A sermon preached at a general meeting in the Gray-Friar-Church of Edinburgh, upon the 13 day of June, 1638 by that eminent, faithful, and zealous servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. Andrew Cant ... Cant, Andrew, 1590?-1663. 1699 Approx. 43 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 13 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A33295 Wing C450 ESTC R34783 14708976 ocm 14708976 102711 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A33295) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 102711) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1566:13) A sermon preached at a general meeting in the Gray-Friar-Church of Edinburgh, upon the 13 day of June, 1638 by that eminent, faithful, and zealous servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. Andrew Cant ... Cant, Andrew, 1590?-1663. 24 p. Printed for Alexander Henderson, Edinburgh : M. DC. XC. IX [1699] Reproduction of original in the British Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Bible. -- O.T. -- Zechariah IV, 7 -- Sermons. Sermons, English -- 17th century. 2004-02 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-12 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-06 Elspeth Healey Sampled and proofread 2006-06 Elspeth Healey Text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-09 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A SERMON Preached at a GENERAL MEETING ! IN THE Gray-Friar-Church OF EDINBVRGH , Upon the 13. Day of Iune 1638. By that Eminent , Faithful , and Zealous Servant of Jesus Christ , Mr. ANDREW CANT , Minister of the Gospel at Aberdeen . EDINBURGH , Printed for Alexander Henderson , M. DC . XC . IX . A SERMON on Zech. 4. 7. Who art thou , O great mountain before Zerubbabel , thou shal● become a plain , and he shall bring forth the head stone thereof with Shouting , Crying , Grace , Grace unto it . I Perceive that God will have his Temple built , which had been long neglected , partly by the worldliness of the people , who had greater Care of their own houses then of the house of God , as appears by the prophet , Haggai 1. v. 3 , 4. He reproves them for this fault , ( That they cared more for their own houses than for the house of God , partly , because of the great impediments and difficulties they apprehended in the work . Yet God , having a purpose to have it builded , sends his Prophets to stir them up to the building of it , Hag. 2. 4. As for impediments , he promises to remove them all , and assures them of this by Haggai and Zechariah ; Yea he shews to Zerubbabel and the people , that although impediments were as mountains , yet they should be removed . I need not stand upon Introductions and Connections , this Verse I have read , shows the Scope of the Prophet , to wit , God will have his work going on , and all Impediments removed . These Times require that I should rather insist upon Application to the present Work of Reformation in hand , then to stand upon the Temple of Ierusalem , which we know well enough was a Type of Christs Kirk , which in this Land was once built , but now hath been Defaced by the Enemies of Christ ; we have long neglected the Re-edifying of it , partly , Men being given more to build their own houses , nor the house of Christ ; and partly , Because of the great Impediments that have discouraged God's people to meddle with it : now it hath pleased God , to stir up Prophets , Noblemen , and People of the Land , to put to their Hands to this Work , and I think , God saith to you in this Text , Who art thou , O great mountain thou shalt become a plain . There are two Parts in this Text , First . An Impediment removed under the Name of a Mountain , Who art thou , O great mountain before Zerubbabel , thou shalt become a plain . 2ly , In the second Part of the Text , the Work goeth up and is finished ; the Impediment being removed , He shall bring forth the head stone thereof with Shouting , Crying , Grace , Grace be unto it . But that ye may take up all that is to be said in Order and Method , there are six Steps in the Text , three in the Mountain impeding the Work , and three in the Work it self ; the three in the Mountain are these , 1. It is a Mountain seen , O great mountain . 2. A Mountain reproved , Who art thou , O great mountain before Zerubbabel . 3. A Mountain removed , Thou shalt become a plain . The three in the Work are , 1. A Work growing and going up . 2. A Work finished , He shall bring forth the head stone thereof . 3. A Work praised , He shall bring forth the head stone thereof with Shouting , Crying , Grace , Grace be unto it : I shall speak of all these God willing , and apply them to the time . As for the three in the Mountain . 1. It is a Mountain seen , It is called a great Mountain , under this are comprehended all Impediments and Difficulties impeding the Bullding , all being taken together , make up a great Mountain which is un-passible , the Enemies which impede this Work were this Mountain ; look Ezra 4. and ye will see the Adversaries of Iudah become a great Mountain in the Way of that Work. That ye may take up this Mountain the better , I find that Kings are called Mountains in Scripture , and good Kings are so called for these three , First , For their Sublimity , as Mountains are high above the Valleys , so are Kings lifted up in Majesty above their Subjects : Some apply that place to Kings , Micah 6. 