VAE-EUGE-TUBA. OR, The Wo-Ioy-Trumpet, Sounding the third and greatest woe to the Antichristian world, but the first and last joy to the Church of the Saints upon Christ's exaltation over the Kingdoms of the World.  
UNFOLDED IN A SERMON before the Honourable Houses of COMMONS assembled in Parliament, at their late solemn Fast, May 26. 1647.  
By G. HUGH'S Minister of the Gospel in Plymouth:  
Published by Order of the House.  PROV. 8.15. 
By me King's reign, and Princes decree justice.  OBAD. V. 21. 
The Kingdom shall be the Lords.  
LONDON, Printed by E. G. for john Rothwell at the Sun and Fountain in Paul's Churchyard. 1647:   

Die Mercurii, Maii 26. 1647.  
ORdered that Sir John Bampfyld do from this House give thanks to Master Hughes for the great pains he took in the Sermon he preached this day at the entreaty of this House at St. Margaret's Westminster (it being the day of public Humiliation) and to desire him to print his Sermon: and he is to have the like privilege in printing of it as others in the like kind usually have had.  
H Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.   

I do appoint John Rothwell to print my Sermon.  
George Hughes.   

TO THE HONOURABLE THE House of COMMONS now Assembled in PARLIAMENT.  
Honourable and Renowned Patriots,  
IT was a pretty Rhetorical strain of words, though scarce reasonable (unless as a Paradox may be made) with Moralists or Divines, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Longin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  To fall in great matters is a Generous and Noble sin. It is but a conceit, that the height of materials whereabout the slip was, should ennoble sin; False coinage upon Lead will be as high Treason as that upon better mettle; and Treason upon Gold as base as that upon Brass.  
In the Oracles of God, where we have words not inferior to men's, but wisdom and truth fare above them, We are thus taught, Slips in highest things are the greatest faults, and a fall in Heaven fouler wickedness than a stumbling on earth. Sins draw the highest aggravations from the Greatness of God against whom, and the height of place wherein they are committed. The Angels which left their first station, and man that sinned in Paradise, have felt the truth of this. Zeal for God and you, and his Church, (most Noble Worthies) will make his & your friends reckon little of their lives to keep you that are in Highest places from such high transgression. By the grace given to me, when I was called by you to speak from God to you, & for you to God, in the day of your soul's affliction, I had this in my greatest desires, to keep you that are in highest places, and managing the highest matters of God, from sin against him. I therefore (as became a Minister of Christ) desired to use all plainness in setting out the Kingdom of our Lord, unto which all States must how that would be prosperous, and in pointing at such sinful irregularities which render God an enemy irreconcilable, and such States thereby eternally miserable. In all which (the Judge of spirits knows) I intended not either by matter or form of speech to be spatter such an Honourable Judicatory with false charges, or make a Parliament vile among the people; (I have learned better of Christ by God's grace) my aim was only to be a faithful Remembrancer of you from God, of the fatal diseases whereunto such Politic Bodies may be subject, in their members; that a timely care may be had of purging yourselves, least death ensue.  
I hope your hearts are as willing to bear such plainness, as God would have them in commanding it. Never was there a more fatal character upon the State of Israel, than that bitter speech of Idolatrous Amaziah to jeroboam against honest Amos, The Land is not able to bear his words. 
Amos 7.10.  When States cannot bear sound words from God, spoken in his Name; or not so bear them, as obediently to answer God's mind in them, the doom of Elies' sons will cleave to them. 
1 Sam. 2.25.  The God of all grace keep off such a curse of an Impatient hardened spirit from you, and give you the blessing of a boared ear, and a softyeelding-obedient heart, so shall ye prosper.  
Upon your Order of acceptance of these poor labours, and for publishing the same, I have been obedient to your desire; and now in all humble duty and thankfulness do present that to your eyes, of which your ears have tasted; I have made a few additions for clearing some passages which straits of time then shut out; I hope none will be loser's by them. The height of my ambition is, 
2 Cor 3.3.  that by this Inke-worke the Spirit of the living God would write the Name of the Lord and his Christ upon this Parliament, and upon the people of the Land; that ye may be the Lords State, ruling for Christ, and he in you, as one Party; and they the Lords people, the lot of his Inheritance.  
And now having done my work with you, I shall by the good will of our God return to my place, and there labour for you, to help on the work of Righteousness, Truth, and Peace, in your hands. My suit to the Throne of grace is and shall be the Aversion of all those Woes sounded by this Trumpet upon the wicked, and the Accomplishment of all those Woes sounded to the Church; that Christ may be fully exalted in these united Kingdoms and reign, that the Churches of the Saints also may sing, and always rejoice in their Lord, whose these Kingdoms are; and all in your days, and by your power managed graciously in the band of our Lord. By whose command I must sign myself,  
Your Honour's most humble and faithful servant in the Kingdom of Christ, GEORGE HUGHES.   

THE WOE-JOY TRUMPET.  Revel. c. 11. v. 15. 
And the seventh Angel sounded the Trumpet, and there were great voices in Heaven, saying, The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever.  
THe Text is the Gospel of reinthroning God in Christ over the Kingdoms of this world after the great apostasy finished: Tidings fit to be published to all States, 
2 Thes. 2.3.  that they may hear and fear, and honour the Lord and his Christ, and not perish in the day of his exaltation. All fastings will be as Ahabs' humblings until this be done.  
The title of this Trumpet seems cross to the nature of the event here mentioned. It is styled the third wo-Trumpet; 
Revel. 11.14. V 15, 16, 17.  The event is Christ's taking the Kingdoms of this world, and the triumphant song of the Saints celebrating this conquest of their Lord with praises. How can these suit? Very well, if we distinguish the subjects severally concerned in it, which eminently are two.  
1. Antichrist with all his creatures and confederates, and all the wicked enemies of the most holy God and his Saints unto these only it is a Wo-trumpet, and the event is the last and worst of woeful destructions unto them. Two considerations may clearly evince this.  
1. It is altogether unheard of in divine revelations, that God should sound woe to his Saints. Indeed tribulations are their way to Heaven, and bitterest afflictions they may suffer in the flesh, 
Phil. 1.19. Heb. 12.6, 10.  but this is a special dignation of God to honour them, or love to chastise them unto greater holiness; no woe properly so called, which being the effect of God's greatest indignation, 
Matth. 23.13, 14, etc.  terrifies and grindeth poor souls to powder.  
2. The three last Wo-trumpets are directed only to the inhabiters of the earth, 
Rev. 8 13.  men so called in opposition to the Saints, who are Heaven's people; (for by these names of Earth and Heaven are the Antichristian world, and the Church of Christ distinguished by the Spirit.) 
Rev. 18.9, 11, 20.  Therefore on these only is allotted that woeful sound of this and the former Trumpets.  
2. Christ and his Saints are concerned in the best event of this Trumpet; for in all this time of sounding woes upon these earthly creatures, Christ is possessing the Thrones of the world, Saints are worshipping and praising God; It is therefore a joy Trumpet unto these. So hath God set the times and states of creatures adverse each to other; The world's light is the Church's darkness, and the Saints joy the world's greatest woe. The title and event then of this Trumpet are thus reconciled.  
To make a clearer passage to the text three precognitions will be useful. 1. Of the time. 2. Of the subject. 3. Of the matter of this Trumpets sound; which I shall touch here but shortly for a general light.  
1. What time the sound of this Trumpet doth concern is not agreed on by interpreters; some make it contemporary with the last day, and so call it the last Trump; 
1 Thes. 4.16.  The chief grounds of this I shall take off in another place, only for present, these reasons evince it cannot relate to that time.  
1. This Trumpet sounds only a change of the Kingdoms of this world from Lord to Lord, not the period of them which the last Trump of God will surely sound; at the great day of judgement they shall all expire and be no more.  
2. 
Rev. 11.18.  Under this Trumpet sin shall abound upon the earth, the Nations shall be angry at the exaltation of Christ and his Saints, when power shall be taken out of their hands; but such relics shall not be when the end of all things is come.  
3. This Trumpet doubtless foundeth woe upon the earth, and that of no small continuance, which after the last judgement cannot be. These and other considerations may demonstrate that this cannot be the last Trumpet; yet by the events expressed in the successive degrees of them, it may be rightly conjectured that the sound of this seventh Trumpet teacheth something near to that of the last judgement.  
