The right vnderstanding of the times opened in a sermon preached to the Honorable House of Commons, December 30, 1646, at Margaret Westminster, being the day of their solemne monethly fast / by Stephen Marshall ...
         Marshall, Stephen, 1594?-1655.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A52050 of text R6357 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Wing M771). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
       Approx. 97 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 26 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images.
       
         EarlyPrint Project
         Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO
         2017
         A52050
         Wing M771
         ESTC R6357
         12987638
         ocm 12987638
         96242
         
           
            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. A52050)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 96242)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 390:6)
      
       
         
           
             The right vnderstanding of the times opened in a sermon preached to the Honorable House of Commons, December 30, 1646, at Margaret Westminster, being the day of their solemne monethly fast / by Stephen Marshall ...
             Marshall, Stephen, 1594?-1655.
          
           [6], 46 p.
           
             Printed by Richard Cotes for Stephen Bowtell ...,
             London :
             1647.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Princeton University Library.
             Marginal notes.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Bible. -- O.T. -- Chronicles, 1st, XII, 32 -- Sermons.
           Fast-day sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
       A52050  R6357  (Wing M771).  civilwar no The right vnderstanding of the times: opened in a sermon preached to the Honorable House of Commons, December 30. 1646. at Margaret Westmins Marshall, Stephen 1647    19016 34 15 0 0 0 0 26 C  The  rate of 26 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
        2004-10 TCP
        Assigned for keying and markup
      
        2004-12 SPi Global
        Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images
      
        2005-01 Emma (Leeson) Huber
        Sampled and proofread
      
        2005-01 Emma (Leeson) Huber
        Text and markup reviewed and edited
      
        2005-04 pfs
        Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
      
    
  
   
     
       
       
         
           Die
           Mercurii
           
             30.
          
           Decemb.
           
             1646.
             
          
        
         
           ORdered
           by
           the
           Commons
           Assembled
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           That
           Sir
           
             William
             Massam
          
           doe
           from
           this
           House
           give
           thankes
           to
           Mr.
           
             Marshall
          
           and
           Mr.
           
             Newcomen
          
           for
           the
           great
           paines
           they
           tooke
           in
           their
           Sermons
           they
           preached
           this
           day
           before
           the
           Commons
           at
           St.
           
             Margaret
             Westminster
          
           (
           being
           a
           day
           of
           their
           publique
           Humiliation
           )
           and
           desire
           them
           to
           Print
           their
           Sermons
           .
        
         
           
             H.
             Elsynge
             Cler.
             Parl.
             D.
             Com.
             
          
        
      
       
         
           I
           appoint
           
             Stephen
             Bowtell
          
           to
           print
           my
           Sermon
           .
        
         
           
             Stephen
             Marshall
             .
          
        
      
       
       
         
           THE
           RIGHT
           VNDERSTANDING
           OF
           THE
           TIMES
           :
           OPENED
           In
           a
           Sermon
           preached
           to
           the
           Honorable
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           
             December
          
           30.
           1646.
           at
           
             Margaret
             Westminster
             ,
          
           Being
           the
           day
           of
           their
           solemne
           Monethly
           Fast
           .
           By
           
             Stephen
             Marshall
             ,
             B.
             D.
          
           Minister
           of
           Gods
           Word
           at
           
             Finchingfield
          
           in
           
             Essex
             .
          
        
         
           Jer.
           8.
           
           Vers.
           7
           ,
           8.
           
        
         
           The
           Storke
           in
           the
           heavens
           knoweth
           her
           appointed
           times
           ,
           and
           the
           Turtle
           ,
           and
           the
           Crane
           ,
           and
           the
           Swallow
           observe
           the
           time
           of
           their
           comming
           ,
           but
           my
           people
           know
           not
           the
           judgement
           of
           the
           Lord
           :
           How
           do
           yee
           say
           ,
           wee
           are
           wise
           ?
        
         
           If
           thou
           hadst
           knowne
           ,
           even
           thou
           at
           least
           in
           this
           thy
           day
           ,
           the
           things
           which
           belong
           unto
           thy
           peace
           ,
           but
           now
           they
           are
           hid
           from
           thine
           eyes
           .
        
         
           Luk.
           19.42
           .
        
         
           So
           teach
           us
           to
           number
           our
           dayes
           ,
           that
           wee
           may
           apply
           our
           hearts
           unto
           wisedome
           ,
        
         
           Psal.
           90.12
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             Richard
             Cotes
             ,
          
           for
           
             Stephen
             Bowtell
             ,
          
           and
           are
           to
           bee
           sold
           at
           the
           signe
           of
           the
           Bible
           in
           Popes-head
           Alley
           ,
           1647.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           TO
           THE
           HONORABLE
           The
           House
           of
           COMMONS
           Now
           Assembled
           in
           PARLIAMENT
           .
        
         
           IT
           hath
           been
           much
           lamented
           by
           learned
           men
           ,
           that
           the
           times
           wherein
           things
           have
           been
           done
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           are
           no
           more
           truly
           computed
           ,
           and
           that
           thereby
           all
           Histories
           of
           times
           are
           very
           imperfect
           ,
           
             Apud
             quos
             ratio
             temporis
             non
             cohaeret
             ,
             apud
             illos
             neque
             veritatis
             neque
             fidei
             historicae
             ratio
             ulla
             constare
             potest
             ;
          
           How
           much
           more
           is
           it
           to
           bee
           lamented
           ,
           that
           so
           few
           have
           any
           understanding
           of
           the
           times
           in
           reference
           to
           the
           things
           which
           concerne
           their
           
           everlasting
           peace
           ?
           because
           no
           lesse
           mischiefe
           then
           ruine
           of
           soules
           ,
           of
           Nations
           and
           Churches
           unavoidably
           breake
           in
           upon
           them
           ,
           who
           know
           not
           the
           time
           of
           their
           visitation
           ;
           If
           this
           plaine
           Sermon
           may
           help
           this
           way
           to
           mend
           the
           times
           ,
           and
           promote
           the
           right
           and
           best
           study
           of
           them
           ,
           especially
           if
           God
           vouchsafe
           to
           blesse
           it
           to
           bee
           in
           any
           degree
           usefull
           to
           you
           in
           your
           great
           worke
           ,
           for
           whose
           Meridian
           it
           was
           calculated
           ,
           for
           whose
           use
           it
           was
           composed
           ,
           to
           whom
           it
           was
           preached
           ,
           and
           by
           whose
           order
           it
           is
           now
           made
           publique
           ,
           it
           will
           bee
           a
           great
           comfort
           to
           the
           spirit
           ,
           and
           a
           blessed
           answer
           from
           heaven
           to
           the
           Prayers
           of
        
         
           
             Your
             unworthy
             and
             most
             devoted
             Servant
             ,
             STEPHEN
             MARSHALL
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           A
           SERMON
           PREACHED
           Before
           the
           Honorable
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           at
           their
           Monethly
           Fast
           ,
           
             Decemb.
          
           30.
           1646.
           
        
         
           
             1
             Chron.
             12.32
             .
          
           
             And
             of
             the
             Children
             of
             Issachar
             ,
             which
             were
             men
             that
             had
             understanding
             of
             the
             times
             ,
             to
             know
             what
             Israel
             ought
             to
             doe
             ;
             the
             heads
             of
             them
             were
             two
             hundred
             ,
             and
             all
             their
             brethren
             were
             at
             their
             command
             .
          
        
         
           THis
           whole
           Chapter
           (
           Beloved
           )
           doth
           containe
           a
           List
           or
           Catalogue
           of
           all
           the
           men
           of
           warre
           which
           did
           cleave
           to
           
             David
             ,
          
           their
           
             names
             ,
          
           their
           
             qualities
             ,
          
           
           their
           
             Number
          
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           a
           double
           Catalogue
           of
           them
           :
           First
           ,
           a
           Catalogue
           of
           them
           that
           did
           cleave
           to
           him
           ,
           before
           
             Saul
          
           was
           dead
           ,
           while
           he
           was
           in
           a
           defensive
           warre
           for
           his
           owne
           safetie
           ;
           for
           although
           
             David
          
           for
           a
           great
           while
           ,
           had
           not
           above
           six
           or
           seven
           hundred
           
           with
           him
           ,
           yet
           in
           the
           end
           they
           fell
           to
           him
           ,
           especially
           out
           of
           the
           Tribes
           of
           
             Judah
             ,
             Benjamin
             ,
             Gad
             ,
          
           and
           
             Manasseh
             ,
          
           so
           many
           that
           his
           Army
           
             grew
             to
             be
             like
             an
             Army
             of
             God
             .
          
           And
           lest
           any
           man
           should
           thinke
           that
           it
           were
           no
           better
           then
           rebellion
           in
           him
           and
           them
           to
           beare
           defensive
           Armes
           against
           his
           Prince
           ,
           
           it
           is
           said
           in
           the
           18
           Verse
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Spirit
             came
             upon
             one
             of
             the
             chiefe
             Commanders
             ,
          
           and
           told
           him
           they
           were
           his
           ,
           and
           would
           live
           and
           die
           with
           him
           ,
           and
           that
           God
           was
           with
           him
           ,
           they
           knew
           him
           innocent
           ;
           they
           saw
           he
           was
           unjustly
           persecuted
           ,
           they
           came
           to
           rescue
           him
           as
           a
           Partridge
           out
           of
           a
           Falcons
           Talons
           ,
           and
           in
           so
           doing
           they
           did
           no
           more
           ,
           then
           the
           whole
           hoste
           did
           at
           another
           time
           ,
           when
           they
           saved
           
             Jonathan
          
           out
           of
           the
           hands
           of
           his
           father
           
             Saul
             ,
          
           who
           would
           unjustly
           have
           put
           him
           to
           death
           .
           
           The
           other
           part
           of
           the
           Chapter
           beginning
           at
           Verse
           23.
           containeth
           the
           Catalogue
           of
           the
           Commanders
           and
           Souldiers
           that
           fell
           in
           to
           him
           to
           make
           him
           King
           ,
           after
           the
           death
           of
           
             Saul
             ,
          
           and
           there
           you
           shall
           finde
           that
           the
           excellent
           qualities
           of
           all
           the
           Leaders
           ,
           and
           of
           many
           of
           the
           Souldiers
           are
           described
           ;
           some
           of
           them
           were
           excellent
           Archers
           ,
           some
           were
           exact
           Slingers
           who
           could
           throw
           and
           hit
           at
           a
           haires
           breadth
           ,
           some
           of
           them
           were
           as
           couragious
           as
           Lions
           ,
           some
           of
           them
           were
           as
           swift
           as
           the
           Roes
           upon
           the
           Mountaines
           ,
           but
           none
           of
           them
           all
           came
           neere
           the
           Tribe
           of
           
             Issachar
             ,
          
           in
           that
           which
           makes
           a
           people
           strong
           and
           happy
           both
           in
           the
           time
           of
           warre
           and
           peace
           ;
           
             They
             were
             men
             of
             understanding
             ,
             who
             knew
             the
             times
             what
             Israel
             had
             to
             doe
          
           ;
           and
           of
           this
           excellent
           commendation
           of
           this
           Tribe
           of
           
             Issachar
             ,
          
           as
           of
           a
           Theame
           that
           very
           much
           concernes
           us
           ,
           I
           have
           chosen
           to
           treate
           this
           day
           before
           this
           great
           Assembly
           by
           the
           assistance
           of
           Almighty
           God
           ;
           
           wherein
           there
           are
           three
           things
           to
           bee
           handled
           .
           First
           ,
        
         
           The
           persons
           spoken
           of
           ,
           
             the
             Tribe
             of
             Issachar
             ,
          
           and
           their
           
           heads
           and
           leaders
           especially
           .
           Secondly
           ,
        
         
         
           
             Their
             singular
             commendations
             ,
             they
             had
             understanding
             to
             
             know
             the
             times
             ,
             what
             Israel
             ,
             had
             to
             doe
          
           ;
           the
           whole
           Tribe
           ,
           but
           especially
           their
           Leaders
           ,
           who
           were
           about
           two
           hundred
           ,
           knew
           the
           times
           in
           reference
           to
           their
           duty
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
        
         
           Here
           is
           the
           interest
           which
           these
           Leaders
           had
           in
           the
           hearts
           
           of
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           this
           procured
           principally
           by
           their
           wisedome
           and
           understanding
           ;
           
             all
             their
             Brethren
             were
             at
             their
             command
             ,
          
           or
           as
           the
           word
           signifies
           ,
           
             depended
             on
             their
             mouth
             .
          
           I
           begin
           briefly
           to
           speake
           of
           the
           first
           .
        
         
           The
           persons
           ,
           they
           were
           the
           men
           of
           
             Issachar
             ;
             Issachar
          
           you
           know
           was
           one
           of
           the
           twelve
           Tribes
           ,
           
           one
           of
           
             Iacobs
          
           sonnes
           by
           
             Leah
             ,
          
           and
           their
           lot
           in
           the
           land
           of
           
             Canaan
          
           fell
           betwixt
           the
           halfe
           Tribe
           of
           
             Manasseh
          
           and
           
             Zebulun
             ,
          
           and
           their
           province
           was
           bounded
           by
           the
           mountaines
           of
           
             Gilboa
          
           on
           the
           one
           side
           ,
           and
           mount
           
             Hermon
          
           on
           the
           other
           ;
           all
           that
           goodly
           part
           of
           the
           Countrey
           ,
           that
           was
           called
           the
           fat
           valley
           of
           
             Jezreel
             ,
          
           was
           the
           inheritance
           of
           this
           Tribe
           of
           
             Issachar
             ,
          
           a
           rich
           in-land
           Country
           ,
           and
           formerly
           their
           Spirits
           and
           Genius
           was
           like
           to
           that
           of
           Country
           Farmers
           .
           
           They
           minded
           nothing
           but
           their
           back
           and
           their
           belly
           ,
           and
           so
           
             Jacob
          
           himselfe
           did
           foretell
           of
           them
           ,
           in
           the
           49.
           of
           
             Genesis
             ,
          
           when
           he
           said
           ,
           that
           
             Issachar
             was
             like
             a
             strong
             Asse
             that
             couched
             downe
             betweene
             two
             burthens
             ,
             and
             saw
             that
             rest
             was
             good
             ,
             and
             gave
             himselfe
             willingly
             to
             beare
             Tribute
          
           :
           The
           meaning
           was
           ,
           that
           this
           Tribe
           would
           bee
           like
           unto
           that
           dull
           ,
           simple
           ,
           slothfull
           creature
           the
           Asse
           ,
           that
           minded
           nothing
           but
           his
           belley
           ,
           give
           him
           but
           meate
           enough
           for
           his
           belly
           and
           lay
           what
           you
           will
           upon
           his
           back
           ;
           so
           this
           Tribe
           ,
           if
           they
           might
           not
           be
           outed
           or
           plundred
           in
           their
           rich
           Country
           ,
           but
           might
           follow
           their
           businesse
           ,
           and
           gather
           wealth
           ,
           lay
           any
           thing
           upon
           them
           they
           would
           beare
           it
           :
           this
           of
           old
           was
           the
           Genius
           of
           this
           Tribe
           ,
           but
           
             now
          
           another
           manner
           of
           Spirit
           possessed
           them
           ;
           none
           of
           all
           the
           Maritine
           townes
           nor
           Cities
           where
           the
           people
           are
           most
           active
           ,
           and
           fit
           for
           Negotiation
           ,
           went
           beyond
           ,
           
           
           or
           came
           neere
           to
           the
           Tribe
           of
           
             Issachar
             ,
          
           now
           (
           I
           say
           )
           they
           had
           learned
           that
           that
           makes
           a
           people
           happy
           ,
           they
           had
           wisedome
           and
           unitie
           ,
           they
           had
           understanding
           to
           know
           the
           times
           and
           their
           dutie
           ,
           they
           had
           many
           thousands
           of
           eyes
           to
           see
           into
           the
           true
           state
           of
           affaires
           ,
           and
           then
           they
           had
           as
           many
           thousand
           hands
           ready
           to
           execute
           ;
           they
           could
           presently
           fall
           upon
           that
           which
           belonged
           to
           them
           ;
           
             they
             had
             understanding
             of
             the
             times
             ,
             and
             knew
          
           not
           onely
           what
           themselves
           ,
           but
           what
           all
           the
           Country
           ,
           what
           all
           
             Israel
             had
             to
             doe
          
           ;
           this
           was
           the
           people
           ,
           and
           this
           strange
           alteration
           that
           God
           had
           made
           in
           the
           Spirit
           of
           this
           Tribe
           of
           
             Issachar
             ,
          
           doth
           afford
           us
           this
           excellent
           lesson
           .
        
         
           
             That
             the
             Lord
             can
             at
             his
             pleasure
             inable
             and
             raise
             up
             the
             spirits
             of
             persons
             ,
          
           
           
           
             and
             people
             to
             doe
             worthily
             ,
             from
             whom
             no body
             would
             expect
             any
             thing
             .
             Moses
          
           had
           foretold
           that
           
             Issachar
          
           would
           bee
           but
           a
           dull
           Asse
           ,
           but
           you
           see
           how
           the
           Lord
           had
           altered
           ,
           and
           raised
           him
           up
           to
           doe
           excellently
           ;
           hee
           went
           beyond
           all
           the
           other
           Tribes
           ;
           and
           God
           hath
           often
           done
           so
           ,
           hee
           takes
           
             Moses
          
           a
           Shepheard
           ,
           a
           man
           slow
           of
           speech
           ,
           sends
           him
           and
           makes
           him
           a
           fit
           man
           to
           deliver
           a
           whole
           nation
           out
           of
           bondage
           and
           captivitie
           ;
           at
           another
           time
           ,
           hee
           raises
           
             Gideon
             ,
          
           a
           private
           Gentleman
           ,
           it
           may
           bee
           but
           a
           Yeomans
           sonne
           ,
           
           from
           his
           Flayle
           when
           hee
           was
           threshing
           of
           Wheat
           ,
           and
           makes
           him
           a
           Captaine
           to
           route
           the
           whole
           Army
           of
           the
           Midianites
           and
           to
           judge
           his
           people
           ;
           at
           another
           time
           takes
           
             Saul
             ,
          
           a
           Private
           Gentlemans
           sonne
           ,
           who
           was
           seeking
           for
           his
           fathers
           Asses
           ,
           and
           makes
           him
           fit
           to
           governe
           a
           kingdome
           ;
           takes
           
             David
          
           a
           young
           youth
           from
           following
           his
           Ewes
           great
           with
           Lambe
           ,
           and
           presently
           enables
           him
           to
           cope
           with
           the
           Gyant
           
             Goliah
             ,
          
           and
           to
           destroy
           him
           ,
           and
           afterwards
           to
           bee
           the
           ruler
           over
           Gods
           people
           ;
           
           hee
           takes
           
             Amos
          
           from
           being
           a
           Neatheard
           ,
           and
           a
           gatherer
           of
           Summer
           fruit
           ,
           to
           bee
           a
           Prophet
           ,
           and
           to
           preach
           in
           the
           Kings
           Chappell
           ;
           takes
           Fishermen
           who
           were
           never
           bred
           in
           Universities
           ,
           
           and
           sends
           them
           into
           all
           the
           world
           with
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Gospel
           to
           subdue
           the
           Nations
           to
           Jesus
           Christ
           .
           Thus
           the
           Lord
           hath
           raised
           up
           instruments
           ,
           and
           hee
           can
           easily
           doe
           it
           ,
           for
           there
           is
           a
           spirit
           in
           man
           ,
           
           but
           the
           inspiration
           which
           gives
           understanding
           and
           gifts
           comes
           onely
           from
           the
           Almighty
           ;
           the
           Lord
           hath
           abundance
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           powres
           it
           out
           where
           ,
           and
           how
           ,
           and
           in
           what
           manner
           hee
           pleaseth
           .
           
        
         
           This
           may
           bee
           a
           great
           incouragement
           to
           us
           in
           all
           our
           extremities
           and
           exigents
           ,
           let
           us
           doe
           our
           dutie
           ,
           and
           let
           us
           never
           feare
           Gods
           wanting
           of
           instruments
           for
           his
           worke
           ;
           when
           wee
           are
           low
           ,
           wee
           presently
           cry
           out
           ,
           Lord
           
             by
             whom
             shall
             Jacob
             arise
             ,
          
           by
           whom
           ?
           by
           stones
           raised
           up
           to
           bee
           children
           ,
           and
           by
           children
           inabled
           to
           doe
           the
           worke
           of
           men
           :
           Wee
           should
           never
           bee
           at
           our
           faiths
           end
           ,
           though
           sometimes
           wee
           are
           at
           our
           wits
           end
           ,
           let
           us
           doe
           our
           dutie
           ,
           and
           leave
           it
           to
           God
           ,
           who
           can
           easily
           raise
           up
           instruments
           to
           do
           his
           worke
           ,
           from
           whom
           wee
           would
           never
           expect
           it
           ;
           wee
           our selves
           have
           had
           a
           great
           deale
           of
           blessed
           experience
           of
           it
           .
           In
           the
           beginning
           of
           our
           publique
           troubles
           ,
           our
           question
           was
           ,
           by
           whom
           shall
           
             England
          
           arise
           now
           it
           is
           thus
           low
           ?
           Wee
           demanded
           ,
           where
           shall
           wee
           finde
           Captaines
           and
           Commanders
           for
           a
           warre
           in
           a
           Nation
           where
           all
           men
           have
           been
           bred
           in
           ease
           and
           peace
           ?
           God
           hath
           found
           them
           ,
           and
           tooke
           Gentlemen
           from
           following
           their
           Hawkes
           and
           Dogs
           ,
           and
           Tradesmen
           from
           their
           shops
           ,
           and
           Husbandmen
           from
           their
           Ploughes
           ,
           to
           bee
           able
           to
           cope
           with
           the
           most
           expert
           Commanders
           in
           the
           world
           :
           and
           now
           wee
           are
           at
           another
           losse
           ,
           now
           wee
           are
           demanding
           ,
           where
           shall
           we
           find
           Ministers
           for
           eight
           or
           ten
           thousand
           Congregations
           ,
           to
           instruct
           them
           in
           the
           way
           of
           life
           ?
           Feare
           not
           ,
           if
           God
           for
           our
           sinnes
           deny
           us
           not
           this
           mercy
           ,
           
           hee
           can
           fulfill
           that
           in
           the
           68.
           
