God's judgements UPON REGICIDES: A SERMON Preached in the Fleet-Prison, on the 30th Day of January. 1682/3. Proving, that the Blood of that Pious Monarch, and Glorious Martyr, King Charles the First, is not yet Expiated.  
By J. Butler, B. D. Chaplain to his Grace the Duke of Ormond.  
LONDON, Printed by T. Moor, and J. Ashburne, for Awnsham Churchill, at the Black-Swan in Ave-Mary-Lane, 1683.   

THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY, To the most Noble, and Thrice Excellent Prince, James, Duke, Marquess and Earl, of Ormond, etc. My very good Lord and Patron, Health, Happiness, and length of Days, be ever wished.  
My Lord,  
THough it pleases God to distinguish me from your other Chaplains by that Eminent Mark, the Sign of the Cross; Yet neither do I, nor am I, to esteem myself any thing the more thereby acquitted, or in any thing the less whit discharged of that Diligence in Service, which in Duty I own unto your Grace. In a great Man's House there ought to be Vessals of all sorts: God has made others much more Weighty in the Purse, and more Graceful upon the Back, as well as in the Head, and as so, the apt Ornaments in your Parlour, and Chapel, and at your great Table: But God has confined me to a private Closet; and thereby as it were given me in special charge, to be the more instant at my private Devotions, and most serious Studies; and therein lies my Service, while they attend your greater affairs.  
Afflictions, especially when they come in crowds, and thronging one upon another's Neck (as with me for some time of late they have done) do usually threaten with much of blame, as well as pain; and I am content to bear the blame, and do acknowledge a guilt upon me, equal to the Burden that my God hath laid upon my Back; though the sin wherewith I am charged, is such, as in the Book of God is not where forbidden, in that sense, as it lies at my door; and was never proved against me by any Circumstance or light of Evidence, more than by one only Boy, whose Education had never arrived to the understanding of an Oaths weight; and I have endured a Twelvemonths Imprisonment upon that one Boy's Evidence; and yet do still find my Crime so unpardonable, as no submission, nor satisfaction; can expiate it. We know that where God loves best, many times he mostly chastizeth, and yet that knowledge (though we have for it a Divine warranty) is very apt to be out of mind, when we look upon a Man in Calamity. But your Grace is a Person of more Candour, whose own Experience of the good Hand of God in the day of adversity, has taught you to look upon a perplexed Sufferer, with such an equal Eye, as can distinguish his Sorrows from his Shame.  
This Sermon (my Lord) was Preached in the Prison; such another place as was that, where St. Paul sung his Psalms. 'Tis a Prophetical Discourse, and toucheth nearly upon our own Country, and upon our own Times, and almost upon this very Instant. The Inspiration is none of mine, I pretend not to it in the least, what is thereof, is our Saviour's, and of other Sacred Persons, from whose Writings and Say I took it up, and my Authors I have quoted. The Reading, the Application, and something of Interpretation I own, and your Grace will find them all backed with Reason and good Warranty. Our present Age (God have Mercy on us) is not without very great stain, and shame, of crying sins, sins exceeding heinous, if not unparallelled, excepting those against the Blood of our Blessed Saviour, and therefore such as have for a long time cried for Vengeance. And besides old sins of above Forty Years standing; Alas! here is a loud cry of many fresh sins, which smoke with very large, thick, black, dreadful, and nausceous Vapours; Schisms, Heresies, Hypocrisies, and wicked Envy on one Hand, and Atheism, Sensuality, and unreasonable Profaneness, on the other, and excess of Pride and Covetousness on all Hands, do Reign, beside the Sacrilege, Simony, Flattery, Bribery, and Cheats, which are to be found predominant in some one sort of particular Persons, and the Rapines, Oppressions, and Extortions in some other sort. And now that the menacing Signs of Heaven do appear, day by day, and year by year, and yet the Persons mostly therein concerned do least regard them. But undoubtedly there are some wise Men among us, which its to be hoped will expose themselves, to stand in the Gap in this time of Eminent danger.  
We have (my Lord) among others, one eminent Prophecy of a most eminent Father in God, whom your Grace did well know, (who being a Person of Famous Authority, and that as well for Wisdom and Sanctity, as for Place and Dignity, has left so much the more weight upon his words) which says, That bloody dangers do await us, but withal promises, that in the midst of that danger the truly Religious, and best sort of Christians shall be safe. And surely this is a great encouragement to all wise Men, to be diligently and seriously striving, who shall most excel in Piety, Truth, and Righteousness. And for this Reason, and to this end, (no doubt) it hath pleased God to load some Men, with the heavier Irons upon their Heels, in order to hold them out of that crowd, which he intends to shoot at, when the time shall come up to serve his purpose. And Blessed are all they, who by some lighter punishments shall be rendered so safe, that when others shall be called to an account for their Pride and Wantonness, and all other defilements of overmuch prosperity, They shall be excused.  
Methinks (my Lord) I do contemplate in the Person of your Grace a sometimes eminent Patron of your Family, Gislebert Earl of Brionijs in Normandy, who was Grandfather to Robert the Cupbearer, the first of your Line that assumed the Surname of Le Boutellier, in the days of King William the First of this Kingdom. This Gislebert was Guardian to King William the Conqueror, when Duke Robert his Father left him an Orphan at Eight Years of Age, and by his Wisdom and Care carried him off thorough more than an Hundred dangers of his Minority, 
See Stow upon Will. the Con. at end of his Life.  and worthily gained the Name, as he was called in those days, [Pater Patriae] He lived in an ill time; but with much Wisdom and Courage, he stood in the Gap, and withstood the insolences of an unruly People; and attained unto old Age, and to see his Sons, and Grandsons of perfect Age, and lastly died in a Tumult, wrestling with ill humoured People, to serve his Country. I do not propose this example (my Lord) as if I do any way conceive your Grace, in any more than common danger to follow him in a violent Death, but rather as such, with whose Noble Acts hitherto, you have had the Reputation to compare. And as for a tumultuous Death, every wise Man among us does know, it threatens the most obscure, (as times go) and much more the more Noble and Eminent Ones. I Pray God keep your Grace, and all the Noble Patrons of our Church and Kingdom from such danger: But chief I pray God so keep you with his Grace, that you may be always ready for our Blessed Saviour, and that with such an heart, as dreading no danger, you may be most apt and able to put forth yourself so, as to go unto him with submission, according to his own way, what ever it be.  
It hath pleased God to do for your Grace very great things, and to lengthen the Line of your Family from a very Ancient Remembrance, to be the Seven and Twentieth Noble Person descended in a direct Male Line, from Dukes and Earls beyond the Conquest: And to Preserve your whole Genealogy down unto your most Noble Self, untainted in your true Allegiance: And to make your Grace the Head of the greatest Tribe of one Blood, that any Noble Person in either of these three Kingdoms can show again; of which Famous Tree, your unworthy Remembrancer hath the Honour to be an humble Sprig with Branches, And now with God's Blessing, it's to be hoped, this tall Tree out of your Loins is putting forth a fresh, as if it will not cease its growth, but be spreading on still more and more, even until Doomsday. You are (God be praised) at this day in good health; and strength, and that unto admiration, your great Age considered, I Pray God of his Mercy continue it unto you, unto your utmost time, and to strengthen your Inner Man with all heavenly Graces, equalling and exceeding those of your Outer Man. So Prays  
My Lord, Your Graces most humble Servant J. Butler.   

A SERMON. Preached on the 30th of January, 1683.  LUKE 21. Verse 25, 26. 
And there shall be Signs in the Sun, and in the Moon, and in the Stars, And upon the Earth, Distress of Nations, with Perplexity, the Sea, and the Waves Roaring, men's Hearts failing them for Fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the Earth. For the Powers of Heaven shall be shaken.  
THere is Prophetic mention of two Fatal Times, as they are fore shown by the Prophet Daniel, and by our Saviour Jesus Christ. 
Dan. 12.1.  [There shall be (saith Daniel) a time of Trouble, such as never was since there was a Nation, even to that same time: and at that time, thy People shall be delivered.] And this seems to be the very time my Saviour Fore-Bodes by the Signs in my Text mentioned. For if we observe, He adds saying [then (as much as to say when you see those Signs) shall they see the Son of Man coming in a Cloud, 
Luke 21.27, 28, 29, 30, 31.  with Power and great Glory: And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your Hands, for your Redemption draweth nigh.] And as sure as the Sprouting Figtree, is a Prodromer that Summer is at Hand, even so when ye see these things (that is the Signs in my Text, etc. [Then know ye that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand. By the [Son of Man] spoken off by Christ, seems to be understood the same Person, who by Daniel is Styled, [Michael the chief Prince.] Of whom as 'tis said here, that [He shall come,] so it is spoken there saying [he shall stand up.] And both these seem to speak of the coming of Christ to Reign, but that not Personally as some imagine, but by his Vicegerent, as saith the Prophet Isaiah, 
Isa. 49.22, 23. Dan. 10.21.  [Kings shall be thy Nursing Fathers, when I set up my Standard to the People, and they shall bring thy Sons in their Arms, etc.] And thus Michael the Son of Man, or the Chief Prince shall stand up, and come, to deliver the Ancient Jews and Israelites his People out of Captivity, by the Hands of Christian Kings his Earthly Angels and Ministers, or Vicegerents. The Total Sum of all which things Amounts thus far, That the Jews and Israelites shall be converted, to the Christian Faith, and then shall be delivered out of Captivity by the mighty Power of God, and be restored unto their own Ancient Country and Land, called Palestina; but [immediately before those Days shall be great Tribulation, 
Mat. 24.21.  such as was not since the beginning of the World to this time, no, nor ever shall be,] But now withal we are to understand, that this time of Trouble, or Tribulation, is to be twice repeated, whereof once, as has been afore showed, and another time before that, [when the Abomination of Desolation shall be set up in the holy Place.] 
