Page:Saints' duty in evil times (1).pdf/4

 writer’s ink-horn by his side, to set a mark upon the fore-heads of them that sigh and cry, for all the abominations that be done in the earth,” and commands his men, with the slaughtering weapons in their hands, to go after, “And smite, and not spare nor pity, but to slay utterly, old and young, both maids, little children and women; but not to come near these upon whom the mark is set.”

Now the Lord hath men prepared with slaughtering weapons in their hands to kill a sacrifice at Bozrah in Scotland, of prelates and malignants, and of backsliding ministers and professors; he is coming to be avenged on that cursed throne, and the supporters thereof, for the cruelty done against him, and of ministers and professors, for their heinous treachery towards him; and this is his commission, and our charge unto you, to invite and to call you, and all that will give ear unto this rock of ages, for your shelter, unto the chambers of his presence and protection, where ye shall be saved I with delight. “O come my people,” in which words, ye have, First, an invitation ‘come.” Secondly, The persons invited, or the determination, thereof, “my people.” Thirdly, That which they are invited unto, The chamber of the Lord’s protection and presence, where unto he invites them to, “enter.” Fourthly, Their carriage, and that which, they are to do there, “Shut thy doors about thee, and hide thyself, as it were, for a little moment.” Fifthly, The safety of these chambers, being an hiding-place, “until the indignation be over past;” or rather, the determination of the continuance of their hiding, “until the indignation be over past.”

As to the first, The invitation, “Come, O come,” a homely word indeed; this is no less than, “Behold me! behold me!” Here is enough to give, and here is willingness to give, only come, only receive, only take, and ye shall not want. But