Altars weeds of the curse Gen. 3. And then they cried to the mountains to fall on them and to the hills to conver them Let England look to their backsliding to Altars Hosea 10. To thrust away the Gospel by mans inventions is to make our houses as well as Gods house desolate and so our Lord tells the Jewes Mat. 23.38 Judah and Israel dashed themselves against the Corner stone and were broken 9. Quest and Answ For her revoltings Idolatry is a State-ruining sin Psalm 106.36 the prayers of the Saints could not prevail for their reigning idolatry and false worship Jer. 15. 16. Ezek. 14. King Moses by his most fervent intercession and abolishing idolatry procured pardon but note in that false worship there was no innocent bloudshed Idolatry divides the heart from Christ and subjects it willingly to follow the commandements of men and of the man of sin Jeâ—oboam should see such events of apostasie that they should fret and and curse their King and their Gods that is the false religion they so pressed and see neither help from heaven nor earth but all full of anguish and darkness Esa 8.21 22. Hos 9.6 10.8 Deut. 28.34 65 66 67. Their State-politicians could not prevent nor their State Surgeons heal the wounds that God made in their State The wisdome and turning of devices of the wise and prudent Counsellors of State was booteless all was but the weaving of the Spiders Webb Esay 29.15 59 5. Jer. 30.12 Hoses 5. all of it They sinned against Jehovah the hope of their Fathers Ier. 50.7 Iob 12.17 18 19 20. To backsliding and adulterous Israel Christ her Lord gave a Bill of divorce and put her away yet Iudah her sister being also treacherous feared not but went and plaid the harlot also Ier. 3.7 8. The mindes of these two sisters were alienated from Christ and so his minde at last was alienated from them read Ezek. 23. Ibid. And affinity with the Harlot Aholah Mark State affairs in Iudah They saw Omâ—i was a mighty Prince overcoming Zimri and Tibni who stood in competition with him for the Kingdome of Israel and that Achab possessed all in peace that his Father Omri had settled Iehosophat thought it good state-policie to make affinitie with him although he followed Ieroboam-man of sin his Religion but it was the ruin and almost the rooting out of his house c. for mark first Iehosaphat being in his visits with Achab was solicited for association in a league for War to which with reluctation he yielded For he might not in Court courtesie shew himself so weak and discrepant to think that four hundred prophets were so to be slighted as to follow the humour of one singular self-willed refractorious fellow Michaiah So he went with his Brothet Achab to battel to Ramoth Gilead but there he was in danger of his life Jehosophat although a goodman yet in that no good Statesman to weaken Iudah to help these with men and all ammunition although circumcised Israelites that hated the Gospel He was reproved and wrath was upon him a Chron. 19 2. He joyned with Achaziah of Achab in a Navy to go to sea for gold but Christ was displeased with it and plagued Jehoshaphat in that the ships were broken so that project took not 2 Chron. 20. Psal 8. ult 3. Joram Jehosaphats son who married Achabs daughter after his fathers death forsook the Gospel and followed Jeroboams Religion the two Devils of Dan and Bethâ—l and caused Jerusalem and compelled Iudah to commit fornication to worship Devils 2 Chron. 21. 2 Kings 8.18 All worship what Christ hath not commanded is the worship of Devils Levit. 10. and 17.7 Psal 106.39 1 Cor. 10. All their projects of State must justifie that affinity els all the provisions in Law against Ieroboams revolt had been a reprof to Achabs daughter so her faction prevailed for the corrupting the calling on the name of Jehovah as of old Satans project was Gen 4.26 conferred with chap. 6. and this seed of false worship sowed in Iudah did gâ—ow to an evil harvest Hos 6.11 And did stick so fast that it could not be weeded out for 180 years till the dayes of Hezekiah King of Iudah for the businesses of their State were agitated according to the modells and plots of Omri that maintained the faction of Ieroboam man of sin his Religion as Micah challenged the State in Achaz his days that the Statutes of Omri were kept and their way and their counsells Behold the working of that affinity But Hezekiah that good King made reformation according to the primitive institution 2 Chron. 28.2 2 Kin. 16.3 and 17.19 yet Manasse fell again to Achabs idolatry so fast false worship cleaves to our nature 4. This Joram after his fathers death as Turks now do killed his six brethren and many Princes very like his brethren and the Princes did dislike and protest against his courses about idolatry and tyranny and had no heart to the faction of Ieroboam man of sin his Religion therefore the Queen and her Counsellors might say to the King An 't like your Majesty you can never be in safety and rule as King while your brethren have fenced Cities and while the Princes do not approve your proceedings frame mischief by a Law and off with their heads 2 Chron. 