THE Mighty Wonders of a MERCIFUL PROVIDENCE. IN A SERMON Preached on January 31, 1688 / 9. Being the Day of public thanksgiving to God for the Great Deliverance of this Kingdom by His Highness the Prince of ORANGE. By T. Cruso. PSAL. 85.9. Surely his salvation is nigh to them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our Land. LONDON, Printed for Thomas Cockerill, at the Three Legs in the poultry. and John Salisbury, near the Royal Exchange in cornhill, 1689 The PREFACE. COnsidering, that it is the fate of this Discourse to come forth in an Age, which is as Defective in Charity as Abounding in Iniquity; and that therefore perhaps the Author may be charged by some with an Itch of Vain-Glory, or affencted Ostentation, whereby the Discourse itself may lose its desired End, I have thought it necessary in the first place to inform the Reader, that I was constrained to yield up my own judgement and Will to the irresistible Applications of very many of those, whose I am( under God) and whom I serve( in the Gospel of his Son), acknowledging it indeed as their Right in a great measure to command and dispose of my public Labours. And how common soever such an Apology be, I can be so easily vindicated, as to the Truth of it in this Case, that having declared it for the prevention of any ignorant or mistaken censure, I shall not be at all concerned about any wilful or malicious ones. Let none be offended at the meanness of this Thank-Offering for so valuable a Mercy, when God hath set that Example of accepting from men according to what they have; 2 Cor. 8.12. a willing mind, in his Account makes some amends for the want of suitable Abilities; and such as cannot run with the chariots and the horsemen of Israel shall be received, though they follow afar off. A Deliverance which extends to all, ought to be celebrated by all; even out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, as well as fathers and strong men. We must not think that Cedars onely are called upon to praise the Lord, Psal. 148.9. but every one of them, that are planted in his house; for certainly such as exclude themselves from rejoicing in the gladness of the Nation at this day, and from glorying with Gods inheritance, deserve to be excluded from a share in the Universal Blessing. When Heaven hath appeared and acted so eminently for us, the Earth will rise up against us, if we hold our peace; yea Barbarians and Infidels themselves would conclude us more insensible than the stones we tread on, if we can now forbear to cry out. A Man( who knows nothing of the Principles of Christianity, or Rules of the Gospel) might reasonably think, that a Providence which hath so many Miracles in it, should produce this after all, of causing the lame to leap as an hart, Isa. 35.6. and the tongue of the dumb to sing. Such as are acquainted with the Course of my constant Ministry, need not be told( tho' it may be proper enough to mention it to others) that a great deal of that which might have been further said upon the Subject handled in these Papers, was delivered before from another Text which I had more largely insisted on, and therefore it is not repeated here; [ Psal. 136.4.] several things which the most ordinary invention( in which rank I must reckon my own) would be able to suggest, are designedly omitted, because I judged it peculiarly nauseous to burden the Hearers with old matter, when the occasion could furnish me with new. As some Dispensations of God do overflow with righteousness, Isa. 10.22. so in this there hath been a very rich and plentiful discovery of Goodness; they that like to retain it in their thoughts, will find fresh springs continually bubbling up; and whoever hath a true principle of holy Gratitude in his heart, will see a copious variety of Arguments and Motives to express it. My Prayer to God is, that he may have that just Tribute of Glory, which he expects from us; that as we have been commanded to speak of his honour in our Worshipping Assemblies, we may be assisted by his Grace to walk worthy of him in our daily Conversations. Hos. 14.2. We have taken with us words, but Conscience will tell us that Religious Actions are yet more significant; we have rendered to the Lord the calves of our lips, but these alone, without the presenting of our whole persons to him, can never be an acceptable sacrifice. After God hath given us such beauty for ashes, what a foul reproach will it be to flatter him with our mouths, and vilify him in our lives! after he hath compassed us about( like David) with songs of deliverance, Psal. 32.7. how unpardonable( I may almost say) will our sin be, if we, like the house of Israel, compass him with lies and with deceit! Hos. 11.12. will not all the World condemn us, for showing forth, not so much his Praises, as our own hypocrisy? If therefore the Spirit of God be pleased to join himself to this Sermon, and breath in the following Lines( which otherwise will be but a Dead Letter) by quickening Souls to make practical returns for such abundant Mercy, I shall obtain my purpose and wish, which was to serve the Lord at this time, with all Humility of mind, as An unworthy Helper of his Peoples Joy, T. C. Feb. 5th. 1688 / 9. THE MIGHTY WONDERS Of a MERCIFUL PROVIDENCE. NUMB. 23.23. Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel; according to this time, it shall be said of Jacob, and of Israel, What hath God wrought? THese Words were spoken by Balaam the Soothsayer, Josh. 13.22. ( as he is styled by the Holy Ghost) and for that reason are the more remarkable, because here out of his own mouth he stands condemned, while God and his Church are justified. We cannot suppose, that so bad a Man should speak so much good of himself, without a particular Divine impulse upon his Spirit at that time, which he had not at other times been accustomed to; for this was hinted at his first coming to Balak, Num. 22.38. that He had no power at all to say any thing, beside the word which God put into his mouth. 2 Pet. 2.16. The Apostle Peter calls him a Prophet, because though he did not exercise any such constant Office among the People of God, yet he was in an extraordinary manner guided and directed now to foretell what should happen in the latter dayes; Num. 24.14. for his prediction does plainly reach as far as the times of the Messiah, if not( as some think, that the last part of it may be understood) beyond them. Indeed he was one that loved the wages of unrighteousness, and did what he could to deserve them; 2 Pet. 2.15. he delighted not in blessing, but yet he was forced to pronounce it; Num. 22.32. his way was perverse, and his heart was corrupt, however God over-ruled and employed his Tongue to deliver a Sacred prophesy. The Occasion of the Words was this; the people of Israel were upon their march through the Wilderness towards the promised Land, and had made very considerable Conquests in their way, which put the Nations round about into a general Trembling, and especially the Moabites; Exod. 15.15. ( according to the Song of Moses at the read Sea.) Balak, who was then their King, being alarmed also by the Neighbouring Princes of Midian, that perceived themselves to be in the same common distress, sends Messengers to Balaam, with the rewards of divination, and promises of great preferment, that he might come and use what skill and power he had, to weaken and destroy the Israelites. Balaam, out of an evil Covetousness, breaks through all discouragements and interruptions which were at first given him by God, and is permitted at length to prosecute this journey; when he was arrived in the Land of Moah, he makes various attempts by Sacrifice to reduce God to a compliance with his wicked inclinations, Josh. 24.10. but finds, that God would not harken unto him;( as Joshua afterwards represents the story to the Assembly of the Tribes at Shechem.) In short, God was inflexible, and he was impotent; God would not lie nor repent of what he had resolved, Num. 23.19. ver. 20. and Balaam being commanded to bless, could not reverse it. Therefore, as one despairing of that success which he wished for, he here in his second Parable or speech to Balak, seems to give up the Cause, and though not with a cheerful, yet with a firm, confidence, lays down this Assertion, surely there is no enchantment, &c. q.d. I see, I neither am, nor shall be, able to do thee that servic which thou expectest, and which I was willing to, for they have an Almighty God on their side, who hath espoused their Interest, and will not desert it; all my hopes and contrivances are blasted, because there is no wisdom, nor understanding, Prov. 21.30. nor counsel against the Lord. The Text contains in it, 1. Something Negative in the former part; there is no enchantment against Jacob, &c. 2. Something Positive in the latter part; according to this time it shall be said, &c. the one respects the vanity and ineffectualness of what was designed to their prejudice by Men, the other concerns the amazing greatness of what was done to their advantage by God. If we take the whole together, 'tis like the Cloud which had two sides; one very bright and reviving to the Jews, another very dark and dejecting to their Adversaries. Three things must be premised, for the opening of the Words. 1. That Enchantment and Divination here are not to be taken only in the strict sense, for those Magical Arts, which were commonly practised among the Heathens,( such as the Egyptians, Exod. 7.11. 1 Sam. 6.2. Deut. 18.10, 11, 12. and philistines, &c.) and which were absolutely forbidden to the Jews; but we must understand these terms in the largest sense, as comprehending all those devices which are in the Hearts of Men, and all those actual endeavours which are put forth by them, in opposition to the interests of God and of his People. 2. That Jacob and Israel are not to be taken for the Person that had those names, but for his Posterity, the Church of the Jews, which spruing from him; and not for them onely, but for the whole Church of God in following Ages. For all the Faithful are the spiritual seed of Jacob( which spiritual seed does now inherit, instead of the carnal) and the Gospel-Church is styled the Israel of God. Gal. 6.16. 