2. Others conceive more rightly that the sound of this Trumpet concerns Heaven upon Earth, that is the state of the Church below; only the difference is, about the point of time for the beginning of these events spoken of; one pitcheth it upon the utter fall of the Western mystical Babel, and the coming of the Kings of the East, which though it must be under this seventh Trumpet, yet is it not so probable to be the first effect of it. It is a fair gloss, that from the taking of the first Kingdom of this world out of the hand of Antichrist, the sound of this Trumpet should be heard; for if this be a Wo-trumpet upon the Romish Babel, it must needs suppose that state to be standing at least in the first sounding of it; And the driving of Antichrist out of the Territories and Thrones of the world, hath been and must be contemporaneous with Christ's re-entrance upon the ruling of them: So that all the Vials poured out upon the Antichristian state in any of the Kingdoms of this world, seems to contemporize with this Trumpet, although indeed several Scenes be acted, and the finishing the mystery of God be not until the last days of the seventh Trumpet. This state of time than seemeth most suitable, whereof some portions are past, and some, and those most glorious, are yet to come.  
2. The subject whom this Trumpet concerns, seemeth to be the Universe sublunary, even all the Kingdoms or States in the world, which have been captivated by that Romish Antichrist; therefore not England, nor the united Kingdoms of Ireland and Scotland excluded.  
3. The matter of this sound and great voices is a Reformation-change, of worldly Kingdoms from the power and rule of Antichrist unto the actual administration of the Lord and his Christ. In the whole paragraph about this Trumpet we have observable, 

1. A proposition of the Ministry of this providence, wherein. 

1. The Minister is described, The seventh Angel.  
2. The ministration, He sounded the Trumpet.    
2. A proposition of the effect, which is expressed 

1. Generally, There were great voices in Heaven, saying.  
2. Specially, wherein three effects are discovered, 

1. Christ's inauguration, or the Lords reassuming Kingdoms for his Christ, v. 15.  
2. The Saints triumphant song, v. 16, 17.  
3. The Nation's anger at all this, with the pouring out of the wrath of God to repay them, v. 18, 19        
The first effect is the sum of the Text, to the discovery of which, and the certainty thereof in the Trumpets sound, I shall bend the following discourse. The ground work of all shall be laid in two propositions touching this effect.  
1 A Reformation-change of worldly Kingdoms to our Lord and his Christ, is a sure revelation from God.  
2. The Lord and his Christ shall (King it) or reign over these reformed Kingdoms for ever and ever.  
The full prophecy here given is completed in these two propositions, and both these will be understood in the opening of three main things carried in them.  
1. The true state of the subject of this change.  
2. The right meaning of this Reformation-change.  
3. The due account of the certainty of this Revelation.  
To the first. The subject of this change here spoken of, are the Kingdoms of the world; wherein two notions are considerable; one noting the nature, the other giving the specification of this subject.  
1. Kingdom's] note the subject of this Reformation-change, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  in the general nature of it, and so must import,  
1. The bounds of Territories which are given by God, as the continent of all men that live under government in them.  
2. The people contained or inhabiting within the compass of such Dominions must needs be entitled here; for not lands but souls, must be thus reform.  
3. The chief of those people, Princes, States, and Powers among those persons seem especially to be carried in this notion of Kingdoms; 
Isai. 52.15. Isai. 55.5.  and they not so much considered in themselves, as in respect to government, which they are called of God to exercise towards others; so that go verning and governed as they concur to make up Kingdoms, are here the subject of this reforming change.  
2. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  The specification of these Kingdoms sets them out more fully, they are the Kingdoms of the world; so that what the world signifieth, must give us the special nature of the Kingdoms mentioned; and that is used in a three fold acception.  
1. As opposed to Heaven the superior Globe, 
Matth. 4.8.  and so it must note Earthy Kingdoms, States, and Polities.  
2. As opposed to God, to Christ, to Grace, (as the whole world lieth in wickedness) so it holds out wicked Kingdoms and States formerly ruled by the wicked one. 
1 john 5.19.   
3. As opposed to particular regions or climates, and so it must signify the universe, even all the Kingdoms of the earth; there are none excepted in the text. All these acceptions must be admitted here, and being so taken, the present subject cannot be doubted; The sound of this seventh Trumpet than must needs utter things touching the Church in this life, and the Lords resuming power over his enemies here beneath before the last judgement.  
To the second. The right stating of this change is not of small moment; for which purpose these particulars must be declared, 1. The terms of it. 2. The nature of it. 3. The time of it. 4. The exercise of it. 5. The stability of it, when once the Lord hath made it.  
1. Every change or motion supposeth necessarily two terms; one from whence the change, beginneth, the other whereunto it is made: In the Text but one of these is named and that the last, the Lord, and his Christ; yet the other must needs be implied out of whose hands and power these must must be taken. First then, the Lords that did King it over these Kingdoms of the world, were the Devil in chief, 
Rev. 1●. 1, 7, 12. Revel. 17.1.  and his vicegerents the two beasts, the Romish Antichrist in special, whose state is shadowed by the whore who sat upon many waters, that is, ruled over many people. These only gave laws to the States and Nations of the world, 
revel. 13.15.  and required tribute from bodies and souls of men, and would set their marks upon every creature, or kill those that did refuse it. Of whose reign it may be noted.  
1. 
Revel. 12.9.  The Devil was the father or author of it in full.  
2. 
Revel. 18 13.  Tyranny over bodies and souls the only rule of it.  
3. 
Revel. 13.8.  Idolatry most odious was the only tribute to their King.  
4. 
Revel. 19.20.  The end of all this government is Hell and perdition; into the lake of fire, they and all their vassals are thrown; from these cruel Lords are the Kingdoms taken.  
2. The term unto which this change is made is named in the Text [our Lord, and his Christ] Two words are here absolute, Lord and Christ; and two relatives, Ours and His, all would be understood in their propriety.  
1. Lord here is equivalent to Jehovah, and notes God in his primitive acception of Lordship not derived. For indeed, there is a Lord borne, and derived, a mediating Lord, which is the Lord Jesus, styled afterward the Lords Christ; 
Psal. 110.1.  but here it must note that Lord which said to David's Lord, sit thou on my right hand, etc. God the Father more punctually, who is absolutely Lord of Lords, 
1 Cor. 13.24.  and King of Kings, to whom also the mediating Lord must give up his Kingdom, when his work is done; 
Revel. 14, 6, 7.  that God whom the everlasting Gospel holds out to be feared, to be glorifined, to be worshipped.  
2. The relative denoting him is Our. If it be inquired who were these correlates to God the King; the answer must be supplied, from those great voices before which speak these words; The voices say, Our Lord, and the same afterward utter his praise, and sing his triumph for taking to him his great power to reigue; now these were the 24 Elders, the usual representative body of the true Church; so that the true Church of Christ on earth is the correlate unto the Lord, the King, who are bold to style him our Lord: And it not a vain addition in this place, where it is prophesied that the Kingdoms of the world are taken into his power, and become his. How the Church is his, by election, by creation, by purchase, by calling, by covenant, and by profession, is not now my purpose to relate, they are known things in the Gospel; but the ground of the Emphatical use of it here is the thing needful to declare: Now indeed that appears to be, that God not simply or abstractively considered in himself, but concretely and relatively known with his peculiar ones, reassumes these Kingdoms, and now showeth himself thus to reign; that is, God so known, so believed, so worshipped as among his chosen and true seed; the Kingdoms are become the Lords, as he is our God, dwelling with us, and worshipped by us, not as misconceived by the world For it might be said he ruled in the times of Antichrists reign, and that the worshippers of Antichrist did and do acknowledge God and Christ; (as some lukewarm advocates will plead for them) but is it God, so known, so believed on, so worshipped, as by the true Church who calls him ours; The Sun showeth the contrary; It is a falsified, corrupted, misbelieved God, that Papists boast of. In this concrete sense Moses writes of God triumphing over the Church's enemies, 
Deut. 32.31.  Their rock is not as our rock, the enemies themselves being Judges. Did not many of Israel's enemies know and confess the same Rock or God for essence as Israel did? Yea doubtless but they turned the glory of the incorruptible God into Images, and base resemblances, and so made him a Rock distinct from Israel's by false worship; In which respect Moses sings, God with us, and worshipped by us, is fare above yours, he that hath ruled and destroyed your Gods and you, as yourselves can witness. O how sweet a thought is this, the Lord, no way but as the Church's Lord, known, and served by them takes possession of the Kingdoms of the world! The Saints cannot be low, if as theirs only God be thus exalted.  
3. The next term absolute which denotes the Sovereign power to which these Kingdoms are delivered, is Christ; 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  in which notion the person and the unction must be carried.  