21. Psal 94.20 Now Davids house are Belial and thorns 2 Sam 23. Mark here false worship inttroduced then the liberties and priviledges of the subjects are invaded That Subjects might not so much mind Apostacy in their Princes means were excogitated to busie them by rumours of this and that project and also for their particular estates till false Religion had gotten footing this is the very heart and counsell of apostate and idolatrous Princes 5. Ioram lost the regency and principality of Edom 2 Chron. 21. 6. Libnah one of the prime Cities of Judah rebelled because he forsook the Religion of Jehovah that is in very deed the Gospel of the Son of God the God of his fathers 2 Chron. 21. when the Magistrate thrusts out the Gospel then Christ divides the hearts of the people Apostacie in the Prince breeds Apostacie in the subjects Christ pours contempt upon Princes Ps 107.40 7. The Lord Jehovah stirred up the spirit of the Philistims Arabians and Cuâ—him who invaded Judah and took much spoil even out of the Kings house and captived his wives and all his sons save one 2 Chr. 21. Deut. 28.30 31 41. oppressions filled their Exchequers but the enemies emptied them he poureth contempt upon Princes Job 12 21. 8. He died of a rotting disease in his bowels that they fell out because he slew his own bowels worse befell not that persecutor Antiochus 2 Mic. 9. Riches avail not in the day of wrath but righteousnesse delivereth from death the like plague came on that bloody tyrant Herod Acts 12.23 9. He was not esteemed worthy of honourable buriall as his noble predecessors the land being
bewitching for there is nothing in it but will please an unregenerate and carnall heart The Papist will have people to believe the Church of Rome is the mother of all Churches and all must be subject to her and they have great shews and outward glory to perswade and false authority to compell men so to esteem her It is true at the first the Church in Rome was a famous Church a worthy daughter of the heavenly Jerusalem which is the mother of all true Churches and she was a noble off spring of the most high Sacrificer Rom. 16.17 but when she would not keep her place but caused scandala from the Apostles and Prophets doctrine and would be above her Father and her mother and all her sisters by playing the imperious whore in her Fathers house Lev. 21.9 then she lost her true glory and burning shall be her end But yet Papists will plead for their mother but we must not yield them motherhood in that sense as they would have it we may yield them by the authority of the Scriptures that Rome is called a Woman a Mother and set forth by outward ornanaments most glorious and dazelling to the carnall eye but yet further and that marres all she is called a Whore and mother of fornications I will transcribe the Scripture Apoc 17 4. And the Woman-Whore verse 1. was arrayed in purple and scarlet-colour and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filâ—hinesse of her fornication and upon her forehead a name written Mysterie Babylon the great the mother of fornications and abominations of the earth That chapter is against the seven-Mountain city which city when Saint John wrote reigned over the Kings of the earth Revel â—ation 17. ult Thus the Spirit spake to the seven Churches of Asia of Romes motherhood and it is best that all people take motherhood in that sense as the spirit taught the churches so it is charged upon us Apoc. 2. and 3. for if we do not better we had never been born The true mother of all the faithfull is not so manifest to be known but the mother of fornications and abominations is as apertly described by the Spirit that it is a wonder but that Gods counsell must stand Ap c. 13 8. how men should misse to know the one or the other But why do I say a wonder whereas the truth of the Gospel of Christ is called a Mysterie and so the falshood of the Kingdome of Satan in the Beast like a Lamb is called a Mysterie and so much the more it is a mysterie because in the false Church there is a deepnesse of Satan in mannaging his Kingdome that he doth in many things assimulate the true Church there is a notable instance of this in Prov 8. and 9. Prov. 8. Wisdome in the true Church standeth in the top of the high places by the way in the Places of the paths Jer. 7.2 and 17.19 she crieth at the gates at the entry of the city at the coming in at the doors O ye simple understand wisdome chap. 9. Who so is simple let him turn in hither as for him that wanteth understanding she saith to him Come eat of my bread and drink of the wine which I have mingled forsake the foolish and live and go in the way of understanding c. c. Prov. 9.13 A foolish woman is clamourous she is simple and knows nothing notwithstanding she sitteth at the door of her house on a seat in the high places of the city to call Passengers who go right on their way Who so is simple let him turn in hither and as for him that wanteth understanding she saith to him Stollen waters are sweet and bread eaten in secret is pleasant but he knoweth not that the dead are there and that her guests are in the depths of Hell Wisdome standeth in the high places of the city in the places of the paths So doth the foolish woman sit at the doore of her house on a Seat in the high places of the city the more is the pity that she hath such