ijthly. A most glorious and dreadfxd breaking of all that rise in opposition unto him, Isa. Ix. 12, — never such desolations, Rev. xvi. 17-19.
Now, in order to the bringing in of this his rule and kingdom, with its attendances, the Lord Christ goes fcjrth, in the first place, to cast down the things that stand in his way, dashing his enemies " in pieces like a potter's vessel." This is a part of the design of Providence, wherein we are to meet him in these days.
I shall speak a word, — {\st) Unto them who are enabled to look through the clouds and darkness whereby his paths are encompassed ; {^dly.) Unto them who cannot.
(1 st) For the former, be you persuaded to meet the Lord in this his design, — yet to continue steadfast in helping him against the mighty. I speak not only to you who are in authority, nor imto you to whom the sword is girded, but unto all that wish well to Zion. We have every one our mite that we may cast into this treasury : we may be
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all princes in tliis case, all Israels, — prevailers with God and men. There be three things whereby even you, who are but as the number, the common soldiers of Christ, may meet the Lord in this design.
[Ist.] By faith. Believe the promises, close with them, act faith upon them, and you will believe the beast unto destruction, antichrist into the pit, and Magog to ruin. Believe that^ the enemies of Christ shall be made his footstool, that the nations shall be his inheritance, that he shall reign gloriously in beauty, that he shall smite in pieces the heads over divers nations; — live in the faith of these things, and as it will give you the sweetness of them before they come, so it will hasten their coming beyond the endeavours of thousands, yea, mil- lions of armed men.
\2dly^ Meet him with your supplications. Cry unto him, as Ps. xlv. 8-5, " Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, 0 most Mighty, with thy glory and thy majest}^ And in thy majesty ride prosperously, because of truth, and meekness, and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee." This will make you be the armies of heaven, that follow him in his great undertakings. Rev. xix. 14. It is his praying people that are his conquering armies that follow him. Now yovi find it coming, leave not pulling with all your strength, lest it roll back again. Shoot not two or three arrows, and so give over; but never leave shooting until the enemies of the Lord be all destroyed. Seeing it is his gospel whose advancement the Lord Jesus aimeth at in all these dispensa- tions, and whose quarrel alone he revengeth (whatever men raiay do), help on to the advancement of that gospel of his ; which, as formerly it was oppressed by the height and tyranny of the tower of Babel, so for the present is exceedingly defiled and cumbered by the rub- bish of it being in some measure cast down.
[3c%.] Whereas in these dispensations it is most eminently and frequently, in the praise of Christ, said that he is just and righteous in all his ways, — as you may see in all the acclamations of the saints upon the execution of his judgments on his enemies (" Just and righ- teous art thou") ; which is signally done on this account, because the ways whereby he doth it are counted most unrighteous in the world, — in this, then, also is he to be met, even in the administration of justice and judgment : you will othermse certainly be found in a cross path unto him, and be borne down before him. This is that wisdom which he calls for among the judges of the earth, when he is set to reign on his holy hill, Ps. ii. 10, IL
(2dly.) I shall add one word or two unto them who, either from the darkness of the things themselves, or from the prejudices and ' Ps. ex, I, 4, ii. 7, 8; Micah v. 3, 4; Isa. Ix, 12.
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temptations of their own spirits, are not aLle to discern the rigli- teousness of the ways of God, but rather hft up themselves against him.
First, then, Consider the constant appearing of God against every party that, under any colour or pretence whatever, have lifted up themselves for the reinforcement of things as in fonner days : — what colour or pretence soever they have put on, or which way soever they have turned themselves, God hath still appeared against them. Can you not discern his leavening their counsels Avith folly and madness, weakening their hearts and hands, — making the strong become as tow, and the successful a reproach? Though tiiey have gone from moun- tain to mountain to seek for divination, and changed then- pretences as often as Laban did Jacob's wages, yet they find neither fraud nor enchantment that will prevail : and doth not this proclaim that tlie design which God had in hand is as yet marvellously above you?
Secondly, Consider the constant answer of prayers which those which have waited on God in these dispensations, to theu' unspeak- able consolation, have received, — finding God to be nigh unto them in all that they call upon him for. If in this thing they regarded iniquity in their hearts, surely God would not have heard them. Others also cry, even to the Lord do they cry; but he will not bear witness to the abomination of their hearts. Oh, tliat upon these and the like considerations you would at last take the counsel of the psalmist, Ps. xlvi. 10, Be still, and know that he is God. Be silent before him, for he is risen out of his holy habitation. Say, God hath done gi-eat things for these ; who hath hardened himself against him and prospered ? And this is the first particular.