1. The person here intended is the Son of God manifested in the flesh, 
Psalm 45.6. Heb. 1.8.  of whom it is said, Thy Throne, O God, is for ever and ever; so that it is one God in both expressions that takes unto him this power, yet so interpreted, God in the Mediator, God truly, God sweetly, God suitably held out for ruling these Kingdoms, even God and man.  
2. The Unction of this person is that which the name peculiarly holds forth, and with an emphasis in this place; the ground of this name is the anointing which he received above his fellows; 
Heb. 1.9. Acts 10.38.  so it is said, God did anoint Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with powers, which Unction notes his setting apart, and enabling for the work of several Offices, towards the Kingdoms of his possession. These were,  
1. Priestly, 
Psalm 110.4.  which was especially to reconcile souls to God; and so these Kingdoms were taken under a reconciling head, which were before commanded to enmity against God.  
2. Prophetical, 
Deut. 18.15.  wherein he was to reveal Gods will fully and savingly, and so these Kingdoms were to come under a saving Teacher, who before were seduced by the false Prophet to destruction.  
3. Regal, 
Psalm 2.6.  whereby he was to give laws to these regained Polities, and set his order among them, which before were ruled by the beast to miserable confusion. All these make up that Christ, whose Kingdoms these are made at this time; and the exercise of their offices must be during the Church's imperfection in this life.  
4. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 2.26. Luke 9.20.  The relative term specifying this Christ is [His] that is, Jehovahs, the Lords Christ, the Christ of God. It is his Christ, not ours, eminently declaring the Author of this Unction; this note may persuade not to read Lord and Christ by apposition, as if it were the Lord Christ; but as distinct things united, and terms differently signifying in this place. Never thelesse this relative addition gives honour unto Christ.  
1. Nothing his Authority or Sovelaignty. Now that is Gods, Jehovah owns this Christy that none despise him.  
2. Teaching his truth and infallibility in all his administrations; so that none may mistrust him.  
3. Showing his irresistability in regard of all the Potentates in the world, that none might contend with him. This relation only gives warrant unto poor souls to rest wholly upon this Anointed, because he is Gods: unless he be Gods Christ, he must not be embraced by creatures; and being his, must not be resisted.  
Q. Are there then two heads consorted in the translation of these Kingdoms, because God and his Christ are coupled?  
A. Not so, but one head only specified in this conjunction; the Lord and his Christ here, is as much as the Lord in his Christ, or by his Christ, taking to him this power over States to make them Christian. God in the Mediator makes not two Lords corrivals, but one graciously disposed to rule Kingdoms unto life; 
John 5 22. John 12.49, 50  therefore the Judgement, Law, and Rule of the Father and Son is punctually said to be one. We have seen the terms of this change.  
To the second, 
2.  the nature of this change, I have termed it a Reformation-change, and I conceive properly in that these Kingdoms are said to become our Lords; 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  Now this same word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be made notes some change de nove new that was not before; for if they were the Lords before in the sense here meant, they could not reasonably be said now to be made or become his.  
Q. But were not all these Kingdoms the Lords that made them, and set the bounds of them from the first of their being? How then can they be said to be made his now?  
A. Surely this question can be satisfied only by the right stating of the present change, carried in that term made the Lords. Now this in its use hath a double acception.  
1. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gen. 1.3.  Sometimes it notes esse simplex, the simple making or being of a thing which before was not, as in the creation God said, Let their be light, and it was make; In this sense it cannot here be meant, for these Kingdoms were made before of God, and so were his works.  
2. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 7.4.  Sometimes it notes esse relativum, a relative being, as the wife is said to be made her husbands; she was before in the being of a woman, but not of a wife; so these Kingdoms were made before the beast and false Prophet did usurp them, but then only were they made Antichristian; 
Facta sunt. i. venerum in Christi porestarem, myrannidi diaboli, & ministrorum ejus erepta. B●z.  now this making in the Text is the change of that relation of these Kingdoms from that Antichristian usurpation and tyranny, unto the government of the Lord and his Christ; so that now they are made the Lords by Reformation, which were his creation before. And this new work is done by God in Christ, these ways.  
1. Quoad resuseeptimem Patentie, by resuming the power into his hand, which he seemed to have laid aside, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. etc. Revel. 11.17.  when he suffered Satan in Antichrist to domineer over these Kingdoms, and rule them unto perdition; so it is said in the Church's song, Thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned; that is, now he did manifest himself, that in what those Lords had dealt proudly, he was above them, and his permission was no approbation of them in their tyrannical usurpations.  
2. Quoad vindicias juris, by vindicating his right to these Kingdoms, which the Devil in Antichrist had denied, according to his old vaunt, All these are mine, and to whom I will I give them. 
Luke 4.6.  That horrible practice of the Pope in usurping Crowns, and taking upon him to dispose them at his pleasure, is a full proof of this. Now God at this time breaks out the Lion's teeth, makes the nations angry, and taketh these Kingdoms as a spoil for Christ, 
Psalm 2.8.  to whom at first God had given them. A double right is that which God now vindicates, whereby these Kingdoms are called his. 1. Ius paternitatis, a right of paternity concerning all them, that he had given unto Christ, which were his seed indeed, and whom as he had redeemed, 
Isay 55, 5.  so now he calleth to the participation of life in Christ; This right is peculiar to some only in these Kingdoms. 2. Jus Dominii, a right of Lordship which is his due, as well over slaves as children; So though he convert not savingly all these states, yet he makes them take his Laws, serve his turn, set up his Ordinances, and work his will, though in sincerity perhaps they mean not so; Now this is reformation in its measure, though it reach not to the truth of conversion; So God moved Cyrus, Nabuchadnezzar, Darius, etc. 
Psal. 72.10, 11. Psal. 2.9.  of whom yet it cannot be said they were converted. And such a right is promised to Christ also in the Gospel times, by which he shall use his Iron Rod as well as his Golden Sceptre. No hope that all in all Kingdoms should be truly converted, but that all shall be subdued, 
Rev. 19.16, etc.  made slaves, if not friends, not able to resist the power of the Lords, is that which Scriptures speak and we may expect.  
3. Quoad ezercitium Dominii, by exercising this power and right over these Kingdoms that are become his; and this Lordship he doth exercise several ways  
1. By a powerful turning of the hearts of Princes from darkness to light, 
Mojestatem red dit visibilem in ipsis regibus corda fernando etc. Brightman in text.  causing them to consider the things of God which they had not heard, and so to shut their mouths from gainsaying Christ, and thrice exalt him in their hearts; of such a reformation-change the Lord seems to speak in that Gospel's promise, I will make thy Officers peace, and thy Exactors righteousness; 
Isay 52, 13, 14, 15.  when peace shall rule, and righteousness exact, than the Kingdom is the Lords.  
2 By a powerful restraint upon others not truly called, chained up by the devil, 
Revel. 20. 2. Psalm 149.8.  and binding Kings, Princes, and Nobles as with fetters, that they shall not any longer hinder the Lord from taking Thrones and ruling; Thus the Kingdoms of the world universally become the Lords. The King that is not converted shall be restrained. Thus fare appears the nature of this Reformation-change.  
To the third, 
3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  which is the time of this change, the voices speak as of the time past, saying, they are or were become the Lords, the time is expressed in this verb also; But now where to state this time is the diffioulty, men's thoughts running divers ways. It hath been determined to be, while time the measure of the creatures in their changes lasteth, but the special point of that time is now desired; when those Kingdoms begin to be the Lords. For the discovery whereof, I shall propose some help from these considerations.  
1. This seventh Angel is said to sound the third Wo-trumpet, which certainly did call for execution of vengeance upon the Kingdom of Antichrist, whose Sceptre made all the Kingdoms of the earth stoop unto him, who had subscribed to his name, and worshipped him; This was done by breaking the yoke of that Romish Tyrant the Pope off from the neck of those States, in which very moment the Lord took possession of those Kingdoms, from which by his great power he drove out that strong one, the devil in that man of sin. So that this Trumpet seems to contemporize with all the Vials poured out upon States formerly under Antichrist, dashing in pieces the great Abettors, and turning others to be serviceable unto Christ. For however at all times God kept his secret ones within the Territories of Babel, who ceased not in all ages to witness to his truth, yet all this while the States and Kingdoms worshipped the beast; So then the time of change of Kingdoms must be eminent, and from that instant that any State returned to subjection unto Christ's Sceptre in the Gospel after the great apostasy, seems to begin the sound of the seventh Trumpet; for than was it woe to that Antichrist and his vassals, but joy to Christ and his Saints. Now no hard thing is it to look back so fare as to find out that point of time wherein Thrones began to be possessed by Christ, and to entertain the Gospel. The Histories of Germany, Saeveland, Denmark, England, Scotland, etc. may help us to know this time, when our Lord took these States from the Prince of darkness ruling in that son of perdition.  