toleration the false Church will advance her self to be more eminent and too often she is so esteemed of all those that follow the Lusts of the flesh the Lusts of the eye and Pride of life Wisdome sweetly inviteth and cryeth to the sonnes of Men to hearken to sound wisdome and understanding The foolish woman will exceed for she will be clamorous consider the ten Tribes 1 Kings 15. they all protested they worshipped God that brought them out of the Land of Egypt when they worshipped the Devils of Dan and Bethel Will you behold another clamorous company of the foolish Woman Achabs and Jezabels Prophets And yet lift up your eyes that you may behold another company but they were learned Reconcilers and Moderatours of Baals and the Temples Religion therefore I may not call them fools for they were Priests Prophets Dreamers Diviners Inchanters Sorcerers Jeremiah 26. Jer. 7. They could buâ—n incense to Baal and yet come to worship in the Temple 8 9 10 11 and 27.9 And I should do them wrong if I should not remember another multitude of clamorous fools the worshippers of Diana Acts 19. read Apocalyps 13.12.13 14 15 16 17. Wisdome saith she will teach the simple understanding And so the foolish woman of the ten Tribes pretends to teach the simple understanding babbling against Judah that they had the truth Wisdome saith she hath bread and wine for those that do attend her The false company saith they want not pleasant bread and sweet waters for their guests The ten Tribes thought the Religion of Jeroboams Calves better sweeter and pleasanter than the Eternal wisdomes Religion of the Temple unto which they were so earnestly and Pathetically and comfortably invited in the nine former chapters of the Proverbs and by all the Prophets and were Proud Scornfull and stubborn Despisers of all the Prophets Admonitions But what came of all the guests that followed this clamorous foolish woman What became of Jerobams house of Baasaes of Omries of Jehues c. Thus as the Apostle speaketh in his dayes so it hath been ever and will be still That Satan transformeth himself into an Angel of light So it is not a strange thing that his Ministers can transform themselves as if they were the Ministers of Righteousnesse Thus we have a brief Compendium of the mysterie of godlinesse and of the mysterie of iniquity and nothing in the world can describe these two unto us but the Holy and Blessed Scriptures and to this day this hath been the Controversie between Christs two faithfull Witnesses in the Reformed Churches in their Teaching Writing Profession and Sufferings against the false Lamb and his worshippers Now in this case what should we do say unstable and carnall hearts we know not what course to take we are in a staggering condition truly
unstable Soules are ever ready for the wolfs mouth a fit prey for the smooth subtil Serpent and his seed People must be constantly admonished weaken Popery weaken all this the Layalans know well enough Turcisme is no mysterie and all the unclean spirits of errour is no mysterie Therefore in few words O ye godly Families study the holy Scriptures they are the Inheritance of all the Israel of God And verily the most faithfull Witnesse hath said and then he spake of the old Testament Ye erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the Power of God Misbelievers know not God Wherefore if ye cry after knowledge and lift up your voice for understanding Prov. â— if ye seek wisdome as Silver and search for understanding as for hid Treasures then certainly you shall understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God for the Lord giveth wisdome and out of his Mouth in his holy Scriptures cometh knowledge and understanding And this also will follow That no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper and every tongue that riseth in Judgement against you you shall condemn this is the * This is a rich and great heritage Heritage of the servants of Jehovah and their Rghteousnesse is of me saith JEHOVAH Isaiah 54.17 To conclude it is said he that asketh receiveth he that seeketh findeth Mat. 7. and to him that knocketh it shall be opened The secret of Jehovah that is the Misterie of Christ is with them that sear him and his Covenant to make them know it He will cause the meek to go according to right and teach the humble his way Psalm 25. Two or three Directions concerning the reading of the following Dialogue First read the Text of it often to see how things in the course of the Bible follow one another then the margins at your leasure for explication 2. Let none be discouraged at the largenesse of this Dialogue for it is not intended that children or any should learn it without book but the substance of it they will have in their minds before they be aware For 1. Hereby a faithfull mind that hath his wits exercised in the word of righteousnesse will often in a day runne over all the Bible in sundry varieties if he mark the Chronologie and the chief persons in the Genealogie for by marking the times and the persons that lived in those times he will remember their stories as it is common to do in worldly affairs 2. I have not cited every verse to the chapter I mention because I would have the Reader to mark