           Psalme
           ;
           
             The
             Lord
             will
             give
             the
             Word
             ,
             and
             great
             shall
             be
             the
             multitude
             of
             them
             that
             shall
             publish
             it
             ,
          
           the
           Lord
           can
           raise
           
           them
           up
           unexpectedly
           ;
           and
           so
           in
           all
           other
           our
           difficulties
           .
        
         
           
           But
           this
           I
           purposely
           onely
           point
           at
           ,
           that
           I
           might
           not
           bee
           straightned
           in
           the
           second
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           singular
           commendations
           of
           this
           Tribe
           ,
           
             They
             were
             men
             of
             understanding
             to
             know
             the
             times
             ,
             and
             what
             Israel
             had
             to
             doe
             .
          
        
         
           
             That
             it
             is
             a
             great
             and
             high
             commendation
             of
             any
             people
             ,
             especially
             of
             their
             Heads
             and
             Leaders
             ,
          
           
           
             to
             know
             the
             times
             in
             reference
             to
             their
             dutie
          
           :
           
           These
           men
           of
           
             Issachar
          
           had
           understanding
           of
           the
           times
           ,
           to
           know
           what
           
             Israel
          
           had
           to
           doe
           ;
           this
           God
           sets
           downe
           as
           their
           high
           commendation
           ;
           in
           the
           handling
           of
           it
           I
           shall
           indeavour
           these
           three
           things
           .
           First
           ,
        
         
           I
           shall
           interpret
           the
           meaning
           of
           it
           ,
           make
           you
           see
           what
           it
           is
           to
           know
           the
           times
           in
           reference
           to
           duties
           .
           Secondly
           ,
        
         
           
           I
           shall
           indeavour
           to
           prove
           it
           out
           of
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           illustrate
           the
           truth
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           see
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           a
           high
           commendation
           ,
           and
           a
           matter
           of
           extreme
           consequence
           ;
           and
           thirdly
           ,
           and
           principally
           ,
        
         
           
           I
           shall
           indeavour
           to
           make
           Application
           of
           it
           for
           our
           own
           good
           .
           For
           the
           first
           ,
        
         
           
           What
           it
           is
           to
           know
           the
           times
           in
           reference
           to
           dutie
           ;
           you
           may
           please
           to
           observe
           that
           in
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           practise
           of
           men
           ,
           there
           is
           found
           a
           fivefold
           knowledge
           of
           the
           times
           .
        
         
           
           There
           is
           an
           
             Astrologicall
          
           knowledge
           of
           the
           times
           ,
           such
           a
           knowledge
           as
           the
           Starre-gazers
           do
           boast
           of
           ;
           a
           knowledg
           whereby
           a
           company
           of
           vaine
           men
           doe
           undertake
           out
           of
           the
           bookes
           of
           the
           Starres
           to
           tell
           you
           whatsoever
           God
           hath
           decreed
           concerning
           Men
           or
           States
           :
           this
           knowledg
           is
           so
           condemned
           in
           other
           places
           of
           Scripture
           that
           none
           of
           you
           will
           imagine
           ,
           that
           this
           was
           the
           commendation
           of
           this
           Tribe
           .
           Secondly
           ,
        
         
           
           There
           is
           another
           knowledge
           of
           the
           times
           ,
           which
           I
           may
           call
           a
           
             Diabolicall
          
           knowledge
           of
           the
           times
           ,
           whereby
           wicked
           and
           ungodly
           men
           do
           studie
           to
           improve
           all
           advantages
           
           of
           time
           to
           further
           their
           own
           lusts
           and
           wickednesses
           ;
           the
           study
           and
           knowledge
           of
           time-servers
           ,
           who
           indeavour
           to
           make
           the
           times
           further
           them
           in
           their
           cursed
           designes
           ;
           men
           who
           like
           Willowes
           or
           Bulrushes
           in
           the
           water
           will
           bow
           which
           way
           soever
           the
           streame
           runs
           ,
           and
           dance
           after
           the
           present
           Fiddle
           of
           the
           times
           for
           their
           owne
           ends
           .
           I
           am
           certaine
           none
           of
           you
           think
           that
           this
           was
           the
           commendation
           of
           this
           Tribe
           ;
           such
           Temporizers
           &
           Time-servers
           ,
           however
           they
           may
           for
           a
           while
           applaud
           their
           own
           wisedomes
           ,
           will
           one
           day
           know
           ,
           they
           have
           served
           but
           an
           ill
           Master
           ;
           this
           was
           farre
           from
           the
           Tribe
           of
           
             Issachar
             .
          
           Thirdly
           ,
        
         
           You
           shall
           read
           of
           a
           
             Propheticall
          
           knowledge
           of
           the
           times
           ,
           
           that
           is
           ,
           such
           a
           knowledge
           as
           wherein
           the
           Lord
           by
           revelation
           doth
           in
           able
           some
           of
           his
           servants
           ,
           I
           meane
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           to
           know
           what
           shall
           afterwards
           come
           to
           passe
           ;
           and
           this
           kinde
           of
           knowledge
           ,
           though
           every
           man
           hath
           an
           itch
           after
           it
           ,
           and
           many
           doe
           as
           
             Nebuchadnezzar
          
           did
           ,
           
           when
           his
           thoughts
           troubled
           him
           in
           the
           night
           ,
           that
           hee
           might
           know
           what
           should
           come
           to
           passe
           afterwards
           ;
           yet
           our
           Lord
           hath
           told
           us
           ,
           
             That
             it
             is
             not
             for
             us
             thus
             to
             know
             the
             times
             and
             seasons
             ,
             which
             the
             Father
             hath
             kept
             in
             his
             owne
             hand
          
           ;
           
           there
           is
           fourthly
           ,
        
         
           Another
           knowledge
           of
           the
           Times
           ,
           and
           study
           of
           it
           ,
           
           which
           is
           ,
           an
           
             Historicall
          
           knowledge
           of
           the
           times
           ,
           or
           an
           
             Astronomicall
          
           knowledge
           of
           the
           times
           ;
           a
           knowledge
           which
           is
           extremely
           and
           deservedly
           cried
           up
           by
           learned
           men
           ;
           a
           knowledge
           wherein
           many
           men
           of
           choycest
           wits
           ,
           both
           among
           Heathens
           and
           Christians
           ,
           have
           tooke
           very
           great
           paines
           ,
           wherein
           they
           have
           much
           advanced
           wisedome
           and
           learning
           ,
           especially
           in
           our
           latter
           age
           .
           Many
           rare
           men
           of
           choycest
           abilities
           have
           set
           downe
           in
           a
           continued
           Series
           ,
           a
           Chronologie
           of
           all
           the
           yeers
           ,
           that
           have
           been
           since
           the
           Creation
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           most
           memorable
           things
           and
           persons
           that
           have
           fallen
           out
           ,
           or
           lived
           in
           the
           severall
           ages
           ,
           and
           
           yeeres
           ;
           and
           this
           they
           have
           done
           to
           their
           owne
           everlasting
           honour
           ,
           rectifying
           the
           accompt
           of
           time
           ,
           and
           extremely
           advantaged
           even
           the
           studie
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ;
           now
           this
           knowledge
           ,
           though
           it
           bee
           excellent
           ,
           yet
           my
           Text
           hath
           nothing
           to
           doe
           with
           it
           ,
           and
           truly
           though
           it
           bee
           an
           excellent
           thing
           ,
           men
           may
           have
           it
           ,
           and
           yet
           die
           fooles
           ,
           and
           be
           miserable
           for
           want
           of
           that
           knowledge
           which
           I
           am
           this
           day
           to
           speake
           of
           .
           The
           Nation
           of
           the
           Jewes
           were
           admirable
           in
           that
           kind
           of
           accompt
           of
           times
           :
           
             Scaliger
          
           saith
           of
           them
           ,
           they
           were
           exact
           even
           to
           admiration
           ;
           and
           
             Sethus
             Calvisius
          
           one
           of
           the
           most
           learned
           writers
           of
           that
           kind
           ,
           though
           hee
           goe
           another
           way
           to
           worke
           ,
           yet
           confesses
           that
           in
           the
           Jewes
           accompt
           ,
           they
           did
           not
           lose
           above
           the
           accompt
           of
           one
           houre
           in
           the
           space
           of
           1500.
           yeers
           ;
           yet
           because
           they
           had
           no
           better
           knowledge
           of
           the
           times
           then
           that
           ,
           the
           Lord
           in
           the
           eighth
           of
           
             Jeremiah
          
           saith
           ,
           
           they
           were
           fooles
           ,
           and
           had
           not
           so
           much
           wisedome
           ,
           as
           the
           Crane
           and
           the
           Storke
           ,
           and
           the
           Swallow
           ,
           those
           irrationall
           Animals
           ,
           who
           had
           so
           much
           sagacitie
           ,
           as
           to
           know
           the
           times
           of
           their
           comming
           into
           a
           Countrey
           ,
           and
           leaving
           a
           Countrey
           ;
           but
           this
           people
           knew
           nothing
           of
           the
           times
           in
           reference
           to
           Gods
           judgements
           ,
           and
           their
           owne
           duties
           :
           the
           Lord
           counted
           them
           fooles
           for
           all
           their
           other
           learning
           ;
           And
           therefore
           there
           is
           ,
           fiftly
           ,
        
         
           
           Another
           knowledge
           of
           the
           times
           ,
           which
           I
           may
           call
           a
           Theologicall
           knowledge
           ,
           or
           rather
           a
           gratious
           and
           a
           practicall
           knowledge
           of
           the
           times
           ,
           which
           is
           ,
           so
           to
           know
           the
           times
           ,
           as
           to
           understand
           the
           moment
           and
           exigence
           of
           all
           affaires
           which
           fall
           within
           the
           times
           in
           reference
           to
           their
           owne
           dutie
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           improve
           all
           occurrences
           which
           fall
           out
           to
           the
           right
           end
           .
           This
           is
           the
           knowledge
           that
           I
           am
           to
           speake
           of
           ,
           and
           this
           knowledge
           infinitely
           goes
           beyond
           that
           other
           ;
           I
           confesse
           I
           finde
           a
           great
           many
           learned
           Volumes
           writ
           for
           the
           helpe
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           to
           further
           the
           
           Chronologicall
           ,
           or
           Historicall
           wisedome
           of
           the
           times
           ,
           abundance
           of
           Astronomicall
           Tables
           have
           been
           compiled
           ,
           and
           other
           helpes
           set
           forth
           ;
           but
           for
           this
           latter
           ,
           I
           hardly
           know
           one
           little
           Pamphlet
           extant
           about
           it
           ,
           and
           yet
           this
           infinitely
           goes
           beyond
           the
           other
           ;
           for
           though
           a
           man
           should
           die
           ignorant
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           and
           never
           know
           the
           
             Julian
          
           Account
           ,
           or
           wherein
           the
           new
           &
           old
           stile
           differ
           one
           from
           another
           ,
           if
           hee
           have
           but
           learned
           to
           number
           his
           dayes
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           apply
           his
           heart
           to
           wisedome
           ,
           hee
           will
           honour
           God
           here
           ,
           and
           bee
           happy
           for
           ever
           ;
           but
           without
           this
           ,
           what
           learning
           soever
           hee
           had
           in
           the
           other
           ,
           his
           life
           will
           be
           wicked
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           end
           hee
           will
           die
           a
           foole
           :
           And
           this
           was
           the
           knowledge
           of
           this
           Tribe
           ,
           this
           Practicall
           knowledge
           ,
           so
           that
           when
           the
           other
           Tribes
           some
           of
           them
           stood
           for
           the
           house
           of
           
             Saul
             ,
          
           to
           continue
           the
           government
           there
           ,
           others
           of
           them
           inclined
           to
           
             David
          
           to
           make
           him
           King
           ,
           and
           others
           probably
           were
           unsatisfied
           in
           their
           thoughts
           concerning
           either
           of
           them
           ,
           possibly
           thinking
           it
           would
           bee
           best
           to
           continue
           their
           old
           Aristocraticall
           government
           ,
           in
           their
           severall
           Tribes
           ,
           and
           to
           waite
           that
           God
           should
           raise
           them
           up
           extraordinary
           Judges
           in
           difficult
           times
           ,
           and
           so
           they
           stood
           in
           a
           kind
           of
           indifferency
           and
           neutralitie
           ;
           these
           men
           of
           
             Issachar
             ,
          
           especially
           their
           Leaders
           ,
           had
           so
           studied
           the
           times
           ,
           that
           they
           did
           not
           onely
           know
           what
           was
           lawfull
           and
           expedient
           in
           this
           huge
           turne
           of
           theirs
           ,
           
           in
           this
           great
           businesse
           that
           was
           before
           them
           ,
           but
           they
           knew
           what
           was
           their
           dutie
           ,
           yea
           what
           all
           the
           kingdome
           ,
           all
           the
           Common-wealth
           ought
           to
           doe
           with
           them
           ,
           they
           knew
           the
           times
           ,
           and
           what
           
             Israel
             had
             to
             doe
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           this
           knowledge
           that
           I
           have
           brought
           you
           to
           ,
           is
           not
           a
           mentall
           or
           speculative
           understanding
           of
           humane
           affaires
           ,
           or
           things
           belonging
           either
           to
           Church
           or
           Common-wealth
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           a
           Practicall
           knowledge
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           wise
           abilitie
           to
           manage
           all
           the
           understanding
           that
           they
           
           have
           in
           reference
           to
           their
           dutie
           ;
           in
           one
           word
           ,
           it
           is
           to
           observe
           all
           Gods
           administrations
           ,
           wherewith
           the
           present
           time
           is
           filled
           ,
           his
           providences
           ,
           his
           mercies
           ,
           his
           judgements
           ,
           his
           words
           ,
           his
           workes
           ,
           to
           observe
           them
           (
           I
           say
           )
           so
           as
           thereby
           to
           bee
           inabled
           seasonably
           and
           timely
           to
           performe
           their
           owne
           duties
           ,
           and
           to
           regulate
           their
           conversations
           according
           to
           the
           exigence
           and
           juncture
           of
           times
           ,
           for
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           good
           of
           their
           brethren
           ,
           and
           the
           salvation
           of
           their
           owne
           soules
           ,
           and
           this
           is
           the
           Theame
           wherein
           I
           now
           proceed
           .
        
         
           
           To
           give
           you
           some
           evidence
           out
           of
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           to
           make
           it
           apparent
           to
           you
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           the
           highest
           commendations
           that
           can
           bee
           given
           of
           any
           people
           ,
           to
           have
           this
           understanding
           of
           the
           times
           ,
           in
           reference
           to
           their
           dutie
           :
           and
           for
           the
           proofe
           of
           it
           ,
           I
           shall
           indeavour
           these
           two
           things
           .
           First
           ,
        
         
           
           To
           shew
           it
           you
           plainely
           out
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           a
           marvailous
           high
           commendation
           ,
           and
           a
           deserved
           one
           .
           And
           secondly
           ,
        
         
           
           I
           shall
           indeavour
           to
           make
           a
           further
           illustration
           of
           this
           Doctrine
           ,
           of
           knowing
           the
           times
           ,
           out
           of
           Gods
           Word
           .
        
         
           
           To
           prove
           that
           it
           is
           such
           a
           high
           and
           deserved
           commendations
           ,
           take
           but
           these
           three
           proofes
           .
           First
           ,
           every where
           in
           the
           Scripture
           this
           is
           counted
           true
           wisedome
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           accompt
           of
           God
           ,
           they
           goe
           for
           wise
           men
           ,
           who
           understand
           the
           times
           in
           reference
           to
           their
           duties
           ;
           looke
           first
           into
           the
           fift
           of
           the
           
             Ephesians
             ,
          
           at
           the
           eight
           verse
           ,
           and
           so
           forward
           ,
           
           the
           Apostle
           layes
           downe
           this
           great
           Doctrine
           ,
           That
           now
           God
           had
           sent
           the
           light
           of
           the
           Gospell
           amongst
           them
           ,
           they
           must
           not
           for
           time
           to
           come
           walke
           as
           other
           Gentiles
           did
           walke
           in
           the
           vanitie
           of
           their
           minds
           ,
           but
           they
           must
           leade
           a
           life
           worthy
           of
           the
           Gospell
           ;
           and
           this
           hee
           proves
           by
           many
           Arguments
           ,
           which
           when
           hee
           hath
           proved
           ,
           then
           in
           the
           15.
           and
           16.
           verses
           ,
           hee
           sets
           downe
           what
           this
           life
           is
           ,
           
             see
             then
             ,
          
           that
           you
           walke
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           
             exactly
             ,
             not
             as
             
             Fooles
             but
             as
             Wise
             men
          
           ;
           wherein
           lies
           that
           ?
           
             redeeming
             the
             time
             ,
             because
             the
             dayes
             are
             evill
          
           ;
           there
           is
           all
           required
           ,
           there
           is
           the
           manifestation
           and
           demonstration
           ,
           that
           you
           do
           not
           walke
           like
           Fooles
           ,
           but
           as
           Wise
           men
           ,
           if
           you
           have
           but
           once
           learned
           to
           redeeme
           the
           time
           in
           these
           evill
           dayes
           ;
           the
           dayes
           are
           naught
           ,
           the
           times
           are
           evill
           ,
           full
           of
           snares
           to
           be
           avoyded
           ,
           many
           duties
           to
           bee
           done
           ;
           now
           herein
           will
           appeare
           Gospell-wisedome
           ,
           to
           walke
           so
           as
           that
           in
           these
           evill
           dayes
           ,
           you
           may
           redeeme
           the
           time
           :
           and
           
             Solomon
          
           hath
           an
           excellent
           discourse
           of
           the
           same
           subject
           ,
           in
           the
           eighth
           of
           
             Ecclesiastes
             ,
          
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           the
           Chapter
           ,
           
           hee
           gives
           a
           high
           Encomium
           of
           a
           wise
           man
           ;
           
             Who
             is
          
           (
           saith
           hee
           )
           
             as
             the
             wise
             man
             ?
          
           that
           is
           ,
           no
           ●an
           can
           bee
           compared
           to
           a
           wise
           man
           ,
           what
           is
           hee
           ?
           
             〈◊〉
             that
             knowes
             the
             interpretation
             of
             a
             thing
             ,
          
           hee
           that
           knowes
           what
           every
           businesse
           doth
           truly
           signifie
           and
           call
           for
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           wise
           man
           ;
           then
           hee
           tells
           you
           ,
           this
           mans
           wisedome
           will
           gaine
           him
           courage
           and
           credit
           ,
           hee
           will
           bee
           honored
           and
           esteemed
           ;
           then
           brings
           it
           downe
           ,
           to
           manifest
           the
           excellency
           of
           this
           wisedome
           in
           one
           particular
           case
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           most
           tickle
           businesse
           in
           the
           world
           for
           men
           to
           bee
           imployed
           in
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           in
           attending
           upon
           the
           affaires
           of
           supreme
           Governors
           in
           doing
           that
           which
           the
           higher
           powers
           command
           them
           ,
           for
           they
           will
           quickly
           bee
           angry
           and
           take
           offence
           ,
           therefore
           doe
           their
           businesse
           carefully
           and
           speedily
           as
           you
           should
           ,
           and
           if
           they
           bee
           angry
           ,
           goe
           not
           away
           in
           a
           pet
           ,
           &c.
           
           But
           now
           lest
           some
           body
           should
           say
           ,
           Doe
           you
           meane
           that
           a
           man
           should
           doe
           all
           that
           Kings
           ,
           and
           supreme
           Magistrates
           doe
           command
           ,
           without
           further
           enquiry
           or
           delay
           ?
           No
           ,
           saith
           
             Salomon
          
           in
           the
           fifth
           Verse
           ,
           
             the
             wise
             man
             knowes
             both
             time
             and
             judgement
          
           ;
           the
           wise
           man
           that
           hath
           the
           interpretation
           of
           a
           thing
           ,
           knowes
           what
           is
           to
           bee
           done
           ,
           what
           is
           to
           bee
           refused
           ,
           and
           when
           things
           are
           to
           bee
           done
           most
           fitly
           or
           opportunely
           ;
           therefore
           none
           like
           the
           wise
           man
           .
           So
           likewise
           
           
             Moses
          
           in
           the
           32.
           of
           
             Deuteronomy
             ,
          
           
           about
           the
           19.
           
           Verse
           ,
           
             O
             that
             this
             people
             were
             wise
             ,
             that
             they
             did
             but
             understand
             their
             last
             end
          
           ;
           that
           they
           but
           rightly
           knew
           their
           time
           :
           and
           in
           the
           90.
           
           Psalme
           ,
           which
           is
           another
           prayer
           of
           
             Moses
             ,
             Lord
             teach
             us
             so
             to
             number
             our
             dayes
             ,
          
           
           to
           make
           such
           a
           compute
           of
           our
           times
           ,
           
             that
             wee
             might
             apply
             our
             hearts
             to
             wisedome
             .
          