3. That this time which is mentioned here, is not to be restrained to the Dispensations of those days, but may be accommodated to all the like appearances of Providence which fall out, till the end of the World. Balaam seems principally to aim at Gods bringing of the People out of Egypt, and furnishing of them with the strength of an Unicorn, and of a great Lion, for the subduing of the Canaanites; but when God out of the Treasury of his Goodness brings forth any new Mercies which svit with these works of old, we may justly look upon these words as again fulfilled before our Eyes. The Observation which the Words thus Explained, do offer to us, is this, That Gods powerful defeating of all the Methods of his Churches Adversaries, and Glorious Workings for the Church itself, ought to be taken notice of, with Admiration. In the managing of it, I shall follow this Order. First, show, What are those usual Methods of the Churches Adversaries, which God does powerfully defeat. Secondly, What is there in the Workings of God for his Church, which should be especially taken Notice of. Thirdly, What Grounds and Reasons are there for Admiration. Fourthly, Apply it, by directing to the Duty of the present time. I begin with the First thing, which is to inquire, What are the common Methods of the Churches Adversaries, which God hath powerfully defeated; or,( to speak in the Language of the Text) what kinds of Enchantment and Divination the generally levelled against Jacob; which have been rendered vain and unsuccessful. I must perform this part, as one, whose Soul never entered into their secret, who never knew any more of their Mysteries of Iniquity, and Depths of Satan, than what are obvious to the World, and therefore shall onely insist upon the six following Methods, which the Enemies of the Church have frequently taken. 1. The first is, Labouring to engage Heaven against the Church. This( as I have already shown) Balaam thought to do; and thus many Idolatrous Worshippers have hoped( as it were) to charm the Almighty, and make God their Confederate and Friend, by a multitude of costly Ceremonies, or of imaginary Intercessors, which instead of prevailing with God to shine upon their Counsels, have provoked him to overthrow them. It may be, that by the building of Religious Houses( falsely so called), the adorning of splendid Altars, the making of rich Oblations, the maintaining of mercenary ' Priests, a tedious handling of Beads, or using the names of this and that Saint, and particularly of the ' Blessed Virgin, they have expected to bring over God to their own side, that they might see their desires upon his people. But this labour, being not in the Lord, hath proved to be in vain: for the ' Prayers of such men are sin, and their Worship is an abomination. We know, John 9.31. that God heareth not sinners; least of all, when the thing which they pray for, and the manner which they pray in, is so much against his Will. Their crying to the true God upon such accounts, signifies no more, than calling upon a false one; for the onely defference lies in this, that a false God cannot hear them, and the true One will not. 2. A second Method is, Consulting and conspiring with Hell against the Church. Of this Nature were the Enchantments, Num. 24.1. which Balaam did ordinarily seek for. When the Adversaries of the Church do find that God will not come in to their Assistance, they make their Applications to Satan, and try their interest with the Infernal Powers to rase the Foundations of Sion. And indeed, it is no wonder, that the seed of the serpent should seek instructions from their Parent, or that the children of the devil should advice with their Father; for this is much more natural to them, than the having of any reconrse to God. The Beast is fitly coupled with the Dragon, Rev. 13.2. chap. 9.2, 3. and the Locusts which come out of the bottonles pit, will keep a correspondence with the place of their Original. Now, though this course looks more likely to the effectual than the former, yet this also is brought to nought; because the things under the earth are under the rebukes and restraints of Heaven, and if God sets bounds even to the Cloven foot, and says, hitherto shalt thou come, it can go no further. If we cannot rejoice, that the Devils are subject to us, I am sure, we may rejoice, that they are subject to him. As Hell is naked before him, so 'tis limited and consigned by him; and the foolishness of God, which is wiser than man, does likewise infinitely excel the subtlety of Satan. 3. A third Method is, the flattering and corrupting of those, whose power may be serviceable to them in this World. If they can but gain the shields of the earth to defend their cause, they are ready to think themselves invincible, and the true Christian interest irrecoverable. Therefore this hath always been one of the main Policies of the Antichristian party, to insinuate into their favour, who might frown the Servants of God into Destruction, and Ereep into their bosoms, who could give them the power of stinging and tormenting others. What hath been more visibly pursued and aimed at in the World, than to bring the honour and strength of the Nations into Babylon, and to place those Men as Horns upon the Beast, who should be the Guardians and Protectors of the Church? And certainly no way of accomplishing their grand Design hath seemed more probable than this; yet even this hath not prospered. Some have escaped their strong delusions, whose authority and influence would have tended to promote them: These Vipers have been shaken off from those hands, where they hoped to fasten; and the Pillars upon which some kingdoms stand, do still support the Cause of the Reformation, though great endeavours have been used to pluck them away from it. God hath not suffered the Emissaries of Rome to find Reception every where, and there