the coherence of things the better and though the verse be not named yet some part of the chapter is expressed and you are to remember that the holy Apostles when they cite a Text they name onely the Prophet or more generally the Scripture not naming the Prophet Rom. 9.13.15 17.25 1 Pet. 2.6 c. c And observe that Speech John 15.25 The Psalms are called their Law that term hath deep Meditation for the term Law comprehends all the Scriptures and the Doctrine of salvation by Christ and that saying of James 4.5 Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy but there is no one particular Text in all the Bible that hath those words and yet the whole Book of God and I think every particular Prophet doth shew this corruption of our nature that the Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy And where the verse is cited you may misse of that edification which you may attain unlesse you mark the scope for the holy Spirit doth in divers verses drive to one chief Conclusion therefore you must consider many verses and it may be the whole chapter before you find the true sense of a verse I will not excuse my want herein in not citing every verse But beloved all my labour is to gain this of you to delight in all the Blessed Book of God And if this effect be attained I shall think my labour well bestowed and out of this desire I hope it may come to passe I may be encouraged to do you further service E.H. CHAP. I. OF the UNITY of the GOD-HEAD AND TRINITY of PERSONS Also of their Properties and Workes QVestion I. What Scriptures do shew the Vnity of the God-head and the Trinity of Persons with their properties and workes Answ very many of which I will propound only some to consideration Deut. 6.4 Heare O Israel the Eternall our God the Eternall is One. Gen. 1.1.2 In the beginning * If the knowledge of God in Trinity had not been the ground of life God would never have declared himselfe to us in the plurall number for his eternall wisdome fore-saw what warrs would come for that betwixt Jewes Turks and Arrians and his true faithfull ones and God the God of peace would never have placed a name pluâ—all in his first Scripture but for peace to life to the fallen Sons of Adam Elohim God 's he created the Heavens and the Earth And the Earth was without forme and void and darknesse was upon the face of the * The Spirit of Elohim is sometimes called the Spirit of God the Father 1. Joh. 4.13 Apoc. 11.11 and sometimes the Spirit of the Son Gal. 4.6 Rom. 8.9.1 Pet. 1.11 because it proceeds as well from the Son as from the Father Joh 14.16.26 compared with Joh. 16.26 deep and the Spirit of Elohim Gods moved upon the face of the waters In the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with God and the WORD was God the same was in the beginning with God All things were made †Aâ—â— things were created by him and for him Col. 1.16 consider that Gen 1. 2. shewes that and all the rest of the Bible shews this by him and without him was made nothing that was made In him was life and the life was the light of men Joh. 1.1.2 And Elohim said Let US make man according to OUR Image Gen. 1.26 And Jehovah said The man is become as one of US Gen. 3.22 And Jehovah came downe to see the City and Tower and Jehovah said let US go downe Gen. 11.7 And it came to passe when they Gods Elohim caused me to wander Gen. 20.13 He built an Altar there and called the place El-Bethel because there they Gods appeared unto him Gen. 35. 7. But none say where is the Puissant my Makers Job 35. see Braughton on Job Let Israel rejoyce in his Makers Psal 149.2 Thy Maker is thy Husbands Esa 54.5 Remember thy Creatours Eccl. 12.1 By the WORD of Jehovah were the Heavens made and all the hosts of them by the SPIRIT of his mouth Psal 33.6 I am with you saith Jehovah of Hosts with the WORD by whom I made a covenant with you when yee departed out of Egypt and my SPIRIT remaining among you that yee should not feare Hag. 2.5 Go and teach all Nations baptizing them in the
name of the Fether of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Mat. 28.19 For there are Three which beare record in Heaven the Father the WORD and the holy Ghost and these three are one 1. Joh. ◠7 Yee worship yee know not what we know what we worship for salvation is of the Jewes but the houre cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shal worship the Father in Spirit and truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth Joh. 4.22.23.24 Jer. 10.1 Heare yee the word which Jehovah speaketh unto you O house of Israel 2. Thus saith Jehovah learne not the way of the Heathen and be not dismayed at the signes of the Heavens for the Heathens are dismayed at them 3. For the customes of the people are vaine for one cutteth a Tree out of the Forrest the worke of the hands of the workman with the ax 4. They deck it with Silver and Gold they fasten it with Nayles and with Hammers that it move not 5. They are upright as the Palm Tree but speak not they must needs be borne because they cannot go be not affraid of them for they cannot do evill neither is it in them to doe good 6. For as much as there is none like unto thee O Jehovah thou art great and thy name is great in power 7. Who would not feare thee O King of Nations for to thee doth it appertaine for as much as among all the wise men of the Nations and in all their Kingdomes there is none like unto thee .. 