I may add three other signs whereby to discern the time, from Revel. 11. 1. the place before cited. First, Is there not now a measuring of the Temple, Ordinances and worshippers, by a reed like unto a rod? the reed of the Sanctuary in the Assemblies hand, and the rod of Power and Law in your hand, are well met together. Secondly, there is a Court which before seemed to belong to the Temple, left out and not measured: ofrom him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. The Samaritans of this time, who pserve the Lord, and serve their own Gods too, and do after the manners of Idolaters, ⟨p. 37⟩have professed (as they of old to the Jews, Ezra 4. 2.) that they would build with you, that they will be for the true Protestant Religion as you are, that they will also consent to the reformation of abuses, for the ease of tender consciences. But God doth so alienate and separate betwixt you and them, by his overruling providence, discovering their designs against you, and their deep engagements to the Popish party; as if he would say unto them, you have no portion, nor right, nor memorial in Jerusalem, Neh. 2. 20. Or as it is in the Parable concerning those who had refused to come when they were invited; yea had taken the servants of Christ, and entreated them spitefully, and killed them; the great King hath said in his wrath, that they shall not taste of his supper, and he sends forth his Armies, to destroy those Murderers, and to burn up their City, Mat. 22. 6. 7. Luk. 14. 24. Surely awhat they have professed concerning Reformation is scarce so much as the Pope did acknowledge, when Reformation did begin in Germany. However, as it is our hearts desire and prayer to God for them that they may be saved, so we are not out of hopes, that God hath many of his own among them, unto whom he will give brepentance to the acknowledging of the truth.
I may adde three other signes whereby to discern the time, from Revel. 11. 1. the place before cited. First, Is there not now a measuring of the Temple, Ordinances and worshippers, by a reed like unto a rod? the reed of the Sanctuary in the Assemblies hand, and the rod of Power and Law in your hand, are well met together. Secondly, there is a Court which before seemed to belong to the Temple, left out and not measured: ofrom him that hath not shall be taken away even that which hee hath. The Samaritans of this time, who pserve the Lord, and serve their own Gods too, and do after the manners of Idolaters, ⟨p. 37⟩have professed (as they of old to the Jewes, Ezra 4. 2.) that they would build with you, that they will bee for the true Protestant Religion as you are, that they will also consent to the reformation of abuses, for the ease of tender consciences. But God doth so alienate and separate betwixt you and them, by his overruling providence, discovering their designes against you, and their deep engagements to the Popish party; as if he would say unto them, you have no portion, nor right, nor memoriall in Ierusalem, Neh. 2. 20. Or as it is in the Parable concerning those who had refused to come when they were invited; yea had taken the servants of Christ, and entreated them spitefully, and killed them; the great King hath said in his wrath, that they shall not taste of his supper, and hee sends forth his Armies, to destroy those Murtherers, and to burn up their City, Mat. 22. 6. 7. Luk. 14. 24. Surely awhat they have professed concerning Reformation is scarce so much as the Pope did acknowledge, when Reformation did begin in Germany. However, as it is our hearts desire and prayer to God for them that they may be saved, so we are not out of hopes, that God hath many of his own among them, unto whom he will give brepentance to the acknowledging of the truth.
- oMat. 25. 29.
- p2 King. 18. 33. 34.
- aIn exhortu Evangelicae doctrinae, legatus Hadrian Pontificis in Comitiis Nerobergae habitis, publicè confessus est, in doctrina & vita Spiritualium, recessum esse à regula verbi divini: Reformationem Ecclesiae in capitibus & membris esse necessariam: ut hoc confessione cursum Evangelij impediret. Lavater Hom. 9. in lib. Ezrae.In exhortu Evangelicae doctrinae, legatus Hadrian• Pontificis in Comitiis Nerobergae habitis, publicè confessus est, in doctrina & vita Spiritualium, recessum esse à regula verbi divini: Reformationem Ecclesiae in capitibus & membris esse necessariam: ut hoc confessione cursum Evangelij impediret. Lavater Hom. 9. in lib. Ezrae.
- bTim. 2. 25.