2. This Reformation-change is gradual, and is carried on in several portions of time, from the turning of the first Kingdom to the finishing of the mystery of God. That the meaning of this Trumpetsound should be a gradual susception of God's power to reign, I am persuaded to believe from the course of the events; we see some Kingdoms delivered, but not all yet, which are expected to be resumed by Christ from that Roman Apostate; Now as God performs his prophecies, so are we to understand his meaning in them; and it is the best help we have rightly to conceive the Prophets speaking of Christ to come, by seeing him come, and fulfilling what was written of him. I take it, the same help is to made use of concerning the prophecies of these times, and those to come, of which the book of the revelations is full. So that, if we see the Lord hath taken Kingdoms of the world from Antichrist, we have the truth of this Trumpetsound; and if yet more Kingdoms are still under vassalage to him, this sound declares woe unto them abiding in that slavery, but good tidings to Gods hidden ones there, that the Lord will in his time take the prey out of the Dragon's mouth, and rule himself. And if so, than it must be a gradual change, from the taking of the first Kingdom to the resuming of the last, which we see is partly done in many States, and in greater part yet to be accomplished.  
One word yet seems to cross this interpretation of the time; 
Dub. Revel. 10.7.  it is said, In the days of the voice of the seventh Angel, when he shall begin to sound the Trumpet, even the mystery of God shall be finished, etc. And if in the beginning of his sound all Kingdoms are changed together, and God's mystery finished, than it cannot be the time mentioned, but it must be wholly to come.  
To satisfy this scruple, 
Sel. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 3 16.  two expressions here must be opened. 1. The mystery of God, which notion is of various use; sometimes it notes the secret way of God by manifestation of his Son in the flesh, etc. to make himself communicable to his creatures, so to effect godliness in them, and save them; 
Col. 2.3.  This is the general use of it, so is it called the mystery of God, of the Father and of Christ. Sometimes it is of special signification, and that two ways: 
Eph. 3.6.  1. It notes this secret good will of God toward all the Gentiles, to bring them into fellowship with himself, from the first preaching of the Gospel to them by the Apostles, 
Rom. 11.25, 16.  to the last by any Ministry. 2. It dictates this secret grace of God unto Abraham's seed, the Jews, for the bringing them in after their long abdication, to an engrafting into Christ. In this last sense it is surely taken, and yet I think not excluding the other special signification, nor the general in both, for as much as that is finished in these.  
2. When he shall begin to sound, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  is the passage that begets the doubt, therefore the right reading of it must be inquired; and surely it is not necessary so to read it, when he shall begin to sound, but vety properly, when he shall sound; 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as in such lie instances. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Apoc. 1.19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. I will spew thee out, not only begin to do it. 2 Kings. 4.1.  and so is it read by good Interpreters as one word in the future tense; which if allowable (as there is no doubt) the scruple is gone; for then the sense is, that in the days of this Angels sounding, not in the beginning, but within the compass of them, the mystery of God shall be fulfilled, which is included in the former state of this time. Or if you read it, when he shall begin to sound, we know that expression doth not always note the entrance of a State, but the continuance of it, as beginning to reign with our Tongue, is to reign in the Hebrew. There is yet another reading of this with the context, which from a conjunction of finishing the mystery of God with the Angels sounding, seems reasonable; it is thus, The Angel that stood upon the Sea and Earth, swore by him that liveth for ever and ever, that Time shall he no more; that is, the time of the Papal Antichristian Monarchy, and of the former persecuting enemies of the Saints, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Ed. Compher. Bez.  But in the days of the voice of the seventh Angel, when he shall sound the Trumpet, and the my sterie of God he finished, than time shall be; that is, the time of Christ's triumph, and his Saint's prosperity and joy; so that thus this 7th verse is part of the Angel's oath concerning the not being and the being of time; though the latter be not expressed in the 7th verse, yet it is an Ellipsis or defect not unusual in a continued speech, this being so taken. However a sufficient reply is made to the doubt in the former interpretation, if this reading be not allowed This completing of God's mystery is not to be expected in the instant of beginning this sound, but in the days of its duration, the end whereof will accomplish all the will of God concerning his Churches among Jews and Gentiles here on Earth.  
To the fourth particular, which is the exercise of this Reformation after these Kingdoms are become the Lords and his Christ's, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  (He shall reign, or Ring it:) The Lord in his Christ deems it not enough to be a King, but to act the King in the Dominions which he takes as his own. It's the blur of creatures to be Kings in place and show, and yet not to King it, nor be able to act aright; Christ Kings it in truth where he hath the Throne.  
Two Queries will be put in: 

1. 
Q. 1.  What is his acting as King?  
2. 
Q. 2.  How he acts it?    
To the first. 
A. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Mic. 5.2. Matth. 2.6. Revel. 12 5. Jer. 3.15. Jer. 23.4, 5, 6.  He acts the Pastor or the good Shepherd in feeding, providing good pasture for the Kingdoms which he rules; such King's God promised his people when he would do them good; but above all, this King, to rule them; I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord. Behold the days come, saith the Lord, I will raise unto David a righteous branch, etc. This is the King Christ who shall save his Kingdoms, and make his people dwell safely; He scatters not his flock, nor drive them away, nor hurries them, nor hunts them with dogs, as former Lords did, but acts the good shepherd, and they go in and out by his voice, 
John 10 9  and find pasture.  
2. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Isai. 31.22.  He Acts the Lawgiver, this is the work of a King; so is it promised to be the acclamations of Kingdoms made the Lords, The Lord is our judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King, he will save us. They acknowledge and he doth it; He gives Laws holy and good, even all the righteous commands of his Father concerning man's way to eternal life; no unrighteous decrees, nor bitter grievances nor oppressing edicts, but Statutes and Ordinances, by which they may live. Thus he Kings it sweetly.  
3. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  He acts the judge in all these Dominions, and divideth equally to all according to their ways: He condemns the Lie and justifieth the Truth; He commendeth the good and smiteth the evil doer; He judgeth righteously between the fat and the leave Cattles; 
Ezek. 34.20.  he breaks the oppressor, and saves the innocent ones. Thus he was acknowledged before, Jehovah is our Judge; and thus it is prophesied of him, He shall execute judgement and justice in the earth. He calleth not light darkness, 
Jer. 23.5.  nor darkness light; He justifieth not the wicked for reward, neither condemns the righteous. 
Isa. 11.4.  With righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth, etc. Thus he reigns in his repossessed Kingdoms.  
To the second. 
An. 2.  How he Acts thus in his regained kingdoms, whether in his own person again manifested in the flesh, or in and by such persons whom he ma use for this work? I conceive not by his visible, but spiritual presence; this is most likely to be done in such Vice gerents as he shall make choice of: I propose these considerations to be weighed.  
1. There is no necessity of understanding this relative (He) concerning his own person visibly considered; for God himself hath been said to reign in his Ministering Rulers, and their Kingdoms have been styled Gods, so long as his fear hath been upon them, 
Obad, v. 21. Psal. 22.28 Ps. 71. 1, 2, etc.  and his Law ruled in them. So david's and Solomon's kingdom was the Lords, and he reigned in them and by them. This hath been the Language of God, to own the kingdoms of his servants, and their government as directed by him; Nay sometimes to reign, 
Dan. 4, 32.  when his enemies are upon the Throne: why it should not be here, I find no forcing reason.  
2. If the sound of this Trumpet be already begun, as the truth of the event already past in some degree may persuade; then some Kingdoms are Christ's already, and he reigns, though he be still at the right hand of the Father, by those Rulers whom he sets up. His are the Kingdoms, 
Psal. 75.7.  because he orders Kings and States by his Lore; and that so still he may do, without his own visible appearance on earth, is more than probable, because it is so in sight already.  
3. Not one circumscribed Kingdom is said here to be the compass of his Territories, but all the Kingdoms of the earth to be his; Now if he should appear on earth, his visible presence cannot be in all Kingdoms; His body can be but in a place fit for a body; therefore is it at the right hand of God, and cannot be every where present, as Ubiquitaries senselessly have dreamt: Or if he be eminently present in one Region as a mighty Monarch, by his Deputies ruling all other Provinces; Yet than he must be said to reign in others. And how much safer it is, to let him alone at God's right hand, and thence to say he reigns by his spirit in the Kingdoms of the world, I leave unto Christian reason to judge.  
