1 church and commonwealth is there neceffarily conjoined fo, that, if the Proteftant interest should wear out, and the truth decline, the land cannot poffibly be fafe, where once this had been received. The Romish intereft now seems to gain ground, yea a ftrange and unusual conjunction to promote that way; but it is well, we know a more bleffed and infallible fecurity, than outward appearances to rest upon: and with that affurance, as we can be perfuaded of an eternal falvation by Jefus Chrift. It is fure alfo, 1. That the victory and decision of this war fhall be on the Lamb's fide, and those that are with him muft overcome, when the living God hath paffed his word thereupon, to his church; and though we may fet no bounds, as to any particular time, we have folid ground to believe that a more remarkable ftroke, above all that hath been hitherto, hafteneth upon the kingdom of Antichrist. 2. That whofoever withdraw, and think it their intereft now to keep a distance in any adventuring for the truth, yet light and deliverance shall arife to the church from another airth; but this fhall not be their efcape and outgates Yea though it feem a ftrange contradiction to fenfe and reafon, it is to be the matter of our faith, that affuredly now the rife and advance of the reformed church is on foot, and her fharpest conflicts and wrestlings must tend thereto. 3. Though the spirit of interceffion and prayer may be too difcernibly found under a fad restraint, as to what hath been in former times in the church; yet it is fure, that many prayers and groans once put up by an innumerable company who now are in heaven, in behalf of the church, and for that folemn day of Babylon's fall, yet waits and still cries before the throne; fuch prayers, wherein they had greatest access and liberty by the help of the spirit, for pouring out their fouls thus before the Lord. 4. It is fure we are to believe that inftruments fhall be yet raised, and called for that end, with a marvellous appearance of God upon them, to execute the judgment writ ten against this adverfary; and O what a bleffed, and honourable fervice fhall it be! 5. Should this not otherwise be made out, but through a fea of blood, and wounding the heads over many countries, yea in a way (as we have clearest ground to judge) which human reason could never reach. It is fure, this cannot be wanting, and when the God of truth hath faid, such an enemy fhall be brought down, his counfel must stand, though all the kingdoms of the earth ftood in the way thereof; Oh! at what a rate do these now run themselves in the way of his wrath and vengeance, and to be partakers of the fame plagues with Antichrift, who yet will not cease, from giving their power to support that accurfed and falling intereft. Several doctrines obferved from it, The doctrine to be here difcourfed of, proposed, Proved from various grounds that demonftrate the faith- The fpecial ground here enlarged upon is the visible per- formance of the great and wonderful events mentioned CHAP. II. THE first Head entered upon which is to give Inftances of events, where there is an immediate appearance of ib. I. Inftance is in the rare frame and contrivance of the ib. II. Inftance is in the spiritual and new creation, Page XII. Inftance is in judicial strokes inflicted upon the fpi- CHAP. KI. I. Inftance is the induration and blindness to this day III. Inftance is in the advancement of the church in CHAP. IV. THE fecond Head entered upon, which confifts of In- ferences from the foregoing demonstration of the faith- I. Inference is, that the church at this day has the very oracles of God that came down from himself, II. Inference, what marvellous things have now a present being before our eyes in the event, which many ages before they were brought forth, had a being in the ib.' Page. IV. Inference, more evidences in our hand at this day V. Inference, that the truths of the word are to be felt or known by a certainty of sense and experience, VI. Inference, that sense offers a great affiftance to faith illuftrated, and examples thereof given, VII. Inference, that the exceeding greatness of God's power is most eminently fhewed forth to these who VIII. Inference, that the confirmations of the laft times are greater than thofe of the first, IX. Inference, that the truths we are now called to be- X. Inference, how great a thing the Scripture is, XII. Inference, that the angels this day are at school and studying with the faints the manifold wisdom of God, 94 XIII. Inference, that there is an efficacious working of the Spirit with the word beyond moral influence or ob- CHAP. V. THE third Head entered upon, which is to consider the III. Caufe, Credulity and eafinefs of affent, III ib. |