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THE NINTH PLOT OF THE DEVIL AGAINST THE CHURCH.

the shot of a pot-gun, a dintless dart, and an un- will nor Balaam his wages. God overules the successful thrust in the issue-no weapon formed devil and his spelman, turns the desired curse into against the church shall prosper. Isaiah liv. 17. a devout blessing: gladly would Balaam have cursThe divine promise did blunt the point and spoiled Israel, but he cannot wag his wicked tongue the purpose of all both human and diabolical pro- without God's leave, nor Balak with his men of jects; yea, of this last, which was the worst of all, might find their hands without divine permission. the last bite of dying beasts are most deadly; no (Psalm 1xxvi. 5.) Yea, Balaam's heart cursed less was this last of the serpent to interrupt the against his tongue, and his tongue blessed against church in her passage out of the wilderness to his heart. As the church then had a Balaam to Canaan. Take a particular view of two things- curse her, and a Balak to hire him thereunto, even 1st, of the church's danger, and 2dly, of the so it is now; (Gal. iv. 29.) There is no new thing church's deliverance. God requires a due com- under the sun,' &c. (Eccl. i. 9.) The present memoration hereof, (Micah vi. 5,) where he saith, church of the reformed religion hath the great 'Oh, my people, remember now what Balak, king Balaam of Rome to curse her with bell, book and of Moab, consulted; and what Balaam, the son of candle.' He is the devil's spelman, (Primo genitus Beor, answered from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye diaboli,) the gull and cheat of the world, to whom may know the righteousness of the Lord.' The the Balaks, or kings, (that have given their power compellation (Oh, my people,') doth plainly de- to the beast, Rev. xvii. 13,) say, whom thou monstrate that the sinfulness of God's people doth blesseth shall be blessed, and whom thou curseth not destroy God's claim to and interest in them. shall be cursed.' (Num. xxii. 6.) Whereas the They are his by creation, by redemption, and by power given to man for blessing or cursing others the covenant of grace. 'Tis true, that by the old is not despotical or majisterial, but only ministerial. covenant of works God might write Lo-Ammi and The great man of Rome is like Balaam, a mad proLo-Ruhamah upon his sinful church; but the free- phet' sitting in the temple of God.' (2 Thess. ii. 4.) grace of this new covenant rides triumphingly over Yea, a soothsayer, a sorcerer, a necromancer, a all the incapacities and unworthiness of his people; conjuror; so he is the devil's prophet; and 'tis very and when they are not (in themselves) worthy, remarkable, the devil hath done more mischief to yet their gracious God will account them worthy,' the church of God in his 'transforming himself (Luke xxi. 36,) when he cannot own them (as his into an angel of light,' than ever he could do in his jewels) Mal. iii. 17, for their sakes, yet then will he own proper colors as the prince of darkness. Hence own them for his own sake. Ezek. xxxvi. 22, 32. the pope, that false prophet and Christ's pretended No love like God's love, that loves thus freely: vicegerent, hath given more bloody blows to the Hosea xiv. 4; though all the world disclaim them reformed religion, (in its power and purity) than yet must God lay his claim to them, 'Oh, my peo- ever the Turk hath done. And 'tis also very reple; how can he disclaim them; so he tells us in markable, that though Balaam cannot curse Israel, his four such hows as are not to be paralleled in the yet he curseth Amalek, the first; and Rome, their book of God. Hosea xi. 8. How shall I give thee last enemy. (Num xxiv. 20, 24.) [By Rome he up Ephraim, &c., I cannot find in my heart to do understands Chittim.] And as sure as that of Amit-what will the Egyptians say, (Exodus xxxii. 12,) alek is come to pass so sure shall that of Rome be and what will become of my great name? Josh. vii.-God's hand is upon his throne to accomplish 9. The very banks of blasphemy will be broken both in Christ; (2 Cor. i. 20,) and by him (2 Thess. down when God cannot behold innocency in his ii. 8.) For he also shall perish for ever, (Num. people, as before, yet will he prevent the insolency xxiv. 24,) or shall go into perdition,' (2 Thess. ii. of their enemies. Deut. xxxii. 27, and Psalm cxl. 7, 8, 9,) that 'he might go to his own place;' (Num. 8. As the church in the wilderness had a Balak xxiv. 25,) that is to hell, as Judas did." (Acts i. 25.)" and a Balaam against her, so the church evermore in her wilderness-state hath force and fraud against Let this then suffice to show the kind of her. But God delivered the church out of their marrow of divine truth in those days in which hands, Josh. xxiv. 10, and brought her from Shit- Ness witnessed, and which may serve as a tim (the place of their sin of Baal-peor,) to Gilgal," pot of that manna" wherewith the church where he renewed his covenant with them. Thus Rome, at this day, seeks the ruin of the reformed was fed in those troublous times. religion, and 'devises deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.' Psalm xxxv. 20. Balak hires Balaam (the devil's spelman) to curse Israel. "Tis said, 'God put a word in Balaam's mouth,' (Num. xxiii. 5.) A phrase never used concerning the inspiring of any of the holy prophets, which word did but pass through him as a trunk through which a man speaks, his heart was not holily affected with what his tongue uttered; he did not eat his words as Jeremy did; (Jer. xv, 16,) nor did he believe what he had spoken as David did; (Psalm cxvi. 10.) and after him Paul. (2 Cor. iv. 13.) But as he was called a Prophet,' (2 Peter ii. 16.) so also a sooth-sayer,' (Josh. xiii. 22.) he using enchantments as the divines and prophets of the heathen did. (Deut. xviii. 10, 14. and Numbers xxiv. 1.

