ROMA RUENS. Dagon falling before the Ark, OR, The Glory of Christ over-shadowing all other glories. As it was delivered in a Sermon before the Right Honourable Lord Major, and the Right Worshipful Aldermen his Brethren, at MERCER'S CHAPEL. By Nicholas Rust, Chaplain to the Right Honourabl Lord Major. Magna est veritas & praevalet. MAL. 3.2. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiners fire, and like fullers soap. LONDON, Printed for Giles Calvert, and are to be sold at the Black-spread-Eagle at the West end of Paul's. M.DC.L. To the Right Honourable THOMAS FOOT, Lord Major of the City of London, and the rest of the Honourable Senators of that Body. IN obedience to your commands, I here publish the substance of what I presented before you at Mercer's Chapel; otherwise I should have been willing to have lain dormant, being exceeding conscientious of mine own weakness and insufficiency, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. for though I cannot deny (but must confess to the praise of the Lords super abundant grace) that something of the light and glory of the Gospel in the face of Jesus Christ, hath dawned upon my dark heart; yet this I know, that the candle of the Lord cannot burn with a more dim light then in myself, for although truth (in some measure) liveth in me, yet clouds and darkness are round about it: So that I have but little of the spirit in abundance of infirmity of the flesh, yet truth is powerful though I be weak, and the glory of it doth outshine all other glories, though in the meanest instrument: Therefore if any of the glory of Christ break forth in this discourse, 1 Cor. 1.28. let him have the glory who hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the mighty. Honourable Senators, God hath made you instruments to make this City a quiet habitation for his people, and to lay a restraint on those that would molest and vex them: we take it kindly, Math. 25.40. yea Jesus Christ doth take it kindly at your hands, that you will allow his Saints, to have a place to rest their heads on under your Jurisdiction: we wish you well in the name of the Lord, and our God continue your hearts, in this love unto his Peculiar inheritance, for you must be comforted by the spirit of Christ in all your sorrows and counselled by it in all your straits, John 14.26. and assisted by it in all the difficult affairs of the Sat, therefore you do well to indulge love and tender that spirit though in those who are very contemptible in the eye of the world, 1 Cor. 1.28. Rom. 13.1. and not to hearken to such who would have the powers that are of God engaged against God. Honourable Senators: God hath called you unto places of eminency, & committed a great people to your charge, and truly you need more than the wisdom of Man to manage such a trust. But he who called Peter forth to walk upon the waters (saying come) gave him that power, Math. 14.29. 2 Cor. 12.10. whereby he was supported on the waters: therefore never fear to engage for God, 2 Cor. 1.5. Sicut abundant passiones Christi, sic a 〈…〉. if ye have a call from God: for the more oppositions ye meet withal, the more encouragements, and divine assistances shall come from God, to carry you through such difficulties and oppositions. You have had plentiful experience hereof: for even to admiration God hath appeared for you, in the mount he hath been seen, and in the maidst of all these storms, you and your Relations have been under the protection of our Redeemer: yea the presence of God, hath stood round about your City, so that your enemy's rock hath not been as your rock, themselves being witness. Oh how are ye engaged to the God of your salvation, who hath not given you victories to make yourselves great, Isaiah 58.6. Psal. 144 14 Isaiah 58.12. or to exalt your own interest by them: but to exalt his name, in removing every heavy burden and letting the oppressed go free, that there might be no complaining in your streets. Then you shall be styled the Repairers of our breaches, the Restorers of the paths to dwell in, and the blessings of many, difficilima quae pulchra. who are ready to perish would come upon you. I know (noble Sanatours) that in the prosecution of truth, justice, and righteousness, Si Deus nobiscum quis longa nos. 1 Pet 4. ult you will meet with many adversaries: yet who can harm you while God stands by you to keep all your bones? Oh both in doing, and suffering commit yourselves, your bodies and souls to him, as unto a faithful preserver: Psal. 23. Exoe 33, 14. Oh Remember how the glorious presence of the Lord of hosts hath gone along with your Armies step by step: that through Europe you have been famous for the presence of God amongst you; therefore fear nothing, but the withdraw meant of that blessed presence: for while it doth continue with you, Joshewa 2.9. you will be formidable to all the Nations round about you, and the Majesty of heaven with you, and for you, will attract and draw forth the envy, and indignation of the Nations against you: (who are very angry, and their wrath is come) but Sanctify the Lord in your hearts, Revel. 11.18. Psal. 3.6. Rom. 8. and make him your fear: and then you may bid defiance to them, and the worst that they can do; for though ye had Nations, Kings, and Kingdoms, for your adversaries, yet God would establish you: Esay. 54. vers. 14. John. 10.29. for the Lion of the tribe of Juda, who doth defend, and save us, is stronger than the roaring Lion, who seeketh to devour us: In your poverty, and weakness, Exodus. 14.13. your eyes have seen the salvation of God: Oh therefore do not decline, and Balk, the cause of Christ, and his people, if itshould be low, and desperate (in humane probabilities) you would utterly lose your glory, and become so weak, impotent, and contemptible, if you should desert the power of God, and seek to fortify yourselves, with the arm of flesh: that all humane dependencies should not support you. Stragglers are taken by the enemy, when those soldiers that follow their Captains, & stand to their Colers, are safe. Look up to Jesus, the Author & finisher of your faith, Heb: 17.1. Heb. 2. Ephes. 