
          
           ,
           and
           with
           a
           
             new
             Call
          
           tho
           in
           a
           most
           tender
           premotory
           way
           ,
           but
           with
           that
           Evidence
           ,
           as
           we
           are
           sure
           was
           immediately
           from
           Heaven
           ;
           only
           let
           me
           add
           herewith
           ,
           that
           's
           sure
           Divine
           Threatnings
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           
             tremendous
             Warnings
             to
             Kingdoms
             and
             Nations
             ,
          
           are
           in
           their
           primary
           Intention
           ,
           design'd
           to
           keep
           off
           Men
           from
           the
           Judgments
           threatned
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           be
           gazed
           at
           for
           a
           matter
           of
           Talk
           and
           Report
           :
           But
           oh
           !
           if
           the
           furthest
           Measures
           of
           this
           kind
           can
           have
           no
           weight
           to
           answer
           the
           Intent
           hereof
           :
           It
           is
           sure
           that
           God
           will
           be
           known
           to
           be
           God
           this
           day
           unto
           Britain
           ,
           and
           before
           this
           Generation
           ,
           by
           such
           an
           Evidence
           and
           Demonstration
           ,
           as
           will
           at
           last
           work
           effectually
           .
        
         
         
           But
           having
           now
           so
           far
           touched
           these
           two
           
             extraordinary
             Signs
          
           that
           have
           so
           lately
           occurred
           ,
           I
           must
           for
           the
           same
           end
           point
           at
           a
           Third
           ,
           as
           so
           nearly
           contemporating
           with
           the
           former
           ,
           though
           it
           may
           be
           feared
           ,
           is
           gone
           out
           of
           sight
           and
           forgot
           ,
           when
           the
           Bitterness
           of
           Death
           seems
           to
           be
           past
           ,
           but
           did
           cause
           such
           Fears
           in
           the
           present
           time
           ,
           and
           Consternation
           of
           Mind
           :
           
             It
             is
             that
             unusual
             and
             astonishing
             Rain
             ,
             which
             in
             these
             parts
             ,
             through
             most
             of
             the
             Summer
             continued
             ,
          
           when
           thus
           these
           sweet
           Influences
           from
           Heaven
           by
           moistning
           Showers
           ,
           to
           restore
           and
           ripen
           ,
           were
           in
           that
           manner
           changed
           to
           be
           destructive
           ,
           when
           we
           might
           see
           the
           Heavens
           with
           fo
           extraordinary
           an
           Aspect
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           mourning
           from
           above
           over
           the
           Earth
           ,
           
             if
             hereby
             Men
             would
             be
             awakened
             to
             the
             Fear
             and
             Dread
             of
             that
             God
             in
             whose
             hand
             both
             our
             Breath
             and
             Bread
             is
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           when
           it
           was
           come
           to
           that
           Extremity
           in
           its
           continued
           Course
           ,
           as
           threatned
           to
           make
           void
           the
           Harvest
           ,
           and
           when
           but
           
             one
             Week
             almost
             seemed
             to
             stand
             betwixt
             us
             and
             such
             an
             unavoidable
             Stroak
          
           ;
           when
           no
           Humane
           Counsel
           or
           Power
           ,
           could
           save
           the
           Nation
           from
           perishing
           in
           such
           a
           case
           :
           It
           was
           then
           the
           Sovereign
           God
           did
           stay
           his
           hand
           ,
           and
           with
           an
           eminent
           Testimony
           of
           his
           Tenderness
           ,
           not
           only
           shut
           up
           the
           Clouds
           ,
           but
           
           gave
           such
           a
           Compensation
           by
           a
           most
           serene
           desirable
           Season
           ,
           as
           might
           recover
           in
           a
           short
           time
           ,
           what
           the
           former
           Months
           had
           spoiled
           ,
           and
           seemed
           in
           an
           ordinary
           way
           to
           Mens
           Thoughts
           ,
           irrecoverable
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           shall
           shut
           up
           any
           further
           insisting
           on
           this
           Subject
           ,
           with
           a
           short
           Touch
           only
           at
           
             some
             Improvement
             hereof
             for
             these
             ends
             .
             First
             to
             a
             solid
             fixing
             of
             our
             Judgment
             and
             Light
             about
             the
             same
             ,
          
           there
           is
           nothing
           more
           amazing
           and
           dreadful
           to
           the
           Spirit
           of
           many
           in
           this
           day
           ,
           than
           any
           
             supernatural
             Appearance
             in
             the
             Events
             of
             Providence
             ,
          
           as
           renders
           the
           Sense
           and
           Impression
           of
           an
           invisible
           God
           ,
           and
           his
           Dominion
           over
           
             second
             causes
          
           ,
           to
           be
           unavoidable
           ,
           and
           on
           this
           Account
           ,
           as
           these
           seem
           to
           be
           in
           such
           a
           Fear
           upon
           the
           
             Truth
             and
             Existence
             of
             Devils
          
           ,
           since
           their
           Faith
           hereof
           ,
           must
           needs
           bring
           them
           to
           the
           same
           with
           the
           
             Devils
             ,
             to
             believe
             and
             tremble
             :
          
           So
           is
           it
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           Men
           are
           so
           much
           on
           the
           Rack
           how
           to
           solve
           all
           by
           
             natural
             Demonstration
          
           ,
           that
           may
           darken
           any
           immediate
           Appearance
           of
           God
           ;
           as
           Jannes
           and
           Jambres
           in
           Egypt
           ,
           until
           at
           last
           they
           were
           constrained
           to
           see
           and
           acknowledge
           it
           was
           a
           Divine
           Power
           alone
           they
           opposed
           themselves
           to
           ;
           but
           such
           as
           will
           peruse
           what
           the
           most
           
             judicious
             of
             modern
             Philosophers
          
           speak
           on
           this
           Head
           ,
           may
           
           see
           how
           dark
           and
           perplexed
           their
           Inquisition
           is
           hereon
           ,
           and
           how
           strait
           Bounds
           they
           are
           penned
           up
           in
           ,
           whilst
           they
           jointly
           confess
           that
           an
           Earthquake
           is
           by
           no
           natural
           motion
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           but
           is
           impetuous
           and
           violent
           ,
           that
           moves
           contrary
           to
           the
           setled
           course
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           fixedness
           of
           the
           Earth
           ;
           but
           that
           some
           extraordinary
           Stop
           and
           Obstruction
           is
           herein
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           come
           to
           fix
           on
           the
           particular
           Cause
           hereof
           ,
           think
           it
           most
           probable
           to
           be
           either
           
             ab
             aqua
             ,
             à
             flammis
             subterraneis
             ,
             vel
             ab
             halitu
             :
          
           But
           if
           they
           will
           rise
           higher
           upon
           another
           
             Principle
             ,
             to
             give
             a
             true
             Idea
             of
             Nature
             ,
          
           they
           must
           then
           see
           also
           how
           it
           is
           acted
           by
           God
           as
           his
           Instrument
           ,
           to
           do
           whatever
           he
           will
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           
             Motions
             of
             all
             inferior
             Causes
          
           must
           be
           ultimately
           resolved
           ,
           both
           on
           an
           immediate
           Divine
           Concurrence
           to
           their
           working
           ,
           and
           on
           his
           directing
           Counsel
           to
           answer
           his
           Intent
           ;
           since
           as
           the
           
             Eye
             of
             God
             is
             still
             on
             the
             whole
             Circle
             of
             the
             Creation
             in
             its
             Motions
             ,
          
           so
           is
           his
           Dominion
           over
           the
           
             deep
             and
             darkest
             Caverns
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
          
           to
           move
           upon
           his
           Call
           ;
           which
           can
           never
           be
           subjected
           to
           the
           Rule
           of
           natural
           Causes
           .
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           ordinary
           course
           and
           procedure
           of
           Providence
           ,
           the
           only
           wise
           God
           hath
           a
           special
           Respect
           to
           the
           order
           of
           inferior
           Causes
           ,
           and
           his
           own
           Ordination
           
           herein
           ,
           and
           does
           thus
           exercise
           his
           Dominion
           over
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           the
           Motion
           of
           things
           there
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           
             particular
             nature
          
           wherein
           he
           hath
           fixed
           them
           ;
           
             but
             when
             sublunary
             things
             step
             out
             of
             their
             natural
             Course
             ,
          
           and
           do
           either
           move
           against
           or
           above
           their
           own
           Nature
           ,
           it
           is
           surely
           then
           upon
           a
           supreme
           Determination
           for
           a
           great
           end
           ,
           and
           some
           notable
           Step
           of
           Providence
           is
           to
           be
           understood
           herein
           ;
           yea
           ,
           it
           is
           most
           conspicuous
           in
           the
           way
           of
           God
           ,
           when
           great
           Events
           of
           what
           's
           foretold
           in
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           are
           in
           bringing
           forth
           as
           to
           any
           piece
           of
           his
           Work
           ,
           wherein
           he
           designs
           some
           higher
           discovery
           of
           himself
           to
           Men
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           when
           
             Secondary
             Causes
          
           and
           the
           whole
           concourse
           of
           Nature
           would
           seem
           most
           to
           controul
           the
           same
           ;
           and
           in
           this
           present
           case
           ,
           if
           with
           a
           serious
           and
           prepared
           Mind
           ,
           Men
           do
           consider
           these
           
             two
             late
             Earthquakes
          
           under
           their
           proper
           Circumstances
           ,
           then
           it
           is
           not
           possible
           but
           they
           must
           see
           them
           to
           be
           such
           Events
           ,
           as
           cannot
           possibly
           be
           ascribed
           to
           another
           Cause
           ,
           than
           an
           immediate
           Divine
           Power
           exerted
           in
           the
           same
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           
             a
             Second
             Improvement
          
           ,
           which
           on
           this
           Head
           is
           now
           called
           for
           ,
           
             to
             have
             our
             eyes
             thus
             carried
             up
             towards
             God
             by
             serious
             Observation
             :
          
           I
           know
           this
           is
           not
           easily
           attained
           ,
           
           to
           be
           in
           a
           due
           capacity
           and
           posture
           to
           converse
           with
           him
           this
           way
           ,
           wherein
           lyes
           one
           of
           the
           nearest
           Intercourses
           betwixt
           Heaven
           and
           our
           Soul
           within
           time
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           of
           great
           use
           to
           know
           aright
           where
           the
           intent
           of
           
             judicious
             Observation
          
           on
           such
           an
           account
           should
           be
           most
           fixed
           ,
           as
           1.
           
           On
           the
           
             immediateness
             of
             such
             Acts
             of
             Providence
             to
             be
             from
             God
             alone
             ,
          
           as
           can
           be
           ascribed
           to
           no
           created
           Power
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           discovery
           that
           comes
           not
           with
           more
           Terror
           to
           a
           profane
           World
           ,
           whose
           Study
           is
           to
           
             live
             without
             God
             therein
          
           ,
           than
           with
           unspeakable
           Joy
           it
           meets
           these
           of
           a
           serious
           Spirit
           for
           a
           more
           full
           establishment
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           to
           see
           it
           with
           that
           Evidence
           ,
           as
           makes
           it
           unavoidable
           to
           terminate
           their
           eyes
           otherwise
           than
           on
           God
           alone
           herein
           ,
           
             Deut.
             32.
             
             See
             now
             ,
             I
             even
             I
             am
             he
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             no
             God
             ,
             else
             ;
             I
             kill
             and
             make
             alive
             ,
             I
             wound
             and
             I
             heal
             ,
          
           &c.
           2.
           
           It
           is
           then
           our
           Observation
           is
           suitably
           fixed
           ,
           when
           it
           respects
           
             the
             clear
             Impress
             of
             Divine
             Truth
             on
             any
             extraordinary
             Step
             of
             his
             way
             ,
          
           no
           less
           than
           of
           his
           Power
           ,
           since
           as
           his
           Work
           is
           ever
           answerable
           to
           his
           
             Being
             ,
             and
             the
             Perfections
             of
             his
             Nature
             ,
          
           so
           is
           the
           outgoings
           of
           his
           Truth
           ,
           and
           Faithfulness
           herein
           to
           be
           intensly
           observed
           ;
           who
           does
           rule
           and
           govern
           the
           World
           according
           to
           these
           established
           Laws
           and
           Constitutions
           
           of
           his
           revealed
           Truth
           .
           3.
           
           It
           is
           essentially
           requisite
           also
           to
           consider
           and
           see
           such
           Providences
           as
           are
           more
           extraordinary
           ,
           
             under
             these
             Circumstances
             ,
             which
             most
             remarkably
             attend
             the
             same
             .
          
           It
           being
           sure
           how
           great
           a
           weight
           
             one
             Circumstance
          
           may
           have
           to
           render
           a
           Providence
           in
           some
           singular
           way
           ,
           to
           be
           both
           instructing
           and
           comforting
           ,
           which
           otherwise
           would
           not
           work
           in
           that
           manner
           .
           Thus
           did
           the
           Ruler
           so
           exactly
           inquire
           and
           observe
           
             at
             what
             Hour
             it
             was
             when
             his
             Son
             recovered
             ,
          
           and
           found
           it
           answer
           to
           that
           very
           time
           when
           Christ
           had
           given
           him
           the
           assurance
           thereof
           .
           It
           is
           herein
           one
           of
           the
           great
           Duties
           of
           our
           day
           lyes
           ,
           and
           I
           am
           perswaded
           that
           
             great
             things
             for
             Observation
          
           ,
           do
           yet
           wait
           upon
           this
           time
           .
           
             Providence
             hath
             been
             a
             long
             Teacher
             to
          
           Britain
           ,
           and
           it
           useth
           to
           be
           the
           
             last
             Teacher
          
           that
           is
           made
           use
           of
           ,
           
             and
             the
             last
             way
             that
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             does
             strive
             with
             a
             People
             or
             Nation
             ,
             before
             approaching
             Judgment
             :
          
           We
           have
           seen
           it
           
             go
             by
             on
             the
             right
             hand
          
           in
           most
           
             singular
             dispensations
             of
             Grace
             and
             Mercy
             to
             these
             Nations
          
           ;
           as
           also
           upon
           the
           
             left
             hand
             in
             extraordinary
             Acts
             of
             Justice
             ,
          
           yet
           have
           we
           little
           seen
           or
           perceived
           to
           this
           day
           ,
           the
           most
           special
           Intent
           of
           the
           Lord
           herein
           :
           But
           since
           I
           have
           spoken
           more
           expresly
           thereto
           elsewhere
           ,
           I
           forbear
           to
           touch
           it
           further
           ;
           
           only
           
             this
             Improvement
             further
          
           ,
           might
           be
           suitable
           on
           such
           a
           Subject
           ,
           to
           impress
           Mens
           Spirits
           with
           the
           Fear
           and
           Dread
           of
           
             walking
             contrary
             to
             Providence
             ,
             especially
             in
             any
             more
             extraordinary
             Discoveries
             of
             God
             this
             way
             ,
          
           since
           this
           is
           the
           highest
           Contempt
           and
           Opposition
           upon
           the
           Earth
           ,
           to
           his
           Providential
           Government
           ,
           and
           does
           in
           an
           unusual
           manner
           ,
           hasten
           and
           prepare
           such
           for
           the
           last
           Stroak
           :
           This
           seems
           to
           be
           one
           of
           
             the
             Signs
             of
             our
             time
          
           ,
           that
           hath
           a
           sad
           Resemblance
           to
           these
           in
           the
           
             Primitive
             times
          
           ,
           2.
           
           Pet.
           2.
           who
           turned
           divine
           Patience
           to
           be
           a
           matter
           of
           Scoff
           ,
           and
           said
           ,
           
             Where
             is
             the
             Promise
             of
             his
             coming
             ,
          
           since
           we
           see
           things
           continue
           yet
           as
           they
           were
           ,
           and
           have
           yet
           outlived
           many
           
             threatning
             Tokens
             ,
             and
             Presages
             of
             Judgment
             ?
          
           But
           it
           is
           usually
           seen
           ,
           that
           such
           who
           have
           looked
           on
           
             premonitory
             Signs
          
           with
           the
           greatest
           Confidence
           ,
           and
           have
           counted
           any
           serious
           regard
           thereto
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           superstitious
           Weakness
           ,
           have
           been
           beyond
           all
           others
           ,
           seized
           with
           the
           greatest
           Terror
           and
           Amazement
           ,
           upon
           a
           surprizing
           Stroak
           :
           
             A
             reverential
             Fear
             and
             Dread
             of
             Divine
             Warnings
             ,
          
           and
           of
           the
           evil
           day
           ,
           is
           most
           highly
           becoming
           such
           who
           may
           have
           the
           greatest
           Security
           of
           Mind
           ,
           as
           to
           their
           own
           personal
           Lot
           therein
           ;
           such
           as
           
             Habac.
             3.
             16.
             
             When
             I
             heard
             this
             ,
             
             my
             Belly
             trembled
             ,
             my
             Lips
             quivered
             ,
          
           &c.
           
             that
             I
             might
             rest
             in
             the
             day
             of
             Trouble
             .
          
        
         
           A
           
             Second
             Proposition
          
           that
           hath
           the
           same
           clear
           Evidence
           with
           the
           former
           from
           this
           Scripture
           is
           this
           ,
           
             That
             such
             an
             
               Assurance
               of
               Faith
            
             is
             attainable
             here
             on
             the
             Earth
             ,
             as
             can
             bear
             out
             ,
             and
             secure
             the
             Soul
             of
             a
             Christian
             in
             a
             present
             Extremity
             ,
             and
             amidst
             the
             greatest
             Terrors
             of
             Sense
             ,
             when
             there
             is
             no
             possible
             Support
             from
             Nature
             ,
             or
             things
             seen
             in
             such
             a
             case
             .
          
           To
           this
           does
           the
           Psalmist
           here
           bear
           a
           most
           clear
           Witness
           .
           I
           confess
           it
           is
           one
           of
           the
           most
           astonishing
           Mysteries
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           which
           is
           wholly
           unaccountable
           to
           the
           Spirit
           of
           this
           World
           ;
           and
           it
           hath
           been
           matter
           of
           Wonder
           to
           me
           ,
           in
           how
           ordinary
           a
           way
           such
           a
           Subject
           is
           oft
           spoken
           of
           ,
           and
           what
           length
           is
           come
           in
           the
           
             Notion
             and
             Theory
          
           ,
           when
           so
           little
           of
           the
           experimental
           Light
           hereof
           ,
           seems
           to
           be
           found
           on
           the
           Earth
           in
           this
           day
           :
           But
           where
           it
           is
           known
           in
           Truth
           ,
           it
           is
           surely
           one
           of
           the
           
             greatest
             Demonstrations
             of
             God
          
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           immediate
           Power
           and
           working
           on
           the
           Soul
           in
           this
           Militant
           State
           ,
           yea
           ,
           such
           as
           may
           supply
           the
           room
           of
           any
           
             external
             Miracles
          
           to
           these
           ,
           who
           know
           the
           same
           ;
           it
           is
           a
           thing
           of
           that
           Nature
           ,
           as
           exceeds
           
             the
             Sphere
             of
             all
             created
             Power
          
           to
           work
           ,
           and
           goes
           far
           above
           the
           reach
           of
           Angels
           to
           impart
           
           the
           same
           ;
           but
           to
           him
           only
           it
           belongs
           
             who
             is
             both
             the
             Author
             and
             Finisher
             of
             our
             Faith
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           which
           according
           to
           the
           
             out-lettings
             of
             his
             Spirit
          
           ,
           herein
           makes
           so
           unspeakable
           a
           difference
           betwixt
           such
           and
           themselves
           to
           whom
           it
           is
           thus
           known
           ,
           how
           in
           one
           time
           then
           they
           are
           made
           to
           differ
           from
           another
           ,
           and
           where
           the
           
             Sorrows
             and
             Pains
             of
             a
             doubting
             Heart
             ,
             about
             the
             Warrant
             of
             their
             Hope
          
           is
           understood
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           then
           known
           what
           unexpressible
           Joy
           the
           Truth
           of
           such
           an
           Assurance
           as
           we
           find
           here
           in
           the
           Text
           does
           raise
           ,
           and
           be
           as
           a
           
             Resurrection
             from
             the
             Dead
          
           in
           that
           case
           .
           It
           's
           true
           such
           a
           
             particular
             Confidence
             and
             Trust
          
           ,
           that
           hath
           nothing
           from
           things
           seen
           ,
           or
           on
           any
           natural
           account
           to
           fix
           ,
           cannot
           bear
           out
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Light
           only
           ,
           even
           on
           the
           most
           clear
           Grounds
           of
           a
           Divine
           Promise
           herein
           ,
           but
           is
           immediately
           dependant
           on
           that
           measure
           of
           the
           
             Spirit
             of
             Faith
          
           ,
           which
           is
           then
           given
           to
           answer
           to
           the
           height
           and
           measure
           of
           their
           present
           Tryal
           ;
           but
           yet
           it
           's
           sure
           and
           unquestionable
           ,
           that
           such
           a
           Faith
           as
           is
           not
           founded
           on
           Appearances
           ,
           hath
           a
           Ballast
           as
           will
           not
           be
           broken
           by
           contrary
           Appearances
           ;
           and
           since
           this
           may
           look
           as
           a
           very
           dark
           and
           amazing
           thing
           ,
           what
           relates
           to
           such
           singular
           workings
           of
           a
           Christians
           Faith
           in
           an
           Extremity
           ,
           I
           would
           
           speak
           a
           few
           things
           to
           be
           previously
           considered
           in
           what
           manner
           this
           acts
           
             on
             the
             highest
             Principles
             of
             inlightned
             Reason
             ,
          
           as
           well
           as
           by
           
             supernatural
             Influence
          
           ,
           and
           how
           nothing
           can
           be
           more
           rationally
           deduced
           than
           such
           a
           Conclusion
           which
           David
           here
           makes
           from
           the
           foregoing
           Premises
           ,
           since
           it
           's
           undeniable
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           such
           a
           sweet
           and
           absolute
           Necessity
           there
           is
           for
           Men
           to
           betake
           themselves
           to
           a
           Divine
           
             Power
             and
             Relief
          
           ,
           only
           in
           a
           present
           exigence
           of
           Tryal
           ,
           when
           it
           's
           sure
           that
           God
           hath
           afforded
           nothing
           to
           Man
           without
           himself
           in
           the
           whole
           frame
           of
           the
           Creation
           ,
           to
           bear
           up
           that
           weight
           of
           Dependance
           and
           Trust
           ;
           so
           as
           we
           must
           herein
           either
           
             cease
             from
             Man
             ,
             whose
             Breath
             is
             in
             his
             Nostrils
             ,
             in
             the
             way
             of
             Reliance
             or
             Part
             with
             God
             :
          
           Nor
           can
           any
           time
           ever
           find
           that
           to
           be
           Blessed
           ,
           on
           which
           the
           God
           of
           Truth
           hath
           by
           any
           irrevocable
           Sentence
           setled
           a
           Curse
           .
           But
           this
           is
           one
           of
           the
           rare
           Characters
           of
           a
           Christian
           ,
           when
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           ,
           both
           his
           Choice
           and
           Confidence
           does
           center
           in
           God
           alone
           ,
           as
           he
           is
           resolved
           to
           trust
           him
           only
           or
           none
           else
           ;
           and
           to
           
             ly
             at
             Anchor
          
           on
           his
           revealed
           Truth
           ,
           or
           perish
           .
           The
           great
           Former
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           will
           not
           bear
           the
           empty
           Name
           and
           Shew
           of
           being
           his
           Peoples
           hope
           ,
           when
           
           the
           Interest
           and
           Weight
           thereof
           ,
           is
           laid
           on
           things
           beside
           himself
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           is
           no
           less
           demonstrable
           and
           known
           on
           this
           Head
           ,
           that
           
             there
             is
             no
             possible
             rest
             or
             quiet
             to
             the
             Soul
             of
             Man
          
           amidst
           the
           Hazards
           and
           Terrors
           of
           time
           ,
           but
           in
           an
           intire
           Dependance
           and
           Trust
           on
           an
           
             invisible
             God
             and
             his
             being
             their
             alone
             Refuge
             and
             Help
             ,
          
           for
           the
           
             Profession
             of
             the
             only
             true
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             our
             Souls
             adventuring
             intirely
             on
             him
             ,
             as
             the
             alone
             Object
             of
             our
             Trust
             ,
             is
             one
             and
             the
             same
          
           ;
           and
           as
           there
           is
           a
           receding
           from
           the
           one
           ,
           so
           is
           there
           consequentially
           from
           the
           other
           also
           ,
           
             in
             denying
             to
             him
             the
             Glory
             of
             his
             Godhead
             .
          
           Nothing
           is
           indeed
           more
           usual
           than
           to
           see
           Mens
           Confidence
           still
           Ebb
           and
           Flow
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           visible
           posture
           of
           their
           Affairs
           ,
           tho
           it
           does
           sadly
           evidence
           such
           a
           Trust
           and
           Reliance
           that
           hath
           its
           greatest
           Weight
           on
           something
           else
           than
           God
           ,
           however
           he
           bear
           the
           Name
           thereof
           .
           It
           is
           unquestionable
           that
           the
           greatest
           
             Princes
             and
             Monarchs
             ,
             need
             to
             have
             their
             Dependance
             no
             less
             setled
             on
             God
             ,
             even
             for
             outward
             Supplies
             ,
             than
             the
             Poor
          
           ;
           whose
           holding
           hereof
           ,
           is
           no
           less
           absolutely
           from
           him
           ,
           than
           those
           who
           may
           be
           put
           to
           live
           on
           Humane
           Charity
           ,
           and
           are
           ever
           in
           his
           Reverence
           ,
           who
           can
           
             make
             the
             Scarlet
             to
             embrace
             the
             Dunghill
             ,
          
           when
           it
           would
           seem
           not
           conceivable
           
           to
           Humane
           Reason
           :
           It
           is
           in
           this
           respect
           that
           one
           of
           the
           highest
           Tryals
           of
           Faith
           is
           ,
           when
           external
           Advantages
           do
           most
           abound
           ,
           and
           in
           that
           Sense
           
             Riches
             prove
             so
             mortal
          
           to
           those
           who
           enjoy
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           as
           
             Christ
             himself
             testifies
          
           ,
           is
           
             no
             less
             hard
             for
             such
             to
             be
             saved
             ,
             than
             for
             a
             Camel
             to
             go
             through
             a
             Needle
             's
             Eye
             :
          
           It
           's
           so
           rare
           for
           Men
           to
           
             have
             the
             World
             in
             their
             Hand
             and
             not
             upon
             their
             Heart
             also
             ,
          
           as
           the
           ground
           of
           their
           Confidence
           and
           Trust
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           This
           should
           be
           also
           considered
           
             for
             giving
             Light
             to
             the
             work
             of
             Faith
          
           in
           any
           extraordinary
           Tryals
           ,
           
             that
             it
             's
             sure
             the
             utmost
             Perfection
             of
             this
             excellent
             Grace
             ,
             not
             only
             in
             its
             Truth
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             Degree
             and
             Measure
             thereof
             ,
             is
             alone
             in
             this
             Life
             attainable
          
           ;
           so
           ,
           that
           this
           is
           not
           possible
           to
           be
           at
           a
           higher
           Pitch
           than
           in
           this
           Militant
           State
           ,
           or
           to
           have
           another
           Season
           for
           paying
           in
           that
           
             Tribute
             of
             Glory
             and
             Praise
             unto
             the
             God
             of
             Truth
             ,
             and
             to
             his
             faithfulness
             ,
          
           which
           is
           so
           highly
           called
           for
           in
           the
           way
           of
           believing
           ,
           but
           within
           time
           only
           ;
           but
           ,
           in
           a
           more
           special
           way
           in
           the
           greatest
           exigence
           and
           strait
           which
           may
           be
           in
           a
           Christians
           case
           ,
           when
           their
           Hope
           seems
           most
           visibly
           stated
           against
           them
           .
           It
           is
           in
           this
           
             Sense
             ,
             the
             Apostle
             speaks
             of
             the
             filling
             up
             of
             the
             work
             of
             Faith
             in
             a
             Christians
             day
             ,
          
           2.
           