           I
           might
           give
           you
           many
           other
           Scriptures
           which
           show
           that
           the
           Lord
           counts
           this
           to
           be
           true
           wisedome
           ;
           nay
           ,
           I
           'le
           add
           this
           further
           ,
           the
           very
           light
           of
           nature
           hath
           taught
           the
           Heathens
           to
           judge
           this
           to
           bee
           true
           wisedome
           :
           the
           seven
           Counsellors
           of
           that
           great
           Emperour
           of
           
             Persia
             ,
          
           in
           the
           first
           of
           
             Ester
          
           are
           said
           to
           bee
           
             men
             that
             knew
             the
             times
             ,
          
           the
           meaning
           is
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           wise
           Counsellors
           ;
           
           and
           among
           the
           Romans
           it
           is
           a
           Proverbiall
           Adage
           ,
           
             homo
             omnium
             horarum
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           hee
           is
           a
           wise
           man
           that
           is
           a
           man
           for
           all
           houres
           ,
           knowes
           the
           businesse
           of
           every
           time
           ,
           of
           every
           place
           ,
           whatsoever
           hee
           is
           called
           to
           ,
           hee
           understands
           his
           affaires
           ;
           and
           in
           truth
           this
           may
           well
           bee
           
             called
          
           wisedome
           ,
           for
           
             it
             is
          
           wisedome
           ;
           it
           is
           not
           onely
           a
           part
           of
           wisedome
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           the
           very
           Systeme
           and
           comprehension
           of
           all
           wisedome
           :
           I
           know
           there
           is
           a
           particular
           wisedome
           that
           men
           may
           have
           in
           some
           affaires
           ,
           as
           a
           Husbandman
           that
           knowes
           but
           how
           to
           plough
           his
           ground
           seasonably
           ,
           
           &c.
           that
           is
           called
           his
           wisedome
           ;
           and
           the
           women
           that
           did
           but
           know
           how
           to
           spin
           finely
           ,
           &c.
           
           Men
           may
           have
           a
           kind
           of
           wisedome
           in
           this
           or
           that
           particular
           trade
           ,
           
           and
           yet
           all
           the
           world
           may
           know
           him
           to
           bee
           a
           foole
           in
           everything
           else
           ;
           but
           that
           that
           is
           the
           true
           and
           reall
           wisedome
           which
           properly
           sets
           a
           man
           out
           to
           goe
           for
           a
           wise
           man
           ,
           
           properly
           stands
           in
           the
           true
           understanding
           of
           the
           times
           ,
           in
           reference
           to
           mens
           duties
           .
        
         
           For
           both
           Philosophers
           and
           Divines
           doe
           agree
           ,
           that
           wisedome
           is
           made
           up
           of
           these
           two
           things
           ;
           the
           one
           is
           ,
           Intelligence
           ,
           which
           is
           nothing
           but
           the
           understanding
           of
           things
           in
           their
           nature
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           good
           or
           evill
           ;
           the
           
           other
           is
           Sapience
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           same
           understanding
           applyed
           to
           particular
           businesses
           ,
           as
           they
           stand
           vested
           with
           all
           their
           circumstances
           :
           and
           that
           man
           that
           hath
           the
           understanding
           of
           affaires
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           circumstantianted
           with
           all
           things
           that
           goe
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           knowes
           how
           hee
           may
           dexterously
           and
           opportunely
           apply
           himselfe
           to
           them
           ,
           hee
           is
           the
           wise
           man
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           first
           proofe
           ,
           
             that
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             every where
             calls
             this
             wisedome
             .
          
           Secondly
           ,
        
         
           The
           same
           Spirit
           of
           God
           doth
           ●sually
           call
           the
           want
           of
           
           this
           ,
           folly
           ;
           whatsoever
           other
           excellencies
           meete
           in
           any
           man
           ,
           if
           they
           want
           this
           ,
           the
           Scripture
           calls
           them
           fooles
           ;
           yea
           hypocrites
           ,
           wicked
           ones
           ,
           in
           the
           8.
           of
           
             Jeremiah
             ,
          
           the
           Lord
           speakes
           in
           the
           6
           ,
           7
           ,
           8
           ,
           9.
           
           Verses
           ,
           after
           this
           manner
           ,
           
           
             How
             doe
             you
             say
             you
             are
             wise
             ?
          
           why
           doe
           you
           pretend
           to
           wisedome
           ,
           (
           and
           hee
           speakes
           not
           to
           the
           vulgar
           people
           ,
           but
           to
           the
           Scribes
           ,
           their
           learnedst
           men
           ,
           that
           could
           handle
           their
           tongues
           and
           their
           pens
           best
           )
           there
           was
           no
           wisedome
           in
           them
           ,
           they
           were
           fooles
           ;
           Why
           ?
           because
           (
           saith
           God
           )
           
             the
             Storke
             ,
             and
             the
             Crane
             ,
             and
             the
             Swallow
             know
             their
             seasons
             ,
             but
             this
             people
             knowes
             not
             the
             time
             of
             my
             judgements
          
           ;
           and
           therefore
           the
           Lord
           would
           not
           have
           them
           pretend
           to
           any
           wisedome
           ,
           but
           bee
           contented
           to
           bee
           counted
           fooles
           ,
           because
           they
           were
           ignorant
           of
           this
           :
           and
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           in
           the
           16.
           of
           
             Matthew
             ,
          
           
           when
           the
           Scribes
           and
           Pharisees
           ,
           and
           the
           learned
           Doctors
           of
           the
           Law
           came
           and
           desired
           to
           have
           some
           further
           evidence
           from
           him
           ,
           by
           some
           signe
           from
           heaven
           ,
           that
           hee
           was
           the
           Messias
           ;
           Christ
           told
           them
           they
           were
           Hypocrites
           ,
           they
           were
           a
           sinfull
           and
           an
           adulterous
           Generation
           ,
           meerely
           because
           they
           did
           not
           understand
           the
           signes
           of
           the
           times
           ,
           A
           wicked
           and
           an
           adulterous
           generation
           would
           have
           more
           light
           :
           you
           can
           tell
           by
           the
           Clouds
           when
           it
           will
           bee
           faire
           weather
           next
           morning
           ,
           and
           you
           can
           guesse
           by
           the
           morning
           whether
           it
           will
           be
           rain
           ;
           but
           yee
           hypocrites
           ,
           yee
           fooles
           (
           saith
           hee
           )
           you
           cannot
           
           discerne
           the
           signes
           of
           the
           times
           ,
           what
           the
           times
           signifies
           ,
           and
           calls
           for
           at
           your
           hands
           ,
           you
           have
           no
           understanding
           of
           this
           ,
           and
           therefore
           you
           may
           goe
           for
           a
           company
           of
           fooles
           ,
           and
           hypocrites
           ,
           and
           so
           left
           them
           and
           departed
           .
           Nay
           ,
           thirdly
           ,
           which
           makes
           it
           yet
           more
           cleare
           ,
        
         
           The
           want
           of
           this
           knowledge
           of
           the
           times
           in
           reference
           
           to
           mans
           dutie
           ,
           is
           that
           which
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           uses
           to
           render
           as
           the
           onely
           cause
           of
           a
           peoples
           ruine
           :
           whensoever
           a
           people
           are
           brought
           to
           ruine
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           a
           people
           to
           whom
           God
           afforded
           meanes
           to
           save
           them
           ,
           when
           they
           come
           to
           be
           ruin'd
           ,
           the
           Lord
           layes
           it
           wholly
           upon
           this
           ,
           
             that
             they
             knew
             not
             the
             times
             of
             their
             visitation
             .
          
           
           This
           you
           'le
           find
           in
           the
           19.
           of
           
             Luke
             ,
          
           and
           the
           latter
           end
           of
           it
           ,
           when
           Christ
           about
           the
           41.
           
           Verse
           ,
           came
           to
           take
           his
           farefull
           of
           
             Jerusalem
          
           and
           to
           die
           there
           ;
           from
           the
           top
           of
           the
           Mountaine
           he
           looked
           over
           the
           Citie
           and
           fell
           a weeping
           ,
           O
           (
           saith
           hee
           )
           
             that
             thou
             hadst
             but
             known
             in
             this
             thy
             day
             the
             things
             that
             belong
             to
             thy
             peace
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             hid
             from
             thy
             eyes
          
           ;
           then
           hee
           goes
           on
           and
           tells
           them
           what
           shall
           become
           of
           them
           ,
           
             the
             enemies
             shall
             cast
             a
             banke
             and
             not
             leave
             one
             stone
             upon
             another
             ,
             levell
             them
             to
             the
             ground
             and
             their
             Children
             in
             them
          
           ;
           for
           what
           I
           pray
           ?
           
             because
             thou
             knew'st
             not
             the
             time
             of
             thy
             visitation
             :
          
           destruction
           came
           in
           onely
           at
           that
           breach
           ,
           they
           knew
           not
           the
           time
           of
           their
           visitation
           ;
           
           and
           elsewhere
           our
           Lord
           saith
           ,
           in
           the
           latter
           end
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           when
           ruine
           shall
           come
           ,
           it
           will
           bee
           then
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           in
           the
           dayes
           of
           
             Noah
             ,
          
           and
           as
           it
           was
           in
           the
           dayes
           of
           
             Lot
             ,
          
           men
           shall
           bee
           eating
           and
           drinking
           ,
           and
           marrying
           wives
           ,
           
             but
             know
             nothing
          
           they
           should
           do
           for
           their
           salvation
           till
           utter
           ruine
           come
           upon
           them
           .
           I
           hope
           now
           the
           truth
           of
           this
           Lesson
           is
           cleare
           out
           of
           the
           Scripture
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           you
           please
           to
           goe
           a
           little
           further
           yet
           ,
           and
           consider
           the
           excellency
           and
           difficulty
           of
           this
           wisedome
           to
           know
           the
           times
           ,
           how
           much
           depends
           upon
           it
           ,
           &
           how
           much
           is
           required
           to
           it
           ,
           you
           'l
           bee
           fully
           satisfied
           ,
           that
           a
           greater
           commendation
           
           can
           never
           bee
           given
           of
           any
           man
           ,
           or
           any
           people
           ,
           then
           this
           ,
           that
           they
           know
           the
           times
           in
           reference
           to
           their
           duties
           :
           and
           that
           I
           may
           open
           what
           belongs
           to
           the
           making
           up
           of
           this
           worke
           ,
           
           I
           beseech
           you
           give
           mee
           leave
           to
           open
           these
           six
           Conclusions
           out
           of
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           which
           all
           much
           concerne
           this
           wisedome
           of
           knowing
           the
           times
           in
           reference
           to
           dutie
           .
           First
           ,
        
         
           
             That
             time
             is
             one
             of
             the
             most
             pretious
             treasures
             that
             ever
             God
             bestowes
             upon
             any
             man
             ,
             or
             any
             people
          
           ;
           
           1.
           because
           time
           is
           the
           onely
           measure
           out
           of
           which
           God
           powres
           out
           all
           his
           administrations
           .
           2.
           
           Time
           it
           is
           the
           onely
           space
           in
           which
           men
           are
           to
           doe
           all
           their
           worke
           .
           
           3.
           
           It
           's
           so
           pretious
           that
           God
           would
           have
           men
           value
           it
           one
           to
           another
           :
           if
           any
           man
           had
           hurt
           another
           ,
           hee
           must
           not
           onely
           pay
           for
           his
           healing
           ,
           
             but
             hee
             must
             pay
             for
             the
             losse
             of
             his
             time
             .
          
           Yea
           ,
           4.
           
           God
           calls
           upon
           his
           people
           to
           redeeme
           it
           at
           any
           rate
           ;
           
             Redeeme
             the
             time
             ,
          
           
           
             redeeme
             the
             time
             ,
          
           as
           if
           there
           were
           no
           commoditie
           ,
           that
           the
           God
           of
           heaven
           would
           so
           commend
           unto
           men
           (
           next
           to
           his
           truth
           )
           that
           wee
           should
           buy
           so
           eagerly
           ,
           as
           wee
           should
           purchase
           time
           .
           Yea
           ,
           5.
           it
           is
           so
           pretious
           ,
           that
           Hee
           who
           is
           at
           that
           great
           cost
           to
           make
           and
           contrive
           it
           ,
           as
           to
           cause
           the
           Sunne
           every
           day
           to
           run
           about
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           all
           those
           excellent
           creatures
           in
           the
           firmament
           to
           make
           it
           their
           work
           ,
           for
           the
           continuation
           of
           time
           will
           call
           men
           to
           accompt
           for
           every
           moment
           ,
           for
           every
           minute
           of
           it
           :
           That
           is
           my
           first
           Conclusion
           ,
           that
           time
           is
           a
           pretious
           Jewell
           in
           Gods
           account
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           be
           so
           in
           all
           people's
           .
           Secondly
           ,
        
         
           
             God
             hath
             joyned
             time
             and
             dutie
             inseparably
             one
             to
             another
          
           ;
           so
           that
           there
           is
           no
           dutie
           ,
           
           
           but
           it
           hath
           an
           appointed
           time
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           no
           time
           ,
           but
           it
           ,
           hath
           an
           appointed
           dutie
           for
           it
           ;
           it
           's
           disputable
           whether
           there
           bee
           a
           
             vacuum
          
           in
           nature
           or
           no
           ,
           it
           is
           most
           certaine
           there
           is
           no
           
             vacuum
          
           in
           time
           :
           No
           man
           ever
           lives
           to
           see
           that
           minute
           of
           time
           ,
           nor
           that
           ragge
           or
           cranny
           of
           time
           ,
           of
           which
           hee
           may
           truely
           say
           at
           this
           
           time
           ,
           I
           have
           nothing
           at
           all
           to
           doe
           ;
           but
           the
           Lord
           hath
           measured
           out
           to
           all
           times
           some
           dutie
           or
           other
           :
           this
           our
           Saviour
           saith
           expresly
           ,
           
           
             Matth.
          
           6.34
           .
           when
           hee
           would
           disswade
           men
           from
           troubling
           themselves
           to
           day
           with
           the
           duties
           that
           belong
           to
           to
           morrow
           ,
           hee
           useth
           this
           argument
           among
           others
           ,
           Trouble
           not
           your selves
           for
           to
           morrow
           ,
           
             for
             to
             morrow
             day
             hath
             trouble
             enough
             of
             its
             owne
             ,
             sufficient
             for
             every
             day
             is
             the
             trouble
             of
             it
          
           ;
           the
           care
           ,
           the
           worke
           ,
           the
           dutie
           of
           every
           day
           that
           passeth
           over
           our
           heads
           is
           enough
           to
           fill
           the
           day
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           second
           ,
           that
           God
           hath
           joyned
           time
           and
           dutie
           together
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
        
         
           
           
             There
             are
             some
             great
             duties
             that
             are
             to
             bee
             concurrent
             in
             the
             practise
             of
             all
             men
             ,
             with
             every
             moment
             of
             their
             lives
          
           :
           My
           meaning
           plainly
           is
           this
           ,
           the
           great
           businesse
           of
           glorifying
           God
           ,
           of
           saving
           our
           immortall
           soules
           ,
           of
           keeping
           a
           good
           conscience
           ,
           of
           working
           out
           our
           salvation
           ,
           these
           great
           things
           are
           not
           set
           off
           by
           God
           to
           any
           set
           time
           ,
           but
           they
           are
           to
           be
           concurrent
           with
           every
           moment
           of
           a
           mans
           time
           ;
           Trust
           in
           the
           Lord
           
             at
             all
             times
          
           ;
           
           have
           respect
           to
           Gods
           Commandements
           
             at
             all
             times
          
           ;
           Blessed
           are
           they
           that
           doe
           justice
           and
           judgement
           
             at
             all
             times
          
           ;
           bee
           yee
           alwayes
           ready
           for
           your
           masters
           comming
           :
           And
           of
           those
           excellent
           men
           
             Josiah
          
           and
           others
           ,
           it
           is
           recorded
           that
           they
           looked
           to
           Gods
           Commandements
           
             all
             their
             dayes
          
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           great
           matters
           of
           glorifying
           God
           ,
           saving
           our
           soules
           ,
           looking
           for
           our
           Masters
           comming
           ,
           &c.
           these
           duties
           are
           to
           bee
           concurrent
           with
           all
           our
           time
           .
           Fourthly
           ,
        
         
           
             Severall
             times
             ,
          
           I
           meane
           the
           severall
           compositions
           of
           times
           ,
           
           or
           Scenes
           ,
           or
           Junctures
           of
           times
           ,
           
             have
             their
             severall
             and
             peculiar
             duties
             laid
             out
             for
             every
             man
             by
             God
             himselfe
          
           :
           my
           meaning
           is
           this
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           time
           of
           
             youth
             ,
          
           a
           time
           of
           
             age
             ,
          
           a
           time
           of
           
             prosperitie
             ,
          
           a
           time
           of
           
             adversitie
             ,
          
           a
           time
           of
           
             comfort
             ,
          
           a
           time
           of
           
             trouble
          
           ▪
           a
           time
           of
           
             warre
             ,
          
           a
           time
           of
           
             peace
             ,
          
           and
           a
           hundred
           other
           severall
           frames
           ,
           and
           compositions
           ,
           and
           
           junctures
           of
           time
           .
           Now
           so
           often
           as
           God
           doth
           make
           a
           new
           Scene
           of
           the
           time
           ,
           every
           man
           hath
           some
           new
           duty
           or
           other
           to
           act
           ;
           his
           part
           requires
           that
           hee
           should
           act
           some
           new
           thing
           ;
           the
           Scripture
           is
           full
           of
           such
           expressions
           as
           these
           ,
           
             in
             the
             times
             of
             prosperitie
             doe
             thus
             ,
             in
             the
             time
             of
             adversitie
             doe
             thus
             ,
             in
             the
             time
             of
             the
             Gospel
             doe
             thus
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           Now
           to
           know
           the
           time
           ,
           and
           the
           severall
           duties
           belonging
           to
           every
           time
           ,
           is
           one
           of
           the
           hardest
           things
           that
           belong
           to
           the
           taske
           of
           man
           ,
           this
           wisedome
           lies
           in
           the
           deepe
           ;
           it
           is
           a
           difficult
           thing
           to
           find
           out
           what
           the
           duties
           are
           that
           belong
           to
           the
           severall
           times
           .
           But
           then
           fiftly
           ,
        
         
           
             That
             the
             Booke
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             onely
             the
             Booke
             of
             God
             ,
          
           
           
             is
             able
             to
             informe
             them
             who
             faithfully
             study
             it
             ,
             in
             all
             the
             duties
             that
             doe
             belong
             to
             every
             new
             posture
             or
             face
             of
             time
             .
          
           First
           I
           say
           ,
           
             onely
             Gods
             Booke
          
           can
           do
           it
           ,
           there
           are
           Bookes
           of
           excellent
           wisedome
           written
           by
           other
           men
           ,
           but
           take
           them
           all
           together
           ,
           let
           a
           man
           bee
           never
           so
           versed
           in
           them
           ,
           they
           will
           never
           discover
           to
           him
           every
           duty
           that
           belongs
           to
           every
           time
           ,
           but
           the
           Booke
           of
           God
           can
           doe
           it
           if
           men
           have
           their
           senses
           exercised
           in
           the
           study
           of
           it
           ;
           there
           is
           no
           time
           so
           intricate
           ,
           no
           dutie
           so
           arduous
           ,
           but
           the
           booke
           of
           God
           will
           teach
           all
           men
           ,
           from
           the
           Minister
           to
           the
           Hearer
           ,
           from
           the
           Prince
           to
           the
           Subject
           ,
           to
           make
           every
           one
           of
           them
           perfect
           in
           all
           the
           workes
           which
           belong
           to
           them
           .
           Psalme
           19.7
           .
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           
           
             the
             Word
             gives
             understanding
             to
             the
             simple
          
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           third
           of
           the
           
             Proverbs
             ,
          
           Vers.
           21
           ,
           22
           ,
           23
           
             In
             all
             thy
             wayes
             acknowledge
             her
             ,
             and
             thou
             shalt
             walke
             in
             thy
             way
             safely
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             thy
             foot
             shall
             not
             stumble
             ;
             when
             thou
             liest
             downe
             thou
             shalt
             not
             bee
             afraid
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           Doe
           but
           get
           wisedome
           into
           thy
           heart
           ,
           get
           acquaintance
           with
           Gods
           Word
           ,
           it
           will
           direct
           thee
           in
           all
           thy
           w●●es
           ,
           whether
           to
           the
           right
           hand
           or
           to
           the
           left
           ,
           at
           every
           turning
           place
           it
           will
           say
           ,
           
             here
             is
             thy
             way
             ,
          
           
           and
           these
           must
           bee
           thy
           steps
           .
           Sixtly
           ,
           and
           principally
           ,
        
         
           As
           there
           are
           severall
           times
           ,
           
           and
           severall
           duties
           annexed
           
           to
           these
           times
           ,
           so
           in
           every
           time
           for
           any
           duty
           ,
           
             there
             is
             some
             particle
             of
             that
             time
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             opportunitie
             of
             the
             dutie
             ,
          
           the
           season
           of
           the
           dutie
           there
           is
           
             the
             space
             of
             time
             ,
          
           and
           
             there
             is
             the
             season
             of
             time
          
           ;
           the
           space
           of
           time
           is
           nothing
           but
           the
           continuation
           and
           succession
           of
           so
           many
           minutes
           and
           moments
           one
           of
           another
           ;
           but
           the
           season
           of
           time
           ,
           or
           opportunitie
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           time
           apted
           and
           fitted
           ,
           to
           doe
           a
           businesse
           .
           Now
           these
           two
           doe
           very
           much
           differ
           one
           from
           another
           ,
           the
           one
           of
           them
           the
           length
           ,
           the
           duration
           of
           time
           ,
           the
           Greeks
           calls
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           but
           the
           season
           ,
           the
           opportunitie
           is
           called
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           
             tempus
             commodum
             ,
          
           the
           tempestivitie
           of
           time
           ,
           the
           ripenesse
           of
           time
           :
           and
           this
           indeed
           is
           properly
           time
           in
           reference
           to
           dutie
           .
           And
           concerning
           these
           seasons
           of
           time
           or
           times
           fitted
           for
           businesse
           ,
           be
           pleased
           to
           consider
           these
           five
           things
           ,
           I
           shall
           need
           onely
           to
           name
           them
           ,
           because
           I
           speake
           to
           an
           understanding
           people
           .
        