4. It seems to reason a very great derogation from the glory of our Lord in his Christ, to suppose him to leave the right hand of the Majesty on high, to come here and sway an earthly Sceptre, whether in one or all Kingdoms of the world: for heaven now is his Throne, and the earth his Footstool; and if he should turn his Footstool to a Throne, it were very strange. However that from Heaven he shall visibly appear to judge the quick and dead, 
Acts i 11. Acts 3.21. Acts 17.31  though not to dwell here in an earthly state with the Saints, the Scriptures do affirm. And this account may suffice concerning the manner of his Reign in the Kingdoms of this world.  
To the fifth and and last thing, 
5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal. 33.11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal. 17.2.5. Eph. 3.21. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  and last thing about this Reformation-change, which is the stability of it, we are now come, For ever and ever shall this King reign: The phrase here seemeth synonomous with that Hebrew expression, to generation and generation, and throughout all generations. Sometimes the word is used simply, for ever without repetition, and then frequently notes absolute eternity; but in this kind of doubling many times less, only duration of some ages or an aeviternity as it is called: The Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth an Age, or Generation, among other things, and so here doubled in the plural to ages of ages, is the continuance of the ages or generations of this world, so that such is the stable duration of this reign of Christ over these Kingdoms even so long as the ages of these do continue. Three things are carried in this expression.  
1. Progress in his reign from age to age, He shall go forward, prosper and grow in his Government.  
2. Immutability of State, so shall he King it, that these Kingdoms shall not change their Lord, nor any more retreat to Antichrist as in the great Apostasy, when once the Lord hath resumed these Kingdoms.  
3. Eternity of duration, so long as these Kingdoms last, even for that ever and ever, our Lord and his Christ shall reign, making friends, or keeping under slaves: Then the end of the Mediators Kingdom shall come, and God that was from everlasting shall rule to everlasting in whom the hope of all Saints shall be perfected. So farre to the state of this Reformation-change.  
The third and last general to be held out is the certainty of all this Revelation, what that is, that we may have a sure ground for faith to work upon concerning these matters, which I shall labour by some special considerations about the context to make clear.  
1. From the Author of this Revelation, it is our Lord himself in his Christ; so it is said in the entrance of this Book, The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him to show unto his servants. 
Revel. 1.1.  Now God cannot deceive, nor be deceived; if he be the Author, Infallibility is upon the word. There is one name mentioned in the doxology of the Church upon this Revelation peculiar unto God, which must satisfy reasonable creatures concerning the truth of this event, if spoken by God, 
Rev. 1.4. Rev. 11.17.  It is He that is, and He that was, and He that is to come. It is He that can always say, I am. If he had not been from eternity, if he be not now, or if he should not be to eternity, just cause there might be of mistrusting his Revelation; but if he was to make all things that have been, and if he be to make things that are, and if he shall be to make all things to come in his own time, there can be no ground of suspecting him. Thus the Church looketh on him and is comforted. Indeed were he of yesterday, and must he cease again, his Revelation could not over-value the Delphic Oracle; but this is his strong reason to be believed as God, He was, and is, and is to come.  
2. The means of revealing this is not despicable, it was by an Angel: 
Heb. 1.14.  whether so in Nature, as a ministering Spirit sent out for comforting Gods chosen in this matter as I rather conceive; 
Rev. 3.1, etc.  or so only in Office, and then a Man, a special Messenger, or Minister expressed in this vision, as it may be; Yet it is Gods own means of his own sending to declare, and therefore none of a doubtful call, that he should be suspected; by John it is come to us, and he had it from Christ this whole vision.  
3. The clearness of the Revelation adds more strength to its certainty; 
Isa. 8.19.  It comes not like a whispering, or muttering of seducing spirits out of the earth, but sounded with a Trumpet from heaven; 
1 Cor. 14.8.  and God's Trumpet giveth surely a distinct sound, that we may understand his mind in it, and suit ourselves to his will. So it did in declaring wrath and war against sinners, 
Amos a. 6. Hos. 8.1. Zech. 9.14.  that they might believe and tremble, and return; So also in revealing his grace in Christ towards his people: the Trumpet sounds it, that poor souls might hear and believe, and be comforted. A trumpet-Revelation then from God needs not to be suspected: A loud, eminent, distinct discovery doth God make of these visions, that as they are sure in themselves, so they might be surely known and received by his Church.  
4. The sweet gratulations and doxology of the Church recorded in the context, 
Rev. 11, 16, 17  must conclude the certainty of the event: It is incredible that God would give a vision of praise to mock himself withal, and that he should receive blessing for that which is not, nor was sure ever to be: The certainty of praise argueth undeniably the certainty of this gracious event.  
5. The experience of so many Kingdoms and States already delivered from the yoke of Antichrist, and returned from that great Apostasy to entertain the true Gospel of God's Son, may persuade, that the residue of the promise to be performed is as sure as that part already accomplished in these 100 years past, which we see with our eyes. Experience therefore should strengthen faith, and breed an assured hope in God's people of the Lords more glorious appearing, to take more Kingdoms of the world into his power; that they may mightily strive to it, and patiently wait for it. This hope shall not make us ashamed. Thus the doctrine is opened, and confirmed: The Use follows.  
1. To inform us in some truths depending; 
Use 1.  their corollaries do issue from the sound of this Trumpet opened unto us.  
1. If Kingdoms of the world shall have such a Reformation-change, as to be taken from Antichrist, & subdued to our Lord and his Christ, than it must follow, 
Corol. 1●  Kingdoms may be, and are the Subjects of Reformation, though not the adequat subjects of true Conversion. The understanding of the true state of Reformation, as well as the visible state of Kingdoms, which already are become the Lords, will sufficiently clear this inference.  
1. Reformation is a term not freequently used by our Translators, I remember it but twice, 
1. Reformation.  and in two different acceptions.  
1. As respecting the matter or object about which Reformation is; And in this sense mainly is the word translated from the Apostles expression to be understood, as the consideration of the context will make clear. 
Heb. 9.1, 10.  The spirit there labours to convince the Hebrews, that by the Messiah God's mind was, the whole Jewish Tabernacle must be thrown down, that is, their Church frame in all external Ordinances; He describes the Tabernacle with the adjoined ordiances and services, which, saith he, were imposed, until the time of Reformation. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  Of what? Surely not of hearts, but of that Church frame and ordinances, which were but figures for that time present, putting those which were true, spiritual & heavenly in their places. The word here rendered reformation signifieth A thorough-righting of all things in the Church in order to eternal life. This Christ did, by removing things shaken of God, that is, all shadow-workes formerly in the Church, in Priesthood, 
heb. 10.1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  Sacrifice, and other services, all ineffectual to life, and by establishing things unshaken, the true image-works of heaven, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  lively drawn, Priesthood, Sacrifice, services, etc. by which men might certainly be brought to God, and live. This perrectification of Christ's then is of means tending to heaven, that men might see the right line directing unto God, in the right use of which they may be saved: It is a Reformation for hearts indeed but not of hearts; for this reformation may truly be in a Kingdom, and is where the true Priesthood of Christ, Sacrifice, and spiritual services, are set up and maintained; though hearts for the most part may not be savingly converted to God by them. The point of time in the Text evidences this to be an ordinance-reformation, not an heart one; 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. a singular.  for it was a single special time, even the space of laying this Church-frame by Christ in his Apostles, and no longer, the whole work of this reformation was dispatched then, but the time of heart-reformation is in all ages; therefore those times are not that, nor this work that. Kingdom's then are reform after Christ, when his true ordinances are established and submitted unto, and false Antichristian constitutions are driven out, though few hearts in truth may be changed to God by them.  
2. Reformation in our use respects the person or subject in whom the power of God may be manifest for changing the man according to his mind revealed in former ordinances, thus we read it used by our Translators If ye will not be reform by these things, etc. In the letter it is read, 
Levit. 26.23; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  If ye will not be chastised to me by these things, etc. That is, if by these means, your hearts be not turned to me; So that, here the reformation of the man must be intended, And that we know may be two ways: 1. In truth, when Christ is form truly on the Soul. 2. In show, when the outward man conforms to these constitutions of God. Kingdom's may be so reform as to yield outward obedience to the Sceptre of Christ, though few hearts have the true Image of God imprinted on them: And thus indeed do Kingdoms become the Lords, when they abhor the lies of Antichrist, and cleave to the truth of Christ, though but in outward deportment.  