6.14. keep close to the Captain of your Salvation. Buckle on your harness, gird the sword of the spirit about your loins, and take unto you the Helmet of salvation, and the breastplate of righteousness, and follow him, Rvel. 19.13. who sitteth upon a white horse, clothed in a vesture dipped in the blood of his sufferings, (whose name is the word of God) and ye will say that there is no glory, like unto this glory: for it will continue with you, when all other glory shall be over-shadowed, and out-shined. Thus (desiring pardon for my boldness) I commit and commend ye all, your City, families, friends, and Relations, to the grace, and goodness, of our Redeemer. Your daily Orator at the Throne of grace NICH. RUST. Mark 9.7. And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. IN the beginning of this Chapter, Verse 2. Jesus taketh with him Peter, James and John, and went up into a high mountain to pray (as Luke hath it) for when we are to wait on God in such an ordinance, Lukke 9.28. we are to get into a mountain (that is) to be above the world; for you read that Christ sent the multitude away when he was (thus) to converse with his Father, Mat. 14.23. so are we, to dismiss the multitude of earthly thoughts and cares, that we may attend upon the Lord in such a duty without distraction. Luke saith, that as Christ prayed, Luke 9.29. the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering: For the Lord leaveth some impressions of his own glory upon those that come to have communion with himself in those ordinances wherein he meets their souls. Exod. 34.30. Moses face did shine when he had been with God upon the mount. Oh 'tis good to draw near to God. Psal. 73. ult. But assoon as Christ appeared: Verse 4. Moses and Elias appeared with him in glory. By Moses, I do not understand the person of Moses, but the ministration of Moses so far as it was Elementary & typical, Heb. 10.1. a shadow of things to come, and so to be overshadowed, a glory which was to be outshined by the glory of Christ. And by Elias, I do not understand the person of John Baptist (who was Elias) but his ministration, so far as it was the Baptism of water, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. John 3.30. an outward sign of the Baptism of Christ, a glory which was to be eclipsed by the glory of Christ: I must decrease, but he must increase. Now these two ministers (being put for the ministrations themselves) appeared with Christ: for whensoever Christ exalts his glory, other glories seek to stand up in competition with it. Peter is so satisfied with the vision of this glory, that he is content ta take up his everlasting habitation in the mount: Master it is good to be here, and to build tabernacles not only to Christ, but to Moses and Elias also, for when creatures stand up in competition with Christ, we are ready to attribute to them the glory of Christ, magnifying them as Co-adjutors and Concauses with Christ, Habak. 1.16. Sacrificing to our nets, building tabernacles to Moses and Elias, as well as unto Christ. But it is the design of the Father to honour Christ, Phil. 2.9. and to give him a name above every name, that every knee may bow to him, and all glory (below himself) abase itself before him; therefore Moses and Elias shall not be able to endure the Luster of Christ's appearing who is the bright morning star; Moses and Elias are overshadowed and darkened by Christ, their glory is extinguised: no glory remained but the glory of Christ: Jesus was left alone. For while Peter thus spoke: A cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, this is etc. From the words thus opened we may observe, That— The glory of Christ doth overshadow and outshine, Doct. all other glories; that stand up against it, or in competition with it. The Prophet Isaiah speaking of the light and glory of Christ which should break forth in the time of the Gospel, Isaiah 40. discovereth the vanity of all fleshly glory, how it should whither, die and fade before this glory, at the 5 verse. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed etc. and at the 7 verse. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth etc. Daniel saw in a vision one like the son of man, Dan 7.14. in his glory, Kingdom and dominion: and see there how the glory of those great and powerful Monarchies did pass away and vanish before this glory (it would have grieved the heart of any royalist to have seen it) for the Thrones were cast down, verse 9 Their glory utterly marred, their power quite broken, and all by a little stone cut out of the mountains without hands, verse 26. Dan. 2.34. Their dominion is taken away; consumed and destroyed to the end, for the hand-writing was gone forth against them, MENE MENE TEKEL EUPHARSIN. They were weighed in the balance, and found light, and their Kingdoms were departed from them. Dan. 5.25 The Prophet Esay in another place doth display (most divinely) the magnificence of this Transcendent glory, Esay 2.10. and see how the lofty looks, high thoughts & great imaginations of men are humbled and brought down, verse 10. Great and mighty ones hid themselves in the dust for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his Majesty, yea, verse 11. the lofty looks of men shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day, the day of the Lord of Hosts shall so be upon every one that is proud and lofty, that mighty ones shall be cast from their seats, and the strongest oaks of Bashan will not be able to stand against this mighty blast. When the Angel came down from heaven who