A85485:159
The progress of divine providence, set out in a sermon preached in the Abbey…The progresse of divine providence, set out in a sermon preached in the Abbey…
The progress of divine providence, set out in a sermon preached in the Abbey Church of Westminster before the house of Peers, on the 24th of September, 1645. being the day of their monthly fast. / By William Gouge, one of the members of the Assembly.The progresse of divine providence, set out in a sermon preached in the Abbey Church of Westminster before the house of Peers, on the 24th of September, 1645. being the day of their monethly fast. / By William Gouge, one of the members of the Assembly.
London: printed by G.M. for Joshua Kirton next Goldsmiths-hall, 1645London: printed by G.M. for Ioshua Kirton next Goldsmiths-hall, 1645
Title page typeset from the transcription.
THE PROGRESS OF GODS Providence.THE PROGRESSE OF GODS Providence.
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.
Thus we see that there is a calling of the Jews to come, and that their calling shall be as a resurrection from the dead, as an incision of many more branches into a glorious tree, that it shall be an universal, conspicuous calling of a whole Nation, wherein the freeness and largeness of Gods grace and mercy shall be evidently manifested. At which time there shall be also such a number of Gentiles brought in, as may well be called the fullness of the ⟨p. 32⟩Gentiles, vers. 25. This certainly shall be a most glorious condition of the Christian Church, and this is yet to come: therefore God will yet do better things for us. In expectation whereof we may comfort our selves, though for a while thick clouds of troubles do over-spread the face of the Church, and somewhat eclipse the glorious brightness thereof.
Thus we see that there is a calling of the Jews to come, and that their calling shall be as a resurrection from the dead, as an incision of many more branches into a glorious tree, that it shall be an universall, conspicuous calling of a whole Nation, wherein the freenesse and largenesse of Gods grace and mercy shall be evidently manifested. At which time there shall be also such a number of Gentiles brought in, as may well be called the fulnesse of the ⟨p. 32⟩Gentiles, vers. 25. This certainly shall be a most glorious condition of the Christian Church, and this is yet to come: therefore God will yet doe better things for us. In expectation whereof we may comfort our selves, though for a while thick clouds of troubles doe over-spread the face of the Church, and somewhat eclipse the glorious brightnesse thereof.
Yea further,1 we may expect better things then yet we do enjoy, upon the fore-mentioned progress of Gods good providence, before that glorious calling of the Jews be accomplished. For the Jews, after this promise made, before the first coming of the Messiah, and calling of the Gentiles, had conferred upon them many better things then before. They were brought out of Captivity to their own Land. A second Temple was built. The Law was restored unto them by Ezra, and many other blessings. So after Christs first coming, the Gospel was preached in many Nations, multitudes of Churches were erected and established, the Gospel confirmed by many undaunted Martyrs. Yea, after much persecution, the Church had great rest and liberty in Constantine's, and other Christian Emperors times. And though that rest and liberty were in time exceedingly abused, by the ambition of Prelates, which at length brought it to the height of Papacy, yet God by a Reformation in these later times, showed that he was mindful of this his promise, and did better things for her then before.