2. Kingdoms of the world are said to be the Lords, but indeed they neither have been, nor are, 
2. Kingdoms.  nor shall be all by true conversion, yet they must be by Reformation; No Kingdom that ever was called the Lords on earth had all Saints in it, nor ever shall, if Christ have prophesied truly, That the last day shall find men, as the Flood found the world in Noah's days; 
March. 24.36, 37, etc.  yet surely shall Kingdoms be the Lords, and that must be by Reformation as declared, not by true saving conversion; And to say, that such a Kingdom of Christ England is, I suppose is consonant to the voice of this Trumpet.  
2. If Kingdoms must be our Lords, that is, Chief States, Kingly and Ruling Powers, this teacheth us, States and worldly Powers Christ will make use of to set up his glory, 
Corol. 2.  they are not utterly inconsistent with his spiritual designs. Antichrist indeed had them, and made use of them for his own purpose, but therefore Christ will not utterly refuse them. 
Psal. 82.6.  God himself was the Author of these orders of men, thereby purposing to make one helpful to another for reaching his own glory; And Satan in this as other things was God's Ape to make use of them, but his enemy, to corrupt Princes and great men of the earth to increase his own Kingdom; therefore persuaded he them to give their power to the Antichristian Beast, 
Revel. 17.13.  and to make poor subjects by their Tyrannical persecutions to do so too, that they might be damned together. But now in the restitution of all things the Lord Christ repossesseth these Principalities again, as a needful order of men, instituted by God, though corrupted by Satan, and makes use of them for his high and spiritual ends to finish his work upon the earth.  
1. By putting into their hearts to ruin that great Enemy of grace, the mystical Babylon, the Mother of Harlots, and of all abominations, as well as all spiritual and carnal wickedness. 
Revel. 17.16.17.  So it is written, The Kings shall hate the whore, and make her desolate and naked, and eat her flesh and burn her with fire, For God hath put it into their hearts to fulfil his will, etc.  
2. By making them shields of the earth, a defence unto his ordinances and people, 
Psal. 47.9. Isay 49.23. 1 Tim. 2.2.  and nursing Fathers and Mothers to his Saints, that under them and by them godliness may be perfected in his Churches. If these Sceptres be our Lords, doubtless they are so, not as Lords, but as Servants ministering for him, which he would not own, were they not appointed of God, and so needful to help on his work among men.  
But Christ's work is heart-worke, 
Obj.  what can Princes do to ward that?  
For answer, 
Sol.  let it be considered; 1. All Christ's work is not heart-worke, much of it is upon the outward man by restraint and otherwise, in this the power of the word may be instrumental, being made the Lords 2. God's outward ordinances were intended to make way to men's spirits, his Rod, as well as his Word; 
Mic. 6.9.  the Preacher hath no more selfe-power, nor ordinance-power, than the Prince, God makes the Word effectual, and so he hath done the Sword upon a Manasseh-spirit. 3. The Rod for the fool's back is God's ordinance, 
Prov. 19.29.  as well as the Word to the obedient ear: who so denyeth either, sinneth against that light of nature, 
Rom. 2.12  whereby the Gentiles were condemned.  
But Christ did not make use of them, 
Obj.  nor his Apostles, at the laying of the foundation of the Gospel; the Kingdoms of the world were then against him: how should they be helpful now?  
I return thus: 1. 
Sol.  Our Lord made use of them before that time, and owned these Kings and Kingdoms by whom his name was exalted, 
Psal, 18.1, etc.  and no where hath be since rejected his own ordinance. 2. At that time of Christ's coming in the flesh, God by his Prophets had foretell the state of, enmity, which the great Roman Monarchy and all the Kingdoms of the earth with him should express against his Some, therefore no marvel, he made no use of them at that time, for it was one time given to the Devil to rule in them, 
Act. 41, 27, 22.  and to provoke them to crucify the Lord of glory, which Gods, counsel determined to be done; but with more righteous and gracious thoughts than they intended. 3. That was not the time wherein God had appointed to take to himself his great power and to reign; but now the time is come that he hath taken Kingdoms to rule in and by them, and make his laws their laws. 4. In that, very time of Christ and his Apostles, would I but require this, ought not the Casers and Nero himself to have advanced the Lord and his Christ, and have used their power to bring their subjects in obedience to him, and to have ruled by his truth? Shall not God laugh them to scum, and they perish in his wrath because they did not? I believe they will have no advocate for them. If so, then let Christians argue de jure, what Rulers ought to have done then; not the fact, what they did; and if it were the Magistrates duty then to rule men to God in Christ, it is no less now; And sinful practice is no good precedent against Divine right.  
3. If this Trumpet sound the greatest Woe upon all Kingdoms under the Devil and Antichrist, and the greatest Joy to the Kingdoms under God and Christ, this is rightly inferred, 
Corol. 3.  The best Crisis or judgement of Kingdom? Weale or Woe, it by the Lord that swayeth over them. If Satan, if Antichrist, if wicked Lords, cursed is that State; If God, if Christ, if holy Princes and Governors, blessed is that Kingdom. O the wickedness of Machiavillian O the folly of humane policy! Germany hath its interest, and Spain, and France, and England theirs, one in allies, another in treasures, another in hearts of Subjects, etc. And suppose all these kept at any time, or possible to be kept, have they secured any Kingdom, or can they, that it shall not perish at the breath of God's mouth? How hath God befo●led the counsels of the wisest Politicians in all ages, and yet are we seeking for Kingdom's safety and glory within the creatures Sphere? To have one Lord in Christ our King, were a prospering and securing wisdom beyond all under the Saline. Did ever a Kingdom keeping its Imerost in God perish? Obedience to the Lord and his Christ in all his discoveries, is the laving-interest of any Commonwealth; 
Psal. 144.15. Sapores King of Persia to constintius the Emperor. Isay. 14.12. Obad. v. 4.  O blessed are the people whose God is the Lord! What though Monarches of the Earth write themselves Brothers of the Sunue and of the Moon, fellow of the Stars, yet hear what the most high saith, O Lucifer, son of the morning, how art thou cut down? And, though thou set thy nest among the Stars, thence will I bring thee down. What can a mount to the Stars help poor creatures, when the breath of the Lord bloweth them down again? One true interest in out Lord and his Christ, would prosper and perpetuate a Kingdom, and honour Princes above the Satrres; of such would the most high say, Ye are Gods and 'Zounds of the must high: 
Psal. 82.6.  of such Kingdoms no end should be but of perfection. Let us then judge of our Wealth by how much we are the Lords, and of our Woe by so much as we are not his, or refuse him. These are the Corolaties.  
2. 
Use 2.  If this Trumpet sound forth joy only to the holy people, and the Kingdoms that are our Lords, and so fare indeed as they are the Lords, the woeful sound of it must concern the Kingdoms which are not his, and all Polities so far as they are not Christ's; so that, well may a lamentation be taken up by them and for them; Is there not cause, when Christ own's not State, nor States him? It's true, that in the execution of all the dreadful Woes upon the Romish Babel, when the Kings and Merchants of the earth are bemoaning her desolations, Saints are called to rejoice over her; 
Revel. 18.20.  Rejoice over her thou Heaven, and ye Holy Apostles and Prophets, for God hath avenged you on her: But when Immanuels' Land shall in any part break. Christ's yoke, resist their Lord, provoke him to displeasure, and themselves to wasting, who can refrain from tears? It calls a dead Grandmother out of her grave to weep, 
Jer. 31.15.  Rachel was heard weeping in Jeremiahs' time and would not be comforted: Why? For her children once owned by God had sinned, and were not. Jadah was Immanuels' Land, and upon like grounds England may; if this State will not suffer the Lord to King it over them, 
Isay. 8.18.  as they once refosed, an Assyrian Lord, a dreadful Oppressor the Rod of God's anger, may have commission to pass thorough, and go over, and stretch his wings to the breadth of our Land; This will be grievous, when the iron Sceptre of wicked Tyrants shall teach us how sweet the Government of Christ was, which we have despised.  
