English Reader The most Necessary of all which to know are These c et caetera and the rest or and so forth Sc scilicet to wit Viz Videlicet to wit or that is to say i e id est that is e g exempli gratiâ as for example q d quasi dicat as if he should say And the same q d serves for as if She should say as if You should say as if They should say as if I or We should say It is easily understood in Reading N B Nota Bene Mark this well O T Old Testament N T New Testament Q Question A Answer Ob Objection Sol Solution D Doctrine R Reason U Use For you to Learn these Lessons Three As easie is as A B C. Which you may Learn with little Leasure Then Read with Knowledge Profit Pleasure As for Hebrew Greek and Latine Words which I lay in your Way they will be no Stumbling-block except you will Make them so For you have it in English which you may Read on without Stumble or Stop And I desire you may So Read as to Reap much Good Fruit by the Labour of Your Loving Friend J W. London May 26. 1681. The General Contents of the First Dialogue A Salutation and Preambulation to the Education of Children Parents equally concern'd in Education Education reduced to two General Heads viz. Instruction and Correction First Instruction The word opened 1 Gen. Head Instruction by Doctrine and Example 1 By Doctrine The word Doctrine opened What D to instruct Children in Twenty Documents for Instruction by D. The Scripture to be Searched for more Any thing in the Bible Vseful even the words of wicked men Devils Proper Names 2 Instruction by Example Word opened Example by Works and Words Circumstances of Education Seven Direction if Children Will or Will not hear The Parent Corrected for Carnal Language The Second General Head viz. Correction 2 Gen. Head Correction twofold viz. with Word and Rod. 1 Correction with Word Six Directions for Word Correction 2 Correction with the Rod Scriptural Account of Rod fourfold The Parallel of Rod and Staff Seven Directions for Rod Correction Fourteen Ob against Rod Correction Answ Two ways great wasters of Time and many more wicked ways Witnessed against Advice of a Civil Secular Concern delivered in 12. Documents The danger of Riches discoursed Counsel concerning Childrens Children PRAYER for a Blessing on Education Prayer For and With Children 1 Prayer For them in Private Ten great effects of Prayer consider'd to encourage to Prayer Time and Times in a day for Private Prayers 2 Prayer With Children in Family Ten directions for Family Duty Objections against Family Duty Answ Parents to take their Children into their Closets and Pray with them there Parents to teach Children to Pray Objections against that Answer'd Parents to procure the Prayers of Praying Persons for their Children Ten Corollaries to quicken Parents to their Whole Duty contained in this Conference THE PARENTS PRIMER AND THE MOTHERS LOOKING-GLASSE In a Dialogue between A MINISTER and a FATHER Minister GOd Save you Sir with your good Wife Whither are you walking this way this morning Father To See Mr. C. What News Sir Min. News I said in my heart what I should have When will this Common Question be out of use Since the Popes Plot appeared the Protestants have spent more Time in Talking of it than All the Papists in England are worth And you living so near us are like our London Christians and they Too like the Athenians who spent their time in Nothing else but to Tell or to Hear some New Thing And if there be no New we talk over the Old without End And every Day is alike If this was the way to do our work viz Self-Examination Humiliation and Reformation for the Sins that provoke God to suffer this Bloody Beast thus to Push at us I would not Oppose it But it 's the way to Hinder Every good work in Heart and Life And to render us Ridiculous to the DEVIL and the POPE to see what a Talking Trade we drive and how we spend our Dayes while Death lies at our Doors Fath. I confess we spend Too much Time that way Min. Confession without Reformation Preambulation is to Poor Purpose Are these two little Lads which follow you Your Children Fath. Yes they are both mine Min. Can you tell me any Good News of Them Fath. They are Pretty good Boys when they Please Min. They had need be made Better to which end I pray what Good Discourse have you had with them by the way for you are now come a Mile from Home Fath. OH HO I have told them the name of yonder Church Steeple And of That I point at with my Cane And of yonder High Brick House with abundance of Chimneys Min. And is this the Best Discourse you have had Fath. The Best yes truly What Discourse should a man have with Children Min. What Discourse Godly Discourse Fath. What with Children Min. Yes with Children to Choose Fath. What Reason is there for That Min. There is Great Reason for it which I shall not Now Render but one thing I shall Render which is Greater than Reason Fath. What is that I pray Min. God's Solemn Command And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine Heart Deu. 6.6 7. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine House and when thou walkest by the Way and when thou liest Down and when thou risest Vp Fath. I believe Few Fathers or Mothers do so Min. In that you believe Truth but it 's Sad Truth to believe yet Too True I may well say For of othis I have made Much Observation for Many Years in Many Countries in Professing Families without number After all which Observation I may say with Solomon There is an evil which I have seen under the Sun Ecl. 6.1 and it is Common among men Such men have Many a Day been to me an Amazing Consideration viz That ever Persons professing Faith in gods Word of Truth which testifieth the Misery of ALL Mankind that their Children are in a Sad Condition is one part of their Profession who have been Sensible of their Own Misery and Instruments to bring Poor Children into a Miserable World in a Miserable Condition and yet so Careless to bring them Out of this Condition And so little concerned for a Safe passage Out of this World over Hell to the desired Haven Ezek. 19.14 this is a Lamentation and Shall be for a Lamentation Fath. But some Count that this Command was given to the Jews only Min. Read and Compare these two Texts * Deut. 4.10 Ch. 6.7 and you will see it is the Moral Law or Ten Commandments that Parents are Commanded to teach their Children To say This Law belongs to the Jews only is plainly to say We Gentiles are Lawlesse And may
ready at his Back to try his work So let a Christian have the Law not only in his Heart and Head but also under his Eye in the Bible that standing Rule that Sure word more to be regarded than what is spoken with an audible voice out of Heaven †2 Pet. 2.18 19. The commandment is a Lamp and the law is Light * Pro. 6.23 Simile the Sun is not more necessary by Day nor the Moon by Night nor a Candle in a Coal-pit or dark Dungeon than the Law without which the world would be a Hell Dr Luther 2 They are ruled by the law written in their hearts How shall we know whether these Persons pretences are pure To the Law if they speak not according to this WORD be they men or Devils or Angels there is no Light in them Heb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no morning Junius nulla lucis scintilla not a spark of light †Isa 8.20 N B. There is an Outward law written in the Bible and an Inward law written in a true Christians Heart the Outward law is the rule of Life not the Inward for the outward is Perfect the inward Imperfect The outward law is to Rule the inward and the inward is to be Ruled by the outward That the law is written in the Heart that loves it not as written in the Bible I utterly Deny Apage if the heart be not on the Law the law is not on the Heart 3 They are acted by a principle of love As if a Person