2. Hear ye , O mountaens , the Lords controversie , and ye strong foundations of the earth . 2. They are called Mountains for their Strength to Guard their People , Psal. 30. David saith , God hath made my mountain strong . 3. Good Kings are called Mountains , by reason of the Influence of Peace to the People , Psal. 72. v. 3. The mountains shall bring peace to the people , and the little hills by righteousness . I find also , that the strong Enemies of the Church are called Mountains , because of the great impediments to the Kirk's building that are made by them , as ye may see in Ps. 144. This Mountain ( that I may speak more plainly ) is Prelacie , which hath ever been in the Mountain , in the way of our Reformation : It may be , some of you that hears me , are not of my Judgment concerning . Episcopacie ; for my Judgment , I ever condemned it , as having no Warrand for it to be in Christ House ; Yet I am sure , that all of you who are here this day , will agree with me in this , that Prelacy being Antichrstian , is intollerable , but such is the Prelacy of this Kirk , it is Antichristian , I may easily prove that , that amongst many marks of Antichrist , thir two are most evident , False Doctrine , and Tiranny in Government ; where Antichrist is , there is Tirannical Government , imposing Laws upon the Consciences of Gods People , where Antichrist is , there is Idolatry , Superstition , and Error , these two are clearly seen in our Prelacy ; their Idolatry , Superstition , and Error , may be seen in their Service-Book ; their Tyranny may be seen in their Book of Canons : I think there are none here , but they may see this Mountain ; no greater Tyranny hath ever been used by Antichrist than hath been used by our Prelats , and exercised upon this Kirk . This Mountain being seen by you all , I would have you taking a view of the Quality of it : I find in Scripture , That the Enemies of the Kirk being called Mountains , are so called , because of these three Qualities , the first is in Ps. 76. 4. They are called Mountains of Prey , so called , because from them the Robbers rush down to the Valleys and Prey upon the Passengers . 2. The second is in J er . 51. 25. Babylon , a great Enemy to Gods Kirk is called a destroying Mountain ; thee word in its own language , is called a Pestiferious Mountain , ( so called ) because the Pest destroys . 3. The third is in Isa. 2. 14. They are called Mountains of Pride compared with the 12. Vers. and you will find these Mountains called Mountains of Pride . Our Mountain of Prelacie hath all these Three bad Qualities , first , it is a Mountain from which they have like Robbers , made a Prey of the Kirk of Christ : Tell me I pray you , and I appeal to your own Consciences who are my Brethren , if there be any priviledge or liberty that ever Christ gave us , but they have taken it from us , and made a Prey of it . 2. This Mountain is a pestiferous Mountain ; it hath been the Mountain that hath been as a Pest ; to infect the Kirk of Christ , with Superstition , Heresie and Error , and withall , it hath been a destroying Mountain , for they have destroyed the fair carved work of our first Reformation 3. They are Mountains of Pride , for greater Pride cannot be , than there is upon this Mountain , they rule as Tyrants over their Brethren , and as Lords over God's Inheritance . Ye that are Noblemen , are the Natural Mountains of this Kingdom descended of Noble Predecessors , who have been as Mountains indeed ; defending both Kirk and Common-wealth ; these Men were but low Valleys , and now are Artificial Mountains , made up by the Art of Man ; at first , as low as their Brethren sitting there , but piece and piece they have Mounted up at First Commissioners for the Kirk , and then Obtained Vote in Parliament , and then they usurped all the liberties of the Kirk benefices , and then constant Moderators to make up this Mountain , and at last , the high Commission is given to make the Mountain strong ; it 's like to Daniel's Tree . Dan. 4. 11. The Tree grew and was strong . And from it , we that are the Ministers of Christ have our Wrack , And let me speak it to you . Noblemen , these Artificial and stooted Mountains , have overtoped you who are the Natural Mountains , and if they have not done so , what means the great-seal then ; and if way could have been made for it , they should have carryed the white Wand and Privy-Seal also ; and this is Just with God that they have overtopped you : For every one of you came with your own Shovelful to make up this Mountain . It was thought expedient to rear up this Mountain , to command and bear down poor Ministers : Albeit , its true , we have been born down by them ; yet ye that are the high Mountains , have not been free from their hurt ; it is very like to Iotham's Parable , Iudges , 9. 