Dan. 9.26, 27. Luke 21.32.  And when [Michael is also called Messiah, all come in Person, and shall be cut off, but not for himself, in the midst of the Week,] there shall be, and follow the [first Tribulation,] which [was to be fulfilled, before that Generation wherein our Saviour lived, was quite passed over. And this has already been fulfilled once, or acted & repeated over the first time; And is to be expected to be acted over a second time, and that second time is justly supputed to be near at hand.  
Now to Calculate these things Regularly and Exactly, according to what is expressed, by that Holy Prophet, and confirmed by our Saviour. The ground Plot of all those things is the coming and standing up of Michael●, who is the Messiah, our christ, our Saviour, who came first personally in order to Suffer that we may be Redeemed. At this time [He came unto his own, 
Joh. 11.11. Acts 2.23. Mat. 27.25.  and his own received him not,] but took, and Crucified, & slew him, [and called down the Vengeance of his Blood, upon their own Heads, and upon the Heads of their Children.] And hence followed the [first Direful Tribulation, the like whereof was never known before.] It was in the Thirty Third Year of our Saviour's Incarnation, upon Friday the Third of April at a little after Three a Clock in the Afternoon, 
Joh. 19 30.  at what time [hanging upon the the Cross, He bowed down his Head and Died.] And on the Thirty Seventh Year after, on the Fourteenth of April, Titus with the Romans at a Pascal time, 
Joseph. of the Wars.  shut in the Jews into the City of Jerusalem by a close Siege, at what time, it was infinitely thronged with People, who from all parts had come thither to the Passover. On the Third of May he took one Wall by Assault, and on the Eighth of May another Wall. On the Fourteenth of July the daily Sacrifice ceased for want of Victims. On the Twenty-Fourth of July the Castle called Antonia was taken by the Romans, and the same day the Northern Porch of the Semple was burnt, and on the Twenty-Seventh Day the Western Porch was burnt by the Jews themselves. On the Eighth Day of August the Romans entered the Temple, and on the Tenth Day it began to burn with Violent Flame. Then did the Romans kill the Priests, and profaned the Altar, and the Blood ran down the Steps like Water in a time of ●ain. 
Dio.  On the Eighth of September being Saturdy or the Jewish Sabbath, the Romans entered the higher City, and took it. At this Siege were slain, what by Sword, Plague, and Famine 1100000 Mortals, besides what were slain at other times and places, and sold for Slaves. Here ceased the daily Sacrifice, and the Abomination of Desolation was set up, and continued standing so, until the times of Trasanus, 
Euseb. Dio.  and Hadrianus Emperors of Rome. In time of Trajanus the Jews Rebelled in Egypt, and Kyrene, and Kyp●us, and Mesopotamia, and endured vast Slaughters: In time of Hadrianus they Rebelled in Judaea, and were soon tamed. 
Euseb. & Dio.  But in the Year 128 Hadrianus converted Jerusalem into a Roman Colony and called it Aelia-Capitolina, and erected the Temple of Jupiter, by the side of the Jewish Temple, whence occasioned the last and Fatal Rebellion of the Jews, under Barchochebas their Leader, who slew many Romans and Christians, but in the Year 135, 
Euseb. & Dio.  or one Hundred and Three Years after Christ's Death with much difficulty they were utterly Broken and Ruined, and by Wars, at this time Perished 580000 Souls, besides Infinite Numbers more who died of Fire, Plague, and Famine. Then was a Swine's Head Engraven over the Gates of the City, with other Pagan Images, and the Jews were utterly forbidden ever to come there more, unless once by the Year, to bewail the Abominations and away again, and here now the Abomination of Desolation was at the highest Pitch, at what time also a Temple to Jupiter was erected at Golgotha, 
Paulin. Hieron.  and another to Venus at Bethlehem. And hence forward the Jews utterly left off their several Ceremonies, as well Christians as other Jews. After these things, 179 Years, or in the Year of Christ 314, was Maximinus the last Pagon Tyrant, routed and overcome by Licinius the Confederate of Constantine the Great, and soon after Died Tormented of God, at Thausus in Kilikia, and Himself called in the Edict of Persecuting Christians before he Died. But he no sooner Dead, but Idolatry was every where cast down, and the Abomination of Desolation at Jerusalem was set aside, and the Ancient Name of Jerusalem again recovered, 
Euseb. Eccl. Hist.  Churches were Built up, and Idol-Temples pulled down; and thence forward ceased the Abomination. And this was that first time of Tribulation, the like whereof was never before known, and it continued 244 Years, during which space, the Jews were utterly Destroyed, or driven into Exile, and the Christians were continually Persecuted with Fire and Faggot.  
From this time forward, saith our Saviour, [The Jews shall be led Captive into all Nations, and Jerusalem, for the most part is to continue trodden under foot of the Gentiles, 
Luke 21.24.  [until the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled.] That is, (as it shall seem) The Gentiles shall enjoy the Holy City and the Holy Places, and the Jews shall be utterly cast out from thence, until such time as the Gentiles becoming abominably wicked, in some measure like unto what the Jews once were, by reason whereof, that woeful Tribulation did befall them; and then shall be Signs in the Heavens, foretokening a Second Repetition of the like woeful Tribulation which is to befall the Gentiles, whether Pagans, Schismatics, or lose Christians, 
Vers. 27, 28.29, etc.  who are to Perish by Sword, Plague, Fire and Famine, in some measure as the Jews also did. And in those Days, the Jews and Israelites. [Are to lift up their Heads, and to look up for that, They are to be Redeemed and Delivered, and these are perpetually to be cast out.] Thus are we forewarned by our Blessed Saviour: But Daniel measures out the time thereof into parcels, and points at the Years, when things shall come to pass in order. To this purpose, having his Eye fixed upon the Redemption and Deliverance of the Jews and Israelites, called his People, with great care and Anxiety of Mind; desiring to know when it should come to pass; Lo, the Holy Angels favouring his Desires, inquire for him, saying, [To the Man Clothed in Linen, with a Girdle of Gold about his Loins, whose Body was as Beryl, 
Dan. 10.5, 6. Ch. 12.5, 6, 7.  and his Face like Lightning, and his Eyes as it were Lamps of Fire;] How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?] unto which was answered, by a solemn Oath, from the Man in Linen, (who seems to be the Christ,) [That it shall be for a time, 
Vers. 7.  and times, and an half: and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the Power of the Holy People, all these things shall be finished.] Intimating that there shall be [a Scattering of the Holy People,] as it was when Christ was taken, saying, [I will smite the Shepherd, 
Mat. 26.31. Zach. 13.7, 8, 9  and the Flock shall be scattered abroad.] This saying was first written by the Prophet Zachariah, saying, [Awake, O Sword, against my Shepherd, and against the Man who is my Fellow, (saith the Lord of Hosts,) Smite the Shepherd, and the Sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine Hand upon the little Ones. And it shall come to pass, that in all the Land, (saith the Lord,) Two parts therein shall be Cut off, and Die, but the Third shall be left therein. And I will bring the Third part through the Fire, and will Refine them as Silver is Refined, and will Try them as Gold is Tried: they shall call on my Name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my People; and they shall say, The Lord is my God.] Christ was smitten; but not with the Sword, the Awakement of the Sword therefore looks beyond Christ, there is another scattering of the Holy People to be made, besides that of the Apostles, when Jesus was Murdered, and yet is to be such as shall correspond therewith, and be thereunto answerable. And that [He] who is to do this, is to be some Great Man, among the Gentiles, either Pagan, or Schismatic: and seems, 
2 Thes. 2.3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, etc.  as described by St. Paul, to be that Man of Sin the Son of Perdition, who is to be Revealed in his time, who will Exalt himself above all that is called God, or that is Worshipped, so that He, as God sitteth in the Temple of God, showing Himself that He is God. That Wicked One, even He, whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all Power and Signs, and Lying Wonders. This is He, who shall do by the [Holy People] as the Jews did by Christ, when they Murdered Him, under a pretext of Justice. And this is to be done before the Conversion of the Jews, but after this is done, than matters will hasten apace unto their Deliverance, even in those Days, [before that Generation shall pass away, 
Luke 21.32.  wherein these things shall be done, all of it shall be fulfilled.] And this scattering is to be made, at under the Time of [a Time, Times, and an Half:] So as at the end of those Times, and under that very Generation, wherein the scattering shall be accomplished, then shall be the Restoration of the Jews; [But the very Day, or Year, 
Mal. 24.36.  much less the Hour, (time was) when the Angels of Heaven did not, and no Man did know, but the Father only.]  
But this first Answer being Mystical, and unintelligible to the Learned Prophet, He Prayed for farther Information, saying Himself to the Man in Linen, [O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?] as who would say, 
Dan. 12.8.  [When shall this Time, Times, and an Half begin?] or, when shall He, [who is to scatter the Holy People, 
Vers. 11, 12.  and their Power appear?] unto which is Answered, [At the end of 1290 Days, and at the end of 1335 Days; from the Time that the Daily Sacrifice shall be taken away, and the Abomination that maketh Desolate, be set up.] 