should professe to love his Prince beyond him who in All points punctually obeys his Princes laws yet will not this person regard his Princes laws for his Love forsooth must be his Supream Law Whether this person have any love to his Prince or no I will not determine but this is certain his Prince hath one Singular Self-conceited Subject A piece of Pride to whom he may say Love me and love my law They that love God love his law as saith the man after Gods own heart O how love I thy law * Psal 119.97 there is NO more Lord-lovers than law-lovers Some professe love who have none some deny it who have it how shall we know who loves Christ this critical Question Christ himself resolves He that hath my commandments and keepeth them He it is that loveth me †Joh. 14.21 4 They are led by the Spirit of God How shall a man know he is led by the Spirit of God but by the Word of God i e as it leads him according to the Word Beleeve not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God * 1 Joh. 4.1 We must try the spirits by the Word and not the word by the spirits 5 They delight to do the will of God How shall a man know the Will of God but by the Word of God and how shall a man delight in the Will of God without delight in the Word of God if a man delight not in the will of God in his word for Direction how shall he delight in the will of God in his rod for Correction e g Suppose God WILL take away Health Wealth Wife Child If once persons are puffed up with Pride they are soon filled with Swelling words of vanity †2 Pet. 2.18 Fath. It is clear to me that the law as written in the Bible is a Christians rule of life Q. is it a rule of life for a Carnal man too Min. The law is for a rule of Life to all men Living who have it A Rule for All. Jesus himself was not excepted when under it * Gal. 4.4 N B Man is to be considered in a twofold State precedent to a State of Grace 1 In innocency In this State the law as a C W was mans rule Of life and For life so long as he Obeyed he lived 2 In a Fallen state The condition of the C W was such that the Least sin Brake it and brought man under the Curse of it Before sin man was under the Blessing of the covenant after sin man was under the Curse of the C W and this is the Case of all Carnal men In this State the M L is a rule of Moral Life And the more exactly to his light a Moral man is ruled by it the more he is to be Commended though thereby he is not Justified And it is in a Sense a rule To life eternal i e as it is a School-master to direct to Christ to be Justified by Faith And this it doth Occasionally by shewing Sin and Wrath without a sight of which what cares a Sinner for a Saviour God likeneth his Law to a Looking-glasse †Jam. 1.23 Simile A glasse by shewing the Spots in the Face Occasionally directs to water to cleanse though water be not seen in the glasse A sense of a Disease directs to the Doctour for Cure Simile though the Doctour be not seen in the disease So the Law though it do not Verbally bid one go to Christ or shew the way of Salvation by it's light yet the law of the Lord is perfect converting the Soul * Psal 19.7 But if this should never be for some men were never made to be saved †2 Pet. 2.12 yet the Law is to be their rule of life and by shewing what is Good and Evil it is to restrain them from Evil and to constrain them to Good and the more a man is thus ruled by the Law the more Mercy may he expect here and the lesse Misery here and hereafter Fath. How was the M L a rule of life to the Jews before Christs death Q how were they under it as we are Since his death Min. The Jews were like Rebekahs Twins two manner of people * Gen. 25.23 viz Carnal and Spiritual The carnal and wicked though Externally and by Profession under a C G were under the Curse of the Law and for the Future it was to Fare with them as with those that never were under that C G. Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised Egypt and Judah and Ammon c for these nations i e Egypt and Ammon are uncircumcised i e in Flesh and the house of Israel is uncircumcised in Heart †Jer. 9.25 26. So we in our Congregational Reformed Gentile Church some Wise some Foolish virgins * Mat. 25.2 The wise are under the Law for rule of life the Foolish for all their Church member-ship are under the Curse of the Law ¶ 2 The Jews were under the law to Terrifie and Humble them to prepare them for Christ and So are we Not that the work of the law in humiliation of Heart and reformation of Life makes a Sinner acceptable to Christ as if Worthy because of this Humility But it makes Christ acceptable to a Sinner Simile as a Physitian
them God can see as well in the Dark as in the Light When Dores and Windowes are shut and Curtains drawn Close at Midnight as well as at Noon Day on the House Top. Tell them God heareth what they say if they speak Never so Softly And knows what they Think if they think Never so Secretly And Tell them whatever they Think Speak and Act on Earth God writes in Heaven What is Good God looks upon with Love What is Evil God beholds with Hatred Thou art of Purer Eyes than to behold Evil †Hab. 2.13 God beholds NO Evil with an Eye of Approbation but ALL Evil with an eye of Observation in order to Damnation if speedy Repentance prevent it not How Dar'st thou Sin in Secret God doth See And Witnesse Jury Judge alone will Be. Fourteenth Doc 14. The uncertainty of Life Teach them to know the Brevity and Uncertainty of Life for Age and Youth Old and Insant Tell them in Golgotha are Sculls and in the Church Yard are Graves of All Sizes Solomon tells of a time to be Born and a time to Die but he tells us of no time to Live * Ecl. 3.2 Tell them Death is Most Certain and may be as Sudden as Certain One may be Alive Young Strong Well Sick Dead Damned and all in a Day or in an Hour 1 God the Donour and Preserver of Mans Life may Suddenly end it 2 The Devil the Envier of Mans Life may Suddenly end it as he did Job's Children †Job 1.10 3 The Wicked Satans Workmen may Suddenly end it he riseth up and No man is sure of his Life * Job 24.22 4 A mans own Relations may Suddenly end it as Cain who killed his Own Onely brother Abel †Gen. 4.8 5 A mans own Hand may Suddenly end his own Life Ahithophels councel to Others was as if a man had enquired at the Oracle of God * 2 Sa 16.23 but he could not councel Himself to keep from the Gallows It 's dangerous provoking GOD to displeasure God can make a man his Own Enemy his Worst Enemy his own Executioner here and his own Tormentor in Hell Fire for ever N B. Seeing Life is SO Uncertain and Short Preparation for Death is a Solemn Concern When men had Longer lives and Stronger limbs than Now men have they seemed to be more concerned with Death than Now men are The First purchase we read of in the Bible was a Burying Place not a Building Place viz Abraham for Sarah * Gen. 23.4 Lo I die in the Grave which I have Digged for me there thou shalt bury me said Jacob to Joseph †Ch. 50.5 Kings and Councellors built Desolate places for Themselves * Job 3.14 Joseph laid Jesus in his Own Tomb †Mat. 27.60 Few in our dayes dig their Graves before they are dead though the World it self be dying Fifteenth Doc 15. Teach them to know the Difference between Temporal Life and Eternal Life The Excellency of One above the Other e g. 1 Temporal Life is full of Corporal Labour * Eccl. 1.8 Eternal Life hath none of this There Remains a Rest †Heb. 4.9 it Ever Remains and Never Removes 2 Temporal Life is full of Mental Misery viz. Care Trouble Vexation Sorrow of Mind Man is Born to trouble * Job 5.7 He is of Few dayes and Full of trouble †Ch. 14.1 His dayes are Few and Evil * Gen. 47.9 Eternal Life is Full of Joy without Sorrow 3 Temporal Life is attended with the Misery of Penury Hunger Thirst Hunger without