8. But they are altogether bruitish and foolish the stock is a Doctrine of vanities 9. Silver spread into Plates is brought from Tharshish and Gold from Vphaz the work of the Workman and the hands of the Founder blew and purple is their cloathing they are all the works of cunning men 10. But Jehovah is the true God he is the the living God and an everlasting King at his wrath the earth shall tremble and the Nations shall not be able to abide his indignation 11. Thus shall yee say unto them the Gods that have not made the Heavens and the Earth even they shall perish from the Earth and from under these Heavens God gives raine and he witholds raine Deut. 11.14 Amos. 4.7 Psal 147. Sing unto Jehovah who covereth the Heavens with clouds read Job 36. 37. 12. HE hath made the Earth by his power he hath established the world by his wisdome and hath stretched out the Heavens by his discretion 13. When he uttereth his voice there is a multitude of waters in the Heavens and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth he maketh lightnings with raine and bringeth the wind out of his Treasures 14. Every man is bruitish in his owne †Vaine man would be wise though man be borne a wild asse colt Job 11.12 knowledge every founder is confounded by the graven Image for his molten Image is but false-hood and there is no breath in them 15. They are Unity and the work of errours in the time of their visitation they shall perish 16. * The Lords portion is his people Jacob is the lot of his inheritance Deut. 32. how gracious is this reciprocation See the uses that the Saints should and have made of it Psal 73.16 119.57 Lam. 3. Christ is the portion of the faithfull and they are his portion The portion of Jacob is not like them he is the former of all things and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance Jehovah of Hosts is his name Jer. 23.23 Am I a God at hand saith Jehovah and not a God afarr off can any hide himselfe in secret places that I shal not see him saith Jehovah do not I fill Heaven and Earth saith Jehovah Psal 135.6 Whatsoever pleaseth Jehovah he doth in the Heavens and in the Earth in the Seas and in all deep places vid Dan. 4.34.35 Ephe. 1 11. QVestion 2. What may be learned from these Texts Answ These Scriptures teach us to know the most glorious God in his nature and properties in his works of Creation and providence Also the Unity of his essence and that there is a distinction in the unity of essence by which description wemay plainely see that he cannot be likened to any thing nor any thing made like to him Therefore all Idolls and Images of him are vanity and wicked and are to be abhorred and that he only is to be feared beleeved in worshipped c. And all this will more cleerely appeare by certain positions which may be gathered out of these Texts QVest 3. Which be they Answ 1. These Scriptures teach us that God is a Spirit most perfect and infinite and therefore impossible to be conceived of us as he is in himselfe and therefore we must content our selves with such a knowledge as he hath in his word revealed to us according to our capacity in his names and properties 1. His names are * It is good to observe how the attributes and titles are taken one for the other as Deut. 18.13 Mat. 5 48. So that Elohim Jehovah and Father are all one and so we shall finde in other Scriptures These names titles and properties do expound the proeme of the decalogue and the first commandement and the Proeme of the Lords prayer and the first petition Elohim Jehovah Adonaj Shaddaj Jah Tzur c. which signifie the Mighties the eternall being of himselfe and the giver of being to all things else the Stay of the World the All-sufficient the giver of life and breath the Rock c. these and others are abridgments of the Bible and the Bible a commentary on them 2. His properties some of them are incommunicable and some communicable the incommunicable are simplenesse or unmixednesse infinitenesse eternitie omnipotency unchangeablenesse immeasurablenesse c. no creature hath these 3. The properties communicable are being life goodnesse power wisdome justice holinesse truth mercy c. These he communicateth to his creatures yet they are but in a measure in them as qualities but in God essential in the creatures weak and imperfect but in him each of them is infinite in all perfection and by these things in the creatures which we see and perceive the invisible things of God are understood Some call these names and properties titles and attributes 4. These Scriptures affirme that there is one God and but one for there can be but one infinite and eternall being Creatour and Governour 5. The distinct persons in the God-head are from these Scriptures to be learned the Father the WORD and the holy Spirit Other Scriptures do further direct us how they are distinguished by their order properties an works 1. By their order the Father is the first person of himselfe the Son is the second person only of the Father he holy Ghost is the third person from them both 2. By