Vers. 9, 10.  This Answer was still Mysterious unto Daniel, for it was to remain Sealed up, as a Riddle hard to be unfolded, until the time of the end, but at that ends time, the whole Mystery shall appear open and manifest unto the sight of all wise Men. And now that ends time seems to be come. For our Eyes have seen, and our Ears have heard, the accomplishment of almost the whole matter come to pass. For Observe we, First, That the Daily Sacrifice ceased on the 24th of July, in the Year of Christ's Incarnation 70, for want of Victims, next the Abomination began to stand up, on the same Year, and on the next Month when Idol Sacrifice was laid upon God's Altar, and when the most holy place, by Fire was Converted into Rubbish, and was Trodden with profane Feet, and continuing in its Ashes, it was made desolate. But especially the Abomination and Desolation was then perfected at what time Idol Temples were erected in the Place of God's House, & the whole Nation of the Jews, utterly driven away Root and Branch, out of the whole Kingdom, by Aelius Hadrianus. And this Abomination of Desolation, and Cessation of daily Sacrifice lasted until the Reign of Constantine the Great the first Christian Emperor; who in the 7th. Year of his Reign, 
Euseb. Eccl. Hist.  & of Christ 313 set fourth Edicts in Favour of the Christian Religion, & Licinius & Maximinus the other Emperors assented unto the same. But in the End of the same Year Maximinus persuaded by his Magicians, renewed the Persecutions, but was Routed in Battle by Licinius, and soon after in 314 Died of the hand of God, And then every where Idolatry was Destroyed, and God's Gospel Worship was set up at Jerusalem, all Idol Temples being there abolished and cast out. Here therefore ending the Abomination, & the daily Sacrifice being restored; Hence are we to begin the first Term of daniel's Times, and to reckon onwards. 
Ezek. 4.4, 5, 6. Dan. 9.25, 26, 27.  The times mentioned are two, whereof the first is of 1290, and the second 1335 days, which according to the usage of Holy Writ are to be understood of so many Years, as they are called Days. And now count we from the Year of Christ 313, an Addition of 1290 Years, and they will set us in the Year of Salvation 1603. Which is the very Year whereon King James came into England, and began to possess the Crown of great Britain, and on the same Year was the Saventh great Conjunction in the Fiery Triplicity, and at the end of the Year was a new Star in Seventeen degrees of Sagitary. And the second Term mentioned by Daniel, which bounded his 1290 Years was the Time, Times, and an half. So as 'twas not the deliverance of his People, which at end of those Years was forshewn, for the Years are long since come up and gone by, and no such thing is done, and therefore it follows, that at end of this Date, or Term of Time, the other mentioned by the same Author is to take place. And thus after 1290 Years from the Abomination of Desolation set up, is to follow a Time, Times, and an half, and then is to be expected the Deliverance. And so from the coming into England of King James, there was to be expected a Time, and Times, and an half, and then shall follow the Restoration of the Jews. And whether we will have it the time of Reign of One King, and Two Kings, and an Interregnum, or any other way, and whether we will esteem these times to be reckoned by our Kings Reigns in England or Germany, or at Rome, it cannot be long to the end thereof.  
The second Computation of Time mentioned by Daniel is 1335 days, which also turned into so many Years, and added unto 313 do set us in the Year of Christ 1648, at end whereof the most sacred Prince, our late Sovereign of blessed memory, King Charles the first, of great Brytain, Suffered Martyrdom, and then the Shepherd being smitten the Sheep were scattered, 
Zech. 13.7, 8, 9  and many of them cut off, and the residue, were tried and refined as Silver or Gold tried in the Fire. And on the same Year was the Grand Signior, or great Emperor of the Turks at that time Lord of the Holy Land, cut off, Summoned, Tried, and Condemned by the pretended high Priest or Mufti, and the rest of the Divan, 
Mr. Ricants Turkish Hist.  somewhat after the rate of our Saviour. And on the same Year were great troubles in the Empyress of Russia, and Abassia, and in France, and at Naples in Italy, and divers other places. But especially here in England, both Magistracy and Ministry, the two Holy Offices, appointed by God Almighty, and sometimes executed by Christ, were utterly cut off and abolished, and the whole Body of the holy People, who had in any wise stood up in defence of holy Authority, Power and Discipline in Church and State, were dissipated, Slain, and driven into Exile. And he that did these things was, especially the late Protector Oliver Cromwell, a Man of obscure Birth, who advanced his Fortune by perjury and Lies, Hypocrisy, Murder, Rapines, and Rebellions, and therefore appears to have been beyond Pope or Turk, or Mahomet, the greatest Impostor that ever was born, and most Eminently the Man of Sin, beyond all Men besides that ever were known or Read of. And thus have we attained unto the utmost Term of the last Number in the Year of Christ 1648/9, 1335 Years precisely since the Abomination of Desolation set up, and taken down. And now therefore [Blessed is he who waiteth, for that we have arrived at the Year 1335.] And the time of the Gentiles seemeth to be fulfilled. They having done unto a most holy Prince, defender of the Faith, true Ancient Catholic and Apostolic, in a great measure as the Jews did unto Christ. And now therefore to the Jews says our Saviour [Look up for the Day of Redemption draweth nigh!] But unto the Heathens, the Pagan's Heretics and Schismatical Christians; Unto you wait a time of Trouble and Tribulation, such as never was since there was a Nation, even unto that same time, saving that trouble of the Jews long since acted, whereof this of yours is but a second part of the same, once more repeated over again, according to the Nature of your Crime in Comparison of theirs, these hastening to be, as those with them once were, 
Luke 21.22.  [Days of Vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. And now as there have been, are, and are further Expected, [Signs in the Sun, and in the Moon, and in the Stars and upon the Earth, distress of Nations with perplexity, the Sea and Waves Roaring, men's Hearts failing them for Fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the Earth, for the Powers of Heaven shall be shaken.  
These words are foreboding marks of those Days of Tribulation I have mentioned before, and a description of the State of that Tribulation, and the ground Plot of both.  
1. The Marks foreboding are called Signs, and are Described by their Situation either in the Sun, or Moon, or Stars, or on the Earth.  
Signs in the Sun and Moon are all extraordinary and unusual Eclipses, as when Total, and the Stars appear by Day, or is accompanied with strange Meteors or Constellations. Unusual and Stange Colour, such as black or bloody, or pale and dark for any long time. Unusual shapes, such as extraordinary big or small, or when Crosses or other Signs appear in the bodies of either.  
Signs in the Stars are when new Stars, Comets or unusual Meteors do appear, and that of horrible Colours, shapes, quantity, and bigness, and do last long or do mischief. Great Conjunctions, and Constellations, and Crowds of Planets in mutual Opposition or Conjunction, or shows in the Heavens of Armies or Monsters, etc.  
Signs upon Earth are Monstrous Births, Apparitions of Ghosts, strange Thunders, Hail-Storms, Frosts, Earthquakes, moving of Mountains, Trees, Houses, or Towns, prodigious Winds, etc. Strange Voices heard and not known whence they come. Raining of Blood, Wool, Wheat, Stones or such like. Breaking forth of new Wells, Rivers, and such like.  
Now these things are wont to be abundantly more plenteous in Pagan Countries, then in Christian, because where God teacheth by his word, there is the less need of the warning by strange Prodigies. And 2ly, because where we know to despise Signs and Wonders, they pass over the less noted or headed, but where Men do most admire, Satan makes show oftentimes of greater wonders then really they are; and sergeant strange Signs.  
Before the destruction of Jerusalem, was seen a Flaming Comet in form of a Sword, which hung over Jerusalem a whole Year. Armies were seen Fight in the Air, A Voice was heard in the Temple saying [Let us go hence.] The great Gate that Twelve Men were usually aiding to open and shut, in the Night time, opened of its own accord. And what was most of all, one Jesus Son of Ananel, for four Years together went about the City continually pronouncing Woes against the City, Country, and Temple, and no Whipping or Punishment would make him cease. Now never were more grievous Calamities than befell that place at that time. And yet we Read of greater and more grievous Signs, before the Falling down of the Northern Inundations about the Year of 400, when the Goths, Vandals, Hunns and such like barbarous People over ran the Roman Empire. And far worse before the Massacre of Romans in Britain in Nero's Time, And the Massacre of Romans by Mithridates, and the taking of Rome by the Gauls. And yet before the Fearful Massacre at Paris in 72 we Read of very mean Prodigies boding thereof. The truth is, there Lurks much of Learning in the Case, Prodigies and strange Signs are Significant, but they require an Interpreter, there is a curiosity in the Signification, more than every body knows, only thus far we know, that such things are Direful wherever the danger Lights, and in common Threaten all Men are to beware.  