are places which have lodged them once, but now know them to more. 4. A fourth Method hath been, the Stirring up of those whose ruin they intend, to reproach and persecute one another. What Engine hath been oftener employed, or what Art more practised, by the Enemies of God than this, to set his Friends at variance among themselves? to make Israelites the troublers of Israel, and to put them upon smiting with the tongue and fist of wickedness, who join in the same profession of Faith and Holiness? This hath been carried on sometimes very violently, and very far, to the wearing out the saints of the most High, Dan 7.25. Acts 8.3. and making havoc of the Church, while the secret Agents and Contrivers have laughed at the calamity of the one party, and triumph't in the folly of the other. But Providence hath revealed this iniquity too, and by that means there hath been a disappointement of the expected success; men have seen( with shane) whose Instruments they were, and whose ends they have served. Popish malice hath suggested a great deal of Reviling and enflamed a great many proceedings, which( we hope) now will want Tools to vent itself by; for when such Men have been so plainly discovered to kindle our fires, no good man can be again for blowing of them up. 5. A fifth Method hath been, to Amuse and deceive the People of God by fair pretences of Kindness and Compassion. Grievous Wolves sometimes have seemed to put on bowels of mercy; and such as have intended our greatest hurt, have expressed the tenderest Affection. How fatal might their Hatred covered by deceit have been, Prov. 26.26. if God had not shewed their wickedness before the whole Congregation? We might have been rocked so fast asleep with plausible allurements, as that nothing but utter and unavoidable destruction should have awakened us: and so we might have cried out of Treachery, when it was too late to break the snare. There is a Generation of Men, who are more properly of the Order of Judas, than the Society of Jesus, that sudy the betraying of Disciples( as once the Master was) with a Kiss, and strive to Enchant them by a short Liberty into a more lasting Bondage. But this project hath miscarried also; we are rescued from the danger of Trusting those, who affirm that there is no Faith to be kept with us; and that God, who watches over Israel, when they are most careless of themselves, and least jealous of their Enemies, hath prevented our security from being our ruin. Mens Eyes have been opened to discern a real enmity through the appearances of a sudden friendship; and the Cruel Nature of the Roman Church hath been unmasked at a time, when she hath fawned much more, than in former Ages. 6. A sixth Method hath been, the Gradual Debauching of Mens Consciences and Manners. This( without doubt) is the very Master-piece of all, for nothing does more gratisie our Adversaries, or injure ourselves, than the rotten Principles, and loose Practices of some that adhere( in general) to the reformed Religion. When the people of Israel were brought to eat things sacrificed to Idols, Rev. 2.14. and to commit fornication with the Moabites and Mideanites,( according to the pernicious counsel of Balaam) it was like to have been their overthrow. When Jacob hath been balting, after his Enemies have touched him in a tender part, they have found it easiest to cast him down. The preserving of a pure Conscience is the best fence against the abomination which maketh desolate; our Devourers know, that they shall never be able to say, We have swallowed them up, unless they can persuade us to swallow what they put into our mouths; but if they succeed in making us like themselves, they presume that God will no longer protect us from them. It is a special providence, which hath hindered their prevailing in this point; that( if we are in the Sardian state) we may say( nevertheless), that we have a few Names( i.e. persons) among us, Rev. 3.4. who have not defiled their garments; their is a number of Protestants yet remaining, whose Judgments are sound, and their Conversations unspotted; who are truly Orthodox, both in their Faith and their Works; keeping themselves free from all tincture of the sovereign Drug, as well as from the deadly poison of profaneness. The Second thing proposed, was to show, what there is in the Workings of God for his Church, which should be peculiarly taken notice of. For the clearing of this, I shall instnace only in these five thing. 1. First, We should observe Gods supreme Efficiency. This is Evident from the words, What hath [ God] wrought? We should consider our Deliverance as his Work, of whom and through whom are all things. Rom. 11.36. We are to eye the operation of the first Cause in every common effect, and much more in those which are Rare and Extraordinary. Some things have such manifest Signatures upon them of a Divine Providence, that every one will be ready to put the Question, Who knoweth not, Job 12.9. that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? and therefore in such Cases, it would be the greater Sin to overlook what is chiefly to be remarked, or to separate Gods Work and his Glory, Psal. 90.16. which the Holy Ghost does so strictly take care to join together. As God must be acknowledged to be the principal Author of our Sufferings and Calamities, whatever bad men are made use of as the Rods