8. The Trees of the Forrest will have a King over them ; they come to the Olive Tree and say , be thou King over us ; the Olive saith , I will not leave my Fatness to be King ; they came to the Fig-Tree , and said , be thou our King ; the Fig-Tree saith , I will not leave my Sweetness 〈◊〉 be King ; they come likewise to the Vine , and say , be thou our King ; the Vine saith , I will not leave my Strength to be King ; they come to the Bramble , and said , be thou our King ; then said the Bramble to the Trees : If indeed ye Anoint me King over you , then come and put your Trust under my Shaddow ; and if not , let Fire come Forth of the Bramble and devour the Tall Cedars of Lebanon . The Olive Trees of the Ministrie would not leave the Fatness of GOD's Grace , wherewith they were endued , to Rule over the Kirk ; The Fig-Trees of the Ministry would not leave the Sweet Fruits of their Ministry to bear Rule in the Kirk ; The Vines of the Ministry would not leave the strong Consolations of God , whereby many Souls were Comforted , to bear Rule in the Kirk ; yet the Brambles have taken this , and ye helped to Exalt them ▪ upon Condition to Trust under their Shaddow ; and if Fire hath not come forth from these Brambles , upon the Tall Cedars of this Land , I leave to your own thoughts to Judge : Alwise this is the Mountain which ye see all reared up this day , and standing in the way of our Reformation . 2. The Second thing in this Mountain , is this , It is 〈◊〉 Mountain reproved . Who art thou O Great Mountain before Zerubbabel . When he saith of Zerubbabel , it is not on●y meant of Zerubbabel , but of the rest of GOD's People , see Hagg. 1. 12. There , Zerubbabel , Ioshua , and the rest of GOD's People obeyed the Voice of the Lord ; and ●n the 14 Verse , all these are said to work in the House of the Lord ; So , under Zerubbabel all the rest of the people are Comprehended , even so in this 〈…〉 ours , all that are joyned to this Work , for the building of this Work , are to be accounted Workers , and for them also is this Mountain Reprov'd . Who art thou O great Mountain ; who art thou who will impede this work , or shall be able to impede it , seeing GOD will have it foreward : It 's impossible for thee to impede it in these Three Respects . 1. In respect of the work it self . 2. In Respect of the Workers . 3. In Respect of the Impeders . 1. First in respect of the Work it self , It is GOD's Work , for the House is his , and he is in it , Hag. 2. 4. The Lord saith , Be thou strong Zerubbabel and Ioshua , and the remnant of the People and Work , for I am with you saith the Lord of Hosts . If God be with a Work , who is he that will lett or Impede it ; God is with this Work of Reformation , as ye your selves can Witness ; and by all our expectations this Mountain is shaken , and ( God be praised ) are not so unpassible as they were . 2. Secondly no Man is able to impede this work in repesect of the workers . Hag. 2. 14. it is said , that God stirred up the Spirit of Zerubbabel , and of Joshua and of the People , and they came and wrought in the house of the Lord. When God stirs up Men to do a good work , nothing on Earth can stay it : I am sure if ever God stirred up men to a good Work , he hath stirred us up to this , both Noblemen , Ministers & People . Wherefore , who art thou O great Mountain before God's People , that thinks to Impede such a Work , Thirdly , in respect of the Impeders , what are they but Men , and wicked men , as ye may see in the Adversaries of the Iews . Who are they that Impede our work ? Even Men that seek Honour and Preferment of this World , Enemies to Religion , Fighting against God , to whom I may say that word in Iob 9. 4. Who hath hardned himself against God and prospered . With one word more I will reprove this Mountain , and go forward : Who art thou , O great mountain ! Wilt thou search thy search who thou art ; art thou of God's Building or not ? I trow thou art not Iuris Divini , but Humani God nor Christ have never built thee ; thou art only a Hill of mans Erecting , knowest thou not that Zion , against which thou art , is a Hill of Gods Building : I will say to you then that word in Psal. 68. 15 , 16. The hillof God is a high hill , as the hill of Bashan ; why leap ye hills ? This is the hill that God desireth to dwell in ; yea , and will dwell in it for ever . And think ye to prevail against the People of Zion ; she hath stronger Mountains to guard her than ye have . Psal. 125. 2. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem , so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth and for ever . 3. The Third thing in this Mountain , is , it is a Mountain removed , thou shalt become a Plain ; that is , God shall remove all Impediments before Zerubbabel and his People ; God is able to remove all that Impedes his Work : Even the Mightiest Enemies that oppose themselves to the work of God , ye may observe a four fold Power of God against these Mountains . First , A determining Power , whereby he sets such bounds to the greatest Mountains , that ye see they fall not upon the Valley's , albeit they overtop them ; the Lord hath set bounds to the great Kings in the World , which they could not pass when they have set themselves against the Lord's People ; we may see an Example of this in Sennacherib . 2 Kings 19. 32. Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the King of Assyria ; he shall not come up to this City , nor shoot an Arrow against it nor come before it with Shield , nor cast a Bank against it : Ye are afraid of the King that he come against you ; fear not , the Lord by his restraining Power is able to keep him back , that he shall not shoot so much as a Bullet against this City . Secondly , God removes Impediments by his assisting Power , as he promised to do before Cyrus , Isa. 45. 