Now to take a view of the prodigies of our own Age at present, depending with their Woes looking in our Faces, are first a prodigious Hailstorm in London, and Ten Miles round, on the 18th. of May, 1680. The like whereof, has not been known of many Ages; in Novemb. and December of the same Year, followed the prodigious Comet, in form of a Spit of great length; which coming out of the South, appeared for Twelve Months, and made abode with us in our Northern Latitude for some Months. February 11th. 1681. Was a total Eclipse of the Moon Fatal and Bloody, in 4ᵒ of Virgo. August 1682. Was another Comet in the Northern Hemisphere, which shone sometime and moved Southwards. In October came up the great Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, which yet Reigns in the Second Decanate of Leo; and on December the 5th. a fearful Torch appeared double, which coming from North-East, and South-West, met in Mid-Heaven, and dashing at each other, vanished with a great blaze of Light. And lastly, on Jan. 17. was a visible Eclipse of the Sun in the 8th. of Aquarius, almost Total in the Western Horizon. And besides these are talked of several Visions seen in the Air, and noise of Drums beating, herded, no Man knows from whence, and strange Prophecies of Destruction and much Mischief attending us, and great Rumours of Wars every where. But the Pulpit is no place to tell strange stories in; I shall omit therefore the crowd of Heresays, of Mock Suns and Moons, and several Vapours, besides relations of new Springs and Rivers broken out, which never were want to show themselves but against times of extremity. And now what these things signify belong not unto this place to decide; but do rather lead me to give warning, that in such cases every body do fear the worst, and the best will mend itself. That is, God sends these warnings that we may repent of our sins, and in expectation of danger, to stick the closer unto our God, in all holiness of Conversation. And this the rather, because in the next place, we are forewarned that after these Signs shall follow, Distress of Nations with Perplexity, the Sea and the Waves roaring, men's Hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the Earth. Here in this Prophecy have we first described the thing forewarned, [Distress of Nations] Intimating, that after the Signs aforesaid, not all the whole World, but yet Nations, several Nations, whomsoever it may concern, shall be greatly distressed; that is, they shall suffer great Assaults, and shall be much Tottered and Shaken, or Overturned, and shall have no Supporters, or Assisters, to preserve from a fall, or to raise up being down: Or in short, They shall have so great troubles, that they will not know which way to turn them in order to deliverance. 2. Is described the height of this distress; that is, [with Perplexity] Intimating that their Calamities shall be like unto a Line entangled and knit into so many knots that it cannot be undone; They feeling themselves locked up, and fenced about with abundance of Dangers threatening, and yet so puzzled with Mischief upon Mischief, as if the untying of one knot, were the making of three. 3. Is set forth the Form and Shape of the Distress, as being like the hideous Waves of the Sea, Roaring, Raging, and Threatening, and Foaming with Salt Froth, as if they would Swallow and Devour all before them. For as the Sea in rough Water is fearful to behold, and dangerous to be trusted, such are the dreadful approaching Calamities. 4. Is showed the Effects of this Distress. 1. In men's Hearts which shall fail for fear, And 2ly. In their Eyes which shall increase the fears of the Heart, by seeing and beholding the Miseries as they approach nearer and nearer, and the great Mischief which they do. [The Spirit of a Man (saith Solomon) will bear its Infirmities, 
Pro 18.14.  but a wounded Spirit who can bear?] The Heart is the support of a Man's Spirit, and so long as the Heart holds up stout and confident, it carries him off through many temptations: but if a Man's Heart fail him, than all his Spirits break, and evaporate into mere Air and Emptiness. And the Heart failing, Man lifts up his Eyes, as if they should help him, and yet they by seeing, and beholding the great Clouds of approaching Evils do rather increase and heighten the Sorrow, while they have no tidings to tell but of grievous Mischief and Miseries continually threatening, and yet can they not choose but look up still, though they can behold no Comfort. After this rate was the Church of Judah found, when the Lord beheld the State thereof, 
Jer. 30.5, 6, 7.  as of [People that hear nothing but Voices of trembling, where is nothing but fear, without hopes of Peace. Wherefore (saith the Lord) do I see every Man with his hands on his Loins, as a Woman in Travail, (as if Man also should Travail with Child) and all Faces are turned into paleness. Alas, for that day is great, so that none is like it: It is the time of jacob's trouble.] This was when the Chaldeans oppressed and over-ran the whole Kingdom of Judea, but at that time they were delivered. Even such are the Calamities that are now approaching upon the World, and some Nations perhaps may escape with small harms, and others may be safe enough: But some where, and on some certain Nations, these great Tribulations, the like whereof were never before known, are now like to happen in a short space. For now the Powers of Heaven are shaken, as our Saviour saith in my Text, For the Powers of Heaven shall be shaken. And this is the third thing, the Cause and Groundwork both of the Signs and the Miseries forewarned. The Powers of Heaven are either Efficiently or Instrumentally so. Efficiently and Principally are, God himself, and after him his Holy Angels, the Powers of Heaven. Instrumentally the Sun, Moon, and Stars, and all the Hosts of Heaven, are the Powers and Strength of Heaven, by which according to Nature God Acts upon Earth. Now God and his Angels are too high to be shaken, but their Instruments may be shaken, and that either when God shall shake them, as a Man shakes his Weapon when he brandisheth his Sword to strike therewith. And thus God shakes the Powers of Heaven, when the Sun, Moon, and Stars, seeming to dash one against another, either by Body or Aspect, do make even the Earth and all its Inhabitants to shake and tremble at their Motions. And here also the Potentates on Earth, in a sense called the Powers of Heaven, because the God of Heavens Agents, are also shaken by the greater Powers of Heaven above. And thus the late gaeat Comet, and the great Eclipses, and the great Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter now in being, are the shaking of Heaven, our Saviour speaks of; And after these, it's to be feared, many Prodigies and Signs will still appear more and more both in Heaven and Earth, until the forewarned Distress of Nations doth come upon them. Now what these Comets, Eclipses, and Conjunctions do signify, belongs not to this place or time to be Treated on; nor yet do I think myself concerned to say how near or how far off those threatened Calamities are unto the Nations. Only supposing the worst, give me leave by help of the context to describe them so far as God's Word gives us warning, and so I shall come to Application.  
Now to this purpose we are to note, that at this time of my Text, our Saviour is upon Answer to three Questions. As 1. When shall these things be, meaning the Destruction of Jerusalem, which a little afore, Christ had been Treating upon. 
Mal. 24.3.  2. What shall be the Sign of Christ's coming; that is, by his Vicegerent to deliver the Jews out of Captivity. And 3. What shall be the Signs of the end of the World. Unto all which our Saviour answers comprehensively, as if, what is the Sign of the one, shall be the same of all three. And look how it is like to be in that day, when the whole World of Heaven and Earth are to Perish by Fire, and be Destroyed, even so after the same rate shall it happen when Jerusalem is to be Destroyed, and when the Gentile Nations are many or most of them to be distressed. For at each of all these three times shall be great Tribulation, such as the like was never known before, besides or since, excepting the very Parallels. Of these the Destruction of Jerusalem is passed, the Calamity of the Gentile Nations even now waits them. And the end of the World shall come in its time.  
But will some say, in what particular manner shall these things be? to which I answer in a three Fold respect.  
1. In respect of the Cause moving to bring on such Calamities upon the Nations, 
Luke 21.22:  with God's Vengeance for Great and Crying Sins. [For (Says our Saviour) These be the Days of Vengeance, that all things that are written may be fulfilled. Before Jerusalem's and the Jews fall, Jesus the Christ was most wickedly murdered by his own People, at whose hands he had most singularly and incomparably well deserved. And for Vengeance, because of that Death, came up the Fatal Tribulation of those Days. And now is expected [that the Times of the Gentiles be fulfilled,] That is till [They or some of them shall prevail and accomplish to scatter the Power of the holy People, 
v. 24.  then shall their Vengeance come.] The Turks are at this time, and for many Years have been Lords of the Holy Land, and do Tread Jerusalem under Foot, and do keep it away that the Jews, the Right Owners cannot possess it at this Day, they are a Barbarous sort of People, that have neither Law nor Gospel, nor any thing of good Education to help their Government, and therefore it Pleases God to bear with their Rude Manners so much the more. [But yet having a Law written in their Hearts, their Conscience bearing witness, and their Thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.] When they break out in Extravagancies against all Laws of Nature and Conscience, then will God judge them, and the Jews shall be restored. And for these Extravagancies the Jews have a long time tarried. But now so it was, that on the Year spoken of by Daniel the Prophet, namely in the Month of August in the Year 1648, Lo, the grand Council of that Kingdom, namely the Mufti, who is esteemed their high Priest, and as it were the wisest Man in all their Kingdom, together with the Grand Viziar, and all the great Bassa's who made up the great Divan or Grand Council, Conspired together, 
Ricards Life of Ibra.  to Murder their Lord and Emperor, Sultan Ibrahim, the Grand Signior, unto whom they were but Slaves or Common Subjects. And accordingly they Summoned him with a Writ of Justice, (called a Stelsa,) before them, to Answer his Misdemeanours; which Writ he not Obeying, though Twice or Thrice repeated, They Condemned him to Death; and exposed him to be first imprisoned, and afterwards Murdered. And accordingly it was done unto him. And now therefore say we, the Turks in their kind, have done unto their King, as once the Jews did unto Christ, and by thus doing have scattered the Power of the Holy People, that is the Power of the Ottoman Family, which was always esteemed Sacred among the Turks, and he was a King, which is an Office, whereby he was (though otherwise a vile Wretch) a Sacred Officer, as God's Vicegerent in that Country. And now therefore the time is fulfilled of the 1335. days spoken of by Daniel, and Vengeance waits the Turks for that Fact, and when that Vengeance falls, than the Jews are to be restored. True it is indeed, that Sultan Osman first, and after him Sultan Mustapha were afore this dethroned by the Turks, but then those things were done Tumultuously, and not by a solemn Council and Court of Judicature as was this, and therefore on that very Year, the iniquity of that Nation of Gentile People was Ripened, and Vengeance waits them therefore.  
Now as the Turks, so the Muscovites and Abassines, Christian Gentiles of two great Empyres, whereof the one in Asia, and the other in Africa, were in their great Councils guilty of much of the like Jewish wickedness against their Sovereign Princes as the Jews had been, though they did not break out into absolute Murders. So also the Italians at Naples about the same Year were guilty of the same sort of Contempt against Authority. The French also about the same time, together with the Principal of their Nobility, were of the conspiring humour, in the same age, and at the same time. But above and beyond all others were the Scots and English Famously Notorious for their Jewish Principals.  
This, This is the Kingdom, where at the ends of Time, 
Isa. 32.1, 2.  [Behold a King did Reign in Righteousness, and Princes Governed in Judgement] [and was a hiding place from the Wind, and a Covert from the Tempest, yea as Rivers of water in a dry place, and as the shadow of a great Rock in a Weary Land.] But alas, such was our hard Fate, that here also arrived the Jewish Abomination of Iniquity, and [Loe, 
Lament 5.15, 16.  the joy of our heart is ceased, and our Dance is turned into Mourning: And the Crown is fallen from our Heads, Woe unto us, that we have Sinned.] 