Symptoms of this woeful sound are the gradual declinations of a people or State from the Lords Rule. That the people have gone a Whoring from God, by spiritual and corporal uncleanness, and the little cause of England's rejoicing in it, 
By M. T. Case on Hos. 9.1.  ye have heard sufficiently declared in the morning for our humiliation. I confess, I hold have wondered at such severe prophesying against this kind of filthiness, what the reason of it might be, but that I see so many characters of unclean hearts visible on their bodies, and have been certainly informed of most abominable Incests in several parts of the Kingdom and especially in the County of Kent not fare remote, 
Sir A. ●. complained of it.  where the son hath married his Father's wife, and as is believed, she was with child by him, while his father lived. These are evils intolerable in the sates of moral Pagans, much more inconsistent with that Kingdom where the Lord rules. Will ye be pleased this day to be humbled for these abominations, and put out the power which Christ hath given you to cleanse the Land from these and such like abominations▪ We shall then hope our Lord will not refuse to own us; but otherwise, that he should deal with the Land as with an whorish woman, 
Ezech. 23.25. etc.  slit her nose, and strip her naked, and spit in her face, and give her to death, is all that can be expected. No more of this general State, my labour is saved by the morning's work, I should rather crave leave to discharge the duty of a faithful Minister of Christ unto you, being now called, I look upon you as a State and chief Power of Christ in this Kingdom; so far as you the Lord, and he rules in you, so much cause have his people to rejoice; and so fare as any defection appears from that Lawgiver, so much Woe is pronounced upon you, and upon the Land. The saddest Omen is when in Head and Rulers Christ Kings it not. I am not come with Criminations upon out Truly Worthies, the searcher of hearts knows, I desire nothing but true Honour from God upon you, and that must be by his ruling in you, and your ruling by and for him: Only deviations from this proclaim woe; and it will be faithfulness to let you hear the general voices of the Land about you, to vindicate your Honour where it is causelesely stained, and to be humbled for any defection from Christ in the state appearing.  
1. It's lamentable with a stat●, when foolish, childish, wicked, and ungodly Steeresmen sit at the Helm to sway it. As wise a King and Statesman as the generations of men knew, by the wisdom of God gave these dictates, Woe to thee o Land, 
Eccles. 10.16, 17.  when thy King is a child, and thy Princes eat in the morning. Blessed art thou, O Land, when thy King is the Son of Nobles, and thy Princes eat in due season, for strength and not for drunkenness. See the Woe and Weal of States. Happy Land whose King is ennobled by God, and Princes made gracious, and taught by him even to the use of meat and drink: there our Lord hath the Kingdom and his Christ. But woe to that State, where a King, a child, a fool shall reign, an enemy to the Lord; and Princes lustful, gluttonous, drunken, and lascivious, such as must have a breakfast every morning in sin, shall steer by their Counsels, Christ is no Lawgiver there. This is woeful, 
Prov. 19 2.  The people must mourns when the wicked beareth rule. They say there are such among you, if I may speak in usual terms, Impious, childish, cockpit Counsellors: If so, such are bad trusties for Laws, Liberties, and Religion; A Roman or Spartan-State would provide against some of those, and not hazard Kingdoms in the hands of fools; much more should that State which is Christian. I know ye are not Electors, but the Scum of People lend such unto you, and will spoil all your boilings unless you take it off. It is a voice of fear among them that love you and pray for you in the West and other parts, that such as could not overcome you by the Sword, labour to do it by Votes, even by sending such as will Vote God from among you. Ever Honoured Worthies, see if it be so, let the sight of one root of bitterness among you humble you; And now show forth Christ ruling in you: Methinks its possible for a Christian Parliament by a Law to purge & prevent such profane Paganish leaven, and to honour Christ's Kingdom so much, as to make gross sin uncapable of a Membership among you. Surely, if that be allowed, our Lord rules not, and this is woeful.  
2. It's lamentable with a Kingdoms, where the faces of the poor are grinded, 
Isa. 3.14, 15  and the cause of the Fatherless, Winddow and Friendless, slighted and not heard. The Lord in his Christ gives better Laws, and will require them, 
Isa. 1.17. Deut, 10.18  Judge for the Fatherless, plead for the Widow. God doth this himself, therefore will have his Vice-gerents do like to him. It is a fame, that ye are profuse in giving to the full sonle, while the hungry and friendless, which have spent and been spoilt of all for the cause of God in your hands, are some of them ready to perish for bread. See after this, our Lord will not do so: let not this (Honoured and beloved) be mistaken; neither I nor any honest heart can grudge the due rewards of noble-deserving spirits in these times. My heart is towards the Governors that offered themselves willingly to the work of God; my thoughts (I am persuaded) are the same with all those worthy souls, who desire to concur with God. Let the hungry be fed, and naked clothed, and fatherless sustained, and widow comforted and well deserving men not unrewarded. Otherwise there will abide a woe.  
3. It's lamentable with a Kingdom, where judgement by Bribery or otherwise becomes vendible, and justice is bought and sold. So Jeremiah thought, so Micah preached, The head judge for reward, etc. 
Jer. 5.31. Mic. 3.11, 12. Deut. 10.17.  therefore shall Zion be ploughed as a field. Our Lord takes no reward in Judgement, neither must the Stewards that act for him; such as do he curseth. The voice of people is, there is such a fault among you. I confess it is incredible to me, that such a Judge as a Parliament, consisting of so many heads can be the subject of such corruption, and I am confident the body is free in judging: But it is replied, though the judgement at last come free, yet motion's many times cost men dear. I cannot charge it upon any, and I wish that they who complain, would testify to the faces of the guilty at your own Bar. I am confident the just hands among you would be against such a man, to thrust him out of your Assembly. But yet renowned Patriots, look into this matter; And to confute the world, every one of you that desire to act for God in your administrations, take the just complaints of the poor and oppressed, communicate to your body, and prosecute righteous causes freely as your own. This will be a Character of the Lord upon the Throne. The neglect will prove a deviation from Christ, and breed so much woe.  
4. It's lamentable for that State, where Justice is delayed. Our Lord owns not this; His command is to the house of David, 
Jer, 21.12.  execute judgement in the morning; now that will pass away quickly, therefore justice must speedily be done. It is a tried truth in ages, A just sentence delayed hath more oppressed, than an unrighteous dispatch could have done. They that hang about your doors, and such as have waited long for sentence, enemies and friends say, it is thus with you. I know great affairs and difficult have been and are upon your hands that may hinder quick dispatches, and great Bodies can move but slowly, and it may answer much for you. But (ye Rulers of God) be active, seek no delays, Judge while it is morning; If ye do not, so fare ye deny the government of the Lord, and this will be lad.  
5. It's lamentable for a Kingdom to have perfidious and Covenant-breaking guides: Our Lord is not so, nor inveed may his deputies be so. He is a God keeping-Covenant, faithful and true; 
Neh. 9.32. Deut. 4.23.  and he leaves the charge upon all his to do so: Yet it is Printed to the world, That ye are all perjured persons, and Covenant-breakers: I like not reproaching of Rulers, Paul acknowledged it God's Words, Thou shalt not speak evil of the Ruler of thy people, 
Acts 23.5.  He that doth shall suffer from the Lord: yet ye Christian Senators, it concerns you nearly to be humbled for all slips of infirmity about the Covenant of your God (from which what flesh can keep free?) and vindicate yourselves from grosser evils by a true justification, or else in all the Countries it may get a common faith. Wear the girdle which Christ wears, 
Isai, 11.5.  Righteousness is the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins; Let it be yours too, and ye shall prosper, but unfaithful and treacherous Rulers, woe to them and their Kingdom, God will ease himself of such adverlaries, and avenge him of such enemies. This is woeful.  
6. It's lamentable with a State, to be remiss and careless of God's affairs in reforming his House, and settling his Ordinances, and giving up the Kingdom to our Lord and his will revealed, yet to be active and mindful about their own matters. The Lord made the returning State of the Jews smart for this; and he points at the matter: 
Hag. 1.4, 5, etc.  It is time for your to dwell in your sieled Houses, and thu house lie waste? Consider, this is the reason, ye sow much and bring in little, etc. A woe was upon them, for they did not mind to exalt the Lord above themselves. And the advice to remove it is to fall about the work. 