lightened the earth with his glory, Rev. 18.1. down came Babylon and all her glory, Verse 16, 17, 18, 19 so bemoaned and lamented by her admirers and adorers: for in one hour so great laches came to nought, for the glory of the new Jerusalem the City of God doth even swallow up the glory of creatures! Rev 21.24. The nations do bring their glory into it. Thus you see the glory of Christ doth overshadow and outshine etc. But I shall no longer stay in Generals, but come to particulars. First the glory of the wisdom of Christ doth overshadow the wisdom of the world; so that it is confounded by it, when it stands up in competition or in contestation with it: for the wisdom, learning, Acts 6.9. policy and sophistry of the world did stand up against (and contest with) the wisdom of God in Steven; but they were all borne down by the Majesty and power of it; for the truth of God is powerful, Rom. 1.16. yea it is the power of God to salvation and cannot be resisted in the meanest and weakest instrument but it will bear all before it; the Libertines, Cyrenians, & Alexandrians were not able to resist the spirit whereby he spoke, Acts 6.10. or with all humane abilities to maintain dispute against him, for the school of tyranny is too weak for the school of Christ: The Lord Jesus at twelve years old disputed with the Doctors, confounding them and amazing them with his questions and answers; so powerful was the wisdom of God in the child Jesus: Luke 2.48. Now this wisdom of God (which dwelled in Christ) is in all the Saints, though in a less measure, yet sufficient to deal with powers and principalities, 1 Cor. 1.27. for God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and weak things to confound the things which are mighty, and base things of the world, and things which are despised, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are, that so the power of God being seen in weak instruments, no flesh might glory in his presence, for this treasure is in earthen vessels, 2 Cor. 4.7. that the praise might be of God and not of men: Thus the glory of the wisdom of Christ doth darken the glory of humane wisdom, for his glory doth overshadow all other glories. Secondly, The glory of Christ's power doth overshadow and outshine (that is) doth confound and bring to nothing the glory of all fleshly power that standeth up against it, or in competition with it, Zach. 4.7. see a glorious discovery of this in the Gospel by Saint John, Judas cometh with a band of men and officers, John 18.4. with weapons, lanterns and torches to apprehend the Lord of life and glory; but Christ meets them in the power and Majesty of the Godhead in him, and said, whom seek ye? and they fell backward to the ground, notwithstanding all their fleshly and worldly assistances they could not stand before him; the power of the creature fell before the power of God in Christ: therefore no man could take away his life, he laid it down of himself. When Saul had nought but a creature-power to support him, and his kingdom, in the absence of the power of God, which was departed from him; see how desolate his house was left, see how the glory of it did fade and die away, (as any form) wherein God hath appeared) doth perish and come to nothing when God doth withdraw from it.) And though Saul did seek to fortify himself with fleshly power against the power of God with David, and to keep up his esteem and honour in the hearts of his subjects, and to quicken in them an admiration of his greatness (which he saw decaying) honour me good Samuel before the people, but all was ineffectual; for to what purpose do we spice, embalm and preserve a carcase when the life and spirit is gone out of it? oh how did his heart meditate terror in the apprehension of the withdrawment of the divine presence! his pulse did beat very low, and a cold sweat stood upon his limbs; yea, all the symptoms of a dying glory: oh what strive and struggle for life! he ran to Ephraim, called to Assyria: to the World, to the Devil, to the Witch of Endor. Oh his sad complaint! God is departed from me, and the Philistines make war against me; but all these struggle were but the last prongs and pangs: for his glory expired, and the glory of his house; the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker, and the house of David stronger & stronger; the power of God with David did swallow up the power of the creature which was with Saul, for the glory of Christ doth overshadow and outshine all other glories. But that you may see further proof of this, viz. Isay 14.11. that that glorious power of Christ doth overshadow and confound all other powers that exalt themselves against it: cast your eye upon that place in Isaiah, where you read of the aspiring Tower of Babel, lifting up itself, and seeking to over-top the power and kingdom of Christ, for Verse 13. Thou hast said in thy heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt myself above the stars of God; but this power that shaken kingdoms, and made the earth to tremble, is brought down; this high and lofty Tower doth tumble before the power and glory of Christ's Kingdom: Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, Verse 11. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer? see how strongly & irresistably this power doth act even in a weak form: there shall not any man be able to stand before thee, said God to Joshuah (that is) before my power and presence with thee, for as I was with Moses, Josh. 1.5. so will I be with thee, etc. This power was very dreadful when the Philistines cried out, let us flee, 1 Sam. 4.7. Deus venit in castra vae nobis vae nobis. etc. for God is come into the camp of Israel: who can stand before these mighty Gods? These are the Gods which smote the Egyptians, all the inhabitants of the Land did faint because of the presence and power of God with his people Israel, for that power breaks all powers that dash against it. The Kings of the earth, Revel. 