         
           
             That
             any
             worke
             to
             be
             done
             is
             done
             easily
             if
             the
             opportunitie
             be
             taken
          
           ;
           take
           opportunitie
           by
           the
           forelock
           ,
           and
           any
           businesse
           whatsoever
           is
           to
           bee
           done
           ,
           will
           bee
           done
           with
           ease
           ;
           not
           onely
           because
           opportunitie
           is
           the
           ripenesse
           of
           time
           ,
           but
           because
           in
           opportunities
           
             God
             offers
          
           to
           worke
           with
           us
           ,
           and
           for
           us
           :
           Now
           you
           know
           any
           businesse
           that
           must
           bee
           done
           by
           the
           helpe
           of
           another
           ,
           is
           then
           easily
           done
           ,
           when
           both
           parties
           joyne
           in
           it
           .
           Two
           Men
           that
           are
           to
           lift
           up
           a
           burthen
           ,
           if
           they
           both
           lift
           together
           ,
           and
           take
           the
           
             Hae
             ,
             now
             ,
          
           it
           goes
           up
           easily
           .
           A
           vessell
           that
           is
           to
           be
           driven
           ,
           if
           the
           Watermen
           ply
           the
           Oares
           ,
           the
           wind
           &
           tide
           go
           with
           them
           ,
           the
           vessell
           is
           carried
           easily
           ;
           Now
           (
           I
           say
           )
           the
           Lord
           offers
           himselfe
           to
           come
           in
           to
           a
           people
           when
           there
           is
           a
           fit
           opportunitie
           ▪
           ●hen
           he
           holds
           up
           his
           hand
           ,
           and
           saith
           ,
           Now
           lift
           ,
           and
           I
           'le
           lift
           with
           you
           ,
           now
           row
           ,
           and
           my
           Word
           shall
           blow
           with
           you
           ;
           such
           Scripture
           as
           these
           are
           frequent
           ,
           
             In
             an
             accepted
             time
             I
             have
             heard
             thee
             ;
          
           
           
             and
             I
             will
             heare
             thee
             in
             an
             acceptable
             time
             ;
             In
             a
             day
             of
             salvation
             I
             will
             succour
             thee
             ,
          
           in
           an
           opportune
           
           time
           :
           God
           offers
           to
           come
           in
           and
           helpe
           ,
           if
           opportunitie
           bee
           taken
           ;
           This
           made
           the
           heathens
           esteeme
           opportunitie
           a
           goddesse
           .
        
         
           As
           things
           are
           easie
           when
           men
           take
           opportunities
           ,
           so
           
           
             they
             are
             then
             beautifull
          
           ;
           the
           beautie
           and
           grace
           of
           every
           dutie
           ,
           both
           with
           God
           and
           man
           ,
           is
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           done
           in
           its
           fit
           season
           ;
           the
           righteous
           man
           in
           the
           first
           Psalme
           ,
           is
           compared
           to
           the
           Tree
           that
           brings
           forth
           his
           fruit
           in
           his
           season
           ,
           
             suum
             in
             suo
             ,
          
           his
           owne
           fruit
           ,
           and
           in
           his
           proper
           
             season
             ;
          
           
           
             God
          
           (
           saith
           
             Solomon
             )
             hath
             made
             every
             thing
             beautifull
             in
             its
             season
          
           ;
           
           all
           Gods
           works
           are
           beautifull
           in
           their
           season
           ,
           and
           so
           are
           all
           mens
           workes
           too
           :
           
             A
             word
             spoke
             in
             season
             ,
          
           
           
             is
             like
             Apples
             of
             Gold
             in
             pictures
             of
             Silver
             ;
             and
             a
             good
             word
             in
             season
             ,
             O
             how
             comfortable
             it
             is
             .
          
           Thirdly
           ,
        
         
           But
           know
           ,
           
             that
             these
             Opportunities
             are
             wondrous
             hard
             to
             find
             out
          
           ;
           very
           difficult
           it
           is
           for
           men
           to
           know
           the
           true
           season
           
           or
           opportunitie
           of
           a
           businesse
           :
           men
           may
           know
           times
           and
           seasons
           wel
           enough
           in
           particular
           businesses
           ,
           the
           seasons
           for
           tilling
           the
           ground
           ,
           and
           breeding
           and
           breaking
           of
           Cattle
           ,
           &c.
           
           In
           such
           low
           and
           triviall
           things
           in
           comparison
           ,
           seasons
           may
           easily
           bee
           knowne
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           great
           morall
           affaires
           ,
           that
           concerne
           God
           and
           mens
           soules
           ,
           the
           difficultest
           thing
           that
           lies
           before
           man
           ,
           is
           ,
           to
           finde
           out
           the
           true
           season
           when
           they
           are
           to
           bee
           done
           ;
           this
           
             Solomon
          
           sets
           downe
           most
           excellently
           in
           the
           eighth
           of
           
             Ecclesiastes
             ,
          
           
           Verse
           6.
           
           
             Because
             to
             every
             purpose
             there
             is
             required
             time
             and
             judgement
             ,
             therefore
             the
             misery
             of
             man
             is
             great
             upon
             him
          
           ;
           marke
           that
           expression
           ,
           most
           men
           are
           miserable
           ,
           because
           a
           businesse
           cannot
           bee
           done
           ,
           without
           a
           fit
           season
           and
           judgement
           to
           know
           it
           :
           as
           if
           
             Solomon
          
           had
           said
           thus
           ,
           The
           truth
           is
           ,
           opportunities
           are
           so
           
             rare
             ,
          
           oft-times
           so
           sudden
           ,
           so
           violent
           ,
           so
           short
           ,
           the
           wind
           seldome
           blowing
           long
           in
           an
           opportune
           point
           ,
           and
           men
           so
           ignorant
           ,
           so
           blinded
           with
           prejudice
           ,
           with
           vaine
           hopes
           or
           feares
           ,
           that
           most
           men
           are
           miserable
           in
           that
           they
           cannot
           find
           out
           the
           true
           season
           of
           a
           businesse
           ,
           
           and
           thereby
           intimates
           that
           in
           every
           businesse
           the
           most
           difficult
           part
           of
           the
           worke
           is
           the
           right
           timing
           of
           it
           .
           I
           adde
           fourthly
           ,
        
         
           That
           
             when
             opportunities
             are
             past
             ,
             if
             they
             bee
             let
             slip
             ,
             they
             are
             oftentimes
             altogether
             irrecoverable
          
           ;
           and
           the
           businesse
           is
           either
           wholly
           lost
           ,
           or
           never
           better
           then
           halfe
           done
           ;
           it
           may
           cost
           more
           to
           patch
           up
           a
           businesse
           out
           of
           season
           ,
           then
           required
           to
           have
           done
           it
           beautifully
           if
           the
           season
           had
           been
           taken
           ;
           As
           the
           story
           goes
           of
           the
           
             Sibylls
          
           bookes
           ,
           they
           were
           faine
           to
           give
           the
           full
           price
           for
           one
           ,
           which
           would
           have
           bought
           all
           three
           ,
           when
           two
           of
           them
           were
           burnt
           .
           
             Post
             est
             occasio
             calva
             .
          
           Unlesse
           God
           make
           another
           opportunitie
           ,
           man
           can
           never
           call
           opportunitie
           back
           againe
           .
           Opportunities
           are
           Gods
           fitting
           of
           time
           to
           businesse
           ,
           
           &
           none
           but
           God
           can
           thus
           fit
           it
           ;
           therefore
           you
           shall
           find
           
             Esau
          
           would
           have
           repented
           and
           got
           the
           blessing
           ,
           
           he
           wept
           and
           cryed
           for
           it
           ,
           yet
           missed
           it
           ,
           he
           might
           have
           had
           it
           once
           without
           weeping
           and
           crying
           ,
           but
           he
           lost
           the
           season
           ,
           and
           the
           season
           being
           gone
           ,
           hee
           could
           never
           recover
           it
           with
           all
           his
           weeping
           :
           So
           the
           foolish
           Virgins
           came
           with
           their
           Lampes
           ,
           pretending
           to
           have
           got
           some
           oyle
           ,
           and
           cryed
           ,
           
             Lord
             open
             to
             us
             ,
          
           but
           the
           season
           was
           past
           ,
           and
           there
           was
           no
           entrance
           ;
           the
           truth
           is
           ,
           seasons
           are
           to
           businesses
           as
           money
           is
           to
           wares
           ,
           hee
           that
           would
           buy
           a
           commoditie
           upon
           a
           market
           day
           ,
           when
           possibly
           the
           commoditie
           is
           very
           cheape
           ,
           may
           then
           have
           it
           for
           laying
           out
           his
           money
           ,
           lose
           but
           that
           market
           ,
           possibly
           ten
           market
           dayes
           will
           not
           helpe
           him
           againe
           with
           it
           ,
           and
           either
           never
           buy
           it
           or
           give
           a
           greater
           rate
           for
           that
           which
           is
           not
           so
           good
           as
           the
           other
           would
           have
           been
           ;
           if
           opportunities
           bee
           once
           past
           over
           ,
           without
           the
           Lord
           create
           them
           againe
           ,
           men
           are
           utterly
           lost
           in
           their
           
           businesses
           .
           Fiftly
           ,
           and
           lastly
           ,
        
         
           As
           these
           opportunities
           are
           excellent
           ,
           and
           hard
           to
           find
           ,
           and
           irrecoverable
           if
           they
           bee
           lost
           :
           So
           in
           the
           last
           place
           ,
           know
           ,
           
             that
             no
             wisedome
             ,
             no
             learning
             ,
             nothing
             but
             a
             gratious
             heart
             guided
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
             doth
             know
             how
             to
             take
             opportunities
             
             in
             time
             ,
          
           for
           the
           great
           businesses
           that
           concerne
           God
           and
           his
           glory
           ,
           no
           wisedome
           but
           the
           wisedome
           of
           grace
           ,
           and
           Gods
           Spirit
           guiding
           the
           heart
           ,
           doth
           ever
           know
           to
           doe
           businesses
           in
           their
           right
           seasons
           .
           In
           other
           things
           (
           as
           I
           said
           before
           )
           they
           may
           bee
           taken
           ,
           naturall
           men
           may
           plow
           and
           sow
           in
           season
           ,
           &c.
           
           Yea
           ,
           men
           may
           sensibly
           understand
           the
           times
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           mourne
           for
           the
           afflictions
           of
           them
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           rejoyce
           in
           the
           good
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           wicked
           men
           by
           a
           devillish
           wisedome
           can
           take
           the
           seeming
           opportunities
           ,
           to
           promote
           their
           owne
           wicked
           designes
           ;
           the
           harlot
           can
           take
           the
           opportunitie
           of
           her
           husbands
           absence
           ,
           the
           thiefe
           the
           opportunitie
           of
           the
           twilight
           ,
           and
           so
           every
           man
           the
           seeming
           opportunitie
           of
           things
           that
           are
           of
           the
           Devill
           ,
           for
           Satan
           helpes
           them
           ;
           but
           to
           know
           the
           opportunities
           of
           the
           things
           that
           concerne
           God
           and
           our
           soules
           ,
           nothing
           but
           a
           gratious
           heart
           enables
           a
           man
           to
           doe
           it
           :
           the
           Scripture
           is
           very
           plaine
           for
           this
           ,
           
             Solomon
          
           expresses
           it
           notably
           in
           the
           tenth
           of
           
             Ecclesiastes
             ,
          
           Vers.
           2.
           
           
             A
             wise
             mans
             heart
             is
             at
             his
             right
             hand
             ,
             but
             a
             fooles
             heart
             is
             at
             his
             left
          
           ;
           
           the
           meaning
           is
           this
           ,
           when
           a
           businesse
           is
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           &
           the
           right
           season
           for
           it
           ,
           the
           wise
           man
           ,
           a
           gracious
           man
           hath
           his
           hand
           ready
           ,
           and
           his
           heart
           to
           joyne
           with
           his
           hand
           ,
           he
           is
           alwayes
           dexterous
           at
           it
           ,
           but
           a
           fooles
           (
           
             i.
             e.
          
           a
           wicked
           mans
           )
           heart
           ,
           when
           his
           businesse
           is
           to
           bee
           done
           ,
           his
           heart
           is
           at
           his
           left
           hand
           ,
           every
           finger
           is
           a
           Thumbe
           ,
           hee
           cannot
           manage
           it
           :
           but
           more
           clearely
           
             Solomon
          
           expresseth
           this
           ,
           
           
             Prov.
          
           17.
           
           Vers.
           16.
           
           
             Wherefore
             is
             there
             a
             price
             in
             the
             hand
             of
             a
             foole
             to
             buy
             wisedome
             ,
             seeing
             he
             hath
             no
             heart
             to
             it
             ?
          
           Let
           a
           wicked
           man
           have
           opportunities
           ,
           give
           him
           wealth
           ,
           give
           him
           honour
           ,
           give
           him
           meanes
           of
           grace
           ,
           give
           him
           any
           thing
           that
           may
           helpe
           to
           wisedome
           ,
           hee
           hath
           no
           heart
           to
           it
           :
           So
           also
           saith
           
             Daniel
             ,
             Dan.
          
           12.10
           .
           speaking
           of
           understanding
           the
           times
           ,
           
           
             none
             of
             the
             wicked
             shall
             understand
             ,
             but
             the
             wise
             shall
             ,
             the
             godly
             shall
             .
          
        
         
         
           Thus
           I
           have
           done
           with
           the
           Doctrinall
           part
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           by
           this
           time
           I
           hope
           you
           all
           grant
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           a
           matter
           of
           wonderfull
           concernement
           ,
           of
           admirable
           wisedome
           and
           commendation
           ,
           to
           have
           understanding
           of
           the
           times
           and
           seasons
           ,
           so
           as
           rightly
           to
           discharge
           their
           owne
           duties
           :
           I
           now
           come
           to
           the
           Application
           of
           it
           ,
           
           wherein
           I
           shall
           onely
           insist
           upon
           two
           Uses
           ,
           the
           one
           is
           ,
        
         
           For
           
             Humiliation
             ,
          
           in
           reference
           to
           time
           past
           ,
           to
           seasons
           and
           opportunities
           which
           are
           past
           and
           lost
           .
           The
           other
           shall
           be
           ,
        
         
           For
           
             Exhortation
             ,
          
           in
           reference
           to
           the
           
             time
             to
             come
             ,
          
           that
           wee
           may
           learne
           this
           excellent
           wisedome
           to
           know
           the
           times
           and
           seasons
           so
           as
           to
           lose
           no
           more
           of
           them
           .
           For
           the
           first
           ,
        
         
           
           Is
           it
           such
           a
           singular
           commendation
           ,
           so
           excellent
           a
           wisedome
           ,
           a
           matter
           of
           so
           great
           moment
           and
           consequence
           ,
           to
           know
           the
           times
           in
           reference
           to
           duty
           ?
           O
           what
           cause
           of
           lamentations
           is
           there
           :
           First
           ,
        
         
           
           In
           generall
           to
           us
           all
           ?
           a
           man
           might
           in
           this
           case
           fill
           such
           a
           booke
           as
           
             Ezekiels
          
           roule
           was
           ,
           wi●h
           weeping
           ,
           and
           lamentation
           and
           mourning
           :
           Here
           is
           a
           great
           Assembly
           gathered
           together
           to
           mourn
           upon
           a
           day
           of
           mourning
           ,
           and
           if
           ever
           any
           Doctrine
           that
           ever
           I
           have
           preached
           might
           call
           for
           mourning
           at
           all
           your
           hands
           ,
           I
           am
           perswaded
           this
           doctrine
           calls
           for
           it
           from
           every
           one
           of
           us
           ;
           God
           bee
           mercifull
           to
           us
           ,
           wee
           have
           all
           been
           fooles
           ,
           we
           have
           not
           knowne
           the
           times
           of
           our
           visitation
           ,
           wee
           have
           knowne
           the
           times
           to
           talke
           of
           them
           ,
           sometimes
           to
           inveigh
           against
           them
           ,
           crying
           out
           ,
           they
           are
           the
           worst
           times
           that
           ever
           were
           ;
           but
           for
           this
           knowledge
           of
           my
           Text
           (
           wherein
           true
           wisedome
           should
           appeare
           )
           to
           know
           the
           times
           in
           reference
           to
           our
           duties
           ,
           I
           feare
           I
           may
           say
           as
           
             Paul
          
           said
           of
           the
           
             Corinthians
             ,
             hardly
             one
             wise
             man
             to
             bee
             found
             amongst
             us
             .
          
           One
           said
           ,
           (
           I
           know
           not
           how
           truely
           )
           of
           the
           
             Helvet●ans
             ,
          
           that
           he
           travelled
           through
           their
           Country
           ,
           and
           found
           that
           there
           are
           
             toti
             pagi
             repleti
             fatuis
             ,
             whole
             Villages
             inhabited
             by
             none
             but
             fooles
          
           ;
           Truly
           
           (
           beloved
           )
           not
           onely
           our
           Country
           Villages
           ,
           but
           our
           market
           townes
           ,
           and
           our
           Cities
           ,
           and
           I
           pray
           God
           it
           prove
           not
           that
           our
           Parliament
           and
           Assemblies
           are
           all
           filled
           with
           fooles
           in
           this
           great
           point
           ,
           few
           or
           none
           of
           us
           know
           the
           times
           in
           reference
           to
           our
           duties
           .
           Let
           mee
           speake
           freely
           to
           you
           ,
           God
           hath
           cast
           the
           lot
           of
           all
           of
           us
           in
           such
           times
           as
           have
           been
           filled
           with
           such
           administrations
           ,
           as
           the
           like
           could
           not
           have
           been
           in
           the
           space
           of
           these
           1000
           yeers
           ;
           and
           confident
           I
           am
           ,
           that
           hee
           that
           loses
           these
           times
           wherein
           we
           have
           lived
           ,
           would
           never
           have
           redeemed
           any
           time
           ;
           and
           yet
           notwithstanding
           ,
           have
           not
           wee
           ,
           O
           have
           not
           wee
           all
           usually
           put
           off
           to
           the
           future
           ,
           the
           duties
           that
           belong
           to
           the
           present
           time
           ,
           and
           done
           in
           the
           present
           time
           ,
           the
           things
           that
           should
           never
           have
           been
           done
           at
           all
           ?
           Have
           not
           most
           of
           us
           lived
           all
           our
           dayes
           ,
           as
           if
           God
           had
           made
           us
           for
           the
           World
           ,
           as
           
             Leviathan
          
           for
           the
           Sea
           ,
           onely
           to
           take
           our
           pleasure
           in
           it
           ?
           others
           of
           us
           to
           fill
           our
           shops
           with
           commodities
           ,
           our
           purses
           with
           money
           ,
           our
           houses
           with
           stuffe
           and
           provision
           ,
           as
           if
           there
           had
           been
           no
           better
           things
           to
           have
           been
           regarded
           ?
           when
           in
           the
           meane
           time
           for
           the
           admirable
           opportunities
           wee
           have
           had
           for
           the
           glorifying
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           saving
           of
           our
           soules
           ,
           as
           if
           these
           had
           been
           nothing
           worth
           ;
           woe
           unto
           us
           ,
           wee
           have
           done
           any
           thing
           rather
           then
           make
           improvement
           of
           them
           :
           and
           as
           rich
           people
           will
           give
           any
           poore
           people
           leave
           to
           goe
           into
           their
           Pease-fields
           to
           gather
           lapfulls
           of
           their
           Pease
           ,
           as
           being
           things
           of
           little
           worth
           ,
           so
           have
           wee
           allowed
           any
           thing
           to
           take
           up
           our
           time
           ,
           sporting
           ,
           and
           eating
           ,
           and
           prating
           ,
           and
           sleeping
           ,
           and
           such
           things
           that
           are
           of
           little
           concernment
           .
           O
           how
           much
           of
           our
           pretious
           time
           have
           they
           devoured
           and
           wee
           regard
           it
           not
           ?
           what
           cause
           have
           we
           to
           tremble
           at
           the
           thought
           of
           it
           ?
           I
           beseech
           you
           tell
           me
           ,
           if
           God
           should
           come
           now
           ,
           and
           say
           to
           any
           Nobleman
           ,
           Gentleman
           ,
           Minister
           ,
           Citizen
           ,
           or
           other
           that
           is
           here
           ,
           I
           have
           given
           thee
           20.
           yeers
           ,
           40.
           yeers
           ,
           threescore
           
           yeers
           of
           time
           ,
           I
           have
           filled
           thy
           time
           with
           glorious
           opportunities
           ,
           as
           excellent
           as
           ever
           I
           gave
           to
           any
           ,
           the
           least
           of
           them
           worth
           a
           world
           ,
           give
           in
           your
           Bill
           of
           accompt
           what
           you
           have
           done
           with
           these
           ?
           what
           improvement
           you
           have
           made
           of
           them
           ?
           how
           have
           you
           walked
           I
           beseech
           you
           ?
           what
           accompt
           could
           you
           make
           ?
           would
           it
           not
           appeare
           that
           you
           have
           spent
           many
           houres
           and
           dayes
           in
           riot
           and
           wantonnesse
           ,
           sporting
           and
           playing
           ,
           in
           swearing
           and
           cursing
           ,
           in
           contriving
           and
           acting
           that
           which
           is
           evill
           and
           mischievous
           ,
           and
           very
           few
           minutes
           for
           your
           God
           ,
           &
           for
           your
           soule
           ,
           for
           obtaining
           eternall
           life
           ,
           happinesse
           ,
           or
           doing
           good
           to
           your
           brethren
           :
           God
           bee
           mercifull
           to
           us
           ,
           wee
           could
           not
           answer
           him
           one
           word
           for
           a
           thousand
           ,
           wee
           have
           all
           cause
           to
           lie
           in
           the
           dust
           ,
           and
           acknowledge
           we
           have
           been
           fooles
           ,
           and
           not
           knowne
           the
           things
           that
           belonged
           to
           our
           peace
           ,
           not
           regarded
           the
           time
           of
           our
           visitation
           .
        
