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MEDITATION VII.
THE damned Pride of humane Wisedom is indeed come to that pass, that People will hardly allow the Almighties Prorogative by his uncontroulable Provi∣dence to manage this World. We have a daily experience of Gods disap∣pointing the subtlety of Mens designs, and of embroiling that success of the crafty, which Gods unsearchable counsel permits sometimes. And yet we are generally so far from reflecting more upon God than upon our own brains, that we fancy we are able to baffle the disposals of Infinite Power, which I am afraid hath connived long enough to convince us of his extraordinary Mercy, and to keep us from thinking those judgements too severe, which it seems begin to come upon Earth, and which will very heavily light upon those heads, that have hitherto laughed at the threatnings of Gods Word. It is not my task by these Meditations to explain the first part of the Lords Prayer, and to determine what way and how soon here upon Earth as well as in Heaven; Gods Name is to be hallowed, Gods Kingdom to come, and Gods will to be done. Those that mind our Saviours Exhortations, will not neglect to endeavour the being in a readiness for it at all times. Gods mercy hath nevertheless extended so far as to raise of late persons, understanding those dark Passages both of the Old and New Testament, which speak of the Triumph of goodness over wickedness. I have seen onely some writings of Mrs. Bourignon and Mr. Poiret, but I know there is more persons acquainted with the nearness of that time. But I perceive there is scarce any more heed taken of what they say or Write, than of Noah before the De∣luge. It is an unaccountable thing that even those, which own the Bible to come from God, should less reflect upon what is contained in it about an universal Reign of Justice, Peace and Joy; than upon the tricks of the Devil, to turn that Reign into ri∣dicule by some Millenarians, some Quakers, and some Family of Love Men. We are questionless too presumptuous of ourselves, if we suppose there was no need of our Saviour for warning us against the fierceness and cheats of the Devil in the latter times. But our Saviours Doctrine is grown so despicable with the far greater part, that it is thought below a Wit, either to hold that our Saviour is God, or to believe that there is a Devil.
But Great God have thou in thy infinite Mercy a tender compassion of thy poor people in this last and most furious assault of the Adversary, hear the sighs of those that groan under his Tyranny, and prepare those that fear thee, for thy appearence which thou wilt shortly make to avenge the Scorn of thy Onely Son, strengthen the Faith of those thou thinkest fit to bring to the fiery Trial, and do not defer long mercifully to fullfil thy decrees about me; for my Redeemers sake.