           
           Thess
           .
           1.
           5.
           as
           one
           of
           the
           highest
           Designs
           of
           Providence
           in
           the
           Conflicts
           of
           their
           Warfare
           ,
           though
           the
           same
           measure
           in
           this
           Work
           and
           Tryals
           hereof
           ,
           be
           not
           allotted
           to
           some
           as
           to
           others
           ;
           yea
           ,
           it
           is
           in
           that
           respect
           only
           James
           speaks
           ,
           Chap.
           1.
           4.
           
             for
             the
             Patience
             of
             Faith
             to
             have
             its
             perfct
             work
             ,
          
           and
           to
           attain
           this
           in
           the
           utmost
           Degree
           ,
           since
           it
           belongs
           only
           to
           this
           Life
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           But
           is
           it
           not
           a
           
             Compensation
             to
             the
             hardest
             Lessons
             of
             a
             Christians
             Confidence
             and
             Trust
             ,
          
           and
           to
           the
           most
           remarkable
           Hour
           of
           Extremity
           ,
           that
           we
           know
           
             God
             hath
             reserved
             thereto
             ,
             the
             most
             immediate
             and
             extraordinary
             Discoveries
             of
             himself
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             being
             God
             alone
             ,
          
           above
           what
           is
           known
           in
           the
           ordinary
           course
           of
           his
           Providence
           :
           
             Said
             I
             ,
             not
             unto
             you
             ,
             if
             you
             would
             believe
             that
             ye
             should
             see
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             ,
          
           Joh.
           11.
           which
           was
           a
           sight
           that
           our
           Lord
           would
           not
           give
           until
           all
           Support
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Sense
           was
           taken
           off
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           was
           put
           beyond
           the
           possibility
           of
           Nature
           .
           And
           it
           's
           sure
           ,
           
             that
             on
             such
             rare
             Experiment
             and
             Tryal
             of
             God
          
           in
           a
           Christians
           Life
           ,
           
             and
             in
             a
             case
             where
             none
             but
             God
             can
             act
             ,
          
           is
           of
           such
           value
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           a
           continued
           matter
           of
           Admiration
           ;
           yea
           ,
           is
           an
           
             earnest
             of
             that
             kind
          
           ,
           as
           may
           bear
           Evidence
           to
           to
           their
           Security
           by
           a
           peci
           al
           Conduct
           of
           Providence
           in
           all
           after-times
           ,
           
           when
           this
           is
           enjoyed
           not
           only
           as
           it
           's
           
             demonstrative
             of
             the
             greatness
             of
             his
             Power
             ,
          
           but
           on
           the
           
             account
             of
             his
             Promise
          
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           Seal
           thereto
           in
           the
           way
           of
           their
           Relyance
           on
           him
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           It
           is
           surely
           here
           in
           the
           powerful
           workings
           of
           a
           Christians
           Faith
           ,
           in
           an
           extraordinary
           Hour
           of
           Tryal
           ,
           that
           one
           of
           the
           
             great
             Demonstrations
             of
             the
             Truth
             and
             Excellency
             of
             our
             Religion
             ,
             is
             exhibited
             before
             the
             World
             :
          
           And
           what
           a
           temporal
           Interest
           does
           thus
           accompany
           the
           same
           ,
           to
           support
           and
           quiet
           the
           Soul
           ?
           yea
           ,
           to
           bear
           the
           full
           Expence
           of
           the
           saddest
           afflicting
           Times
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           known
           to
           the
           residue
           of
           Men
           besides
           .
           For
           it
           should
           be
           a
           sad
           part
           ,
           if
           
             any
             case
          
           were
           of
           that
           kind
           in
           a
           Christians
           Lot
           ,
           as
           did
           exceed
           a
           
             supernatural
             Relief
             by
             Reliance
             intirely
             on
             God
          
           ;
           when
           nothing
           besides
           in
           any
           visible
           way
           is
           left
           :
           But
           here
           does
           the
           
             glory
             of
             our
             Religion
             with
             an
             eminent
             Brightness
             shine
             forth
             ,
          
           when
           such
           as
           look
           but
           at
           a
           distance
           ,
           can
           see
           the
           
             effects
             thereof
          
           ,
           to
           afford
           Quiet
           and
           Rest
           to
           the
           Mind
           ,
           where
           it
           's
           sure
           Nature
           could
           give
           no
           Assistance
           ,
           when
           Humane
           Refuge
           hath
           most
           visibly
           failed
           ,
           when
           
             Lovers
             and
             Friends
             have
             stood
             afar
             off
             ,
          
           and
           when
           the
           
             frownings
             of
             Providence
          
           have
           been
           such
           ,
           
             as
             if
             their
             God
             was
             become
             a
             Party
             against
             them
             ,
          
           
           and
           their
           Eyes
           made
           to
           fail
           in
           waiting
           for
           his
           Appearance
           ;
           yea
           ,
           as
           it
           's
           sure
           all
           
             natural
             Causes
             must
             still
             have
             their
             Operation
             and
             Effects
             ,
             congruously
             to
             their
             proper
             Nature
             ,
          
           so
           is
           this
           alone
           peculiar
           to
           that
           
             excellent
             Religion
          
           we
           enjoy
           in
           the
           Truth
           thereof
           ,
           to
           afford
           a
           
             supernatural
             Vertue
             and
             Efficacy
             therewith
          
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           give
           Rest
           and
           Refreshment
           to
           the
           most
           perplexed
           and
           weary
           Spirit
           ;
           and
           to
           
             commend
             its
             Institutions
             by
             the
             influential
             presence
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
          
           as
           that
           way
           whereby
           Man
           here
           on
           the
           Earth
           in
           this
           visible
           Sate
           ,
           is
           advanced
           ,
           and
           made
           capable
           of
           an
           immediate
           and
           familiar
           Converse
           with
           an
           invisible
           God
           ,
           which
           is
           one
           of
           the
           Wonders
           of
           Religion
           ,
           that
           might
           in
           another
           manner
           affect
           and
           work
           upon
           us
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           truly
           believed
           .
           Oh!
           what
           a
           Subject
           is
           this
           to
           converse
           with
           ,
           that
           such
           a
           
             Demonstration
             of
             the
             Christian
             Faith
          
           is
           known
           and
           sure
           ,
           as
           a
           
             vital
             Intercouse
             and
             Communion
          
           betwixt
           our
           
             Blessed
             Head
          
           ,
           and
           these
           who
           are
           united
           to
           him
           by
           Faith
           here
           on
           the
           Earth
           ;
           so
           as
           the
           
             greatness
             of
             that
             local
             Distance
          
           ,
           which
           is
           betwixt
           the
           
             third
             Heavens
          
           and
           this
           
             lower
             World
          
           ,
           can
           be
           no
           Lett
           thereto
           ,
           when
           yet
           the
           least
           
             moral
             distance
             by
             any
             Impurity
             and
             Defilement
             through
             Sin
          
           does
           separate
           betwixt
           God
           and
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           obstruct
           this
           Enjoyment
           .
        
         
         
           But
           since
           this
           is
           not
           conceivable
           at
           a
           distance
           in
           
             what
             manner
             a
             surprizing
             extremity
             may
             work
             ,
             when
             it
             's
             the
             present
             Object
             of
             Sense
             ,
          
           and
           Mens
           Confidence
           is
           resolved
           intirely
           on
           a
           
             supernatural
             Relief
          
           ;
           when
           it
           's
           no
           Theory
           or
           Light
           in
           the
           Judgment
           can
           express
           the
           same
           as
           in
           an
           experimental
           way
           is
           known
           ;
           yea
           ,
           when
           the
           
             actings
             of
             Faith
             in
             the
             Power
             thereof
             ,
          
           in
           such
           a
           Tryal
           is
           so
           rare
           and
           wonderful
           a
           thing
           above
           natural
           Comprehension
           .
           
             Let
             me
             yet
             offer
             here
             some
             of
             the
             most
             choice
             Improvements
          
           that
           are
           called
           for
           ,
           to
           the
           attaining
           such
           an
           
             assurauce
             and
             establishment
             of
             Faith
          
           ,
           when
           things
           may
           come
           to
           some
           unusual
           Exigence
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           How
           then
           ,
           such
           whose
           acquaintance
           with
           God
           is
           not
           to
           begin
           ,
           can
           have
           this
           Reflection
           alone
           with
           their
           Soul
           ,
           
             that
             they
             know
             whom
             they
             have
             believed
             ,
             and
             his
             being
             able
             to
             keep
             that
             which
             was
             committed
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             give
             an
             account
             thereof
             ,
             in
             a
             day
             of
             Extremity
             ,
          
           2
           Tim.
           1.
           12.
           yea
           ,
           knows
           the
           
             God
             of
             their
             Trust
          
           is
           such
           ,
           who
           can
           extend
           his
           Power
           and
           Relief
           unto
           things
           that
           are
           unconceivable
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           past
           finding
           out
           ;
           who
           can
           serve
           himself
           of
           
             means
             visibly
             destructive
             to
             save
          
           in
           a
           way
           contrary
           to
           their
           proper
           Nature
           ;
           
             whose
             help
             tarries
             not
             for
             Man
             ,
             nor
             waits
             for
             the
             Sons
             of
             Men
          
           ;
           and
           is
           ever
           at
           work
           to
           make
           his
           
           Providence
           serve
           the
           Interest
           and
           Accomplishment
           of
           his
           Truth
           to
           such
           who
           have
           setled
           their
           Reliance
           thereon
           ,
           though
           the
           whole
           visible
           state
           of
           things
           ,
           would
           seem
           to
           conspire
           against
           the
           same
           ;
           and
           ,
           can
           then
           look
           up
           to
           
             that
             God
          
           (
           when
           there
           may
           be
           no
           look
           downward
           ,
           but
           to
           cause
           Terror
           )
           whose
           
             Kingdom
             and
             Dominion
          
           ,
           is
           not
           only
           
             over
             all
          
           but
           can
           immediately
           act
           on
           their
           Souls
           ,
           to
           quiet
           and
           settle
           the
           same
           ,
           though
           the
           Earth
           about
           them
           ,
           should
           be
           in
           a
           visible
           Disorder
           and
           Confusion
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           is
           then
           ,
           even
           under
           the
           most
           dismal
           Aspect
           of
           external
           Providences
           ,
           that
           such
           can
           betake
           themselves
           to
           
             the
             Certainty
             of
             Divine
             Truth
          
           ,
           and
           
             cast
             Anchor
             on
             that
             ground
          
           on
           which
           they
           must
           shortly
           adventure
           for
           an
           eternal
           State
           ,
           in
           that
           greatest
           Tryal
           at
           Death
           :
           Thus
           did
           Abraham
           rest
           his
           Soul
           when
           he
           had
           such
           a
           strange
           Tide
           of
           contrary
           Providences
           to
           shake
           him
           ,
           and
           
             was
             not
             staggered
             at
             the
             Promise
             ,
          
           knowing
           it
           was
           given
           by
           that
           God
           ,
           with
           whom
           it
           
             was
             unpossible
             to
             lie
          
           ;
           and
           oh
           !
           what
           a
           Hell
           should
           this
           Earth
           be
           ,
           if
           the
           Enjoyments
           of
           a
           Christians
           Faith
           and
           Hope
           ,
           had
           another
           Dependance
           than
           on
           God
           alone
           ,
           and
           were
           in
           the
           Reverence
           of
           outward
           things
           ;
           yea
           ,
           if
           there
           were
           not
           such
           a
           
             Certainty
             of
             supernatural
             Evidence
             and
             Assurance
             ,
          
           as
           in
           a
           
           Mid-night
           Hour
           ,
           can
           bearup
           against
           the
           greatest
           Contradictions
           of
           Sense
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           There
           is
           this
           
             great
             Assistance
          
           to
           improve
           in
           the
           darkest
           Tryal
           ,
           what
           
             former
             acquaintance
             with
             the
             ways
             of
             God
          
           hath
           been
           attained
           for
           discerning
           how
           the
           Designs
           and
           Methods
           of
           Grace
           ,
           do
           lye
           towards
           them
           ,
           by
           the
           light
           of
           his
           Truth
           :
           Thus
           when
           
             present
             Affliction
          
           and
           Distress
           ,
           seems
           most
           astonishing
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           in
           the
           Dark
           herein
           ,
           to
           understand
           what
           unusual
           Measures
           the
           most
           endeared
           Favourites
           of
           Heaven
           have
           had
           of
           such
           a
           Tryal
           ,
           whilst
           they
           were
           on
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           are
           upon
           no
           strange
           or
           unknown
           ground
           in
           such
           a
           case
           :
           They
           know
           thus
           what
           an
           
             illustrious
             and
             essential
             part
          
           the
           most
           
             deep
             distresses
             and
             straits
          
           in
           a
           Christains
           Life
           ,
           hath
           in
           the
           
             great
             frame
             of
             divine
             Providence
          
           ,
           to
           bring
           forth
           the
           greatest
           Comforts
           and
           Mercies
           thereof
           ;
           and
           that
           according
           to
           the
           measure
           both
           of
           their
           Grace
           and
           
             Services
             for
             God
          
           ;
           they
           must
           expect
           his
           way
           towards
           them
           ,
           to
           go
           out
           of
           the
           ordinary
           Road
           of
           his
           dealing
           with
           others
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           It
           is
           likewise
           in
           the
           most
           dismal
           Hour
           ,
           when
           all
           Humane
           Refuges
           do
           Succumb
           ,
           that
           such
           can
           with
           Delight
           ,
           reflect
           on
           
             that
             ancient
             Friendship
             and
             Entercourse
             of
             Love
             hath
             sometimes
             been
             betwixt
             
             God
             and
             their
             Soul
             ,
          
           as
           being
           still
           an
           
             undoubted
             earnest
             in
             their
             hand
          
           ,
           though
           they
           may
           not
           have
           the
           
             same
             inward
             Sense
          
           and
           Evidence
           therewith
           ,
           on
           their
           Heart
           as
           formerly
           :
           Yea
           ,
           the
           singular
           Comfort
           and
           Advantage
           which
           is
           in
           a
           
             judicious
             Observation
             of
             these
             more
             extraordinary
             .
             Acts
             of
             Providence
             ,
          
           that
           have
           met
           them
           formerly
           ,
           will
           be
           then
           understood
           ,
           when
           they
           come
           to
           a
           serious
           recollecting
           of
           the
           same
           .
           It
           's
           true
           ,
           the
           measure
           of
           such
           a
           Talent
           with
           some
           ,
           may
           much
           exceed
           that
           of
           others
           ,
           whose
           Life
           hath
           been
           filled
           up
           with
           more
           singular
           Experiments
           of
           this
           kind
           ,
           what
           God
           hath
           been
           to
           them
           in
           some
           unusual
           way
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           more
           immediate
           Interpositions
           of
           Providence
           ;
           yet
           where
           something
           is
           in
           any
           measure
           of
           such
           an
           Assistance
           for
           a
           clear
           and
           sweet
           review
           on
           the
           same
           ,
           it
           's
           not
           expressible
           how
           this
           will
           work
           in
           a
           
             new
             exigence
             ;
             when
             the
             Comforter
             indeed
             brings
             it
             to
             their
             Remembrance
             ,
          
           it
           is
           a
           
             strong
             Argumentation
          
           that
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           affords
           this
           way
           to
           raise
           the
           Confidence
           of
           his
           People
           ,
           
             in
             the
             most
             extraordinary
             c●●●…
          
           ,
           Job
           5.
           
           
             He
             will
             deliver
             in
             Six
             Trouble
             ,
             yea
             in
             Seven
          
           ;
           by
           which
           
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             Style
          
           is
           to
           be
           understood
           a
           
             note
             of
             Perfection
          
           ,
           when
           it
           comes
           to
           the
           highest
           and
           most
           extream
           part
           of
           Trouble
           ,
           that
           then
           these
           Experiences
           were
           assured
           Pledges
           ,
           that
           
           his
           
             Power
             will
             not
             fail
             in
             the
             Seventh
             ,
          
           or
           come
           short
           for
           bringing
           forth
           so
           great
           a
           Deliverance
           .
           It
           's
           true
           ,
           one
           day
           may
           come
           in
           a
           Christians
           way
           to
           heighten
           
             the
             Tryal
          
           of
           their
           Faith
           ,
           more
           than
           all
           the
           preceeding
           part
           of
           their
           Life
           :
           But
           it
           is
           no
           less
           remarkable
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Grace
           ,
           how
           these
           also
           have
           been
           in
           some
           singular
           manner
           then
           trained
           and
           ripened
           for
           such
           an
           Assault
           e're
           it
           came
           ;
           and
           ,
           as
           the
           greatest
           
             Paroxism
             of
          
           a
           Disease
           is
           usual
           upon
           the
           
             height
             of
             a
             Crisis
          
           ,
           and
           when
           it
           's
           on
           
             a
             turn
          
           ,
           so
           is
           it
           experienced
           ,
           
             how
             astonishing
             a
             darkness
             does
             oft
             fall
             down
             ,
          
           when
           
             some
             eminent
             Appearance
             of
             God
          
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Comfort
           and
           Light
           to
           a
           Christian
           ,
           hath
           been
           most
           immediately
           near
           .
           It
           is
           not
           conceivable
           also
           until
           it
           be
           tryed
           what
           
             Satans
             greatest
             Design
             and
             effort
             means
             ,
          
           which
           each
           of
           the
           Saints
           does
           once
           prove
           in
           some
           time
           of
           their
           Life
           ,
           though
           not
           in
           a
           like
           measure
           ;
           yea
           ,
           how
           singular
           a
           time
           this
           is
           found
           to
           be
           ,
           
             for
             some
             higher
             Tryal
             of
             God
          
           beyond
           their
           former
           Experience
           :
           But
           it
           may
           be
           a
           strengthening
           Remark
           to
           our
           Faith
           ,
           how
           the
           
             design
             of
             those
             Powers
             of
             darkness
             ,
          
           are
           most
           deeply
           laid
           against
           the
           Followers
           of
           Christ
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           
             room
             in
             the
             Body
          
           ,
           and
           any
           more
           special
           Services
           for
           him
           that
           may
           be
           alotted
           to
           such
           .
           I
           remember
           a
           
           Passage
           of
           Luthers
           in
           his
           common
           places
           with
           respect
           to
           himself
           ,
           very
           remarkable
           ;
           
             videtur
             mihi
             Satanas
             a
             pueritia
             mea
             aliquid
             providisse
             in
             me
             eorum
             ,
             quae
             nunc
             patitur
             ,
             ideo
             ad
             perdendum
             ,
             ad
             impediendumque
             me
             incredibilibus
             machinis
             insanivit
             ,
             ut
             saepius
             fuerim
             admiratus
             ,
             egone
             Solus
             essem
             inter
             mortales
             ,
             quem
             ita
             peteret
             .
          
        
         
           5.
           
           There
           is
           one
           singular
           Assistance
           also
           ,
           that
           such
           who
           have
           attained
           fome
           near
           Entercourse
           with
           God
           in
           the
           way
           of
           his
           Truth
           ,
           have
           beyond
           others
           ,
           in
           the
           darkest
           Hour
           ,
           
             by
             a
             review
             on
             these
             peculiar
             Promises
          
           that
           have
           been
           with
           the
           
             most
             full
             Evidence
             and
             Seal
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Promise
             ,
          
           sometimes
           enjoyed
           in
           a
           sensible
           Application
           of
           the
           same
           :
           It
           was
           this
           gave
           David
           so
           strong
           an
           Argument
           to
           plead
           and
           prevail
           with
           God
           ,
           
             Psal
             .
             119.
             49.
             
             Remember
             the
             word
             unto
             thy
             Servant
             whereon
             thou
             causest
             me
             to
             hope
          
           ;
           and
           it
           's
           clearly
           in
           that
           Sense
           it
           must
           be
           understood
           ,
           
             Heb.
             11.
             
             Of
             these
             who
             by
             Faith
             obtained
             Promises
             from
             God
             ,
          
           being
           made
           theirs
           by
           such
           an
           
             immediate
             Seal
             and
             Application
          
           ,
           that
           gave
           them
           as
           clear
           an
           Interest
           therein
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           in
           the
           Performance
           .
           And
           surely
           where
           the
           Testimony
           of
           the
           
             renewed
             Conscience
          
           is
           kept
           clear
           herewith
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           Condition
           to
           which
           these
           Promises
           relate
           ,
           the
           very
           Life
           and
           
           Comfort
           of
           a
           Christians
           Trust
           lyes
           in
           such
           a
           Support
           ,
           above
           what
           's
           expressible
           ,
           than
           in
           an
           Hour
           of
           Temptation
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           But
           there
           is
           one
           Improvement
           further
           in
           order
           to
           a
           Christians
           Faith
           and
           Support
           ,
           in
           the
           most
           extreme
           case
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           in
           a
           short
           time
           he
           is
           to
           make
           a
           
             Tryal
             of
             Faith
          
           ,
           that
           will
           be
           of
           another
           Nature
           than
           he
           hath
           ever
           known
           before
           ;
           and
           no
           Tryal
           within
           time
           can
           be
           like
           this
           ,
           which
           is
           
             at
             Death
          
           ;
           when
           the
           whole
           visible
           part
           of
           Man
           ,
           must
           be
           shut
           up
           in
           a
           dark
           and
           narrow
           Grave
           ,
           which
           had
           once
           the
           spacious
           Earth
           to
           move
           in
           ,
           and
           did
           enjoy
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           same
           ,
           where
           in
           one
           Moment
           there
           is
           a
           parting
           with
           all
           Interest
           and
           Comforts
           in
           this
           lower
           World
           ,
           and
           an
           immediate
           entry
           on
           the
           Decision
           of
           their
           eternal
           State
           ,
           which
           is
           then
           irrevocably
           cast
           ;
           where
           they
           can
           have
           no
           Intelligence
           from
           all
           who
           have
           gone
           before
           ,
           what
           it
           is
           to
           die
           ,
           or
           what
           manner
           of
           Sight
           that
           will
           be
           ,
           which
           is
           
             at
             the
             first
             opening
             of
             those
             Gates
             of
             the
             Second
             World
             ,
             either
             as
             to
             Blessedness
             or
             Torment
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           where
           there
           can
           be
           no
           possible
           Assistance
           from
           Nature
           ,
           in
           the
           
             shutting
             of
             this
             dark
             Gulf
          
           ,
           nor
           is
           conceivable
           by
           Humane
           Light
           ,
           the
           Way
           and
           Manner
           of
           that
           Passage
           ;
           so
           that
           any
           Exigence
           
           which
           may
           seem
           most
           trying
           to
           a
           Christians
           Faith
           here
           on
           the
           Earth
           ,
           is
           but
           as
           a
           Prelude
           ,
           and
           
             preparatory
             part
             to
             this
             last
             step
             of
             their
             Warfare
             :
          
           And
           as
           
             Death
             was
             in
             its
             first
             Constitution
             purely
             penal
             ,
          
           and
           is
           no
           
             natural
             Accident
          
           ,
           which
           meets
           us
           
             not
             as
             we
             are
             Men
          
           ,
           but
           
             as
             we
             are
             Sinners
          
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           true
           Support
           possibly
           attainable
           then
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           Vertue
           and
           Power
           of
           Religion
           .
        
         
           But
           it
           is
           now
           in
           a
           more
           
             applicatory
             way
          
           I
           must
           yet
           speak
           further
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           so
           great
           a
           Subject
           ,
           and
           what
           in
           order
           to
           Light
           hath
           been
           held
           forth
           thereon
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           if
           Men
           do
           not
           design
           a
           resolute
           Opposition
           to
           God
           
             in
             those
             late
             premonitory
             Signs
             of
             this
             present
             Year
             ,
          
           it
           's
           not
           morally
           possible
           then
           ,
           to
           withstand
           such
           
             a
             Concatenation
             of
             Evidences
          
           ,
           of
           
             a
             supernatural
             Discovery
          
           thereby
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           were
           surely
           
             directed
             with
             a
             special
             Commission
             from
             him
             ,
          
           and
           Forewarnings
           of
           such
           a
           kind
           as
           are
           suited
           to
           the
           Design
           of
           Providence
           in
           this
           day
           ;
           and
           when
           there
           is
           so
           
             little
             Faith
             now
             on
             the
             Earth
             ,
          
           with
           respect
           to
           any
           Threatnings
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           is
           it
           strange
           though
           there
           be
           some
           
             unusual
             Demonstrations
             of
             God
             in
             the
             way
             of
             sense
             ,
          
           to
           speak
           to
           the
           World
           by
           a
           monitory
           Voice
           :
           It
           is
           true
           the
           Lord
           did
           never
           give
           forth
           
             Miracles
             ,
             to
             attest
             before
             Men
             the
             Truth
             of
             his
             Deity
             ,
             
             which
             hath
             a
             Witness
             thereto
             in
             every
             Object
             of
             Sense
             ,
          
           and
           from
           the
           
             whole
             Constitutions
             of
             Nature
          
           ,
           yet
           have
           these
           been
           most
           specially
           directed
           to
           awake
           a
           more
           deep
           ,
           and
           tremendous
           Impression
           of
           the
           
             Majesty
             of
             God
          
           on
           Mens
           Souls
           ,
           when
           the
           Voice
           of
           his
           revealed
           Truth
           is
           not
           regarded
           :
           And
           there
           is
           just
           cause
           to
           believe
           that
           the
           Design
           of
           Providence
           this
           day
           ,
           is
           in
           another
           manner
           now
           ,
           than
           in
           times
           past
           taking
           place
           ,
           to
           let
           this
           Generation
           know
           ,
           
             That
             surely
             there
             is
             a
             God
             who
             judgeth
             in
             the
             Earth
             ,
             before
             whom
             the
             greatest
             of
             Men
             must
             either
             bow
             or
             be
             broken
          
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           time
           is
           not
           only
           near
           ,
           but
           is
           now
           come
           ,
           
             for
             his
             taking
             to
             himself
             ,
             his
             great
             Power
             to
             reign
             ,
          
           with
           another
           Appearance
           of
           his
           Greatness
           and
           Terror
           ,
           than
           was
           ever
           known
           before
           in
           the
           World.
           And
           oh
           !
           what
           must
           be
           expected
           to
           work
           for
           greatr
           Excitements
           to
           Fear
           ,
           and
           a
           more
           awful
           Sense
           of
           a
           Supernatural
           and
           Divine
           Power
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           supreme
           Government
           over
           the
           World
           ,
           when
           
             no
             instituted
             means
             in
             a
             moral
             way
             ,
          
           does
           answer
           to
           this
           end
           :
           Tho'
           it
           is
           sure
           ,
           if
           
             that
             Relation
             we
             stand
             in
             to
             the
             Deity
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Interest
           of
           our
           Ingagements
           to
           him
           ,
           with
           the
           Greatness
           of
           our
           hope
           from
           him
           alone
           ,
           were
           taken
           to
           Heart
           ,
           we
           could
           not
           but
           accountsuch
           ,
           to
           be
           most
           
           desirable
           Acts
           of
           Providence
           ;
           yea
           ,
           rejoyce
           herein
           ,
           where
           he
           gives
           the
           
             most
             near
             and
             immediate
             Discoveries
             of
             himself
             ,
          
           when
           
             the
             Vindication
             of
             his
             glory
             is
             so
             visibly
             concerned
             in
             the
             same
             ,
          
           even
           though
           it
           should
           cause
           trembling
           to
           Humane
           Sense
           ,
           and
           be
           at
           a
           very
           dear
           and
           expensive
           Rate
           to
           a
           secure
           World.
           
        
         
           But
           it
           is
           
             on
             another
             Head
          
           that
           I
           must
           more
           specially
           insist
           in
           a
           practical
           way
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           
             great
             Security
             of
             Faith
             with
             such
             a
             full
             Reliance
             on
             God
             ,
             as
             is
             here
             held
             forth
             in
             this
             Scripture
             ,
          
           and
           to
           what
           a
           Degree
           the
           Elevation
           of
           a
           Christians
           Soul
           may
           be
           thus
           raised
           with
           that
           inward
           Assurance
           ,
           as
           can
           bear
           out
           against
           the
           greatest
           Terrors
           of
           Sense
           :
           This
           is
           
             a
             Demonstration
             of
             God
             by
             his
             immediate
             working
             on
             the
             Souls
             of
             Men
             ,
             which
             is
             wonderful
             ,
          
           and
           should
           be
           matter
           of
           great
           Improvement
           in
           the
           saddest
           Tryals
           of
           our
           Warfare
           ,
           to
           know
           in
           what
           manner
           
             divine
             Power
             is
             thus
             exerted
          
           ,
           as
           can
           in
           a
           Moment
           ,
           dispel
           the
           most
           extream
           Fears
           and
           Darkness
           on
           the
           Soul
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           make
           Day
           arise
           ,
           and
           a
           Sun
           shine
           there
           ,
           when
           it
           hath
           been
           as
           Midnight
           otherwise
           .
           And
           since
           this
           is
           a
           Subject
           of
           such
           Weight
           ,
           as
           the
           very
           Life
           ,
           Comfort
           ,
           and
           sustaining
           of
           the
           Soul
           amidst
           the
           innumerable
           Hazards
           and
           Tryals
           of
           time
           
           lyes
           herein
           ,
           as
           to
           a
           full
           Assurance
           and
           Acquiescence
           of
           the
           Mind
           ,
           but
           the
           certainty
           of
           our
           Faith
           that
           we
           are
           thus
           safe
           ,
           and
           in
           sure
           Terms
           with
           God
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           needful
           to
           answer
           a
           
             few
             Proposals
          
           for
           giving
           Light
           thereto
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           
             How
             we
             are
             to
             apprehend
             aright
             ,
             so
             great
             an
             Attainment
             of
             Grace
             as
             this
             is
             ,
             and
             to
             have
             our
             Judgment
             setled
             ,
             and
             clear
             about
             so
             wonderful
             an
             Experiment
             .
          
           I
           know
           it
           is
           no
           ordinary
           Standard
           or
           Example
           ,
           what
           's
           here
           held
           forth
           in
           such
           Assurance
           of
           
             Davids
             Faith
          
           ,
           when
           no
           Supposal
           of
           Hazard
           or
           Extremity
           ,
           was
           then
           too
           great
           for
           the
           same
           ;
           for
           ,
           even
           this
           great
           Man
           of
           God
           ,
           had
           at
           other
           times
           his
           
             low
             Ebbs
             and
             Faintings
          
           ,
           that
           were
           as
           remarkable
           ,
           as
           such
           a
           Triumph
           and
           High-Spring-Tide
           ,
           which
           we
           see
           here
           in
           the
           Power
           of
           believing
           ;
           but
           on
           the
           other
           Hand
           ,
           this
           is
           a
           strange
           Riddle
           to
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           unaccountable
           to
           all
           Reason
           in
           the
           Eyes
           of
           many
           who
           profess
           the
           same
           Doctrin
           of
           our
           Faith
           ;
           as
           if
           it
           were
           something
           that
           
             alone
             works
             in
             the
             Power
             of
             some
             strong
             Imagination
             ,
          
           whilst
           they
           
             take
             up
             Religion
             in
             a
             natural
             way
             only
             ,
          
           which
           
             goes
             not
             above
             moral
             Inducements
             ,
             and
             the
             Power
             of
             Free-will
             :
          
           I
           must
           therefore
           speak
           a
           little
           in
           a
           special
           way
           ,
           to
           such
           a
           Proposal
           .
           1.
           
           That
           
           the
           great
           Design
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           does
           most
           eminently
           ly
           here
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           reveal
           the
           
             Mystery
             of
             Grace
             and
             of
             Redemption
             ,
             in
             what
             Christ
             hath
             done
             for
             us
             ,
          
           but
           to
           acquaint
           us
           also
           with
           
             the
             immediate
             and
             internal
             work
             of
             Faith
             on
             the
             Soul
             ,
             which
             he
             does
             work
             and
             perfect
             in
             us
             ,
          
           as
           the
           Author
           and
           Finisher
           thereof
           ;
           which
           was
           so
           wonderful
           a
           thing
           ,
           as
           put
           one
           of
           the
           
             Disciples
             of
             Christ
          
           ,
           to
           that
           strange
           Enquiry
           ,
           
             Lord
             how
             is
             it
             that
             thou
             wilt
             manifest
             thy self
             to
             us
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             the
             World
             ?
          
           and
           in
           such
           a
           distinguishing
           way
           by
           inward
           Evidence
           and
           Power
           .
           2.
           