2 : I will go before thee , and make the crooked places straight , I will break in pieces the Gates of Brass , and cut in sunder the iron Barrs ; albeit for any thing we see , there be Brazen Gates and Iron Barrs closing out a Reformation , yet let not this discourage you , God is with you by his assisting Power to go before you , to make all crooked places straight , and to break the Brazen Gates , and to out in sunder the Iron Barrs . Thirdly , God hath a changing Power ; whereby he makes Mountains plain ; how easie is it with God , to make the highest Mountain that Impedes his Work , a Plain ; Prov. 21. vers . 1 The Kings Heart is in the hand of the Lord , as the Rivers of Waters , to turn it whither soever he will : Lord make our Mountain thus plain . The fourth way how GOD removes Mountains , is by an overthrowing power , if there be no change yet , GOD will bring it down , Isa. 2. 12. Every one that is lifted up shall be brought low . The like ye have in the 17. v. By this which hath been said , ye may understand how a Mountain may be made a Plain ; GOD makes Mountains Plains either in Mercy or in Wrath. 1. In Mercy , when he takes a Grip of the Heart , & of a proud haughty Heart , makes it toward and plain , we have seen such a Change by Experience . This Work had many Enemies at the Beginning , that impeded it , whom GOD hath taken by the Heart , and made plain , yea hath made them Furtherers of the Work. 2. There is another way of making Mountains plain , to wit making plain in Wrath , when GOD overthrows the Mountains that stand up impeding his Work ; assure your selves , if GOD bring not down this Mountain we have to do with , in Mercy , he shall overthrow it in Wrath , and make it waste . That I may make this Mountain more plain , ye shall consider how it shall become a Plain , and how easily it may be made a Plain . 1. I see you looking up to the Height of it , and ye are saying within your selves , how shall it come down , ye must not think that it will come down of its own accord , GOD useth Instruments to pull down , I find that GOD hath made his own People Instruments to pull down such Mountains , Isai. 41. v. 14 , 15 , 16. Fear not Worm Jacob , and ye Men of Israel . I will help thee , saith the Holy One and thy Redeemer , behold I will make thee a new Threshing Instrument having Teeth , thou shalt thresh the Mountains , and beat them small , and shalt make the hills as chaff thou shalt fann them , and the wind shall carry them away , and the whirl wind shall scatter them : Mark these Words , although Iacob be a Worm despised by the great ones of the World , yet GOD will make him a Threshing Instrument , to beat these Mountains in pieces . The Professors of this Land are despised by the Mountains , yet fear not , for the sharp Threshing Instrument is made , I hope it shall beat the Mountains in pieces : we think them very high , but if we had faith , that word would be verified , Mat. 16. 20. Ye shall say to the mountain , remove to yonder place , and it shall be removed , and nothing shall be impossible unto you . But one is saying , I have not faith , that all that are joyned this day against the Mountain shall continue ; I hope they shall continue , I hope they shall ; but if they do not ; we trust not in men , that they shall bring down this Mountain , but in God , who hath said in Ier. 51. ver . 25. Behold I am against thee , O destroying mountain , I will stretch out my hand upon thee , I will roll thee down from the rocks , and make thee a burnt mountain , they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner , nor a foundation , thou shalt be desolat for ever : This Mountain ye see so exalted , although men would hold it up , yet GOD will bring it down , and make it a burnt Mountain , even so O LORD do . 2. In the second place , consider how this Mountain may be made a Plain ; I told you it was but an Artificial Mountain , a Stooted Mountain , standing upon weak Pillars , if ye would take a look of the whole Frame of the Mountain , it stands upon two main Pillars , and upon the Top of this Mountain stands the House of Dagon , an House of False Worship , and take me the Pillars from Episcopacy , and it shall fall , take Episcopacy , away , and the House of Dagon shall fall : the two main Pillars that Prelacy stands on , are a Civil and Secular Arm , and an Ecclesiastical Tongue , so to speak . 1. First , The Secular Arm is the Authority of Princes , which hath ever upholden that Mountain , ye know Secular Princes uphold Antichrist , and Prelacy in this Land is upholden by the Secular Power . Secondly , The second Pillar I call Ecclesiastical , that is , Prelacy in this Land hath been upholden by the Tongues of Kirkmen , Preaching up this Mountain , or by their Pens , Writing upon this Mountain , and these are the two Pillars whereupon our Mountain of Prelacy is Stooted , the Secular Power and the Tongues of Kirkmen , let the King withdraw his Power and Authority from the Prelats , and they shall fall suddenly in Dross , let Kirkmen and Ministers withdraw their Tongues and Pens from them , and our Mountain ere ye look about you ) shall become a Plain : As these two Stoots up this Mountain , so upon this Mountain all False Worship