their properties Joh 1.14 Joh. 15.26 the Father from all eternity begetteth the Person of the Son the Son from all eternity is begotten of the Father the holy Spirit from all eternity proceedeth from them both These are incommunicable properties in the Persons the Fathers relative property is to beget and not to be begotten and therefore he is the first person in order so for our better conceiving we may say a Person in the God-head is a subsistence or a being considered in his relative property A 3. By their works to the Father is ascribed creation election predestination and adoption to the Son redemption to the holy Ghost sanctification Again the beginning of every action is given to the Father the dispensation to the Son the perfection and consummation to the holy Ghost these in some respects may be said to be communicable properties in the persons The reverend Mr. Richardson Mr. Yates and Mr. Antony Wotton c. Also it must be considered that every title attribute or property that in generall is spoken of the Deity is spoken of and attributed to each person as the Father is Jehovah so is the Son so is the holy Ghost Joh. 12.41 Act. 28.25 conferred with Esai 6.3 to 10. The Father the Son the holy Spirit be one co-essentiall and co-eternall infinite and unchangable c. And so in the attributes just holy good mercifull c. each person is so infinitely and unchangably c. Also in respect of the Creatures the attributes are communicable to each Person as the Son is called Father Esai 9. So it may be said of the holy Spirit who begetteth and reneweth us by the word of truth the Father is our teacher and so the Son and so the holy Spirit the Father sanctifieth the son sanctifieth the holy spirit sanctifieth Therefore it is very usefull to observe two things in the persons their co-operation and distinct manner of working the one is necessary in regard of this that they have the same essence and therefore cannot but co-worke in every thing the other is likewise as necessary because each person hath his distinct manner of subsisting All operation flowes from their essence co-operation from their unity in it and distinct manner from the distinct manner of their subsisting One essence one operation and Three being One must needes work inseparably and one being Three must needs worke in a distinct manner 6 Through faith we understand that the worlds were builded by the word of God that the things which are seen are not made of things which had appearance Ebr. 11. 6 It is the thrice holy Jehovah the Father the Son and their spirit all Three one infinite nature that hath created the heavens and the Earth and Seas and all things in them whether visible or invisible in a sweet dependency of order And He the Eternall Being gave them all their being with perfection of qualities that B was fit for each creature in its order and kinde 7 It is the same everlasting God that in his providence from the beginning to the ending doth in a most holy just wise and mercifull order preserve and govern all things with all their circumstances in the heavens earth seas C Therefore called an everlasting King But this King and D Kingdome is more specially to be understood of the son of God as Mediatour to whom the Father hath committed all authority and power Vt infra 8. The true God being thus glorious and a spirit infinite is therefore impossible to be perceived by our senses or comprehended in the short span of our understanding for hee is like to nothing in heaven earth or seas neither can all the wisest men of the world make any thing like to him but if any think so to do they dote and are follish and vain as Isui 40. and many more Chapters do speake and their images are no Gods E nor resemblances of him but works of errours and lyes They can do neither good nor evill those that make them are like unto them and so are all that put their trust in them And all that worship God by them are F haters of the eternall God and are hated and accursed of him 9 Here it is shewed that Gods worship is cheifly spiritual G and all outward worship otherwise then hee hath appointed is hatefull and abominable and uncomfortable as here and in other scriptures ceremonious and superstitious vanities and makers of images are reproved as bruitish senselesse and hopelesse 10 God being One and none other beside him the supream Governour whose is the Kingdome and power over all things he is only to be feared loved trusted in prayed unto and obeyed therefore he hath given us ten commandements with this entrance That he is Iehovah our H Elohim the Eternall the Mighty God our creator and Redeemer and he hath taught us to pray to him who is the everlasting father from whom all helpe comfort and defence cometh and is to be praysed and glorified in all his workes of goodnesse mercy wisdome justice c. 11 God being a most simple spiritual eternall and infinite Nature It followeth that he seeth at one instant and togegether past present and to come all things in heaven earth and seas There is nothing so invisible to our eyes in any place or so spirituall to our understanding but he seeth every particular Nothing is so secret as the imaginations of our thoughts yet God seeth them Many uses hence an understanding and beleeving heart will make for spirituall obedience and carefull watchfullnesse over his whole man Psal 139. all of it and 119 168. Job 31.4 1 Chron. 