Bread Bread without Hunger are both Miseries Bread with Hunger is a Double Mercy which Many have and Few prize Eternal Life is free from both these Miseries of Hunger and Thirst They shall hunger NO more neither Thirst any more c †Rev. 7.16 4 Temporal Life is attended with many Diseases Eternal Life hath None All Diseases end at Death A Saints Funeral is the Funeral of All his Afflictions 5 Temporal Life is sometimes such that a man is Weary of it and wishes for Death Eternal Life will Never weary one to All Eternity 6 Temporal Life is but Temporal if it be the life of Methuselah it must Certainly end it may Suddenly end but Eternal Life is Eternal Not any thing in Heaven or Hell shall ever end it Sixteenth Doc 16. Of Heaven Teach them to know how Desireable Heaven is Tell them of its Titles viz The Kingdom of GOD The Kingdom of Heaven The Heaven of Heavens The Third Heaven A house Eternal in the Heavens That will never Decay or want Repair that the Inhabitant will never be Weary of or turned Out of Abrahams Rosom i e Sweet imbraces Eternal Glory Salvation with Eternal Glory An Eternal weight of Glory which will never weary to bear it but bare up above all weariness for ever A Crown of Life A Crown of Glory A City of pure Gold it's Streets pure Gold its Gates Pearl * Rev. 21.21 A City that hath NO need of Sun Moon or Candle †Ver. 23. For there shall be NO Night there * Ch. 22.5 Seventeenth Doc. 17. Of Hell Teach them to know how Dreadfull Hell is Tell them of it's Titles viz Destruction A Furnace Outer Darkness Damnation Everlasting Punishment Vnquenchable Fire A Place of Torment Wrath to Come A Prison Everlasting Chains Everlasting Burnings The Vengeance of Eternal Fire The Second Death A Lake of Fire The Bottomless Pit OH How do Persons Play with Scripture Thunder The Word Printed is like Fire Painted which they can See and Feel without Fear But could they Stand at the Gates of Hell and Hear the Damned Howl it would make their Hair stand an End and Fill their Hearts with Horrour But what shall we say of an Eternal BEING in that place of Torment The Damnation of Hell is beyond All Definition much harder to Define than the Spanish Inquisition Which a Painter despairing to do Did not picture One man with a Knife in his his Throat a Second with a Sword in his Heart a Third with his Arms Torn Off. But took a Table and Covered it all over with Blood crying out BLOOD BLOOD So may a Minister cry concerning Hell FIRE FIRE for a Definition of Damnation Eighteenth Doc. 18. Of temporal Judgements Teach them to know what Temporal Judgments God hath sent to Men Women and Children for Sin against God Tell them how God drowned the World with Water from Heaven * Gen. 7. And burned Sodom with Fire from Heaven †Ch. 19. And Drowned the Egyptians in the Red Sea And clave the Ground asunder to Swallow up Korah and his Company And slew a hundred fourscore and five Thousand in One Night by One Angel * 2 K. 19.35 And slew of Israel Five Hundred Thousand chosen men in One day †Ch. 13.17 Chap. 36.16 And gave All Israel into the
Double destruction Body and Soul both at once An evil Counseller As evil as the Devil will speak Death in at the Ear as the DEVIL at first did Evil Counsel is enough to bring the KING of a Nation to Confusion and Destruction I have read of a king A Kings Confession who confessed at his Execution that such Evil Instruments brought him to the Block Evil discourse Infects How oft is Death Blown into Souls by an Infectious Breath Seventh Docu 7. Restraint Take heed of allowing them too much Liberty to wander abroad upon Pleasure Dinah must go Gadding to see the daughters of the Land and she comes home Deslowed †Gen. 34.1 And much more mischief follows Simeon and Levi in their cursed anger Kill their Confederates whom they had Coozened into a Covenant * Ver. 25. And it was a wonder that Damsels walk did not end in the Destruction of Jacob and his House as he feared †Ver. 30. I may say to you as Paul bid the Colossians say to Archippus viz Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfill it * Col. 4.17 Every parent is an Archippus who hath received a Ministry of the Lord in Charge for children Archippus is a Greek word which signifies A governour of horses Children are Wild Colts †Job 11.12 who when grown Head-strong will not regard the crying of the driver * Job 39.7 ¶ Sir you should seriously consider what a Roaring Lyon the Devil is †1 Pet. 5.8 and how diligently he deviseth to Devour your children And that it 's not your Own conversion that will prove their preservation from Temporal or Eternal destruction but Their godly education God hath sworn that Noah Daniel and Job shall deliver neither Son nor Daughter by their Own righteousnesse * Ezek. 14.20 It 's not parents imputative righteousnesse for Justification nor inherent righteousnesse for Sanctification that will Save their children But it 's their righteousnesse in Conversation viz Godly Education by which they must become their Saviours It 's not the Conversion of a Father nor of an Emperour that can secure a poor child from Satan the Devourer And therefore a Child was he who cryed out for joy at the Emperours conversion O! the Emperour is a Christian q d Emperour Now we shall have Halcion dayes a Heaven upon Earth To whom a wiser person thus replyed But the DEVIL is not a Christian yet And so long as he is not Converted nor Confined to the bottomlesse pit Christians must look for No lesse mischief then he can do Them and Theirs too He will go to the End of his Bounds to a Hairs Breadth 〈◊〉 And here let me adde this Caution Caution 〈◊〉 â—hen your children are under Convictions enquire into Satans Temptations For if once the children be come to the Birth it will be on the Devils part a day of Rebuke and Blasphemy †2 Kin. 19.3 Rebuke to Conviction Convertion Faith Hope Prayer q d It 's too Soon thou art too Young or too Good to need such a Change Or it s too Late thou art too Old and too Wicked to be saved Blasphemy by such suggestions from SATAN against GOD CHRIST the Spirit of grace that the foul may think Unpardonable The Sum of all which is 1 to make a soul Secure and Presume on salvation Without conversion or 2 to drive a soul to Despair of salvation With conversion Eight Docu 8. Examination Take an Acount of your childrens Practices Purposes Pretences Even a Child is known by his Doings whether his work be pure and whether it be right * Pto. 20.11 The neglect of this Duty had like to lost David's Life Absalom intends Rebellion and he pretends Religion I pray thee let me go and pay my Vow which I Vowed to the Lord in Hebron †2 Sam. 15.7 And the King said Go in peace * Ver. 9. Poor David Ah pitifull reply David should have Sifted the businesse about q d How now what Vow a Vow to the Lord and defer to pay it for 40 Years †Ver. 7. what fiery Fit is this you are fallen into how comes it to passe you are Now so conscionable who have been So long carelesse Had David been Considerate Absaloms design had been Frusâ—â—â—â—â— But David makes No more to do Go in peace q d Absalom is in a Very good mind I hope he will Now be a Comfort to me A way goes Absalom to make War with his father This turns David's Tune his Harp into mourning * Job 30.31 Behold my Son which came forth of my bowels seeks my Life †2 Sam. 16 11. And besides Absalom's Death and David's Dolorous Grief this causes a Slaughter of Twenty Thousand men That Phrase hath Too much foundation In nomine Domini incipit omne malum Ninth Docu 9. Partiality Take heed of fond Partiality It 's of evil Consequence It sets that Root which bears Gall * Deu. 29.18 And sets children together by the Ears And makes them Murder one another e g Isaac loved Esau but Rebekah loved Jacob †Gen. 29.28 Isaac called Esau HIS son * Ch. 27.1 