"Thus satan makes use of the meetest means to accomplish his own devilish ends, and makes Balaam to do more mischief to the church by his counsel than Balak could do by his courage. He layed

a stumbling-block before Israel; (Rev. ii. 14.) He ran greedily,' (Jude 11,) from altar to altar, gaping after the gain promised. Thus Balaam's march to marr the church was furious as Jehu's, so that neither God's prohibition before his journey, nor the crushing of his foot, the speaking of his ass, the drawn sword of the angel in his journey, nor the disappointment of all his endeavours by his enchantments afterwards, could hinder him from pursuing his cursed, cursing project; yet God made all fruitless and frustrate; neither had Balak his

So now, for a few words on the “SCRIPhas been appended to that "Sermon by Dr. TURE PROPHECY," of the same author, which Owen," of which some notice was given in the VESSEL for last month. This brief view of the state of the church during the "times of the Gentiles," and continuing onwards during the "Millenial age," is drawn from the Apocalyptic vision, and is a continuous prophecy of the church's progress through all times after Christ to his second coming-as that of Daniel was before Christ unto his first coming; on both which books he gives a conspicuous comment; but concerning which we can only make a very few remarks, seeing we have already occupied so much space in noticing the main part of his work going before this prophecy, with which he concludes the whole.

Ness says little or nothing of the first part of the Apostle's vision; and as might have been supposed, corresponding with all his coajutors in those days, shows that he has no apprehension of the structure of the book, while yet his spiritual vision and apprehension

THE NINTH PLOT OF THE DEVIL AGAINST THE CHURCH.

135

is, upon the pope's footstool, his stigmatised slaves or branded vassals. This made them sick of the devil's disease-to wit, malice and rage at the Reformation."