           This
           cannot
           be
           understood
           aright
           ,
           but
           by
           such
           a
           Discovery
           thereof
           ,
           
             as
             one
             of
             the
             essential
             parts
             of
             that
             rare
             Divine
             Workmanship
             of
             the
             new
             man
             ,
          
           which
           in
           its
           whole
           Life
           and
           Actings
           ,
           hath
           no
           other
           Subsistence
           ,
           but
           by
           
             immediate
             Supplies
             from
             Heaven
          
           ;
           and
           as
           in
           one
           time
           of
           a
           Christians
           Life
           ,
           his
           Faith
           will
           need
           a
           more
           extraordinary
           Allowance
           for
           Support
           ,
           than
           in
           another
           ;
           so
           I
           must
           humbly
           judge
           the
           
             present
             time
             we
             are
             in
          
           ,
           is
           such
           as
           needs
           in
           a
           more
           than
           ordinary
           way
           ,
           some
           clear
           Understanding
           of
           
             this
             Mystery
             of
             Faith
          
           ,
           by
           practical
           Light
           ,
           and
           the
           vertue
           thereof
           in
           an
           Hour
           of
           Temptation
           ,
           when
           the
           times
           seem
           to
           be
           growing
           so
           dark
           ,
           as
           the
           Spirits
           of
           the
           most
           Judicious
           discerners
           of
           things
           ,
           are
           put
           to
           Astonishment
           ,
           to
           think
           
           what
           Providence
           may
           be
           bringing
           forth
           ,
           when
           
             the
             Sea-Compass
             seems
             as
             it
             were
             to
             fail
             ,
          
           and
           so
           little
           of
           any
           conforting
           Signs
           ,
           but
           for
           a
           long
           time
           past
           ,
           have
           been
           in
           Paths
           so
           untrodden
           ,
           as
           is
           not
           easie
           to
           trace
           or
           find
           a
           clear
           way
           before
           us
           .
           3.
           
           But
           this
           cannot
           be
           understood
           as
           some
           
             singular
             and
             powerful
             Operation
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
          
           which
           upon
           some
           special
           Service
           for
           him
           ,
           may
           be
           imparted
           to
           such
           as
           never
           knew
           
             his
             graci-Inhabitation
          
           in
           their
           Soul
           ,
           or
           what
           it
           is
           to
           be
           entred
           in
           such
           a
           State
           of
           
             Communion
             with
             the
             Spirit
          
           ,
           as
           is
           by
           his
           setled
           Residence
           and
           abiding
           with
           them
           ,
           John
           14.
           17.
           
           For
           such
           is
           this
           mystery
           of
           Faith
           in
           the
           Nature
           thereof
           ,
           as
           it
           's
           true
           acting
           and
           work
           ,
           is
           not
           attainable
           without
           a
           
             vital
             influence
             from
             Heaven
          
           ,
           and
           where
           it
           's
           gradual
           Increase
           and
           Advance
           is
           
             made
             a
             Reward
             to
             frequency
             in
             the
             Acts
             thereof
             ,
             and
             these
             resolute
             Adventures
             and
             Reliance
             ,
          
           which
           hath
           through
           Grace
           ,
           been
           attained
           on
           a
           
             Divine
             Power
          
           .
           4.
           
           But
           for
           a
           more
           full
           understanding
           hereof
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           possibly
           attainable
           ,
           without
           a
           
             supernatural
             Evidence
          
           accompanying
           the
           same
           ;
           such
           whereby
           it
           clearly
           sees
           both
           the
           Excellency
           and
           Certainty
           of
           things
           that
           are
           above
           Sense
           ,
           how
           they
           are
           no
           less
           
             sure
             than
             great
          
           :
           And
           though
           the
           highest
           
             Enjoyments
             of
             Faith
          
           ,
           whereby
           the
           Soul
           
           rests
           about
           things
           to
           come
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           present
           ,
           hath
           no
           such
           immediate
           Evidence
           thereof
           as
           they
           are
           in
           themselves
           ,
           and
           are
           the
           Objects
           of
           our
           Sense
           ;
           else
           they
           could
           not
           
             be
             hoped
             for
             ,
             if
             they
             were
             thus
             seen
             :
          
           Yet
           it
           's
           upon
           no
           
             Credibility
             ,
             but
             upon
             the
             highest
             Certainty
             ,
             that
             this
             quieting
             work
             of
             Faith
             ,
          
           is
           founded
           :
           But
           how
           this
           
             supernatural
             Evidence
             does
             work
             on
             a
             Christians
             Soul
             in
             an
             Hour
             of
             greatest
             Tryal
             ,
             is
             not
             expressible
             by
             Words
             ,
          
           tho'
           it
           doth
           then
           clear
           it self
           in
           the
           same
           manner
           ,
           
             as
             the
             Day-light
             does
             when
             the
             Sun
             shines
             .
          
           For
           ,
           when
           it
           's
           known
           in
           the
           Power
           thereof
           ,
           in
           times
           of
           Fainting
           and
           Distress
           ,
           it
           hath
           then
           such
           a
           Call
           therewith
           ,
           by
           a
           present
           Efficacy
           ,
           as
           
             Psal
             .
             116.
             7.
             to
             return
             unto
             their
             rest
             ;
             a
             rest
             of
             Tranquility
             and
             Assurance
             from
             God
             ,
          
           in
           the
           way
           of
           a
           Promise
           ,
           when
           there
           may
           not
           be
           the
           least
           Appearance
           of
           its
           Performance
           .
           Thus
           did
           Abraham
           know
           the
           Truth
           and
           Power
           of
           such
           an
           Evidence
           upon
           his
           Soul
           ,
           when
           
             he
             staggered
             not
             at
             the
             Promise
             through
             Vnbelief
          
           ;
           when
           
             both
             the
             way
             of
             Povidence
             and
             the
             course
             of
             Nature
             ,
          
           upon
           his
           hopes
           of
           Isaac
           ,
           did
           most
           visibly
           controul
           the
           same
           .
           But
           let
           me
           add
           herewith
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           choice
           and
           experienced
           in
           the
           Work
           and
           Advantages
           of
           Faith
           ,
           
             hath
             not
             done
             with
             the
             Settlement
             hereof
             ,
          
           even
           after
           
           
             the
             greatest
             Confirmations
          
           ;
           for
           whilst
           he
           is
           within
           time
           ,
           he
           must
           still
           look
           out
           ,
           both
           for
           new
           Assaults
           ,
           and
           further
           Experiments
           of
           Assistance
           for
           this
           end
           ,
           and
           to
           attain
           a
           higher
           Growth
           :
           But
           oh
           !
           how
           dark
           and
           strange
           a
           thing
           is
           this
           ,
           and
           how
           disrelishing
           to
           most
           in
           this
           present
           day
           ?
           who
           count
           it
           enough
           to
           
             have
             their
             Religion
             in
             the
             Bibls
             ,
             but
             not
             in
             their
             Sonl
          
           ;
           and
           to
           have
           it
           
             in
             external
             Ordinances
          
           ,
           and
           
             a
             visible
             Form
          
           ,
           but
           in
           
             no
             inward
             Enjoyments
             of
             the
             same
             .
          
        
         
           
             A
             Second
             Proposal
          
           upon
           this
           
             great
             Subject
             of
             the
             quieting
             Power
             of
             Faith
             ,
             amidst
             the
             Hazards
             and
             Terrors
             of
             Time
             ,
          
           is
           to
           know
           the
           Truth
           hereof
           ,
           in
           the
           
             sureness
             of
             its
             Principles
          
           ,
           and
           on
           what
           a
           
             clear
             Warrant
          
           ,
           so
           wonderful
           a
           Piece
           of
           our
           Religion
           does
           found
           :
           This
           I
           must
           touch
           a
           little
           ,
           to
           clear
           the
           same
           ,
           both
           from
           any
           
             presumptive
             Confidence
             ,
             and
             enthusiastick
             Pretences
             on
             such
             an
             account
          
           ;
           and
           that
           its
           holding
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Right
           ,
           on
           the
           Warrant
           of
           Divine
           Truth
           ,
           is
           no
           less
           sure
           ,
           than
           the
           Enjoyment
           hereof
           is
           sweet
           ;
           when
           we
           can
           with
           such
           Evidence
           see
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           How
           it
           hath
           this
           
             fundamental
             Principle
          
           to
           hold
           by
           ,
           that
           the
           
             God
             of
             Truth
             hath
             taken
             the
             establishing
             of
             his
             Peoples
             Faith
             ,
             under
             his
             own
             Hand
             ,
             as
             his
             alone
             immediate
             Work
             ,
          
           and
           is
           such
           a
           Work
           ,
           that
           none
           but
           
           he
           can
           accomplish
           :
           Thus
           we
           see
           2
           Cor.
           1.
           20.
           the
           sureness
           of
           the
           Grounds
           of
           our
           Faith
           held
           forth
           ,
           that
           
             all
             the
             Promises
             of
             God
             in
             Christ
             ,
             are
             Yea
             and
             Amen
             in
             him
             ,
          
           unto
           
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
          
           ,
           &c.
           
           But
           though
           here
           is
           enough
           as
           to
           a
           Divine
           Warrant
           and
           Right
           ,
           yet
           will
           not
           this
           alone
           bear
           out
           ,
           without
           it
           be
           Gods
           immediate
           Work
           also
           ,
           when
           a
           Storm
           riseth
           ;
           therefore
           Verse
           21.
           it's
           expresly
           shewed
           ,
           that
           
             he
             who
             establisheth
             us
             in
             Christ
             ,
             and
             hath
             anointed
             us
             ,
             is
             God
             ;
             and
             hath
             given
             us
             the
             earnest
             of
             his
             Spirit
             ,
          
           to
           raise
           the
           Faith
           of
           his
           People
           ,
           answerable
           to
           the
           Height
           and
           Measure
           of
           any
           present
           Tryal
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Is
           it
           not
           on
           this
           
             sure
             Principle
             of
             Truth
          
           also
           ,
           that
           Faith
           in
           the
           Power
           ,
           and
           Supports
           hereof
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           most
           extraordinary
           case
           of
           Tryal
           ,
           does
           found
           ?
           
             That
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             hath
             not
             only
             given
             himself
             for
             us
             ,
             by
             a
             legal
             Substitution
             in
             our
             Room
             ,
             to
             satisfy
             Divine
             Justice
             ,
             but
             hath
             given
             himself
             to
             us
             ,
          
           to
           be
           enjoyed
           in
           the
           nearest
           Intimacy
           of
           Relation
           ,
           and
           a
           
             vital
             Vnion
          
           with
           himself
           ,
           so
           that
           thus
           he
           is
           not
           only
           the
           Purchaser
           ,
           but
           the
           Dispenser
           also
           ,
           of
           such
           potent
           Influences
           ,
           as
           the
           Faith
           of
           his
           People
           ,
           in
           the
           most
           extream
           case
           does
           need
           ;
           and
           as
           he
           
             knows
             the
             ways
             of
             the
             Righteous
             ,
          
           in
           their
           
           
             Necessities
             ,
             Temptations
             and
             Hazards
          
           ;
           so
           he
           hath
           fixed
           them
           this
           way
           ,
           in
           such
           an
           immediate
           and
           absolute
           Dependance
           on
           himself
           ,
           by
           taking
           off
           visible
           Refuges
           ,
           to
           give
           them
           a
           more
           special
           discriminating
           Testimony
           of
           his
           Respects
           ,
           though
           then
           in
           the
           present
           time
           ,
           it
           may
           have
           a
           very
           strange
           and
           dismal
           Appearance
           ,
           whilst
           it
           's
           not
           understood
           in
           such
           a
           case
           ,
           how
           his
           gracious
           Design
           to
           accomplish
           the
           great
           ends
           of
           his
           Love
           to
           his
           People
           lyes
           so
           near
           him
           ,
           as
           to
           defer
           oft
           ,
           an
           answering
           of
           their
           
             natural
             Desires
          
           ,
           until
           things
           come
           to
           that
           Extremity
           ,
           as
           may
           make
           way
           ,
           both
           for
           the
           highest
           Tryal
           and
           
             Victory
             of
             their
             Faith.
          
           
        
         
           3.
           
           It
           is
           one
           of
           the
           most
           
             fundamental
             Grounds
             and
             Principles
             of
             Trust
             ,
          
           that
           no
           
             doctrinal
             Knowledge
             of
             this
             Mystery
             of
             Faith
             ,
             in
             its
             supporting
             Power
          
           against
           the
           greatest
           of
           Trouble
           ,
           can
           avail
           ,
           
             without
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Faith
          
           ,
           2
           Cor.
           4.
           13.
           
           For
           here
           does
           
             the
             Communion
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             with
             the
             Saints
          
           on
           the
           Earth
           most
           eminently
           lye
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Enjoyments
             of
             Faith
          
           in
           the
           saddest
           Hours
           of
           Temptation
           are
           experienced
           ,
           how
           
             the
             Joy
             and
             Peace
             of
             believing
          
           in
           such
           a
           Security
           of
           Mind
           does
           thus
           work
           ,
           when
           there
           is
           no
           natural
           Cause
           ,
           or
           visible
           Appearance
           for
           the
           same
           ;
           and
           how
           in
           so
           strange
           
           a
           manner
           ,
           a
           Christians
           Spirit
           hath
           been
           oft
           carried
           above
           the
           
             present
             Temptation
             of
             their
             day
          
           ,
           with
           such
           Quiet
           and
           Composure
           of
           Mind
           ,
           as
           even
           
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             great
             Waters
             ,
             they
             have
             not
             come
             near
             unto
             them
             ,
          
           so
           as
           to
           shake
           and
           stagger
           their
           Confidence
           ;
           and
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           that
           many
           humble
           and
           tender
           Christians
           ,
           
             have
             at
             some
             times
             ,
             been
             sealed
             with
             that
             inward
             Assurance
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Faith
             ,
          
           and
           with
           such
           Strength
           and
           Clearness
           of
           Evidence
           ,
           in
           an
           
             oblignatory
             way
          
           to
           their
           Souls
           ,
           as
           the
           greatest
           Assaults
           and
           Oppositions
           of
           Satan
           ,
           which
           have
           been
           after
           made
           thereto
           ,
           were
           never
           able
           to
           break
           the
           same
           ,
           so
           bright
           and
           convincing
           hath
           the
           Conveyance
           of
           such
           a
           Seal
           been
           in
           that
           time
           ,
           as
           they
           could
           thus
           humbly
           
             take
             Instruments
          
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           assuredly
           given
           them
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           was
           
             Truth
             ,
             and
             no
             Lie.
          
           
        
         
           4.
           
           And
           is
           it
           not
           one
           of
           the
           
             Principles
             and
             Grounds
             of
             our
             Faith
             ,
             that
             the
             great
             Author
             thereof
             ,
             hath
             made
             its
             Security
             so
             full
             ,
             and
             with
             that
             Evidence
             ,
          
           as
           may
           fully
           countervail
           the
           want
           
             of
             ocular
             Demonstration
             by
             outward
             Sense
             :
          
           For
           thus
           does
           
             our
             Blessed
             Lord
             testify
          
           ,
           Joh.
           14.
           17.
           when
           he
           hath
           there
           promised
           
             the
             sending
             of
             his
             Spirit
             to
             his
             Church
             ,
             whom
             the
             World
             cannot
             receive
             ,
             because
             they
             see
             him
             not
             ,
          
           and
           can
           be
           no
           Object
           
           of
           Humane
           Sense
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           only
           prevailing
           Evidence
           and
           Demonstration
           ,
           with
           a
           terrene
           Spirit
           ;
           
             but
             then
             shews
             his
             Disciples
          
           ,
           that
           they
           had
           a
           more
           full
           and
           sure
           Testimony
           :
           
             For
             you
             know
             him
             ,
             says
             he
             ,
          
           and
           I
           have
           made
           you
           sure
           by
           a
           higher
           Evidence
           ,
           as
           can
           leave
           no
           room
           for
           Doubtfulness
           ;
           for
           though
           herein
           does
           the
           
             excellency
             of
             Faith
          
           most
           eminently
           appear
           ,
           in
           
             believing
             things
             not
             seen
          
           ,
           and
           contrary
           to
           all
           natural
           Sense
           ,
           on
           the
           Credit
           of
           Divine
           Revelation
           ,
           yet
           is
           there
           no
           Darkness
           this
           way
           ,
           from
           want
           of
           Evidence
           ,
           since
           this
           must
           be
           understood
           only
           ,
           
             quoad
             evidentiam
             rei
             ,
             sed
             non
             quoad
             evidentiam
             testimonii
          
           ;
           which
           is
           made
           as
           full
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           we
           
             have
             seen
             with
             our
             Eyes
             ,
             or
             have
             touched
             and
             handled
          
           in
           that
           Security
           which
           God
           hath
           given
           to
           us
           ,
           in
           his
           way
           of
           believing
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           I
           must
           yet
           add
           one
           
             Principle
             of
             our
             Faith
          
           ,
           for
           giving
           Light
           to
           that
           
             strong
             Influence
             and
             Power
             thereof
          
           ,
           amidst
           the
           greatest
           Fears
           and
           Terrors
           of
           future
           Events
           ;
           that
           it
           is
           sure
           such
           
             who
             are
             Christs
             ,
             have
             not
             only
             things
             present
             ,
             but
             things
             to
             come
             made
             theirs
             ,
          
           Cor.
           which
           is
           one
           of
           those
           great
           Assurances
           of
           Truth
           ,
           that
           seems
           little
           understood
           ,
           or
           improved
           by
           most
           ,
           as
           being
           not
           only
           founded
           on
           that
           
             fundamental
             Right
             of
             our
             being
             Christs
             ,
             and
             made
             
             thus
             Heirs
             of
             those
             Promises
             which
             are
             in
             him
             yea
             ,
             and
             Amen
          
           to
           his
           People
           ;
           but
           that
           such
           an
           entry
           is
           also
           on
           the
           Enjoyment
           of
           this
           right
           ,
           by
           
             the
             Power
             of
             believing
          
           ,
           and
           
             inward
             Testimony
             of
             the
             Spirit
          
           ,
           as
           can
           fully
           quiet
           the
           Soul
           of
           a
           Christian
           ,
           and
           make
           
             things
             to
             come
          
           in
           another
           manner
           :
           There
           's
           then
           the
           Residue
           of
           the
           World
           know
           .
           It
           's
           true
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           
             rational
             Prospect
          
           and
           Discovery
           upon
           future
           things
           ,
           by
           humane
           Wisdom
           ;
           
             and
             the
             prudent
             Man
             sees
             and
             foresees
             the
             evil
             day
             ,
          
           to
           provide
           for
           the
           same
           as
           
             Solomon
             speaks
          
           :
           Yea
           ,
           what
           a
           thing
           should
           Mans
           Life
           be
           without
           
             foresight
             and
             sagacious
             decerning
             of
          
           what
           may
           be
           the
           Issue
           of
           things
           ,
           in
           a
           due
           Application
           of
           proper
           means
           for
           such
           ends
           ?
           and
           of
           those
           
             successive
             Removes
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             setled
             course
             and
             way
             of
             natural
             Causes
             ,
          
           seem
           most
           unavoidable
           ;
           for
           on
           this
           must
           all
           true
           
             humant
             Policy
             found
          
           :
           But
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           they
           see
           not
           how
           the
           Designs
           of
           a
           
             supreme
             Providence
          
           may
           be
           taking
           place
           above
           the
           reach
           of
           humane
           Thoughts
           ,
           which
           does
           controul
           their
           Measures
           and
           Hopes
           ,
           and
           how
           it
           was
           above
           the
           Sphere
           of
           ordinary
           Reason
           or
           their
           Foresight
           ,
           that
           Events
           have
           oft
           occurred
           betwixt
           
             the
             entry
             and
             close
             of
             a
             Year
             ,
          
           as
           they
           could
           neither
           see
           or
           prevent
           .
           But
           there
           is
           a
           
             Divine
             Foresight
          
           
           which
           is
           of
           another
           Nature
           ,
           by
           the
           
             Evidence
             of
             Faith
             of
             things
             not
             seen
             and
             future
             ,
          
           without
           extraordinary
           Revelation
           ,
           as
           can
           render
           the
           
             Enjoyments
             of
             Hope
          
           on
           the
           Certainty
           of
           a
           Divine
           Promise
           ,
           to
           be
           matter
           of
           unexpressible
           Joy
           and
           Support
           ,
           when
           it
           would
           in
           an
           ordinary
           way
           seem
           to
           be
           
             against
             Hope
          
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           a
           
             Third
             Proposal
          
           ,
           of
           great
           weight
           also
           on
           this
           Head
           ,
           to
           
             know
             what
             may
             have
             the
             most
             near
             and
             immediate
             Influence
             on
             such
             a
             Raisedness
             and
             Security
             of
             a
             Christians
             Soul
             in
             an
             extraordinary
             Hour
             of
             Tryal
             ,
          
           and
           does
           then
           give
           the
           greatest
           Advantage
           to
           such
           an
           Appearance
           ,
           when
           it
           can
           have
           no
           visible
           Cause
           for
           the
           same
           ;
           for
           Answer
           thereto
           ,
           it
           is
           indeed
           a
           Secret
           betwixt
           God
           and
           the
           Soul
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           a
           matter
           of
           Power
           rather
           than
           of
           Words
           ,
           what
           can
           raise
           such
           a
           Confidence
           as
           hath
           no
           possible
           rise
           from
           Nature
           herein
           ?
           and
           in
           this
           respect
           ,
           those
           who
           look
           at
           a
           distance
           ,
           can
           never
           know
           where
           
             a
             Christians
             Support
             ,
             and
             his
             great
             Strength
             lyes
             :
          
           Yet
           since
           this
           seems
           so
           strange
           and
           dark
           a
           thing
           to
           most
           ,
           who
           may
           give
           some
           Assent
           to
           the
           Doctrin
           of
           our
           Faith
           ,
           I
           must
           speak
           a
           little
           further
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           may
           tend
           to
           clear
           their
           Judgment
           ,
           who
           would
           know
           
             what
             manner
             of
             Persons
             these
             are
             ,
             who
             both
             in
             a
             
             judicious
             and
             experimental
             way
             ,
          
           move
           in
           so
           high
           a
           Sphere
           ,
           and
           are
           thus
           skilled
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Trust
           ,
           and
           secure
           Reliance
           on
           an
           invisible
           Refuge
           .
           But
           to
           render
           it
           the
           more
           clear
           ,
           I
           shall
           touch
           this
           
             in
             the
             way
             of
             Example
          
           ,
           by
           some
           peculiar
           View
           of
           such
           ,
           of
           whom
           I
           hope
           there
           be
           many
           this
           day
           on
           the
           Earth
           ,
           to
           shew
           that
           none
           goes
           upon
           higher
           Principles
           of
           true
           and
           enlightned
           Reason
           .
           And
           though
           the
           Measures
           of
           a
           Christians
           Faith
           and
           Establishment
           ,
           be
           not
           alike
           ,
           but
           of
           a
           very
           different
           Size
           ,
           yet
           may
           this
           clearly
           appear
           and
           be
           understood
           
             by
             some
             special
             Characters
          
           to
           illustrate
           the
           same
           ,
           1.
           
           That
           he
           is
           one
           who
           in
           a
           serious
           Recess
           ,
           and
           Retirement
           of
           his
           Soul
           ,
           hath
           made
           a
           just
           Reckoning
           of
           such
           
             surprizing
             Tryals
          
           ,
           as
           lyable
           to
           a
           Christians
           State
           here
           on
           the
           Earth
           ,
           
             where
             the
             alone
             way
             of
             believing
             against
             Sense
             ,
             must
             either
             be
             his
             Support
             and
             Security
             ,
             or
             else
             perish
             .
          
           And
           that
           no
           present
           Condition
           he
           is
           in
           ,
           can
           be
           so
           prosperous
           or
           promising
           ,
           but
           dark
           and
           black
           Clouds
           may
           fall
           down
           when
           least
           expected
           ,
           as
           all
           humane
           Comfort
           and
           Assistance
           may
           fail
           ,
           and
           have
           no
           visible
           Refuges
           to
           rest
           on
           ;
           which
           hath
           thus
           brought
           the
           serious
           Thoughts
           of
           Religion
           and
           his
           Soul
           ,
           more
           close
           together
           ,
           to
           know
           such
           
             an
             infallible
             way
          
           ,
           as
           can
           never
           fail
           ,
           and
           will
           bear
           
             the
             
             whole
             Expence
             of
             the
             most
             extraordinary
             and
             dismal
             Trouble
          
           ;
           and
           that
           there
           is
           
             indeed
             ,
             such
             a
             temporal
             Interest
             lying
             thereto
             ,
             as
             an
             immediate
             Communion
             with
             Heaven
             ,
          
           when
           the
           lower
           Springs
           of
           Comfort
           and
           Supply
           from
           the
           Earth
           ,
           may
           be
           shut
           up
           ;
           yea
           ,
           such
           a
           Reality
           ,
           as
           supernatural
           Comforts
           in
           the
           
             Peace
             and
             Joy
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
          
           which
           are
           best
           known
           in
           the
           saddest
           Hour
           ,
           to
           be
           undoubted
           and
           sure
           .
           2.
           
           But
           when
           he
           hath
           thus
           judiciously
           reasoned
           himself
           to
           such
           a
           
             Supposal
             ,
             he
             is
             one
             who
             is
             no
             less
             deeply
             awakened
             to
             provide
             for
             the
             same
             ,
          
           not
           only
           with
           respect
           to
           that
           
             last
             and
             great
             Adventure
             of
             Faith
             upon
             an
             eternal
             State
             ,
          
           but
           to
           know
           where
           his
           Strength
           lyes
           ,
           when
           such
           a
           case
           may
           occurr
           ;
           for
           then
           it
           must
           in
           a
           special
           way
           lye
           near
           ,
           to
           have
           
             a
             Stedfastness
             of
             his
             own
             in
             the
             Truth
             ,
          
           and
           to
           know
           the
           
             strong
             and
             firm
             Conveyances
             of
             the
             Security
             of
             our
             Faith
             on
             Divine
             Promise
          
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           ,
           as
           should
           not
           need
           the
           
             Seal
             of
             a
             Miracle
          
           ,
           or
           
             the
             Testimony
             of
             an
             Angel
             ,
             to
          
           support
           the
           same
           ;
           since
           as
           such
           a
           Settlement
           on
           the
           Testimony
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           surely
           attainable
           ,
           so
           he
           cannot
           conceive
           how
           Men
           can
           possibly
           walk
           in
           the
           Light
           of
           any
           true
           Joy
           and
           Comfort
           on
           the
           Earth
           ,
           until
           they
           once
           be
           at
           Rest
           here
           .
           3.
           
           He
           knows
           also
           ,
           that
           the
           
             greatest
             Tryals
             wherein
             he
             is
             
             sisted
             within
             time
             ,
             is
             upon
             the
             Work
             and
             Actings
             of
             Faith
             ,
             in
             an
             Hour
             of
             Temptation
             ,
          
           both
           in
           the
           Truth
           and
           in
           the
           Strength
           thereof
           ;
           yea
           ,
           how
           
             one
             day
          
           in
           his
           Life
           ,
           may
           have
           some
           special
           Commission
           for
           this
           end
           ,
           more
           than
           many
           Years
           formerly
           have
           had
           ;
           but
           does
           consider
           herewith
           ,
           how
           great
           the
           Recompences
           are
           even
           within
           time
           ,
           that
           wait
           on
           the
           Issue
           ,
           when
           the
           set
           Measure
           shall
           be
           perfected
           of
           such
           unusual
           Tryals
           that
           it
           shall
           be
           the
           same
           as
           in
           
             Job
             ,
             23.
             to
             bring
             them
             forth
             as
             Gold
             :
          
           And
           as
           he
           considers
           how
           high
           a
           value
           the
           Lord
           does
           put
           hereon
           ,
           since
           the
           
             great
             Dispensation
             ,
             whereby
             he
             deals
             with
             his
             Church
             in
             this
             militant
             State
             is
             in
             the
             way
             of
             Trust
             ,
             and
             upon
             the
             Credit
             of
             his
             Truth
             ,
          
           when
           there
           is
           no
           sensible
           Evidence
           ;
           so
           it
           is
           the
           most
           important
           Study
           of
           his
           Life
           ,
           how
           he
           may
           acquit
           himself
           ,
           and
           stand
           to
           the
           Proof
           hereof
           ,
           for
           the
           Honour
           of
           his
           God
           ,
           and
           Master
           ,
           who
           hath
           counted
           him
           worthy
           to
           put
           him
           on
           some
           
             hotter
             Service
             and
             more
             remarkable
             Conflicts
             this
             way
             than
             others
             ;
             and
             that
             he
             may
             hold
             fast
             the
             beginning
             of
             his
             Confidence
             unto
             the
             end
             .
          
           4.
           
           He
           must
           be
           reckoned
           one
           ,
           who
           hath
           attained
           
             to
             a
             special
             Communion
             with
             God
             in
             the
             ways
             of
             Providence
             ,
             by
             frequent
             and
             deep
             Observation
             of
             the
             same
             ,
          
           and
           who
           thus
           can
           discern
           
             the
             
             great
             ends
             and
             designs
          
           which
           he
           hath
           upon
           his
           People
           ,
           in
           such
           Methods
           of
           his
           dealing
           with
           them
           that
           may
           seem
           more
           strange
           and
           astonishing
           to
           others
           ,
           and
           in
           what
           
             dark
             Paths
          
           he
           does
           usually
           lead
           such
           to
           whom
           he
           hath
           reserved
           the
           greatest
           Testimonies
           of
           his
           Love
           and
           Respect
           ;
           so
           that
           what
           proves
           most
           staggering
           to
           others
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           way
           of
           the
           Lords
           training
           of
           his
           choicest
           Followers
           in
           this
           State
           of
           Warfare
           ,
           is
           made
           a
           special
           Assistance
           to
           his
           further
           Establishment
           .
           5.
           
