A41644:195
God's call to England, for thankfulness after gracious deliverances wherein is showed, that our deliverances, not answered with reformation, will be followed with sorest destruction / by Thomas Gouge.God's call to England, for thankfulness after gracious deliverances wherein is shewed, that our deliverances, not answered with reformation, will be followed with sorest destruction / by Thomas Gouge.
London: printed for John Hancock, 1680
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
4. May we not justly fear our enemies have now set forward, by their doubled diligence, that design which was set back by the discovery of their accursed Plot? Our enemies may be like the Devil, qui surgit armis quibus dejicitur, rises by the weapons by which he is cast down: So these politic Wretches may improve the discovery of their designs, to make for the advancing of them, by laying their Plots more cunningly. We have often heard of repulsed Armies gaining force, and at last become triumphing Conquerors. Our enemies may yet be rallying upon us, and that with a more invincible fury. The Fowler often removes his snares, understanding the birds perception of it; our enemies may change ⟨p. 153⟩or remove their snares, and yet be as near to slay and undo us as before. And when we are most secure from it, we are nearest to it. The dreadful battle was against Gibeah, when he knew not such an evil was near him, Judg. 20.34. Those Serpents will not dye because their tails are cut off. Those grand Politicians can contrive more ways than one. 'Tis possible their fainting hearts have had some Cordials from Rome to revive them. France can help them at a dead lift: and their Ghostly Father will prevent the ruin of his cursed brats, if all he can do can ruin us. May we not fear things are brought to be statu quo, as they were before, or rather worse, if that be possible? I fear every gap is not yet stopped, whereby our enemies may possibly invade us. I think it may be feared our enemies are not yet so much impaired, but that they are able to recover their loss of some Arms they had to spare, and some men they will not miss amongst their thousands. Do they not cry in the stoutness of their hearts and pride of spirit, as Isa. 9.10. The bricks are fallen down, we will build with stones; the sycamores are cut down, we will build with cedars? We have been ⟨p. 154⟩too remiss this once, but now we will be more invincible. The water cast upon their fire, may make it burn the more fiercely, and vexatious disappointments will make them more diligent.
4. May we not justly fear our enemies have now set forward, by their doubled diligence, that designe which was set back by the discovery of their accursed Plot? Our enemies may be like the Devil, qui surgit armis quibus dejicitur, rises by the weapons by which he is cast down: So these politick Wretches may improve the discovery of their designs, to make for the advancing of them, by laying their Plots more cunningly. We have often heard of repulsed Armies gaining force, and at last become triumphing Conquerours. Our enemies may yet be rallying upon us, and that with a more invincible fury. The Fowler often removes his snares, understanding the birds perception of it; our enemies may change ⟨p. 153⟩or remove their snares, and yet be as nea to slay and undo us as before. And when we are most secure from it, we are nearest to it. The dreadful battle was against Gibeah, when he knew not such an evil was near him, Judg. 20.34. Those Serpents will not dye because their tails are cut off. Those grand Politicians can contrive more ways than one. 'Tis possible their fainting hearts have had some Cordials from Rome to revive them. France can help them at a dead lift: and their Ghostly Father will prevent the ruine of his cursed brats, if all he can do can ruine us. May we not fear things are brought to be statu quo, as they were before, or rather worse, if that be possible? I fear every gap is not yet stopt, whereby our enemies may possibly invade us. I think it may be feared our enemies are not yet so much impaired, but that they are able to recover their loss of some Arms they had to spare, and some men they will not miss amongst their thousands. Do they not cry in the stoutness of their hearts and pride of spirit, as Isa. 9.10. The bricks are fallen down, we will build with stones; the sycomores are cut down, we will build with cedars? We have been ⟨p. 154⟩too remiss this once, but now we will be more invincible. The water cast upon their fire, may make it burn the more fiercely, and vexatious disappointments will make them more diligent.