28.9 Men not understanding or not beleeving say in heart there is no God or like the wicked in Job chap. 22 and Psal 94. Who say Jehovah shall not see the God of Jacob will not regard But God doth both as the Psalme is notable Secondly Hence a world of outward Christians do shew themselves but Atheists Yea thirdly The godly not seriously and constantly considering this fail much in their sincerity for holy and just obedience 12. Another singular use is for afflictions When wee have any cause of fear wee may be preserved that this passion do not too much assaile us by meditating often wee may be throughly acquainted with I our God his titles properties and attributes both incommunicable and communicable Also of his works of creation redemption and Government in any evill felt or feared we may quickly turn and seek to god and so may not fear above measure as David saith K They that know thy name will trust in thee Psal 9.10 Againe When I was afraid I trusted in thee Psal 56.3 Remarkable also is this in Jehosaphat 2 Chron. 20.12 Also transcendent in those three noble confessors and Martyrs Dan 3.16.17.18 So in all temptations yea in death it selfe These things when they are well graffed and as nailes fastned in our soules will prepare us to contentednesse in all
adverse things But let a man be carefull allwaies to keep a conscience void of offence toward God and toward man then hee shall not need to fear for any sudden fear for the Eternall Being will be for his assurance But an unfaithfull heart of unbeleif cannot tell whither to turn him in affliction and distresse this is manifest in Kain Saul Ishcariot and Achitophel 13. The mighty Elohim the eternall Being hath created and disposed all things in Christ for the good of his Elect. Therefore the Prophets shew that Gods Jesurun portion and inheritance should not be as the Idolatrous heathens and such like blind ignorant sots L They must not learn their Abominations nor to be afraid of any of the signs of the heavens the constellations eclipses or strangnesse of any of the fiery ayery watery or earthly Meteors God hath ever used them as all are his servants for the good of his church and the world and for the destruction of the wicked as in the Flood Sodom Aegypt c. so it is sayd the Heavens fought and the Stars in their course fought against M Sisera Jud. 5. The stars by their influence in their Constellations raised stormes winde raine hail inundations c. Compare with this Job 38.22.23 and Jos 10.11 also Exod. 5. and the troubles of Pharaohs pursute of Israel in the Red sea Exod. 14.24.25 Psal 77.16.17.18.19 meditate on Psal 18. and 28.3 c. and Psal 104. and 148. and 1 Sam. 7.10 and 12.17 and 14.15 and much of Jobs booke ANNOTATIONS upon Chapter 1. In Q. 3. N. 5. The same order of the persons in existence is the same in operation both in the creation and in the new creation or regeneration For the spirit of Elohim first of the Father and Secondly of the son moved hovered or as one may say sate a Metaphor from birds that fit on their eggs on the face of the waters to hatch or bring forth out of that created Chaos all the visible and sensible creatures as it followes in the sixth dayes work As for the other the Love of the Father draws on the sons redemption and their spirit works it up by sanctification c. This is an irrefragable bond of working which the creature cannot frustrate and Jehovah changeth not Eph. 1.2 to 16. 1 Cor. 8.6 2 Cor. 4.4 2 Cor. 13.13 Joh. 5.19 and 14.26 and 15.26 and 16.7 In N. 6. That was fit for each cretaure though the creatures do now groan under corruption yet it is a miracle of beauty that things are placed to be so excellently subservient to each other The baser and inferiour serve the next above them the livelesse serve the Vegetives the Vegitive the sensitive the sensitive the Rationall the Rationall are to serve the eternall Lord God In N. 7. Therefore who is he that sayth that any thing falleth out which Jehovah commanded not From the mouth of the highest proceedeth not the evill and the good Lam. 3 27.38 Broughton reads it Are not two sparrowes sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall on the Ground without the Father Matth. 10. Is there evill in the City and the Lord hath not done it Amos 3.6 Let us be humbled for our Atheisme that looke so much to second causes God alters times and seasons and over-rules his means as in the plague in 1636. it being most in winterly season And as for fretting and tormenting our selves about events every event is an Oracle of God then no disputing Yea be the instruments what can be it is just wise or a mercifull event and all to his glory Why doth living man murmur a man for the punishment of his sin Lam. 3. Therefore David was in a sweet temper when he sayd I opened not my mouth because thou didst it Psal 39. 