17.14. Joh. 2 11. make war against the Lamb, but he overcometh, for he is the Captain of our Salvation, the most mighty, high and victorious King of kings, Rev. 19.19. and Lord of lords, and when the glory of his power breaks forth, Mat. 1.24. it overshadowes the glory of all other powers. Thirdly, The glory of Christ's righteousness doth overshadow, darken and put out the glory of man's righteousness: The Apostle Paul, before the revelation of the glory of Christ's righteousness to his soul, did glory in his own righteousness, Phil. 3. viz. his obedience and conformity to the Law, for he knew no other name wherein he should be saved; but thought his own works must commend him unto God, and he esteemed himself in his self-righteousness, adorned with a glorious robe; but afterward upon the knowledge of Christ, it did appear a filthy rag, and it was a very loathing and abhorrence to his soul, notwithstanding his legal privileges and blameless walkings touching the Law, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. he counted all dung and dross in comparison of Christ; for as soon as the Gospel came, his sin revived, his self-righteousness died: that was crucified to him, and he to that, when the light of truth did shine into his heart, he was so overshadowed with the glory of the Gospel, that the glory of the Law was outshined; for it was no glory in respect of that glory, which was to be revealed. The righteousness of man is as an early dew, and as a morning cloud which do pass away, the due and cloud vanish before the Sun, Hosan. and the righteousness of man is confounded & darkened by the Sun of righteousness; nothing doth so humble and abase the soul as the beholding this glory of Christ's righteousness, nothing doth so discover to the soul it's own unrighteousness, nor so pull down high thoughts and lofty imaginations in the heart, as to have a vision of the purity and righteousness of God in Christ. Job. 42.5. I have heard of thee (said Job of this Divine glory) but now mine eyes see thee, wherefore I abhor myself in dust and ashes. Oh how low doth the glory of Christ lay the glory of man! for when the glory of God appeared unto Isaiah, he was so astonished and confounded, Isay 6.5. that he cries out, woe is me, I am undone, I have seen the Lord, I am a man of polluted lips; I am a sinful man (said Peter when he had seen the Lord Jesus) nothing doth so manifest to the creature its emptiness and insufficiency, as a sight of that eminency and fullness that is in Christ; then we see that we are nothing, that we have nothing, and can do nothing when the Lord discovereth himself to be all in all, for his glorious righteousness doth overshadow and eclipse the glory of all earthly righteousness. Fourthly, The glory of Christ's truth and worship doth quite blast and overshadow the glory of man's worship, that is to say, a will-worship according to the commandments of men: Oh how have we lived upon this worship, and fetched all our refreshment from it! speaking peace to our own souls, for the perfunctory and formal performance of any particular act of this worship, Isay 50. ult. 29.13. though according to the commandments of men: But when that glorious Sun of Divine truth hath arisen upon us, and caused his light and glory to dawn upon our dark hearts; 2 Pet. 1.19. this well of our former refreshment, hath been utterly exhausted, we could no longer find comfort or satisfaction in men's formalities; we might famish for any soul-nourishment that we could find in them, they have appeared to us, so void of the presence of Jesus Christ, Luke 24.5. that we should seek the living among the dead, to seek him there: so that the discovery of Christ in his truth, and Gospel, hath disovered the emptiness, Isay. and destroyed the very being of those things whereon we have lived: for the glory of Christ doth overshadow all other glory. Now Divine worship cannot but darken the glory of Will-worship, for the truth of God must needs overcome and vanquish the devised worship of men: many are the devises of men, but the counsels of God must stand: the word is powerful for the subversion of strong-holds, and bringing down humane imaginations: therefore this may comfort us in the midst of all the errors of the enemies wherein we live; truth shall get ground of error, but error shall not get ground of truth, for truth is armed from heaven against opposers: therefore we are resolved in this cause of Christ's, to put it to the utmost trial, which be strongest, the lies and falsehoods of men, or the truth and Gospel of Jesus Christ: Heb. 1. surely the brightness of this glory will outshine all other glories, for can darkness stand before the light? if the day break the shadows must fly away, Cant. 4.6. the Kingdom of the beast was ruined by the preaching of the Gospel, because it was full of darkness; that kingdom is an effect of darkness, Revel. 16.10. and a cause of darkness, brought forth by darkness, Ex quibus nascimur ex iisdem nutrimur. Luke 2.32. 2 Pet. 1.19. Rev 2.28. supported by darkness, it maintains darkness, and is maintained by darkness; now Christ is a light to lighten the Gentiles, a light shining in a dark place, the bright morningstar, that very light and glory of the Father, which must needs be destructive to the kingdom of darkness, which cannot abide the brightness of his coming, for the lustre of it is above all other glory. 