         
           
           But
           (
           Honorable
           and
           beloved
           )
           give
           me
           leave
           to
           bring
           this
           lesson
           nearer
           to
           you
           ,
           who
           have
           called
           mee
           this
           day
           to
           preach
           ,
           and
           let
           me
           make
           a
           more
           through
           enquirie
           after
           your
           wisedome
           in
           this
           particular
           ,
           because
           you
           are
           look'd
           upon
           as
           the
           wise
           men
           of
           the
           Land
           that
           know
           the
           times
           better
           then
           others
           ;
           I
           am
           confident
           you
           doe
           not
           desire
           to
           bee
           flattered
           any
           day
           ,
           but
           this
           day
           I
           hope
           that
           will
           bee
           most
           acceptable
           which
           in
           a
           way
           of
           God
           could
           most
           effectually
           humble
           and
           abase
           you
           ,
           and
           you
           have
           put
           a
           necessitie
           upon
           mee
           ,
           to
           deale
           freely
           and
           faithfully
           with
           your
           soules
           .
           Have
           not
           you
           ,
           honored
           and
           worthy
           Patriots
           and
           Senators
           ,
           infinite
           cause
           to
           bemoane
           this
           ,
           that
           you
           have
           not
           knowne
           the
           times
           in
           reference
           to
           your
           duties
           ?
        
         
           First
           ,
           be
           pleased
           to
           view
           the
           times
           you
           lived
           while
           you
           were
           private
           Gentlemen
           ,
           before
           you
           were
           called
           to
           these
           publique
           services
           ,
           when
           you
           lived
           in
           your
           severall
           Countries
           ;
           where
           I
           know
           by
           reason
           of
           your
           wealth
           ,
           and
           parts
           ,
           and
           interests
           ,
           and
           states
           ,
           you
           had
           abundance
           of
           opportunities
           
           more
           then
           other
           people
           had
           ,
           to
           have
           done
           much
           service
           ,
           to
           have
           made
           the
           times
           and
           places
           better
           for
           you
           .
           Did
           you
           then
           thus
           know
           the
           times
           ?
           did
           you
           then
           walke
           as
           wise
           men
           ,
           redeeming
           the
           times
           ?
           did
           you
           know
           what
           God
           expected
           from
           you
           in
           your
           places
           ,
           and
           have
           you
           done
           it
           ?
           O
           blessed
           yee
           ,
           if
           you
           have
           :
           But
           (
           I
           beseech
           you
           )
           will
           it
           not
           rather
           appeare
           upon
           a
           true
           search
           ,
           that
           many
           of
           you
           in
           those
           dayes
           walked
           in
           the
           wayes
           of
           riot
           ,
           in
           uncleannesse
           ,
           in
           drunkennesse
           ,
           possibly
           in
           swearing
           ,
           in
           prophaning
           Gods
           holy
           time
           ,
           in
           opposing
           and
           scorning
           Religion
           ,
           was
           it
           not
           thus
           ?
           it
           behoves
           you
           to
           search
           ;
           did
           you
           not
           make
           your
           owne
           Families
           ,
           the
           Townes
           and
           Lordships
           where
           you
           lived
           the
           worse
           for
           you
           ,
           as
           so
           many
           
             Jeroboams
          
           causing
           
             Israel
          
           to
           sinne
           ?
           did
           not
           you
           thereby
           helpe
           to
           pull
           downe
           those
           judgements
           that
           have
           beene
           like
           to
           devoure
           and
           destroy
           this
           whole
           Land
           ?
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           have
           you
           beene
           humbled
           under
           these
           things
           ?
           have
           you
           since
           repented
           of
           them
           ?
           or
           do
           they
           still
           stand
           upon
           your
           score
           before
           that
           God
           that
           keeps
           an
           exact
           accompt
           of
           all
           the
           Talents
           that
           ever
           hee
           hath
           put
           into
           your
           hands
           ?
           I
           beseech
           you
           enquire
           into
           it
           ;
           but
           let
           me
           goe
           further
           ,
           and
           enquire
           whether
           since
           the
           time
           that
           God
           hath
           separated
           you
           from
           your
           brethren
           ,
           and
           by
           a
           notable
           providence
           called
           you
           out
           to
           be
           the
           heads
           of
           all
           our
           Tribes
           ,
           have
           you
           since
           that
           time
           knowne
           the
           times
           in
           reference
           to
           your
           duties
           ?
           It
           is
           now
           above
           six
           yeers
           since
           many
           of
           you
           have
           beene
           called
           to
           this
           worke
           ,
           one
           of
           the
           greatest
           workes
           that
           mortall
           men
           have
           beene
           imployed
           in
           these
           many
           hundreds
           of
           yeers
           ,
           a
           work
           wherein
           you
           have
           beene
           assisted
           not
           onely
           with
           the
           prayers
           and
           teares
           of
           those
           that
           feare
           God
           ,
           throughout
           the
           Christian
           world
           ,
           but
           with
           the
           states
           and
           blood
           of
           many
           ,
           and
           God
           himselfe
           hath
           carried
           you
           in
           his
           bosome
           ,
           and
           made
           you
           the
           most
           remarkable
           handfull
           of
           men
           ,
           that
           I
           thinke
           this
           day
           breath
           upon
           the
           earth
           ,
           in
           regard
           of
           the
           mercies
           that
           hee
           
           hath
           shewed
           you
           ,
           and
           in
           this
           time
           (
           certaine
           I
           am
           )
           hath
           put
           into
           your
           hands
           as
           many
           golden
           opportunities
           ,
           not
           onely
           required
           as
           many
           duties
           ,
           but
           put
           as
           many
           golden
           opportunities
           into
           your
           hands
           to
           establish
           our
           wretched
           kingdome
           ,
           and
           to
           rescue
           a
           decayed
           ,
           lukewarme
           ,
           Apostatized
           Church
           ,
           as
           ever
           were
           put
           into
           the
           hands
           of
           a
           Parliament
           .
           Now
           (
           beloved
           )
           have
           you
           known
           your
           times
           ,
           and
           taken
           your
           opportunities
           ?
           I
           know
           it
           well
           ,
           that
           you
           have
           wrestled
           with
           huge
           difficulties
           ,
           infinite
           oppositions
           ,
           and
           I
           know
           that
           oft-times
           the
           perversnesse
           of
           a
           Patient
           poysoning
           his
           owne
           disease
           or
           wounds
           may
           frustrate
           the
           care
           of
           the
           best
           Physitians
           ;
           and
           God
           forbid
           ,
           that
           that
           which
           is
           onely
           your
           misery
           ,
           should
           ever
           bee
           imputed
           to
           you
           as
           your
           sinne
           ;
           but
           suppose
           upon
           a
           diligent
           search
           ,
           any
           of
           you
           that
           are
           called
           to
           bee
           our
           wise
           men
           ,
           to
           know
           the
           times
           for
           us
           ,
           that
           at
           your
           doore
           it
           should
           lie
           in
           great
           part
           ,
           that
           our
           miseries
           are
           not
           yet
           healed
           ,
           how
           sad
           would
           that
           bee
           ?
           To
           this
           end
           I
           most
           humbly
           pray
           you
           inquire
           ,
           if
           upon
           a
           diligent
           search
           there
           should
           bee
           found
           among
           you
           any
           who
           at
           this
           day
           live
           in
           the
           same
           sinfull
           ,
           riotous
           ,
           ungodly
           ,
           wicked
           conversation
           that
           they
           led
           ,
           before
           God
           called
           them
           to
           this
           publique
           service
           :
           that
           after
           your
           solemne
           oath
           ,
           with
           your
           hand
           lifted
           up
           to
           the
           most
           high
           God
           for
           the
           reformation
           of
           your
           wayes
           ,
           that
           you
           should
           bee
           found
           still
           with
           
             Zimri
          
           and
           
             Cozbi
             ,
          
           to
           live
           in
           those
           sinnes
           for
           which
           God
           is
           judging
           this
           Nation
           ;
           
             Were
             this
             to
             know
             the
             times
             ,
             and
             what
             Israel
             hath
             to
             doe
             ?
          
           Suppose
           further
           ,
           there
           should
           bee
           found
           amongst
           you
           any
           such
           as
           should
           ordinarily
           neglect
           the
           publique
           service
           ,
           and
           turne
           your
           backs
           upon
           it
           ,
           to
           attend
           your
           own
           private
           affaires
           ,
           after
           that
           the
           Kingdome
           hath
           put
           into
           your
           hands
           whatsoever
           under
           God
           is
           pretious
           and
           deare
           unto
           them
           ;
           
             were
             this
             to
             know
             the
             times
             and
             what
             Israel
             hath
             to
             doe
             ?
          
           Suppose
           there
           should
           bee
           found
           amongst
           you
           any
           that
           should
           seeke
           advantage
           
           to
           themselves
           out
           of
           publique
           calamities
           ,
           or
           should
           sinfully
           helpe
           to
           undoe
           those
           for
           whom
           they
           are
           called
           to
           bee
           Saviours
           ;
           
             were
             this
             to
             know
             the
             times
             ?
          
           Suppose
           that
           any
           of
           you
           should
           bee
           found
           unjust
           in
           judgement
           ,
           and
           favour
           an
           unrighteous
           man
           in
           his
           cause
           ,
           either
           for
           corrupt
           gaines
           or
           out
           of
           opposition
           to
           them
           you
           like
           not
           ,
           and
           so
           prostrate
           the
           untainted
           honour
           of
           the
           Parliament
           to
           the
           reproach
           of
           the
           adversaries
           ,
           the
           scandall
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           the
           teares
           and
           griefe
           of
           them
           who
           love
           you
           ;
           
             were
             this
             to
             know
             the
             times
             ,
             and
             what
             Israel
             hath
             to
             doe
             ?
          
           Suppose
           it
           should
           bee
           found
           that
           there
           should
           bee
           any
           that
           in
           matters
           of
           
             Religion
          
           should
           side
           with
           a
           partie
           for
           corrupt
           and
           sinfull
           ends
           ,
           and
           make
           Religion
           but
           an
           Engine
           to
           carry
           on
           some
           other
           sinfull
           designe
           ;
           
             were
             this
             to
             know
             the
             times
             and
             what
             Israel
             had
             to
             doe
             ?
          
           Suppose
           yet
           further
           ,
           that
           upon
           a
           diligent
           search
           there
           should
           be
           found
           among
           you
           any
           that
           doe
           retard
           matters
           of
           the
           greatest
           moment
           ;
           that
           the
           setling
           of
           Religion
           should
           bee
           obstructed
           by
           you
           ,
           that
           many
           people
           abroad
           are
           remisse
           in
           it
           ,
           because
           they
           judge
           you
           have
           no
           heart
           to
           it
           ;
           
             were
             this
             to
             know
             the
             time
             ,
             and
             what
             Israel
             hath
             to
             doe
             ?
          
           Suppose
           that
           the
           cries
           and
           teares
           of
           the
           oppressed
           ▪
           I
           meane
           not
           the
           fatherlesse
           and
           widowes
           ,
           (
           whom
           I
           am
           confident
           the
           Houses
           of
           Parliament
           would
           helpe
           this
           very
           day
           ,
           if
           it
           lay
           in
           their
           power
           )
           but
           the
           cries
           of
           some
           oppressed
           by
           Committees
           or
           others
           in
           the
           Countrey
           ,
           should
           come
           up
           to
           you
           and
           seeke
           for
           succour
           ,
           and
           it
           should
           bee
           found
           that
           some
           of
           you
           should
           patronize
           the
           wrong-doers
           ,
           and
           keepe
           them
           off
           from
           comming
           to
           a
           hearing
           ,
           and
           thereby
           from
           redresse
           ;
           
             were
             this
             to
             know
             the
             times
             ,
             and
             what
             Israel
             had
             to
             doe
             ?
          
           Honorable
           ,
           and
           Worthy
           ,
           doe
           not
           mistake
           mee
           ,
           I
           am
           farre
           from
           saying
           it
           is
           so
           ,
           I
           onely
           suggest
           these
           things
           to
           your
           owne
           search
           ,
           and
           if
           in
           naming
           the
           particulars
           I
           mistake
           any
           of
           them
           ,
           God
           knowes
           it
           is
           with
           the
           same
           singlenesse
           of
           
           heart
           ,
           wherewith
           
             Job
          
           sanctifyed
           his
           Children
           ,
           sacrificed
           for
           them
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             Peradventure
             my
             sonnes
             have
             sinned
             ,
             and
             cursed
             God
             in
             their
             hearts
          
           ;
           sure
           I
           am
           it
           concernes
           you
           all
           to
           search
           and
           try
           ;
           for
           if
           it
           should
           be
           so
           ,
           wee
           are
           all
           like
           to
           smart
           for
           it
           ,
           for
           as
           he
           said
           of
           the
           Roman
           Senate
           ,
           
             Ita
             nati
             est
             is
             ut
             bona
             malaque
             vestra
             ad
             rempub.
             pertineant
             ,
          
           Your
           condition
           is
           such
           ,
           that
           your
           good
           and
           your
           evill
           ,
           is
           the
           good
           and
           evill
           of
           the
           Commonwealth
           ;
           it
           belongs
           to
           us
           all
           :
           and
           should
           the
           great
           God
           find
           any
           of
           you
           walking
           thus
           unworthy
           of
           the
           great
           trust
           hee
           hath
           committed
           to
           you
           ,
           when
           hee
           hath
           put
           (
           as
           it
           were
           )
           the
           fates
           of
           his
           Church
           and
           Kingdome
           in
           your
           hands
           ,
           under
           him
           to
           dispose
           of
           them
           ,
           h●s
           wrath
           would
           bee
           kindled
           against
           you
           ,
           these
           things
           would
           lie
           very
           heavy
           upon
           your
           score
           ,
           and
           wee
           and
           you
           should
           dearely
           rue
           it
           .
           Sure
           I
           am
           ,
           there
           is
           not
           a
           man
           of
           us
           ,
           but
           for
           some
           or
           other
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           hath
           just
           cause
           to
           lay
           his
           hand
           upon
           his
           heart
           with
           sorrow
           ,
           and
           to
           put
           his
           mouth
           in
           the
           dust
           ,
           and
           this
           day
           to
           bee
           very
           deepely
           humbled
           and
           abased
           before
           God
           .
           And
           this
           is
           the
           first
           Use
           ,
           a
           Use
           of
           Humiliation
           ,
           that
           wee
           have
           not
           in
           time
           past
           ,
           so
           knowne
           the
           times
           as
           wee
           should
           in
           reference
           to
           our
           duties
           .
           There
           is
           one
           more
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           ,
        
         
           
           A
           Use
           of
           Exhortation
           ;
           Is
           this
           so
           excellent
           and
           necessary
           a
           dutie
           ,
           to
           know
           the
           times
           in
           reference
           to
           our
           duties
           ?
           O
           that
           I
           knew
           how
           to
           speake
           somewhat
           in
           the
           name
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           
           that
           might
           promote
           this
           wisedome
           in
           you
           for
           time
           to
           come
           ,
           that
           in
           this
           our
           day
           wee
           might
           know
           the
           things
           that
           concerne
           our
           peace
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           not
           be
           for
           ever
           hid
           from
           our
           eyes
           ;
           O
           that
           I
           could
           say
           to
           you
           ,
           as
           
             Paul
          
           said
           to
           the
           
             Thessalonians
             :
          
           
           
             Concerning
             the
             times
             and
             seasons
             ,
             it
             is
             superfluous
             for
             mee
             to
             write
             to
             you
             ,
             for
             you
             your selves
             know
             perfectly
             .
          
           To
           this
           end
           I
           beseech
           you
           take
           briefly
           these
           foure
           Meditations
           to
           provoke
           you
           to
           study
           this
           wisedome
           in
           time
           to
           come
           .
           
           First
           ,
        
         
         
           Often
           consider
           how
           much
           time
           ,
           &
           how
           many
           golden
           opportunities
           
           thou
           hast
           lost
           already
           ;
           how
           oft
           there
           hath
           been
           in
           thy
           hands
           a
           price
           to
           purchase
           Wisdome
           ,
           and
           thou
           hast
           lost
           it
           for
           want
           of
           a
           heart
           ;
           and
           then
           thinke
           whether
           it
           bee
           not
           more
           then
           needfull
           that
           thou
           shouldest
           lose
           no
           more
           .
           Secondly
           ,
        
         
           Consider
           how
           much
           doth
           depend
           upon
           that
           moment
           
           of
           time
           that
           yet
           is
           behinde
           ;
           It
           is
           an
           old
           saying
           ,
           
             Our
             life
             is
             but
             a
             moment
          
           ▪
           but
           
             Ex
             hoc
             momento
             pendet
             aeternitas
             ,
          
           Eternity
           dependeth
           upon
           this
           moment
           ;
           no
           lesse
           then
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           saving
           of
           thy
           immortall
           soule
           ,
           and
           it
           may
           bee
           of
           thy
           family
           ,
           it
           may
           bee
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           Kingdome
           ,
           dependeth
           upon
           thy
           knowing
           the
           times
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
        
         
           Consider
           thou
           canst
           not
           tell
           ,
           whether
           ever
           thou
           shalt
           
           enjoy
           after
           this
           day
           one
           opportunity
           more
           ;
           the
           Angel
           may
           quickly
           come
           and
           sweare
           concerning
           thee
           and
           mee
           ,
           
             Time
             shal
             be
             no
             more
             .
          
           And
           then
           Fourthly
           ,
        
         
           Consider
           when
           Time
           ceases
           to
           bee
           any
           more
           ,
           thou
           
           must
           give
           an
           accompt
           for
           all
           the
           time
           that
           hath
           been
           ;
           that
           certainly
           at
           the
           barre
           and
           Tribunall
           of
           God
           ,
           all
           the
           Times
           and
           seasons
           that
           God
           hath
           trusted
           thee
           with
           ,
           stand
           upon
           thy
           score
           ,
           and
           will
           bee
           exacted
           of
           thee
           :
           
             Rejoyce
             O
             young
             man
          
           (
           saith
           
             Solomon
          
           in
           the
           11
           of
           
             Ecclesiastes
             )
             in
             thy
             youth
             ,
             and
             let
             thy
             heart
             cheare
             thee
             in
             the
             dayes
             of
             thy
             youth
             ,
             and
             walke
             in
             the
             wayes
             of
             thine
             heart
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             thine
             eyes
          
           ;
           take
           thy
           pleasures
           ,
           waste
           thy
           seasons
           ,
           
             but
             know
             that
             for
             all
             these
             things
             thou
             must
             come
             to
             judgement
             .
          
           Such
           Meditations
           as
           these
           would
           provoke
           your
           hearts
           to
           bee
           very
           carefull
           to
           lose
           no
           more
           time
           ▪
           but
           rather
           to
           enquire
           what
           you
           should
           doe
           for
           time
           to
           come
           ,
           and
           how
           you
           might
           learne
           this
           Wisdome
           :
           And
           truly
           ,
           it
           would
           fill
           a
           Volume
           ,
           to
           tell
           
             what
          
           every
           one
           should
           doe
           ,
           
             from
             what
          
           wee
           should
           redeeme
           our
           time
           ,
           and
           
             to
             what
          
           wee
           
           should
           redeeme
           it
           ,
           and
           
             by
             what
          
           meanes
           wee
           should
           doe
           it
           .
           I
           dare
           not
           enter
           upon
           that
           discourse
           :
           
           But
           there
           is
           one
           thing
           wherein
           I
           desire
           freedome
           ,
           that
           I
           might
           be
           as
           helpfull
           as
           I
           can
           to
           the
           Honourable
           Senate
           that
           hath
           called
           me
           to
           the
           service
           of
           this
           day
           :
           Honourable
           and
           Beloved
           ,
           God
           hath
           cast
           your
           lot
           so
           ,
           that
           if
           you
           be
           rightly
           instructed
           in
           this
           one
           Lesson
           ,
           you
           may
           make
           our
           times
           differ
           as
           much
           from
           former
           times
           ,
           
           as
           
             Nebuchadnezzars
          
           Golden
           head
           did
           from
           the
           feet
           of
           iron
           and
           clay
           ;
           Golden
           times
           indeed
           might
           bee
           brought
           about
           ,
           if
           God
           vouchsafed
           but
           to
           teach
           you
           this
           one
           Lesson
           .
           Your
           duties
           are
           many
           ,
           for
           whatsoever
           lies
           upon
           any
           other
           ,
           lies
           eminently
           upon
           you
           ;
           You
           are
           to
           doe
           all
           those
           things
           in
           every
           time
           ,
           that
           others
           are
           to
           doe
           ;
           and
           you
           are
           to
           doe
           many
           things
           that
           others
           cannot
           doe
           ,
           and
           may
           not
           doe
           :
           That
           you
           may
           therefore
           know
           your
           duty
           ,
           give
           mee
           leave
           to
           represent
           before
           you
           the
           true
           face
           of
           our
           Times
           wherein
           wee
           live
           ,
           
           and
           shew
           what
           in
           these
           Times
           you
           have
           to
           doe
           ,
           and
           herein
           I
           will
           not
           presume
           to
           put
           any
           Prudentialls
           upon
           you
           ,
           (
           we
           ought
           all
           to
           thinke
           that
           Prudentialls
           are
           better
           understood
           by
           you
           ,
           then
           by
           us
           )
           but
           what
           shall
           I
           say
           ,
           shall
           (
           God
           willing
           )
           appeare
           to
           be
           matter
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           matters
           of
           necessity
           ,
           and
           things
           that
           may
           not
           bee
           left
           to
           liberty
           ;
           Know
           then
           our
           present
           times
           .
        