of his Anger, so he must be looked upon as the great Efficient of our Deliverances, whatever good Men are employed to be the Instruments of his Mercy. It is the Lord, who sometimes commands concerning Jacob, Lam. 1.17. that his Adversaries should be round about him: and it is the Lord, who at other times raises up Friends and Favourers to appear for him. The same mighty Hand which throws us into Distress, does snatch us out of it. 2. Secondly, His irresistible manner of proceeding. God's marching on many times, without Opposition, or at least, without such as might be rationally supposed and feared, is very observable. This Circumstance makes it look the more like his Act, who says, I will work, and who shall let it? Isa. 43.13. We saw( it may be) great Mountains of Difficulties standing between us, and our desired Mercies, which in a little while removed themselves out of the way; we saw high Walls before us, which were naturally impossible to be leaped over, or battered down, but they fell flat, before we came near them. God hath given us sensible demonstrations, with how much ease, he can cut off mens spirits, and take away their hearts, bind up their hands, or drive them to their feet. How hath he made those very persons as stubble before the wind, whose ' Breath sometimes was such a terrifying storm to others! who can deny, that the Lord fought for us, when a finger was scarcely permitted to be lifted up against us? What Characters of Omnipotence are here, that God should prevent Resistance, instead of overcoming it! 3. Thirdly, His Quickness of Dispatch. Gods cutting short of that work which he might have delayed and lengthened out, ought to Exercise our Consideration. The Holy Ghost speaks of his bearing Israel upon Eagles wings, Exod. 19.4. though they were kept forty years among the Thorns and Briars of the Wilderness, and their Sun oftentimes went back many degrees, before God brought them to their setting in Canaan; but how much speedier hath God been in his redeeming of us! When we might have fallen under swift destruction, we were surprised with Goodness, and Mercy ovetook us unawares. Our Adversaries were making hast to destroy, but God made more hast to save; they driven furiously indeed, but Infinite Power stopped them on a sudden, and turned them back in the twinking of an Eye. What but an Almighty Spirit in the Wheels could have caused them to move so fast, and bring such great Salvation in so little time? What Arm could have accomplished such a signal and glorious Affair in the short space of Six Weeks, but only That which begun and finished the whole Creation in the same number of Dayes? We must give the same reason for our Deliverance so soon, as Jacob did in another Case,( in which it was not so true) viz. because the Lord our God brought it unto us. Gen. 27.20. 4. Fourthly, The Conveniency of the Season. It's true, we who are generally impatient of Affliction, were forward enough to desire, that an end might be put to it before; and perhaps, we thought some years ago, that we had been in the Furnace long enough; but we must own,( unless we are wretchdly partial to ourselves, and resolved to deny God the Honour of his Wisdom) that God hath taken the fittest opportunity of appearing now at last. Now we may say indeed, that It was time for God to work, Psal. 119.120. when Men had made voided his Laws, and their own too. It was best for him to suspend and defer our Salvation, till our Destruction seemed to be not merely at the Doors, but within the House; it was best not to sand such a Repairer of our Breaches, till all our Hedges were plucked up; Isa. 41. ●. nor to raise up the Righteous man from the East, till Idolatry and Illegal Force were coming in like a flood upon us from the West. When we were sinking, like Peter, and reduced to that extremity, [ Lord save us, or we perish] the stream of proud waters was immediately dried up. 5. Fifthly, The Gentleness of the Means. We were not saved, so as by fire; our Redemption hath not been purchased by fields of Blood. Our Glorious Deliverer( under God) did not cut his way through the Land by Violence, but found it prepared for him almost by Miracle. Our Rumours of Wars have proved no more than Rumours, and a Sword not drawn, hath obtained our Peace. We heard indeed the sound of the Trumpet, Jer. 4.19. which pained our bowels, but we felt not those more dreadful Weapons, which devour flesh. If Deliverance had come, we might have suspected, that sad Desolations would have gone before it; as Balaam said, Num. 24.23. Alas, who shall live when God doth this! Our songs of Praise might have been drowned with the cyes of the Widow, and the Fatherss; multitudes were ready to be offered in the Service of this Cause, who now( like Isaac) are preserved, and we enjoy the Comfort of their Lives and our own together. We should have been glad, though God had come in a Whirlwind, or an Earthquake, but this Dispenfation hath been like the Prophet Elijah's still small voice, 1 Kings 19.12. Isa. 8.6. or like the waters of Shiloh, which went softly. God hath eminently shown himself herein, and given us the most marvelous Salvation upon the cheapest terms, that ever any People in the World had: We are not raised to it upon the Graves of our Friends, or the ruins of our Houses, but we have all that we had before untouched, and yet that which