2 Thes. 2.8. Yea further, Will-worship is set forth (in way of comparison) by wax which melteth before the fire: the doctrines and traditions of men melt and dissolve, when the Sun of Gospel-light and truth waxeth hot. Rev. 9.2. Will-worship is the smoke of the bottomless pit: now smoke doth vanish, clouds are scattered and dissipated when the Sun ariseth. Let God arise, Psal. 68.1. let truth break forth, and what shall be contrary to truth, and God, will be scattered: even as smoke vanisheth, so it will be driven away, and as wax melteth at the fire, so it will perish at the presence of the truth of God: so that hay and stubble will not endure the fire, 1 Cor. 3.12. which must try every man's work of what sort it is. The Prophet Malachi saith of Christ, Mal. 4.3. Who shall abide his coming, for his coming is as a refiners fire, and fullers soap: He alludeth to the custom of the refiners of subterraneal treasures, who by fire purify the silver and gold over, separating the dross from it: so this refiner, the Lord Jesus, will cause all the dross of humane inventions in the worship of God to pass away, to go forth as that scum and filth which will not abide the purity of his coming; for no mixture of humanity will endure the refiners fire: for the truth of God carrieth all before it, dashing the brats of Babylon against the stones, breaking not only her Idols of courser materials, as of wood and stone, but even those of purer matter, as of gold and silver and precious sto●es; Rev. 18.12. dlso vering not only the mystery of iniquity in gross forms, For the man of sin hath various forms, and though he acteth in a new form, yet he is the old serpent. but even that which is more specious and spun with a finer thread, for the word of the Lord is quick and powerful, sharper than a twoedged sword etc. Thus the glory of Christ's truth and worship, doth overshadow and put out the glory of all humane & carnal ordinances: for the Angel which cometh down from heaven (with the everlasting Gospel) hath great power, and the earth is lightened with his glory. Rev. 18.1. Lastly, the glory of Christ's promises and prophecies of his will and counsels do overshadow and outshine all the devises and wills of men (that is) the devises, counsels, and wills of men are not able to stand before the will and council of God; Isay 46.10, 11 for first, the promises and prophecies of God must be fulfilled, and must take place, Isay 14.24. maugre all the actings, and conncels of men. Glorious things are prophesied of the Church of Christ, in time of the new Testament, that her foundations shall be laid with Saphires, and Carbuncles, Isay 54.11. her gates shall be made of agates, and all her borders of precious stones: all which are of high esteem, and value, with our Lapidaries that know the virtues of these stones: now the enemies of the Church of Christ, Isay 54.15. gather together, to hinder this glorious work, and to keep off the fulfilling of these blessed Prophecies; for they had rather see Zions stones, Psul. 102.14. lie scattered in the dust, then compacted together, to become a holy temple in the Lord: but all their engagements are in vain, for when they rise up thus against the work of God they fall; Verse 15. when they gather together against it they are scattered; Verse 17. and no weapon form against this work doth prosper; all these (saith God to Zion, concerning the Church's adversaries (shall gather together against thee; but they shall fall for thy sake, for God rebuketh Kings and Kingdoms for his people's sake; thus ye see when God doth work, Isay 43.13. none can let him: Tobiah'sses and Sanballats may scoff at the ways of God, and set themselves against them: Nehem. 4.1, 2. But the Temple shall be built, for not a title of the promises and prophecies of God shall fall to the ground; Mat. 24.35. they shall be verified though all men be found liars. Then secondly, the counsels of God do even baffle, and confound the devises of men, therefore let them associate, and they will be broken in pieces; Isay 8.9. let them take council, and it will come to nothing, for saith the holy Ghost, many are the devises of men but the counsels of God shall stand: Isay 46. for it is impossible they should be frustrated, by all the wisdom, and policy of creatures. Oh man, Non est consilium contra dominum. Rom. 9 who art thou, that dost contend, and contest with him that is mighty? Thirdly, the designs of God, do bear before them even to the dust, all the conspiracies, and combinations of men and devils, against them. The design of God (in the second Psalm) is to exalt his son, Psal. 2.8. and to give him a name above every name: Phil. 2. Now nothing doth more dethrone man, and take away the glory of all flesh, than the setting this Crown of glory upon the head of Christ, Isay 40. Psal. 2.1. therefore (at the first verse) The Heathens rage, and the Kings of the earth stand up, and take council against the Lord and his Christ. But he that dwells in heaven doth laugh them to scorn, for they imagine a vain thing, when they think to hinder the design of God from being carried on: now this is the design of God, Verse 6. even to set his Son upon the holy hill of Zion. Fourthly, the will of God doth frustrate all the wills of men, Psal. 46.3. in the 46. Psalms; men seek to exalt themselves, and their own wills, which is the ground of those commotions there spoken of: but God writeh vanity upon all their endeavours: the will of none but God can take place. Verse 10. & ult. Bestill (saith he) and know that I am God, and I will be exalted in the earth. They fight, Psal. 46.6, 7, 8, 9 war and contend even until they fill the world with combustions, and distractions, & all to set up their own crooked will; but God exalts himself and maketh them all come in and lick the dust before him: Know that I am God. Verse 10. Oh brethren, from whence cometh wars and fightings? James 4.1. even from our lusts that war in our members: we lust to have our own wills, and interest, set up and advanced: Royalists would have their will, and way, else no peace: Papists also would have their will-worship established; and the little horn of the