         
           
           First
           in
           generall
           ,
           are
           such
           Times
           ,
           as
           I
           thinke
           never
           were
           before
           us
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           I
           may
           say
           of
           our
           times
           ,
           as
           the
           Prophet
           
             Joel
          
           saith
           in
           the
           1
           of
           
             Joel
             ,
             Heare
             O
             yee
             old
             men
             ,
             was
             it
             ever
             thus
             in
             your
             dayes
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             dayes
             of
             your
             forefathers
          
           ?
           I
           meane
           ,
           our
           times
           are
           so
           full
           of
           various
           administrations
           ,
           such
           a
           concurrence
           of
           all
           kinde
           of
           Providences
           and
           Administrations
           ,
           as
           seldome
           were
           ever
           knowne
           in
           so
           few
           yeares
           ;
           Wee
           have
           been
           sometimes
           full
           of
           hopes
           of
           recovery
           ,
           sometimes
           at
           the
           brinke
           of
           despaire
           ,
           sometimes
           dawnings
           of
           light
           ,
           by
           and
           by
           all
           clouded
           over
           againe
           
           with
           utter
           darknesse
           ;
           sometimes
           we
           see
           a
           people
           drawing
           nigh
           to
           God
           that
           hides
           his
           face
           from
           them
           ,
           by
           and
           by
           God
           drawing
           nigh
           to
           a
           people
           that
           run
           away
           from
           him
           ;
           such
           alterations
           ,
           such
           vicissitudes
           of
           all
           kindes
           of
           administrations
           ,
           that
           truly
           I
           may
           compare
           our
           times
           to
           the
           wind
           mentioned
           in
           the
           first
           of
           
             Ecclesiastes
             ,
             It
             whirles
             about
             continually
             ,
             now
             in
             the
             North
             ,
             and
             then
             in
             the
             South
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             never
             abides
             in
             one
             Point
             :
          
           So
           hath
           it
           been
           with
           us
           for
           these
           foure
           or
           five
           last
           yeares
           :
           this
           day
           of
           ours
           hath
           been
           like
           that
           day
           in
           the
           14
           of
           
             Zachariah
             ,
             neither
             night
             nor
             day
             ,
             nor
             light
             nor
             darknesse
             ,
          
           but
           a
           strange
           kinde
           of
           mixture
           of
           all
           these
           ,
           
           and
           in
           such
           various
           and
           uncertaine
           Times
           as
           these
           are
           ,
           what
           
             have
             the
             heads
             of
             our
             Tribes
             to
             doe
             ?
          
           I
           answer
           plainly
           ,
           all
           others
           with
           you
           ,
           and
           you
           with
           others
           ,
           
           are
           in
           such
           dayes
           to
           stand
           and
           behold
           the
           Workes
           of
           God
           ,
           viewing
           and
           admiring
           ,
           and
           adoring
           these
           Mosaick
           works
           ,
           these
           Checquer
           workes
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           it
           concernes
           you
           above
           all
           others
           ,
           to
           stand
           constantly
           upon
           your
           watch
           ,
           and
           employ
           all
           your
           Parts
           and
           Wisdome
           ,
           and
           Faithfulnesse
           ,
           lest
           a
           change
           of
           time
           take
           you
           upon
           a
           sudden
           .
           As
           when
           a
           Ship
           is
           at
           Sea
           ,
           if
           it
           saile
           to
           the
           Westward
           ,
           and
           once
           get
           beyond
           the
           
             Canaries
             ,
          
           where
           the
           Sea
           sets
           constantly
           one
           way
           ,
           and
           state-winds
           blowing
           for
           so
           many
           Moneths
           together
           in
           one
           Point
           ,
           a
           moderate
           skill
           and
           care
           of
           him
           that
           guides
           the
           Helme
           ,
           wil
           carry
           them
           on
           with
           ease
           ;
           but
           in
           various
           winds
           ,
           and
           tumultuous
           Seas
           ,
           when
           they
           saile
           sometimes
           among
           Rocks
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           among
           Quicksands
           ,
           sometimes
           in
           Gulfes
           ,
           sometimes
           in
           the
           Ocean
           ,
           sometimes
           almost
           at
           the
           Shoare
           ,
           if
           the
           Pilot
           be
           not
           extreame
           skilfull
           and
           carefull
           ,
           himselfe
           ,
           his
           Barque
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           are
           with
           him
           are
           quickly
           cast
           away
           :
           So
           I
           am
           assured
           is
           it
           now
           with
           us
           in
           these
           various
           administrations
           ;
           you
           that
           are
           our
           Pilots
           ,
           that
           sit
           at
           the
           Sterne
           ,
           must
           shew
           more
           then
           ordinary
           skill
           and
           diligence
           ,
           or
           we
           may
           quickly
           perish
           .
           But
        
         
         
           
           More
           particularly
           ,
           there
           are
           seven
           severall
           Scenes
           of
           the
           Time
           (
           if
           I
           may
           so
           call
           them
           )
           or
           sorts
           of
           things
           ,
           that
           every
           day
           are
           acted
           upon
           our
           Stage
           ,
           and
           in
           every
           one
           of
           them
           I
           shal
           shew
           you
           ,
           what
           you
           that
           are
           the
           Heads
           of
           our
           Tribes
           have
           to
           doe
           .
           First
           ,
        
         
           
           Our
           times
           are
           times
           of
           most
           prodigious
           wickednesse
           ,
           horrible
           abominations
           in
           mens
           manners
           ;
           I
           am
           confident
           ,
           never
           such
           abominable
           drunkennesse
           ,
           and
           generall
           loosenesse
           in
           that
           kinde
           ;
           never
           more
           universall
           liberty
           of
           whoring
           ▪
           Incestuous
           mariages
           ,
           oppressions
           ,
           cruelty
           ,
           injustice
           ,
           malice
           ,
           revenge
           ,
           and
           every
           thing
           that
           might
           fill
           a
           Land
           with
           ungodlinesse
           .
           Since
           wee
           or
           our
           fore-Fathers
           were
           borne
           ,
           never
           was
           there
           a
           greater
           deluge
           of
           wickednesse
           ,
           then
           in
           these
           our
           times
           ;
           
           and
           
             what
             have
             the
             Heads
             of
             Israel
             to
             doe
             at
             such
             a
             time
             ?
          
           Certainely
           you
           ,
           and
           all
           others
           at
           such
           times
           are
           called
           to
           mourne
           for
           all
           the
           abominations
           of
           the
           Times
           ;
           
           and
           you
           ,
           and
           all
           others
           are
           called
           to
           walke
           more
           exactly
           ,
           in
           that
           time
           ,
           to
           redeeme
           the
           time
           when
           the
           dayes
           are
           evill
           :
           But
           
             You
          
           above
           all
           others
           are
           called
           out
           by
           God
           ,
           in
           such
           times
           ,
           to
           be
           his
           instruments
           ,
           to
           oppose
           these
           things
           ,
           
           the
           
             Ministers
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             execute
             vengeance
             upon
             those
             that
             do
             evill
          
           :
           For
           these
           things
           ,
           I
           think
           you
           shall
           not
           need
           to
           trouble
           your selves
           to
           make
           new
           Lawes
           ,
           as
           excellent
           Lawes
           are
           already
           made
           against
           them
           all
           ,
           as
           I
           thinke
           any
           Common-wealth
           in
           the
           world
           hath
           ,
           but
           it
           concernes
           you
           to
           see
           that
           these
           bee
           put
           in
           execution
           ;
           It
           concernes
           you
           in
           times
           of
           oppression
           to
           deliver
           the
           poore
           and
           the
           oppressed
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           Talons
           and
           Pawes
           of
           them
           ,
           who
           teare
           them
           and
           crush
           them
           in
           pieces
           ;
           It
           concerns
           you
           to
           see
           that
           the
           Justices
           and
           other
           officers
           in
           the
           Countrey
           ,
           set
           not
           up
           these
           houses
           of
           Sinne
           ,
           Alehouses
           and
           Tavernes
           ,
           nor
           that
           when
           some
           well-affected
           put
           them
           downe
           ,
           Great
           men
           set
           them
           up
           againe
           ;
           and
           so
           in
           other
           abominations
           it
           concernes
           you
           to
           see
           that
           incestuous
           
           Mariages
           and
           such
           ungodlinesses
           ,
           go
           not
           unbranded
           and
           unpunished
           ;
           the
           Lord
           kindle
           zeale
           in
           your
           hearts
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           doe
           it
           :
           that
           is
           one
           ,
           
             Our
             Times
             are
             times
             of
             abominable
             wickednesse
             .
          
           Secondly
           ,
        
         
           Our
           times
           are
           times
           of
           Errors
           ,
           horrible
           Errors
           ,
           I
           meane
           not
           such
           Errors
           as
           are
           to
           bee
           found
           among
           Gods
           people
           ,
           
           to
           whom
           hee
           never
           hath
           given
           an
           equall
           light
           ,
           and
           notwithstanding
           which
           Errors
           himself
           beares
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           would
           have
           his
           people
           bear
           one
           with
           another
           ;
           but
           I
           meane
           our
           times
           are
           times
           of
           such
           Errors
           as
           are
           heretical
           and
           blasphemous
           ,
           such
           as
           concern
           our
           Christian
           faith
           ,
           and
           holy
           conversation
           ,
           in
           a
           very
           high
           degree
           ;
           it
           would
           weary
           you
           ,
           but
           to
           tell
           you
           ,
           the
           things
           that
           are
           generally
           knowne
           to
           spread
           as
           a
           Gangrene
           ,
           a
           new
           generation
           of
           men
           are
           risen
           up
           ,
           and
           spread
           all
           the
           points
           of
           Arminianisme
           ,
           universall
           Redemption
           ,
           Apostasie
           from
           grace
           ,
           Mans
           free-will
           ;
           multitudes
           of
           others
           cry
           downe
           the
           Law
           ,
           as
           not
           having
           any
           thing
           to
           do
           with
           Gods
           people
           ;
           others
           denying
           that
           the
           Saints
           of
           God
           should
           ever
           any
           more
           confesse
           sinne
           to
           God
           in
           prayer
           ;
           others
           questioning
           whether
           there
           bee
           any
           Church
           or
           Ministery
           this
           day
           upon
           the
           face
           of
           the
           earth
           ,
           and
           whether
           there
           shall
           bee
           any
           till
           new
           Apostles
           arise
           :
           Nay
           ,
           beyond
           all
           these
           ,
           many
           denying
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           ,
           that
           bought
           us
           with
           his
           blood
           ,
           to
           bee
           God
           ;
           or
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           to
           bee
           God
           ;
           others
           denying
           the
           three
           Persons
           in
           the
           Trinity
           ;
           and
           consequently
           affirming
           that
           we
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Christian
           world
           with
           us
           ,
           doe
           worship
           Idols
           in
           stead
           of
           God
           ,
           for
           if
           these
           men
           bee
           right
           ,
           they
           are
           Idols
           whom
           wee
           worship
           .
           These
           ,
           and
           abundance
           of
           such
           horrid
           things
           as
           these
           are
           ,
           doe
           spread
           and
           scatter
           like
           wilde-fire
           every where
           in
           all
           corners
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           provocation
           of
           Gods
           wrath
           ,
           &
           our
           reproach
           through
           the
           Christian
           world
           .
           And
           
             what
             have
             our
             Heads
             to
             doe
             at
             such
             a
             time
          
           ?
           Certainly
           you
           ,
           and
           al
           others
           ought
           to
           mourn
           for
           these
           
           things
           ,
           and
           teare
           your
           clothes
           ,
           and
           your
           haires
           ,
           and
           your
           hearts
           ,
           that
           God
           should
           be
           so
           dishonored
           ,
           but
           for
           your
           duties
           who
           are
           in
           high
           Places
           ,
           for
           what
           is
           peculiar
           to
           you
           ,
           I
           'll
           not
           dispute
           any
           controversie
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           but
           set
           down
           Two
           things
           which
           I
           know
           you
           must
           yeeld
           to
           .
           One
           is
           ,
        
         
           
           Certainly
           you
           must
           search
           diligently
           into
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           enquire
           whether
           Jesus
           Christ
           would
           have
           you
           oppose
           your selves
           against
           these
           things
           that
           are
           so
           opposite
           to
           him
           ;
           If
           upon
           a
           diligent
           search
           ,
           you
           finde
           that
           hee
           hath
           not
           authorized
           you
           ,
           doe
           not
           you
           arrogate
           any
           authority
           that
           Christ
           hath
           not
           given
           you
           ;
           my
           Lie
           will
           never
           honour
           God
           ,
           though
           I
           should
           tell
           it
           for
           Gods
           glory
           ,
           and
           your
           thrusting
           your selves
           into
           an
           office
           ,
           Christ
           hath
           not
           called
           you
           unto
           ,
           will
           never
           be
           accepted
           by
           him
           .
           But
           if
           Secondly
           ,
        
         
           
           Upon
           a
           diligent
           search
           ,
           it
           appeares
           hee
           hath
           given
           authority
           unto
           you
           ,
           then
           I
           am
           as
           assur'd
           that
           hee
           hath
           not
           left
           it
           to
           your
           arbitrement
           ,
           whether
           you
           'll
           use
           it
           ,
           or
           no
           ;
           hee
           hath
           not
           left
           it
           to
           your
           will
           ,
           whether
           you
           will
           punish
           them
           ,
           but
           if
           you
           have
           power
           to
           stop
           them
           ,
           and
           doe
           not
           ,
           hee
           will
           lay
           them
           all
           at
           your
           doores
           ,
           and
           require
           them
           at
           your
           hands
           ;
           therefore
           search
           diligently
           what
           you
           have
           power
           to
           doe
           ,
           and
           then
           let
           not
           these
           things
           goe
           on
           ,
           to
           Gods
           dishonour
           .
           But
           supposing
           you
           have
           authority
           .
           
             What
             then
             is
             to
             be
             done
             ?
          
           I
           answer
           ,
           you
           must
           not
           take
           Blasphemies
           ,
           Errors
           ,
           and
           Heresies
           to
           bee
           such
           upon
           the
           reports
           of
           other
           men
           ,
           but
           as
           the
           Lord
           ordered
           them
           in
           the
           13
           of
           
             Deuteronomie
             ,
          
           
           so
           likewise
           must
           you
           doe
           ,
           
             Search
             diligently
             whether
             indeed
             such
             and
             such
             things
             are
             done
          
           ;
           and
           when
           they
           appeare
           to
           bee
           done
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           zeale
           of
           God
           ,
           doe
           that
           against
           them
           which
           the
           Lord
           would
           have
           you
           doe
           ;
           let
           not
           your
           Religion
           be
           thus
           contaminated
           ,
           suffer
           not
           your
           children
           ,
           to
           whom
           you
           ought
           to
           bee
           nursing
           Fathers
           ,
           to
           bee
           thus
           poisoned
           by
           such
           corrupt
           Doctrines
           ,
           nor
           devoured
           
           by
           such
           wolves
           :
           This
           I
           know
           you
           will
           all
           subscribe
           unto
           ;
           This
           I
           desire
           above
           all
           may
           sticke
           with
           you
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           Lord
           hath
           given
           you
           power
           ,
           hee
           hath
           not
           given
           you
           libertie
           to
           forbeare
           such
           men
           ;
           God
           in
           mercy
           make
           you
           zealous
           for
           him
           ,
           that
           hath
           been
           zealous
           for
           you
           in
           all
           your
           troubles
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
        
         
           Our
           times
           are
           times
           of
           wrath
           ,
           a
           great
           deale
           of
           wrath
           from
           the
           Lord
           is
           gone
           forth
           ;
           
           you
           know
           what
           dreadfull
           Vialls
           of
           wrath
           ,
           have
           been
           poured
           out
           in
           blood
           ;
           terrible
           quivers
           of
           destroying
           arrowes
           have
           been
           shot
           out
           in
           Pestilence
           ,
           all
           which
           tell
           you
           God
           is
           angry
           :
           And
           what
           then
           have
           our
           Heads
           and
           Leaders
           to
           doe
           ?
           certainly
           all
           people
           should
           tremble
           when
           God
           is
           angry
           ;
           
             The
             Lyon
             roares
             ,
          
           
           
             what
             beast
             doth
             not
             tremble
             ?
          
           and
           every
           one
           must
           labour
           to
           pacifie
           him
           when
           hee
           is
           angry
           ;
           but
           you
           whom
           the
           Lord
           hath
           placed
           under
           him
           in
           such
           high
           place
           and
           authority
           ,
           must
           with
           
             Moses
          
           at
           such
           a
           time
           ,
           call
           to
           
             Aaron
          
           to
           run
           with
           his
           Censer
           ,
           
           you
           must
           labour
           to
           enquire
           out
           the
           Causes
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           execute
           the
           judgement
           and
           vengeance
           that
           God
           would
           have
           executed
           upon
           them
           who
           have
           procured
           it
           ;
           You
           must
           with
           
             Josiah
             ,
          
           
           2
           
             Kings
          
           22.13
           .
           inquire
           what
           will
           appease
           him
           ,
           and
           with
           the
           King
           of
           
             Nineveh
             ,
          
           call
           upon
           every
           one
           to
           turne
           from
           the
           evill
           of
           his
           doings
           ,
           and
           your selves
           bee
           examples
           to
           the
           rest
           .
           Fourthly
           ,
        
         
           Our
           times
           are
           times
           of
           Warre
           ,
           terrible
           warres
           ,
           unnaturall
           warres
           ,
           bloody
           warres
           ,
           as
           ever
           
             England
          
           knew
           ,
           
           and
           as
           yet
           the
           Armies
           are
           in
           the
           Field
           ,
           and
           though
           there
           bee
           no
           open
           Enemy
           ,
           the
           Sword
           is
           not
           put
           up
           ;
           and
           in
           
             Ireland
             ,
          
           poor
           wretched
           
             Ireland
             ,
          
           the
           warre
           is
           more
           terrible
           ,
           where
           if
           we
           labour
           not
           to
           end
           it
           by
           sending
           our
           brethren
           timely
           succours
           ,
           the
           bloody
           enemy
           is
           like
           to
           come
           to
           make
           a
           new
           war
           upon
           us
           ere
           it
           be
           long
           ;
           And
           in
           the
           times
           of
           warre
           ,
           
             What
             have
             the
             heads
             of
             our
             Tribes
             to
             do
          
           ?
           Certainly
           all
           people
           in
           a
           time
           of
           warre
           ,
           should
           make
           it
           a
           time
           of
           mourning
           ;
           
             Ezekiel
          
           
           saith
           ,
           
           
             The
             Sword
             is
             furbished
             ▪
             and
             drawne
             ,
             and
             made
             bright
             for
             slaughter
             ,
             should
             wee
             then
             make
             mirth
          
           ?
           Should
           this
           bee
           a
           time
           of
           jollitie
           ?
           and
           all
           should
           labour
           to
           finde
           out
           the
           Causes
           of
           the
           warre
           ,
           what
           the
           Sword-procuring
           sins
           are
           ,
           and
           every
           one
           to
           repent
           and
           turne
           from
           them
           .
           But
           you
           that
           are
           our
           Heads
           ,
           are
           to
           look
           to
           these
           2
           Things
           principally
           .
           First
           ,
        
         
           
           That
           while
           the
           warre
           doth
           last
           ,
           and
           must
           last
           ,
           that
           our
           Campes
           and
           Armies
           may
           bee
           in
           such
           a
           condition
           ,
           that
           God
           may
           not
           abhorre
           our
           Armies
           ;
           
             When
             the
             Host
             goes
             forth
             to
             the
             battail
             ,
          
           
           
             keepe
             thee
             from
             every
             evill
             thing
             .
          