was wanted is given in. So that if we could formerly complain of God's selling his people for nought, Psal. 44.12. Isa. 52.3. it is as true now, that we have been redeemed without Money. The Third thing which I undertook, is to open, What Reasons and Grounds there are in all this, for Admiration; Or, how it does appear, that Gods defeating of our Enemies, and working for us, so as he hath done, does really call for it. Because thus much is implyed in the manner of speech here,[ It shall be said, What &c.] the starting of the Question, is a note of Wonder. Four Grounds of it may be alleged in our Case. 1. First, We have reason to Admire, that when God could fetch no Argument from us, he should draw one from himself, Ezek. 20.9. and work for his own Names sake; that God should consult his own Honour, and link it with our Welfare and Prosperity, when it was not possible that he should show any Favour to us for our Righteousness. This was the Case of Israel, as is intimated by Balaam in this very Chapter, He hath not beholded Iniquity in Jacob, nor seen perverseness in Israel. He does not say, that the people had no sin but that God would not behold it; as the Psalmist speaks, Psal. 85.2. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, and covered all their sin: God was pleased to cast their Transgressions behind his back, and set only their Miseries before his face. So God hath dealt with this Nation too; he hath passed by the Licentiousness and Infidelity which he might have revenged, and though we have provoked him so much, and trusted him so little, yet he hath saved us to glorify himself. Indeed he hath been more Gracious to us, than Christ was to his own country, Mat. 13.58. for he hath done his mighty works among us, notwithstanding our Unbelief. Surely, if it was Jacons Motto,[ Less than the least of all Gods Mercies] we must needs be infinitely less than so great a Mercy. 2. Secondly, We have cause to Admire, that God should make us the Examples of Mercy to those that seem much fitter Objects of it than ourselves, Our Sins had made us a Reproach, and our Calamities a scorn to them that were round about us; and God might have made us a waring, and a sign( like Corah and his Company heretofore to the rest of the Israelites. Rumb. 26.10. ) Other foreign Churches might have bewailed our Fall as the Emblem and Forerunner of their own, who are now strengthened and encouraged by our Recovery. How is it, that we can return such a cheerful Answer to the Messengers of the Nations, Isa. 14.32. who might rather have been the Patterns of Deliverance to us, than we to them? How is it, that we whose Burdens( if compared with others) have been Lightest, should be eased first? That God should begin with this Kingdom in a way of Mercy, which hath fallen short of so many in the World, in respect of its share in Judgement? It does not become us to say, or think, that They who are continued longer in the Fire, are greater sinners than ourselves, because we are pulled out before them; or that they partake less of the Anointing, Isa. 10.27. and are less Holy and appropriated to God, because their yoke is not yet destroyed; for the Difference which is made between them and us, is the Matter indeed of Thankful rejoicing, but not of Carnal Boasting. 3. Thirdly, It ought to be Admirable in our Eyes, that God should now make us the Envy of those, whose Contempt we were so little a while since; perhaps I might add, that we are made in some measure their terror too, but 'tis enough to say that we are their Envy. The Protestants were lately a most despised Party, and trampled on at pleasure; the proud Leviathan at Rome thought to have tumbled without control in our Narrow Seas; and his Abettors were ready to set up their Banners for signs of their Triumph over us. But God by a wonderful shifting of the Scene, and turning of the Tide, hath tormented them, with sending prosperity to us; they may now vainly wish, if they will, Oh that we were, as in months past! and repined at that Tranquillity, which they have not the power to disturb. God hath left them to whither away at the new rooting of the Northern heresy( as they term our Religion) which they were in hopes to extirpate; it is become their lot to grieve for our Deliverance, who were making merry not long ago in the thoughts of our Destruction; and all that they can do, is to gnash with their teeth( which is their Curse in both Worlds) because the prey is taken out of their mouths. Psal. 112.10. With what joyful Transports should we bless that God, who hath thus happily turned things upside down! that whereas before, our National Order was running into Confusion, our Confusion now is returning into Order; and those Enemies who have looked upon us with a barbarous pleasure, may now look with a miserable rage. 4. Fourthly, It is no small ground of Admiration, that God shoal rescue so vile and degenerate a people by the hands of such a justly Renowned Instrument. God hath sent us a Saviour, and a great one,( as the Prophet speaks) One not like Noble Cyrus of old, but superior to him, for he knew not God, Isa. 19.20. though he was girded by him; chap. 45.5. One not like the King of Babylon, Ezek. 29.19, 20. to whom God promised the wages of a Temporal Reward, for himself and his Army; for the service done at this time, hath been so clearly from another