Now what, 1 pray, are the works that the Lord is bring- ing forth upon the earth? what is he doing in our own and the neighbouring nations ? Shew me the potentate upon the earth, that hath a peaceable molehill, to build himself & habitation upon ? Are 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 v>'hich hath been building a thousand years is not like to go down in a thousand days.
(3dly.) The expectation of the saints i^ another thing, from whence a discovery of the will of God and the tvork of our generation may be concluded. The secretways of God's communicating his mind unto his saints, by a fresh fa- vour of accomplishing prophecies, and strong workings of the spirit of supplications, I cannot now insist 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 a« waters that fail. Nay he will assuredly fulfil the desires of the poor.
Just about the time that our Saviour Christ was to be
OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. 375
born of a woman, 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 asstiredl shall never have again ?' 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 their hope, and excellent was the accomplishmeiit.
Whether this Vv'iil be made a rule to others or no, I know not: this I am assured, that, being bottomed on promises, and built up with supplications, it is a ground for them to rest upon. And here 1 dare appeal to all, who with any di- ligence have inquired into the things of the kingdom of Christ, that have any savour upon their spirits of the accom- plishment of prophecies and promises in the latter days, who count themselves concerned in the glory of the gospel ; whe- ther this thing of consuming the mystery of iniquity, and vindicating the churches of Christ, into the liberties pur- chased for them by the Lord Jesus, by the shaking and trans- lating 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.
(4thly.) Whether the fears of his 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 calling to an account for the blood of his saints, the kings and cap- tains present cry out, * The great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand?' Rev. vi. 17.
I am not of counsel 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 1 am fully persuaded, that were the thoughts of their hearts disclosed, notwithstanding all their glittering shows, dreadful words, threatening expressions, you shall see them tremble, and dread this very thing, that the whole world as now established will be wrapped up in darkness, at least until that cursed interest, which is set up against the Lord Jesus,
> Lnkeiii. 15.
376 THE SHAKING AND TKANSLATING
be fully and wholly shaken out from the heavens and earth of the nations.
And thus without leading you about by chronologies and computations, which yet have their use (well to counta num- ber being wisdom indeed), 1 have a little discovered unto you some rules, whereby you may come to be acquainted with the work of God in the days wherein we live, and also what that work is, which is our first use. The next shall be for direction, to guide you what you ought to do, when you know what is the work of your generation.
Use 2. Be exhorted to prepare to meet the Lord, to make his way straight: and this I would press distinctly.
(1.) As to your persons.