and Rebekah spake to Jacob HER son †Ver. 6. Esau was Isaacs boy Jacob was Rebekahs boy What is the fruit of this parental partiality even Esau's Partiality and Enmity to his Father Mother and Brother Esau hated Jacob q d He hath All my mothers heart she hath None for Me and I will have as little for Her The dayes of mourning for my father are at hand then will I Slay my brother Jacob * Ver. 41. q d Not while my loving Father lives to grieve him but when he is Dead and my mother under Dolour I will Double it by my brothers Murder She thinks Birth-right and Blessing and All too little for him but he shall not Long enjoy it nor She him At Esau's threat Jacob flees for his Life yet takes not Warning but loves Joseph more than All his children †Gen. 37.3 For which Love his brethren Hate him conspire to Slay him and Sell him into Egypt to his fathers Sorrow And Gods Providence in this will not justifie Jacobs inordinate Affection nor his sons evil Action N B. Children can quarrell Too soon of their own Heads though parents set them not together by the Ears e g. Two Brothers walked abroad in a Star-light night Said A A Sad Story Would I had a Pasture as large as this Element Said B. Would I had as many Oxen as there be Stars Said A Mr Jer Burroughs and Camerarius Where would you feed them all Said B In your Pasture A What whether I will or no B Yes whether you will or no. A What in Spight of me B Yes in Spight of you And thus from Words to Blows till they Sheathed their Swords in each others
beast may Break them †Job 39.14 15. 6 She is without natural affection She is hardened against her young ones as though they were not hers * Ver. 16. 7 She is of strange strong Digestion eats Old Iron So such Savage men can Swallow such sayings of God as would Tare the very Heart-strings of a tender Heart in sunder These are 7 Sad Cursed Characters of carelesse parents King Herods cruelty to the children in Bethlehem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the males †Mat. 2.16 Augustus Caesar's saying founded this phrase Better be Herods Swine than his Son for some say his Own was slain in that Storm The cruelty of our Ostrich-like fathers may found this phrase Better be such a mans Swine than his Son who cares no more for this sons Soul than if he was a Swine Crates wish Crates wished himself on the top of the highest Mountain in All the World to cry out against Parents who are carelesse of their childrens Souls The beasts of the field that manifest love to their Young and mourn if they are Lost may rise up in judgment and Condemn these men Sixt. Coroll 6. Prodigious effect of neglect The monstrous prodigious fruit and effect of Parental neglect and Omission of Education viz The universal vanity of Youth and base brutishnesse of Boys Their epidemical disobedience to GOD by Cursing Swearing Lying Stealing prophaning the Sabbath the Day designed by them for Satans Service Their disrespect to Superiours Their disobedience to Parents And to Mr Mrs and Dame of which there is such an universal Out-cry in the Kingdom as of some pestilent Plague and Judgment ALL layes Principally at Parents doors For if they would exercise that Authority over them which God hath Given them and perform their Part according to Gods Precept it would work a great Cure among the contagious Scabs Wounds Bruises Sores which have over spread the Body of Great Britain from the Sole of the Foot to the Head * Isa 1.6 But this neglect of parental duty is like the Setting open of Sluces and Flood-gates to overflow the Land with a flood of Filthinesse and Prophanenesse And to make children Famous for nothing but Wickednesse To be children of Belial †1 Kin. 21.13 Cursed children * 2 Pet. 2.14 children of Perdition †Joh. 17.12 children of the DEVIL * Act. 13.10 and children of Hell as the Scripture calls them †Mat. 23.15 And parents do not only Lay the reins in their necks to let them run Headlong to Hell but also do Lead them on to that Lake by learning them to Sin by their example viz To Swear Lie Curse Scoffe at the godly It 's probable the parents taught the children to Mock which Bares tare for mocking as an Embleme of the Torment of Hell for mockers N B. Wicked parents will teach their children to do good men Hurt rather than to do themselves Good Herodias would teach her Dancing-daughter to ask Herod for John Baptists Head rather than for Half the Kingdom * Mar. 6.23 24. N B. For parents to bring Forth in sin and to bring Up in sin is a Sure way to bring Down into sorrow both themselves and their children together for Ever and Ever Seventh Coroll 7. Deaths small distance Consider what a Small distance Death may be from or how near to your childrens Heart or your Own By reason of the uncertainty and shortnesse of Life and certainty and sometime suddennesse of Death a Man or Child may be within a Step of death and not have a Thought of death Or else think it as far Off as the East is from the West 1 God may smite with a Secret Sudden Stroke 2 One may die a Natural and Sudden death of which no Reason can be Rendered 3 One may die Casually and Suddenly in Any place in the land of the Living e g. If one be at Sea or on the Thames in a Boat there is but a Board between him and Death Life within and Death without and but a Thin Board between If at Land but a Shoe-Sole between the Bottom of the Foot and the Top of the Grave If in any Street or Lane in London a Tile or Brick may Fall and Kill If in the Field or Countrey in a journey a Thief may murder If in a Wood the same Death or a wild Beast may Devour That which hath Life may take away Life That which is Dead may be a mans Death The fall of Earth or Stone or Timber or a mans fall into Water or off his Horse or House a Hundred ways to fall Out of the world What is your Life it is even a Vapour that appeareth for a Little time and then vanisheth away †Jam. 4.14 What is Man * Psal 8.4 q d A little bit of breathing Clay a little bit of creeping Clay a little bit of living Clay a little bit of dying Clay And yet what a Do will a Proud Painting Jezebel make with a bit of Dirt which the Dogs are about to eat up for an Excrement †2 Kin. 9.30 36. O Earth earth earth hear the word of the Lord * Jer. 22.29 What is that DVST thou art and unto Dust shalt thou return †Gen. 3.19 Brave Madam Silk-worm O thou Clod of clay Mayest be to Morrow for the Worms a Prey Eight Coroll 8. Dolorous Death Your childs condemned State spoken of in the third Corollary peradventure is by this time forgot Suppose by your neglect your child Dies in this condemned condition And in Dying to sting your Conscience hath its eyes Opened to see the mouth of the bottomlesse pit stand Open to swallow it Down into the Dungeon of Hell At which sight it Shrikes out O Father Mother did you Know me to be in this condition and not Tell me of it and labour to get me Out of it did you Know me to be born in Sin to live Cursed unconverted and Condemned and not Acquaint me with it did you professe to beleeve the Necessity of a new Birth a new Heart a new Life and let me Live and Die without it was you Willing I should go to Hell that you would not Tell me of it except in such a Sleighty way as begot disbeliefe of the Truth of it and of the Verity of my misery Cursed be the Day that Ever such a father Begat me and that Ever such a mother Bare me And then dies Roaring as if already in Hell Can you give no guesse at This what This will be to you when it 's your Case none need to Tell you what it is Then you may weep with Rachel who refused to be comforted for her children because they Were not * Jer. 31.15 And with Isaiah who said Look away from me I will weep Bitterly labour Not to comfort me †Isa 22.4 Solon's Sorrow And with Solon to whom said one Why do you weep it will