in the Kirk is built , even Dagon's House ; lead me , says Samson , to the Pillars that Dagon's House stands on , that I may be avenged for my two Eyes : the Philistines were never more cruel to Samson in pulling out his Eyes , than our Prelats would have been to us : they pressed to put out our Eyes , and ere ever we were aware , they thought to lead us to Dagon's House , even to the Tents of Popery and Idolatry ; let us come to this main Pillar of Dagon's House , and apply all our strength to pull it down , that we may not only be avenged for our Eyes , which they have thought to pull out , but also that the House of False Worship , which is erected upon this Mountain , may fall to the ground . I hear some saying , Minister , for all your saying , the Mountain will not come down at this time , ye think nothing but it will down ; I assure you , I would have it down , but ye must not think us that silly , as to think that it will come down , because we have many for us , we trust not in Men but in GOD , and if this be the time that GOD will have it down , although ye should lay all your hands about their head , they shall come down ; it appears they will come down , if there were no more but their Pride , Avarice , Cruelty , and loose Living to pull them down , especially when all these are come to height , as they are come to in them , and so much for the Mountain , ye see we have reproved it , GOD remove it . I come now to the three in the Work ( the Mountain being removed ) 1. It is a Work growing and going up . He shall bring forth . 2. It is a Work finished , He shall bring forth the head stone thereof . 3. It is a Work praised , He shall bring forth the head stone thereof with Shouting , Crying , Grace , Grace be unto it ; We shall speak of all these three shortly . First , It is a Work going up , it was impeded , but now it 's going up : There is something here very considerable , the Work goes not up , until the Mountain be made a Plain . The Mountain must not be paired or topped , but it must altogether become plain , otherways the Work cannot go up ; The Mountain of Prelacy must not be paired nor topped , something taken away , but it must be brought down wholly , otherways the Work of Reformation cannot go on , neither Christ's House go up . It will be said , what ailes you , you shall have your desires , but the Estate of Bishops must stand , It is impossible to bring it down altogether , the King may not want an Estate , ( truly a good one both to Kirk and Common Wealth ) ye shall have them brought within the old Bounds , and Caveats set down to them , they shall not hurt the Kirk any more : the LORD knows how loath I was to speak from this place , but seing GOD hath thrust me out , I must speak the truth . I say to you , these Quarters are not to be taken , because the Mountainis not of God's making , but of Man's , and therefore make it what way ye will , God will be displeased with it ; yea , it s impossible to set caveats to keep them in . I appeal to all your Consciences ; is it possible to set Caveats to their Pride and Avarice ; their Pride and Avarice will break through Ten Thousand Caveats : I will clear this impossibility by similitudes . Tell , me , if a Fountain in the Town of Edinburgh were poisoned ; whether were it more safe to stop up the Fountain , than to set a Guard to keep it , that none draw out of it , for there is hope the Poison would do no harm ? There is no Man of a sound Judgment but he will think it more safe to stop up the Fountain than to guard it ; this Prelacie is the Poisoned Fountain wherefrom the Kirk of Christ hath been Poisoned with the Poison of Error and Superstition . Now the Question is , whether it be safer to stop it up than to guard it ? Surely it is safer to stop it up ; for all the Caveats in the world , will not keep the Kirk unpoisoned , so long as it remains . I will give you another similitude ; If the Town of Edinburgh were ( as many Towns have been and are ) taken and Possest by cruel and obstinat Enemies , who would take all your liberties from you , would not suffer your Magistrates to judge , and would spoil you of your Goods , and use all the cruelty that could be devised against the Inhabitants , if God gave you occasion to be free of such a cruel and obstinat Enemie ; what would you do if this were proponed to you ; why may not you suffer the Enemie to abide within the Town ? We shall take all their Weapons from them , they shall never hurt you any more : Would ye not think it far better to put them out of the Town altogether ; both because the Inhabitants would be in fear so long as they were in the Town , and because the Town would never be sure : For there might be Traitors among your selves , who would Steal in Weapons ▪ in their Hands ; and so they would bring you under the former Tyrannie ; yea under a greater . Even so it is in this Case ; The Cruelest and greatest Enemies that ever the Kirk of Scotland saw , are those Prelats ; they have spoiled us of all our Liberties , and exercised intollerable Tyranny over us . Now the Lord is shewing a way how to be quite of them ; consider the Condition offered , what all 's you ? May ye not let them abide within the Kirk , we shall take all their Weapons from them , as admission of Ministers Excommunication , and that terrible High-Commission , they shall never hurt you again ; this is but the Counsel of Man , the Counsel of GOD is , to put them out of the Kirk altogether , otherways the Kirk can never be secure , yea , I assure you , there are as many Traitors among our selves , as would steal in the Weapons again in their Hands , then shall our latter Estate be worse than our first ; if our Yoke be heavy under them now , it shall be heavier then ; if they chastise us now with Whips , they shall chastife us then with Scorpions . I think I hear Men speak like that Word , Danie● 4. 