Ch. 4.20.  [For the Breath of our Nostrils, the Anointed of the Lord, of whom we said, under his shadow we shall Live among the Heathens, he was taken in their Pitts.] Here, Here it was of all places in the World, where the Murder of Christ was so Lively Acted over a Fresh, in all Points as if the same Christ that Suffered at Jerusalem, had come again from the Dead to Die at London, and to be Murdered over a new by a Barbarous Jewish English Council. Here were the Lively Representations of all Jewish Sects of Pharisees, Sadduces Essenes', and Herodians. The Perfect Portraitures of Herod and Pontius Pilatus, of Annas and Caiaphas, John and Alexander, and the whole Kindred, the Chief Priests and Elders, The Rulers and Scribes, and Captains of the City, and Captains of the Army, and the very Face of the whole Sanydryn or high Court of justice. Here also was a King, than whom never Prince better had deserved at the hands of his People, by all men's, and very Enemies, confession, who tendered the welfare of his Subjects, even as a Mother would do by her Sucking Child; so truly humble, so exceeding gracious, so Heavenly Pious and Devout in all Points, so meek, so harmless, as any Dove, and yet wise, unto Admiration, as a Serpent, so Faithful to his Oath, so observant of Duty to God and Man, as rarely was the like so gracious and Heavenly Prince ever known. And yet they drove him from his House and Home, and rendered him in worse State than the Foxes which have Holes, they pursued him, and set forth Proclamation after him, that if any Man known where he was, he must reveal it to the two Houses, they caught him by Treachery of Money, betrayed by a Judas of his own House, more than one and another, they Imprisoned Him, and left him carelessly, as it had been on purpose, that the Army might seize on him, They led him up and down in Triumph, Voted no more Addresses to him, and Finally they Spat on him, Mocked him, Scorned him, cried Justice, Justice, at him, and Execution, Execution, against him, as others once said Crucify, Crucify, him. They Examined him, they judged him, they caused the Army Men to Condemn him, and upon a Scaffold before his own Door, they Cut off his Head, they Smote the Shepherd and scattered the Flock, they slew the Heir and divided his Inheritance among them. Thus Died our Sovereign much after the manner as did our Saviour, and was as Honourably Buried by honourable Men, and was after the same Rate hearty and bitterly Lamented, both by Men and Women, who stood afar off with Loud Lamentation and out Cries, and smote their Breasts and so Returned. And as our Saviour had his forerunner St. John the Baptist, so had our Sovereign an holy Man, the Archbishop of Canterbury William Laud, his Fellow Sufferer, who led him the way to the Block, and Suffered much after the same Rate as John the Baptist had done before him. And as our Saviour Suffered not for his Sin, nor in Observance of any Law of God or Man, but because he would not Plead. So our Sovereign and the Archbishop were Condemned, not for their Crimes, but as was said of our Saviour, lest the Papists, (that is the Romans) should come and Root out both the place and the Nation, and they made a Law after the Fact was done, after the manner of the Barbarous Turks, without precedent of True Jew or Holy Christian, and that without warranty of any Law of God or Man, to put them both to Death, and that to as it shall seem not at all for any Crime done, but merely because the one was a King, and the other an Archbishop, they having nothing else against either the one or the other, with any Colour of blame as could amount to touch either their Lives or their Estates. And thus alas, it lies upon us also to call to mind, 
Luke 21: 24. Dan. 12.7.  that the [Time of the Gentiles is fulfilled here too,] and that with us also has been [He who hath accomplished to scatter the Power of the Holy People:] and that I Fear me in the most Notorious manner that ever was known, beyond all that they have done in any other Kingdoms or Countries? And what is yet worse, the Turks are a Barbarous, and illiterate sort of Brutes, but our Country Men are such, 
Luke 12.47.  as [knew the will of God, and yet prepared not themselves, nor did they according to Gods Will, but rather quite contrarily, and therefore are in so much the more danger to be Beaten with many Stripes.]  
Ob. But will some say perhaps, whatever that Sin was, 'tis pardoned by the Act of Oblivion, and more have suffered by reason thereof, than the King's Majesty desired: And where no Man complains, how can any Man say where is the wrong?  
Ans. True it is, I Answer, Some have died to expiate this Bloodshed, and of those, some by the immediate hand of God, both before and after it was shed; such as Brook, Pym, Hambden, Stroud, and Hoyl, Rouse, and divers others, and some by the mediate hand of Justice, such as Harrison, Cary, 
Jos. of the wars. Lu. 19.41, 42, 43. Ch. 23.34.  Cook, Peter and the rest; and so too, it was in the Case of Christ's Blood, Herod and Pilate died of God's hand, and others came dropping after, and Thousands, and Ten Thousands, Perished here and there for the same Reasons; Jesus Christ seemed more than satisfied with these, and less than these things; who Prayed and wept in Prayer, and was earnestly intent with God, that his Murderers might be Pardoned; as also it was done by our good King who suffered. But yet God's Vengeance would not be so satisfied: For though it slept long, yet Wrath and Vengeance too came at last, and when it did come, with a Vengeance it came indeed. For after Christ's Blood almost forgotten, and all things seemed with them so very safe, that the very chief Murderers made a pish at it, when the Apostles talked of bringing this Man's Blood (as they contemptuously called it) upon them: and most of the great ones were dead in their Beds. And yet at 37 Years end, after Christ's Death, Inquisition came at last after Christ's Blood: And then as our Saviour had forewarned [was such a time of Tribulation, 
Mat. 24.21.  as from the World's beginning unto that time, the like had never been before.] For look by how much it had been the longer ere Vengeance came, when it fell at last, it fell so much the heavier and more foul, even unto utter Desolation and Extirpation of those on whom it fell; and so is it to be feared it may be here.  
There was a King, and a great King, that was a most Innocent and Holy Man, that has been slain, and there was a most Reverend and Innocent Churchman, even one who stood to Minister before the Lord our God, was put to Death in cold Blood, and many Thousands, and Ten Thousands that were truly Loyal Subjects, and Innocent and Holy Men, were slaughtered in the Wars; and under colour of Law, (which made the matter so much the worse) great Robberies were committed, by Taxing and Sequestration, and Decimation, and such like Courses, and all this was done, 
Ps. 165.15.  not only without dread of God's Majesty, who says, [touch not mine anointed, and do my Prophets no harm] but also Entitling God's Cause to their Murders, Rapines, and Rebellions, as if the most High had been also such an one as themselves. But now what says Holy Writ to these things? 
Gen. 9.6. Num. 35.21.  But that [He who sheds Man's Blood, by Man shall his Blood be shed, And that Blood defiles a Land so, as by no means it can be cleansed, but by the Blood of him, whose Gild lies at Stake.] Yea so it is, that if a Man be a Murderer or a Robber, be it but of a private Man, yet most an end, though it be 20 or 30 Years after first; yet at last, usually Gods Vengeance meets with him, by one chance or another; yea, though he have the Kings Pardon to help him out, it will not save him from God's displeasure, [when he makes Inquisition for Blood, 
Ps. 9.12.  and forgets not the cry of the Humble.] And is it so with single and private Persons? How much worse than may we justly expect it will befall such impudent wretches, who shamed not in open sight of the Sun, and in cold Blood, to justify the worst of Murders, and to Entitle the Name of the Lord thereunto? Lord who shall stand the Vengeance when the Blood of such as Charles the First, of England, of blessed memory, and the Sacred Archbishop Laud, the Earls of Strafford, Derby, and Montross, the Lord Capel, and the Reverend Huet, and multitudes of such Noble and Holy Martyrs, lying under the Altar, shall cry out with a loud Voice, saying, How long Lord, 
Rev. 6.10.  Holy and True, dost thou not Judge and Avenge our Blood, on them that dwell on the Earth? This seems in truth to be the cry of the Martyrs in Queen mary days, 
Rev. 6.11.  unto whom it was answered, [They should rest yet for a little Season, until their fellow Servants also, and their Brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled; and white Robes were given unto every one of them to rest in, in the mean time.] And the Fellows and Brethren tarried for, are those Martyrs of our late times. That those Martyrs of Queen mary days, were an Holy People, their Trial in Fire did plainly testify, and that the Faith and Worship which they practised, was truly Religious and Holy, is witnessed by the Martyrdoms they endured therefore. And were they an Holy People, and was their Worship Holy and Allowable; so than must needs be the Faith and Worship of all such who trod exactly in the same steps, and endured the same Tests. And does the Blood of such Sacred and great Saints lie at Stake calling for Vengeance, and that accompanied with brethren's Blood of so great weight as was that of our Predecessors? Then let the Jews look up; for they are risen up who have equalled their iniquities, and the Redemption of the Jews therefore draweth nigh. But as for us, we have great Reason God knows to look down, and let all wise Men consider it! The Irish Rebels in 1641, who Murdered so many Thousand Protestants, have in some measure tasted Divine Vengeance for the same. And the Scotish Rebels who were at bottom of all our Woe, and gave the first Alarm to all the Blood of the late times, and did tear and rend our Churchmen, as Swine would do by the best of Jewels; have in some measure been whipped for so doing, and that somewhat severely. But our English Rebels, whether Presbyterians, Indipendants, or others, who Murdered the Two great Witnesses of God's House, the Bishop first, and then the King, and that not Treacherously and Rashly, as the Papists in France did by the two Royal Henry's there; but solemnly and in cold Blood, by a Court of Judicature, Intitling the God of Heaven to have a share with them in their Sin; did act a Murder with a Witness, mingled with Hypocrisy and Blasphemy in a high degree, and yet have not (to speak on) been once called to account for the same. But alas the time is now coming on, and the Children then unborn must Rue the time, for the Bloody Insolences of Cromwell and Bradshaw, and their other Fellows. For the Blood of these Days was of more