(2dli/.) The previous works he doth. How many of these doth our Saviour give as signs of the destruction of Jerusalem, — and so, consequently, of propagating the gospel more and more to the nations ! Matt. xxiv. ; Luke xxi. How fearful and dreadfiil they Avere in their accomplishment, Josephus the Jewish historian relateth ; and how by them the Christians were forewarned, and did by them undorstand what the Lord was doing, Eusebius and others declare. " When," saith he, "you shall see the abomination of desolation" (the Roman eoglcs and ensigns) " standing in the holy place," Matt. xxiv. 15, — or
OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. 2 / O
" Jerusalem compassed with armies," as Luke xxi. 20, — tlien know by that, that " the end thereof is come, and your deliverance at hand."
The works of God are to be sought out of them that have pleasure in them. They are vocal-speaking works; the mind of God is in them. They may be heard, read, and understood : the " rod may be heard, and who hath apjDointed it." Now, generally, he begins with, lesser works, to point out to the sons of men what he is about to accomplish. By these may his will be known, that he may be met in righteousness.
Now, what, I pray, are the works that the Lord is bringing forth upon the earth ? what is he doing in our own and the neighbouring nations ? Show me the potentate upon the earth that hath a peace- able molehill to build liimself a habitation upon. Ai'e not all the controversies, or the most of them, that at this day are disputed in letters of blood among the nations, somewhat of a distinct constitution from those formerly under debate? — those tending merely to the power and splendour of single persons, these to the interest of the many. Is not the hand of the Lord in all this ? Are not the shaking of these heavens of the nations from him ? Is not the voice of Christ in the midst of all this tumult ? And is not the genuine tendence of these things open and visible unto all ? What speedy issue all this will be driven to, I know not; — so much is to be done as requires a long space. Though a tower may be pulled down faster than it was set up, yet that which hath been building a thousand years is not lilie to go down in a thousand days.
(Sdly.) The expectation of the saints is another thing from whence a discovery of the will of God and the w^ork of our generation may be concluded. The secret ways of God's communicating his mind unto his saints, by a fresh favour of accomplishing prophecies and strong workings of the Spirit of supplications, I cannot now msist upon. This I know, they shall not be " led into temptation," but kept from the hour thereof, when it comes upon the whole earth. When God raiseth up the expectation of his people to any thing, he is not unto them as waters that fail; nay, he will assuredly fulfil the desires of the poor.
Just about the time that our Saviour Christ was to be born of a Avoman, how were all that waited for salvation in Israel raised up to a high expectation of the kingdom of God ! — such as that people never had before, and assuredly shall never have agam;^ yea, famous was the waiting of that season through the whole Roman empire. And the Lord, whom they sought, came to his temple. Eminent was theh hope, and excellent was the accomplishment.
Whether this will be made a rule to others or no, I know not : this I am assured, that, being bottomed on promises, and built up with
' Luke iii. 15.
276 THE SHAKING AND TRANSLATING
supplications, it is a ground for tliem to rest upon. And here I dare appeal to all wlio with any diligence have inquired into the things of the kingdom of Christ, — that have any savour upon their spirits of the accomplishment of prophecies and promises in the latter days, — "vvho count themselves concerned in the glory of the gospel, — whether this thing of consvuning the mystery of iniquity, and \dndicating the churches of Christ into the liberties purchased for them by the Lord Jesus, by the shaking and translating all opposing heights and heavens, be not fully in their expectations. Only, the time is in the hand of God, and the rule of our actings with him is his revealed will.
{^tlily.) Whether the fears of Ids adversaries have not their lines meeting in the same point, themselves can best determine. The whole world was more or less dreaded at the coming of Christ in the flesh. When, also, the signs of his vengeance did first appear to the Pagan world, in callinsr to an account for the blood of his saints, the kings and captains presently cry out, "The great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand ?" E.ev. vi. 17.
I am not of covmsel to any of the adherents to the man of sin, or any of those who have given their power unto the beast, — I have not a key to the bosoms of the enemies of Christ, — I am neither their interpreter nor do they allow me to speak in their behalf; yet truly, upon very many probable grounds, I am fully persuaded that, were the thoughts of their hearts disclosed, notwithstanding all their glitter- ing shows, dreadful words, threatening expressions, you shall see them tremble, and dread this very thing, that the whole world as now established will bo wrapped up in darkness, at least until that cursed interest which is set up against the Lord Jesus be fully and wholly shaken out from the heavens and earth of the nations.