5. May we not justly fear the relief that we have, may be no other than a faint cheering before a miserable death? How often do we see men labouring under deadly diseases, revive a little, and give up the Ghost? How often do we know a whist calm, before a raging storm? A people may get a little heart immediately before their ruin. 2 Kings 17.4. compared with Hos. 1.8. When Lo-ammi was born, the ten tribes that before were dispirited, and by presents did homage to the King of Assyria year by year, begin to be jolly, and hope to cast off the yoke of bondage, and bring presents no longer; but joined in confederacy with Egypt, which was immediately before their rejection. God begins to save with a little escape, but it may be but a little lightning before death. The Dolphin sports much before a storm. Men in jolly and fearless condition, is a dreadful presage of a ruining storm. So true ⟨p. 155⟩it is in maximâ fortunâ minima licentia. In the greatest prosperity, we are not allowed the least sinful liberty. God threatening to bring down judgments upon Israel, says, he will feed him as a lamb in a large place, Hos. 4.16. To enlarge a peoples bounds, is in Scripture taken to free them from troubles; so God designing great distress, would a while free them from troubles. 'Tis a metaphor taken from Butchers, who about to slay their Cattle, first put them into large pastures to fatten them; so God about to destroy a people, often gives them a freedom from distress, and leaves them to fill up apace the measures of their sins, and then brings them out to slaughter: Hence Merc. on the place; Nunc Israelitas copiosè pascet, ut mox saginati hostibus dedantur trucidandi. He feeds the Israelites most plentifully with mercies, that being fatted up, they may become a prey to their butchering enemies. Oh how fast do we fatten! How soon shall we be ready to be sacrifices to our enemies?
5. May we not justly fear the relief that we have, may be no other than a faint chearing before a miserable death? How often do we see men labouring under deadly diseases, revive a little, and give up the Ghost? How often do we know a whist calm, before a raging storm? A people may get a little heart immediately before their ruine.
6. May we not justly fear, that as God in his wrath hath dealt with others, he may deal with us? When Judgments on others are not made use of as warnings, […] ⟨image 94⟩[…] ⟨image 94⟩[…] ⟨image 95⟩[…] ⟨image 95⟩⟨p. 156⟩they become but examples and patterns of our own destruction. Luke 13.3. Except ye repent, ye shall likewise perish. The Sword of Justice is not so blunted by wounding others, but it can wound the hairy scalp of every one that goes on in sin. The Arrows of Divine Vengeance are not yet spent, there may be many in reserve to pierce our obstinate, hardened hearts. God is the same yesterday, to day, and for ever; the same to love, protect and secure his obsequious people; the same to ruin and destroy rebellious sinners. Ezek. 20.36. Like as I have pleaded with your Fathers, so will I plead with you. The punishments of sin other Nations have experienced, may at last be inflicted on us. The Vengeance of God on others, is a sign to us, Jer. 7.12-14. Go ye now to my place which was in Shiloh, and see what I did to it, for the wickedness of my people Israel; and now because ye have done all these works, saith the Lord, therefore will I do so to this house, &c. May not the dealings of God with others, prognosticate his dealings with us? May not the sore Desolations in Germany, the distresses of Protestants in France, the ruins of the Churches we read of in John's Revelations, ⟨p. 157⟩cause us to fear we at last shall experience the same Miseries, and drink of the same cup of Astonishment that hath been given to them? 2 Pet. 2.5, 6
—Tua res agitur paries cum proximus ardet. Thou art greatly concerned when thy Neighbours house is in flames. The Cup passes from one to another.
7. To conclude, Although we may have an escape from final Ruin, and glorious Times may succeed our unhappy ⟨p. 158⟩days, may we not justly fear, that our Mercies may be ushered in with a great deal of Misery, and that a black Storm will precede our glorious Sunshine? The approaches of Mercies may be attended with amazing Terror. Great distresses may justly be expected, before our great Deliverance.
7. To conclude, Although we may have an escape from final Ruine, and glorious Times may succeed our unhappy ⟨p. 158⟩days, may we not justly fear, that our Mercies may be ushered in with a great deal of Misery, and that a black Storm will precede our glorious Sunshine? The approaches of Mercies may be attended with amazing Terrour. Great distresses may justly be expected, before our great Deliverance.
The shorter the time of enemies reigning is, the greater will be their rage. A Cloud ushered in the presence of God to the Tabernacle; Christs coming to redeem his people, appears in a cloud. The darkest hour is a little before the dawning of the glorious day. The sorest conflicts Israel had, was on their entrance into their blessed and promised Canaan. Mercies of greatest excellencies, have proportioned difficulties. Josephs pearled Crown, & Chains of honour, had answerable links of trouble. We have just cause from Gods promises to expect some glorious days, but certainly a gloomy day will be first. The earth will be shaken when Babylon shall fall. Before we can be happy, the filth of England must be washed away with the spirit of judgment and burning. We may be dealt with as is spoken of the Jews, Zech. 13.8, 9 Two parts ⟨p. 159⟩may be cut off, and the third refined. I may confidently assert, God will bring more glorious days than yet the world enjoyed; but as Balaam said, Alas, who shall live when the Lord does this? Numb. 24.24. Thou or I may be cut off, with millions more; and seeing this time is at hand, be not secure. The only way to secure any future deliverance, is by improving this. The way to have future salvation, is to make use of this you enjoy, to mortify sins. For the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and to those that turn from iniquity in Jacob, Isa. 59.20. So then let us no longer abuse the patience of God; but since he is an indulgent Father, let us become obedient Children; that so we may hope, that he that hath delivered, and can deliver, will still be continuing deliverances to us.