die Spiritually in Soul who do not die Eternally in both Fath. That Israel were under a C W is hard to beat out of my Head Object 6 Min. A covenant between God and man is not Made except GOD require and Man consent 1 God did not Require it is contrary to his purpose of Salvation by Grace and if by Grace then is it no more of Works †Rom. 11.6 2 Man did not Consent If in saying All that the Lord hath spoken we will do †Exo. 19.8 they counted to comply with a C W they said they knew not what nor are they Commended for it But when they said to Moses Speak thou with us and we will hear but let not God speak with us lest we die †Ch. 20.19 then said Moses Fear not * Ver. 20. and said God They have Well said †Den. 5.28 i e to desire a Mediatour these are no signs of a C W. Nor did they Consent to a C W when they said Amen to the curses pronounced against him that confirmeth not all the words of this Law to do them †Deu. 27.26 but did acquiesce in the pronunciation of the Curse for him to whom it did belong Nor did Paul in saying As many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse * Gal. 3.10 say They were all so Nor doth Moses in describing the righteousnesse of the Law viz The man which doth those things shall live by them * Rom. 10 5. say They were so to live or that it was Possible for them The man that Doth shall Live is q d The man that emptieth the Ocean with a Spoon shall go into the depth of it and not be Drowned for to fulfill the Law and to empty the Sea are Parallel impossibilities Fath. But God speaks of a New Covenant Object 7 †Jer. 31.31 and this at Sinai is called Old * Heb. 8.13 so that it seems Not to be a C G as you call it nor that they were saved Before Christs death as we are since Min. There is some Circumstantial difference 1 The Old as it 's called comprehended the Promise of Canaan containing many Temporal blessings 2 The Jews were by it Obliged to Ceremonial service 3 Some few excepted it was confined to the Jews only 4 It was Sealed with the blood of Sacrifices Typical of Christ to Come These things being Transitory it is said to wax Old and vanish away †Heb. 8.13 yet the covenant is One and the Same in Substance AT Christ's death it was Sealed by his own blood Actively Before it was Sealed by his blood Virtually Since Christ's death it is Signified by the Sacrament of the Lords Supper which is Permanent till Christ come so was the Ceremonial Sacrifice till he came to Die the blood of which signified Christ's blood Was to be shed as well as the Element of Wine signifieth it Is shed N B. Covenants are Certainly the Same if they accord in these 3 Substantials Subject End Condition Jesus Christ as Head of the Elect is the Subject Salvation is the End Faith is the Condition of Both and so is the way of Salvation the Same Before Christ's death the Jews were said to be under a yoke they were not able to bear †Act. 15.10 what then but we beleeve that by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved Even as they * Ver. 11. Identity or the Samenesse of Salvation We Jews even as they Gentiles for Christ and Salvation and the Way to it are the Same Jew and Gentile saved the Same way Before and After Christs death Before it they were under the Gospel clouded with the Law Since we are under the Gospel more clearly dispensed They that God taught saw it Then no more see it Now and from the Rest it is hid Fath. If the law was not delivered as a C W what signified the dreadfull delivery of it with Thunder and Lightning Object 8 and breaking the Tables when Israel Sinned Min. God by delivering the Law on Mount Sinai at first with his own mouth did signifie he had made a C W with Adam and in him with all Men and what he might justly require of men The thunder signified the dreadfull effects of the breach of that Covenant It 's being written on Tables signified it was written on Adam's Heart I will give thee Tables of stone and a Law which I have written †Exo. 24.12 they were the work of God without Moses i e without a Mediatour 2 The tables being broken when Israel sinned signified the C W was broken when Adam sinned and was never to be made with Man more God doth not say Moses mend the Tables thou hast broken but Hew thee two new Tables * Ch. 34.1 3 The law written on the Tables a second time signified or was an Embleme of the law written on the Heart of Christians according to the C G. 4 God by proclaiming his gracious name on Mount Sinai and giving the law there the second time to Moses alone †Ver. 3.5 6 signified he had made a C G with Christ for Christians and had given the law by Christ by Angels in the hand of a Mediatour N B This M L thus written not as a C W The Law the Rule but as it is the law of Christ IS a Christians rule of Life The Saviour is the Law-giver and Ruler * Isa 33.22 the Decalogue is the Sum it 's branched through the Bible for a rule of righteousnesse and Gospel obedience for all Christians in all Nations throughout all Generations Fath. But some say Object 9 The law as written in the Bible is not a Christians rule of life but as it is written in the Heart they act from a principle of Love are led by the Spirit of God and delight to do his Will Min. That a true Christian hath the law written in his Heart acts from a principle of Love is led by the Spirit of God delights to do his Will is True but the law as written in the Bible is not a Christians rule of life is not only False but Prefixt to the Rest makes all to be a piece of ridiculous Non-sense Pestilent Opinion This pestilent opinion hath 5 parts 1 The law as written in the Bible is not a Christians rule of life A. As the Gospel teacheth how to Beleeve and is a rule of Faith so the Law teacheth how to Live and is a rule of Life As the Gospel is an everlasting rule for Faith so is the Law an everlasting rule for Life As the Civil law is a rule of Civil life so is Gods Divine law a rule of Godly life Simile The law is as a Touch-stone Simile to try if gold be Good The law is as a Line to shew what is Straight and what is Crooked Simile A good work-man will have his Rule
not expressed It is now a Maxime viz If the day begins in the morning Jesus did not rise on the first day Fath. Mary's coming to the sepulchre in the morning seems to signifie Jesus was to rise in the morning Min. Not at all it was not the least sign of his rising in the morning nor came they with any expectation of his Resurrection but to anoint him †Mar. 16.1 as if he had been to lay in the grave as another dead man When Jesues foretold his rising from the dead his Disciples questioned what the rising from the dead should mean * Chap. 9.10 When Jesus told them he should be mocked spitted on scourged put to death and rise the third day they understood none of these things †Lu. 18.34 And when they saw he was risen yet they knew not the Scripture that he must rise again from the dead * Job 20.9 Fath. But the plainest proof for Christs Resurrection in the morning you leave out †Mar. 16.9 Min. It seems you will bring it in but it will do you no service for the support of this opinion Take this Text as translated viz When Jesus was risen early and the Sense is when it was early Jesus was risen which does no more prove Jesus rose in the morning than to say at noon Jesus is risen proves he rose at Noon Or than that saying the next Even the Lord is risen * Lu. 24.34 proves he rose that Even Or that expression of Paul so long after Christs Resurrection now is Christ risen †1 Cor. 15.20 proves Jesus rose just then Fath. When then do you suppose Jesus rose Min. I do more than suppose for I am fully satisfied Time of Jesus's rising that Jesus rose from the dead in the Even when the Jews Sabbath ended and our Sabbath began for it is the Resurrection of Jesus that causes the Jews Sabbath to cease and gives Being and Beginning to our Sabbath which begins at â—â—en as I have proved This opinion of Christs â—â—â—ng at Even I will prove by the same Scripturâ— you produce to prove he rose in the Morning viz Jesus was risen early the first day * Mar. 16.