           But
           more
           especially
           wherein
           his
           great
           Strength
           lyes
           is
           ,
           
             on
             that
             acquaintance
             he
             hath
             attained
             with
             the
             Communion
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
          
           which
           was
           once
           so
           dark
           ,
           and
           not
           conceivable
           by
           Report
           ;
           but
           now
           knows
           that
           it
           's
           an
           acquaintance
           of
           such
           a
           kind
           ,
           as
           is
           not
           remote
           or
           at
           a
           distance
           ,
           but
           by
           near
           and
           sensible
           Approaches
           to
           his
           Soul
           ;
           and
           is
           not
           by
           
             Words
             ,
             but
             by
             things
             of
             the
             greatest
             Substance
             and
             Reality
             ,
          
           with
           the
           sanctifying
           Vertue
           of
           the
           Spirit
           made
           so
           evident
           ,
           as
           can
           make
           his
           Work
           and
           Services
           for
           God
           ,
           to
           be
           matter
           of
           the
           highest
           Delight
           and
           Enjoyment
           ;
           yea
           ,
           he
           now
           knows
           what
           a
           
             spiritual
             Faculty
             and
             Life
          
           ,
           is
           for
           corresponding
           with
           those
           Divine
           Communications
           ,
           so
           as
           with
           a
           judicious
           and
           discerning
           Ear
           ,
           
             he
             can
             know
             the
             voice
             of
             his
             beloved
             Master
             ,
             from
             the
             voice
             
             of
             a
             Stranger
             ,
          
           both
           in
           its
           Sweetness
           to
           allure
           ,
           and
           in
           its
           Power
           and
           Efficacy
           to
           draw
           ,
           and
           conform
           their
           Soul
           into
           a
           nearer
           Resemblance
           to
           himself
           ,
           with
           that
           Tenderness
           and
           Fear
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           native
           Result
           of
           such
           an
           Intimacy
           of
           Converse
           .
           6.
           
           But
           as
           to
           this
           
             marvelous
             Acquaintance
             with
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             a
             higher
             Encrease
             of
             Faith
             ;
             He
             is
             one
          
           who
           can
           give
           an
           Account
           hereof
           also
           ,
           that
           in
           no
           singular
           way
           it
           was
           attained
           ,
           but
           as
           it
           does
           respect
           the
           whole
           Community
           of
           the
           Saints
           by
           an
           unchangeable
           Rule
           ,
           as
           attainable
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           the
           retired
           Duties
           of
           Communion
           with
           God
           ,
           but
           by
           an
           invisible
           Trade
           and
           Commerce
           with
           
             external
             Ordinances
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Out-lettings
           of
           
             Sanctury
             Strength
          
           this
           way
           ,
           answerable
           to
           that
           Psal
           .
           20.
           2.
           in
           both
           which
           Respects
           ,
           his
           Faith
           hath
           oft
           gained
           a
           higher
           Interest
           and
           Establishment
           ,
           than
           by
           
             external
             Providences
          
           ,
           as
           being
           more
           immediately
           dependent
           on
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           as
           all
           Causes
           must
           work
           answerably
           to
           the
           Nature
           thereof
           ,
           so
           can
           he
           
             put
             his
             Seal
          
           and
           Testimony
           to
           that
           
             hid
             Vertue
             and
             vital
             Influence
             ,
             which
             those
             Divine
             Institutions
             of
             the
             Gospel
             hath
             on
             Mens
             Soul
             ,
          
           and
           is
           only
           peculiar
           thereto
           ;
           yea
           ,
           when
           others
           who
           stay
           only
           in
           the
           
             outward
             Court
          
           ,
           are
           bounded
           this
           way
           with
           an
           
             audible
             
             Voice
          
           to
           their
           Ears
           ,
           and
           literal
           Discovery
           of
           sacred
           Truth
           to
           the
           Judgment
           ,
           such
           can
           witness
           what
           unexpressible
           Support
           hath
           been
           then
           enjoyed
           for
           a
           more
           full
           Settlement
           of
           their
           Faith
           ,
           by
           
             immediate
             Conveyances
             of
             Power
             and
             Life
             to
             their
             Spirits
             ,
          
           as
           hath
           made
           it
           sweet
           matter
           of
           Admiration
           ;
           what
           
             invisible
             Strength
          
           hath
           in
           a
           
             moral
             way
          
           been
           thus
           imparted
           ,
           and
           what
           remarkable
           Returns
           of
           Light
           they
           have
           had
           upon
           such
           a
           Tryal
           of
           
             enquiring
             in
             the
             Temple
             ,
             from
             the
             Fountain
             of
             Divine
             Light
             ,
          
           in
           the
           way
           of
           his
           Word
           ,
           under
           their
           darkest
           Hours
           ;
           which
           sometimes
           have
           been
           like
           
             Elijahs
             Meal
             ,
             in
             the
             Strength
             whereof
             ,
             he
             was
             enabled
             to
             go
             Forty
             days
             ,
          
           without
           Faint
           and
           Weariness
           .
           7.
           
           But
           for
           a
           further
           
             illustrating
             of
             such
             an
             Example
          
           whatever
           in
           a
           
             preparatory
             way
             he
             hath
             thus
             attained
             for
             a
             special
             acting
             of
             Faith
          
           in
           the
           most
           extreme
           Case
           :
           Yet
           when
           this
           is
           not
           at
           a
           distance
           ,
           but
           becomes
           a
           present
           visible
           Object
           of
           Sense
           ,
           and
           comes
           so
           near
           as
           cannot
           but
           in
           some
           extraordinary
           way
           affect
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           then
           does
           it
           yet
           more
           appear
           where
           
             his
             Strength
             ,
             and
             immediate
             Relief
             does
             lye
             ,
          
           in
           making
           that
           great
           Tryal
           of
           turning
           his
           Eyes
           wholly
           to
           God
           ,
           by
           a
           present
           Address
           for
           such
           a
           special
           Allowance
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           
             that
             his
             Strength
             may
             be
             
             according
             to
             his
             day
          
           ;
           and
           then
           it
           is
           in
           his
           improvement
           of
           that
           way
           which
           God
           hath
           consecrated
           for
           the
           most
           extreme
           Exigences
           of
           a
           Christians
           Life
           ,
           he
           knows
           the
           high
           Value
           and
           Use
           of
           such
           great
           Experiments
           he
           hath
           formerly
           made
           of
           
             sensible
             Acceptance
             ,
             and
             Audience
          
           in
           the
           most
           astonishing
           Straits
           ,
           with
           such
           
             Testimony
             from
             Heaven
          
           herein
           ,
           and
           inward
           Evidence
           on
           his
           Soul
           ,
           
             as
             if
             Fire
             had
             come
             from
             thence
             to
             consume
             the
             Sacrifice
             ,
          
           so
           as
           he
           could
           then
           speak
           in
           that
           manner
           
             Psal
             .
             20.
             6.
             
             Now
             know
             I
             that
             the
             Lord
             saves
             his
             Anointed
             ;
             and
          
           Psal
           .
           40.
           11.
           
           
             I
             know
             I
             shall
             yet
             praise
             him
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           as
           he
           knows
           the
           way
           of
           humble
           Wrestling
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           is
           not
           bounded
           in
           its
           Warrant
           ,
           by
           the
           greatest
           Extremity
           ,
           so
           ,
           it
           hath
           been
           in
           such
           a
           case
           ,
           that
           when
           God
           does
           take
           some
           unusal
           Tryal
           of
           his
           People
           and
           of
           their
           Faith
           ,
           he
           then
           designs
           to
           give
           them
           some
           great
           and
           singular
           Tryal
           of
           himself
           .
           8.
           
           
             It
             may
             be
             further
             applicable
             to
             such
             an
             Example
             ,
          
           that
           though
           the
           workings
           of
           a
           
             special
             Faith
          
           in
           some
           great
           Exigence
           and
           Distress
           be
           such
           ,
           that
           he
           cannot
           speak
           to
           others
           ,
           as
           it
           's
           then
           felt
           in
           the
           Light
           and
           Power
           thereof
           ;
           yet
           does
           he
           then
           know
           the
           Security
           hereof
           ,
           and
           present
           Settlement
           of
           his
           Spirit
           with
           such
           Evidence
           ,
           
             as
             he
             sees
             as
             well
             as
             believes
             ,
          
           when
           he
           cannot
           possibly
           demonstrate
           this
           
           to
           the
           Conviction
           of
           others
           ,
           but
           as
           he
           knows
           with
           Assurance
           his
           Trust
           in
           such
           an
           Hour
           ,
           to
           be
           one
           of
           the
           most
           highly
           rational
           Acts
           of
           his
           Life
           ,
           so
           is
           this
           no
           less
           evident
           and
           sure
           ,
           how
           the
           
             whole
             supernatural
             part
             of
             Christianity
          
           ,
           whereby
           a
           Christian
           is
           raised
           above
           himself
           ,
           and
           the
           Workings
           of
           natural
           Light
           and
           Reason
           ,
           hath
           its
           
             alone
             Dependence
             on
             a
             near
             and
             immediate
             Converse
             with
             Heaven
             ;
             wherein
             his
             great
             Strength
             then
             lies
             ,
          
           that
           when
           a
           Tide
           from
           without
           may
           be
           such
           as
           should
           quickly
           overwhelm
           his
           Soul
           ,
           he
           is
           thus
           put
           on
           a
           higher
           Tryal
           than
           at
           other
           times
           ,
           of
           the
           Certainty
           of
           
             Divine
             Support
             by
             a
             present
             gale
             of
             the
             Spirit
          
           to
           stemm
           the
           same
           ;
           such
           as
           riseth
           higher
           than
           the
           Work
           or
           Assistance
           of
           Angels
           :
           Yea
           ,
           how
           it
           is
           not
           
             habitual
             Grace
          
           only
           ,
           that
           could
           make
           the
           practical
           use
           of
           the
           
             Shield
             of
             Faith
          
           to
           be
           clear
           and
           comforting
           in
           an
           Extremity
           ,
           if
           there
           were
           not
           some
           very
           immediate
           Supplies
           .
           But
           if
           it
           be
           inquired
           what
           is
           the
           Ground
           whereon
           they
           must
           adventure
           ,
           and
           rest
           their
           Soul
           in
           such
           an
           Hour
           ,
           and
           should
           specially
           fix
           their
           Anchor
           on
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           conceivable
           ,
           without
           respect
           to
           
             two
             special
             actings
             of
             Faith
             ,
             by
             which
          
           Abraham
           and
           Sarah
           did
           enter
           on
           the
           Enjoyment
           of
           the
           Promise
           ,
           
           when
           nothing
           seem'd
           in
           an
           ordinary
           way
           more
           impossible
           ,
           than
           this
           ,
           that
           
             he
             was
             perswaded
             ,
             God
             was
             able
             to
             perform
             what
             he
             had
             promised
             ,
          
           Rom.
           4.
           
           
             And
             she
             judged
             him
             faithful
             who
             had
             promised
             ,
          
           Heb.
           11.
           9.
           
           But
           yet
           now
           let
           me
           add
           this
           more
           with
           respect
           to
           such
           an
           Example
           ;
           that
           he
           is
           one
           who
           in
           a
           Season
           
             of
             greatest
             Tryal
          
           ,
           knows
           the
           
             greatness
             of
             that
             Witness
             he
             is
             then
             sisted
             under
             ,
          
           to
           be
           of
           another
           kind
           ;
           than
           any
           humane
           Observation
           that
           may
           be
           upon
           him
           ,
           when
           he
           hath
           so
           difficult
           and
           hazardous
           a
           part
           
             to
             act
             on
             the
             Theatre
             of
             his
          
           Life
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           hath
           herein
           ,
           not
           only
           the
           
             Witness
             of
             the
             elect
             Angels
             ,
             the
             watching
             and
             considering
             Eye
             of
             the
             Powers
             of
             Darkness
             ,
          
           who
           are
           against
           him
           ,
           but
           above
           all
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           in
           a
           more
           singular
           way
           than
           at
           other
           times
           ,
           stated
           under
           the
           
             immediate
             Witness
             of
             the
             Glorious
             Trinity
             ,
          
           to
           see
           how
           he
           acts
           suitably
           to
           the
           greatness
           of
           a
           divine
           Refuge
           ,
           and
           these
           Assurances
           which
           the
           God
           of
           Truth
           hath
           given
           him
           to
           adventure
           on
           ;
           then
           is
           it
           also
           that
           he
           knows
           the
           Tryal
           of
           his
           Faith
           ,
           does
           not
           alone
           lie
           ,
           when
           he
           is
           now
           at
           so
           eminent
           a
           Step
           thereof
           ,
           for
           the
           
             quiet
             and
             support
             of
             his
             own
             Spirit
             ,
          
           but
           for
           such
           an
           Appearance
           before
           Men
           ,
           as
           may
           tend
           
             to
             sanctify
             God
             before
             the
             World
             ,
          
           and
           for
           
             a
             putting
             his
             
             Seal
             hereto
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             faithful
             and
             true
          
           ;
           to
           whom
           these
           have
           
             concredited
             themselves
          
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           durst
           follow
           him
           ,
           with
           a
           resolute
           Reliance
           ,
           when
           both
           Sense
           and
           natural
           Reason
           did
           fail
           ,
           and
           could
           give
           no
           Support
           in
           such
           an
           Hour
           .
           Thus
           I
           have
           offered
           a
           
             View
             in
             such
             an
             Example
          
           ,
           where
           the
           Support
           and
           Strength
           of
           a
           Christians
           Faith
           ,
           in
           the
           most
           astonishing
           Hour
           of
           Temptation
           does
           lye
           ;
           and
           of
           the
           solid
           judicious
           Actings
           thereof
           ,
           
             both
             in
             the
             way
             of
             Light
             and
             Power
             :
          
           And
           there
           is
           herewith
           presented
           ,
           a
           special
           
             Series
             and
             Scale
             of
             these
             Steps
             ,
             whereby
             such
             a
             Measure
             of
             Establishment
          
           is
           attainable
           under
           that
           
             blessed
             Conduct
             of
             the
             Word
             and
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
          
           as
           it
           keeps
           close
           by
           the
           
             Line
             of
             Truth
          
           ,
           betwixt
           Hazards
           both
           on
           the
           Right
           and
           Left
           Hand
           ;
           so
           that
           we
           may
           see
           on
           what
           firm
           and
           sure
           Ground
           such
           are
           ,
           and
           have
           their
           Anchor
           fixed
           ,
           who
           thus
           know
           the
           work
           of
           Faith
           in
           an
           extraordinary
           case
           of
           Tryal
           .
        
         
           But
           now
           in
           the
           
             last
             place
          
           ,
           I
           must
           yet
           in
           an
           
             applicatory
             way
             ,
             shut
             up
             this
             Discourse
             with
             a
             more
             special
             respect
             to
             the
             times
             we
             are
             now
             in
             ,
          
           when
           such
           great
           Thoughts
           of
           Heart
           ,
           may
           be
           both
           from
           those
           
             strange
             Providences
             that
             have
             of
             late
             gone
             over
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             in
             those
             Three
             Nations
             ,
          
           and
           what
           
           my
           be
           yet
           expected
           ,
           and
           on
           a
           near
           Approach
           ;
           since
           it
           is
           sure
           Men
           
             does
             not
             know
             their
             day
          
           ,
           nor
           can
           take
           to
           heart
           ,
           
             Time
             and
             Judgment
          
           ,
           where
           there
           is
           no
           suitable
           Regard
           to
           the
           Voice
           of
           God
           in
           his
           Works
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           in
           his
           Word
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           given
           to
           be
           the
           most
           remarkable
           
             Talent
             of
             Observation
          
           ,
           on
           such
           an
           account
           .
           I
           have
           spoke
           a
           little
           to
           such
           a
           
             strange
             Supposal
             the
             Psalmist
             makes
          
           ,
           as
           to
           what
           might
           be
           
             the
             Tryal
             of
             his
             Faith
          
           ,
           in
           the
           day
           wherein
           he
           then
           stood
           :
           But
           let
           me
           speak
           a
           
             few
             things
          
           that
           may
           be
           judged
           
             more
             than
             supposable
             with
             respect
             to
             the
             present
             time
          
           wherein
           it
           seems
           in
           some
           singular
           way
           to
           be
           stated
           from
           other
           times
           ;
           and
           though
           with
           humble
           Sobriety
           I
           have
           desired
           to
           exoner
           my
           Soul
           on
           such
           an
           Account
           ,
           
             in
             a
             late
             Essay
             ,
             which
             hath
             been
             published
          
           ;
           yet
           having
           a
           rise
           ,
           both
           from
           this
           Subject
           ,
           and
           the
           
             present
             Aspects
             of
             Providences
          
           ,
           I
           must
           crave
           leave
           to
           offer
           some
           Thoughts
           farther
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Is
           it
           not
           more
           than
           
             supposable
             that
             such
             an
             Appeal
             from
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           as
           we
           have
           Isa
           .
           5
           ,
           4.
           hath
           a
           most
           peculiar
           respect
           beyond
           former
           times
           to
           this
           Generation
           ?
           
             What
             could
             I
             have
             done
             more
             to
             my
             Vineyard
             than
             I
             have
             done
             ,
          
           by
           new
           Methods
           and
           Tryals
           ,
           both
           in
           the
           
             way
             of
             Grace
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             Severity
             of
             Judgments
             ,
             to
             bring
             the
             Churches
             of
          
           Britain
           ,
           
           
             again
             unto
             God
          
           ?
           Or
           hath
           there
           been
           such
           Precedents
           in
           the
           way
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           with
           any
           Churches
           else
           ,
           and
           in
           that
           manner
           ,
           as
           these
           50
           
             Years
             past
          
           ,
           he
           hath
           made
           use
           of
           ?
           And
           oh
           !
           what
           must
           be
           expected
           to
           work
           for
           such
           an
           end
           ,
           when
           no
           
             instituted
             means
          
           does
           answer
           thereto
           ?
           and
           that
           it
           's
           evident
           what
           the
           highest
           Improvements
           of
           
             Mens
             natural
             Power
          
           can
           do
           ,
           which
           is
           so
           much
           exalted
           by
           this
           Generation
           ,
           to
           shut
           out
           the
           Necessity
           of
           
             supernatural
             Influences
          
           of
           Grace
           ,
           with
           so
           little
           Fear
           of
           such
           a
           
             judicial
             Restraint
          
           thereof
           ,
           as
           is
           at
           this
           day
           :
           For
           if
           Men
           do
           but
           sincerely
           reason
           their
           Soul
           unto
           serious
           Thoughts
           of
           such
           a
           cafe
           ,
           what
           can
           be
           seen
           now
           by
           ordinary
           means
           ,
           to
           beget
           a
           deep
           and
           awful
           Sense
           of
           God
           on
           Mens
           Souls
           ,
           if
           he
           do
           not
           in
           some
           more
           immediate
           and
           extraordinary
           way
           appear
           ;
           but
           ,
           such
           an
           astonishing
           Confidence
           and
           Contempt
           of
           all
           
             Divine
             Signs
             and
             Threatnings
          
           ,
           seem
           discernable
           as
           nothing
           in
           a
           
             monitory
             way
          
           does
           work
           or
           affect
           in
           Mens
           Spirits
           :
           Nor
           is
           Judgment
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           a
           matter
           of
           Fear
           with
           most
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           not
           felt
           .
           But
           the
           same
           Spirit
           which
           we
           may
           see
           Isa
           .
           5.
           19.
           may
           be
           visible
           in
           the
           present
           times
           ,
           when
           they
           said
           ,
           
             Let
             him
             make
             speed
             ,
             and
             hasten
             his
             work
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             see
             it
             ;
             and
             let
             the
             
             Counsel
             of
             the
             Holy
             one
             of
          
           Israel
           
             draw
             near
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             know
             it
          
           ;
           which
           was
           in
           an
           express
           way
           to
           speak
           ,
           that
           neither
           their
           
             Faith
             nor
             their
             Fear
             ,
             did
             rise
             higher
             than
             sensible
             Evidence
             and
             Demonstration
             of
             what
             was
             present
             in
             their
             sight
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           's
           a
           matter
           of
           Truth
           also
           ,
           is
           more
           than
           supposable
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Stability
             of
             the
             Earth
             beneath
             us
             ,
             can
             give
             no
             Assurance
             and
             solid
             Quiet
             of
             Spirit
             ,
             to
             those
             who
             dwell
             thereon
             ,
             until
             they
             be
             at
             Peace
             with
             Heaven
             :
          
           But
           whilst
           they
           reckon
           that
           nothing
           is
           more
           sure
           to
           build
           their
           Hopes
           on
           ,
           than
           this
           lower
           Earth
           ,
           and
           thus
           have
           their
           Hearts
           on
           the
           same
           Level
           therewith
           ,
           may
           see
           how
           amidst
           their
           greatest
           Confidence
           and
           Expectation
           ,
           their
           Judgment
           may
           then
           immediately
           have
           its
           Rise
           from
           the
           same
           ,
           so
           as
           in
           one
           Hour
           ,
           to
           make
           the
           alone
           Support
           of
           their
           Confidence
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           
             Grave
             thereof
          
           ;
           and
           whatever
           some
           have
           writ
           as
           to
           the
           
             foregoing
             Presages
             of
             any
             remarkable
             Earthquake
             ,
          
           before
           it
           took
           place
           ,
           yet
           was
           it
           never
           known
           ,
           that
           an
           Appearance
           of
           God
           this
           way
           ,
           either
           to
           forewarn
           as
           a
           Sign
           ,
           or
           as
           a
           
             present
             Judgment
          
           ,
           did
           occurr
           but
           with
           a
           present
           Surprizal
           ,
           when
           nothing
           hereof
           ,
           was
           feared
           or
           supected
           :
           And
           it
           hath
           ever
           been
           one
           of
           the
           most
           immediate
           Signs
           of
           
             sudden
             Destruction
          
           ,
           when
           
           a
           Peoples
           Security
           hath
           come
           to
           that
           height
           ,
           as
           nothing
           could
           be
           awakning
           in
           such
           a
           case
           ,
           answerable
           to
           that
           1
           Thess
           .
           5.
           3.
           when
           they
           said
           ,
           
             Peace
             ,
             Peace
          
           ,
           then
           was
           a
           destroying
           Stroak
           most
           imminent
           and
           near
           :
           And
           I
           may
           speak
           this
           with
           Assurance
           ,
           that
           either
           these
           
             late
             Providences
          
           by
           which
           God
           hath
           in
           so
           remarkable
           a
           manner
           made
           himself
           known
           ,
           shall
           be
           regarded
           as
           Signs
           ,
           and
           carry
           Mens
           Spirits
           above
           any
           Product
           of
           
             natural
             Causes
          
           herein
           unto
           God
           ,
           
             or
             will
             at
             last
             be
             felt
             ,
             by
             what
             is
             signified
             thereby
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           I
           hope
           ,
           it
           can
           be
           no
           questionable
           thing
           with
           any
           of
           a
           serious
           and
           considering
           Spirit
           ,
           that
           as
           the
           
             standing
             of
             the
             World
          
           ,
           and
           its
           being
           secured
           from
           the
           Extremity
           of
           Justice
           ,
           is
           alone
           by
           a
           
             Dispensation
             of
             Grace
             ,
             and
             the
             Tenor
             of
             the
             Second
             Covenant
             ,
          
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           Church
           therein
           ,
           so
           is
           it
           in
           no
           other
           way
           but
           of
           Grace
           only
           ,
           that
           
             Britain
             hath
             this
             day
             ,
             any
             Claim
             or
             Charter
             of
             Right
             ,
             to
             the
             Blessings
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             for
             having
             the
             Hedges
             of
             Divine
             Protection
             kept
             up
             :
          
           Nor
           could
           the
           furthest
           of
           humane
           Strength
           and
           Counsel
           avail
           then
           ,
           if
           once
           the
           full
           measure
           of
           the
           Long-suffering
           and
           Tenderness
           of
           God
           ,
           should
           be
           summed
           up
           ,
           that
           hath
           assuredly
           its
           set
           Bounds
           ,
           to
           the
           most
           eminent
           Churches
           
           where
           sometimes
           God
           hath
           most
           remarkably
           shined
           ;
           and
           oh
           !
           what
           a
           thing
           should
           this
           World
           be
           to
           live
           in
           ,
           were
           it
           but
           fore
           one
           Day
           or
           Hour
           ,
           if
           there
           should
           be
           
             a
             withholding
             of
             an
             immediate
             Divine
             Care
             and
             Inspection
          
           over
           the
           same
           ,
           or
           for
           so
           small
           a
           time
           ,
           
             that
             Door
             could
             be
             shut
             up
             of
             Entercourse
             betwixt
             Heaven
             and
             the
             Saints
             here
             ,
          
           which
           by
           a
           Divine
           immutable
           Constitution
           of
           Grace
           ,
           is
           kept
           open
           ,
           whilst
           they
           are
           within
           time
           :
           But
           this
           is
           a
           thing
           as
           to
           any
           publick
           and
           national
           Interest
           ,
           that
           seems
           to
           have
           little
           Credit
           or
           Regard
           with
           Men
           ,
           
             what
             invisible
             Influence
             such
             a
             hid
             Party
             ,
          
           who
           makes
           least
           Appearance
           in
           the
           Earth
           ,
           
             hath
             on
             the
             greatest
             Changes
             thereof
          
           ;
           and
           how
           a
           filling
           up
           the
           
             Measure
             of
             the
             Elect
          
           ,
           in
           a
           Nation
           and
           Continuance
           of
           the
           
             Candlestick
             there
             ,
             with
             the
             oversight
             of
             a
             special
             Providence
             ,
          
           is
           still
           of
           the
           same
           Extent
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           It
           is
           a
           Dilemma
           of
           undeniable
           Evidence
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           
             publick
             State
             and
             Interest
             of
             those
             Nations
             ,
             that
             we
             must
             either
             have
             God
             for
             us
             ,
          
           in
           the
           Efficacy
           and
           Out-goings
           of
           his
           Providence
           ,
           
             or
             against
             us
             :
             That
             God
             ,
          
           who
           in
           the
           supreme
           Administration
           of
           his
           Government
           over
           the
           World
           ,
           
             stands
             not
             as
             Nouter
          
           ,
           or
           as
           a
           Witness
           only
           to
           the
           Actings
           of
           Men
           ;
           but
           if
           he
           be
           not
           
           
             on
             our
             side
          
           ,
           and
           interested
           in
           our
           Cause
           ,
           we
           must
           then
           know
           him
           as
           an
           Adversary
           :
           For
           there
           can
           be
           no
           possible
           midst
           herein
           ,
           
             that
             God
             ,
             whose
             Room
             all
             the
             World
             cannot
             supply
             ,
             if
             he
             should
             be
             shut
             out
             of
             our
             Counsels
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           such
           
             a
             God
          
           we
           have
           both
           to
           fear
           and
           rely
           on
           ,
           who
           is
           not
           one
           like
           to
           our selves
           ,
           to
           be
           put
           off
           with
           Words
           ,
           or
           a
           complemental
           Address
           in
           a
           
             stated
             Form
             only
          
           ,
           or
           can
           expect
           in
           Faith
           ,
           that
           this
           will
           bring
           Assistance
           to
           turn
           the
           
             Scale
             of
             Providence
             on
             our
             side
             ,
          
           if
           he
           be
           not
           according
           to
           his
           revealed
           Counsel
           ,
           with
           an
           intire
           Reliance
           on
           him
           alone
           ,
           
             adored
             and
             feared
             as
             God
          
           :
           Yea
           ,
           it
           's
           sure
           in
           no
           humane
           Affairs
           ,
           he
           does
           
             more
             immediately
             appear
             ,
             and
             by
             an
             extraordinary
             Ministery
             of
             the
             Angels
             ,
          
           than
           in
           the
           
             decision
             of
             War
             and
             of
             Battels
             ,
          
           For
           which
           cause
           he
           does
           in
           so
           special
           a
           respect
           ,
           take
           that
           Style
           unto
           himself
           ,
           
             to
             be
             the
             Lord
             of
             Hosts
             .
          
           It
           should
           seem
           a
           strange
           and
           astonishing
           thing
           ,
           
             how
             Men
             can
             live
             in
             the
             Earth
             without
             God
             ,
          
           without
           whom
           they
           cannot
           live
           for
           one
           Moment
           ,
           and
           in
           whose
           Hand
           their
           Bre●●…h
           is
           ;
           yet
           if
           we
           look
           to
           the
           
             publick
             state
             of
             Religion
          
           this
           day
           ,
           nothing
           may
           be
           more
           applicable
           to
           the
           most
           numerous
           part
           of
           the
           
             Reformed
             Churches
          
           than
           this
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           
             Sense
             of
             a
             Deity
             ,
             hath
             more
             Power
             and
             Influence
             amongst
             Heathens
             ,
          
           
           who
           walk
           in
           the
           Name
           of
           their
           God
           ,
           than
           it
           hath
           amongst
           
             Millions
             of
          
           professed
           Christians
           ;
           for
           except
           we
           shut
           out
           Reason
           ,
           such
           must
           be
           surlie
           said
           to
           
             live
             without
             God
             in
             the
             Earth
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             walk
             in
             his
             Name
             ,
          
           who
           live
           without
           any
           resolute
           dependance
           and
           trust
           upon
           him
           in
           the
           course
           and
           conduct
           of
           their
           affairs
           ;
           whose
           great
           business
           in
           the
           World
           lies
           
             only
             with
             Men
          
           ,
           and
           are
           much
           more
           influenced
           by
           such
           a
           fear
           ,
           than
           of
           his
           srownings
           ,
           and
           terror
           ,
           who
           made
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ;
           when
           it
           seem's
           now
           easie
           with
           most
           to
           
             lose
             God
          
           ,
           if
           they
           may
           gain
           Men
           ,
           and
           make
           an
           intrest
           that
           way
           ,
           tho
           the
           purchase
           will
           never
           bear
           the
           expence
           ;
           yea
           ,
           can
           go
           the
           farthest
           length
           of
           
             external
             Worship
          
           in
           Church
           Assemblies
           ,
           and
           yet
           be
           
             without
             God
          
           ,
           then
           as
           to
           any
           
             internal
             converse
             or
             injoyment
          
           of
           him
           by
           inward
           acts
           of
           adoration
           ;
           and
           what
           account
           can
           such
           possibly
           make
           of
           an
           
             invisible
             God
          
           ,
           who
           know
           no
           other
           measure
           of
           their
           confidence
           ,
           but
           as
           
             visible
             things
          
           do
           either
           smile
           or
           frown
           upon
           them
           ;
           but
           there
           is
           one
           respect
           further
           wherein
           we
           may
           see
           how
           most
           ,
           who
           profess
           the
           name
           of
           God
           ,
           do
           this
           day
           
             live
             without
             him
          
           in
           the
           Earth
           ,
           which
           is
           in
           the
           way
           of
           observation
           of
           what
           passeth
           betwixt
           him
           and
           
           them
           ,
           whether
           by
           providences
           or
           
             influences
             on
             their
             Soul
          
           ,
           but
           take
           all
           things
           at
           an
           adventure
           ,
           without
           any
           higher
           looke
           than
           what
           is
           from
           
             Secondary
             causes
          
           ,
           though
           it
           was
           
             in
             this
             way
          
           that
           an
           Enoch
           ,
           an
           Noah
           ,
           and
           the
           whole
           race
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           who
           have
           gon
           before
           ,
           knew
           what
           it
           was
           
             to
             walk
             with
             God
          
           in
           the
           Earth
           ,
           no
           less
           in
           discerning
           
             his
             appearances
             ,
             and
             work
             towards
             them
             ,
          
           than
           
             their
             way
             and
             services
             towards
             him
          
           ;
           But
           oh
           !
           what
           will
           he
           do
           with
           us
           ,
           when
           it
           may
           be
           feared
           that
           the
           most
           prevailing
           suffrage
           and
           vote
           of
           the
           generation
           we
           are
           now
           in
           ,
           should
           be
           this
           (
           if
           their
           Soul
           might
           speak
           for
           them
           in
           such
           a
           case
           )
           
             let
             God
             depart
             from
             us
             ,
             for
             we
             desire
             not
             the
             Knowledge
             of
             the
             Most
             High
             ,
          
           since
           this
           lght
           tends
           only
           to
           be
           tormenting
           ,
           and
           does
           afford
           no
           comfort
           to
           such
           ;
           or
           can
           it
           be
           expected
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           allow
           in
           this
           age
           a
           
             Restoring
             Miracle
          
           to
           bring
           men
           again
           to
           the
           faith
           and
           sense
           of
           the
           Deity
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           
             in
             the
             days
             of
             Elia
          
           ,
           when
           we
           have
           a
           much
           greater
           Talent
           to
           be
           accountable
           for
           ,
           than
           these
           had
           ,
           or
           any
           
             former
             Ages
          
           past
           ,
           having
           the
           
             whole
             income
             of
             their
             Confirmations
             and
             improvements
             added
             to
             our
             Stocks
             ?
          
