The fourth part of the true watch containing prayers and teares for the churches. Or A helpe to hold up the hearts and hands of the poorest servants of God, untill our Lord Iesus Christ shall have rescued his glorie, kingdome, and people in all the world, and fully prepared the way to his most glorious appearing.

The third particular Meditation of this second generall, That as Sathan and Antichrist haue set themselves to fight against Christ his kingdome so our Sa∣viour hath ordained Kings and Princes to hold up his Scep∣ter, and to defend and protect his Subiects and Gospell.* 1.1

THirdly, wee are to bring our hearts to a due consi∣deration and deepe pondering hereof; how as the Gyants be∣fore the floud: so Sathan, & his Souldiers haue set themselves to fight against heaven, and the hoast thereof, yea even against Iesus Christ our Lord & King, and how they have cast downe his Scepter, Throne, and Dig∣nitie, and trample his crowne under their feet, in all the pla∣ces* 1.2 where they have prevailed, and where they beare rule over Gods poore heritage. And

that as they haue begunne and fearefully prevailed in manie places; so they haue resolued to* 1.3 proceed throughout the earth, to set up Sathan and Antichrist in the very Throne of our Lord Iesus Christ, to defile again his Temple, to make his house a∣gaine a den of Theeves. That* 1.4 Antichrist may fit againe as God, in the Temple of God; yea in those very places where he hath beene formerly long cast forth: so that the zeale of his house euen in this behalfe, should eate us up.

And also, wee are to bring our soules to a true sense here∣of,* 1.5 that as they thus seeke to tyrannize over his people and children, to leade in triumphes as captives, both our Lord Ie∣sus himselfe, and his armies, and to keepe under all that belong to the Lord Iesus as slaves for ever; so our Saviour hath on the other side ordained and ap∣pointed

Kings and Princes* 1.6 under him to hold up his Scep∣ter, even his heavenly Gospell; and that he hath likewise de∣creed and ordained, that even those of them which before had given their power unto the beast to fight against his Sove∣raigne Majesty, and against his people, should againe with∣draw* 1.7 all their power from the beast, when they shall see his wickednesse fully discovered, and give it wholly unto his heavenly Majesty, to accom∣plish all his will, in making the* 1.8 Whore desolate, and for the aduancement of his euerlasting Gospell, when they shall truly behold the power and glorie thereof.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Thy king∣dome come. How the e∣nemies set themselves a∣gainst Christ.
• * 1.2

  How they have prevai∣led.
• * 1.3

  Resolued to proceed.
• * 1.4

  That Anti∣christ may fit again as God in his Tem∣ple.
• * 1.5

  That as they thus seeke to lead Christ & his armies captives.
• * 1.6

  That he hath ordained Kings to hold up his Scep∣ter,
• * 1.7

  Apo. 17. 16, 17
• * 1.8

  And to make the whore desolate.