           And
           Secondly
           ,
        
         
           In
           the
           times
           of
           Warre
           ,
           you
           should
           alwayes
           labour
           after
           
           an
           honourable
           ,
           safe
           ,
           and
           just
           Peace
           ;
           peace
           is
           the
           end
           of
           warre
           ;
           
             Pax
             una
             triumphis
             ,
          
           One
           peace
           is
           worth
           100
           Victories
           ;
           and
           therefore
           you
           must
           principally
           addresse
           your selves
           to
           God
           ,
           who
           alone
           can
           give
           us
           Peace
           :
           Kings
           and
           States
           may
           begin
           a
           warre
           ,
           but
           God
           onely
           must
           end
           it
           ;
           we
           may
           daube
           up
           a
           peace
           ,
           and
           get
           counterfeits
           of
           peace
           ,
           but
           all
           will
           bee
           
             arena
             sine
             calce
             ,
          
           Sand
           without
           lime
           ,
           a
           mortar
           which
           will
           not
           hold
           ,
           but
           as
           a
           swelling
           in
           a
           high
           wall
           ,
           whose
           breach
           comes
           suddenly
           :
           Therefore
           remember
           againe
           and
           againe
           ,
           your
           work
           lies
           with
           the
           God
           of
           Peace
           ,
           pacifie
           him
           ,
           and
           hee
           will
           create
           peace
           for
           you
           .
           Fifthly
           ,
        
         
           Our
           Times
           are
           times
           of
           Divisions
           ;
           such
           Divisions
           ,
           as
           (
           I
           thinke
           )
           were
           hardly
           ever
           knowne
           in
           the
           Christian
           World
           ;
           
           Divisions
           every where
           ,
           divisions
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           divisions
           in
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           divisions
           in
           the
           Citie
           ,
           divisions
           in
           State
           affaires
           ;
           but
           woe
           and
           alasse
           ,
           most
           of
           all
           ,
           and
           worst
           of
           all
           ,
           divisions
           among
           Gods
           people
           ,
           the
           Servants
           of
           God
           who
           heretofore
           prayed
           together
           ,
           fasted
           together
           ,
           could
           have
           been
           banished
           together
           ,
           now
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           curse
           of
           
             Simeon
          
           and
           
             Levi
          
           were
           fallen
           upon
           them
           ,
           they
           are
           divided
           in
           
             Jacob
             ,
          
           and
           scattered
           in
           
             Israel
             ;
             Manasseh
          
           is
           aagainst
           
           
             Ephraim
             ,
          
           and
           
             Ephraim
          
           against
           
             Manasseh
             ,
          
           and
           every
           one
           eates
           the
           flesh
           of
           his
           owne
           arme
           ,
           and
           through
           the
           wrath
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           the
           Land
           is
           darkened
           and
           infatuated
           ,
           by
           the
           miserable
           divisions
           of
           Gods
           owne
           people
           ;
           and
           these
           divisions
           are
           fomented
           ,
           encouraged
           ,
           and
           back'd
           by
           a
           Third
           il-affected
           party
           ,
           who
           desires
           that
           these
           Two
           ,
           like
           wilde
           beasts
           ,
           may
           teare
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           weaken
           one
           another
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           devoure
           them
           both
           ;
           and
           all
           this
           goes
           on
           thorough
           our
           sinne
           :
           And
           truly
           wee
           are
           in
           my
           poore
           thoughts
           ,
           as
           if
           God
           had
           left
           us
           to
           bee
           as
           
             Moab
             ,
          
           
           and
           
             Ammon
             ,
          
           and
           
             Mount
             Seir
             ,
          
           where
           two
           stood
           up
           against
           one
           to
           destroy
           it
           ,
           and
           then
           the
           other
           two
           to
           destroy
           one
           another
           ;
           as
           the
           foolish
           Woman
           ,
           wee
           are
           pulling
           downe
           our
           house
           with
           our
           owne
           hands
           .
           And
           now
           (
           Honorable
           and
           Beloved
           )
           in
           such
           sad
           &
           uncomfortable
           times
           as
           these
           are
           ,
           
             what
             have
             the
             Heads
             of
             our
             Israel
             to
             doe
          
           ?
           what
           doth
           the
           Lord
           looke
           for
           at
           your
           hands
           ?
           Certainly
           you
           with
           others
           ,
           and
           you
           above
           all
           others
           ,
           should
           labour
           to
           bee
           our
           Physitians
           ,
           our
           
             Aesculapiusses
             ,
          
           to
           joine
           our
           dissever'd
           limbes
           ,
           and
           if
           it
           bee
           possible
           ,
           to
           make
           us
           one
           againe
           :
           Noble
           Senators
           ,
           is
           there
           no
           way
           that
           your
           Wisdome
           can
           contrive
           to
           make
           Pacification
           ,
           Accommodation
           ,
           and
           Reconciliation
           ,
           but
           must
           wee
           goe
           on
           thus
           to
           ruine
           one
           another
           ?
           Any
           ordinary
           head
           may
           serve
           to
           embroyle
           things
           ,
           but
           here
           would
           bee
           the
           Master-piece
           of
           your
           Wisdome
           ,
           if
           you
           could
           find
           out
           a
           way
           how
           the
           envie
           of
           
             Ephraim
             ,
          
           and
           the
           ill
           will
           of
           
             Manasseh
          
           might
           cease
           ,
           and
           that
           Gods
           people
           might
           yet
           bee
           reconciled
           and
           united
           ,
           of
           one
           minde
           as
           farre
           as
           is
           possible
           ,
           and
           made
           of
           one
           heart
           in
           those
           lower
           things
           ,
           wherein
           they
           cannot
           bee
           of
           one
           minde
           :
           Would
           God
           put
           this
           in
           your
           hearts
           ,
           that
           you
           might
           speedily
           and
           earnestly
           set
           about
           it
           ,
           that
           if
           there
           should
           be
           found
           any
           
             Animosities
          
           amongst
           your selves
           ,
           you
           would
           lay
           them
           down
           first
           ,
           &
           all
           agree
           to
           study
           the
           Publike
           good
           ,
           and
           then
           see
           what
           you
           
           can
           doe
           to
           reconcile
           others
           in
           the
           Ministery
           ,
           in
           the
           City
           ,
           in
           the
           Countrey
           ;
           o
           that
           you
           could
           doe
           as
           
             Constantine
          
           did
           ,
           who
           burnt
           all
           the
           Libells
           that
           were
           presented
           to
           him
           from
           one
           Bishop
           against
           another
           ,
           and
           never
           left
           till
           hee
           had
           made
           peace
           among
           them
           .
           O
           that
           God
           would
           both
           inable
           you
           ,
           and
           provoke
           you
           to
           set
           speedily
           upon
           this
           worke
           ,
           God
           ,
           and
           his
           people
           have
           their
           eyes
           upon
           you
           ,
           and
           expect
           you
           should
           imploy
           all
           your
           Wisdome
           ,
           Piety
           ,
           Parts
           ,
           and
           Authority
           to
           extinguish
           those
           flames
           which
           threaten
           speedy
           ruine
           to
           us
           all
           .
        
         
           
           Our
           times
           are
           times
           of
           Reformation
           ;
           As
           they
           are
           times
           of
           sinne
           and
           errour
           ,
           and
           wrath
           ,
           and
           warre
           ,
           and
           divisions
           ,
           which
           all
           five
           are
           very
           sad
           ,
           so
           the
           other
           two
           are
           excellent
           ,
           our
           times
           are
           times
           of
           Reformation
           ;
           I
           mean
           ,
           they
           are
           times
           not
           onely
           of
           much
           Gospell
           light
           ,
           but
           they
           are
           times
           of
           growing
           ,
           and
           increasing
           light
           ,
           wherein
           the
           light
           of
           the
           Gospell
           spreads
           more
           ,
           and
           the
           Lord
           as
           in
           other
           parts
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           so
           especially
           amongst
           us
           ,
           seemes
           to
           bee
           laying
           out
           the
           platforme
           of
           his
           Temple
           ,
           and
           to
           set
           out
           a
           new
           edition
           of
           his
           Church
           ,
           fairer
           and
           more
           beautifull
           then
           ever
           ;
           and
           
             what
             have
             the
             Heads
             of
             our
             Tribes
             to
             doe
          
           at
           such
           a
           time
           ?
           without
           all
           question
           ,
           very
           much
           of
           it
           will
           lie
           upon
           your
           hands
           under
           God
           ,
           you
           have
           contended
           stifly
           and
           couragiously
           for
           our
           liberties
           ,
           and
           properties
           ▪
           and
           to
           recover
           us
           from
           bondage
           and
           slavery
           ,
           and
           God
           hath
           been
           with
           you
           in
           it
           ;
           and
           although
           the
           kingdome
           doth
           not
           yet
           feele
           it
           ,
           and
           so
           it
           may
           bee
           doth
           not
           greatly
           thank
           you
           ,
           because
           in
           desperate
           diseases
           ,
           the
           cure
           is
           commonly
           more
           costly
           and
           more
           tedious
           then
           the
           disease
           is
           ,
           but
           I
           doubt
           when
           God
           vouchsafes
           a
           settling
           they
           will
           finde
           the
           fruit
           of
           what
           you
           have
           done
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           blesse
           God
           for
           you
           that
           are
           their
           healers
           .
           But
           know
           (
           I
           beseech
           you
           )
           that
           our
           Religion
           is
           our
           most
           Orient
           Pearle
           ,
           and
           that
           whereupon
           our
           heart
           
           is
           most
           set
           ▪
           and
           if
           there
           should
           bee
           any
           miscariage
           in
           it
           all
           will
           perish
           with
           it
           ,
           wee
           should
           call
           every
           thing
           else
           
             Ichabod
             ,
          
           if
           Religion
           miscarry
           ,
           all
           is
           gone
           ;
           and
           therefore
           to
           provoke
           you
           to
           helpe
           us
           in
           this
           thing
           ,
           let
           mee
           leave
           these
           two
           Conclusions
           in
           your
           bosomes
           .
           First
           ,
        
         
           A
           Reformation
           begun
           ,
           and
           not
           carried
           on
           ▪
           alwayes
           brings
           more
           wrath
           from
           God
           ;
           you
           have
           begun
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           you
           are
           engaged
           in
           it
           by
           oath
           and
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           some
           happy
           proceeding
           and
           progresse
           you
           have
           made
           in
           it
           ,
           God
           grant
           you
           slack
           not
           in
           it
           :
           For
           you●l
           finde
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           a
           reformation
           begun
           and
           laid
           aside
           is
           a
           peoples
           undoing
           ;
           In
           
             Elijahs
          
           dayes
           there
           was
           a
           Reformation
           begun
           ,
           it
           fell
           downe
           and
           the
           Kingdome
           perished
           with
           it
           .
           In
           
             Josiah's
          
           time
           a
           Reformation
           was
           begun
           ,
           and
           quickly
           laid
           aside
           with
           the
           death
           of
           that
           good
           King
           ,
           and
           the
           Kingdome
           was
           ruined
           presently
           after
           it
           .
           In
           
             Haggai
          
           his
           dayes
           ,
           the
           Reformation
           was
           begun
           ,
           then
           laid
           aside
           ;
           God
           presently
           smote
           them
           with
           Blasting
           and
           Mildew
           ,
           and
           would
           have
           undone
           them
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           not
           taken
           it
           up
           againe
           :
           God
           lookes
           you
           should
           carry
           this
           work
           on
           .
           And
           I
           adde
           ,
        
         
           Without
           setling
           Religion
           ,
           you
           shall
           never
           settle
           the
           Common-wealth
           ;
           Hee
           that
           writes
           a
           Booke
           of
           the
           corrupt
           and
           troubled
           state
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           will
           hardly
           ever
           write
           a
           Booke
           of
           the
           quiet
           and
           setled
           State
           of
           the
           Commonwealth
           ;
           Christ
           is
           King
           of
           Nations
           and
           Common-wealths
           as
           well
           as
           King
           of
           Saints
           :
           Now
           the
           glory
           of
           Christ
           is
           so
           much
           concerned
           in
           the
           matter
           of
           Religion
           ,
           that
           they
           shall
           never
           finde
           him
           propitious
           to
           them
           ,
           for
           their
           good
           in
           humane
           affaires
           ,
           who
           neglect
           him
           in
           that
           that
           is
           dearest
           to
           him
           .
           But
           
             what
             have
             our
             Heads
             and
             Rulers
             to
             doe
             in
             that
             ?
          
           I
           feare
           not
           to
           say
           confidently
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           mistaken
           who
           say
           ,
           you
           have
           nothing
           to
           doe
           with
           it
           ;
           All
           the
           good
           Kings
           that
           ever
           I
           read
           of
           in
           the
           booke
           of
           God
           ,
           thought
           not
           onely
           they
           had
           to
           doe
           with
           it
           ,
           but
           it
           
           was
           their
           first
           work
           
             a
             Jove
             principium
             ,
          
           they
           all
           began
           with
           it
           ,
           they
           ever
           accounted
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           &
           preservation
           ,
           &
           propogation
           of
           Religion
           to
           be
           their
           Crown
           :
           but
           
             what
             have
             you
             to
             doe
             ?
          
           I
           answer
           ,
           you
           must
           with
           
             David
             ,
          
           set
           your
           whole
           hearts
           to
           the
           house
           of
           your
           God
           ,
           
           really
           and
           seriously
           ;
           with
           
             Solomon
          
           set
           as
           many
           on
           worke
           as
           you
           can
           possibly
           ,
           to
           prepare
           materialls
           for
           Gods
           house
           ;
           
           with
           
             Jehosaphat
          
           send
           abroad
           as
           many
           faithfull
           Preachers
           as
           you
           can
           ,
           to
           goe
           about
           and
           instruct
           the
           people
           from
           Towne
           to
           Towne
           ,
           and
           Citie
           to
           Citie
           ,
           till
           you
           can
           get
           Ministers
           to
           bee
           setled
           .
           With
           
             Nehemiah
          
           labour
           to
           build
           the
           walls
           of
           
             Jerusalem
             ,
          
           though
           in
           a
           troublesome
           time
           ,
           with
           a
           Sword
           in
           one
           hand
           and
           a
           Trowell
           in
           the
           other
           ,
           set
           up
           discipline
           to
           bee
           a
           hedge
           and
           fence
           to
           the
           Churches
           .
           With
           
             Hezekiah
          
           labour
           to
           provide
           honorable
           maintenance
           for
           Gods
           house
           and
           his
           Ministers
           ,
           that
           young
           men
           may
           not
           bee
           discouraged
           in
           their
           studies
           .
           For
           when
           young
           Students
           can
           see
           ,
           
             Galen
          
           and
           
             Justinian
             ,
          
           the
           study
           of
           the
           Law
           or
           Physick
           can
           give
           them
           wealth
           and
           honour
           ,
           and
           the
           Ministry
           nothing
           but
           beggery
           ,
           it
           will
           bee
           a
           great
           snare
           to
           them
           ,
           though
           the
           worke
           of
           the
           Ministry
           bee
           honorable
           ,
           and
           hath
           an
           abundant
           reward
           with
           God
           ,
           yet
           for
           want
           of
           maintenance
           
             the
             house
             of
             God
             will
             bee
             forsaken
             ;
          
           
           
             Sint
             Maecenates
             ,
             non
             deerunt
             marones
          
           :
           Men
           of
           parts
           must
           have
           incouragement
           ,
           and
           in
           your
           provision
           for
           them
           forget
           not
           the
           Schooles
           of
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           remember
           the
           Universities
           :
           Indeavour
           to
           carry
           on
           the
           worke
           ,
           that
           the
           beautie
           and
           power
           of
           Religion
           may
           be
           promoted
           ,
           and
           the
           Lord
           direct
           you
           to
           it
           .
           Seventhly
           ,
           and
           lastly
           ,
        
         
           
           Our
           times
           are
           times
           of
           Deliverances
           ,
           the
           greatest
           deliverances
           that
           I
           thinke
           the
           Lord
           hath
           wrought
           ,
           since
           hee
           brought
           
             Israel
          
           out
           of
           
             Egypt
          
           ;
           such
           deliverances
           as
           we
           our selves
           are
           like
           men
           in
           a
           dreame
           ,
           such
           deliverances
           that
           there
           hath
           beene
           but
           few
           footsteps
           of
           ordinary
           Providence
           
           in
           them
           ;
           deliverances
           that
           have
           beene
           the
           fruit
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           the
           fruit
           of
           Covenanting
           ,
           the
           fruit
           of
           Fasting
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           these
           the
           fruit
           of
           free
           grace
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Lord
           hath
           exceeded
           not
           onely
           our
           Faith
           ,
           but
           our
           Prayers
           ,
           and
           hath
           measured
           out
           to
           us
           all
           that
           hee
           hath
           done
           by
           the
           shekel
           of
           the
           Sanctuary
           ,
           his
           own
           shekel
           that
           is
           double
           of
           ours
           ;
           I
           know
           ,
           you
           forget
           not
           the
           wonderfull
           things
           the
           Lord
           hath
           done
           ,
           
             and
             what
             have
             our
             Heads
             to
             doe
             at
             such
             a
             Time
          
           ?
           Truly
           ,
           all
           others
           with
           you
           ,
           but
           you
           more
           then
           all
           ,
           at
           such
           a
           time
           must
           bee
           carefull
           of
           these
           foure
           things
           ;
        
         
           First
           ,
           God
           expects
           when
           hee
           workes
           deliverances
           ,
           that
           his
           people
           should
           consider
           his
           workes
           ,
           and
           stand
           amazed
           
           at
           it
           ;
           
             When
             the
             Lord
             turned
             the
             captivitie
             of
             Zion
             ,
          
           
           
             wee
             were
             like
             men
             in
             a
             dreame
             ,
             our
             mouth
             was
             filled
             with
             laughter
             ,
             and
             our
             tongue
             with
             joy
          
           ;
           The
           Lord
           (
           say
           they
           )
           hath
           done
           great
           things
           for
           us
           ;
           Thus
           let
           us
           admire
           his
           works
           .
        
         
           In
           times
           of
           deliverance
           ,
           you
           must
           bee
           very
           carefull
           to
           
           pay
           your
           vowes
           ;
           
           the
           vowes
           that
           you
           made
           in
           the
           time
           of
           your
           low
           condition
           ;
           the
           vowes
           you
           made
           ,
           when
           your Selves
           ,
           and
           Liberties
           ,
           and
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           Kingdom
           were
           all
           like
           to
           bee
           buried
           quicke
           together
           ;
           God
           expects
           in
           times
           of
           deliverance
           to
           have
           those
           vowes
           remembred
           and
           paid
           ;
           consider
           what
           they
           were
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
        
         
           When
           the
           Lord
           workes
           such
           deliverances
           ,
           hee
           expects
           ,
           and
           it
           will
           very
           well
           become
           the
           Heads
           of
           our
           Tribes
           ,
           to
           
           keepe
           the
           same
           lowly
           and
           humble
           spirit
           ,
           that
           they
           had
           while
           God
           kept
           them
           under
           afflictions
           ;
           to
           have
           their
           eares
           as
           much
           opened
           to
           good
           counsell
           ,
           when
           God
           hath
           exalted
           them
           ,
           as
           when
           hee
           abased
           them
           ;
           this
           is
           a
           hard
           lesson
           to
           learne
           :
           I
           finde
           the
           best
           of
           all
           Gods
           servants
           have
           much
           failed
           in
           this
           particular
           .
           Good
           
             David
          
           himselfe
           in
           the
           day
           of
           his
           prosperity
           kept
           not
           alwayes
           that
           humble
           spirit
           which
           hee
           had
           in
           his
           low
           estate
           ,
           nor
           
             Asa
             ,
          
           nor
           
             Uzziah
             ,
          
           nor
           
             Hezekiah
          
           ;
           and
           wee
           know
           the
           story
           of
           that
           famous
           Queen
           ,
           
           whose
           motto
           in
           the
           time
           of
           her
           afflictions
           was
           
             Tanquam
             ovis
             ,
          
           as
           a
           sheepe
           for
           the
           slaughter
           ,
           yet
           afterwards
           it
           was
           thought
           needfull
           to
           intreate
           that
           it
           might
           not
           bee
           
             tanquam
             indomita
             juvenca
             ,
          
           as
           an
           untamed
           Heifer
           .
           Men
           are
           infinitely
           prone
           to
           bee
           lifted
           up
           ,
           when
           God
           enlarges
           them
           ,
           but
           God
           infinitely
           detesteth
           it
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           put
           it
           up
           at
           the
           hands
           of
           any
           .
           Therefore
           I
           most
           humbly
           beseech
           you
           ,
           (
           Right
           Honorable
           ,
           and
           Honorable
           and
           beloved
           )
           let
           
             David
          
           and
           
             Solomon
          
           his
           sonne
           ,
           and
           
             Uzziah
             ,
          
           and
           
             Hezekiah
          
           bee
           warnings
           to
           you
           ,
           and
           doe
           you
           labour
           to
           maintaine
           the
           same
           lowly
           spirit
           ,
           that
           you
           had
           when
           you
           could
           keepe
           dayes
           of
           mourning
           for
           the
           sinnes
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           ,
           for
           your
           personall
           sinnes
           and
           Parliament
           sinnes
           ,
           such
           a
           spirit
           would
           infinitely
           please
           God
           .
           And
           lastly
           ,
        
         
           In
           the
           time
           of
           deliverance
           ,
           God
           expects
           of
           those
           that
           
           are
           the
           Heads
           and
           Rulers
           of
           a
           people
           ,
           that
           every
           deliverance
           should
           by
           them
           bee
           improved
           to
           the
           utmost
           ,
           for
           the
           end
           for
           which
           it
           is
           given
           ;
           every
           Rod
           hath
           a
           voyce
           and
           calls
           for
           some
           dutie
           ,
           and
           every
           mercy
           and
           deliverance
           hath
           a
           voyce
           and
           calls
           for
           a
           dutie
           ,
           every
           victory
           your
           Armies
           have
           got
           ,
           and
           every
           towne
           hath
           beene
           surrendred
           ,
           every
           plot
           that
           hath
           been
           discovered
           hath
           some
           dutie
           written
           upon
           it
           ,
           which
           God
           expects
           you
           should
           learne
           :
           All
           these
           things
           without
           question
           lie
           upon
           you
           ,
           and
           God
           doth
           and
           will
           expect
           them
           at
           your
           hands
           ,
           and
           what
           heart
           would
           not
           tremble
           to
           thinke
           how
           much
           lies
           upon
           you
           ?
           my
           soule
           is
           deepely
           affected
           with
           your
           taske
           ,
           more
           then
           humane
           strength
           must
           carry
           you
           on
           ,
           or
           you
           will
           bee
           
             impares
             oneri
             ,
          
           never
           able
           to
           goe
           through
           your
           work
           .
           VVhat
           gratious
           man
           who
           understands
           this
           ,
           would
           ever
           pray
           to
           God
           in
           his
           Chamber
           without
           remembring
           you
           ,
           and
           your
           work
           ?
           and
           for
           you
           your selves
           ▪
           O
           what
           need
           is
           there
           that
           you
           should
           call
           in
           the
           Payers
           and
           supplications
           of
           all
           Gods
           people
           to
           helpe
           you
           ;
           and
           that
           every
           one
           of
           you
           ,
           
           lay
           aside
           any
           businesse
           of
           your
           owne
           ,
           all
           self-interest
           ,
           and
           count
           it
           to
           be
           but
           catching
           of
           Flyes
           ,
           in
           comparison
           of
           the
           worke
           you
           are
           called
           to
           ;
           and
           that
           you
           lay
           aside
           all
           carnall
           confidence
           of
           any
           power
           or
           wisdome
           of
           your
           owne
           ,
           or
           relying
           on
           any
           Arme
           of
           flesh
           ,
           that
           is
           never
           able
           to
           carry
           you
           thorough
           all
           your
           worke
           :
           But
           in
           stead
           hereof
           ,
           to
           relie
           wholly
           upon
           the
           wisdome
           ,
           promise
           ,
           and
           power
           of
           God
           ,
           submit
           your selves
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           trust
           to
           him
           alone
           ,
           who
           onely
           is
           able
           to
           carry
           you
           thorough
           all
           .
           Thus
           of
           the
           second
           part
           of
           my
           Text
           ,
           the
           excellent
           commendation
           of
           this
           Tribe
           of
           
             Issachar
             ,
             They
             had
             understanding
             to
             know
             the
             times
             ,
             and
             what
             Israel
             had
             to
             doe
             .
          
           Spare
           mee
           libertie
           for
           a
           few
           words
           of
           the
           Third
           ,
           and
           I
           have
           done
           ;
           which
           is
           ,
        
         
           The
           interest
           that
           they
           had
           in
           their
           Brethrens
           hearts
           ,
           
           
             all
             their
             Brethren
             were
             at
             their
             command
             ,
          
           or
           at
           their
           
             mouth
             ,
             hung
             upon
             their
             mouth
          
           :
           certainly
           it
           is
           not
           meant
           of
           any
           compulsion
           ,
           but
           a
           power
           they
           had
           got
           in
           their
           brethrens
           hearts
           by
           their
           Wisdome
           and
           faithfull
           carriage
           ;
           they
           saw
           that
           they
           were
           wise
           and
           faithfull
           men
           ,
           and
           that
           set
           them
           up
           high
           in
           their
           esteem
           ,
           and
           by
           this
           inward
           respect
           ,
           the
           lifting
           up
           of
           their
           hands
           ,
           was
           as
           good
           as
           the
           displaying
           of
           a
           Banner
           ,
           to
           make
           all
           their
           brethren
           come
           out
           and
           spend
           their
           lives
           ,
           and
           whatsoever
           they
           had
           in
           their
           Countreys
           service
           ;
           which
           affords
           us
           this
           Lesson
           ,
        
         
           That
           
             when
             the
             Heads
             and
             Leaders
             of
             a
             people
             are
             wise
             ,
          
           
           
             to
             doe
             their
             duties
             ,
             it
             gives
             them
             that
             interest
             in
             their
             Brethrens
             hearts
             ,
             that
             they
             will
             bee
             at
             their
             disposing
             .
          
        
         
           Of
           this
           I
           could
           give
           you
           abundance
           of
           evidence
           ;
           
           
             Moses
          
           reigned
           as
           King
           in
           
             Jeshurun
             ,
          
           his
           wisdome
           and
           grace
           was
           the
           things
           which
           set
           him
           so
           high
           .
           
             Joshua
          
           that
           had
           beene
           but
           
             Moses
          
           servant
           ,
           had
           the
           same
           power
           with
           them
           ,
           because
           they
           saw
           the
           wisdome
           of
           God
           in
           him
           :
           This
           was
           it
           got
           
             Job
          
           that
           authority
           ,
           that
           the
           
             young
          
           men
           feared
           him
           ,
           
           and
           
           the
           
             aged
             ,
             reverenced
          
           him
           ,
           and
           every
           eye
           which
           saw
           him
           ,
           blessed
           him
           ;
           because
           hee
           put
           on
           righteousnesse
           ,
           and
           wisdome
           ;
           and
           judgement
           was
           to
           him
           as
           a
           robe
           and
           diademe
           .
           
             David
          
           a
           man
           of
           a
           meane
           family
           ,
           from
           a
           Shepheard
           ,
           was
           
             feared
          
           by
           
             Saul
             ,
          
           
           
             loved
             by
             the
             people
          
           ▪
           even
           while
           hee
           was
           but
           a
           Captaine
           ,
           because
           they
           saw
           hee
           behaved
           
             himselfe
             wisely
             .
             Solomon
          
           a
           
             childe
             ,
          
           and
           being
           but
           a
           childe
           ,
           very
           subject
           to
           be
           contemned
           ,
           swayed
           all
           Israel
           ,
           they
           honoured
           him
           and
           feared
           him
           ,
           
             When
             they
             saw
             the
             wisdome
             that
             God
             had
             given
             him
             to
             doe
             Justice
             and
             Judgement
          
           ;
           
           abundance
           of
           other
           instances
           there
           are
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           
             David
          
           expresseth
           it
           notably
           in
           the
           2
           of
           
             Samuel
          
           23.
           
           
             He
             that
             rules
             over
             men
             must
             bee
             just
             ,
             ruling
             in
             the
             feare
             of
             God
          
           ;
           if
           hee
           bee
           such
           an
           one
           ,
           hee
           shall
           bee
           
             like
             the
             light
             of
             the
             morning
             ,
             like
             a
             cleare
             bright
             morning
             without
             clouds
             ,
             as
             the
             tender
             grasse
             that
             growes
             by
             the
             sweet
             showers
             of
             raine
          
           ;
           such
           a
           one
           shall
           bee
           
             amiable
             ,
          
           
           
             desirable
             ,
             beautifull
             ,
             comfortable
             ,
          
           hee
           is
           every
           thing
           you
           can
           wish
           ,
           if
           hee
           bee
           a
           
             good
             Man
             ruling
             in
             the
             feare
             of
             God
          
           ;
           and
           
             Solomon
          
           proves
           it
           notably
           by
           the
           contrary
           ,
           in
           the
           4
           of
           
             Ecclesiastes
             ,
             Better
             is
             a
             poore
             and
             wise
             Childe
             ,
             then
             an
             old
             and
             foolish
             King
             ,
             who
             will
             no
             more
             be
             admonished
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           A
           childe
           ,
           a
           poore
           childe
           that
           hath
           wisdome
           ,
           will
           have
           more
           love
           and
           honour
           ,
           then
           a
           King
           ,
           though
           an
           old
           man
           ,
           and
           a
           great
           Prince
           ,
           if
           hee
           bee
           doting
           and
           foolish
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           receive
           Counsell
           ,
           nor
           learne
           wisdome
           to
           discharge
           his
           duty
           ;
           'T
           is
           wisdome
           will
           winne
           hearts
           ,
           and
           one
           dram
           of
           this
           wisdome
           and
           grace
           will
           do
           more
           then
           a
           whole
           pound
           of
           greatnesse
           :
           And
           the
           reason
           is
           plaine
           ,
        
         
           Because
           this
           Wisdome
           that
           I
           have
           spoken
           of
           ,
           is
           the
           Image
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           cannot
           bee
           contemned
           ,
           but
           will
           bee
           feared
           by
           them
           that
           are
           bad
           ,
           and
           honoured
           and
           embraced
           by
           them
           that
           are
           good
           ;
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           said
           of
           most
           of
           them
           I
           instanced
           in
           ,
           that
           the
           people
           would
           say
           ,
           
             God
             was
             with
             them
             ,
          
           when
           they
           saw
           their
           wise
           behaviour
           .
           I
           winde
           up
           all
           with
           a
           brief
           Application
           .
        
         
         
           To
           you
           our
           Heads
           and
           Leaders
           ,
           
           give
           me
           leave
           to
           instruct
           you
           ,
           how
           you
           may
           keep
           
             England
          
           to
           be
           yours
           ;
           how
           you
           may
           have
           your
           Brethren
           at
           your
           Command
           ,
           not
           out
           of
           Rules
           of
           State-policy
           ,
           but
           as
           a
           Minister
           of
           Christ
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           know
           the
           times
           and
           your
           duties
           ,
           and
           walk
           as
           Men
           fearing
           God
           ,
           taking
           the
           counsell
           of
           his
           Word
           as
           your
           onely
           guide
           ;
           This
           will
           make
           the
           worst
           of
           men
           feare
           you
           ,
           and
           the
           best
           honour
           and
           love
           you
           ,
           your
           Brethrens
           hearts
           will
           hereby
           bee
           at
           your
           command
           ,
           and
           your
           interest
           in
           their
           hearts
           will
           rule
           them
           better
           then
           Armies
           or
           Garrisons
           :
           Many
           great
           Politicians
           go
           another
           way
           to
           worke
           ,
           they
           thinke
           the
           affections
           of
           people
           are
           not
           to
           bee
           valued
           ,
           they
           say
           ,
           
             Populus
             humiliter
             servit
             ,
             superbe
             dominatur
             ,
          
           that
           the
           People
           (
           like
           fire
           and
           water
           )
           are
           good
           Servants
           ,
           but
           evill
           Masters
           ;
           and
           therefore
           the
           best
           way
           is
           to
           subdue
           them
           and
           keep
           them
           under
           ,
           but
           I
           am
           assured
           that
           you
           detest
           these
           Rules
           ;
           you
           know
           well
           enough
           ,
           that
           
             the
             Peoples
             love
             is
             the
             best
             Exchequer
          
           ;
           and
           this
           Lesson
           teacheth
           you
           the
           surest
           way
           how
           to
           hold
           that
           firme
           ,
           and
           close
           to
           you
           ,
           even
           your
           wise
           walking
           and
           working
           in
           your
           great
           Trust
           ;
           Herein
           lies
           the
           difference
           between
           Wisdome
           and
           Policy
           ,
           VVisdome
           makes
           a
           man
           constantly
           keep
           the
           high
           road-way
           of
           Justice
           and
           Judgement
           ,
           doing
           every
           thing
           upon
           Scripture
           grounds
           and
           rules
           :
           Policy
           directs
           men
           ,
           when
           need
           is
           ,
           to
           turne
           into
           odde
           by-paths
           ,
           sometime
           taking
           in
           the
           helpe
           of
           the
           Foxes
           skin
           ,
           sometime
           of
           the
           Lions
           paw
           ;
           But
           (
           Beloved
           )
           you
           shall
           certainly
           finde
           the
           way
           of
           VVisdome
           to
           bee
           the
           safest
           and
           most
           successefull
           ;
           Politicians
           may
           deceive
           others
           for
           a
           while
           ,
           but
           themselves
           for
           ever
           :
           You
           your selves
           have
           had
           much
           experience
           of
           it
           ,
           you
           know
           what
           it
           is
           to
           command
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           your
           Brethren
           ,
           had
           you
           had
           all
           the
           Port
           Townes
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           your
           Troubles
           ,
           and
           Garisons
           wheresoever
           you
           could
           have
           desired
           ,
           it
           would
           never
           have
           done
           you
           the
           service
           〈◊〉
           the
           
           hearts
           of
           your
           brethren
           have
           done
           ;
           you
           were
           in
           their
           hearts
           ,
           and
           they
           have
           been
           at
           your
           command
           ,
           and
           wha●
           gave
           you
           this
           interest
           ?
           VVhy
           ,
           they
           saw
           you
           were
           set
           upon
           Judgement
           and
           Justice
           ,
           breaking
           their
           yoakes
           ,
           removing
           their
           grievances
           ,
           they
           saw
           your
           hearts
           were
           set
           to
           it
           ;
           and
           while
           you
           goe
           on
           in
           the
           same
           wisdome
           ,
           pietie
           ,
           singlenesse
           and
           integrity
           ;
           You
           will
           preserve
           your
           interest
           in
           God
           and
           his
           people
           ,
           and
           while
           you
           have
           Gods
           favour
           ,
           and
           your
           brethrens
           hearts
           ,
           all
           confederacies
           against
           you
           will
           bee
           broken
           ,
           
           all
           conspiraeies
           come
           to
           nought
           ,
           
             No
             weapon
             that
             is
             formed
             against
             you
             shall
             prosper
             ,
             and
             every
             tongue
             that
             riseth
             up
             against
             you
             shall
             bee
             condemned
             .
          
           But
           should
           they
           ever
           finde
           ,
           (
           which
           God
           forbid
           )
           that
           you
           turne
           out
           of
           the
           right
           way
           of
           VVisdome
           and
           Piety
           ,
           of
           Judgement
           and
           righteousnesse
           ,
           that
           you
           grow
           injurious
           ,
           that
           oppression
           and
           injustice
           should
           bee
           found
           among
           you
           ,
           that
           you
           should
           favour
           evill
           men
           in
           evill
           causes
           ,
           grow
           to
           bee
           self-seekers
           ,
           or
           not
           cordially
           indeavouring
           to
           settle
           Peace
           and
           Religion
           ,
           you
           would
           then
           certainly
           engage
           God
           against
           you
           ,
           and
           lose
           the
           hearts
           of
           your
           brethren
           ,
           and
           you
           will
           be
           undone
           ,
           and
           wee
           shall
           be
           undone
           with
           you
           .
           But
           I
           am
           perswaded
           better
           things
           of
           you
           ,
           and
           such
           things
           as
           become
           a
           Parliament
           of
           
             England
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           a
           Parliament
           thus
           blessed
           and
           magnified
           by
           God
           .
           But
           
             consider
             what
             I
             have
             said
             ,
             and
             the
             Lord
             give
             you
             understanding
             in
             all
             things
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A52050e-430
           
             Introduction
             shewing
             the
             scope
             of
             the
             Chapter
             .
          
           
             Verse
             22.
             
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             14.45
             .
          
           
             The
             Text
             opened
             and
             divided
             .
          
           
             1
             Part
             ,
             what
             the
             Tribe
             of
             
               Issachar
            
             was
             .
          
           
             
               What
               their
               temper
               and
               spirit
               in
               time
               past
               .
            
             
               Gen.
               49.14
               ,
               15
               opened
               and
               explained
               .
            
          
           
             What
             at
             the
             present
             .
          
           
             
               Doct.
            
             1.
             
          
           
             God
             oft
             raiseth
             up
             the
             spirits
             of
             people
             to
             doe
             worthily
             from
             whom
             men
             would
             little
             expect
             it
             .
          
           
             Gen
             4.
             
             Iudges
             6.
             1
             Sam
             9.
             1
             Sam.
             16.
             
          
           
             Amos
             7.14
             .
          
           
             Reasons
             of
             it
             .
             He
             hath
             abundance
             of
             the
             Spirit
             .
          
           
             Application
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             68.11
             .
          
           
             
               The
               second
               and
               chiefe
               thing
               in
               the
               Text
               .
            
             
               Their
               singular
               commendation
               .
            
          
           
             
               Doct.
            
             2.
             
          
           
             It
             is
             a
             singular
             commendation
             to
             know
             the
             times
             in
             reference
             to
             mens
             duties
             .
             This
             Doctrine
             ,
             first
             ,
             explained
             .
          
           
             2ly
             ,
             proved
             .
          
           
             3ly
             ,
             applyed
             .
          
           
             First
             explained
             ,
             there
             is
             a
             fivefold
             knowledge
             of
             the
             times
             .
          
           
             1
             Astrologicall
             .
          
           
             2
             Diabolicall
             .
          
           
             3
             Propheticall
             .
          
           
             Dan.
             2
             ▪
             29.
             
          
           
             Act.
             1.7
             .
          
           
             4
             Historicall
             and
             Astronomicall
             
          
           
             Ier.
             8.
             
          
           
             5
             Theologicall
             ,
             a
             gracious
             and
             practicall
             knowledge
             ,
             which
             is
             here
             meant
             .
          
           
             What
             this
             practicall
             knowledge
             of
             the
             times
             is
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             This
             Doctrine
             proved
             .
          
           
             ●
             .
             The
             Scripture
             calls
             this
             wisedome
             .
          
           
             Ephes.
             5.15
             ,
             16.
             opened
             and
             explained
             .
          
           
             Ecles.
             8.1
             .
             to
             6.
             opened
             ▪
             
          
           
             Deut.
             32.19
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             90.12
             .
          
           
             Ester
             1.13
             .
          
           
             Esay
             28.16
             .
          
           
             Exod.
             36.
             
          
           
             What
             wisedome
             is
             ▪
             
          
           
             Jer.
             8.6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             Matth.
             16.1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Luke
             19.41.44
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             24.
             
             Luke
             17.
             
          
           
             The
             right
             understanding
             of
             the
             times
             opened
             out
             of
             the
             Scripture
             in
             6.
             
             Conclusions
             .
          
           
             
               Conclus
               .
            
             1.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             21.19
             .
          
           
             Ephes.
             5.16
             .
             Col.
             4.5
             .
          
           
             
               Conclus
               .
            
             2.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             3.1
             ,
             2
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Matth.
             6
             ▪
             
          
           
             
               Conclus
               .
            
             3.
             
          
           
             Esay
             26.
             
             Psal.
             106.3
             .
             Psal.
             62.81.119.20
             .
          
           
             
               Conclus
               .
            
             4.
             
          
           
             
               Conclus
               .
            
             5.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             19.7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             3.21
             ,
             22
             ,
             23.
             
          
           
             Esay
             30.21
             .
          
           
             
               Conclus
               .
            
             6.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             6.2
             .
          
           
             Psal
             1.3
             .
          
           
             Eccles.
             3.11
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             25.11
             .
             Prov.
             15.23
             .
          
           
             Eccles.
             8.6
             .
             opened
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             12.17
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             25.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             10.2
             .
             opened
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             17.16
             .
             opened
             .
          
           
             Dan.
             12.10
             .
          
           
             Application
             in
             two
             Uses
             .
          
           
             
               Vse
            
             1.
             
             Humiliation
             .
          
           
             1
             In
             generall
             to
             all
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             More
             particularly
             to
             the
             Parliament
             .
          
           
             
               Vse
            
             2.
             
          
           
             Exhortation
             .
             1.
             
             In
             generall
             to
             all
             ,
             to
             indeavour
             after
             this
             wisedome
             .
          
           
             ●
             Thes.
             5.1
             .
          
           
             Motives
             thereto
             .
          
           
             2
             In
             particular
             to
             the
             Honorable
             Members
             of
             this
             House
             .
          
           
             Daniel
             2
             ▪
             
          
           
             The
             face
             of
             our
             present
             times
             represented
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             in
             generall
             ,
             full
             of
             changes
             .
             Joel
             1.2
             .
          
           
             Eccles.
             1.6
             .
          
           
             Zach.
             14.6
             ,
             7.
             
          
           
             Psalm
             107.43
             .
          
           
             2
             More
             particularly
             our
             times
             are
             opened
             in
             7
             Particulars
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Our
             times
             are
             times
             of
             prodigious
             wickednes
             in
             mens
             conversations
             .
          
           
             Ezekiel
             9.
             
          
           
             Ephes.
             5.15
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             12.4
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Our
             times
             are
             times
             of
             errors
             ,
             heresies
             ,
             and
             blasphemies
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             13.
             
             Deut.
             17.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             Our
             times
             are
             times
             of
             wrath
             ▪
             
          
           
             Amos
             18.
             
          
           
             2
             S●m
             .
             21.1
             .
          
           
             2
             Kings
             22.13
             .
             Ionah
             3.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             Our
             times
             are
             times
             of
             warre
             .
          
           
             Ezek.
             21.10
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             23.9
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             Our
             times
             are
             times
             of
             divisions
             .
          
           
             2
             Chron.
             20.
             
          
           
             6.
             
             Our
             times
             are
             times
             of
             Reformation
             .
          
           
             1
             Chron.
             29.
             
          
           
             1
             Kings
             5.
             2
             Chron.
             17.7
             .
             Nehemiah
             8.
             2
             Chron
             31.
             
          
           
             Nehemiah
             13.11
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             Our
             times
             are
             times
             of
             deliverances
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             126.1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             Psal
             50.14
             .
             Psal.
             66.13
             ,
             14
             Eccles.
             5.4
             .
          
           
             Third
             part
             of
             the
             Text
             ,
             The
             interest
             these
             ●
             Leaders
             had
             in
             their
             brethren
             .
          
           
             
               Doct.
            
             3.
             
          
           
             Deut.
             13.
             
             ●
             .
          
           
             Iob
             29
             ▪
             ●
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             18.16
             .
             1
             Kings
             3.28
             .
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             23.3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             4.13
             .
          
           
             
               Vse
               .
            
             Of
             Exhortation
             .
          
           
             Esay
             54.17
             .