beast would have all the other horns knocked off, Dan. 7.8. to set up itself: well brethren, this is our comfort, in the midst of all these clashings, no will but the will of God, shall, or can take place. Oh that we could see all these various workings, and contextures of providence, all transactions in our Commonwealth, as so many lines meeting in the will of the Lord: then we should all cease from tormenting ourselves in the prosecution of our own wills, Mat. 26. Verse 39 Psal. 37 7. and lie down satisfied in the will of the Lord, as in the Centre of our rest: Dear hearts, there is sweet repose. Thus much for the Confirmation of the Point, I now come to Use and Application. First, If the glory of Christ doth overshadow and outshine all other etc. than this will inform us why carnal hearts do so oppose the Gospel of Jesus Christ, even because it doth eclipse and darken all nature's glory. So that if you will allow creatures to rise up against and oppose that which is destructive to their beings, you must not wonder why natural men (who have their life and glory in fleshly wisdom, fleshly strength, and fleshly righteousness) should rise up against the ministration of the Spirit and Gospel, which doth so darken and put out all these. Nature you see (in all) doth seek to preserve itself, and to resist whatsoever may procure her destruction and annihilation, therefore nature in us doth quake at the thought of death. Oh beloved the Gospel in its glory, doth confound and annihilate all fleshly excellencies; it doth cause their glory to fade and die; Therefore you may cease your admiration, why in City and Country there should be so much enmity against Christ, his truth and Gospel: Men that would exalt themselves and be something in the esteem of their own parts and gifts, something in their own wisdom, glory, strength, Gol. 3.11. righteousness, cannot but set themselves against him who will be all in all. First, you shall see how men that exalt themselves in an earthly glory, cannot bear nor brook the glory of Christ's kingdom and Gospel, their knees do smite one against another, Dan. 3.5. their thoughts are troubled when many run to and fro, Mat. 2.3. and knowledge is increased, when many come to join unto the Lord, and to give up their names to Jesus Christ; their hearts, I say, do meditate terror, as if the Saints gathering together would be their scattering; as if their glory would be their shame: this did trouble Herod, and those tidings out of the North (in the book of Daniel) did perplex Babylon; Dan. 11.44. therefore Herod sought to slay the child Jesus; therefore the Kings of the earth made war against the Lamb, Rev. 17.14. before whom they thought the honour, pomp and dignity of their Kingdoms could not stand, and that is the reason why so many Princes and Rulers, Psal. 2.2. have so endeavoured to suppress the kingdom of Christ, and to hinder it from taking place in their Dominions: have any of the Rulers believed on him? Secondly, they who magnify humane wisdom and humane worship, how they set themselves against the Lord and his Christ: the learned Greeks esteemed the preaching of the Gospel foolishness; the learned Rabbis could not receive it, but oppose it; it did so confound the wisdom of the wise, 1 Cor. 1.27. and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent: the adorers of Diana filled the City of Ephesus with confusions, Acts 19.27. tumults and insurrections against the Gospel of Christ, because it laid the magnificence of their great Goddess in the dust. Thirdly, men that exalt fleshly righteousness, making a fair show in the flesh, glorying in their duties, external conformity, Gal. 3. and qualifications, as if by their actings they could do something in order to their justification and salvation, are much offended at the preaching of the righteousness of faith, the glory whereof did cause the righteousness of Ephraim to vanish like a morning cloud, or like an earthly dew. The Scribes and Pharisees, men zealous of the Law, Phil. 3. were great adversaries against the Gospel, and many of Christ's hearers were offended, & turned their backs upon his doctrine when he exalted the Father's free grace and power in the dethroning of the creatures freewill and ability. John 6. 6●. No man (saith Christ) can come to me except my Father draw him, or except it be given unto him of my Father: Upon this many of his disciples went away, and walked no more with Jesus; this was an hard saying, they could not bear it. Oh nothing doth so stumble nature as that which destroyeth nature: they exalted themselves in the conceit of a power, will, ability by nature to come to God, and to life and salvation by God: and now to have the glory of all these blasted, for no truth doth so discover the inability of the creature as this, that no man can come to Christ except it be given unto him of the Father, it bringeth down high thoughts of ourselves, or any thing in ourselves; therefore said they among themselves, this is a hard saying, what? are we nothing? have we of ourselves nothing? and can we do nothing? Upon this many departed, and made a recess from Christ, they walked no more with Jesus: thus you see the ground and reason, of all opposition against the Gospel: it overshadoweth and out shineth all other glory. Now people may manifest their enmity and opposition against the Gospel either by a fleeing hatred, or by a pursuing hatred, now the gospel is hated both these ways because it outshineth all other glory. The Papists and others did hate it with a pursuing hatred when they hunted after the blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus; but (blessed be our God) they are now under the hatches who a long time sat at the stern; for God hath made you Honourable Senators, Cant. 2.15. in struments to chain up those Foxes who preyed upon the Lambs