`I'heflpproach o. fthe 9odof `l'2ecompences. 2- S 7 evidentthatit Romebath beer;, and now is, the Antichriff; fo that the fecoud fign being fulfilled, the end cannot be far. The third isthe general departure of themoft from the Faith. Therebath been a general departure in former times : when Arritts fpread his heretics, almofl ad the whole world became an Arrian: and for the (pace of 500 years together, from the time of Boneface; the worldwas fo infefted with Popish heretics, that the faith of Chrift could fcárcely be difcerned they were as a handful ofwheat to a great deal of chaff; fo that this' fign it is already fulfilled in part but there shall al way be-a falling away, and a departing from the faith till Chrift cometo judgement. The fourth figs ftands,in exceeding great corruption in the inanners ofmen. And the Apoftle makes this a fign ofChrtils laft coming to judgement, i Tim. S. This know, that in the laji dayes perilloÑstimes (hail came, men/hall be levers ofthemfilves, covetous, boaflers, proud, blafbersters, difobed:ent toparents, unholy, without natural 6,1,p-lion, truce-breakers, falfe accufers, incontinent, fierce, deffifrs ofthole that are 000d, traitors , beady, high_minded, lovers of j>leafures , More than lovers of God. TheApofilemakes this a fign and mark,that (hall be in the Taft dayes. Beloved, if ever this were fulfilled in theft dayes ofours : for there is a general corruption in the mannersofmen. It is very hard to find thole that Mall truthand fincerity, la- bour todifcharge agoodconference towards Godand men. AndChrift bath laid himfelf, that whenhe comes to judgement, he find fearerfindfaith on earth; loch a general corruption there shall be in the manners ofmen : fo that this fourth fign being already paft, the end cannot be fare . The filch fign is exceeding great perfecution, and aflliCtionof the Church, and the Saints ofGod. This bath been fulfilled in former times. Youknow there were ten fearfulperfecutions in the Primitive - Church. And fo it isfulfilled even in there dayes of ours : for the Whore ofBabylon, that fpotted beafi, fhe laboàreth to make her felf drunk with the blood ofGods Saints. There are but few years, nay, áìonths,or weeks,w herein fome of the blood ofGods Saints is not facrificed to ap- pealethe wrathof the Perfecutors. Thenifin theft dayes, this fignbe fulfilled; the end cannot be far. The firth is a general fecurity, fo that men will not be moved, neither with the 6. General ' preaching of the word ofGod ; nor yet with judgements from heaven: theyhave fecuruuy fuch exceeding dulnefs and deadnefs ofheart, that neither of theft will move them. For the former, you know God bath lent ,many judgements atn'ongft ds ; we have had fire,and famine,andpeftilence,andinvafon offorreign enemies', inundation of waters, thunder and lightning from heaven ; but all thefe will not 'work upon our hearts. The Lordhe bath fcourged usoft, but yet we fat light by his corretti- ons, we harden our hearts againft all his judgements, our hearts will not be fofined, and mollified ; what efiehl bath all thefe wrought,where is ourhumiliation, our re- pentance, and reformation. And for thepreaching of the wordofGod, alas that can get no entrance at all :. mens hearts are fo crafty, and fo hardned, that the feed ofGods word itlies unco- vered, it takes no root at all in the heart ; it works no reformation at all: fo that ifever this fign were fulfilled,it is in thefe dayes. It (hall be faithChrift, ((peaking of the general fecuritythat (hallbe, when he comes to judgement) as in the dayes ofNoahand ofLot, they were eating anddrinking, andmarrying, andgiving in mar- riage, till the fire came from heaven and burned them, and the water over flówed the world : fo that this fixt fign being pafi,the end cannot be far. . . The fcventh and laft fign of Chrifls coming to judgement, is the calling of the 7. Calling of Jews, which the Apoftle, Rom. si. as. calls the fulfilling of the Gentiles. When the Jews. God bath the number of his Elea among the Gentiles, then the Jewes !hall be called again : but of the time , and the manner, and number, the word of God doth not reveal it: fo that it is likely thisfigs is yet tocome,all the refs are fulfilled; and therefore theend cannot be far. The feet* fort of figns, are loch as are immediately before Chrifts comind'to a. Signs im- udgément and that in hedarlíhefs ofthe Sun, Moon, and Stars, Th "e Sun a bi mcdiatcly be- L darkned, coming. ;,General dc- (panure from the f.ich. 4. Gonna sinn in manners. 2. Tim. ;. Perfecutien of ncu Church.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=