Worth and greater Value, and is more to be missed, than Ten Thousand times Ten Thousand common Protestants. These were Saintly Rebels who did these things, and therefore it seems as if God has designed to make it known to all the World, how much they were Diabolical Hypocrites: Many of them, no doubt, were truly good Men, merely drawn in and deluded, and these have had space of Repentance, which was not in vain unto them. But the rest were Vile Deceivers, who merely counterfeited Saintship, and therefore the King Pardoned them, in expectation, that being truly Penitent, of their own Selves, and out of their own Hearts, they would have Restored ill-gotten-Goods, Reform their Lives, and have Implored God's Pardon at the Throne of Grace; and God has given them full time, as He did once by the Murderers of Christ, that they may remain without all Exception, that it may be seen to the uttermost, if ought of Goodness abide in them. But instead thereof, being grown worse and worse, and now at last retaining a mere Naked Name of Religion, fraught with Malice and Hypocrisy, and hastening unto new Rebellions Daily, upon the very Old Principles, without any thing of the signs of true Piety, they seem even dropping Ripe for Vengeance. For though true it is, that his present Majesty has fully granted them Pardon, and no doubt he did well in it, because it was his Father's Will, it should be so, and we ought to have the utmost Veneration for the Commands of Dying Parents, and especially for Saintly Ones, such as the Father in this Case certainly was. In Obedience therefore to that Command, the King has Pardoned, and no Man beneath the King, can therefore deny or disannul the same, and Woe be to that Man who shall yet think of such a thing! And seeing the King and his Cavaliers have fully Pardoned, who shall Condemn? But Ah, Alas, these Pardons extend only unto Exemption from Corporal Punishment by the Pardoners, but tend nothing at all towards an Expiation with God, without true Repentance for their Bloody Crimes. And in case of Rapine and Blood, it seems no Tears nor Ails of Confession, can be esteemed with God Penitential enough, 
1 King 21.19, etc. ●. 27, 28, 29.  without Restitution and Satisfaction, at least, unto the utmost of the Penitents Ability. We may remember, That by a Free-Parliament, in the Choice of which, neither the King nor the Bishops, nor hardly any Cavaliers, had Votes, the late War, in a most free Debate, has been Adjudged to be a Notorious Rebellion on the conquerors part, which was the Parliaments side, and that the Covenant, which was the Bond of that Confederacy, deserved to be Burnt; which if so, by what a fair Umpyrage has God then determined, at whose Door lies all the Bloodguiltiness! And if so, what a Fatal Bloodguiltiness of Crying Murders, lies then at those men's Doors? What Fearful Accounts of Taxes, Sequestrations, and such like, have all Men on that side to Answer for, before the Tribunal Throne of God? And how many Thousands are there in City and Country, who are made Rich merely out of the Ruins of Conscientious, Religious and Loyal Subjects, by means of Plunder, and Sequestration, and Decimation, and Moneys of Composition wringed out of their Pockets, by an high Hand? With Men indeed, in such a case of Rebellion, these things were uneasy to be decided, and therefore, by an Act of general Oblivion, all such matters were reasonably Pardoned by His Majesty, by Advice of Parliament: but I am speaking now of the Scrutinies of Heaven only, which search into the deepest Secrets of all Hearts. The Parties Wronged were willing to Pardon, that is, they were contented quietly to let go their Goods, and to let go all benefit of the Law, in order to recover their Rights; but yet neither the King nor the Cavaliers, made any Deed of Gift, in order to Estate the Robbers in their Stolen Goods. The Act of Oblivion was pleadable in all Courts, except that of Conscience, but there it was of no force. Gospel-Statutes therefore required all Rebels and Thiefs, notwithstanding all Acts of Parliament, tending to Oblivion, and Excuse, from Lawsuits, and from all Recoveries of the King's Courts, to make their Peace with God by an hearty Repentance, and to make their Peace with the individual wronged Parties, either by a Restitution, or Satisfaction, or some such Acknowledgement and Confession, of the wrong, as might give content to the Party wronged. But how few be they who have done this? And now therefore, though neither the King, nor the Cavaliers, have any thought, in the least, of expectation of any Satisfaction for such old Wrongs. Yet it appears by the foreboding Signs, that the Time is coming, and is at Hand, wherein God will make Inquisition for Innocent Blood, and call to Account for these things. Be there therefore any Body remaining among these guilty Rebels, and King-Killers, who were really good Men, but were beguiled, and thinking they did well, put their Hands to the wrong, and tasted of the Blood of God's Witnesses, the King, or the Bishop, or their Aiders, and have not to this Day found out the Sin that lurks in the Case; it is high time for them to awake, and look about them, and to make their Peace in time; for the Blood of the Innocent Cries for Vengeance, and the thin Cheeks, lean Pockets, and Thread-bare-Coats, of poor oppressed Cavaliers, do Cry aloud for Vengeance; yes, though the present Laws are silent in the Case, and Westminster-Hall makes no Inquisition in such Cases. And now too, 
Rev. 11.13.  the Time of Forbearance is growing off, and the Time is coming, when all Impenitents shall taste of the Rod, and the rest shall Repent, and give unto God his true Glory. And so much may serve for the first form or manner of Tribulation, in respect of the efficient Cause thereof, namely, God's Vengeance.  
The Second form or manner of the Tribulation, is described in respect of the Instruments, It shall be by means of infinite Blood and Slaughter, that is at Hand. When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with Armies, (saith Christ,) then let them which are in Judea flee to the Mountains, and let them which are in the midst of it, depart out, and let not them which are in the Countries, enter thereinto. And he who is on the Housetop, let him not come down to take any thing out of his House, and be a Man in the Field, 
Mal. 2.16, 17, 18.  let him not go home for his . Intimating, that there shall follow such Universal Massacres, that it shall be in vain for a Man to use Defence against them, or to use Means to escape, but as good to Die on the Housetop, as to come down to Perish below. And be a Man in a way of escape with his Life in the Field, let him take no care for his Goods, the danger being so quick, and so very sharp and great, that without something of a Wonder, a Man shall hardly save his Life. And now the Time is coming, that the same sort of Tribulation Threatens the Gentile Nations with perplexity of Distress, as our Saviour then bespoke upon Jerusalem whether it be Constantinople, or London, or Paris, or Rome, or what other guilty City, let them look to it, and, let us be ware of what shall follow. Shall we ever live to see London Compassed about with Armies, or to hear of the Factious, Schismatical or Seditious there raising Tumults or Rebellion, under any pretence whatsoever, though never so specious, and shall they so far prevail, etc. Then let all Loyal Subjects, who have any true Fear of God before their Eyes, and either were not of the late Rebellion, or have repent of their guilt thereof, stay with the King, and partake with him in his Fortunes, where is the only and greatest assurance of Safety, or if not so, however let them in time betake themselves unto the Mountains, and get them out of the places where the greatest of dangers Lodges. There is a Prophecy in force at this time of a [great City that is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt, and has the Character of the City where our Lord was Crucified: 
Rev. 11 8, 13.  where is to be expected a great Earthquake, by means whereof the Tenth part of the City shall fall, and there shall be Slain of Men of Note 7 Thousand, and the Remnant affrighted shall give Glory to the God of Heaven.] It does not at all concern me at this time to discover what City it is that is here meant. That it is not Jerusalem is sure enough for that, that City lay in Ashes at the time of this Prophecy expressed, and is not yet free of the same. And whether it be meant of any City where Christ was Crucified a Fresh by reason of his great Substitute or Vicegerent put to Death much after the rate as he was. And whether this be intended of Rome, or London, or Constantinople, I need not Determine. It is enough that warning of such a thing is come forth, let all great Cities inquire saying [is it I?] And London especially, 
Mat. 26.21.  because of the Sacred Majesty which was here put to Death as Christ was, by an High Court of justice. By the Earth quake is meant an utter overturn of that City, as to its State of Felicity, as Houses or Trees use to be overturned by an Earthquake, whence shall follow a grievous Massacre of the Tenth part of the Inhabitants, and among them 7000 Persons of Principal Note. The most Reverend Archbishop Usher, who has been a Person well known of good Conversation and Eminent Piety, and with all very much Prophetical, hath lately spoken much to the same purpose of a grievous Massacre or a Bloody time, that attends some sort of Protestants, which shall exceed the Massacrees of Ireland, and those of 72 at Paris in France, and shall be the sharpest Bloody time that ever was known. There be also that talk of Prophecies, as if the Streets of London shall Flow with Blood, like the Kennels with Water after a shower, I give no test to the Truth of this, however I say it is useful to dread the worst. This Massacre most Reverend Usher says shall happen by the Hands of the Papists. And Archbishop Land at his Death on the Scaffold, took notice of the Pharisaical pretence of the Jews, 