        
         
           5
           Tho
           the
           great
           intrest
           of
           that
           mysterie
           of
           a
           
             Christians
             Faith
          
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           
           
             special
             Subject
             of
             this
             Discourse
          
           ,
           does
           in
           the
           first
           place
           respect
           our
           
             Reconciled
             State
             ,
             and
             justification
             before
             God
             ,
          
           yet
           is
           it
           too
           evident
           that
           the
           most
           usually
           trying
           and
           difficult
           part
           thereof
           ,
           is
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           
             Tryals
             and
             conflicts
             of
             time
          
           ,
           and
           sucha
           day
           ,
           when
           they
           must
           
             live
             immediately
             on
             God
          
           ,
           and
           give
           him
           
             the
             Glory
             of
             his
             Godhead
          
           when
           no
           visible
           means
           can
           support
           ,
           which
           is
           that
           
             wonderful
             experiment
             of
             Faith
          
           in
           the
           power
           thereof
           that
           is
           here
           expresly
           pointed
           at
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           by
           the
           
             Spirit
             of
             God
          
           as
           his
           immediate
           work
           alone
           
             proportioned
             to
             the
             most
             extraordinary
             hight
             of
             a
             Christians
             Tryal
          
           ;
           but
           as
           to
           the
           
             filling
             up
             of
             this
             great
             work
             of
             Faith
          
           in
           the
           appointed
           measure
           thereof
           ,
           it
           does
           principally
           1.
           respect
           
             the
             whole
             State
             and
             times
             of
             the
             elect
             Church
             ,
          
           and
           on
           this
           account
           ,
           there
           is
           still
           a
           growing
           increase
           as
           to
           the
           measure
           of
           the
           
             work
             of
             Faith
          
           since
           
             Abel
             the
             righteous
          
           ,
           and
           is
           not
           yet
           come
           in
           many
           degrees
           to
           that
           full
           hight
           of
           perfection
           which
           it
           must
           have
           before
           the
           close
           of
           time
           ;
           yea
           ,
           herein
           hath
           
             each
             of
             the
             Saints
             their
             proper
             share
             and
             interest
          
           for
           bringing
           forth
           the
           Glory
           of
           this
           excellent
           Grace
           to
           it's
           greatest
           display
           before
           
             Angels
             and
             Men
          
           ,
           which
           is
           an
           end
           worthy
           of
           all
           the
           Tryals
           ,
           and
           suffering
           
           times
           which
           have
           ever
           gone
           over
           the
           Church
           ,
           because
           this
           way
           of
           giving
           glory
           to
           God
           is
           only
           within
           time
           .
           2.
           
           But
           it
           must
           be
           understood
           also
           that
           in
           
             each
             age
             of
             the
             Church
             there
             are
             some
             more
             illustrous
             examples
          
           that
           the
           Lord
           does
           afford
           to
           the
           World
           this
           way
           ,
           in
           whom
           his
           Grace
           in
           the
           power
           thereof
           hath
           a
           greater
           triumph
           in
           the
           way
           of
           passive
           valour
           than
           in
           these
           ,
           who
           have
           been
           most
           admired
           upon
           their
           
             Heroick
             Actings
          
           and
           conquest
           over
           Men.
           3.
           
           It
           is
           undeniable
           also
           what
           eminent
           experiments
           have
           been
           thus
           afforded
           ,
           upon
           these
           adventures
           of
           a
           Christians
           Faith
           ,
           which
           did
           not
           then
           answer
           the
           
             ordinary
             Standard
          
           of
           the
           Tryals
           ,
           which
           others
           have
           had
           ;
           and
           though
           we
           may
           confidently
           hope
           ,
           that
           the
           highest
           measure
           of
           the
           
             suffering
             times
             of
             the
             Church
          
           is
           now
           accomplished
           and
           past
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           tryal
           of
           the
           
             passive
             Graces
             of
             the
             Spirit
          
           ,
           yet
           it
           may
           be
           matter
           of
           fear
           that
           the
           Faith
           of
           Christians
           in
           this
           day
           may
           have
           
             some
             more
             extraordinary
          
           Essay
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           publick
           State
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           of
           these
           Nations
           now
           in
           these
           
             last
             times
             of
             the
             Gentiles
          
           ,
           than
           what
           hath
           been
           in
           
             ages
             past
          
           ,
           and
           may
           need
           more
           than
           ordinary
           ballast
           to
           bear
           up
           against
           the
           darkness
           
           thereof
           ,
           when
           such
           a
           
             midnight
             hour
          
           seems
           immediately
           to
           preceed
           the
           dawning
           of
           that
           bright
           Sun-shine
           ,
           which
           may
           be
           truly
           reckoned
           the
           brightness
           of
           Christ's
           second
           coming
           ,
           in
           that
           last
           state
           of
           time
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           May
           it
           not
           be
           matter
           of
           unavoidable
           evidence
           also
           as
           to
           the
           present
           State
           of
           the
           Church
           that
           there
           is
           surely
           
             some
             eminent
             period
             of
             providence
             ,
             to
             which
             so
             swift
             and
             extraordinary
             a
             courses
             of
             remarkable
             changes
             ,
          
           as
           hath
           in
           a
           successive
           way
           still
           attended
           
             these
             Nations
          
           ,
           have
           aproper
           tendency
           ;
           these
           being
           so
           unusual
           and
           astonishing
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           the
           way
           of
           the
           Lords
           ordinary
           working
           ,
           as
           the
           most
           judicious
           ,
           and
           deep
           discerners
           of
           things
           could
           not
           to
           this
           day
           have
           reasoned
           their
           falling
           out
           on
           principles
           of
           humane
           reason
           ;
           yea
           such
           ,
           as
           I
           must
           humbly
           judge
           ,
           will
           not
           cease
           ,
           until
           
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             be
             quieted
             in
             that
             great
             Design
          
           which
           he
           is
           to
           accomplish
           hereby
           answerable
           to
           that
           Zach.
           6
           ,
           8.
           on
           which
           he
           hath
           set
           his
           heart
           ,
           who
           leaves
           not
           his
           work
           unperfected
           ,
           which
           hath
           also
           the
           same
           sense
           ,
           and
           intent
           .
           Isa
           .
           66.
           9.
           
           
             Shall
             I
             bring
             to
             the
             birth
             ,
             and
             not
             cause
             to
             bring
             sorth
             ,
          
           &c.
           nor
           (
           I
           am
           perswaded
           )
           will
           any
           humane
           counsel
           make
           
             civil
             establishments
          
           to
           be
           effectual
           ,
           until
           that
           great
           design
           of
           Providence
           
           be
           more
           understood
           ,
           and
           concurred
           with
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           It
           is
           now
           a
           day
           of
           great
           expectation
           how
           the
           
             next
             scene
          
           of
           Providence
           may
           open
           for
           a
           farther
           clearing
           of
           this
           design
           of
           the
           Lord
           about
           which
           I
           judge
           these
           who
           have
           nearest
           converse
           with
           God
           this
           day
           by
           his
           Word
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           see
           cause
           to
           give
           their
           
             fears
             the
             first
             place
             before
             their
             hopes
             ,
          
           as
           to
           some
           very
           extrordinary
           work
           of
           judgment
           that
           from
           all
           signs
           seems
           to
           lie
           nearest
           now
           to
           the
           
             reformed
             Churches
             in
             the
             frame
             of
             providence
             ,
          
           tho
           we
           are
           like
           to
           have
           little
           either
           of
           Faith
           or
           fear
           ,
           when
           it
           comes
           ,
           until
           it
           be
           made
           an
           object
           of
           Sense
           ;
           but
           I
           am
           sure
           a
           few
           of
           these
           evident
           prognosticks
           that
           now
           are
           in
           our
           sight
           ,
           would
           have
           deeply
           affected
           the
           Spirits
           of
           ous
           Fathers
           ,
           when
           we
           may
           see
           no
           Providences
           are
           so
           extraordinary
           ,
           as
           to
           have
           any
           sanctifying
           influence
           on
           Mens
           Souls
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           or
           to
           advance
           the
           
             publick
             state
             of
             Religion
          
           as
           formerly
           ;
           when
           an
           
             outward
             Calm
             and
             a
             dead
             Lethargy
          
           herewith
           does
           so
           visibly
           still
           go
           together
           ,
           which
           hath
           a
           more
           mortal
           aspect
           on
           the
           present
           state
           of
           Britain
           than
           might
           be
           judged
           from
           the
           highest
           Paroxism
           of
           personal
           sufferings
           ;
           when
           the
           
             Christian
             interest
          
           this
           day
           for
           
           accomplishing
           the
           great
           designs
           of
           Grace
           under
           a
           reformed
           profession
           thereof
           is
           as
           a
           low
           thing
           in
           Mens
           eyes
           in
           respect
           of
           what
           is
           more
           extrinsick
           ,
           and
           foreign
           thereto
           ;
           when
           also
           the
           long
           decrease
           of
           that
           tide
           of
           power
           ,
           and
           influences
           of
           Religion
           on
           Mens
           Souls
           hath
           at
           last
           come
           to
           such
           
             an
             ebb
          
           by
           these
           
             judicial
             removes
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
          
           that
           without
           some
           very
           immediate
           appearance
           from
           Heaven
           we
           might
           fear
           
             lest
             Truth
             should
             quickly
             perish
             from
             the
             Earth
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           when
           it
           's
           so
           evident
           that
           
             God
             is
             yet
             calling
             for
             some
             to
             stand
             in
             the
             gap
             ,
             and
             make
             up
             the
             hedge
          
           before
           Judgment
           go
           forth
           ,
           butt
           almost
           none
           sound
           to
           answer
           it's
           voice
           ;
           so
           intently
           are
           Mens
           Spirits
           now
           ,
           even
           of
           such
           ,
           who
           outgo
           others
           in
           a
           profession
           set
           upon
           
             designs
             about
             their
             own
             things
          
           ;
           and
           it
           hath
           surely
           ever
           been
           a
           dismal
           sign
           to
           a
           Nation
           ,
           when
           it
           becomes
           rare
           to
           find
           any
           suitable
           Instruments
           ,
           and
           Tools
           to
           answer
           a
           
             restoring
             work
          
           therein
           ,
           or
           to
           see
           that
           
             raisedness
             of
             Spirit
          
           for
           such
           an
           end
           ,
           as
           hath
           been
           formerly
           ,
           which
           may
           be
           feared
           speaks
           the
           long
           shadows
           of
           the
           Evening
           before
           some
           horror
           of
           great
           Darkness
           are
           too
           visibly
           stretched
           out
           .
           But
           if
           Men
           do
           count
           these
           things
           small
           and
           remote
           from
           their
           eyes
           ,
           and
           will
           raise
           a
           confidence
           ,
           
           that
           it
           shall
           be
           
             Peace
             ,
             until
             there
             be
             another
             Appearance
             for
             God
             and
             the
             Interest
             of
             his
             Kingdom
             ,
             than
             hath
             yet
             been
             .
          
           It
           may
           make
           the
           Disappointment
           Sad
           ,
           and
           Dreadful
           in
           the
           Issue
           :
           One
           thing
           I
           have
           thought
           strange
           ,
           how
           there
           can
           be
           a
           
             National
             Love
          
           and
           Respect
           to
           its
           Interest
           in
           another
           way
           ,
           than
           to
           
             have
             God
             Interested
             both
             in
             their
             Case
             and
             Cause
             ,
          
           in
           the
           first
           Room
           ;
           
             or
             how
             Solemn
          
           and
           
             Publick
             Thaksgivings
          
           ,
           in
           a
           stated
           external
           Form
           for
           the
           most
           eminent
           Appearances
           of
           God
           ,
           
             whether
             as
             to
             a
             Nation
             ,
             or
             to
             a
             City
             ,
             or
             to
             Persons
             ,
          
           is
           so
           visibly
           divided
           from
           such
           an
           essential
           part
           thereof
           ,
           which
           is
           by
           Thankofferings
           ,
           and
           
             some
             Returns
             to
             him
             in
             a
             promissory
             way
             by
             Deeds
             and
             Performances
             ,
          
           as
           well
           as
           by
           Words
           ,
           suitable
           to
           the
           Weight
           of
           such
           Engagements
           .
           But
           this
           is
           a
           rare
           Practice
           now
           to
           be
           found
           on
           the
           Earth
           ,
           to
           design
           some
           special
           
             Consecration
             of
             the
             Gain
             of
             any
             eminent
             National
             Mercies
             unto
             God
             this
             way
             .
          
        
         
           8.
           
           Yet
           whatever
           may
           be
           too
           evident
           in
           the
           matter
           of
           our
           Fear
           ,
           it
           's
           sure
           that
           the
           just
           Grounds
           of
           our
           
             Hopes
             in
             behalf
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             does
             far
             exceed
             the
             same
             :
          
           And
           though
           there
           be
           many
           extraordinary
           Signs
           to
           cause
           Terror
           and
           Consternation
           of
           Spirit
           ,
           
             there
             is
             one
             Sign
             of
             another
             kind
             ,
          
           that
           
           will
           compense
           all
           ,
           which
           is
           
             that
             Sign
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             Man
             ,
             Mat.
          
           24.
           30.
           as
           it
           is
           to
           be
           understood
           in
           a
           
             promissory
             Sense
          
           ;
           and
           how
           that
           great
           
             Mourning
             of
             the
             Tribes
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
          
           which
           is
           there
           spoke
           ,
           to
           attend
           such
           a
           Sign
           ,
           hath
           the
           same
           Sense
           with
           that
           ,
           Zach.
           12.
           10.
           and
           is
           clearly
           expository
           of
           the
           same
           ,
           
             They
             shall
             look
             on
             me
             whom
             they
             have
             Pierced
             ,
             and
             Mourn
             ,
          
           &c.
           as
           also
           that
           evident
           Parallel
           ,
           Rev.
           1.
           6.
           since
           these
           do
           so
           jointly
           bear
           evidence
           to
           the
           Nature
           and
           Intent
           of
           such
           a
           Sign
           ,
           as
           will
           then
           have
           an
           eminent
           Appearance
           with
           the
           first
           entry
           ,
           and
           
             returning
             of
             the
             Jews
             unto
             him
             ,
             whom
             their
             Fathers
             did
             pierce
             .
          
           I
           know
           some
           of
           the
           
             greatest
             Writers
          
           of
           this
           Age
           ,
           such
           as
           
             Vsher
             ,
             Twiss
          
           ,
           and
           Mead
           ,
           and
           of
           late
           that
           Worthy
           Man
           Mr.
           Mather
           of
           New-England
           ,
           take
           this
           in
           the
           same
           Sense
           ,
           only
           seem
           to
           reckon
           this
           Sign
           to
           be
           the
           
             thing
             signified
             of
             Christ
             himself
          
           ,
           in
           a
           visible
           Appearance
           then
           to
           the
           World
           :
           But
           this
           will
           be
           e're
           long
           in
           another
           manner
           understood
           in
           the
           Event
           .
           Yet
           I
           have
           found
           it
           so
           sweet
           a
           Subject
           of
           Thoughts
           in
           these
           dismal
           and
           sad
           Times
           ,
           when
           other
           Signs
           are
           so
           tremendous
           ,
           that
           in
           some
           things
           which
           are
           most
           clear
           herein
           ,
           and
           suitable
           to
           humble
           Sobriety
           ,
           I
           must
           speak
           a
           few
           things
           .
           1.
           
           How
           it
           is
           unquestionable
           ,
           this
           is
           that
           
             one
             
             Sign
          
           by
           way
           of
           Singularity
           ,
           
             which
             our
             Blessed
             Head
             and
             Redeemer
             ,
             does
             appropriate
             to
             himself
          
           as
           his
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           the
           Sign
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           of
           the
           
             Son
             of
             Man
          
           ,
           such
           as
           hath
           never
           been
           given
           to
           the
           World
           like
           thereto
           ,
           nor
           will
           ever
           be
           ,
           until
           he
           come
           himself
           to
           Judgment
           .
           2.
           
           It
           is
           surely
           a
           Sign
           which
           must
           be
           Publick
           and
           Conspicuous
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           
             in
             some
             extraordinary
             Vision
             to
             humane
             Sense
          
           ;
           for
           therein
           is
           the
           Intent
           of
           that
           Prediction
           made
           express
           and
           clear
           :
           But
           as
           to
           the
           Nature
           hereof
           ,
           or
           its
           Duration
           ,
           I
           judge
           it
           suitable
           not
           to
           enquire
           ,
           where
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           hath
           not
           more
           particularly
           cleared
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           reserved
           a
           further
           Discovery
           thereof
           ,
           to
           the
           Event
           .
           3.
           
           It
           is
           sure
           also
           ,
           when
           this
           great
           Appearance
           shall
           be
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           with
           that
           demonstrative
           and
           undubitable
           Evidence
           as
           the
           
             Sign
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             Man
             ,
          
           as
           will
           beyond
           any
           Contradiction
           ,
           expound
           it self
           ,
           and
           verify
           such
           a
           
             Prediction
             of
             our
             Blessed
             Lord
          
           ,
           before
           Angels
           and
           Men.
           4.
           
           It
           must
           be
           understood
           as
           a
           Sign
           that
           will
           be
           
             deeply
             affecting
          
           ,
           and
           work
           in
           an
           extraordinary
           way
           on
           Mens
           Spirits
           ,
           to
           cause
           so
           great
           and
           universal
           
             a
             Mourning
          
           ,
           which
           will
           not
           be
           as
           som
           have
           understood
           ,
           
             a
             Mourning
          
           from
           Horror
           ,
           but
           what
           will
           be
           a
           Result
           not
           only
           
           of
           the
           Greatness
           and
           Certainty
           of
           the
           Sign
           ,
           but
           of
           an
           extraordinary
           Concurrence
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           herewith
           ,
           to
           answer
           that
           eminent
           Design
           of
           Grace
           ,
           with
           a
           peculiar
           respect
           to
           the
           
             Jewish
             race
          
           ,
           as
           may
           be
           clearly
           seen
           Zach.
           12.
           12.
           
           And
           herein
           I
           humbly
           judge
           ,
           as
           
             in
             the
             first
             times
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             the
             Jews
             did
             require
             a
             Sign
          
           from
           Heaven
           to
           engage
           them
           to
           the
           Christian
           Faith
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           speaks
           1
           Cor.
           1.
           22.
           so
           that
           this
           way
           now
           in
           the
           
             last
             times
          
           ,
           both
           with
           an
           eminent
           Rebuke
           to
           their
           Infidelity
           ,
           and
           marvelous
           Condescendence
           of
           Grace
           ,
           he
           will
           yet
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           appear
           .
           5.
           
           But
           it
           must
           still
           be
           according
           to
           what
           the
           Scripture
           expresses
           ,
           a
           Sign
           ,
           and
           not
           the
           
             thing
             signified
          
           ,
           or
           
             personal
             Appearance
          
           of
           our
           Blessed
           Lord
           in
           his
           
             humane
             Nature
             ,
             whom
             the
             Heavens
             must
             contain
             until
             the
             full
             Restitution
             of
             all
             things
          
           ;
           wherein
           I
           must
           differ
           from
           the
           Judgment
           of
           such
           
             great
             Interpreters
          
           ,
           who
           take
           it
           in
           the
           other
           Sense
           ,
           though
           this
           will
           assuredly
           be
           such
           a
           Sign
           ,
           as
           is
           then
           to
           have
           some
           extraordinary
           Impress
           and
           Signature
           upon
           it
           ,
           to
           be
           demonstrative
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           the
           Jews
           more
           peculiarly
           ,
           of
           the
           
             Humanity
             of
             our
             Blessed
             Redeemer
          
           .
           6.
           
           But
           whatever
           may
           be
           the
           Glory
           and
           Splendor
           of
           so
           extraordinary
           an
           Appearance
           ,
           it
           
           must
           be
           still
           reckoned
           such
           as
           the
           state
           of
           Mortality
           can
           bear
           ,
           since
           that
           Vision
           that
           he
           gave
           to
           his
           
             beloved
             Disciple
          
           John
           ,
           of
           himself
           in
           his
           glorified
           State
           ,
           Rev.
           1.
           was
           so
           overpowering
           ,
           as
           he
           who
           had
           sometimes
           
             leaned
             on
             his
             Bosom
          
           ,
           whilst
           he
           was
           on
           the
           Earth
           ,
           did
           then
           
             fall
             as
             dead
             at
             his
             Feet
          
           ;
           and
           except
           it
           were
           supposed
           that
           he
           should
           put
           a
           Veil
           on
           his
           Glory
           ,
           in
           such
           a
           visible
           and
           immediate
           Appearance
           of
           his
           
             humane
             Nature
          
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           conceivable
           ,
           how
           even
           the
           Saints
           on
           the
           Earth
           ,
           much
           more
           the
           residue
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           could
           bear
           a
           sign
           of
           that
           Nature
           :
           And
           herein
           my
           Soul
           doth
           rest
           with
           Assurance
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           
             Sense
             and
             Intent
             of
             the
             Scripture
             ,
          
           about
           that
           much
           desired
           Sign
           ,
           after
           serious
           and
           humble
           enquiry
           about
           the
           same
           .
           Though
           I
           must
           crave
           leave
           to
           add
           this
           further
           ,
           with
           a
           special
           Confidence
           ,
           that
           this
           Sign
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           be
           the
           greatest
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           given
           in
           a
           Monitory
           way
           gof
           his
           Second
           coming
           ,
           is
           now
           surely
           
             on
             a
             near
             Approach
          
           ,
           as
           being
           both
           that
           great
           
             Signal
             of
             Grace
          
           to
           the
           poor
           
             Jewish
             World
          
           ,
           and
           of
           its
           being
           very
           near
           to
           a
           perfecting
           of
           the
           Work
           of
           time
           ,
           and
           his
           
             coming
             to
             judge
             the
             World
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           since
           the
           
             finishing
             of
             the
             times
             of
             the
             Gentiles
             ,
          
           and
           that
           great
           Tide
           and
           Effusion
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           
           which
           will
           then
           bring
           a
           Resurrection
           therewith
           ,
           
             from
             the
             Dead
          
           to
           the
           Jews
           ,
           does
           contemporate
           together
           ,
           the
           
             promissory
             Evidences
          
           of
           the
           near
           Approach
           hereof
           ,
           are
           such
           as
           I
           hope
           many
           of
           this
           Generation
           now
           in
           the
           Earth
           ,
           may
           be
           made
           Witnesses
           thereto
           .
        
         
           9.
           
           I
           know
           it
           is
           reckoned
           usually
           ,
           that
           the
           accomplishing
           of
           these
           great
           Designs
           of
           Providence
           ,
           which
           are
           yet
           to
           take
           place
           now
           in
           the
           
             last
             Ages
             of
             the
             World
          
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Exhibition
             of
             this
             wonderful
             Sign
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             Man
             ,
             may
             be
             at
             a
             great
             distance
             of
             time
             ,
          
           as
           to
           the
           Event
           thereof
           ,
           upon
           which
           I
           have
           had
           the
           same
           Thoughts
           ,
           until
           a
           more
           deep
           enquiry
           and
           search
           about
           the
           Counsel
           of
           God
           herein
           ,
           hath
           brought
           me
           under
           a
           constraint
           of
           Light
           ,
           to
           see
           how
           
             the
             work
             of
             time
          
           in
           all
           its
           Intents
           ,
           is
           nearer
           to
           a
           final
           close
           ,
           than
           seems
           to
           be
           apprehended
           by
           most
           ;
           and
           that
           we
           are
           now
           surely
           near
           to
           an
           entring
           on
           the
           
             last
             Watch
          
           of
           that
           long
           Night
           of
           the
           
             Churches
             Militant
             State
          
           ,
           when
           her
           Warfare
           shall
           for
           ever
           be
           accomplished
           ,
           and
           there
           will
           be
           no
           more
           such
           
             long
             Stages
             in
             the
             Course
             and
             Procedure
             of
             Providence
             ,
          
           as
           hath
           formerly
           been
           ;
           but
           when
           the
           
             last
             part
             of
             Scripture
             Prophesie
             is
             once
             come
             to
             the
             Birth
             ,
          
           and
           full
           height
           of
           Accomplishment
           ,
           then
           i'ts
           
           to
           be
           hoped
           that
           a
           
             few
             Years
          
           will
           bring
           forth
           more
           than
           hath
           been
           formerly
           attained
           in
           some
           Ages
           ;
           yea
           ,
           to
           this
           doth
           the
           
             Spirit
             speak
             expresly
          
           with
           respect
           to
           that
           great
           and
           wonderful
           Revolution
           in
           the
           
             last
             times
          
           ,
           by
           the
           
             incalling
             of
             the
             Jews
             ,
             and
             final
             Destruction
             of
             Antichrist
             ,
          
           that
           then
           
             he
             will
             cut
             short
             his
             Work
             in
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             finish
             the
             same
             ;
             because
             a
             short
             Work
             will
             the
             Lord
             make
             upon
             the
             Earth
             ,
          
           Rom.
           9.
           28.
           by
           which
           the
           way
           and
           
             manner
             of
             the
             course
             of
             Providence
             ,
          
           is
           clearly
           expressed
           ,
           as
           it
           will
           be
           in
           the
           
             evening
             of
             time
          
           ,
           from
           what
           it
           hath
           been
           formerly
           ;
           the
           Word
           there
           in
           the
           
             Original
             ,
             is
          
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           to
           shew
           that
           as
           the
           work
           of
           God
           which
           he
           hath
           upon
           the
           Earth
           ,
           is
           the
           alone
           Product
           ,
           and
           Accomplishment
           of
           his
           Word
           ,
           so
           when
           the
           Administration
           of
           Providence
           ,
           is
           drawing
           near
           to
           its
           last
           Period
           and
           Close
           ,
           then
           
             will
             he
             cut
             it
             short
          
           ,
           and
           hasten
           the
           same
           in
           some
           extraordinary
           way
           ;
           yea
           ,
           allot
           more
           to
           
             a
             Day
             or
             Year
          
           ,
           than
           he
           did
           to
           many
           Years
           before
           ,
           in
           the
           ordinary
           course
           of
           his
           working
           ;
           and
           as
           the
           
             first
             bringing
             forth
             of
             the
             Creation
             was
             a
             short
             Work
             ,
          
           and
           a
           swift
           course
           that
           Omnipotency
           took
           herein
           ,
           so
           may
           
             the
             last
             Consummation
          
           and
           Close
           of
           the
           great
           Work
           of
           Providence
           ,
           be
           expected
           to
           make
           no
           Delay
           :
           I
           am
           sure
           the
           
             Holy
             
             Ghost
          
           speaks
           expresly
           for
           this
           end
           ,
           in
           that
           
             aforecited
             Scripture
          
           ,
           besides
           other
           Passages
           of
           Sacred
           Truth
           ,
           which
           give
           Light
           and
           Confirmation
           thereto
           ;
           but
           in
           
             what
             Sense
             the
             cutting
             short
             of
             the
             Work
             of
             God
             in
             the
             last
             times
             ,
             and
             his
             making
             a
             short
             Work
             in
             the
             Earth
          
           is
           to
           be
           understood
           ,
           I
           must
           humbly
           offer
           what
           I
           am
           in
           Faith
           persuaded
           hereof
           ,
           as
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Intent
           of
           that
           Scripture
           .
           1.
           
           How
           it
           is
           to
           be
           a
           
             short
             Work
          
           ,
           and
           a
           very
           swift
           Motion
           that
           shall
           be
           then
           in
           the
           
             Churches
             Increase
             ,
             and
             in
             gathering
             of
             the
             Elect
             ,
          
           as
           what
           will
           be
           answerable
           to
           that
           great
           extent
           of
           the
           
             Church
             Vniversal
          
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           made
           up
           both
           of
           
             Jews
             and
             Gentiles
          
           ,
           and
           in
           such
           a
           
             day
             of
             Power
             ,
             as
             the
             Dew
             of
             his
             Youth
             ,
             shall
             be
             as
             the
             Womb
             of
             the
             morning
             ,
          
           Psal
           .
           110.
           3.
           
           For
           though
           it
           be
           clear
           that
           the
           
             last
             Triumph
             of
             Christ's
             visible
             Kingdom
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Glory
           of
           his
           Grace
           in
           order
           to
           Conversion
           ,
           must
           assuredly
           have
           a
           
             great
             Harvest
          
           therewith
           ,
           for
           in-bringing
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           and
           filling
           up
           of
           that
           large
           Room
           ,
           which
           is
           yet
           void
           in
           the
           Church
           Triumphant
           ,
           in
           the
           whole
           appointed
           measure
           thereof
           ,
           yea
           ,
           may
           be
           judged
           such
           as
           shall
           bear
           a
           Resemblance
           to
           that
           Progress
           of
           Grace
           ,
           and
           wonderful
           Product
           of
           its
           Efficacy
           in
           the
           
             first
             times
             of
             the
             Gospel
          
           ,
           so
           is
           it
           to
           be
           expected
           
           that
           this
           
             last
             Tide
             of
             the
             Effusion
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
          
           shall
           be
           so
           strong
           and
           prevalent
           ,
           as
           to
           attain
           the
           
             Work
             of
             an
             Age
          
           formerly
           in
           a
           very
           short
           time
           ,
           and
           verify
           that
           Scripture
           to
           the
           Amazement
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           Isa
           .
           66.
           10.
           how
           
             a
             Nation
             and
             People
             should
             be
             Born
             ,
             and
             formed
             to
             the
             Lord
             in
             a
             day
             .
          