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies both early and morning Sometimes when fo is translated morning it signifies a time long before day eg 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the morning rising up a great while before day †Mar. 1.35 The first day does not properly expresse the Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the first of the Sabbath ie the first Time or beginning of the Sabbath N B I am A Ω the beginning and the end the first and the last * Rev. 22.13 beginning and first are One end all last are One and all signifie Christs Eternity the former signifies he is From everlasting the latter that he is To everlasting This is to shew you that by first the beginning of the day is intended And this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 first is sometimes translated beginning eg the latter end is worse than 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the beginning †2 Pet. 2.20 And thus we are to take this Text * Mar. 16.9 Jesus rose early a great while before day at the first or beginning of the Sabbath If some Critick was in our company he would tell us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sabbath signifies sometimes a week e g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I fast twice on the Sabbath †Lu. 18.12 i e two dayes a week Here its necessary to understand it a week for its improper to say I fast twice a day but there is no necessity of such a Sense here * Mar. 16.9 yet if I grant it all is One for the beginning of the week and of the Sabbath is at the Same time ¶ For farther satisfaction N B Jesus was Buried at Even And it was at the very End of the day for the day being almost at end and Christ with his companions still on the Crosse the Jews being netled with fear they should hang there on their high Sabbath besought Pilate that their legs might be broken †Job 19.31 and so dispatched Then came the Souldiers and braks the legs of the theeves * Ver. 32. but seeing Jesus dead brake not his legs †Ver. 33. but one of them with a spear pierced his side * Ver. 34. q d Thou hangest here like a hypocrite feigning thy self dead to save thy Shanks but I will give thee a touch shall try thee Now in the place where Jesus was crucified was a garden and in the garden a sepulchre there laid they Jesus for the sepulchre was nigh at hand †Ver. 41 42. They hurried him into that hole being hard by and had not time to carry him farther because their Sabbath was about to begin Luke saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Sabbath began to shine * Luk. 23.54 i e with Star-light At this Juncture of time when that day ended and the next began was Jesus buried Ergo Jesus must needs rise in the Even to complete the time Prefixt for his laying dead Fath. If Jesus rose in the Even he lay but a day and a night in the grave for he was buried at end of the Sixth day and by your count rose at end of the Seventh day how then did he fulfill his word in rising on the third day Min. Jesus did fulfill his word and we must believe it if we understand it not more than the mystery of the Trinity But why do you say Jesus died on the Sixth day Fath. O! the Scripture is plain he died the day before the Seventh day Sabbath And I have seen it thus confirmed by the learned viz Adam fell on the Sixth day proved by this Text †Ps 49.12 and the Paschal lamb was slain on the Sixth day and Jesus died on the Sixth day and all about the same hour These are Parallel proofs Adam's fall on the Sixth day and the Lambs death on the Sixth day prove Jesus's death on the Sixth day and Jesus's death on the Sixth day proves Adams fall on the Sixth day as Jesus must dye virtually that day and hour Adam sinned so actually that day and hour of the week This mutual harmony makes all very clear Min. As pithily proved as if you had said The King of Spain and forty thousand men Went up the Hill and then came down agen What a fine story is here and very clear as sometime a thing looks for want of light to look on it Simile There is a sort of rotten wood that shines at Night but you see no lustre in it at Noon That the Paschal lamb was slain on the Sixth day as saith your Author see his pithy proof * Ex. 12.6 which Text tells the day of the Month not of the Week And whether he falsisies Ainsworth on Exod Pag. 37. Ainsworth whom he quotes
The resurrection was Tipified to be on the first day of the 50 by the Wave-Sheaf of first fruits which was a pregnant Type of Christs resurrection on that day who was waved before the Lord by the Earthquake at his rising that morning and called the first fruits * 1 Cor. 15.20 And the 50 day that famous Pentecost was Sealed for a New Sabbath by the gift of the holy Ghost to the Apostles by vertue of which 3000 souls †Act 2.41 were converted as first fruits to God and the Lamb. And this Harmony hath been a Confirmation of this opinion viz Christs death on the Sixth day for many generations Min. If so its high time it was laid low I hope the best of that Bp he was no horned Beast but this his opinion I approve not If I had no better foundation for my opposite opinion I am not ashamed to tell you I should be ashamed to own it This is such another Proof as Adams fall was and to as much purpose as the Story in the Greek Epigram viz Two deaf men pleaded a Cause before a deaf Judge But let us look on these 50 dayes The 50 dayes discussed in the letter of the Law And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath from the day that ye brought the Sheaf of the Wave-offering 7 Sabbaths shall be complete even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall ye number 50 dayes * Lev. 23.15 16. This morrow or Wave-day is the first of the 50 dayes 7 weeks is 49 dayes the morrow after the seventh Sabbath is the fiftieth day as the Greek word Pentecost signifies and when the day of Pentecost was Fully come †Act. 2.1 i e when the seventh Sabbath was past the 7 weeks were complete then the Pentecost was fully come N B The 50 day begins another week on the same day of the week that the first day of the 50 began the first week of the 7 so that the first day and 50 day fall both on the same day of the week This a Child can tell but I mind you of it though a man that you may see your 2 great dayes for confirmation of your opinion Stand and Fall together And now I tell you these 2 dayes did not fall on the first day of the week Your famous Pentecost fell Not on the first day But why do I talk let us to work That the Passeover was killed on the 14 day that the Passeover Sabbath was on the 15 day on which Jesus died and that the Sheaf was waved on the 16 of Nisan is as plain as A B C by your rule Jesus rose from the dead the next day after his death buried at Even and rose in the Morning But suppose Jesus had rose on this Shake-sheaf day †As your Author calls it yet what Type of Christs resurrection was this Sheaf there was an he-lamb without blemish * Lev. 23.12 offered on that day too which was as much a Type of Christs Death on that day as the Sheaf could be of his Resurrection by this rule Jesus both died and rose in a day into what a wildernesse will the wit of man lead us N B This wave-day on which you say Jesus rose was the first day he lay in the grave if your Author had said The lamb was a Type of Jesus's death Before that day and the wave-sheaf a Type of his resurrection After that day there had been some shadow of Reason in his assertion So you may see that your Pentecost proof is