Joh. 11.48.  for the Murder of Christ, which was, [lest the Romans should come, and take away the Place and Nation:] and withal, how remarkably it pleased God to punish them and their Hypocrisy, by the very way that their pretence was grounded; when the Romans came indeed, and took away their Nation, and destroyed the Place, not by any means of Christ or his Disciples; but sent of God purposely to punish their vile Hypocrisies and Rebellions. And hence he spoke it as his fear, lest it might be so again here in England, because of the like pretences unjustly raised against the King and Himself, as if favourers of the Roman Papists, and therefore contrived his Death, as the Jews had done the Death of Christ, lest the Papists (the Romans) should come and destroy this place and Nation. And now as the pretences here were false and hypocritical, and lying in wait for Sacred Blood, as those of the Jews; so that Holy Archbishop bespoke his fears, lest the Justice of Heaven should punish this City, and these Pretenders, as he did Jerusalem and the Pharisees, Priests and Elders there, by the Roman Catholics, permitting them as he did the Romans by Jerusalem; to destroy this City and the Schismatical and Seditious People therein. The words of dying Men are often very truly Prophetical, much more are they so of dying Martyrs, and mostly of such Priestly Martyrs as was this Archbishop. How dreadful therefore at this time, does danger look upon this City, and upon all Men of this Land that stand stained with the Gild of the late Rebellions, and especially upon all such who instead of Repentance for the same, do show forth Images of their old sins, as if just about to be acted over again. And as aboding of such Dangers, a general Consternation seems to possess all men's Minds with Dread and Fears, which usually precede grievous Judgements There is [a Plague past,] [and a Dreadful Fire, 
Mal. 24.7, 8. ] but these seem but as those things of which Christ speak saying, [they are but the beginning of Sorrow] the Case of Jerusalem is to us an example of forewarning, and a pattern of what we have to fear. Let wise Men therefore read the story, and foreseeing thence a Cloud of Tribulation hanging over our heads, let them study the Holy Art of true Repentance and Amendment, that so their own Lives may be given them for a Prey. God be praised, who in all his Judgements remembers Mercy? who would not permit one spark of Fire to fall on Sodom and Gomorrah, 
Gen. 19 2 Pet. 2.6, 7. Rev. 7.3, 4.  before just Lot was safely secured and conveyed away; and who would not hurt either Sea or Land, or suffer his Angels so to do, until all good Men had marks in their Foreheads to be a note of their preservation. And so said the most Reverend Bishop Usher, though there shall follow a most terrible severe Massacre, yet the true Saints shall mostly escape it; and the formal, hypocritical, and false Protestants only shall perish. The Papists who are to do this mischief, one would think are but thin among us, so far as can be discerned; but what store of them lurk in disguise, or what Foreign Prince may be let in, or may break in upon us, God knows. Some way or other it's to be feared, they will prevail for a time. I remember the French renowned Prophet Michael Nostradame, has a Prophecy of a City Built with Brick, that is to be burnt down, and to be Built again with Marble. If it be London's fate to prove that Building of Brick, there is little to be doubted but afterwards it will be seen again clothed in Marble. But methinks I dread more the Blood of the People then the Flame of the Houses. And should the French be the Instruments of this Bloody Woe, there is as great likelihood their own Metropolis will pay for our Repairs within a few Years after, even Fire for Fire, and Blood for Blood. For 'tis but a Factious and Seditious Crew of them, who as it were marked for Vengeance, are so haunted by an evil Conscience, and diabolick Furies, that they cannot rest till they pull down, Judgements upon their own heads, and ruin upon their Families. But so soon as God's Work shall be done on these, there is a Virtuous Breed of Loyal Hearts who never yet bowed knee to Baal, who shall at once rise up and destroy the Destroyer's, and burn the chastizing Rods. And thus have I mingled hopes and fears among my humble Conjectures and Prayers; and all to this end, that be it possible evil Men may be drawn in to see and repent their grievous Sins, and good Men may be prepared to glorify God, and to give him the praise of all his glorious Works. And so much for this second form of Tribulation.  
The 3d. is described in respect of the Wrath and Bitterness, and the Torments that are to attend it. Woe be to them (saith our Saviour) who shall be with Child, shall give Suck in those days? 
Lu. 24.23.  Intimating that the Bitterness of the Distress, and Wrath shall be so great, that People shall not know which way to turn them, or what to do, in hopes to have help. When Wars shall come thick, and Barbarous Soldiers shall range about like roaring Devils, seeking whom they may devour, Robbing, Wounding, and Killing all they meet; then Old and Young will be forced to Fly as they can, and leaving their Goods to save their Lives, in those days what shall the poor Woman do, with a small Child at her Breast, or a smaller in her Body? Loath she is to hazard the Fruit of her Womb to save her own Life, and therefore She Flies with the Babe in her Arms; till tired with the Burden in her Bosom, when 'tis too late, with an heavy heart she leaves it to the Mercies of the Merciless, and becomes herself at the next step an Object of the same wrath. Within the walls She is rather worse than without; where preserving Life a few weeks the longer, the Famine bites worse there, than the Sword did in the Fields. Here the Mother has not Food to satisfy her own Hunger, and yet is fain to feed her tender Infant from her Heartblood, until violent Hunger constraining, necessity of Nature draws her in to slay and eat the Fruit of her Womb to allay the fierce Bitterness of incessant Hunger. And such was the hardship in Jerusalem, that one Miriam a rich Matron, after many constraints, having sodden the Flesh of her Child to qualify her hungry Appetite; was robbed of it when ready to sit down and eat, by the rude and Seditious Rabble, led in by the smell to find the Prey; and finally, She died as Thousand others did, the painful & lingering death of Famine. But our Saviour has not entailed the whole Flock of Woes on teeming Women alone, but rather instanced in one case, leaving us to judge of the rest, and of the whole Body of Hercules by his Foot. Hence therefore are we to conceive, or saying to ourselves, woe also to the great Rich Men, mighty and wealthy in Money and Land, whose Heart's glued to the World, as fast as the good Woman's bowels to her sucking Infant, when they shall see their Barns full of Corn all of a light Flame, and their Fields full of , quite emptied, drove and cleared, their Chests full of Money Rifled, their Daughters ravished, their Sons Slain in the Wars, & themselves shut out of doors Languishing in some Ditch, as full of Care and Grief as their Hearts can hold, ignorant, for Anguish of Spirit, whether be best for them to Die of Hunger Languishing in obscurity, or to be Slain by the Sword, or to expose themselves a Captive at the Enemy's Mercy. For when the Rich Man looseth his Wealth, it is, as if his Arms were tearing from his Shoulders, or as his Soul driven out of his Body, and Flying for refuge into the Arms of Devils. But to go on, we may conceive in that Day, Woe also to the Voluptuous and lose Livers, Adulterers, Drunkards, Gamesters, and such like, who know nothing to make discourse on but their fond Pleasures of Vanity and Folly. These are they whose God is their Belly, whose Glory is in their shame, who mind Earthly things, 
Philip. 3.1.  Who can no more Live without Wine and Women, Chambering and Wantonness, than they can Swear and Swagger without an Head. When these therefore shall see the Days that they must be kicked and Spurned like Dogs, and may not Budge one Word of answer, nor turn again; that they must be Stripped and Rifled both of Money and , and all the Cringing, Fawning and Flattery, that ever they were bred up to, cannot gain them one Meals Meat, nor an halfpenny, to Buy one Corn of Tobacco, or a lick of Brandy. Woe therefore to those Quondam Blades who were wont to Huff and Hector all they met, and who but they wherever they came, but then barefoot and barelegd, with match-cord on their Arms, crouching and beseeching, like Beggars, leading to the Stocks, shall be fain to sneak and shrink before every Ragged Boy, who drives them with a Whip, as a Pedlar does his Ass. Woe to them that do now call Evil Good, and Good Evil, for that in those Days they shall find the difference. But yet again, to go one Step further. Woe also to the Proud and Scornful ones, who are used to take State upon them, and were never yet made to stoop nor to bow the Knee, for that in those Days the Kings of the Earth and the great Men, and the Rich Men, and the chief Captains, and the mighty Men, and every Bondman, and every Freeman, 
Rev. 6.15, 16.  shall hid themselves in the Dens, and in the Rocks of the Mountains, and shall (for great fear and anguish of Spirit) beg of the Rocks and Mountains to fall on them, and to hid them, from the Pursuing Wrath. Oh that such might call to mind the Nobles of Jerusalem, in the Siege of that Famous City, who when the Temple was on Fire, and they standing on the Walls, had fair means to escape, and yet desperately possessed with bitter angush of Spirit, and confounded in the perplexity of their woeful State, threw themselves headlong into the Burning Flames of the Rubbish of the Holy Temple, rather than make escape to lengthen their desperate Lives. 
Joseph of the Wars.  Lastly, Woe, Wo, to the whole Crowd of the Profane World, because in those Days, all their whole Hopes shall at once expire, and turn to Dust. Oh how unspeakably Lamentable was that Agony of all People at once in the Holy Land, at what time the Flame of the Temple, like the blaze of a mighty Bonfire, ascended with violence up to Heaven, than was there an Universal Shriek all over the City, and on the Mountains all about, far and wide, every where within Sight of the Fire, the doleful Noises, answered with Mutual Outcries, and most bitter Moan; And as if it had been their only remaining pleasure to bewail, there was no end of their Lamentation. For on the Temple of the Lord, as they called it, having fond set their Hearts, when they saw it on a Light Flame, it represented in their Fantasies, as if the Body itself had been an Hellfire, where remained no more Hopes but that the Soul also must needs Perish. Now in our Days we have no such Temple to Lament, but yet every Man has his Diana, which is as great in his Imagination as was Diana with the People of Ephesus: which when it happens to be destroyed, our whole hopes do fail therewith: and when a Man's Heart fails, it is, as when the Foundation of an House gives way, at what time, besure the whole Building is to Perish therewith; while the Spirit bears up, it bears all Calamities, but when the Spirit is once wounded, than a Man's burden immediately becomes insupportable. 
Pro. 18.14.  For in such a case despair approaches, and like a Storm oppresseth the Mind and Imagination, after which follows such a Confusion in all Thoughts, that a Man is no longer able to Govern himself by Council, but Rashly exposes himself unto the Mercy of every Eminent Danger, as the Jewish Nobles, when they threw themselves headlong into the Fire, or as Judas, when he Hanged himself. And such is the like to be the Torment of the ensuing Threatening Times, So much therefore may serve for this threefold Description. I come next unto Application.  
