Generation-work, or, A brief and seasonable word offered to the view and consideration of the saints and people of God in this generation, relating to the work of the present age, or generation we live in wherein is shewed, I. What generation-work is, and how it differs from other works, II. That saints in the several generations they have lived in, have had the proper and peculiar works of their generations, III. That it is a thing of very great concernment for a saint to attend to and be industrious in, the work of his generation, IV. Wherein doth the work of the present generation lye, V. How each one in particular may find out that part or parcel of it, that is properly his work in his generation, VI. How generation-work may be so carried on, as that God may be served in the generation / by John Tillinghast ...

A Concluding Word.

WHen Daniel understood by Books the number of the years whereof the Lord had said, He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem, he set himself to seek the Lord by fasting, weeping, and mourning.

When Moses understood the time of the delivery of Gods people out of Egypt to be at hand, he not only strengthned his Brethren, but took courage, and went in unto Pharaoh.

Though it is far from entring into my thoughts to com∣pare my self with these, yet is it my duty, and desire, to imitate them in their grace.

As to the first, my hearts desire, and prayer to the Father of mercies is, That a Daniels praying Spirit might abound in my self, and all the people of God at this day.

As for the second, my intents and purposes were to have closed up this discovery, with a solemn Exhortation; First, To the Higher Powers of this Commonwealth. Secondly, To all those who have fellowship with the Fa∣ther, and with his Son Jesus Christ, within it. But con∣sidering how poor and vain a thing the words of the Crea∣ture are, and how little, where much is spoken, reacheth the heart, if the Holy Spirit apply it not, in my after thoughts I judged it better to leave it to the Spirit of God to set home these truths, than to undertake to do it my self; and therefore resting in these thoughts, I shall

only in a word or two deliver a Message, and I hope not my own.

First, To the Higher Powers, the Message is this, THIS PEOPLE SAY, THE TIME IS NOT COME, the time that the Lords work should be car∣ried on: Is it time for you (O yee) to dwell in your cieled houses, and this work of Christ lye waste? Now therefore thus saith the Lord of Hosts, Consider your wayes; Yea, thus saith the Lord, Consider your wayes: For if at this time you lay aside that work where∣in the cause and glory of our dear and blessed Redeemer is so neerly, and immediately concerned, and attend to work of another nature, which comparatively he calls you not to, he will assuredly, in sore displeasure, with shame and con∣tempt, lay you aside; ruine shall come to Babylon, sal∣vation and deliverance unto Mount Sion another way.

Secondly, To the people of God in this Common∣wealth, the Message is this, That although you are verily as unworthy a generation of Saints (considering how for∣mal the profession of some is, how loose the Principles of others, how unlike Saints of old, yea Saints but of yester∣day we are all) of this so great Grace, now ready to be re∣vealed, as ever the earth bore: Yet that the whole world may see and know the exceeding riches of his grace, and that by the sheddings abroad of his love (which is a way more suitable to Gospel administrations) your over-grown corruptions may be rooted out, and the breaches of Sion made up, and you made to remember your own evill wayes and doings that were not good, and to loath your selves in your own sight for your iniquities and abomina∣tions, his grace shall with a notwithstanding triumph over all this your unworthiness, and he will yet redeem his cause from the Grave, carry on his work among you, be∣fore you and by you, as Instruments, gloriously and speedily, yea with a high hand for his Name sake.

Thirdly, in particular to the Imprisoned Saints, to∣gether with all those who in this day suffer the reproaches of men, the scorn, and censures of Brethren, for the testi∣mony of Jesus, and upon the account of his Kingdom, my Message is, Your Brethren that hated you, and cast you out for Christs name sake, said, LET THE LORD BE GLORIFIED, but he shall appear unto your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

Lastly, To all Sions Children wheresoever they may be, that take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof; let me say, Lift up your heads with joy, for your redemption draweth nigh: For yet a little while, and behold the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the Inhabitants of the earth for their Iniquity; when (as he hath purposed) he will stain the pride of all glory, and bring into contempt the honorable of the earth; For it is the day of the Lords vengeance, and the year of recom∣pences for the controversie of Sion. And though the scar∣let Whore begins now to say in her heart, I sit as a Queen, am no Widow, and shall see no sorrow, yet shall her plagues come upon her in one day, death, and mourning, and fa∣mine, and she shall be utterly burnt with fire, for strong is the Lord our God, that judgeth her.

FINIS.