Hag. 1.8.  God's Reformation work was the end of his calling you together, that your affairs might thrive in the prosperity of his; for suit God's matters going well make the Kingdom glorious, this doth not make that. Let not God lost the glory of the small beginnings visible toward that work: But is this laid to heart, and is it contended for as your glory? It is said by some, that ye will never reform up to God's Word, though ye be engaged by Covenant to do so. I dare not believe this, I pray for the strengthening of your hands to this work, and wait working in my place, if I might there give help, and at last receive more from you, for the purging of Congregation, and keeping the holy things of God from being defiled. Yet great Remoraes' keek back the Fabric, Carnal and Spiritual wickednesses, though not tolerated by a Law, yet connived at, or not reproved as God would have them, Doctrines against the eternal Sonship of the Mediator published, and assertions against the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the selfe-credibility of Scripture maintained; the very prime error that brought in the great Apostasy. Our Lord and his Christ hate such things as these; no Laws of his Kingdom tolerate contradictions to his own being; his prime Ministers would not vouchsafe a God-speed to such as those: Yet the world knows, 
a Joh. v. 10, 11.  with what ardency the toleration of those and other Heresies as bad are striven for. A timely Item may be given, An admission of Doctrine devilish and destroying the saving revelation of God in his Son, is an emission of Christ, and so the loss of him. I would not be severer than God would have me against any that pretend Conscience in matters circumstantial, and that divide not from the head; therefore can I not cry, That nothing must be tolerated in lesser differences; but this Christ saith, That the woman Jezabel must not be suffered, 
Rev. 2.22.  (who could not vent worse lies) under less pain than the loss of God and his Christ, and the ruin of Churches: And I must say, that the Toleration of all things must be a destructive principle to the State or Church wherever it be allowed. Experience hath showed us no less in Kingdoms and Churches called by God's Name. These are only suggested, which need a larger Treatise to State fully. ye Servants of Christ, take heed of yielding to these pretences of Conscience, the Devil, and not Christ hath his throne there; And no stronger hold for him than Conscience if he once take it. Christ will not suffer him to shelter here, therefore ye may not, so much as in you lieth; if ye do, the Lords Trumpet sounds Woe upon you.  
Do not other States, 
Dub.  as some of the united Provinces, tolerate all these heresies, and protect them, and yet they prosper? Who more?  
I desire not to deal with other Srates, 
Sol.  unless I might do them good, I am now only called to our own, yet others being made exemplary, a word in soberness and truth may not offend. I suggest only these thoughts.  
1. Can any man say, that prosperity is a sign peculiar unto Truth? Then let Rome come in and speak more than any for outward prosperity. 
Ecles. 9.1.  No man can know the love or hatred of God by all that is before him.  
2. Are not spiritual wickednesses as odious to God as carnal? 
Gal. 5.20.21.  And are not these Heresies such which God condemns as works of the flesh inconsistent with the Kingdom of his Christ?  
3. Hath God made an end yet of visiting Nations for the sins of them? When God hath done judging were a better time to urge this example than now. I pray God the evil day may not overtake those States; The good Lord cause the Cup of trembling to pass by them, and purge their iniquities peaceably. But I am pressed in spirit to say, 
1 King. 12.26, etc. 1. King, 13.24. Qui non vetat peccare cum patest jubet. Sen.  God hath not spared such State-Polities, which have sought their own rise by the ruin of God and his Truth. Witness Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin: And he bids sin, that doth not hinder it when he can. I fear their sorrows may begin in the day of their confederacy with Spain. But God's Truth, my beloved, and not man's example must be the rule, strive up to the perfection of God. If none of these lies must be in Heaven, it is man's duty not to allow them on earth. If Heresies yet must be, let us mourn for what we cannot help; It is a miserable necessity when not allowed; it will be rejoicing in iniquity, either for Stute or Church wilfully to tolerate; And then beware, the third and worst of woes which this Trumpet sounds.  
3. Lastly, The sound of this Trumpet, 
Use 3.  and the voices thence arising, as they speak exaltation unto our Lord and his Christ, so no less duty and counsel to the States and Powers of the world.  
1. To such as are in vassalry to the Devil and Antichrist, that are still raging and in conspiracy against the Lord and his Christ; The Psalmists counsel is seasonable for them, 
Psal. 2.10, 11, 12.  Be wise O ye Kings, be instructed ye Judges of the Earth; Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling; Kiss the Sun; To love and honour, and worship the Lord in his Christ, is better than to be raging and combining against his Anointed. 1. God will laugh at their plots, and have them in derision. 2. Our Lord in his Son will reign, do what they can against it. 3. The desolating woes shall fall upon all Kingdoms that do oppose, He will break them in pieces with a Rod of Iron, and dash them in pieces like a Potter's Vessel. It is firmly written in the Records of God, 
Isai. 60.12.  The Nation and Kingdom that will not serve him shall perish, ye those Nations shall be utterly wasted. O that this Trumpet might sound in the ears of those Kings and Kingdoms that yet give their power to the Romish Beast!  
2. To those States whom our Lord and his Christ hath rescued out of that slavery, and made them his own Dominions, among whom our own may be numbered, Thus the voices say:  
1. Bless the Lord in the beauties of holiness, rejoice in the great work that he hath done, that he hath taken to him his great power, and hath reigned; States, Ministers, People, give thanks to the Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come, that he hath taken poor England, and the Kingdoms United, in any measure from the hand of Antichrist, and put his Name on them; O bow down and worship, so the 24 Elders, the Church representative, do at the Trumpets sound for the exaltation of Christ.  
But why are not the four Beasts, 
Quest.  being the Ministerial Emblems, joined here in these gratulations, as in other places? It a silence observed by some, and wondered at, 
Revel. 5.8. Revel. 19.4.  seeing before and afterward they are expressly named as leaders in the Churches triumphant Songs.  
It is conceived by some, 
Ans.  that at this time of Christ's first taking Kingdoms from the Beast, the Ministry for the general should be so bad and earthy, lukewarm and worldy, as that they had no heart to bless the Lord for such Reformation. And sure it may note such a time, and experience, in the Reformation thus fare manifests, that many to one have been repining at it. Yet let not his be cast as a reproach to those few that are found faithful, (as too much it is, and under the name of an unfaithful Ministry, the faithfullest are despised) for the true labouring Ministry of Christ, are found leading the Church again in their last Triumphant Songs over Antichrists ruins. 
Revel. 19.4.  Let us be humbled for former failings, and renew the first love, and labour mightily for our Lord and his Christ, let him alone then to plead the cause of his faithful servants, he will make their name shine forth as the Sun in brightness out of the darkest cloud.  
2. Give up yourselves & kingdom (Honoured Senators) more and more to the name, Law, and Government of our Lord and his Christ. As the Lord takes not all Kingdoms up at once, So neither any Kingdom to the Highest of Reformation at one time, because he hath set them here in a growing State; there were no room for growth in perfection. Experience hath taught us this will of God; O let us work with God more to be his, by giving up our names to him, by owning his Law, and honouring his Government by obedience. 
Psal. 2, 12.  This is to kiss the Son eminently and abundantly, and we shall not be despised for it.  
3. Ye Worthies of this State in whom Christ reigns, act from him and to him, feed his people in the Land in his Pastures, hold out unto them his Laws, judge equally and impartially in his matters; justify the righteous, condemn the wicked, maintain saving Truths, and damn those lies that lead unto destruction. Show yourselves to be deputed Gods indeed: Be, as he is, simple, impassable, independent upon creatures; and act as he acts, freely, powerfully, wisely, impartially, and constantly in the way of righteousness, so shall ye be truly the Sons of the most High, and the Lord shall be seen gloriously to reign in you. The righteous and holy people will be obedient to you, and bless God for you: and the mouth of wickedness shall be stopped for ever. These encouragements may quicken and strengthen your hands. And then an end.  
1. The Lord is gone out before you, and hath begun to own England, matching it out of the Dragon's Paw, and Antichrists power, and for 89 years hath been our Lawgiver. Observe his presence and workings and be strengthened.  
2. The time is now for bringing in more Kingdoms from Satan to God, from Antichrist to Christ; what else make all the shake in all the Kingdoms of the world at this time. Study this time of God, and work with Providence, now you have a season to help up Gods holy mountain, where no hurting nor destruction shall be.  
3. This work of the Lord and his Christ shall not go backward any more in the whole. The great Apostasy is past, and now Kingdoms must be given to God, and Reformation by degrees shall be finished, oppositions of wicked shall be but strong gales of wind to drive it home the sooner: God's Word is sure, Babel shall fall and never rise, and Zion shall be raised and never fall.  
4. The Lord Christ shall reign for eve and ever, He hath overcome and sat down in his Father's Throne; He shall now trample upon his enemies, and make them his Footstool, but he shall put the Crown upon the heads of his Saints. Let you hearts than be comforted and your hands strengthened, ye men of God, to the Reformation-work at this day; Make England more the Lords then ever, by the power he hath given you: so ye, and the people of this Land by experience will make the Church's confession good, 
Isai. 26. 13.  O Lord our God, other Lords besides thee have had dominion over us, but by thee only will we make mention of they Name. Your cry will be, Lord reign thou over us, no King but Christ for us, no People but the Saints. Now the Lord of all Lords, the King eternal through his Christ give you the spirit of Wisdom, Truth, Unity, and Zeal to work mightily for our God, and finish his Will in these Kingdoms, that unto him in all the Churches of the Saints may be given praise and glory everlasting. AMEN.  
FINIS.