of many of its parts is very considerable, and in particular as to what relates exclusively to the church, in contra-distinction to what belongs to the kingdoms of the world, in the prophecy. Thus, we find him to almost en- "The second upon the sea-that is, on the tirely pass over the first nine chapters; which popish councils; especially that of Trent. contain, amongst other things, the first six The third upon their rivers, their brackish seals and the first six trumpets, and to come clergy, which corrupt the see of Rome; esat once to notice the seventh trumpet in chap-pecially the Jesuits, who have "blood given ter 10; and which he says contains the them to drink, (by the law of nations), for seven vials, although he should have said, they are worthy. Rev. xvi. 2, 3, 4, 6. The that the seventh trumpet contains seven thun- fourth upon the sun, the house of Austria, ders, as the seventh seal contains seven vials. the great luminary of the Romish firmament; He further supposes the seven vials to refer which, being incorporated with Spain, hath to events occuring at the time of the Reforma- given light and sustentation to the tottering tion, (see pages 33-35 of " Predicted Events kingdom of the beast; and not only so, but Coming upon the Nations of the Earth,") and hath by the Indies' treasure aspired after the onwards to his own time, in so far as he con- fifth or absolute monarchy; as France doth sidered the vials to have then been poured now; but that word of God, there must be out; and which application of the vials, in a ten horns,' waylays them, so that one horn more limited and inner court view of the sub- cannot lick up the nine. And who cannot ject, we do not wholly reject; although it is but wonder to behold how much the splendor manifest from a more enlarged view of the of that luminary is now eclipsed by an insubject, as applied to the kingdoms of the terposition? how the legs whereon the image world and to the church likewise in its king-of Babel (or Babylonish beast) standeth, do dom-state and form, that the first six seals and the first six trumpets, each run on till the end of the papal period of 1260 years, from 533 to 1792-3; when at length the seventh trumpet sounds, (Rev. x.) and the seventh seal opens; (Rev. viii.) and consequently not till then the seven vials properly begin to run their course, and with which the seven thunders correspond. Nevertheless, as this interpretation belongs to an understanding of the complete structure of the Apocalypse in all its parts, and which was not apprehended in former times, and indeed is but known to a few in our time, we shall not enter further into the subject at present, but simply remark that in Ness's view of the matter, according to the light given unto him, he makes many original and beautiful remarks, even exceeding those of his contemporaries on that subject, and notices some singular parallelisms between the vials and trumpets in the course of his argument. He begins by saying, "that the church of God is always under some special prophecy, promise or providence; and therefore her state is steadfast and immoveable as the mountains of brass; (Zech. vi. 1.) neither men nor devils can remove her; (Psalm cxxv. 1, 2.) Such is Christ's compassion for his church and chosen, that in the worst of times he leaves her not comfortless,' (John xiv. 18.) but secures her from swooning with sovereign cordials. (Rev. vi. 10; viii. 3.)" Again, "As the former plagues destroyed the dragon and Rome heathen (Rev. xii.) so those latter plagues shall destroy the double beast that rises out of the ruins of the dragon-to wit, Rome anti-christian. (Rev. xvi, Yet his fall shall be gradual as his ris-it, had not his soldiers been restrained by an ing." (see page 34.) Again, "Herein the series and order of the vials is very observable. The first is poured out upon the earth; that

now clash and knock one against another,
insomuch that the Christian (of France)
hath got the Catholic (of Spain) under his
girdle and at his devotion? Yea, the
Austrian eagle begins to truckle under him,
so that the kingdom of the beast is darkened
with a Scottish mist. Rev. xvi. 8-10. This
makes them 'gnaw their tongues, blas
pheming,' as Faux did, when taken, saying,
it was not God, but the devil, that brought
to light and to nought their powder treason.
When the fifth vial is poured out upon the
throne of the beast, (which the dragon
hath given him,' Rev. xiii. 2), this can be
no other than Rome; for here Christ speaks
without a parable, that then it may be con-
spicuous to every common eye which of the
vials are past, and which to come; and what
vial we now live under is doubtful; yet this
is beyond doubt that as the fifth trumpet
placed Antichrist on his usurped throne,-
Rev. ix. 1, with the key of the bottomless
pit at his girdle, so the fifth vial dethrones
him, though not destroys him; for the beast
is reserved for a worse ruin after his throne
(Rome) be ruined-chapters xvii, and xviii.
Ò, that God would put it into the hearts of
some of those ten kings to loathe her and
burn her for an old stinking bawd, as is pro-
phecied of her, Rev. xvii. 16. It is now
become a great brothel-house, having this
brand:

"Vile Rome, adieu! I did thee view,
But hence no more will see,
Till pimp, or punk, or jade, or spade,
I do resolve to be.

"Charles V. took it, and would have burnt

overruling hand, because God's time was not then come,' in the fifteenth century. Her iniquity was not then full,'

Louis

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THE NINTH PLOT OF THE DEVIL AGAINST THE CHURCH.

XII., of France, being excommunicated by varied experiences of the church throughout Pope Julius II., bid defiance to his holiness, all ages, from its beginning unto its final and coined money with this inscription, I continuation in glory; and which no other will destroy Babylon.' How far this pre-writer, that we have any knowledge of, has sent French king-Louis XIV.-God may given for the instruction of the saints up to put it into his heart to go, we yet know not; our time. Therefore, we are greatly of but this martial French king stands fairest opinion, that its republication at this time will of all the ten horns in our day to do to Rome prove a boon to such as are spiritually minded, what Attilas, that scourge of the world, did. when, if "knowledge runs to and fro" in a "The sixth vial brings in conversion to the carnal kind, there is a manifest poverty of Jews as soon as the fifth vial doth bring in thought, and lack of enlarged vision of mind confusion to the popelings; for the call of in the spirit to embrace the word of truth in the Jews cannot be till Antichrist's sect is all its fulness, among both preachers and destroyed; for nothing doth stumble that writers of these days, so as to warn the poor people at Christianity more than the church of things that are coming upon the idolatry of those mock-christians, the Ro- earth, and to prepare her for the approaching manists, whom the very Turks, for their conflict among the nations of the world. image-worship, call idolators, and therefore abhor them for their breach of the second commandment." Pages 34-36.