perished and your invincible Arguments are overcome Fath. You say the Jews translated the Passeover to the next day did they not also translate the Pentecost from their Sabbath to our Sabbath and so make it fall on the first day Min. If so that proves a false Pentecost to fall on the first day but it s no proof for Christs resurrection on the Wave-day nor is the Pentecost to be reckoned from Christs resurrection as our Calender men count but the 16 of Nisan is the Standing Rule to count the Pentecost from Calender count false 2 If the Pentecost fell on the 7 day Sabbath the Jews would translate it to the first day by their rule 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gahaz Godwyn but that year the Pentecost did not fall on the 7 day nor on the first day not on their Sabbath nor on Ours neither Fath. If the Pentecost fell not on the first day why did the Disciples observe it and countenance Ceremonies which were to cease Min. The Disciples being few about 120 †Act. 1.15 were at Jerusalem because Christ had commanded them to continue there * Ver. 4. The Pentecost being an holy Convocation in which work was forbid †Lev. 23.21 the Disciples might meet on that day though the Pentecost was to cease as a Church may do now if work be forbid by Authority though they approve not the day 2 Suppose the Pentecost not to be observed yet the Disciples might not understand the cessation of Ceremonies so suddenly they were hardly brought off Ceremonies some years after 3 The Pentecost keeping the day of the month changed the day of the week every year and could not be on the first day 2 years together Paul's Pentecost practice yet it was Pauls yearly practice to be at Jerusalem at Pentecost e g I will tarry at Ephesus untill Pentecost for a great door and effectual is opened unto me * 1 Cor. 16.8 9. i e at Ephesus and yet q d I will tarry but till Pentecost and then I am for Jerusalem When they desired him to tarry longer with them he consented not but bad them farewell saying I must by All means keep this Feast that cometh in Jerusalem †Act. 18.20 21. Paul hasted if it were Possible for him to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost * Ch. 20.16 Not because it was the first day as your Authors imagine of this †Act. 2.1 for the first day was the unlikest day of All for Christians to regard the Pentecost after Christs resurrection because on that day they met in remembrance of That Nor to support the Pentecost though he went on the account of no other day but for advantagious opportunities of preaching Jesus to the Jews Paul could call the Gentiles together but he could not command the Jews therefore he would watch for such Prizes as Ceremonial Sabbaths pun into his hands by bringing the multitude together And sometime for his encouragement he had liberty of preaching in their Synagogue on a Sabbath freely offered the rulers of the Synagogue sent unto them saying Ye men and brethren if ye have any word of exhortation for the people say on then Paul stood up as in his Element and said Men of Israel give audience * Act. 13.15 16. And Paul thought good to smile on some Ceremonies for a season for
the week he shall cause the Sacrifice and Oblation to cease * Ver. 27. this One Week was an Ordinary week of 7 dayes the Midst of which is the Fourth day or Middle day The time Jesus lay Dead having 3 dayes before it and 3 dayes after it all which of these 3 last Jesus lay dead So you may see though the Week-day of Jesus's death so long since be not known to this Day yet this day was foretold before Christs Birth by the Scriptures of Truth in which God drops words in the Dark to see if men will feel after him †Act. 17.26 27. Thus I have given you the Testimony of Gods two Testaments to prove my Opinion Fath. I confesse this is more than I looked for but if Christ lay so long dead it will occasion some more Questions Min. Bring out them Questions and let nothing remain to broile at bottom Fath. If there was a day between the 2 Sabbaths why did the Jews go to Pilate for an Order to secure the Sepulchre on a high Sabbath * Mat. 27.62 and not stay till next day Min. As necessity hath no Law so necessity hath no Holy-dayes Necessitas non habet Ferias What cannot be done Before nor deferred till After may be done on the Sabbath It could not be done Before their crowns were so full of concern to get Christ crucified there wanted room for that consideration And they had been Up the night before that day Too but having Slept upon it and settled their wicked wits now Sir we remember that that deceiver said After 3 dayes I will rise again †Mat. 27.63 And it cannot be omitted till to morrow q d So he may be stole away to night by his deceitfull Disciples * Ver. 64. Fath. If there was a day for work between the Sabbaths why did not them zealous women bring their Spices on that day but stay till after the 7 day Min. Why lay the Popish Lords in the Tower why the Prisoners in Newgate Fath. Because they cannot get out Min. No more could they get in The Jews made the sepulchre Sure sealing the Stone and setting a Watch †Ver. 66. It was made fast for 3 dayes to prove Christ an Impostor Fath. Why did they stay till morning and not come at Even at the 3 dayes end Min. Why do not fearfull folk who are scared at their own Shadows go into Church-yards among graves at midnight Fath. Indeed because they dare not Min. No more durst they go into a Tomb at night to the Dead Frights make folks fearfull it had been a Terrible time with them When they came in the Morning they feared to go in Mary stooped down and looked in * Joh. 20.11 and the Disciple whom Jesus loved came Running to the Sepulchre yet went not He in †V. 2 4 5. Fath. How does your Opinion accord with this expression he rose again the third day * 1 Cor. 15.4 Min. This phrase the third day is most miserably mistaken if thus taken A miserable mistake viz Friday 1 Saturday 2 Sunday 3 as if the day of Christs Death and the day of his Resurrection were 2 of the 3 dayes for neither is the One or the Other any of that number But the third day must be understood by these Standing Rules viz the Son of man shall be 3 dayes and 3 nights in the heart of the earth †Mat. 12.40 The Son of man must be killed and After 3 dayes rise again * Mar. 8.31 Christ's enemies could remember his words though his friends forget them viz We remember that deceiver said After 3 dayes I will rise again †Mat. 27.63 The Angel said to the women He is risen as He said * Chap. 28.5 6. i e when the dayes and nights were ended which he prefixed On the first day said Cleopas to Christ To day is the third day since these things were done †Lu. 24.21 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This is a dark Text and thus to be translated To day the third day is Gone since these things were done * PAS LEX pag 43. Esther fasted 3 dayes night and day †Est 4.16 yet she is said to put on her Royal apparell to approach to the King on the third day * chap. 5.1 completo die tertio Junius i e at end of the third day Thus my Opinion does accord with the Word but how does Gods word and You agree from the beginning of your count viz Friday at Even to the time when Jesus rose is but a Night and a Day and from the beginning to the end i e the next morning is but 2 Nights and a Day how did Jesus fulfill his word Fath. Synechdochically I suppose Jesus was buried a little bit before the Sixth day ended and I count That for a day and that he lay a moment on the first day morning and I count That for a day Min. Yet here is but 3 dayes and 2 nights here is not a Bit of a third night Fath. Then the night preceeding the Sixth day must make it up Min. And can you imagine this to be Christs meaning In all this you do little better than say Jesus the