of Christ, and the Lord requite your love into your bosoms, that we can have a place to rest our heads, and set our feet upon, in the Land of our Nativity. We wish you well in the name of the Lord, & we remember you in our addresses to the Throne e of grace, that God would stand by you & be your glory, and your strength: therefore rouse up your spirits like men that have God with you and for you, and take courage to suppress that bloody and turbulent spirit of persecution that fills the Commonwealth with so much combustion and distractition; that you may not rest until you have banished it out of your dominions, Isaiah 11.6. Isaiah 65.25. ult. that so a more quiet and peaceable spirit may dwell with the lamb, and the child may play upon the hole of the Asp, and there may be no devouring beast in all the Lords holy mountain. Secondly, enmity against the Gospel is manifested by a fleeing hatred: if you observe the enemies, and secret Antipathies, among the creatures, you shall see weak creature, flee from those creatures that are offensive to their nature, if they cannot overpower them: qui mali aget odit lucem. so when men are not able to hinder the breaking forth of the light of truth, they eat it, and will not come unto it. In the second of Isaiah this fleeing hatred is fully set forth, the whole Chapter speaketh of the downfall of the glory, power etc. of man, Isaiah 2. chap yea all Idols shall utterly be abolished verse, 20. Yea so unable shall they be to look the light in the face, or lift their head, before the wisdom and truth of God; that at the, 21. verse they shall go into the holes of the rocks and caves of the earth, that is, into dark and Subterreanean places; so offensive is the light unto them, so unable are they to endure the lustre, Isaiah 2.21. glory and Majesty of the Lord; which are so destructive to corrupt and carnal ways, that they creep into the clefts of the rocks, and holes of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord and glory of his Majesty: The words seem to be an allusion unto the usual custom of those feeble creatures, who when they are not able to deal with creatures stronger than themselves, who would destroy them; they retire into such places, where they may best pro●ect themselves from the power of their antagonists: as coneys will get into their boroughs for fear of the dogs; thus meant when they cannot endure the pure and powerful preaching of the Gospel in the place where they live, it doth cast such contempt and shame upon them and all their ways, they will get into the dark places of the land, even into the borders of Zebulon and Nephthali, the Regions and shadow; of death, where people perish for want of knowledge; that so they may there settle themselves upon the stool of traditions, and preserve their carnal worship and ways from being blasted and overshadowed by the glory of the Gospel. Thus men oppose and hate the Gospel, because it outshineth all other glory, and they hate it either with a pursuing hatred, Revel. 22.15. as dogs (for so the Scripture calleth them) barking at the people of God and ways of Christ, yea which is worse, they will by't also, and that when they do not bark, crying peace, peace, and yet by't with the teeth: as the Prophet saith like those dogs we read of in a strange land; that barkewhen the Sun riseth, or like the dogs here with us: that fall a barking when the Moon shineth; thus many fret and fume, vex, perplex and torment themselves when the Sun of righteousness ariseth with healing in his wings, Mal. 4.2. shineth forth upon the souls of Saints with beams of light and refreshment. But the Sun whichmelteth wax, doth harden clay, for that which is our comfort, poor wretches it is their torment; and you see also they hate the Gospel with a fleeing hatred, like Bats and Owls, who cannot abide the light, retire into holes and thickets, and like some beasts get into their dens when the Sun and light break forth, they go into the caves of the earth and the clefts of the rocks for fear of the Lord and the glory of his Majesty, when he ariseth, etc. If the Glory of Christdoth outshine all other glories that stand up in competition withit, Use 2. then Honourable Senators, set not up any earthly glory in competition with Christ, for it will be darkened and overshadowed. We set up gifts in competition with Christ, when we admire them, and not Christ the author, & donor of them, when we attribute more to them, then to the grace of God; we set up humane wisdom in competition with Christ, when we make it absolutely necessary for the dispensation of the Gospel, yea such an essential qualification, as if without it none could be enabled for the holding forth the word of life: now this doth detract from the alfufficiency of Christ, 2 Cor. 12.9. as if he could not furnish his Saints with the tongue of the learned to speak a word in season to those that are weary without acquired arts and Sciences: I do not speak against gifts and learning, they are excellent ornements unto nature, and (for aught I know unto grace also, for the gold did beautify the Temple, though the Temple did Sanctify the gold; but I speak against the axalting them before Christ you know a candle is of good use in a darkeroome, but when you light it up before the Sun, it is outshined and made useless. God maketh foolishness the wisdom of this world, confoundeth the understanding of the prudent, and doth destroy and blast the glory of all humane excellencies; yea doth power contempt upon them when they exalt themselves before him: therefore if Christ doth begin to overshadow these creature-glories, let's not cry them up for though we should never so endeavour to quicken the admiration of them in the hearts of men; yet we shall not be able to keep up their esteem, and preserve their glory when they begin to die and