But we cannot resist giving the concluding words of our author on the subject,

He who was the Alpha to confound the first plot, (Gen. iii.,) will be the Omega to conquer the last. (Rev. xxii, 13), 2ndly, the kings of the earth, that gave their power to the beast, shall bring their glory to the church. Rev. xvii. 13, and chap. xxi, 24, 3rdly, the bride's feast and felicity shall be either in heaven, (as Piscator,) or on earth, (as Alstead), or in both, as Perkins says. It is good in either place; refer that to God; making a common and constant cry, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly, to accomplish all that is unaccomplished.' 1 Thess. i. 10; Rev. xxii. 20, 21." Page 40,

"As we are not to expect any new revelaNess has besides some curious remarks on tion, no more than any new gospel; so we the sixth vial, in which he saith," Christ ought only to believe and pray for the accomhath the eastern Antichrist (the Turk) to plishment of all that is revealed; being astread down;" but some think that the west-sured from truth itself-Rev. i. 5-that 1st, ern Antichrist upon the ruin of Rome by the fifth vial shall run to the eastern Antichrist (the Turk) for succour; and Gog, the pope, or covert enemy of Christ, shall join with Magog, the Turk, or the overt, or open cnemy, as the two names do signify; there fore, the sixth vial is poured out upon the Euphrates, or Turkish empire, to dry it up so far that another army of new Christians (the converted Jews) may make war against the beast also. [From this we see that there were some then, as in all ages of the church, who studied the prophecies, and gave forth their thoughts upon the subject.] Their conversion is hindered by a double bar-1st, the pope's idolatry; and 2ndly, the Turk's insolency. Now, as the fifth trumpet brought on the former bar, so the fifth vial takes it off; and as the sixth trumpet set on the latter bar, by loosing the Turk from Euphrates,-Rev. ix. 14,- so the sixth vial carries it off, by drying up his Euphrates, or empire, that the way of the Jews may be open to Christianity, to Canaan, and to the battle of Armageddon." Page 37.

He also puts forth some further ideas concerning the calling and conversion of the Jews, which are well worth attention, and particularly some highly spiritual thoughts respecting the coming marriage of Christ with his bride, the church, both Jewish and Gentile, are exceedingly beautiful; and which will greatly repay perusing. Pages 38-40.

And, finally, altogether, concerning this prophecy, we certainly consider the ideas of Christopher Ness in the work in review, to have been much in advance of the age in which he lived; that they are original, and take in a wide and comprehensive view of truth, both in his church's history and in this Scripture prophecy; setting forth the

[Thus far has the author of "The Coming Time of Trouble" written by way of review on Christopher Ness. The volume to which he refers, is scarce; we never could find but one copy all England over. It comprises 512 pages, in 34 chapters. It might be published in twelve two-penny numbers, in beautiful type, large and good paper, but we are too heavily-laden to do it on our own responsibility. Should this meet the eye of one zealous in the defence of truth, having means at hand, we say to such an one, step forward now, give us a little encouragement; and by God's help, the churches in Christendom shall soon have in their possession old Ness's "NARRATIVE OF THE DEVIL'S PLOTS AGAINST THE CHURCH: AND GOD'S DEFEATS OF THE FOE."-ED.]

Believers should ply their oars lovingly one way, and not fall a scuffling together in Christ's boat.

[ 137 ]

Memorials of Departed Saints.

THE DEATH OF JOHN WADE, appears to have been deeply felt by many in

66

OF UPPINGHAM.