man of Sorrow Jested Joqued and Juggled with his death I wonder in what Darknesse we over-look this word NIGHT If Jesus had said The Son of man shall lay 3 Dayes dead you had some Plea for your Opinion for Day sometime signifies Day without Night and so Part of a day natural but it is 3 dayes and 3 nights And I would know where in all the Bible this phrase day night does once signifie Day without Night or Night without Day except in Heaven or Hell But your First day as you call a Bit is without Night and your Last day as you call a Night is without Day By your Synechdochical rule you may argue that Jesus lay 3 Years or 3 Ages dead for Day figuratively signifies a Year or an Age. A Hellhinge A most miserable mistake This taking Scriptures Figuratively which should be taken Literally is the Hinge on which them poor deceived people called Quakers turn all into confusion and overturn all the Fundamental truths of the Gospel viz The birth life death burial resurrection ascension intercession second coming of Christ the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment yea Heaven and Hell and all Figurative and Within †O! Great Gulf Monstrum Horrendum This is a piece of the Pride of that Humble people who count the Common literal sense of Texts too Low for them Fath. How may we know when a Scripture is to be taken in a Figurative Sense Min. When a Literal sense is absurd or contrary to the Analogie of Faith or good morality of Life e g To eat the flesh of Jesus to drink his blood to cut off a right hand to pluck out a right eye To take such
sayings in a Literal sense is absurd foolish agrees not with faith or good life N B Blessed are your eyes †Mat. 13.16 take this literally and its ridiculous to think their eyes were Blessed and all the body and soul beside Cursed but this is by your figure Synechdoche when a Part is put for the Whole or è contra but the whole 3 dayes and 3 nights are not put for parts bits and moments as you imagine ¶ If your Qu be An let us come towards a Close I have given you a true account of the Day of Jesus's death of the Time of his burial of the Time he lay dead of the Time of his resurrection But you neither tell when Jesus Died or how long he lay Dead or when he Rose for you have nothing in the Bible to prove your opinion by 1 The day of Jesus's death is not said to be the 6 day 2 The Sabbath ensuing is not said to be the 7 day 3 The first day is not said to be the morrow after That Sabbath but when it s spoken of it s thus phrased viz the first day of the week * Joh. 20.1 When the Sabbath was past †Mar. 16.1 i e the moral Sabbath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the end of the Sabbaths * Mat. 28.1 i e Ceremonial and Moral N B This moral Sabbath fell in between two Ceremonial Sabbaths viz the first and last dayes of unleavened bread and after the 16 of Nisan Such a Sabbath we read of called the second Sabbath after the first †Lu. 6.1 Mat. 12.1 idem so called because it followed the first i e the Passeover Sabbath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Second first Sabbath so called because it fell after the first and before the second Ceremonial Sabbath Scaliger de emend temp It was the next Moral Sabbath after the 16 of Nisan which day was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Deutera or second day of the 7 the Wave-day from whence they counted the Pentecost The Disciples rubbing the cars of Corn * Lu. 6.1 tell us it was at this time of year which we are treating of i e at beginning of Harvest which began the 16 of Nisan the first of the 50 dayes Hence the name of the month 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Abib which signifies an ear of corn this is in March †Buxtorf Heb LEX Pag 1. The fiftieth day was at end of Harvest in April or May. Fath. Well! you go quite crosse to the common account of the Church for Ages and to Christians and learned Ministers now living I fear this will be offensive if I should make it known Min. And as crosse to my self you would say if you knew how much its against the hair with me to displease men I design not to displease or please men farther than for their profit My main design is to please God and my Conscience if in so doing I do accidentally displease men I must harden my self in that sorrow †Job 6.10 And may I but engage God and my Conscience to stand by me I have enough were all the world to rise up in arms against me As for mens Hearts they are in Gods Hand and with him I leave it to turn them To or Fro me as he please I have learned to know I am not to live by mens Smiles nor to die by their Frowns ¶ Sir Concession you are at liberty to tell your Authors what I have told you but counsel them not to Back-bite me for that is uncomely If they have any thing to reply more than your Self desire them to do it to my Face But let them know their Replication must come from holy Scripture else it will be lost labour It will be in vain to tell me I oppose the opinion of the Church for So many ages or I am opposite to the Church that now is National or Congregational †I mean all in separation from the National and so in Pag 213. or to this or that learned Minister or Dr. The Question with me concerning an opinion is not Whose is it but What is it If they bring any thing out of Philo Josephus Manasse Ben Israel or any of the Talmudical Doctors or Jewish Rabbies that will give light to a Dark Text I will embrace it but if it comes to darken a Clear Text or to disprove a Plain Text I shall utterly reject it and therefore to convince me it will be in vain to produce it Fath. I presume you have not been long of this perswasion Did you never speak of the time of Christs resurrection in Preaching pray what account did you give the people of it Min. Sir I shall deal ingeniously with you The Author's way in his Work I have sometime preached a Sermon for the observation of the Sabbath day For a beginning I directed to the morning supposing it to be the time of Jesus's rising But I secretly thought I wanted a bottom for I could not tell what time in the morning Jesus rose and was as if my heart did not stand by me in it I marvel now in what Mist I was groping at Noon day for the time of Jesus's rising in the morning for that was not at all to be expected Nor need the time of his resurrection be expressed when the time of his Burial viz Even and the time of continuance in the Grave viz 3 dayes and 3 nights are both expressed The shame of this Bottomlesse counsel for a beginning of the Sabbath I am willing to bear but I knew no better yet my ignorance will not excuse my negligence I should have made better Search But I was never concerned about it till you and I had talked under the Tree since that I have been much perswaded that the Common count for the day of Christs death was not True but that he lay longer dead And because I had never discoursed any man concerning it I searched some Expositors of Texts relating to it and found them all opposite to me so I see if I went on I must go against the Stream And seeing I could find nothing For me I sought to find all I could Against me and to know the Full strength of this Stream This being found I laid these learned Authors By and fell to work by the search of the Scriptures and Prayer for I could not give it over And though many a time after Much study and Little hope I have been Crushed as if I should give up the ghost yet I could Not give it over but continued in prayer to God viz that if the Common count of the day of Christs death was true he would cause me to acquiesce in it but if my perswasion was true that he would be pleased to help me to understand it and make it out to You and not leave me to erre in it To this purpose I did implore God with many prayers and