14. Hew down the tree , cut down his branches , shake off his leaves , scatter his fruits , nevertheless leave the stum of his roots with a band of iron and brass ; the Interpretation of that part of the Vision is set down in the 26 verse Thy Kingdom shall be sure unto thee , after that thou hast known that the Heavens bear rule : I hear Men say , hew down the Tree , cut off his Branches , shake off his Leaves scatter his Fruits , ye shall be quite of all that , but th● Stump must be left , banded with Iron . ( If it were till they knew GOD , it were something , but there is no appearance of that ) Consider , O Man , who saith that , no Man , but the Watcher and the Holy One even he that made Nebuchadnezzars Kingdom sure to him . If GOD had made this Estate sure to them , i● would , and should stand ; and if GOD would bin● down the Stump of it with Iron Bands , we would never fear the growth of it , nor the Fruit of it , but seing they are only Bands to be laid on by Men ; Albeit the Tree were hewed down , it would grow again in all the Branches of it , with all the Leaves of it's Dignity , and we should taste of the bitter Fruit of it ; Yet that are Covenanters , be not deceived , if ye leave so much as a Hillock of this Mountain , in despight of your hearts It shall grow to a high Mountain , which shall fill both Kirk and Common Wealth . If the Kirk would be quite of the Troubles of it , and if ye would have this Work of Reformation going up , this Mountain must be made a Plain altogether , otherways the Spirit of GOD saith , ye shall never prosper . The second thing in this Work , is a Work finished , He shall bring forth the head stone thereof : When a head stone is put on a House , the House is finished , ye who are Reverend Fathers in the Kirk , who have seen the Work of our first Reformation , ye saw it going up and brought to such a Perfection , that the Cope-stone was put on , Purity of Doctrine , and Administration of Sacraments , and Sweetness of Government whereby the Kirk was ruled ; but woe's us all , we see with you now , the Roof taken off , the Glorious Work pulled down , and lying desolat . Now , it hath pleased GOD to turn again , and offer a Re-edifying of this Work , as he did here to the People of this Temple ; seing therefore the LORD hath stirred up our Spirits to crave a Re-edifying of Christ's Kirk , let us never take our hands from it , till Christ have put the Copestone on it . I hear some say , Minister , there is more ado yet ere that be done , ye sing the Triumph before he Victory , ye will not see it go up at leasure . Indeed ye are deceived , we sing not the Triumph before the Victory , some of us are afraid that it go not up so suddenly : I must say to you , if it be GOD's Work ( as it is indeed ) all the Powers of the World shall never be able to hinder the putting on of the Cope-stone , ay , but say ye , it will be hindered ere ye get the Work forward , ye will find the Dint of the Fire and Sword ; let it be so , if GOD will have it so , that will not impede the Work ; if our Blood be spilt in this Cause , the Cope-stone shall be put on with our Blood ; for the Kirk of GOD hath never prospered better , nor by the Blood of Saints , fear not beloved , this Work ; whether it be done peaceably , or with Persecution , the Copestone shall be put on it : ye know , in the beginning of the Reformation , there was small Likelyhood that the Work should go up and be finished , because of the great Power that was against it , yet the LORD brought it forward against all Impediments , and put the Copestone it ; that same GOD lives yet , and is as able to put the Cope-stone on this Work as he was then , if ye believe . 3. The third thing in this Work , is a Work praised , He shall bring forth the head stone thereof with Shouting , Crying , Grace , Grace unto it , all ye that builds and beholds the Work , will love the Work , and will all wish it well . He alludes by appearance , who , when the Foundation of a Common Work is laid , rejoyces , and when it is finished rejoyces , ye may see this clear in Ezra 3. 11. at the laying of the Foundation of this Temple , the People shouted with a great Shout ; if they did that at the laying of the Foundation , much more shall they do it at the bringing forth of the head stone thereof , as is said here , the Words they cry , grace , grace the Phrase comprehends under it these three things . 1First , A Wish of the People of GOD , whereby they wish Prosperity to the Work , ye may see it was a common Wish , . Ier. 31. 23. Thus saith the LORD of Hosts , yet they shall use use this Speech in the Land of Judah , and Cities thereof , when I shall bring again their Captivity : The LORD bless thee , O Habitation of Iustice , and Mountain of Holiness . 