fade, the spirit of the Lord blowing upon them. We have had experience of this, 1 Sam. 5.2. for we set up the Dagon of man's invented worship before the Ark of God, but the power and Majesty of the truth of God made him lick the dust, for down he tumbled before the Ark, and though the hand of God was exceedingly against us in this desinge, yet such was our blind zeal, that we would not desist, but lent Dagon our hand again, and gave him the other lift, and helped him into his seat again; yea we fasted for him, and prayed for him until we had set him up, but in the morning this Dagon was fallen unto the earth again, and had broke his neck and hands, and nothing but the stump of Dagon remains, for nothing doth so deface and deform man's worship as the light of truth shining forth. Truly we would have healed Babylon but she would not be healed, even let us give her over as incurable. And honourable Senators, 1 Kings 18. if Baal be a god let him plead for himself, lend him your power no more, for he layeth claim to a Jus Divinum, now if he be (as he pretends) of the stock and lineage of David, if he be as John's Baptism) from heaven, he is armed from heaven, and strengthened with a divine power against all ways that do oppose him, and therefore need not be afraid to look the light in the face, or lift up his head before the Ark. Also let's not set up humane power in competition with Christ, let's not depend upon it as if a man could be delivered by much strength, let's not glory as if our hill were made so strong, that it could never be moved when the arm of flesh is with us; but especially take heed of setting up humane power against Christ, lest it be broken like a potter's vessel. You have seen these powers of the beast and Dagon fall before the Ark, and if Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews before whom Hamon hath begun to fall, Esther 6.13. he will fall and rise no more. Oh let all proud haman's cease persecuting poor Mordecai, lest they bring an odium upon themselves before the Lord, for let them engage their wisdom, power and greatness against the ways of Christ, Magna est veritas & praevalet. the power of Christ, even in babes and sucklings, persons mean and contemptible, will bear them down before it; Psal. 8.2. for great is the Lord, and his glory doth outshine all other glories. If we would not be troubled at the breaking forth of the light and glory of Christ, Use 3. let's be willing this bright cloud should overshadow us, willing to be abased and decrease, John 3.30. that Christ may be exalted and increase. Beloved, I do discover the cloud arising, and it will overshadow us, for though for present it appeareth about the bigness of a man's hand, 1 Kings 18.45. it will increase until it overspread the heaven, and darken all the glory of man. Beloved, if my Astrology fail not, the glory of flesh will suffer a great eclipse, Isay 40.6. and it will be visible with us if the air be clear: indeed for present it is somewhat darkened with the smoke of the bottomless pit, Rev. 9.3. but there is hope that darkness will be dispelled with the beams of the Sun of righteousness; Mal. 4. now this prognostication though calculated properly for England, yet it may serve indifferently for the whole world; for all the Nations round about us, though they be stout and lofty, must bring their glory unto him who is to be all in all. Rev. 21.26. This prediction is grounded upon that 24 of Matthew, which place though understood of Christ's last coming, Mat. 24.29. yet is true also of his coming in the ministry of his Gospel, which doth darken the Sun, Moon and Stars; all these inferior luminaries of earthly glory wax pale and dim, when the Son of man appeareth in his glory: but although the Moon of earthly glory (which is subject to increase and wane and many changes) be thus eclipsed, yet our glorious Sun shall never be eclipsed from the soul of his people; yea it shall never go down, Isay 60.19. for the Lord shall be their everlasting light, and God their glory, but from others it will be eclipsed; there may be an interposition of thick clouds, and darkness being upon them, they cannot see the King in his beauty, Jer. 17.5. or as it is in, Jeremiah 17. they shall not see good when it cometh, Mat. 11.25. the grace, love, glory, and goodness of God in Christ shall be hidden from them; or the Devil may interpose the body of the earth betwixt their souls and the Sun of righteousness, and so depriv them of the joy and comfort of his enlivening and in lightning influence. Mal. 4.2. Therefore to conclude: your opposition will be against the Gospel, if your glory and life be hid in creatures, because your very life is destroyed when creature-glory is overshadowed, if you live and glory in things below the Lord Jesus, Mat. 2.3. with Herod, you will be troubled to hear of a Christ, with those in the Revelations, Rev. 16.10. you will be found to gnaw your tongues for pain, and blaspheme the God of heaven because of the prevailing power of truth, and breaking forth of Gospel-light; and with the Merchants of Babylon, Rev. 18.16. to weep and wail, crying, Alas, alas, because of the downfall of the Kingdom of the Beast: But if your life be hid with Christ in God, Col. 3.3. you will rejoice when he appeareth: and you will be found in the number of those that did shout until the earth rang again, when the Ark came into the Camp of Israel, 1 Sam. 4.5. Rev. 19.1. or of those that cry Hallelujah, Hallelujah, for the Lord rejoiceth: So welcome will the appearance of Christ in his Gospel be unto your souls, that this will be your joyful acclamation: John 12.13 Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, Hosanna to the Son of David. Christians, study these truths, I leave them with you, and I commend you to the grace and goodness of our Redeemer. Luke 19.38, FINIS.