Principle, and with another Spirit, that I doubt not of Gods recompensing it to him, with a Throne in Heaven, and an Incorruptible Crown of Glory. Let his Enemies be Judges( if their Tongues will confess what their Hearts know) whether he be not worthy of double Honour, beyond those of his own rank; and let all men consider, whether he do not deserve our Praises the more, because his Humility declines them so much. We are undoubtedly very pure in our own Eyes, if we imagine that too much to be said of him, which was spoken by the people to David, 2 Sam. 18.3. that he is worth ten thousand of us; and therefore wonder, that such a Person should be exposed and hazarded for our safety and preservation. Wonder, that a man wise as an Angel of God should be found out and stirred up by God to deliver a Nation so voided of Counsel; and that One who is so great an Ornament and Credit to the Protestant Profession, should willingly offer himself for us, who were so notorious a Scandal and Disgrace to it. The Fourth and last thing designed, was to make some more Practical Improvement of this, as may svit with such a Day. There cannot be a more necessary or pertinent Enquiry after all that hath been hitherto said, than What Influence and Operation it should have upon Us? In Answer to this, I shall lay down the Six following Directions. 1. First, If it may be said according to this Time( as well as in the Age, when Balaam lived) What hath God wronght, and how hath he defeated every Divination against the English Israel? Let it teach us by Faith to despise all the further Attempts of our Greatest Adversaries; Let us never forget these late appearances of God, so as to relapse into our former distrust. What strong Consolation will that single Day in the number of our Months,( I mean, the Fifth of November) afford us, which hath brought forth two such signal Mercies to this Sinful Kingdom! Seeing, that God hath so frustrated the tokens of the Liars, Isa. 44.25. and made the Diviners mad, it can be little better than madness in us to be afraid of them again; for indeed nothing is more likely to bring back our dangers and Calamities upon us, than our own Unbelieving fears. Let us benceforward esteem their Iron as straw, Job 41.27. and their brass as rottenwood; and not regard their cursing of us by their gods, after our own God hath so eminently blessed us. Instead of hanging down our hands, or smiting our knees, because of their threatenings, let the Daughter of Sion shake her head at them. In a word, let this Providence inspire us with Courage to apply that Text once more to Babylon, Isa. 47.12. Stand now with thine anchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth, if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. What cannot God work, who hath wrought this? What Day so Evil, wherein God is not able to make us stand, who hath raised us up out of such a low Fstate. 2. Secondly, Let it be an effectual Caution to us, against returning to Spiritual Egypt, or the uniting of ourselves to their Assembly. If after God hath given us such deliverance as this, Ezra 9.13, 14. we should join in a new affinity with the people of those Abominations, we might very well expect, that he would be angry with us, till he had quiter consumed us, so that there should be no remnant, nor escaping. Let none of our hands be ever used to set up that Dagon which is tumbled down, nor let that Baal be kist with our mouths, which God hath abolished, and thrown into the dirt. Seeing their sorrows, have been thus multiplied, that hastened after another God, Psal. 16.4. methinks it should quicken us to resolve( with David) that we will not offer their Sacrifices, nor take up their names into our lips. When God hath added such a mighty and astonishing Revolution to back the Light and Evidence of his Word, they must be very sottish children indeed who lick up the vomit of their Reformed fore-fathers. What a strange infatuation must be upon us, if we should ever consent to receive, and take in again, what our Noble Ancestors have spewed out! 3. Thirdly, Let us not be seduced to weaken the Protestant Interest, and uphold the contrary, by unnecessary and uncharitable separations from our holy Brethren. Let our Union with all that come within the compass of Jacob and Israel be inviolably maintained; that every differing Party in the midst of us may agree as well, as the distinct Tribes of the Jewish Commonwealth, or as the various Members of one Natural Body. God forbid, that we should now break the Glorious Design of Building up Sion, by imitating the distractions at Babel. Let every one in his proper station, be a counselor of Peace, and not create joy among fallen Angels, by sowing tares, to make another Harvest for our old Enemies. Surely, if we lose the benefit of this great Deliverance, by the framing of new Divisions, or the reviving of those, which have begun to be extinct, we shall in the end perish unpityed by God and Men. And therefore, as we would not heal that deadly wound which God hath given to the Roman Beast, let us not be found worrying any of the Sheep or Lambs of Christ, but upon all occasions be willing to gather them with our Arms, and carry them in our bosoms. How evidently shall we undo all that hath been done, if we should go to act over that Bloody Tragedy,( which was played before Abner and Joab) of