2dly , It comprehends under it a Thanksgiving , the Workers give all Praise to the Work , Ezra . 10. 11. When the Builders laid the Foundation of the Temple , they set the Priests with their Trumpets , and the Levites with their Cymbals , to praise the LORD , after the Ordinance of David , They Sang by Course , Praising GOD , and giving Thanks unto the LORD , because he is good , and his Mercy endureth for ever . 3. The third thing it comprehends under it , is a faithful acknowledgment that the Work is built and finished by no power and strength of Men , but by the Grace of GOD , look the Verse preceeding the Text , and ye will find it thus , not by might or by power , but by my Spirit saith the LORD of hosts : ye may easily apply this . Our Work that GOD is bringing up , and will finish , should be a Praised Work , our Wishes should be to it ; The LORD bless thee , O Habitation of Iustice , and Mountain of Holiness : our Song of Thanksgiving should be in our Mouths , GOD is good , and his Mercy endureth for ever : albeit it go up , let us not ascribe any thing to our selves , but let us ascribe all to the Grace of GOD , and this will stop all the Mouths of Disdainers , who say , who are ye , who think to finish such a Work ; we answer , it will be finished not by might , or by strength of Man , but by the Spirit of the LORD of Hosts . There are three sorts looking to this Work , and to the going up of it , 1. Evil-Willers . 2. Well-Wishers . 3. Neutrals , 1. The Evil-Willers are Edom , and he was Iacob's Brother , yet in Ps. 137. he cryes raze , raze this Work to the Foundation . There is a number that is crying , raze , raze this Work to the Foundation . 2. There is a second sort that are Well-Wishers , crying grace , grace be unto it : in those former Years , the Shout of Raze , Raze , hath been louder than Grace , Grace ; but now , GOD be praised , the Shout of Grace , Grace is louder than Raze , Raze . 3. There is a third sort gazing upon this Work , that dare not cry raze , raze , because they are born down with Grace , Grace , they dare not cry Grace , Grace , for fear of Authority . What shall I say to these Neutrals , they are so uncapable of Admonition , that it will be a spending of time , to crave their Concurrence to the Work ; to whom shall I speak then , my Text is an Apostrophe , if I may use one , that which I shall use first ▪ is GODs own Words from Isaiah , Isai. 1. 3. Hear O Heaven , Hearken O Earth , for the LORD hath spoken , I have nourished and brought up Children , and they have rebelled against me . I will next turn me to Strangers and Forreigners , all ye of Reformed Kirks ( what , have I said Strangers , thir Men who are are brought up in the Kirk , are Strangers from the Womb , Psal. 58. 3. But ) ye are joyned with us in a Corporation , come therefore with your fellow feeling , let us hear your Shouts and Cryes of Grace , Grace be unto the Kirk of Scotland , and let your Wishes condemn thir ungrateful Neutrals , who professes themselves Children of this Kirk , and yet will not rejoice with us for the Well of our Mother . Now ye have heard this Text in all thir six Steps . 1. First a Mountain seen . 2. A Mountain reproved and disdained . 3. A Mountain to be removed . 4. A growing Work. 5. To be finished . 6. With great applause of all Well Willers wishing Grace unto the Work. And seing I have ado with this great Mountain , both with Mountains that impedes this Work , and all Ranks of Persons , Promovers of the Work , I will direct my ●peech to these with the Apostrophe in the Text. And first , To the Mountains lying in the way of this Reformation , I rank them in two sorts , to wit Prelats , ●nd Upholders of Prelats : O Prelats , if I had hope to ●ome speed with you , I would exhort you in the Name of Christ , to lay down your Worldly Dignity , and ●elp us to exalt the Kirk of Christ ; but I fear ye have hardened your selves so against the Truth , that nothing will prevail with you , except ye keep your Worldly Monarchy , yet ye shall be forced to take up my Apostrophe , O Mountains of Gilboa , on whom the Anointed of the LORD , is fallen , neither come Dew nor Rain upon you ; ye are these Mountains , upon whom Christ and his Anointed has been slain , the Dew nor Rain of GOD's Grace are not on you , ye may well receive Fatness from beneath , to make you great in this World , but from above , ye are not Bedewed with the Grace of GOD , without which , whatever your Bodies be , ye have lean Souls ; under this Course I leave you , and turns to you , O great Mountains , great Men who are putting your Shoulders to hold up this Mountain of Prelacy , I beseech you , if ye have any Love to Christ , to take your Shoulders and help from this Pestiferous Mountain the Wrack of Christ's Kirk : and if Exhortance will not prevail with you , I charge you in the Name of the great GOD , and his Son Jesus Christ , to whom one day ye must give your Account , that ye in noways underprop this Mountain , the which if ye obey , I am sure the LORD will bless you , and your Posterity ; but if ye will not , though ye were never so high a Mountain in this Kingdom , ye shall become a Plain . I hear one saying , Minister , I am not afraid for all thou says , my Mountain is strong enough , and so said David , Psal. 30. 