The shorter the time of enemies raigning is, the greater will be their rage. A Cloud ushered in the presence of God to the Tabernacle; Christs coming to redeem his people, appears in a cloud. The darkest hour is a little before the dawning of the glorious day. The sorest conflicts Israel had, was on their entrance into their blessed and promised Canaan. Mercies of greatest excellencies, have proportioned difficulties. Iosephs pearled Crown, & Chains of honour, had answerable links of trouble. We have just cause from Gods promises to expect some glorious days, but certainly a gloomy day will be first. The earth will be shaken when Babylon shall fall. Before we can be happy, the filth of England must be washed away with the spirit of judgment and burning. We may be dealt with as is spoken of the Iews,
SOLI DEO GLORIA.
FINIS.
PREFACE. Page 6. line 14. for health read hearts.
BOOK. Page 21. line ult. read [Greek or Hebrew] p. 22 l. 10. r. multiplicavi. p. 47. l. 24. for willing, r. unwilling. p. 59. note, that at the twelfth line begins a fourth head. p. 73. note, l. 5. begins a second head. p. 90. note, l. 13. begins a fourth head. p. 100. l. 26. for also, r. able. p. 103. l. 3. for usurped, r. envied.
BOOK. Page 21. line ult. read 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 p. 22 l. 10. r. multiplicavi. p. 47. l. 24. for willing, r. unwilling. p. 59. note, that at the twelfth line begins a fourth head. p. 73. note, l. 5. begins a second head. p. 90. note, l. 13. begins a fourth head. p. 100. l. 26. for also, r. able. p. 103. l. 3. for usurped, r. envied.
Twelve Books lately published by Mr. Tho. Brooks, late Preacher of the Gospel at Margarets New-Fish-street.
TWelve Books lately published by Mr. Tho. Brooks, late Preacher of the Gospel at Margarets New-Fish-street.
1. Precious Remedies against Satan's Devices, or Salve for Believers and Unbelievers Sores: being a companion for those that are in Christ, or out of Christ.
1. Precious Remedies against Satans Devices, or Salve for Believers and Unbelievers Sores: being a companion for those that are in Christ, or out of Christ.
2. Heaven on Earth: Or a serious Discourse touching a Well grounded Assurance of Mans Everlasting Happiness.
3. The unsearchable Riches of Christ held forth in 22 Sermons.
6. May we not justly fear, that as God in his wrath hath dealt with others, he may deal with us? When Judgments on others are not made use of as warnings, 〈…〉 ⟨image 94⟩〈…〉 ⟨image 94⟩〈…〉 ⟨image 95⟩〈…〉 ⟨image 95⟩⟨p. 156⟩they become but examples and patterns of our own destruction. Luke 13.3. Except ye repent, ye shall likewise perish. The Sword of Justice is not so blunted by wounding others, but it can wound the hairy scalp of every one that goes on in sin. The Arrows of Divine Vengeance are not yet spent, there may be many in reserve to pierce our obstinate, hardened hearts. God is the same yesterday, to day, and for ever; the same to love, protect and secure his obsequious people; the same to ruine and destroy rebellious sinners. Ezek. 20.36. Like as I have pleaded with your Fathers, so will I plead with you. The punishments of sin other Nations have experienced, may at last be inflicted on us. The Vengeance of God on others, is a signe to us, Jer. 7.12-14. Go ye now to my place which was in Shiloh, and see what I did to it, for the wickedness of my people Israel; and now because ye have done all these works, saith the Lord, therefore will I do so to this house, &c. May not the dealings of God with others, prognosticate his dealings with us? May not the sore Desolations in Germany, the distresses of Protestants in France, the ruines of the Churches we read of in Iohn's Revelations, ⟨p. 157⟩cause us to fear we at last shall experience the same Miseries, and drink of the same cup of Astonishment that hath been given to them? 2 Pet. 2.5, 6. If God spared not the old world, shalt thou escape his judgment? What have we more to secure us? Why should we not be made as Sodome by judgments, that parallel it in sins? Let us take the caution God gave to Israel, Deut. 24.9. Remember what the Lord thy God did unto Miriam by the way, when he brought thee from Egypt. Minde what God hath been doing to other Nations. The Inscription on Senacherib's Statue may be written on all ruined Nations, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Beholding me, learn to be godly. But especially when distresses fall on a people near us, we are greatly to regard them. The Protestants in France are already involv'd in unspeakable trouble, and as the Poet said,