           But
           I
           must
           herewith
           speak
           to
           a
           sad
           Mistake
           ,
           that
           I
           humbly
           judge
           many
           are
           upon
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           
             measure
             of
             that
             Prophetick
             Millennium
          
           ,
           and
           highest
           Glory
           of
           Christs
           visible
           Reign
           herein
           ,
           as
           if
           that
           definite
           time
           of
           a
           
             Thousand
             Years
          
           ,
           should
           be
           understood
           extensively
           of
           such
           a
           
             precise
             number
             of
             Years
          
           ,
           and
           of
           so
           long
           a
           Duration
           ,
           when
           the
           Intent
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           herein
           ,
           seems
           so
           clear
           and
           evident
           ,
           that
           it
           's
           rather
           intensively
           to
           be
           taken
           in
           the
           Value
           and
           Splendor
           thereof
           ,
           when
           
             the
             Light
             of
             one
             day
             will
             be
             as
             of
             seven
             in
             one
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Work
           of
           God
           in
           a
           short
           measure
           of
           time
           then
           ,
           will
           virtually
           amount
           to
           
             a
             Thousand
             Years
          
           .
           I
           know
           it
           's
           accknowledged
           by
           all
           ,
           and
           clearly
           understood
           as
           David
           speaks
           Psal
           .
           90.
           and
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           2
           Pet.
           2.
           how
           
             a
             Thousand
             years
             with
             the
             Lord
             is
             but
             as
             a
             day
          
           ;
           yet
           seems
           the
           Sense
           of
           this
           to
           be
           little
           apprehended
           by
           most
           ,
           how
           
             a
             day
             before
             the
             Lord
             ,
             may
             be
             as
             a
             Thousand
             years
             :
          
           And
           how
           it
           's
           intended
           there
           ,
           to
           shew
           his
           
           ing
           such
           a
           Value
           and
           Glory
           thereon
           ,
           as
           it
           may
           amount
           to
           the
           Product
           of
           a
           
             Thousand
             years
          
           formerly
           in
           the
           ordinary
           course
           of
           Providence
           .
           2.
           
           It
           is
           in
           this
           respect
           also
           that
           the
           Lords
           making
           
             a
             short
             work
             in
             the
             Earth
             ,
          
           in
           the
           last
           times
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           may
           be
           understood
           by
           a
           more
           
             swift
             course
             than
             usual
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             the
             perfecting
             of
             the
             Saints
             ,
          
           who
           then
           are
           on
           the
           Earth
           ,
           
             and
             ripening
             of
             them
             for
             Heaven
          
           ;
           so
           that
           answerable
           to
           their
           
             Attainments
             of
             Grace
          
           in
           a
           more
           extraordinary
           growth
           herein
           ,
           their
           
             Translation
             to
             Glory
          
           will
           be
           the
           more
           hastned
           ,
           and
           the
           Measure
           of
           the
           Work
           and
           Services
           of
           their
           time
           ,
           more
           quickly
           perfected
           :
           This
           with
           humble
           Sobriety
           ,
           I
           have
           sometimes
           ,
           and
           do
           still
           judge
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Lords
             cutting
             short
             his
             work
             then
             ,
          
           may
           be
           no
           less
           remarkable
           in
           the
           
             short
             Period
             and
             Duration
          
           which
           the
           Saints
           shall
           have
           on
           the
           Earth
           ,
           after
           their
           Calling
           ,
           than
           that
           long
           Measure
           which
           was
           allotted
           to
           Men
           in
           the
           first
           entry
           of
           time
           ,
           as
           congruous
           to
           this
           design
           of
           Grace
           ,
           to
           make
           a
           short
           work
           then
           ,
           and
           hasten
           the
           full
           Translation
           of
           the
           Church
           to
           its
           Triumphant
           State.
           3.
           
           It
           is
           to
           be
           judged
           in
           this
           respect
           also
           ,
           will
           appear
           that
           
             cuting
             short
             of
             the
             Work
             of
             God
             in
             the
             last
             times
             ,
             by
             bringing
             forth
             the
             great
             designs
             of
             Providence
             ,
          
           
           which
           are
           then
           to
           have
           their
           full
           Accomplishment
           ,
           with
           
             so
             extraordinary
             a
             gale
             of
             Divine
             Power
             ,
             and
             swift
             course
          
           thereof
           ,
           as
           will
           admit
           no
           Halting
           or
           Delay
           ,
           but
           shall
           attain
           that
           in
           a
           very
           short
           time
           ,
           which
           to
           our
           Thoughts
           ,
           would
           seem
           great
           for
           an
           Age
           to
           bring
           forth
           .
           We
           can
           see
           now
           with
           full
           evidence
           for
           
             what
             great
             ends
             the
             Service
             and
             Vse
             of
             time
             hath
             been
             from
             the
             first
             entry
             thereof
             ,
             and
             what
             designs
             the
             Blessed
             Author
             of
             the
             same
             ,
             hath
             had
             on
             the
             Ages
             past
             :
             But
             when
             we
             look
             forward
             to
             the
             last
             Intent
             and
             Work
             thereof
             ,
          
           there
           seems
           to
           be
           very
           dark
           and
           strange
           Thoughts
           hereof
           ,
           by
           many
           ,
           though
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           by
           Divine
           Revelation
           ,
           is
           clear
           and
           express
           about
           the
           same
           ,
           as
           to
           what
           must
           
             be
             yet
             filled
             up
             of
             the
             Work
             and
             Administration
             of
             Providence
             before
             the
             end
             :
             The
             Testimony
             of
             Christ
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Prophesie
             ,
          
           was
           most
           specially
           directed
           under
           the
           
             Old
             Testament
          
           ,
           upon
           his
           
             Priestly
             Office
          
           ;
           but
           now
           is
           the
           Glory
           of
           this
           Testimony
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           
             Prophesies
             under
             the
             New
             Testament
          
           ,
           in
           a
           peculiar
           way
           ,
           settled
           on
           his
           
             Kingly
             Office
          
           ,
           in
           the
           whole
           Progress
           and
           
             Gradations
             of
             his
             visible
             Kingdom
          
           ,
           until
           the
           close
           of
           Time
           ;
           and
           it
           's
           in
           a
           
             Twofold
             respect
          
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Spirit
             of
             Prophesie
          
           does
           reveal
           the
           great
           designs
           of
           Providence
           ,
           
           which
           are
           yet
           to
           be
           perfected
           before
           the
           end
           of
           time
           :
           The
           
             first
             is
             as
             to
             a
             breaking
             down
             ,
          
           and
           final
           Overthrow
           of
           the
           
             Kingdom
             of
             Antichrist
             under
             the
             last
             Vials
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           
             Methods
             of
             Providence
          
           ,
           and
           the
           manner
           hereof
           ,
           is
           also
           express
           and
           clear
           ,
           that
           when
           the
           time
           is
           once
           come
           for
           this
           great
           and
           magnificent
           Act
           of
           Judgment
           on
           that
           City
           ,
           and
           
             Seat
             of
             the
             Beast
             by
             the
             Fifth
             Vial
             ,
          
           it
           will
           then
           make
           a
           strange
           and
           
             unusual
             dispatch
          
           ,
           and
           be
           an
           amazing
           Surprizal
           ,
           as
           the
           Scripture
           speaks
           
             Rev.
             18.
             7
             ,
             8.
             when
             she
             says
             ,
             I
             sit
             as
             a
             Queen
             ,
             and
             shall
             see
             no
             Sorrow
             ;
             then
             in
             one
             day
             shall
             her
             Plagues
             come
             ;
             for
             strong
             is
             the
             Lord
             God
             who
             judgeth
             her
             .
          
           Nor
           can
           this
           be
           more
           marvelous
           in
           our
           Eyes
           when
           it
           comes
           ,
           than
           what
           we
           have
           seen
           of
           the
           
             degrees
             of
             Wrath
             and
             Judgment
          
           ,
           that
           are
           already
           fulfilled
           on
           this
           Adversary
           ;
           so
           as
           I
           must
           judge
           by
           Scripture
           Evidence
           ,
           this
           will
           be
           a
           work
           of
           short
           time
           ,
           as
           it
           will
           bear
           an
           extraordinary
           and
           immediate
           Appearance
           of
           God
           therewith
           :
           But
           there
           
             is
             one
             great
             design
             further
             in
             that
             way
             of
             breaking
             down
             ,
          
           and
           overturning
           which
           must
           yet
           take
           place
           in
           the
           
             final
             Judgment
             of
             the
             Mahumetan
             Empire
             ,
          
           both
           as
           to
           Turks
           and
           Persians
           ;
           which
           as
           it
           may
           be
           clearly
           understood
           by
           the
           
             Sixth
             Vial
          
           ,
           and
           does
           with
           great
           evidence
           
           relate
           to
           what
           is
           foretold
           of
           this
           Adversary
           ,
           Rev.
           9.
           14.
           under
           the
           
             Sixth
             Trumpet
          
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           the
           manner
           hereof
           ,
           in
           that
           
             Allusion
             of
             drying
             up
             the
             River
             of
          
           Euphrates
           ;
           when
           formerly
           we
           see
           how
           
             these
             Angels
          
           were
           let
           loose
           for
           Destruction
           ,
           who
           were
           bound
           thereat
           :
           We
           may
           see
           how
           the
           same
           Allusion
           does
           speak
           such
           a
           work
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           as
           will
           be
           strange
           ,
           sudden
           and
           surprizing
           ,
           as
           the
           
             drying
             up
             of
          
           Euphrates
           ,
           by
           Diversion
           of
           that
           River
           ,
           did
           in
           one
           Night
           ,
           make
           way
           to
           finish
           the
           
             Babylonish
             Empire
             in
             the
             time
             of
          
           Cyrus
           ;
           and
           now
           some
           prelude
           and
           remarkable
           Steps
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           as
           to
           
             the
             fall
             of
             that
             Empire
          
           ,
           have
           been
           of
           late
           very
           obvious
           :
           But
           yet
           in
           a
           Concurrence
           herewith
           ,
           there
           is
           one
           
             great
             design
             of
             Providence
          
           ,
           to
           be
           accomplished
           before
           the
           end
           ,
           which
           is
           
             for
             building
             up
             ,
             and
             a
             restoring
             work
             on
             that
             great
             and
             long
             Ruin
             of
             the
             scattered
             Jews
          
           ;
           and
           thus
           
             for
             gathering
             together
             in
             one
             ,
             in
             the
             Dispensation
             of
             the
             fulness
             of
             time
             ,
             all
             things
             in
             Christ
             ,
             even
             in
             him
             ,
          
           Eph.
           1.
           10.
           which
           Scripture
           ,
           I
           must
           humbly
           judge
           ,
           speaks
           peculiarly
           to
           that
           
             last
             uniting
             work
             about
             the
             Church
             Vniversal
             ,
             both
             of
             the
             Jews
             and
             Gentiles
             :
          
           When
           
             the
             times
             of
             the
             Gentiles
          
           are
           once
           Accomplished
           ,
           which
           as
           I
           have
           a
           little
           touched
           before
           ,
           then
           will
           it
           be
           understood
           
           in
           the
           Event
           ,
           how
           the
           
             Value
             and
             Interest
             of
             a
             day
             ,
          
           may
           be
           by
           the
           Lord
           in
           that
           manner
           heightned
           as
           to
           sum
           up
           and
           abridge
           therein
           ,
           what
           had
           not
           been
           attained
           in
           a
           
             Thousand
             years
          
           before
           :
           It
           was
           in
           the
           
             first
             times
             of
             the
             Gospel
          
           ,
           that
           
             the
             Effusion
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
          
           and
           Out-goings
           of
           his
           Power
           was
           so
           wonderful
           and
           strong
           ,
           as
           in
           
             Forty
             years
             ,
             the
             extent
             of
             the
             Christian
             Church
             ,
             after
             the
             Ascention
             of
             Christ
             ,
             was
             then
             greater
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             than
             it
             seems
             to
             be
             at
             this
             day
          
           ;
           which
           I
           do
           not
           question
           ,
           shall
           yet
           once
           more
           before
           the
           close
           of
           time
           ,
           be
           no
           less
           wonderful
           in
           the
           swift
           Course
           and
           Conquest
           of
           Grace
           ,
           both
           as
           to
           Jews
           and
           Gentiles
           ,
           than
           it
           was
           at
           that
           time
           .
           But
           as
           no
           
             great
             Excellencies
          
           ,
           or
           extraordinary
           Splendor
           in
           any
           Appearances
           of
           God
           ,
           have
           been
           of
           a
           
             long
             Duration
          
           ,
           whilst
           the
           Church
           here
           is
           Militant
           ,
           so
           the
           nearer
           all
           things
           are
           to
           the
           
             Center
             in
             the
             final
             close
             of
             time
             ,
          
           we
           should
           expect
           as
           God
           hath
           expresly
           spoke
           ,
           that
           it
           will
           be
           with
           a
           remarkable
           
             cutting
             short
             of
             his
             Work
             then
          
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           World
           will
           be
           in
           a
           strange
           manner
           surprized
           with
           his
           
             last
             coming
          
           :
           Yea
           ,
           that
           the
           greatness
           of
           such
           a
           Harvest
           of
           
             Israels
             Conversion
          
           ,
           will
           bring
           in
           more
           in
           a
           short
           time
           ,
           than
           many
           Ages
           hath
           done
           formerly
           .
           4.
           
           It
           is
           also
           in
           this
           
           respect
           that
           the
           
             making
             a
             short
             work
             in
             the
             close
             of
             time
             ,
          
           may
           be
           judged
           ,
           that
           after
           such
           extraordinary
           Discoveries
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           Methods
           of
           Grace
           ,
           the
           final
           Opposition
           then
           made
           thereto
           by
           the
           World
           ,
           will
           to
           the
           furthest
           ,
           make
           way
           for
           the
           
             last
             decision
             of
             Judgment
          
           ,
           when
           the
           
             Harvest
             of
             the
             Earth
          
           is
           thus
           ripened
           and
           made
           White
           ,
           under
           such
           prodigious
           measures
           of
           Guilt
           ,
           more
           than
           in
           all
           Ages
           past
           ;
           as
           the
           Righteous
           God
           will
           then
           be
           Interested
           in
           Vindication
           of
           his
           Glory
           ,
           to
           shut
           up
           for
           ever
           ,
           that
           long
           Period
           of
           his
           Patience
           and
           Long-sufferings
           .
           5.
           
           Let
           me
           but
           add
           upon
           
             this
             Head
          
           ,
           that
           I
           account
           it
           a
           
             peculiar
             Demonstration
             of
             God
          
           ,
           which
           he
           hath
           reserved
           to
           the
           last
           
             times
             of
             the
             Church
          
           ,
           to
           shew
           before
           
             Angels
             and
             Men
             ,
             what
             use
             he
             can
             make
             of
             a
             short
             time
             ,
             for
             the
             greatest
             ends
             ,
          
           and
           how
           far
           he
           can
           cause
           it
           to
           amount
           in
           
             perfecting
             of
             his
             Work
          
           ,
           to
           bring
           forth
           such
           wonderful
           things
           in
           a
           
             few
             days
             or
             years
          
           ,
           that
           would
           seem
           as
           incomprehensible
           to
           Reason
           ,
           as
           
             for
             the
             Earth
             to
             bring
             forth
             in
             a
             day
             ,
             or
             for
             a
             Nation
             to
             be
             created
             therein
             ,
          
           Isa
           .
           66.
           10.
           
           It
           hath
           been
           the
           Glory
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           some
           should
           
             live
             more
             in
             a
             few
             years
             ,
          
           and
           act
           a
           greater
           part
           on
           the
           Stage
           ,
           than
           others
           in
           a
           
             long
             Age
          
           ;
           the
           first
           Service
           of
           time
           was
           beyond
           all
           that
           ever
           followed
           
           upon
           this
           Account
           ,
           made
           wonderful
           and
           glorious
           ,
           when
           
             one
             day
          
           brought
           at
           once
           forth
           the
           
             Sun
             ,
             Moon
             ,
             and
             Stars
          
           ;
           and
           set
           them
           in
           their
           proper
           Orbs
           ,
           and
           
             another
             day
             brought
             forth
             that
             Intellectual
             Being
             of
             Man
             ,
             made
             after
             the
             Image
             of
             God
          
           ;
           and
           can
           it
           be
           strange
           that
           the
           same
           God
           give
           such
           a
           Demonstration
           of
           himself
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           glory
           of
           his
           Power
           ,
           in
           
             the
             last
             shutting
             up
             of
             his
             Work
             ,
          
           as
           the
           World
           may
           see
           it
           's
           not
           in
           the
           Reverence
           of
           Time
           ,
           nor
           of
           Ages
           ,
           when
           his
           Design
           and
           Counsel
           herein
           is
           to
           take
           place
           :
           But
           if
           Men
           will
           raise
           and
           build
           their
           Hopes
           on
           the
           
             long
             Duration
          
           of
           this
           horrid
           and
           sad
           World
           now
           in
           its
           
             Old
             Age
          
           ,
           and
           think
           their
           
             Houses
             shall
             be
             continued
             for
             many
             Generations
          
           ;
           it
           will
           be
           a
           sad
           Surprizal
           in
           the
           Close
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           found
           in
           the
           same
           Posture
           at
           the
           
             coming
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             Man
             ,
          
           as
           it
           was
           in
           the
           
             days
             of
          
           Noah
           :
           And
           I
           doubt
           not
           the
           
             swift
             motions
             of
             Providence
             ,
             for
             making
             a
             short
             Work
             in
             the
             Earth
             ,
          
           will
           be
           yet
           rendred
           more
           astonishing
           than
           all
           we
           have
           hitherto
           seen
           ;
           Blessed
           are
           they
           that
           watch
           and
           wait
           with
           Joy
           ,
           for
           the
           drawing
           near
           of
           
             this
             great
             day
             of
             their
             Redemption
             ,
          
           though
           the
           
             precise
             day
          
           and
           time
           hereof
           ,
           be
           alone
           known
           to
           the
           Lord.
           
        
         
         
           10.
           
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           that
           the
           way
           of
           the
           Lord
           may
           seem
           to
           controul
           any
           
             swift
             Motion
             and
             Course
             of
             Providence
          
           in
           his
           Procedure
           this
           day
           ,
           
             when
             the
             Wheels
             do
             to
             our
             Sense
             stand
             still
             ,
          
           and
           things
           yet
           kept
           in
           a
           Suspence
           ,
           as
           to
           any
           great
           or
           remarkable
           Decision
           in
           the
           publick
           State
           of
           Affairs
           ;
           yea
           ,
           when
           after
           such
           Expectations
           now
           for
           a
           considerable
           time
           ,
           there
           is
           so
           strange
           an
           
             Interval
             of
             Silence
          
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Work
           of
           God
           in
           this
           Part
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           the
           Ballance
           kept
           in
           an
           unusual
           manner
           ,
           
             equal
             betwixt
             the
          
           French
           
             and
             the
             whole
             Confederates
          
           ,
           which
           are
           against
           him
           :
           It
           is
           unquestionably
           ,
           matter
           of
           great
           Thoughts
           of
           Heart
           ,
           what
           the
           Event
           may
           be
           e're
           long
           of
           such
           an
           astonishing
           Calm
           and
           Stop.
           But
           in
           order
           to
           this
           ,
           let
           me
           humbly
           speak
           a
           few
           things
           to
           be
           considered
           .
           1.
           
           How
           in
           all
           times
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           it
           hath
           been
           made
           observable
           ,
           That
           
             when
             the
             Lord
             is
             to
             bring
             forth
             some
             great
             Work
             of
             Judgment
             on
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             on
             particular
             Nations
             ,
          
           he
           does
           not
           only
           reinforce
           Warnings
           ,
           and
           gives
           time
           herein
           to
           answer
           his
           Call
           ,
           but
           even
           when
           
             his
             Hand
             is
             lifted
             up
             ,
             will
             yet
             hold
             the
             same
             :
          
           But
           where
           the
           most
           Signal
           Delay
           and
           Forbearance
           hath
           gone
           before
           ,
           it
           's
           sure
           the
           more
           dreadful
           and
           sad
           ,
           is
           the
           Stroak
           when
           it
           
           comes
           at
           last
           .
           2.
           
           Though
           there
           needs
           a
           Divine
           Light
           to
           make
           a
           right
           Estimate
           and
           Judgment
           of
           things
           which
           relate
           to
           the
           
             present
             day
          
           ,
           yet
           if
           Men
           admit
           Reason
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           too
           easie
           to
           see
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           
             slow
             motion
          
           in
           the
           visible
           tendency
           of
           things
           ,
           as
           they
           now
           move
           
             in
             these
             Three
             Nations
             to
             some
             fatal
             and
             sudden
             Period
          
           ;
           except
           these
           things
           which
           should
           thus
           awaken
           our
           Fears
           ,
           have
           a
           more
           special
           Influence
           to
           direct
           unto
           these
           Duties
           ,
           which
           might
           yet
           prevent
           the
           same
           :
           For
           even
           
             judicious
             Reason
             may
             Prophecy
          
           what
           Aspect
           
             such
             Evils
          
           have
           ,
           as
           by
           a
           native
           and
           unavoidable
           Result
           have
           the
           most
           near
           and
           immediate
           Influence
           
             on
             a
             Nations
             Ruin
          
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           come
           to
           that
           Height
           ,
           as
           will
           admit
           no
           Cure
           :
           And
           when
           the
           most
           numerous
           Part
           of
           a
           
             Protestant
             Profession
          
           therein
           ,
           are
           so
           visibly
           stated
           in
           Emnity
           to
           other
           ,
           pursuing
           different
           and
           contrary
           Interests
           ,
           
             as
             cannot
             but
             lay
             a
             dead
             lift
             on
             all
             publick
             Actings
             this
             day
             :
          
           When
           also
           the
           
             Contagion
             of
             Example
          
           is
           so
           prevalent
           and
           mortal
           ,
           but
           the
           Comfort
           thereof
           so
           rare
           ,
           
             as
             to
             any
             of
             a
             truly
             Raised
             and
             Heroick
             Spirit
             .
          
           And
           if
           we
           look
           to
           these
           who
           have
           a
           
             leading
             Interest
             in
             these
             Nations
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             Stations
             and
             Qualities
             ,
          
           how
           few
           of
           such
           may
           be
           now
           found
           ,
           whose
           Ancestors
           
           had
           an
           eminent
           Appearance
           for
           God
           in
           their
           day
           ,
           that
           have
           the
           
             Spirit
             of
             their
             Fathers
             resting
             on
             them
             ?
          
        
         
           But
           now
           in
           the
           
             3d.
             place
          
           ,
           I
           must
           crave
           leave
           to
           speak
           a
           little
           more
           fully
           in
           order
           to
           a
           
             trying
             and
             inquisitive
             Judgment
             on
             a
             very
             great
             and
             affecting
             Head
             ,
             what
             it
             should
             mean
             that
             there
             are
             such
             threatning
             Appearances
             of
             Hazard
             to
          
           Britain
           
             from
             the
          
           French
           
             Power
             ,
             in
             these
             times
             we
             are
             in
             :
          
           I
           know
           it
           may
           seem
           a
           hopeful
           Sign
           ,
           that
           
             such
             a
             Party
          
           as
           we
           have
           to
           deal
           with
           ,
           are
           such
           also
           against
           whom
           the
           
             Blood
             of
             Thousands
             of
             Protestants
          
           is
           crying
           to
           Heaven
           .
           And
           I
           am
           perswaded
           ,
           
             that
             the
             Holy
             God
             will
             in
             due
             time
             ,
             avenge
             these
             strange
             measures
             of
             Cruelty
             exercis'd
             there
             ,
             upon
             the
             House
             of
          
           Bourbon
           ;
           and
           have
           Indignation
           against
           that
           Race
           ,
           
             until
             the
             Sun
             cease
             to
             Rise
             and
             Set
             :
          
           But
           on
           the
           
             other
             hand
          
           ,
           I
           must
           speak
           ,
           that
           surely
           there
           seems
           something
           in
           an
           unusual
           way
           ,
           
             threatning
             in
             the
             present
             Aspect
             of
             this
             Adversary
          
           ;
           on
           which
           I
           shall
           offer
           a
           few
           serious
           Reflections
           .
           1.
           
           That
           for
           several
           Years
           past
           there
           hath
           been
           such
           remarkable
           evidence
           
             of
             a
             Seal
             of
             their
             Commission
             for
             Judgment
             ,
          
           not
           only
           to
           
             take
             Peace
             from
             this
             part
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
          
           but
           to
           be
           the
           Rod
           of
           Divine
           Indignation
           
             against
             the
             Refomed
             Churches
          
           :
           For
           it
           hath
           been
           under
           this
           Rod
           ,
           that
           hitherto
           the
           most
           destructive
           Ddsigns
           have
           had
           the
           
           most
           visible
           Successes
           ;
           and
           when
           an
           
             Instrument
             of
             Judgment
          
           is
           of
           Gods
           choosing
           ,
           and
           hath
           an
           
             anointing
             for
             this
             end
             put
             upon
             him
             ,
          
           it
           proves
           then
           to
           be
           very
           formidable
           ,
           as
           it
           hath
           the
           
             Impress
             of
             his
             Terror
             and
             Greatness
             put
             thereon
             ,
          
           beyond
           what
           is
           at
           another
           time
           ;
           and
           is
           thus
           acted
           with
           an
           invisible
           Power
           and
           Concurrence
           ,
           until
           such
           a
           Work
           of
           Judgment
           be
           accomplished
           .
           2.
           
           We
           see
           this
           is
           an
           Adversary
           who
           in
           this
           late
           Design
           against
           the
           
             whole
             Protestant
             Interest
          
           in
           the
           
             Kingdom
             of
          
           France
           ,
           hath
           had
           such
           prevailing
           Successes
           ,
           to
           carry
           on
           a
           ruining
           and
           judicial
           work
           of
           that
           nature
           ,
           when
           in
           former
           times
           the
           
             Protestants
             there
             ,
             did
             with
             an
             Heroick
             and
             Invincible
             Spirit
             ,
          
           bear
           out
           against
           the
           utmost
           Power
           and
           Violence
           of
           
             Four
             Kings
             successively
          
           ;
           and
           could
           see
           them
           by
           an
           extraordinary
           Divine
           Hand
           broke
           :
           But
           oh
           !
           now
           was
           the
           
             day
             turned
          
           no
           less
           remarkably
           ,
           and
           the
           Attempts
           of
           
             this
             King
          
           followed
           with
           that
           Terror
           ,
           Fainting
           and
           Lowness
           of
           Spirit
           ,
           as
           to
           any
           self
           Defence
           ,
           that
           it
           might
           be
           seen
           ,
           
             as
             in
             the
             case
             of
          
           Samson
           ,
           
             their
             Strength
             this
             way
             was
             departed
             ,
          
           so
           as
           nothing
           could
           avail
           until
           such
           a
           Work
           both
           of
           Tryal
           and
           Judgment
           ,
           was
           accomplished
           :
           This
           I
           confess
           hath
           oft
           had
           an
           affecting
           Sense
           on
           my
           own
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           brings
           a
           more
           extraordinary
           Call
           therewith
           ,
           to
           
           have
           
             our
             Reliances
             more
             absolutely
             fixed
             on
             God
             ,
          
           and
           promise
           less
           to
           our self
           from
           visible
           means
           ;
           yea
           ,
           how
           to
           prevent
           such
           a
           Hazard
           
             at
             the
             Fountains
             Head
          
           ,
           as
           is
           still
           threatning
           ,
           when
           there
           may
           be
           just
           matter
           of
           Fear
           ,
           
             that
             the
             date
             of
             his
             Commission
             is
             not
             yet
             expired
             .
          
           But
           3.
           
           Is
           it
           not
           known
           that
           this
           is
           such
           an
           Adversary
           ,
           over
           whom
           the
           
             English
             Nation
          
           once
           had
           so
           great
           an
           Ascendent
           in
           times
           past
           ,
           as
           they
           were
           a
           Terror
           unto
           that
           People
           who
           now
           does
           not
           only
           keep
           ,
           but
           gain
           Ground
           against
           the
           
             united
             Strength
             of
             so
             great
             Confederacy
             ?
          
           so
           that
           there
           may
           be
           cause
           for
           a
           higher
           Look
           than
           to
           what
           is
           humane
           ,
           in
           the
           Standing
           ,
           Supports
           ,
           and
           growing
           Strength
           of
           that
           Party
           :
           And
           it
           's
           surely
           one
           of
           the
           
             great
             Demonstrations
             of
             Providence
          
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           which
           is
           both
           in
           the
           
             rising
             and
             depressing
             of
             the
             Genius
             of
             a
             Nation
             and
             People
             ,
          
           answerable
           to
           the
           Designs
           which
           God
           is
           accomplishing
           hereby
           :
           But
           this
           I
           leave
           to
           the
           more
           serious
           Thoughts
           and
           Judgments
           of
           others
           ,
           what
           Appearance
           such
           a
           Sign
           hath
           to
           us
           this
           day
           .
           4.
           
           It
           is
           in
           some
           singular
           way
           that
           it
           may
           be
           said
           the
           French
           have
           attained
           beyond
           others
           ,
           to
           be
           
             united
             within
             themselves
          
           ;
           and
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           no
           less
           skilful
           to
           divide
           and
           promote
           Discords
           amongst
           those
           who
           are
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           
           who
           now
           in
           this
           
             critical
             Juncture
          
           of
           Affairs
           ,
           know
           how
           to
           graft
           their
           deepest
           Designs
           on
           these
           
             intestine
             Distempers
          
           ,
           and
           Convulsions
           which
           are
           so
           visible
           in
           the
           
             Politick
             Body
          
           of
           these
           Nations
           ;
           yea
           ,
           know
           how
           to
           foment
           the
           same
           ,
           whilst
           
             intestine
             Conslicts
          
           ,
           even
           amongst
           the
           most
           
             serious
             part
             of
             Protestants
          
           ,
           are
           so
           uncessant
           as
           to
           shut
           out
           all
           fear
           of
           this
           kind
           ,
           and
           despise
           any
           moral
           Relief
           or
           Cure.
           5.
           