6 , 7. I said I shall never be moved , for thou hast made my mountain strong , thou hides thy face , and I was troubled . I will tell you , let your Mountain be never so strong , if GOD hide his face once , he will make the tallest Mountain of you tremble ; and if that move you not , he will at last lay you waste . I come to you whose hearts GOD hath touched to promove this Work in general , Christ is saying to you that Word in Cant. 4. v. 8. Come with me from Lebanon , my Spouse , come with me from Lebanon , look from the Top of Amana , from the Top of Sheni● and Hermon from the Lions Dens , and Mountains of Leopards ▪ Thou hast ravished my heart , my Sister , my Spouse thou hast ravished my Heart with one of thy Eyes . Christ says this to you , come from the Dens of Lions , and Mountains of Leopards , Lions are cruel , and Leopards are crafty and cruel ; for it is reported of them , that they set themselves in the thick Branches , and spies the Passengers coming by , and leaps between their Shoulders , and kills them ; ye have been over long among the Lions Dens , and the Mountains of Leopards , and now ye are coming away , this same look hath ravished the Heart of Christ , ye have wounded him with this look ye have given to the Cause , continue your help until the Spouse of Christ be forced from the Lions Dens , and Mountains of Leopards . In particular I speak to all Ranks of Persons , O Noblemen who are the high Mountains of this Kingdom , bow your Tops and look on the Kirk of Christ , lying in the Valleys , sighing , groaning , swounding , and looking towards you with pitiful looks , if the Sun of Righteousness have shined on you , let her have a Shadow , as ye would have GOD to be a Shadow to you in the Day of your Distress . Barrons and Gentlemen , who are as the pleasant Hills coming from the Mountains , ( I speak to you for the Relation that is betwixt you and the Mountains , for by your Descent ye are hewen out of the Mountains ) ●ny Heart is glad to see you lift your Tops , as the Palms of your Hands reached to the Mountains , that they and ye may be as a Shelter for the Kirk of Christ , I pray you separat not your Hands from theirs , till our Work be brought forth with Shouting . Burrows , who are as the Valleys whom GOD hath blessed with the Fatness of the Earth , and the Merchandise of the Sea , the Mountains and Hills are looking to you , and ye to them , join your selves in an unseparable . Union , and compass the Vineyard of Christ , be to her a Wall of Defence , lest the wild Beasts of the Wood waste it , and the wild Beasts of the Forrest devour it , Psal. 80. 13. Ministers and my Faithful Brethren in Christ , whose Feet are beautiful upon the Mountains , say unto Zion , behold thy GOD cometh : I tell you , within thir two years an Honest Mans Feet were not beautiful upon the Caulsey of Edinburgh , we might have gone Home to our Houses again , and shaken the Dust off our Feet for a Conviction against this Unthankful Generation , but now ( GOD be praised ) they are beautiful , and we are comely in their Eyes , not for any thing in us , ( for we lay all down at the Feet of Christ ) but because we are gone up upon Mount Sion , and as the LORD's Messengers have cryed , behold thy GOD cometh , I pray you , if ye have any Love to the Kirk of Christ , withdraw both your Tongues and Pens from this Mountain , and apply them against it , apply your Wits , Engines , Spirits , and all your Strength to bear down this Mountain , yea tread upon it , and use the sharp Threshing Instruments which GOD hath put into your Hands , and thresh upon that Mountain till be beaten small ●s the Chaff . Shall I pass you who are Commons , truly my Delight hath not been so great upon this Mountain , as to make me overlook you , my good People , beloved in Christ , have ye nothing to contribute for this Work have ye not so much Power as the Mountains and Hills have , or have ye not such Substance as the Valleys , yet something ye have , give it , and it will be acceptable , something against the Mountain , and something for the Work , if ye have no more against the Mountain , let me have your Tears , Prayers , and strong Cryes , I am sure there is as great Value in them , as in the Rams Horns that blew down Iericho , send up your Prayers , and cry with the Psalmist in the 144 Psal. v. 5. Bow thy Heavens , O LORD , and come down , touch the Mountains , and they shall smoak , cast for t Lightening , and scatter them , shoot out thine Arrows , and destroy them , send thine Hand from above , and deliver me out of the great Waters , from the hand of strange Children , whose Mouth speaketh Vanity , their right Hand is a right Hand of Falshood . As ye have your Tears and Prayers against this Mountain , lend me also what ye have for the going up of this Work ; if ye have no more , let us have your Shouts and hearty Crying , Grace , Grace be unto it . Time will not suffer me to speak any more , yet time shall never bereave you nor me neither of this : let us all resolve , so long as our Life is in , even to the last Gasp , as GOD will help us , that this shall be out last Cry , Grace , Grace be unto this Work of Reformation in the Kirk of Scotland . To this Grace I recommend you , and closes with that Wish of the Apostles in the New Testament , The Grace of GOD be with you all . Amen . FINIS .