If things stand thus, as we have the warranty of Christ and of Daniel for it. Then what kind of Persons ought we to be, and that in all admonition of solid Reason, as well as in Obedience to the Dictates of Conscience and Duty. The answer is obvious, For there is but one Path to follow that bespeaks safety, (all others being visibly defeated) and that is, to pursue the Peace of God, which consisteth in these few Rules,  

Col. 3.2.  1st, Set your Affections upon things above, and not on things here below, there is a necessity in the case, this whole world is like to Perish, 
Psal. 46.1, 2, 3:  the Heavens will be melted down, and the Earth burnt to Ashes, but the word of the Lord abideth for ever. [God is a present help in time of trouble, therefore saith the Psalmist, we will not fear, though the Earth be removed, and the Mountains carried into the midst of the Sea, though the Waters thereof Roar, and be troubled, and the Mountains shake with the swelling thereof.] In God is safety, and no where else; Necessity therefore requires it, 
Col. 3.2.  [that we set our affections on things above, and not on things here below.] For when such Tribulations come, the like whereof were never known, Riches, Honours, and Pleasures, are but Bul-works of Straw, that can make no kind of Fence, no not at all, or like Plasters wrong applied, which vex the Wound, but heal it not, while the greater a Man is in Wealth and Honour, 
Joh. 16.33.  he is but as it were the greater bait, allowing to be the sooner devoured. But in Christ there is Peace, and in a good Conscience is true safety.  
Object. Now here will some say, it may be so, but the Virtues of God's Peace, and the Glory of things above, are matters, above us, hard to be attained. And though the things of this Life are failable, yet the others not appearing unto our Eye, we must lean unto what we can reach, and let them go as far as they can, and the rest we must adventure.  
An. The truth is, The Natural Man perceiveth not the things (the good and great and glorious things) of God, 
1 Cor. 2.14, 15.  because they are only spiritually discerned, and he has not the Faculty of spiritual discerning. But yet 1st, He may perceive, that there be some that have that Faculty, and by Virtue thereof do despise the World, in Comparison of those things of Heaven, which by Faith they do discern. And 2dly, If others have it, 
Joh. 16.7, 13. & Ch. 3.3, 5. Ex. 36.26.  why may not we also gain such a Faculty? seeing Christ has promised, to give us also of his Spirit which shall teach us all things, both by Enlightening our Minds, and changing our Hearts. And 3dly, If so, what great encouragement have we to try and improve our Faith, that by using the means, such as Reading, Hearing, and Prayer, we may at last see how good the Lord is, and so attain for, ourselves an Assurance of Safety beyond the Weak and Treacherous supports of Worldly Pomps and Vanities. The importunity therefore of Eminent Dangerous Times, Pregnantly requires and Commands, as we hope to be saved, and do render our own welfare, both here and for ever, to take and follow such an Effectual Course, as may serve us, come the worst come, that can come.  
Object. But here again will some say, and confess, that it may be good Council perhaps that is given, to look towards Heaven, but that the setting of the Affection that way which is altogether superna-natural is matter of so great difficulty, that we have no hopes to compass it, and besides the Afflictions by the way thereto, are so Sharp and Severe, that without some encouragement from the things of the Flesh, which naturally we understand, there is no Subsisting.  
An. 
2. La. 21.19.  In answer to this, by our Saviour is proposed saying [In your Patience possess ye your Souls. [Intimating, that Patience is a Remedy sufficient to support us under all Afflictions and Temtations, and however miscarriages may befall our Bodies, yet our Souls shall be Safe and Cheerful, and quit of all Dangers. Patience is a Divine Virtue, whereby a Man is enabled to bear his Cross, with as much ease, as if it were not, the Essence and Strength of this Virtue consisteth in a Stock of Courage, and the Power of Habit, Facilitating endurance. 
Job. 39.20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, etc. Pro. 28.1.  The Horse is a Beast of great Courage, and cries A Ha' at the sound of a Trumpet, and rejoiceth at the Battle, and the shouting of the Captains. And when the Righteous are made, by the Grace and Power of God's Spirit, bold as Lions, can not they Scorn at Fear, think we as well as an Horse, and endure the Wracking and tearing of Flesh, as well as a Mastiff-Dog, and if so, then with how much the more ease shall they bear with the loss of Goods, and Fond Pleasures. And Habit consisteth in the Practice of use, which makes endurance easy. The Labouror, by his use and habit of Labour, can abide to dig all Day, with as much ease, as a Gentleman stands by, and looks on. The Philosophers, and Pagan Men of old, were enabled by mere acquired Habits, to despise Wealth and Worldly Honours, and to scorn Bribery, and Flattery, and could choose to be Poor, rather than Dishonest, how much more than shall Christians become Valiant, in contempt of the World, when Secret Influences of Grace shall inspire our Minds and Spirits with inward Courage and Resolutions. Our Duty is therefore to consider the Virtue and Glory, as well as the Necessity of the Work, in setting our Affections on things above, and so put ourselves upon the means, with all possible Diligence in the Practice, and we shall soon find Experience enough of Divine helps, giving Encouragement, so as no Difficulty shall be able to dishearten.  
3. But then 3dly, We must remember to have a care [lest at any time our hearts be over charged with Surfeiting and Drunkenness, & Cares of this Life, 
Lu. 21.34, 35.  and so the day of Danger come upon us unawares. For as a Snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the Face of the whole Earth.] Drunkenness and whoredom, and Covetuousness, destroys more Countries, Cities, Armies, and Men, than Plague and Famine, and the most Cruel and Bloody Wars. For in all such cases Men have their Eyes in their Heads, and as they see their Danger imminent, so they exercise their Reason and Wits to prevent it, and whether they Live or Die they make the best of their condition. But in these cases wise Men do become, and that by their own Act, Sots and Fools, and expose, and lay open themselves to be baffled, betrayed, abased, and killed, and to become odious to God and Man, a Prey to the Enemy, and God shall not pity them, nor revenge their wrongs. Now the Righteous do also become a Prey unto the Enemy many times, by God's Permission for Trial of Faith and Patience, and other Reasons, but then here is their comfort, 1st, That it is not through their own default, nor for want of Eyes, or looking about them, but merely for that they were abused, and they Suffer for Conscience and Truth, and Righteousness; & 2dly, 
1 Pet. 4.18.  That God will before or after Death be sure to avenge their Cause. But now if the Righteous scarcely be saved, but have also their Hell even in this Life, where shall the ungodly and the wicked appear. Good Men have their Trials of Affliction for a time, and their Hell upon Earth for a while, and Evil Men have their time to Glory in their Prosperity. As our Saviour says, the true Church Men [shall Lament and Weep, 
Joh. 16.20.  and the World shall rejoice] in their Surfeiting and Wantonness, they have Loved the Creature above the Creator, and the Pleasures on Earth beyond the hopes of Heaven, and yet these brute Breasts are allowed to be Merry, and to have the World at Will, and truly careful, and good Men must Suffer Tribulation. But there is a time when Tribulation shall come upon a Land with an Universal Scourge, like as a Thief comes in the Night: 
1 Thes. 5.2, 3.  And then when they cry Peace and Safety, Lo, then sudden Destruction will come on, like a Woman in Travel. But in that Day, says Christ, to all who are his, their Sorrow shall be turned into joy. For (says he) I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, 
Joh. 16.22. Rom. 14.17.  so as no Man shall be able to take away Joy from you. That is, holy Men shall be comforted with secret cheerfulness from within, in a quite different manner from all pleasures of the Flesh. But Worldly Men whose God is their Belly, and whose Glory is in their Shame, shall be surprised like the five Foolish Virgins, 
Mat. 25.1, etc.  who for want of Oil in their Lamps, were shut out when the day came of the Marriage Feast, and shall be taken as it were in a Net, like the Men of Sodom, or of the old World, at which times Let and Noah were preserved alone. Fleshly Lust's War against the Soul by besotting and bewitching it into a Fond security, 
1 Pet. 2.11.  which tendeth to its Ruin. To prevent therefore the eminent Danger of Public Calamities, we must shun Surfeiting & Wantonness, for they expose us into the very gulf of Miseries, and prevent us of all means of escape. But  

Lu. 21.36.  4ly, We must Watch and Pray always, that we may be counted worthy to escape. No Man can escape, but by help of God, Man cannot help in such a case, 'tis God only can do it. And God helps none; unless he have a worth in him, and that worth must come by Christ, there is nothing in ourselves, no not in the best of us. Here lies the thing therefore, we must be found in Christ, that is, as Men who have put off the ways of the World, in Rioting and Drunkenness, and Covetuosness, and are experienced in the ways of Christ knowing the value of spiritual Joys, hid Treasures, whose worth the World knows nothing of. And in order to compass these, we must 1st, Watch, that is, Exercise all possible Care and Diligence, in taking heed to abstain from Sin, and to increase in Virtue and Godliness; take heed of Thoughts that are vain or Evil, how they get ground of us, of Evil Company, lest it seduce us, and above all, of Evil Works, lest they Gain an Habit upon us, and to these purposes are we to Watch. And 2dly, We must pray always, that is, use all possibly Godly means of Hearing, Meditation, Reading, & Godly Conference, & above all, especially Prayer always, in a continual course of Prayer, and in frequent Act of Prayer, and all to this end, that we may be found in Christ, and so when the Tribulations come, and the Signs come, and the Perplexity of all Nations shall come, yet that we may be Safe, Amen.  
FINIS.