           Tho'
           it
           may
           be
           of
           small
           Notice
           or
           Remark
           ,
           upon
           any
           threatning
           Aspect
           of
           such
           a
           Party
           ,
           yet
           I
           must
           look
           otherways
           thereon
           ,
           even
           in
           this
           Particular
           ,
           that
           there
           has
           been
           such
           a
           long
           and
           resolute
           conforming
           amongst
           us
           to
           
             the
             way
             of
             that
             Nation
             ,
             in
             the
             most
             Prodigions
             Fashions
             and
             Attires
             ,
          
           who
           have
           delighted
           herein
           to
           copy
           after
           such
           a
           Patern
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           be
           at
           last
           in
           the
           Righteousness
           of
           God
           ,
           made
           to
           have
           as
           sad
           a
           Tryal
           of
           them
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           as
           of
           that
           
             continued
             Instuence
             and
             Ascendent
          
           they
           have
           had
           over
           them
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Sin.
           6.
           
           But
           there
           Is
           one
           Reflection
           I
           must
           yet
           further
           offer
           upon
           this
           Head
           ,
           which
           in
           this
           day
           hath
           had
           a
           special
           Impression
           on
           my
           own
           Spirit
           ,
           that
           the
           
             last
             Effort
             and
          
           ultimus
           conatus
           
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Antichrist
             before
             its
             final
             Fall
             ,
          
           may
           be
           feared
           ,
           is
           not
           yet
           accomplished
           as
           to
           the
           
             ultima
             clades
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Churches
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           that
           this
           work
           hath
           fallen
           under
           his
           Hand
           as
           the
           Instrument
           waited
           and
           fitted
           by
           Divine
           Providence
           for
           such
           an
           end
           ;
           which
           hath
           oft
           made
           me
           judge
           ,
           that
           the
           
             date
             of
             his
             Commission
             is
             not
             yet
             expired
             ,
          
           when
           the
           same
           provoking
           Causes
           of
           such
           a
           desolating
           Stroak
           as
           
           hath
           been
           of
           late
           on
           the
           
             Church
             of
          
           France
           ,
           are
           no
           less
           visible
           amongst
           us
           ,
           and
           may
           have
           the
           same
           Ground
           to
           fear
           ,
           when
           we
           see
           such
           a
           remarkable
           Beacon
           in
           their
           case
           set
           before
           us
           .
           
             The
             God
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Churches
             is
             no
             Respecter
             of
             Persons
             and
             Nations
             ,
          
           who
           will
           not
           still
           bear
           with
           a
           naked
           Shew
           ,
           and
           an
           uninlivened
           Profession
           of
           that
           pure
           and
           excellent
           Religion
           we
           enjoy
           ;
           yea
           ,
           when
           the
           most
           
             near
             and
             immediate
             Signs
          
           ,
           which
           in
           former
           times
           have
           gone
           before
           some
           extraordinary
           Stroak
           of
           Judgment
           on
           Nations
           and
           Churches
           ,
           are
           rather
           in
           some
           further
           Degree
           ,
           applicable
           to
           us
           :
           There
           may
           be
           more
           than
           ordinary
           cause
           to
           meditate
           Terror
           on
           such
           an
           account
           ,
           
             that
             there
             is
             a
             Sound
             of
             great
             Wrath
             on
             this
             Generation
             ,
             yea
             ,
             that
             a
             Sword
             is
             fourbished
             and
             sheathed
             in
             Heaven
             ,
          
           which
           is
           to
           have
           some
           great
           destroying
           work
           under
           its
           Hand
           ,
           before
           it
           be
           put
           up
           :
           But
           oh
           !
           nothing
           is
           like
           to
           do
           until
           
             something
             more
             extraordinary
             than
             we
             have
             yet
             seen
             ,
             draw
             aside
             that
             Veil
             of
             Security
          
           we
           are
           now
           under
           ,
           and
           hide
           these
           things
           from
           our
           Eyes
           .
           But
           I
           shall
           add
           herewith
           ,
           as
           it
           should
           be
           a
           Blessed
           Surprizal
           ,
           if
           the
           God
           of
           Patience
           might
           yet
           spare
           and
           prolong
           a
           Season
           of
           Grace
           ,
           and
           Respite
           so
           threatning
           a
           Woe
           ;
           so
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           an
           
             experimental
             Knowledge
             of
             the
             Truth
             of
             Divine
             Premunitions
             ,
          
           when
           it
           's
           too
           late
           ,
           and
           is
           had
           at
           so
           dear
           a
           Purchase
           ,
           will
           be
           very
           sad
           ,
           when
           no
           Conviction
           or
           Repentance
           ,
           can
           regain
           such
           a
           Season
           as
           we
           now
           have
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           once
           lost
           :
           But
           as
           the
           Proverb
           speaks
           ,
           
             non
             licet
             in
             bello
             aut
             morte
             bis
             errare
             .
          
        
         
           There
           is
           
             one
             thing
          
           yet
           further
           now
           in
           the
           
             shutting
             up
             of
             this
             Discourse
          
           ,
           which
           I
           must
           in
           a
           few
           words
           touch
           ;
           that
           as
           it
           is
           the
           alone
           
             Prerogative
             of
             the
             Deity
             to
             declare
             things
             to
             come
             ,
             before
             they
             spring
             forth
             ,
          
           and
           who
           hath
           bounded
           the
           Prospect
           and
           Evidence
           of
           his
           People
           as
           to
           
             future
             Events
          
           ,
           or
           what
           he
           is
           yet
           bringing
           sorth
           of
           his
           work
           in
           the
           
             last
             times
          
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           
             extent
             of
             Divine
             Revelation
          
           herein
           ,
           (
           since
           this
           is
           to
           be
           the
           measure
           of
           our
           Light
           and
           Discoveries
           ,
           until
           the
           
             second
             
             coming
             of
             the
             Lord.
             )
          
           So
           it
           's
           no
           less
           evident
           and
           sure
           ,
           that
           any
           Pretence
           or
           Prospect
           of
           the
           Events
           of
           Providence
           ,
           which
           have
           no
           Dependance
           on
           any
           
             natural
             causes
          
           ,
           is
           beyond
           the
           possible
           reach
           of
           
             all
             natural
             Science
          
           ,
           or
           of
           that
           horrid
           Profession
           which
           is
           so
           much
           aloft
           in
           these
           times
           of
           
             judicial
             Astrology
          
           ,
           as
           it
           relates
           to
           
             future
             and
             contingent
             Events
          
           ;
           wherein
           Men
           as
           free
           Agents
           do
           act
           ,
           when
           besides
           the
           known
           Vanity
           of
           any
           such
           Pretence
           ,
           the
           
             God
             of
             Truth
          
           hath
           put
           them
           in
           the
           same
           Class
           with
           Sorcerers
           ,
           Isa
           .
           47.
           12
           ,
           13.
           
           
             Stand
             now
             with
             the
             Inchantments
             ,
             and
             the
             multitude
             of
             thy
             Secrets
             ,
             and
             let
             the
             Astrologers
             and
             Stargazers
             ,
             stand
             up
             and
             save
             thee
             .
          
           It
           is
           little
           taken
           to
           heart
           how
           deep
           such
           
             real
             Homage
             to
             the
             Devil
          
           ,
           under
           a
           splendid
           shew
           of
           a
           
             Dependance
             on
             natural
             Causes
          
           herein
           ,
           may
           draw
           to
           a
           coming
           under
           greater
           Invasions
           of
           his
           Power
           ,
           when
           it
           's
           so
           far
           a
           giving
           up
           with
           their
           
             Baptismal
             Covenant
          
           .
           I
           could
           speak
           what
           hath
           been
           with
           too
           sad
           evidence
           known
           of
           its
           
             Tragick
             Effects
          
           ,
           but
           
             one
             Instance
          
           leads
           me
           now
           specially
           to
           speak
           thereto
           ;
           that
           before
           this
           last
           
             Tremendous
             Earthquake
             at
          
           Jamaica
           ,
           there
           was
           so
           strange
           and
           universal
           a
           Tendence
           in
           that
           Place
           ,
           to
           
             consult
             Astrologers
             in
             their
             usual
             Vndertakings
             as
             to
             the
             Event
             ,
          
           as
           did
           inforce
           a
           
             serious
             Minister
             of
             the
             Gospel
          
           ,
           who
           was
           there
           a
           little
           time
           before
           that
           Stroak
           ;
           not
           only
           to
           Preach
           ,
           and
           appear
           against
           such
           a
           Contagious
           Wickedness
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           brings
           some
           remarkable
           Judgment
           with
           it
           ,
           but
           to
           
             Publish
             something
             in
             Print
          
           against
           the
           same
           ;
           which
           is
           
             here
             extant
          
           :
           But
           they
           could
           not
           thus
           foresee
           their
           own
           Destiny
           that
           was
           so
           near
           approching
           .
           I
           might
           further
           add
           a
           very
           
             sad
             Instance
             as
             to
             a
             Person
             who
             was
             unquestionably
             of
             eminent
             Piety
             and
             Parts
             ,
          
           who
           
             by
             a
             too
             eager
             Curiosity
          
           ,
           was
           carried
           to
           make
           some
           Tryal
           of
           that
           Study
           ,
           which
           tended
           not
           only
           to
           be
           his
           Snare
           ,
           but
           to
           most
           
             Tragick
             Effects
          
           in
           his
           own
           Personal
           Lot
           :
           Though
           I
           forbear
           to
           speak
           more
           particularly
           herein
           ,
           only
           
             that
             God
             is
             a
             jealous
             God
             ,
          
           who
           will
           not
           pass
           some
           Evils
           ,
           without
           a
           severe
           Remak
           thereon
           .
        
         
           
           
             An
             Additional
             Enquiry
             on
             that
             singular
             Conduct
             of
             Providence
             ,
             which
             is
             about
             the
             Saints
             here
             ,
             and
             upon
             some
             of
             the
             greatest
             Depths
             thereof
             ,
             for
             giving
             further
             Light
             to
             the
             foregoing
             Discourse
             on
             that
             Subject
             .
          
           
             I
             Hope
             there
             may
             be
             many
             this
             day
             on
             the
             Earth
             ,
             who
             are
             indeed
             on
             so
             desirable
             a
             Scent
             ,
             and
             to
             whom
             this
             will
             be
             a
             Subject
             of
             great
             Weight
             ,
             to
             know
             the
             
               way
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               Out-goings
               of
               his
               Providence
               towards
               them
               ,
            
             amidst
             the
             various
             Changes
             of
             their
             Life
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             more
             eminent
             Periods
             and
             Stations
             thereof
             :
             But
             this
             proves
             in
             another
             manner
             ,
             an
             
               exercising
               Subject
            
             in
             an
             Hour
             of
             great
             Temptation
             ,
             to
             carry
             the
             Strength
             of
             a
             Christians
             Soul
             thereon
             ,
             and
             to
             penetrate
             on
             such
             Reasons
             and
             Designs
             ,
             that
             the
             Majesty
             of
             God
             hath
             in
             more
             strange
             and
             extraordinary
             Providences
             ,
             which
             may
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             put
             them
             in
             an
             Amaze
             when
             Darkness
             does
             overshadow
             the
             same
             ;
             since
             for
             Men
             thus
             to
             be
             
               skilled
               and
               discerning
               in
               his
               ways
               ,
            
             is
             surely
             one
             of
             the
             highest
             Attainments
             of
             spiritual
             Wisdom
             within
             time
             .
             There
             are
             two
             Mysteries
             of
             Divine
             Truth
             to
             be
             matter
             of
             deep
             Thoughts
             and
             Reflection
             ,
             the
             
               one
               is
               a
               Christians
               Conduct
               and
               Passage
               through
               
               Time
               ,
               the
               other
               is
               his
               Way
               and
               Ascent
               to
               that
               blessed
               World
               which
               is
               above
               ,
               at
               Death
            
             ;
             which
             is
             by
             the
             immediate
             Ministry
             of
             the
             Angels
             :
             But
             it
             is
             surely
             the
             first
             that
             's
             most
             marvelous
             herein
             ,
             since
             the
             special
             leading
             and
             Communion
             of
             the
             
               Spirit
               of
               God
            
             is
             so
             Essential
             thereto
             ;
             yea
             ,
             the
             Concurrence
             of
             the
             
               whole
               Glorious
               Trinity
            
             ,
             and
             where
             every
             Step
             in
             that
             Passage
             is
             watched
             by
             
               Infernal
               Spirits
            
             ,
             whilst
             they
             are
             beset
             with
             a
             Body
             of
             Death
             :
             But
             this
             is
             an
             Experiment
             also
             does
             never
             fail
             ,
             that
             the
             most
             dark
             and
             searching
             Tryals
             ,
             which
             may
             be
             in
             some
             unusual
             manner
             measured
             out
             ,
             do
             still
             make
             way
             for
             the
             greatest
             Discoveries
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             giving
             more
             Light
             to
             the
             
               deep
               things
               of
               God
            
             herein
             .
          
           
             What
             I
             shall
             now
             speak
             to
             ,
             is
             on
             some
             
               special
               Enquiry
            
             for
             attaining
             a
             more
             clear
             Light
             upon
             this
             Subject
             ;
             in
             the
             
               Resolution
               whereof
            
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             found
             how
             much
             the
             
               highest
               Assistance
               and
               Support
               of
               a
               Christians
               Faith
            
             in
             the
             Conflicts
             of
             their
             Warfare
             ,
             when
             it
             comes
             to
             the
             most
             trying
             part
             thereof
             ,
             
               does
               lye
               here
            
             ;
             and
             for
             having
             some
             clear
             and
             experimental
             Acquaintance
             with
             the
             same
             ,
             which
             is
             one
             of
             the
             most
             choice
             Improvements
             of
             Grace
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             called
             to
             within
             time
             .
          
           
           
             1.
             
             Enquiry
             that
             may
             be
             suitable
             here
             ,
             is
             to
             know
             in
             what
             special
             manner
             a
             Christian
             is
             stated
             ,
             with
             respect
             to
             the
             
               Administration
               of
               Divine
               Providence
            
             in
             his
             Militant
             Course
             ,
             and
             how
             he
             is
             interessed
             herein
             ,
             above
             the
             whole
             residue
             of
             Men
             in
             a
             most
             singular
             respect
             ;
             for
             clearing
             of
             which
             it
             is
             evident
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             it
             is
             sure
             with
             their
             immediate
             entry
             unto
             a
             
               new
               State
            
             by
             converting
             Grace
             ,
             they
             come
             then
             under
             a
             
               special
               Conduct
               and
               Care
               of
               a
               watching
               Providence
               ,
            
             and
             of
             the
             delegate
             Ministry
             of
             the
             Angels
             ,
             which
             will
             never
             cease
             ,
             no
             not
             for
             one
             Moment
             ,
             until
             the
             
               putting
               off
               of
               their
               Armour
            
             ,
             and
             a
             being
             carried
             into
             the
             eternal
             Imbracements
             of
             Divine
             Love.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             They
             are
             in
             such
             a
             manner
             stated
             also
             ,
             under
             the
             Interpositions
             of
             this
             special
             Care
             and
             Oversight
             of
             Providence
             ,
             as
             if
             such
             a
             Christian
             
               were
               alone
               on
               the
               Earth
            
             ,
             and
             not
             another
             ,
             about
             whom
             so
             great
             a
             Business
             and
             Regard
             from
             Heaven
             is
             put
             forth
             ;
             so
             high
             is
             that
             Value
             which
             God
             does
             put
             upon
             one
             of
             these
             ,
             who
             are
             the
             immediate
             Objects
             of
             his
             Complacence
             and
             Delight
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             It
             is
             in
             such
             a
             manner
             he
             is
             interested
             herein
             ,
             as
             a
             Talent
             under
             Trust
             of
             the
             highest
             Concern
             ,
             how
             to
             be
             answerable
             
             thereto
             ,
             both
             by
             
               judicious
               Observation
            
             of
             what
             this
             way
             passeth
             betwixt
             God
             and
             them
             ,
             and
             how
             their
             Suits
             have
             been
             returned
             after
             much
             waiting
             hereon
             ;
             as
             also
             for
             answering
             the
             several
             ends
             thereof
             ,
             in
             their
             Improvements
             of
             the
             same
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             Yea
             ,
             It
             is
             in
             this
             respect
             he
             is
             stated
             under
             so
             great
             an
             Administration
             of
             Providence
             which
             is
             ever
             about
             him
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             
               the
               Seal
               of
               Heaven
            
             put
             to
             the
             certainty
             of
             Divine
             Truth
             ,
             and
             the
             Adventures
             of
             his
             Trust
             thereon
             ,
             wherein
             he
             can
             see
             with
             Joy
             and
             Admiration
             ,
             that
             he
             on
             whom
             he
             did
             
               believe
               and
               not
               see
            
             ,
             hath
             in
             the
             Issue
             ,
             made
             him
             
               see
               what
               he
               did
               believe
            
             ,
             to
             be
             undoubted
             and
             real
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             He
             stands
             thus
             also
             related
             thereto
             ,
             in
             the
             matter
             of
             a
             Testimony
             ,
             and
             Sanctifying
             of
             God
             before
             others
             ,
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             any
             remarkable
             Issues
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             to
             keep
             the
             Remembrance
             thereof
             ,
             up
             as
             a
             part
             of
             the
             most
             valuable
             Interest
             he
             hath
             upon
             the
             Earth
             ;
             when
             this
             way
             one
             Hour
             in
             his
             Life
             may
             occurr
             ,
             that
             can
             fully
             clear
             the
             By-gons
             ,
             and
             Conflicts
             of
             many
             years
             past
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Enquiry
             upon
             this
             Subject
             ,
             is
             to
             know
             wherein
             the
             
               Singularity
               of
               some
               Steps
               of
               Providence
               ,
            
             with
             respect
             to
             some
             of
             the
             Saints
             beyond
             others
             ,
             do
             most
             specially
             
             appear
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             directed
             for
             some
             eminent
             Design
             of
             Grace
             herewith
             :
             For
             a
             right
             understanding
             whereof
             ,
             we
             may
             see
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             What
             strange
             and
             
               different
               Measures
            
             the
             Sovereign
             God
             does
             take
             in
             
               his
               refining
               and
               trying
               Work
            
             ,
             about
             some
             of
             his
             People
             ,
             which
             he
             does
             not
             with
             others
             ,
             as
             
               Isa
               .
               45.
               
               Behold
               I
               have
               refined
               you
               ,
               but
               not
               as
               Silver
            
             ;
             when
             it
             's
             at
             a
             much
             higher
             Pitch
             ,
             that
             David
             upon
             his
             proper
             Tryal
             speaks
             hereof
             ,
             
               Psal
               .
               66.
               
               Thou
               hast
               tryed
               us
               as
               Silver
               is
               tryed
            
             ;
             which
             is
             there
             spoke
             as
             the
             most
             intense
             Degree
             of
             Exactness
             in
             such
             a
             Tryal
             ,
             by
             a
             
               hotter
               Furnace
            
             ,
             whilst
             herein
             ,
             some
             eminent
             Project
             of
             Love
             ,
             hath
             been
             found
             still
             then
             in
             the
             Issue
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             To
             what
             an
             Extremity
             also
             he
             will
             sometime
             bring
             such
             to
             ,
             in
             a
             trying
             work
             before
             it
             be
             accomplished
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             
               kill
               first
               er'e
               he
               make
               alive
               ,
            
             and
             render
             the
             case
             wholly
             dependant
             on
             a
             Divine
             Miraculous
             Power
             ,
             as
             in
             that
             
               Sickness
               of
            
             Lazarus
             ,
             and
             that
             last
             Conflict
             of
             Davids
             at
             Ziglag
             ,
             which
             proved
             the
             sorest
             of
             all
             ,
             when
             it
             was
             on
             an
             immediate
             turn
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             so
             singular
             an
             Appearance
             of
             God
             was
             breaking
             up
             herewith
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Thus
             appears
             in
             so
             strange
             a
             deferring
             of
             Light
             ,
             and
             concealment
             of
             the
             Thoughts
             
             and
             Counsel
             of
             God
             towards
             the
             choicest
             of
             his
             People
             ,
             that
             may
             be
             seen
             even
             under
             such
             a
             duration
             of
             afflicting
             Providences
             ,
             as
             may
             be
             ready
             to
             faint
             and
             stagger
             their
             Faith
             ,
             so
             as
             no
             Intreaties
             ,
             no
             Tears
             or
             Wrestlings
             can
             prevail
             herein
             ,
             until
             they
             have
             
               stayed
               out
               their
               time
            
             wherein
             they
             must
             be
             tryed
             ,
             as
             was
             in
             the
             case
             of
             Jacob
             on
             
               Joseph's
               supposed
               Death
            
             ;
             who
             was
             so
             familiar
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             yet
             kept
             so
             long
             in
             the
             Dark
             therein
             ,
             as
             also
             of
             Joseph
             under
             so
             strange
             a
             Scene
             ,
             and
             
               Mystery
               of
               Providence
            
             towards
             him
             ,
             
               until
               once
               the
               word
               of
               the
               Lord
               had
               tryed
               him
               .
            
          
           
             4.
             
             In
             his
             taking
             some
             of
             his
             Followers
             by
             a
             most
             signal
             Conduct
             of
             Providence
             ,
             of
             all
             visible
             and
             ordinary
             means
             of
             their
             Relief
             ;
             and
             crossing
             all
             their
             natural
             Inclinations
             and
             Desires
             herein
             ,
             in
             an
             irresistable
             way
             ,
             that
             nothing
             may
             interpose
             to
             darken
             his
             more
             immediate
             Appearance
             in
             the
             Deliverance
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             But
             which
             may
             seem
             more
             astonishing
             and
             singular
             is
             in
             such
             a
             Conduct
             of
             Providence
             ,
             as
             is
             by
             Contraries
             ,
             and
             directing
             of
             Means
             ,
             that
             in
             their
             natural
             Tendency
             ,
             seem
             only
             destructive
             to
             such
             an
             end
             ;
             yea
             ,
             when
             by
             a
             falling
             down
             of
             the
             greatest
             Darkness
             ,
             he
             brings
             their
             case
             to
             some
             higher
             Paroxism
             ,
             as
             may
             
             have
             all
             mortal
             Signs
             ,
             when
             yet
             such
             Providences
             do
             then
             most
             powerfully
             work
             to
             hasten
             a
             comforting
             Issue
             ,
             above
             all
             which
             had
             gone
             before
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             In
             an
             entring
             of
             the
             choicest
             of
             his
             People
             ,
             with
             a
             more
             singular
             Seal
             ,
             and
             frequenter
             Confirmations
             of
             his
             Love
             than
             at
             other
             times
             ,
             into
             some
             extraordinary
             Course
             and
             Series
             of
             trying
             Conflicts
             ,
             which
             have
             been
             as
             the
             falling
             down
             of
             a
             dark
             and
             
               long
               Night
            
             ,
             immediately
             following
             so
             great
             a
             Brightness
             ;
             yea
             ,
             thus
             also
             by
             such
             a
             Constraint
             of
             Providence
             ,
             leading
             them
             into
             the
             same
             ,
             as
             David
             speaks
             
               Psal
               .
               66.
               
               Thou
               broughtest
               us
               in
               the
               Net
               ,
               and
               laidst
               Affliction
               on
               our
               Loins
               ,
            
             &c.
             and
             as
             the
             
               Disciples
               of
               Christ
            
             were
             constrained
             to
             go
             to
             the
             Sea
             ,
             when
             a
             Storm
             was
             to
             follow
             thereon
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             When
             in
             following
             the
             most
             express
             and
             clear
             Call
             to
             some
             special
             Service
             and
             Acts
             of
             Duty
             ,
             there
             occurrs
             greatest
             Oppositions
             ,
             and
             cross
             Providences
             thereto
             ,
             as
             was
             in
             
             Paul's
             Voyage
             to
             Rome
             ,
             when
             his
             Commission
             from
             Heaven
             herein
             was
             given
             ,
             under
             so
             great
             a
             Seal
             and
             Evidence
             :
             And
             nothing
             did
             shake
             
             Jeremiah's
             Faith
             more
             ,
             than
             that
             strange
             and
             growing
             Tide
             of
             Opposition
             ,
             which
             was
             still
             in
             the
             way
             of
             his
             Work
             ,
             when
             his
             Call
             herein
             was
             so
             clear
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             and
             extraordinary
             ,
             as
             put
             him
             to
             speak
             thus
             unto
             God
             ,
             
               Chap.
               20.
               7.
               
               Thou
               hast
               perswaded
               me
               ,
               and
               I
               was
               perswaded
               ,
            
             &c.
             when
             he
             was
             almost
             overpowered
             by
             the
             Enmity
             and
             Violence
             of
             Men
             in
             his
             work
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             In
             that
             strange
             length
             ,
             to
             which
             a
             
               deferred
               hope
            
             may
             be
             continued
             before
             its
             Enjoyment
             ,
             even
             where
             the
             Earnest
             ,
             and
             Confirmations
             thereof
             ,
             have
             been
             in
             some
             unusual
             way
             made
             evident
             ,
             until
             it
             seem'd
             wholly
             desperate
             ,
             and
             beyond
             hope
             ;
             yea
             ,
             when
             under
             such
             a
             Delay
             they
             have
             been
             exposed
             to
             all
             kind
             of
             Temptations
             ,
             which
             in
             the
             Nature
             thereof
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Duration
             ,
             seem'd
             to
             contradict
             the
             same
             ,
             and
             give
             it
             the
             Lie.
             
          
           
             9.
             
             By
             such
             a
             Concurrence
             also
             in
             some
             part
             of
             a
             Christians
             Warfare
             ,
             as
             at
             the
             same
             time
             
               there
               may
               be
               Fightings
               without
               ,
               and
               Fears
               within
               ,
               as
               the
               Apostle
            
             speaks
             ,
             such
             as
             may
             render
             it
             a
             strange
             Mystery
             to
             others
             ,
             when
             yet
             there
             is
             nothing
             penal
             herein
             ;
             yea
             ,
             when
             this
             may
             be
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             wholly
             in
             the
             dark
             to
             them
             ,
             until
             that
             Design
             of
             Grace
             appear
             for
             their
             being
             trained
             thus
             by
             lesser
             Conflicts
             for
             such
             a
             time
             in
             their
             Life
             ,
             wherein
             usually
             
               Satans
               greatest
               Effort
            
             lyes
             against
             them
             ,
             and
             the
             highest
             Probation
             of
             their
             Grace
             ,
             which
             God
             hath
             design'd
             to
             take
             whilst
             they
             are
             on
             the
             Earth
             .
          
           
           
             10.
             
             I
             shall
             but
             add
             on
             
               this
               Head
            
             ,
             that
             as
             the
             Lord
             hath
             designed
             something
             in
             his
             way
             towards
             each
             Christian
             ,
             that
             's
             peculiar
             to
             them
             alone
             ,
             so
             is
             that
             
               Variation
               in
               the
               Methods
               of
               Providence
            
             about
             such
             ,
             remarkable
             ,
             whilst
             some
             have
             their
             most
             choice
             and
             comforting
             times
             first
             ,
             as
             was
             
               Solomons
               ,
               and
               his
               last
               days
               the
               worst
               ,
            
             whilst
             the
             
               latter
               days
               of
            
             Job
             
               were
               his
               best
            
             .
             But
             there
             is
             also
             some
             Singularity
             in
             the
             Tryals
             of
             the
             Saints
             ,
             which
             it's
             sure
             will
             never
             be
             reiterated
             ,
             either
             in
             the
             
               Kind
               or
               Measure
            
             ;
             such
             as
             in
             
               Abraham's
               being
               tryed
               in
               his
               Faith
               ;
               upon
               the
               offering
               of
            
             Isaac
             ;
             the
             Intent
             thereof
             being
             purely
             Typical
             :
             And
             it
             may
             be
             judged
             that
             Job
             was
             given
             for
             an
             Example
             ,
             to
             have
             a
             Room
             only
             proper
             to
             himself
             ,
             until
             the
             Church
             ceased
             to
             be
             Militant
             .
          
