1st. In the first way, how do we find the Jews, putting far from them the word of life, and rejecting the counsel of God at its first entrance, calling for night at the rising of the sun? Hence, Acts xiii. 41. Paul concludes his sermon to them, with, ' Hear, ye despisers. wonder and perish :' and ver. 46. it was necessary the word should be preached to them, but seeing they judged themselves unworthy, they were forsaken; and ver. 51. ' thev sh;ike off the dust
UNCHANGEABLE, FREE MEUCY. 29
of their feet against them : a common symbol in those days of the highest indignation and deepest curse. The like stubbornness we find in them. Acts xxviii. whereupon the apostle wholly turned himself to the Gentiles, ver. 28. How many nations of Europe, at the beginning of the re- formation, rejected the gospel of God, and procured Christ, with the Gadarenes, to depart as soon as he was entered, will be found at the last day, written with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus, that suffered amongst them ?
2dly. After some continuance. So the church of Laodicea, having for awhile enjoyed the word, fell into such a tepid condition, so little moved with that fire that Christ came to send upon the earth, Rev. iii. 15, 16. that the Lord was even sick and weary with bearing them. The church of Rome, famous at the first, yet quickly, by the advantage of outward supportments, and glorious fan- cies, became head of that fatal rebellion against Jesus Christ,'' which spread itself over most of the churches in the world ; God hereupon sending upon them the ' efficacy of error to believe a lie, that they all might be damned that believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness;' 2 Thess. ii. suffering them to detain the empty names of church and gospel, which because they usurp only for their advantage here, to appear glorious, the Lord will use for the advancing of his justice hereafter, to shew them inex- cusable. O Lord, how was England of late by thy mercy delivered from this snare ! A captain being chosen for the return of this people into Egypt, O, how hath thy grace fought against our backsliding ! And let none seek to extenuate this mercy, by catalogues of errors still amongst us, there is more danger of apostacy against Christ, and rebellion against the truth, in one babylonish error, owned by men pretending to power and jurisdiction over others, than in five hundred scattered amongst inconsiderable dis- united individuals. I would to God we could all speak and think the same things, that we were all of one mind, even in the most minute differences that are now amongst us. But yet the truth is, the kingdom of Jesus Christ never
*> NDv 5e la-Tiv aTTog-raiTHi, a,7ric-rvi<rav ya^ o\ avQ^o-rroi t^j o^firf Tr/c-TEo.'?. Cyrillus Heros.
30 A VISION OK
shakes amongst a people, until men pretending to act with a combined mixed power of heaven and earth, unto which all sheaves must bow, or be threshed, do, by virtue of this trust, set up and impose things, or opinions deviating from the rule ; as it was in the papacy, errors owned by mixed associations. Civil and ecclesiastical are for the most part incurable, be they never so absurd and foolish ; of which the Lutheran ubiquities and consubstantiation are a tremendous example. These things being presupposed.
Use 1. Let no flesh glory in themselves, but let every mouth be stopped ; for we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. Who hath made the possessors of the gospel to differ from others? Or 'what have they, that they have not received?' 1 Cor. iv. 7. Why are 'these things hidden from the great and wise of the world, and re- vealed to babes and children, but because, O Father, so it pleased thee?' Matt. xi. 26, ' He hath mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth ;' Rom. ix. Ah, Lord, if the glory and pomp of the world might prevail with thee to send thy gospel, it would supply the room of the cursed Alchoran, and spread itself in the palaces of that strong lion of the east, who sets his throne upon the necks of kings. But alas, Jesus Christ is not there ! If wisdom, learning, pretended gravity, counterfeit holiness," real policy, were of any value in thine eyes to procure the word of life, it would be as free and glorious at Rome as ever : but alas, antichrist hath his throne there, Jesus Christ is not there ! If will-worship and humilities, neglect of the body, macera- tions, superstitions, beads, and vainly repeated prayers, had any efl&cacy before the Lord, the gospel perhaps might be in the cells of some recluses and monks : but alas, Jesus Christ is not there ! If moral virtues to an amazement, exact civil honesty and justice, that soul of human society, could have prevailed aught, the heathen worthies in the days of old had had the promises : but alas, Jesus Christ was far away! Now if all these be passed by, to whom is the report of the Lord made known ? to ' whom is his arm revealed V Why, to a handful of poor sinners amongst the nations formerly counted fierce and barbarous.'^ And