every one catching his fellow by the head, 2 Sam. 2.16. and thrusting his sword into his fellows side! 4. Fourthly, Let this Good Work of God persuade us to turn from our cvil Works. Let our Lusts fall under the same fate with our Enemies, and be as wax melting before the fire; Isa. 4.4. that our filth may be washed away by a spirit of judgement and burning, as they have been swept away by an Hand of Providence. Oh, that by this the Iniquity of Jacob might now at last be purged, and that what hath not been yet produced by our just Afflictions, might be the fruit of our undeserved Mercies! What rejoicing would there be in He 〈…〉 ll as upon Earth; if this Nation should be born again, chap. 66.8. as it hath been born, in a day! Or, if after God hath lifted us out of the Dust, we were sitting down in paenitential Ashes, from one end of the Land unto the other! How happy would it be, to see our People Righteousness, as well as our Exactors, and to see Holiness upon mount Sion together with Deliverance! Obad. 17. But if our Leprosies cleave to us still, what can we look for, but that our Walls should be totally defaced, and our Dwellings finally demolished? For( as Solomon says of those that are often reproved) they who being often delivered, Prov. 29.1. harden their necks, shall be suddenly destroyed, and that without remedy. 5. Fifthly, Let us Work whth God in our several Capacities and Spheres, and not by our private murmurings and discontents go about to oppose him. It was a shane to the Israelites heretofore, that they were so often quarreling with God, and best Conduct and Government in the World. So it will be inexcusable Unthankfulness in us, if we open our mouths against any part of this work which God hath wrought in our Dayes, or withdraw our hands from promoting it. Sunch as will do nothing to work out, and help forward, their own salvation, must be condemned by all Manking, as a people fit to be destroyed. God seems now to put the Question to us, as Christ did to the Impotent Man at the Pool of Bethesda, John 5.6. Will you be made whole? But if we either lie still, or are resolved rather to hinder our Cure, than to assist it, we do in effect tell him, that We will not; and that Nation which is so fond of its disease, as to reject the Balm, and the Physician, deserves to be stripped of both for ever. The things of our peace are now before our Eyes; God grant that we may know them; and not let slip such a Day of Visitation, without improving it to those blessed purposes, for which we do enjoy it. 6. Lastly, Let us Apply ourselves to God with humble Requests, that as he hath Undertaken for us, he would also perfect that which concerns us. Such an unlooked for Dispensation of Providence does encourage us to come boldly to the Throne of Grace, to argue from the beginnings of Mercy, and pled for their Accomplishment. We may now with an Holy Confidence desire the fastening of that nail, which God hath given us yet again in his holy place; and say with David, Strengthen, oh Lord, Psal. 68.29. that which thou hast wrought for us. Supplication may very well be joined with Thanksgiving; and therefore, while we are praising of God for the Mercy which we have received, let us be also praying to him, that the Residue of it may be brought forth, Isa. 25.10. and that in this Mountain the Hand of the Lord may rest, till Antichrist with all his Confederates are trodden down by it; like straw upon the Dunghill. To Conclude, let us make it our daily Petition, that these Mighty Workings of God( as it is said of the Waters in the Prophets Vision) may rise higher and higher, till at lengt they swell into a River, Ezek. 47.3, 4, 5 which our Enemies shall never be able to pass over: Then may We who have been thus Miraculously Revived, Hos. 6.2. continue to live in Gods sight, and have a Glorious Establishment to confirm and secure our Glorious Deliverance. THE END. Books Printed for and Sold by John Salisbury in cornhill. THE Period of human Life, determined by the Divine Will. By T. Cruso. The late great Révolution in this Nation Argued according to Rev. 17.16, 17. In pursuance of a Discourse published 12 Months past, viz. The command of God to his People to come out of Babylon. Wherein is fully proved that the Papacy can survive but nine or ten years. Dedreated to His Highness the Prince of Orange. By T. Beverly. Books Printed and Sold by Tho. Cockeril, at the Three Legs in the Poultry, over against the Stocks Market. SEveral Discourses upon the Existence, and Attributes of God; by that late Eminent Minister of Christ, Mr. Stephen Charnock, B. D. and sometimes Fellow of New college in Oxon. Fol. The Morning Exercises at Cripplegate of several Cases of Conscience, practically resolved by sundry Ministers, in 4to. A Supplement to the Morning Exercise at Cripplegate, or several more Cases of Conscience, practically resolved by sundry Ministers, in 4to. Speculum Theologiae in Christo: Or a View of some Divine Truths, which are either practically exemplified in Jesus Christ, set forth in the Gospel, or may be reasonably deduced from thence; by Edward Polhil of Burwash in Sussex, Esq; in 4to. Precious Faith considered in its nature, working, and growth; by Edward Polhil, Esq; &c. in 4to. The Court of the Gentiles, in four Parts, by Theophilus Gale, in 4to. 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