           
             A
             
               3d.
               Enquiry
               which
               is
               of
               great
               Concern
               on
               such
               a
               Subject
               ,
               lyes
            
             here
             ,
             in
             what
             respects
             it
             may
             be
             said
             that
             
               the
               light
               and
               comforting
               side
               of
               some
               very
               dark
               and
               astonishing
               Providences
               is
               gained
               ,
            
             which
             had
             held
             such
             under
             greatest
             Fears
             and
             Suspence
             formerly
             ;
             so
             as
             they
             can
             now
             
               keep
               Sight
               of
               the
               way
               of
               the
               Lord
            
             towards
             them
             herein
             :
             It
             's
             true
             ,
             this
             is
             not
             attained
             in
             the
             way
             of
             Light
             only
             ,
             but
             of
             Power
             ;
             and
             one
             day
             may
             fall
             in
             to
             raise
             the
             Tryal
             of
             a
             
             Christian
             ,
             more
             than
             many
             Years
             past
             have
             done
             ;
             when
             the
             Night
             may
             be
             both
             dark
             and
             long
             ,
             without
             either
             Moon
             or
             Stars
             then
             appearing
             ,
             before
             there
             be
             any
             Day-break
             :
             Yet
             may
             such
             a
             rare
             Injoyment
             in
             a
             special
             way
             thus
             be
             understood
             ,
             when
             there
             is
             some
             clear
             breaking
             up
             of
             Light
             herein
             upon
             these
             things
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             How
             congruous
             such
             Steps
             in
             the
             Spotless
             way
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             seemed
             to
             have
             so
             dismal
             an
             Aspect
             ,
             are
             to
             the
             
               Excellencies
               of
               his
               Nature
            
             ,
             to
             the
             
               Testimonies
               and
               setled
               Constitutions
               of
               his
               Word
               ,
            
             and
             to
             these
             usual
             Methods
             ,
             which
             he
             hath
             taken
             with
             his
             greatest
             Favourites
             ,
             in
             cases
             of
             Tryal
             of
             the
             same
             Nature
             ,
             and
             under
             ,
             as
             trying
             Circumstances
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             When
             they
             can
             thus
             see
             how
             great
             a
             Design
             it
             is
             ,
             which
             the
             Holy
             God
             hath
             on
             the
             hottest
             Conflicts
             of
             his
             Peoples
             Warfare
             ,
             and
             in
             redoubling
             their
             Assaults
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             is
             more
             than
             on
             the
             highest
             
               civil
               Interest
               of
               Kingdoms
               and
               Nations
               :
            
             And
             how
             intensely
             his
             Eyes
             are
             fixed
             on
             what
             part
             his
             People
             does
             then
             Act
             ,
             wherein
             the
             
               Honour
               of
               his
               own
               Grace
            
             ,
             and
             their
             Victory
             over
             the
             Infernal
             World
             ,
             does
             so
             much
             lye
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             How
             there
             is
             surely
             an
             appointed
             Measure
             ,
             which
             the
             
               Work
               and
               Tryal
               of
               Faith
            
             hath
             to
             
             be
             filled
             up
             ,
             not
             only
             with
             respect
             to
             the
             personal
             case
             of
             Christians
             ,
             but
             to
             the
             
               State
               of
               the
               Church
               Militant
               ,
               from
               the
               entry
               ,
               to
               the
               close
               of
               time
            
             ;
             which
             hath
             still
             a
             growing
             Increase
             ,
             wherein
             each
             of
             the
             Saints
             hath
             
               some
               proper
               Interest
            
             that
             is
             allotted
             to
             him
             ,
             for
             perfecting
             of
             the
             same
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             When
             they
             can
             also
             discern
             by
             what
             a
             special
             
               overruling
               Providence
            
             ,
             the
             Lord
             hath
             usually
             bequeathed
             the
             choicest
             Mercies
             ,
             and
             prevented
             great
             Hazards
             in
             such
             a
             way
             ,
             as
             was
             most
             grieving
             and
             contrary
             to
             their
             Thoughts
             in
             the
             present
             time
             ;
             and
             hath
             ever
             reserved
             
               the
               most
               rare
               Experiments
               and
               Tryals
               of
               himself
               ,
            
             to
             the
             most
             trying
             times
             of
             his
             Peoples
             Lot
             ,
             when
             their
             Support
             was
             beyond
             the
             Possibility
             of
             Nature
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             When
             they
             can
             see
             what
             a
             Foord
             and
             strange
             Passage
             others
             have
             been
             taken
             through
             ,
             in
             extraordinary
             cases
             ,
             by
             that
             alone
             way
             of
             
               Reliance
               on
               an
               invisible
               God
            
             ;
             which
             could
             have
             no
             Rise
             from
             ordinary
             or
             
               natural
               Causes
            
             ;
             and
             how
             sweet
             a
             Remembrance
             such
             Providences
             have
             thus
             transmitted
             to
             the
             After-times
             of
             a
             Christians
             Life
             ,
             to
             witness
             that
             no
             Joy
             or
             Comfort
             on
             this
             Earth
             ,
             is
             comparable
             to
             that
             which
             
               hath
               followed
               the
               deepest
               Agonies
               and
               Down-castings
               .
            
          
           
           
             6.
             
             When
             there
             is
             some
             clear
             breaking
             up
             of
             Light
             upon
             the
             Design
             and
             
               deep
               reaches
               of
               Providence
            
             ,
             which
             are
             in
             the
             most
             strange
             Methods
             thereof
             ,
             to
             promote
             the
             Interest
             and
             Service
             of
             many
             ,
             by
             the
             
               personal
               Conflicts
            
             of
             some
             of
             his
             People
             ;
             yea
             ,
             for
             their
             being
             thus
             made
             a
             more
             
               publick
               Blessing
            
             to
             the
             time
             they
             live
             in
             ,
             by
             Example
             ,
             and
             their
             special
             Improvement
             of
             the
             same
             ;
             since
             for
             this
             end
             ,
             more
             singular
             cases
             of
             Tryal
             ,
             are
             usually
             allotted
             by
             the
             Conduct
             of
             Divine
             Wisdom
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             Services
             that
             such
             are
             design'd
             for
             ,
             beyond
             others
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             When
             it
             's
             evident
             both
             from
             
               Scripture
               Light
               and
               Observation
            
             ,
             how
             no
             
               notable
               Mercies
            
             and
             
               Enjoyments
               of
               Divine
               Respect
            
             ,
             have
             ever
             been
             attained
             ,
             without
             something
             no
             less
             remarkable
             in
             the
             proving
             of
             their
             Patience
             and
             Faith
             ,
             which
             hath
             gone
             before
             :
             Yea
             ,
             in
             how
             strange
             a
             manner
             the
             Lord
             hath
             then
             chosen
             ,
             to
             
               hide
               his
               Work
               for
               a
               time
               ,
            
             and
             
               shut
               up
               their
               way
            
             ,
             that
             the
             
               Returns
               of
               Light
            
             after
             the
             same
             ,
             might
             be
             more
             sweet
             and
             discernable
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             How
             it
             's
             unalterably
             fixed
             by
             the
             standing
             
               Laws
               of
               Heaven
            
             ,
             that
             the
             
               Testimony
               of
               God
               in
               his
               revealed
               Truth
               ,
            
             must
             first
             be
             the
             
               Object
               of
               his
               Peoples
               Trust
            
             and
             Expectation
             ,
             e're
             it
             be
             made
             the
             
               Object
               of
               
               their
               Sense
            
             and
             Enjoyment
             in
             its
             Performance
             ;
             and
             that
             it
             's
             an
             
               inviolable
               Connexion
            
             which
             lyes
             in
             such
             a
             Method
             as
             is
             said
             of
             Abraham
             ,
             Heb.
             6.
             15.
             
             
               That
               after
               he
               had
               patiently
               endured
               ,
               he
               obtained
               the
               Promise
            
             ;
             so
             as
             they
             can
             thus
             see
             how
             signal
             a
             part
             this
             hath
             
               in
               the
               great
               Frame
               of
               Providence
               ,
            
             when
             
               a
               long
               Term
               of
               enduring
               in
               Hope
               ,
            
             and
             under
             greatest
             Conflicts
             ,
             goes
             before
             the
             Return
             and
             Enjoyment
             of
             the
             same
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             How
             clear
             it
             's
             also
             in
             the
             way
             and
             
               order
               of
               Grace
            
             ,
             that
             God
             will
             first
             have
             a
             sore
             Trouble
             ,
             and
             depths
             of
             Affliction
             to
             be
             deeply
             
               exercising
               and
               humbling
            
             ,
             before
             it
             be
             made
             Comforting
             ;
             but
             with
             such
             Advantage
             thereby
             ,
             that
             these
             will
             be
             least
             broke
             by
             their
             Conflicts
             ,
             who
             have
             been
             most
             bruised
             and
             
               bowed
               down
            
             by
             
               humbling
               Exercise
            
             and
             Work
             herein
             ;
             this
             being
             ever
             sure
             ,
             that
             his
             great
             Power
             will
             never
             be
             imployed
             
               to
               ruin
            
             ,
             but
             
               to
               raise
            
             ,
             and
             revive
             the
             Spirits
             of
             such
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             When
             they
             see
             also
             these
             tender
             Methods
             of
             Divine
             Providence
             ,
             as
             are
             made
             use
             of
             in
             the
             training
             of
             Christians
             by
             
               lesser
               Essays
            
             of
             Tryal
             ,
             with
             some
             
               lucid
               Intervals
            
             betwixt
             one
             Degree
             ,
             and
             another
             thereof
             ,
             before
             the
             Lord
             bring
             forth
             his
             Design
             upon
             some
             
               more
               solemn
               and
               extraordinary
               Tryal
            
             ,
             which
             should
             have
             otherwise
             
             crush'd
             and
             overset
             their
             Spirits
             ,
             if
             it
             had
             not
             been
             thus
             gradually
             brought
             on
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             But
             in
             this
             respect
             most
             specially
             it
             may
             be
             said
             ,
             the
             
               light
               side
               of
               the
               most
               dark
               and
               astonishing
               Providence
               ,
               is
               turned
            
             towards
             a
             Christian
             ,
             when
             he
             can
             discern
             and
             prove
             his
             way
             towards
             God
             ,
             with
             such
             an
             humble
             Reference
             as
             that
             ,
             
               Job
               23.
               10.
               
               But
               thou
               knowest
               the
               way
               that
               I
               take
               :
            
             And
             when
             it
             's
             thus
             made
             evident
             in
             the
             
               hid
               Actings
               of
               Grace
            
             and
             that
             Prevalency
             it
             then
             hath
             to
             keep
             close
             with
             God
             under
             the
             greatest
             Temptations
             ;
             in
             their
             Applications
             also
             ,
             and
             Retirements
             of
             their
             Soul
             with
             him
             ,
             where
             they
             can
             have
             no
             Witness
             but
             himself
             ,
             
               who
               sees
               in
               secret
               ,
               that
               he
               may
               reward
               openly
            
             ;
             when
             it
             's
             evident
             likewise
             in
             their
             Designs
             ,
             and
             being
             acted
             from
             
               internal
               Motives
            
             herein
             ,
             to
             have
             
               another
               Service
               for
               God
            
             ,
             than
             such
             as
             stand
             with
             him
             upon
             the
             
               Wages
               of
               the
               Hireling
            
             ;
             yea
             ,
             can
             
               prove
               their
               way
            
             in
             a
             
               Counter-motion
               to
               such
               Evils
               ,
               that
               are
               most
               Contagious
               and
               Exemplary
               in
               the
               times
            
             wherein
             they
             are
             ;
             so
             as
             thus
             ,
             
               to
               save
               themselves
               from
               such
               an
               untoward
               Generation
               :
            
             When
             also
             their
             Work
             hath
             not
             only
             been
             to
             prove
             their
             State
             by
             sure
             Evidence
             ,
             but
             to
             know
             of
             what
             
               manner
               of
               
               Spirit
               they
               were
            
             in
             such
             a
             case
             towards
             Men
             ,
             and
             these
             who
             might
             have
             had
             the
             greatest
             Influence
             on
             their
             Trouble
             and
             Grief
             .
          
           
             But
             there
             is
             yet
             a
             
               4th
               .
               Enquiry
            
             ,
             of
             highest
             Consequence
             in
             order
             to
             Light
             herein
             ,
             to
             know
             
               where
               the
               Life
               and
               Comfort
               of
               a
               Christians
               Confidence
               in
               an
               Hour
               of
               Temptation
               does
               lye
               ,
            
             and
             what
             hath
             the
             
               nearest
               and
               most
               immediate
               Influence
               on
               the
               comforting
               Work
               of
               Faith
               ,
            
             not
             only
             in
             cases
             of
             
               personal
               Tryal
            
             ,
             which
             may
             be
             most
             searching
             ,
             but
             under
             any
             
               Surprizal
               of
               publick
               Judgment
            
             ,
             that
             may
             be
             on
             a
             nearer
             Approach
             than
             seems
             apprehended
             by
             most
             .
             It
             's
             true
             ,
             it
             's
             Honourable
             for
             God
             ,
             both
             to
             try
             his
             People
             above
             the
             Power
             and
             Support
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             to
             
               bear
               them
               up
               herein
            
             ,
             in
             the
             View
             of
             the
             World
             :
             But
             as
             on
             the
             
               one
               Hand
            
             it
             seems
             astonishing
             ,
             what
             Providences
             may
             occurr
             to
             some
             of
             the
             Saints
             of
             that
             Nature
             ,
             as
             are
             amongst
             the
             
               Arcana
               of
               the
               Divine
               Government
            
             ,
             so
             is
             it
             no
             less
             wonderful
             on
             the
             
               other
               Hand
            
             ,
             what
             he
             hath
             afforded
             to
             be
             assistant
             thereto
             ,
             which
             lye
             not
             in
             the
             Reverence
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             but
             are
             a
             Secret
             betwixt
             God
             and
             the
             Souls
             of
             his
             People
             ;
             who
             hath
             not
             left
             them
             in
             the
             Dark
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             
               hid
               Spring
               of
               their
               Supplies
               .
               This
               I
               must
               improve
               
               further
               here
               ,
            
             though
             it
             be
             a
             little
             touched
             in
             the
             
               foregoing
               Discourse
            
             ,
             in
             these
             respects
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             there
             is
             surely
             then
             such
             an
             undoubted
             Assistance
             ,
             as
             
               an
               immediate
               Communion
               with
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               ,
            
             in
             Addresses
             to
             Heaven
             
               by
               Prayer
            
             ,
             when
             no
             visible
             things
             can
             be
             comforting
             ,
             such
             as
             goes
             above
             the
             
               Support
               of
               Miracles
               ,
               or
               Ministry
               of
               the
               Angels
               ,
            
             though
             this
             be
             not
             comprehensible
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             which
             can
             in
             a
             Moment
             raise
             the
             Soul
             above
             its
             
               greatest
               Fears
            
             ,
             when
             there
             is
             no
             cause
             by
             Humane
             Sense
             herein
             ;
             and
             affords
             also
             one
             of
             the
             highest
             
               Demonstrations
               of
               the
               Christian
               Faith.
            
             
          
           
             2.
             
             That
             there
             is
             herewith
             such
             an
             Enjoyment
             attainable
             ,
             as
             an
             
               ineffable
               Sense
               and
               Evidence
               of
               Divine
               Love
               ,
               shed
               abroad
               on
               the
               Soul
               by
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
            
             which
             goes
             above
             any
             
               external
               Providences
            
             for
             this
             end
             ;
             and
             does
             efficaciously
             work
             ,
             when
             no
             Light
             ,
             no
             
               former
               Experience
            
             ,
             nor
             
               habitual
               Grace
            
             can
             stemm
             the
             the
             Tide
             of
             some
             extraordinary
             Afflictions
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Yea
             ,
             There
             is
             also
             such
             a
             Support
             to
             be
             known
             then
             ,
             as
             
               the
               sensible
               and
               immediate
               Presence
               of
               the
               Comforter
               in
               his
               reviving
               Power
               ,
               and
               their
               Fellowship
               with
               him
               ,
            
             which
             no
             
               local
               distance
            
             can
             possibly
             obstruct
             in
             such
             an
             Hour
             ,
             
             when
             their
             Release
             must
             either
             come
             out
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             or
             utterly
             fail
             .
             
               These
               are
               indeed
               great
               things
            
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             believed
             and
             not
             admired
             ,
             that
             have
             thus
             the
             
               nearest
               Influence
               on
               the
               Joy
               and
               Peace
               of
               Believing
               ,
            
             such
             as
             are
             no
             
               abstract
               Notions
            
             ,
             but
             the
             
               greatest
               Realities
            
             within
             time
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             There
             is
             the
             comfort
             of
             such
             
               Divine
               Promises
               ,
               which
               by
               some
               special
               Application
               of
               that
               Seal
               of
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Promise
               ,
            
             hath
             been
             formerly
             known
             ,
             will
             in
             a
             dark
             and
             sad
             Hour
             ,
             afford
             a
             most
             singular
             Assistance
             :
             But
             it
             's
             no
             Contemplation
             can
             speak
             the
             
               Power
               of
               that
               Evidence
            
             which
             hath
             accompanied
             the
             same
             ,
             when
             in
             an
             
               obsignatory
               way
            
             this
             is
             given
             unto
             the
             Soul
             ,
             or
             the
             great
             Improvement
             that
             hath
             been
             made
             hereof
             ,
             when
             all
             visible
             Refuges
             are
             failed
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             There
             is
             likewise
             the
             
               Support
               of
               Sanctuary
               Strength
            
             ,
             that
             's
             in
             a
             most
             peculiar
             way
             design'd
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             for
             a
             Supply
             in
             the
             most
             overwhelming
             case
             ;
             when
             by
             
               the
               publick
               Ordinances
               of
               the
               Gospel
            
             (
             where
             such
             a
             Door
             is
             kept
             open
             )
             and
             under
             the
             
               Blessing
               of
               that
               Institution
            
             ,
             such
             hid
             and
             immediate
             Conveyances
             of
             Power
             have
             been
             then
             experienced
             ,
             as
             hath
             made
             them
             return
             with
             Admiration
             upon
             the
             directing
             of
             Truths
             to
             their
             present
             case
             ,
             when
             nothing
             could
             be
             more
             seasonable
             ;
             yea
             ,
             hath
             
             been
             so
             evident
             a
             return
             oft
             to
             some
             humble
             Reference
             and
             
               Enquiry
               in
               the
               Temple
            
             herein
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             had
             been
             by
             a
             
               Voice
               from
               Heaven
            
             ,
             both
             in
             the
             Light
             and
             Power
             thereof
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             There
             is
             the
             Improvement
             of
             
               former
               Experience
               of
               ancient
               Friendship
               and
               Love
               betwixt
               God
               and
               their
               Soul
               ,
            
             which
             in
             the
             sadest
             Hour
             ,
             is
             of
             a
             singular
             use
             ;
             as
             also
             of
             
               Providences
               which
               have
               been
               more
               extraordinary
               in
               their
               Life
               past
            
             ;
             since
             it
             's
             thus
             
               Experience
               worketh
               Hope
            
             ,
             not
             only
             upon
             our
             reasoning
             from
             the
             same
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             way
             of
             an
             establish'd
             Mean
             and
             Ordinance
             for
             this
             end
             ,
             by
             that
             
               indissoluble
               Connexion
            
             ,
             which
             God
             hath
             fixed
             betwixt
             them
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             Nor
             is
             it
             
               personal
               Experience
            
             only
             ,
             (
             though
             that
             takes
             the
             deepest
             Impression
             on
             Mens
             Soul
             )
             but
             the
             Improvement
             of
             such
             eminent
             Acts
             of
             Providence
             ,
             as
             have
             been
             most
             discernable
             
               in
               the
               case
               of
               others
            
             ,
             under
             their
             greatest
             Exigencies
             ,
             and
             under
             some
             observable
             Seal
             of
             Gods
             immediate
             Appearance
             therein
             ;
             since
             there
             is
             a
             
               publick
               Interest
            
             that
             the
             residue
             of
             the
             Saints
             have
             in
             the
             same
             ,
             for
             strengthening
             of
             their
             Faith
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             these
             who
             are
             most
             immediately
             concerned
             herein
             ;
             to
             make
             some
             
               new
               Accession
               to
               the
               Churches
               Treasure
               ,
            
             when
             the
             Issue
             of
             some
             resolute
             and
             
             great
             
               Adventures
               of
               Trust
               and
               Reliance
               on
               God
               ,
            
             hath
             been
             made
             clear
             and
             conspicuous
             to
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             8.
             
             There
             is
             likewise
             that
             
               rare
               Assistance
               to
               a
               Christians
               Faith
               ,
            
             and
             its
             comforting
             Work
             in
             the
             saddest
             Hour
             ,
             which
             is
             ever
             then
             found
             in
             the
             
               actings
               of
               Love
            
             ,
             and
             fervent
             Emotions
             thereof
             
               to
               him
            
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             Determiner
             of
             their
             Lot
             ;
             since
             it
             's
             proper
             to
             
               Love
               ,
               that
               it
               thinks
               no
               Evil
               ,
            
             but
             hath
             still
             Honourable
             Thoughts
             of
             God
             ,
             even
             under
             the
             most
             dismal
             Appearances
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             is
             thus
             watchful
             ,
             that
             nothing
             should
             estrange
             or
             
               separate
               betwixt
               them
               and
               the
               Love
               of
               Christ
               ,
            
             whose
             severest
             Act
             of
             Smiting
             ,
             
               is
               to
               heal
            
             ,
             and
             is
             ever
             saving
             :
             And
             where
             this
             Love
             is
             in
             Exercise
             ,
             it
             hath
             such
             a
             piercing
             Intelligence
             with
             its
             
               Blessed
               Head
            
             ,
             as
             to
             discern
             
               his
               Heart
               ,
               and
               the
               sounding
               of
               his
               Bowels
               towards
               them
               ,
            
             even
             when
             his
             Hand
             would
             seem
             to
             destroy
             ;
             which
             renders
             the
             
               way
               of
               Trust
            
             so
             sweet
             and
             delightful
             ,
             that
             
               if
               this
               way
               could
               fail
               ,
               they
               should
               make
               no
               other
               Choice
               .
            
          
           
             9.
             
             Yea
             ,
             There
             is
             to
             be
             known
             then
             ,
             how
             the
             
               comfort
               of
               Hope
            
             does
             work
             upon
             their
             being
             in
             the
             Issue
             made
             Overcomers
             ,
             when
             the
             Triumph
             shall
             be
             proportioned
             to
             the
             Measure
             and
             Greatness
             of
             these
             Conflicts
             ,
             which
             have
             been
             in
             their
             way
             ;
             
             and
             that
             it
             's
             so
             near
             when
             this
             shall
             be
             made
             the
             
               Object
               of
               their
               Sense
            
             ,
             which
             is
             now
             such
             a
             
               Wonder
               to
               their
               Faith
            
             ;
             and
             that
             even
             in
             this
             
               Militant
               State
            
             on
             the
             Earth
             ,
             they
             stand
             in
             Right
             ,
             
               as
               a
               Part
               of
               the
               Church
               Triumphano
               ,
            
             who
             are
             insert
             as
             
               Members
               thereof
               ,
               on
               the
               Records
               of
               Heaven
            
             ;
             and
             tho'
             they
             be
             not
             yet
             in
             Possession
             ,
             yet
             have
             a
             proper
             Room
             secured
             them
             in
             these
             Regions
             of
             Glory
             ,
             who
             may
             have
             no
             Title
             ,
             or
             comforting
             Interest
             now
             in
             this
             World
             :
             And
             how
             short
             a
             View
             are
             we
             to
             take
             of
             the
             things
             of
             Time
             ,
             whilst
             
               that
               other
               World
            
             ,
             in
             both
             the
             States
             thereof
             ,
             is
             each
             day
             filling
             up
             ,
             with
             a
             growing
             and
             new
             Increase
             ?
          
           
             Let
             me
             add
             this
             further
             ,
             that
             as
             each
             observing
             Christian
             should
             have
             some
             
               Record
               and
               History
               of
               himself
            
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             what
             hath
             been
             most
             remarkable
             in
             the
             
               ways
               of
               God
            
             towards
             them
             ,
             and
             of
             their
             
               Designs
               and
               Improvements
               of
               Grace
            
             ,
             which
             in
             any
             measure
             they
             have
             attained
             :
             So
             is
             it
             not
             expressible
             ,
             what
             an
             Interest
             this
             makes
             as
             a
             helper
             to
             their
             Joy
             ,
             when
             there
             may
             be
             a
             surrounding
             of
             them
             otherwise
             ,
             with
             matter
             of
             
               Heaviness
               under
               manifold
               Temptations
            
             .
             It
             is
             by
             this
             
               short
               View
            
             which
             is
             now
             offered
             of
             Assistance
             ,
             that
             have
             the
             
               most
               immediate
               and
               prevalent
               Influence
               on
               a
               comforting
               Reliance
               and
               Adventuring
               on
               God
               ,
            
             
             though
             Tryals
             should
             be
             at
             the
             greatest
             height
             ,
             may
             let
             us
             see
             what
             an
             Advantage
             such
             have
             above
             these
             who
             seem
             to
             have
             the
             most
             Support
             and
             Security
             from
             
               visible
               things
            
             ;
             yea
             ,
             we
             know
             little
             how
             near
             such
             a
             day
             may
             be
             to
             these
             ,
             who
             now
             are
             at
             ease
             ,
             when
             no
             Comfort
             or
             Relief
             shall
             be
             found
             in
             another
             way
             :
             And
             oh
             !
             that
             Men
             would
             in
             the
             way
             of
             Reason
             ,
             inquire
             more
             deeply
             about
             the
             Truth
             hereof
             ,
             and
             what
             they
             will
             do
             when
             Humane
             Confidences
             are
             blasted
             ,
             if
             they
             have
             no
             Interest
             in
             such
             a
             Support
             .
          
           
             I
             should
             have
             entred
             on
             a
             
               5th
               :
               Enquiry
            
             about
             the
             
               present
               Appearances
               of
               the
               time
            
             we
             are
             in
             ,
             but
             having
             both
             in
             the
             
               foregoing
               Discourse
               ,
               and
               another
               Piece
               lately
               Published
               ,
            
             spoke
             at
             some
             Length
             thereto
             ,
             as
             to
             what
             may
             be
             just
             
               Grounds
               of
               Fear
            
             ,
             and
             for
             
               Confidence
               and
               Hopes
            
             ;
             I
             shall
             forbear
             to
             add
             further
             on
             that
             Head
             ;
             but
             whatever
             Regard
             may
             be
             to
             the
             same
             ,
             which
             I
             must
             say
             ,
             hath
             a
             directing
             Call
             in
             a
             special
             way
             to
             these
             ,
             who
             are
             in
             the
             
               highest
               Station
               and
               Power
               ,
               this
               day
               in
            
             Britain
             ;
             I
             can
             with
             humble
             Confidence
             speak
             that
             what
             is
             there
             offered
             to
             be
             awakening
             to
             us
             as
             matter
             of
             Fear
             ,
             when
             such
             unusual
             Grounds
             are
             for
             the
             same
             ,
             was
             under
             the
             Dread
             and
             
               Fear
               of
               that
               God
            
             ,
             to
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             whom
             I
             must
             e're
             long
             give
             an
             Account
             of
             the
             Commission
             I
             have
             received
             ,
             as
             a
             Watchman
             to
             his
             Church
             ;
             yea
             ,
             with
             such
             inward
             Quiet
             and
             Assurance
             of
             Mind
             hereIn
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             
               Close
               of
               this
               Discourse
            
             ,
             should
             be
             the
             last
             of
             my
             Work
             and
             Service
             within
             time
             ;
             though
             something
             may
             possibly
             seem
             strange
             of
             what
             hath
             been
             offered
             on
             such
             an
             Account
             :
             But
             I
             hope
             therein
             will
             be
             found
             nothing
             which
             may
             not
             be
             convincing
             to
             any
             of
             a
             serious
             and
             considerate
             Spirit
             in
             the
             way
             of
             solid
             Reason
             and
             was
             for
             this
             Intent
             designed
             ,
             that
             by
             our
             
               answering
               to
               the
               Call
               and
               Warnings
               of
               God
               ,
            
             which
             have
             been
             very
             extraordinary
             and
             evident
             in
             our
             day
             ,
             there
             might
             be
             yet
             a
             
               meeting
               him
               whilst
               he
               is
               in
               the
               way
               ,
            
             to
             prevent
             threatned
             Judgment
             ,
             which
             tarrieth
             not
             for
             Man
             ,
             nor
             is
             dependent
             on
             visible
             things
             ,
             when
             the
             time
             thereof
             ,
             is
             once
             come
             :
             Only
             I
             must
             
               shut
               up
            
             this
             
               with
               Two
               serious
               Reflections
               on
               the
               present
               Juncture
               of
               things
               ,
            
             as
             may
             be
             too
             Obvious
             .
             1.
             
             That
             it
             's
             now
             some
             
               Years
               past
            
             ,
             since
             an
             unusual
             and
             conspicuous
             
               Signal
               of
               Judgment
            
             hath
             been
             given
             ,
             not
             only
             to
             
               these
               Nations
            
             ,
             but
             to
             the
             
               whole
               Reformed
               Churches
            
             ,
             in
             that
             astonishing
             Stroak
             ,
             and
             Devastation
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
            
             France
             ,
             where
             hath
             been
             a
             plucking
             up
             of
             what
             was
             so
             eminently
             
             planted
             there
             ,
             and
             casting
             down
             of
             what
             was
             built
             ,
             so
             as
             
               for
               a
               time
               ,
               the
               Candlestick
               is
               removed
               thence
               :
            
             This
             I
             must
             confess
             hath
             had
             to
             me
             ,
             a
             more
             sad
             and
             affrighting
             Aspect
             ,
             that
             the
             Correspondence
             which
             is
             this
             day
             in
             the
             
               Publick
               State
               of
               the
               Reformed
               Churches
               ,
            
             does
             so
             evidently
             in
             as
             high
             a
             Prevalence
             of
             Sin
             ,
             and
             of
             wasting
             Distempers
             ,
             (
             if
             not
             in
             a
             higher
             Degree
             )
             than
             could
             be
             than
             charged
             on
             that
             Church
             .
             2.
             
             That
             when
             the
             Holy
             God
             sets
             up
             so
             great
             and
             eminent
             a
             Beacon
             as
             such
             a
             Ruin
             is
             this
             day
             in
             our
             sight
             ,
             he
             does
             usually
             for
             some
             time
             ,
             allow
             it
             to
             be
             
               Warning
               and
               Awakening
            
             to
             other
             Places
             for
             whom
             it
             is
             design'd
             ;
             and
             herein
             as
             to
             this
             Instance
             ,
             hath
             he
             graciously
             held
             his
             Hand
             ,
             that
             the
             Out-cast
             of
             his
             People
             there
             ,
             might
             have
             both
             a
             Retreat
             and
             Relief
             in
             
               other
               Churches
            
             ;
             but
             oh
             !
             when
             the
             Intent
             of
             such
             an
             
               astonishing
               Beacon
            
             is
             not
             answered
             ,
             and
             ceaseth
             to
             be
             affecting
             to
             our
             Spirits
             as
             at
             the
             first
             ,
             I
             must
             refer
             it
             to
             the
             Thoughts
             and
             Enquiry
             of
             others
             ,
             whether
             
               the
               Design
               of
               such
               a
               Rod
            
             as
             hath
             been
             there
             raised
             and
             made
             use
             of
             for
             
               Judgment
               and
               breaking
               down
            
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Tryal
             ,
             be
             yet
             sisted
             ,
             and
             hath
             no
             further
             Work
             for
             the
             same
             Interest
             and
             Vindication
             of
             the
             Glory
             of
             
             God
             ,
             as
             to
             other
             of
             the
             Churches
             ;
             or
             if
             there
             be
             no
             cause
             now
             to
             fear
             that
             the
             
               Dregs
               of
               such
               a
               Cup
               is
               not
               yet
               wrung
               out
               ?
            
             which
             may
             be
             feared
             to
             be
             more
             severe
             at
             last
             ,
             than
             what
             was
             in
             the
             first
             part
             thereof
             ,
             if
             Grace
             do
             not
             in
             a
             singular
             way
             ,
             interpose
             :
             And
             it
             is
             on
             that
             Account
             my
             Heart
             cannot
             but
             meditate
             Terror
             this
             Day
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .