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 First Meditation hereof, to be seriously pondered.

1 THat all such as live se∣curely in theyr owne wayes, without any due re∣gard of the Lord, and of his poore Church, are exclu∣ded hence; even all such, as who albeit the Lord shewe such manifest token•…•… of his heavy displeasure agaynst his owne people and children for their sinnes; and although they see his Glory, Gospell▪ & People, to bee so generally trampled under foot, our lord Iesus Christ to be ready utter∣ly to be thrust frō his throne, and his members in such mi∣serable distress, or imminent perill▪ yet they care for none

of these things, but only mind their owne courses, and seeke to satisfy their owne wils and desires, as all our worldlings▪ and all the prophane sort in generall do.

Yea, all such are shutte out as unmeete, who are not now in a tender commiserati∣on of the wofull estate of all the Lords people, de•…•…irous to obey our Lord Iesus Christ, comming to helpe him and them all, in what thing soe∣ver he shall make knowne un∣to them, that he stands in need of their helpe, and so calls for it at their hands; and who en∣deavour not unfeignedly to doe whatsoever he requireth, tending thereunto. And that this must needs be so for these reasons following, which are therefore every one of them to be seriously meditated of, and pondered, until we know our selves to have passed the

danger of them.

The first reason to be seriously meditated of.

1 FOr that al such who re∣gard him not in his poore and needy members, must be separated from these whom our Saviour calles, The blessed of his Father, and must stand at his left hand among the Goats, and must then hear the wofull doome at that last dreadfull day; Go ye cursed in∣to everlasting f•…•…re prepared for the Divell and his Angels, when I was an hungrie you gave mee no meat: when I was thirsty you gave me no drinke; when I was s•…•…ke and in prison, you visited me not; when I was naked, you cloathed me not; when I was a stranger and harbourlesse, you tooke me not in, &c. And there∣fore if it shall be so with these at that day, then certainely

they must needs bee rejected by him, as utterly unmeet for this service; who now that he calles for these duties at theyr hands, and that so lowd, as all the world doth ring thereof; yet are deafe in all, in regard of any commiseration. For what King▪ General, or Com∣mander, will ever willinglie have any admitted into pay to fight under them, but onely such as they know to be loy∣ally and faithfully affected to∣wards them; and which doe lay to heart, their honours, causes, and quarrels, as if they were their owne: much lesse then can we thinke, that the Lord of heaven & earth (who needes none of our helpe, but can get himselfe the victorie over his enimies by the breath of his nostrils when it plea∣seth him) will admit of any o∣ther to be with him, and to helpe him in this great work,

wherein he will so highly ho∣nour them; but onely so ma∣ny as shall bee loyally and heartily affected towardes his Majesty, his causes, and chil∣dren.

The second reason to be seriouslie thought of.

SEcondly, we are seriouslie to lay to heart, and to be∣thinke our selves in time if we would be helpers herein, That all such who live in any one gross sinne impenitently, and much more in any one of those notorious abhominati∣ons which broght that dread∣full Captivity upon Iudah; & which the Lord hath caused to be set so lively before the face of all by y^• holy Prophets themselves, together with the vengeance denounced for them, are also utterly exclu∣ded; especially, if they live

therein scandalously, to the slander of the Gospell, or the offence of others, to harden them in their courses; for that all such are both blinde and deafe, and make others so.

Such cannot see the wrath and vengeance of GOD, cer∣tainly rushing upon thēselves for their owne sinnes wherein they lye, much less can they see that which is rushing up∣on all the Churches for theyr security, and abuse of the gos∣pell; and least of all can they discerne of any wrath concei∣ved agaynst our selves: for that they consider onely, that we yet live in peace, but per∣ceyve not at all the multitude and heynousness of our most odious and lowd-crying sins, agaynst which the Prophets so thunder out the vengeance of the Lord, and for which all who are wise-hearted indeed and whose eyes GOD hath

rightly opened, doe feare and tremble.

They can neyther see any tokens of the Lords displea∣sure, nor yet discerne the ene∣mies raging so furiously a∣gaynst all the Churches a∣broad, as by their most deepe and bloody practises, threats, and intendments they daylie manifest to all the world; no not those enemies which bee in our very bosomes, such as all those are, who beare evill will against Sion. They per∣ceiue not the multitude of Locusts with such stinges in their tails, sent out of the bot∣tomelesse pit to all the Kings of the earth, to draw them all if it were possible, & certainly every one of them, so farre as ever the Lord shall permit them) to take up arms against our Lord Iesus Christ, and his poore Church.

They are deafe, and cannot

heare the cry of their poore brethren, though sounding daily in their eares, so as to take any true pitty of them; how then should they heare the cry of the Lord, calling to themselves and all other to repent, so to prevent and pa∣cifie his wrath.

Concerning these so con∣tinuing, the holy Ghost oft declareth the heavy wrath of God that is upon them. That he hath blinded their eies, and made their eares dull of hea∣ring, hee hath hardened their hearts; least they should see with their eies, and heare with their eares, and convert and be saved. And yet more, for a further execution of his just and most heavy displeasure upon such as so harden and fatte themselves against his most terrible threats, thus dreadfully doth the holy Ghost bring in the Prophet

David, denouncing Gods vengeance against them, say∣ing, Let their table bee a snare and a net▪ and a stumbling block for a recompence unto them.

These therefore, especially all blind watchmen, crying Peace, Peace, and all is well, and so lulling themselves and all others asleepe, call for all the Beasts of the forrest to de∣stroy; even for all the cruell enemies of Christ, & his true Church, to invade and make havocke of all the rest of the Churches, as of some others they have done before. How then should these pray for the Churches, when they cannot either see or heare any token of Gods wrath, so as to cause them to seeke to appease it, or pray for themselves; how should they then pray for o∣thers, especially for those whom in their hearts they scorne, onely because they

feare and put their trust in the Lord alone.

The third particular reason hereof to be throughly medita∣ted of.

THirdly, wee are in feare and trembling to Medi∣tate, How all the threatnings in the booke of God, which are against those sinnes, wher∣in they live impenitently a∣gainst the light of their owne hearts, & against such sinners, are against them; and parti∣cularly those which are a∣gainst such, as will not sub∣mit themselves to walke in obedience to all the Com∣mandements and ordinances of the Lord, but will walke stubbornely against him, though it bee but in any one sin; That he will walke stub∣bornly against them, and the like denuntiations; a•…•… those,

Levit. 26. 14. 15. 23. 24. Deut. 28. 15. 21. &c. 47. 48. Deut. 29. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. &c. But not so much as any one promise from the beginning of Genesis to the end of the Revelation, which they can take hold of, as belonging to themselves, so long as they continue so to walke. They are manifestly excluded from medling with the Covenant of God. Psal. 50. from verse 16. to the end of it. But unto the wicked, said God, what hast thou to doe to take my Covenant into thy mouth, seeing thou hatest to bee reformed, and hast cast my Co∣venant behind thee? When thou sawest a theefe, thou didst runne with him, and thou hast beene partaker with the Adulterers, &c. Where he reckoning up some particular sinnes, shew∣eth plainly, that every such sin lived in obstinately, and with

delight, utterly excludes from all comfort in the Co∣venant of Grace and mercy in Christ. And that they one∣ly who offer to God praise, and unfeignedly indeavour to pay their vowes unto him, that is, to yeild to him a per∣fect & intire obedience, have the promise and comfort of the Covenant.

These may call upon him in the day of trouble, com∣ming with confidence to the Throne of Grace, and lifting up pure hands without stag∣gering or doubting; and hee will hear them, that they may glorifie him accordingly. But otherwise, be they never so forward in profession, and let them never so much thereup∣on flatter themselves, yet they shall heare this insteed of any comfort, I know you not, depart from me ye that worke iniquitie. How then can they imagine

to be accepted in this worke, or that God should vouchsafe so much as to heare others praying for them, that they may be saved, until they turne and submit themselves whol∣ly unto him. We ought ther∣fore to labour to bring our hearts, to be able with feare and trembling, to heare and receive that sweet counsell of the Lords, Psal. 50. 22. Oh con∣sider this; ye that forget God, lest I teare you in peeces, and there be none that can deliver you. He that offereth me praise, shall glo∣rifie me, and to him that dispo∣seth his way aright, will I sh•…•…w the salvation of God: That is, onely to such a one.

The 4. particular Reason hereof, to be thorowly laid to heart.

FOurthly, wee are in feare and trembling to lay this further to heart, How everie

notorious sinner, though it be but in one onely sinne, helpes to pull downe the vengeance of God upon all, and to hin∣der the prayers of all the rest, so much as the sin of one man can do, as was noted before. Like as Achan did by his Sa∣criledge: yea, if it bee but in flying for feare, from his of∣fice injoyned by the Lord, for the saving of his people, or neglecting it, as Ionah: for whose sinne the storme could not be stayed, untill hee vvas cast into the Sea. And much more all they who wallowing in their wickedness, doe call good evill, and evill good; light darkness, and darkness light. For that these, as they hale on iniquity as with cart∣ropes, so they violently draw downe the vengeance of God upon all, as much as such sin∣ners can. Eyther the Waters of the old world, as did the

Gyants before the Flood, if they be such, or fire & brim∣stone, as did the filthie Sodo∣mites, if they live in those sins of theyrs; as namely, in Pride, fulness of Bread, aboundance of Idleness, not regarding to strengthen the handes of the poore. Or finally, if they be but any way Oppressours or Spoylers of Gods people and Children, their sinnes crye for other Oppressors & Spoy∣lers in Gods just vengeance to be sent to oppress and spoile them and theirs, as it came fearefully to pass in the Cap∣tivitie. And therefore thus haling down vengeance, how can they pray to turne it a∣way.

The Fift reason heereof to be se∣riously meditated of.

FIftly, wee are to strive to bee thoroughly touched

with the right understanding & lively feeling hereof, That they who have no mercie nor compassion on their Brethren in their miseries bodily or spirituall, can looke for no mercy nor compassion. And much more, they who add af∣fliction to the affliction of them whom God hath woun∣ded, whereas they should af∣foord comfort to them as live∣ly feeling members of y^e same true mysticall body of our Lord Iesus Christ: yea all who do but stand on the other side in the day of their Brethrens miseries, and doe not at least with faithfull Abraham, pray earnestly for them, as hee for them of Sodome. Yea, which is more dreadfull, if they doe not to the uttermost of their power, as God cals them, and offers them opportunitie and meanes) adventure thēselves for their Brethren carryed a∣way

captives, to the dishonor of the Lord, and the shame of his whole Church and Gos∣pell, they can looke for no commiseration, no not in their owne extreamest calamities; though they howl upon their beds in the feare or feeling of their miseryes; or roare and tumble as wilde Bulles taken in nets; much less can they hope to be admitted to this holy worke thus to helpe the Lord, before they have bene truly humbled for this sinne, and haue brought their hearts to such a lively sense and fee∣ling of the miseryes of theyr Brethren, as that their bow∣els can earne over them for the same.

The sixt Reason to be rightly considered of.

SIxtly, we are seriously to thinke heereof, and not to

rest before we have brought our hearts to a right conside∣ration of it, That none but onely those who can so lay to heart the dishonors done un∣to his Majesty, in the blas∣pheming of his great and glo∣rious name; the trampling under foot his Gospell and people, as that they can at least unfeignedly desire and labour to bee more troubled for the same, and more hum∣bled in themselves for them, then for any private evill that can betide thēselves or frends, can possibly be meete for this worke. For that if we do not so highly esteeme and prefer his glory and Gospell, as that in regard thereof, we can even neglect and despise our selves we do exceedingly dishonour and despise him, and therefore must looke to bee despised of him, and so have all our pray∣ers, and all service in this be∣halfe

untill that time utterly rejected.

The senenth reason to be serious∣ly Meditated of, That none can be admitted, who will not cest away their sinne, though as deere as their right eye.

THis is above all (though touched in part before) to bee deeply and duely pon∣dered, to bring our hearts to a true beleeving and feeling of it: that not any but such as now harken to his loud cry to repent and turne from all their evill wayes, even in e∣very particular can bee meete for this, though their sinne be as deere unto them as their right eye, if they love i•…•… more then the Lord Iesus, they cannot bee worthy of him. Therefore sith God hath threatned all such, that they must be cast into hell fire, and

so perish eternally from his presence; how can they ever imagine to bee admitted to this worke, seeing they can∣not stand before him. Or if they be such as have not, no•…•… yet will receive the love of the truth, so as to obey it in what they know, that they may be saved; or such as when they know God, they will not set themselves to glorifie him as God; but contrarily will more and more dishonor him by going on obstinately in their sinnes; or such as have set up any stumbling block of their owne wicked imaginati∣on to worshipe it; how can they thinke to bee helpers herein unto the Lord for all others.

Howsoever they flatter themselves that they shall do well enough, though they live in that sinne for a time, or at least a little, and that they

shall have peace, that God will bee mercifull unto them, notwithstanding all that hee hath denounced to the con∣trary: yet the Lord hath told us plainly, that he will not be mercifull to any such but will make his wrath smoake a∣gainst then, untill they bee consumed. Hee hath decla∣red to all the world, that such shall be either given up to be strongly deluded by Anti∣christ, or by some other like delusion; that they shall bee given up in the end to a re∣probate sense▪ as hee gave up the very Gentiles for abusing but the light of Nature; yea that Gods owne Prophets shall helpe to deceive such, to sooth them in their evill way; answering them according to their owne evill heart. That thus the stumbling block which any one hath set up to worship, and wherein he hath

preferred the obeying & ser∣ving of his owne lusts before his obeying & serving of the Lord Iesus, shall be his ruine and destruction. And there∣fore no such man so long as hee continueth obstinately in his sinne can hope to bee ad∣mitted, or to have any hand or part in this holy worke.

The eighth reason hereof, That but inclining to any fin, God will not heare us.

ANd more then all this to awake our consciences yet more fully, the Lord would have us further to thinke of this deeply, that hee which inclineth to any wick∣ednesse in his heart; but to any one sinne, desiring to have his corrupt lust satisfied in it, contrary to the light of his conscience, his prayer even for that is a bhominable, so

that God will not heare him, as David professeth of him∣selfe.

The ninth reason hereof to bee e∣ver in our hearts, That who∣soever is not with our Savi∣our is against him.

TO shut up all briefly, this is never to be out of our hearts. That whosoever is not with our Saviour, is a∣gainst him; whosoever indea∣voureth not to bee so with him, so to follow and helpe him, as a true Disciple and souldier, to be furnished with every of the former qualities; to bee armed with every part of the compleate Armour of a Christiain; to be in all things such a one as hee hath so pre∣scribed; yea, who will not bind & set himselfe constant∣ly to keepe his watch, but sometimes give liberty to his

owne euill heart, hee cannot have any true hope to bee ad∣mitted to this worke, but in pressing in, to helpe without a warrant, as Vzzah did to stay the Arke-tottering, is in danger of Gods heavy displea∣sure, and to have his prayer turned into sinne. That it shal so come to pass unto him, as unto those who would go to fight without y^• Lord. He may looke for a curse in stead of a blessing, & to have the Lords hand stretched out agaynst him, to fall and flye before his enemyes. Till this time, eve∣ry such a one may be afraid of comming neere the Moun∣taine, of putting his hand to the Arke; of rushing into the battle without Armor, & may look to speed as he that came to the marriage, without his wedding Garment.

Notes

• First: As All living se∣curely exclu∣ded.
• 2 All who do not in com∣miseration come to help him, and his poor church.
• Reasons.
• All such must be separated at the last day.
• 2. All exclu∣ded living in any one gross sinne impe∣nitently, for that they are both blinde and deafe.
• They see not Gods wrath rushing on themselves, much lesse can they see it rushing on others.
• They per∣ceyve not our sinnes.
• Nor any to∣kens of Gods displeasure. Nor the furie of the Chur∣ches Ene∣mies.
• Nor the mul∣titude of Lo∣custs sent out of the bot∣tomless pit.
• Nor heare the cryes of Gods poore children, much lesse his call to repentance.
• Gods wrath upon all such in blinding their eies, & hardening their hearts.
• Esay. 6. 9. 10.
• Rom. 11. 8.
• Rom. 11. 9.
• Esay. 56. Esay. 22.
• Especially upon all blind watch∣men calling for all the beasts to de∣stroy.
• Psal. 14. 6.
• All the threatnings in the booke of God a∣gainst such sins & sinners are against them.
• Not any one promise un∣till they re∣pent.
• Psal. 50, 14. 15
• 4. Reason.
• Every notori∣ous sinner helpes to pull downe the vengeance on all.
• Esay 5.
• 5. All exclu∣ded who have no com∣passion of their Brethe∣ren in their miseryes.
• If they doe not adven∣ture them∣selve▪ for their brethrē
• •…•…. Reason.
• 6. None can be right hel∣pers but one∣ly those vvho can more lay to heart the causes of God and his people, then their owne.
• None m•…•…ete but they who indeavour to turne from every evill way.
• Mat. 5. 29.
• And to re∣ceive the love of every part of Gods truth. 2. Thess. 2. 10.
• Rom. 1. 21.
• Ezek. 14. 3.
• Though they flatter them∣selves God will not be mercifull to them. Deut. 29. 19.
• Deut. 19. 20.
• But will give them up to be deluded. 2. Thess. 2. 11.
• And in the end to a re∣probate sense. Rom. 1. 28.
• Ezek. 14. 14. That Gods owne Pro∣phets shall helpe to de∣ceive such.
• Iohn. 9. 31.
• Prov. 28. 9.
• Psal. 66. 18.
• None but they who in all things in∣deauour to be with our Saviour are true disciples
• Mat. 12. 30
• Our danger in approach∣ing neere to our God with out a warrāt. 2 Sam. 6, 7.
• Numb. 24, 40, 41, &c. Deut. 1, 41, 45.
• Exod. 19, 24.
• Math: 22, 11, 12, 13.