THAT venerable and useful saint of God, John Wade, finished his earthly course, and was called to his heavenly rest, on Friday morning, April 28th. His death was sudden and unexpected to all, except himself, who was daily ready to "depart, and be with Christ, which is far better." He was watching for his Lord's coming, or for his calling him home, day by day; and for these last two years and a-half, during which I have known him, this seems to have been his daily experience and conduct without intermission. Praying always, with all prayer and supplication," was strictly exemplified in him; and when in darkness, desertion, and temptation, which was very often, he would then pray the most, Zion lay near his heart; her prosperity, the peace of Jerusalem, and the Lord's presence and blessing for the minister, were the burden of his public prayers. Except sickness prevented him, as it did some few times, he always commenced our prayer meetings, after singing, with a solemn, devout and fervent prayer; and never refused when called upon to engage, whatever his state of mind might be. Would it not be well for all who engage at our various prayer meetings to take pattern from our dear brother on this point? Once in the week, for the most part, but sometimes twice or thrice, he would visit the minister for the purpose of private prayer for a blessing upon his studies and labours. Perhaps there are not many deacons enabled so to do; but this he did, and was so employed with the minister only about fourteen hours before his death. After a few hours' illness, without speaking ten words, and seemingly with little pain, he died, and entered into the joy of his Lord. On the Fast Day, during the evening service, he gave out these three remarkable hymns-412, 471, and 474, in Gadsby's Selection. The first begins, "What cheering words are these!

Their sweetness who can tell?
In time, and to eternal days,
'Tis with the righteous well."
The second, before sermon:
"Prepare me, gracious God,

To stand before thy face;
Thy Spirit must the work perform,
For it is all of grace."

The third, and last he gave out on earth,
"When I can read my title clear,

To mansions in the skies,
I bid farewell to every fear,
And wipe my weeping eyes."
The last verse of the last hymn,
"There shall I bathe my weary soul,
In seas of heavenly rest,
And not a wave of trouble roll
Across my peaceful breast,"

the chapel; it was given out with such emotion and fervency by our lamented brother, and to himself it was indeed a foretaste of that bliss, which in a few hours afterwards he doubtless realised to the full enjoyment of his justified spirit made perfect.

It would be quite superfluous for me to say anything respecting his Christian course and pilgrimage in general, and his life of suffering with, and faith in Jesus Christ, which were profound and deep, as his various writings testify, which have been long before the church.

As for the change that had evidently taken place in some of his sentiments, (which we as a church and minister could neither see with him in, nor approve of; but were enabled to walk together in peace through mutual forbearance), yet he always remained the same Christian in experience, as is recorded in his writings before this change took place; and even the deviation from some of his former sentiments the Lord has evidently overruled for the good of his church and people. If I may offer an opinion from personal acquaint ance and careful observation, I think the alteration was neither so great as has been represented, nor as he himself might sometimes express in the warmth of conversation. However, I will leave the reader to judge for himself, from the following extract from Bethesda's church articles, which were compiled by brother Wade a short time before his death. It is as follows: "Such is the awful state of alienation and enmity of the human heart, that not a single soul would ever be willing to come to Christ without the special act of mercy and power put forth in effectual calling by the Holy Ghost, according to the good pleasure of his will,' according to his own purposes and grace, which he hath purposed in himself, to the praise of the glory of his grace. In such a state are the objects of his special love and mercy, who are by nature the children of wrath, even as others, and can only be known as the fruits and effects of the Holy Ghost are made manifest in effectual calling. These are said to be hid in God, and are made known to the church, according to the eternal purpose of God, which he purposed in Christ before the foundation of the world. They are chosen and blessed with all spiritual blessings, accepted and complete in him; they are called 'a peculiar people,' a chosen generation, a royal priesthood,' the election of ""&c. grace,

Though I have been desired by the surviving relations not to say much of the man, I feel it as a matter of common duty and respect to our departed brother, to state a few facts, which ought not to be hid from the church at large.

If he was not by nature so attractive and liberal as some, yet through grace he became exceedingly so; and in this respect he, being

This also was the practice of our departed friend and brother Wood as long as he had strength of body given to him; he had a large family to maintain by his industry, and to preach the gospel to the poor, who had small means for his assistance, although they felt a pleasure to do what they could to the last and brother Figg (of Redbourn) to bury him, and to preach his funeral sermon. Mr. Figg had engaged to preach in the country, there fore I was requested by the Church to perform that duty for them, between the morning and afternoon services, on which occasion the dear Lord was present, not to bless me alone, but

breath. The dear old saint wished our friend

DEATH OF THOMAS WOOD, many more; I think it might be said at that