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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.

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CHAP. V.

THE third Head entered upon, which is to consider the
Caufes why among those who profess godliness it is
fo rare to be thoroughly perfuaded of the truth, an-
fwerably to the greatnefs of its evidence,

1. Caufe, Want of reflection,

II. Caufe, Low aims,

III

ib.

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