2 Sam. 16.10 So then what ever be the second causes yet the most high God ruleth all in all things in Heaven earth sea and in all deep places Psal 135. His providence reacheth as far as his creation We say it raines it snowes it freezeth ir misteth it thundereth it bloweth and that the stormy windes do raise the waves c. We may so speak impersonally for the holy scripture alloweth the Phrase But yet wee must looke and our children must be taught to looke to Jehovah the Eternall Being He sayth to the snow be thou upon the Earth and likewise to the small raine and the great raine of his strength he thundereth he raiseth the stormy winde c. Job 17.38 and Psal 104. and 107. These things should be in us from our infancy that our Faith Fear Love Joy Hope Patience should abound towards him who doth all things by his wise Counsells and for the good of his chosen In N 7. Kingdome Although the Kingdome of God be much spoken of in the holy scriptures yet it hath a more retyred and speciall sence then is commonly thought upon this Kigdome is that mediatoriall Kingdome of Christ and therefore all power in Heaven and Earth was not first given to him in Matth. 28.18 For God hath governed the world by his son ever since Adam lost the government by his fall Gen. 3.15 And therefore it is sayd Jehovah from Jehovah rained fire and brimstone up Sodom and Gomorrah Gen. 19.24 In N. 8. Nor resemblances We ought to be very carefull in prayer c. That we fashion not God in our conceptions to any shape We ought not to thinke of the God-head like sottish heathens or superstitious Papists Acts 17. Esa 40 Rom. 1. Therefore let us helpe our children from the breasts with true knowledge In N. 8. Haters For God saith I will visit the iniquity of Fathers upon the third and fourth Generation of them that Hate mee as in Exod. chap. 20. In N. 9. And all outward worship Selfe-will worshippers are bruitish wights they worship they know not what for all their babling and prating Act. 17. Joh. 4.22 Jeroboam and his Preists thought and taught that they worshiped the true God in his calves but God hath told us that hee worshiped Devils A Papist thinks hee worships Christ when hee kneeles before a golden silvery woodden stony or painted Crucifix But the spirit saith It is the worship of Devills 2 Chron. 11.25 Apoc. 9 20. In N. 10. Our Elohim Meditare ever more of Gods Attributes and properties as a helpe in Prayer and as a meanes to preserve faith and obedience and to prop us against all temptations to sin and when through Weaknesse overtaken by sin meditate on the same This will be a meanes to make us that we shall not conceale or hide our sins For by concealing we disgrace Gods Attributes and properties but by confession we give Glory to Jehovah the God of Israel that he sees us knows us that he is just if he judge and condemn us that he is holy and cannot abide iniquity that he is mighty and able to plague save and deliver And this is a gracious way to
in the second Adam in whom we are c compleat And hitherto pertaine many of the Lords †Read Ezek 16. 36 Jer. 31. 32. 33. Esai 42.1 to 17. c. gracious promises and all the commandements exhortations motives examples prayers vowes covenant to be heavenly †Read Deut. 30.6 Jer. 32.38.39 to love the Lord and the word of his truth to walk before him in godly feare in all well pleasing and so all the Saints ever did as Adam Habel Henoch Noe c. also hitherto pertaine the * Reduce al dehortations as love not the World nor the things of the world 1. Joh. 2. set not your affections on the Earth Col. 3. and on the contrary â—educe the exhortations as seek the things above Eccl. 11. 12. dehortations threatnings curses and examples of sin and punishment in walking contrary IV. From this first preaching of the Gospell we must attentively minde this that Jehovah who was who is who will be still the same d doth rule all ages to one sum of salvation in Christ And to this faith he ever calleth his elect e by his word and Spirit from the communion of Devills and the wicked world to have communion with him and his Son Jesus Christ our Lord by way of Ordinances The reason that God hateth the wicked is God teaching this continually from the beginning yet the wicked rebell and joyne with Saâ—an 2 Cor. 4.4 V. * In all ages for teaching â—ead Psal 44. 79.1 Thes 3.2 Col. 1.24 c. for his S. observation beleiving and professing this glorious Doctrine of Christ f great disputations contentions sorrows tentations persecutions in body goods name and life come unto Michael Christ Jesus and his g Angells by Satan and his Angells yet Christ went through all conquering and so faith in him and in his word doth make us conquerors Many sweet promises belong to this head VI. The duty of all Christian beleivers is to be unfained in brotherly love h holding one another with a dear pure heart fervently and to resist the Divill and his members i and to have no fellowship with the workers nor with the works of wickednesse Behold severity through all generations when the Church walked contrary VII Because this Text of Gen. 3.15 is a promise of Christ that he should take humanity destroy Satans works therefore in it implicitely are the petitions of the Saints for all good concerning soule and body Intercessions as respecting the communion of Saints deprecations to be delivered and protected from all evill and holy imprecations against the seed of the Serpent Also hence issue the k praises and thanksgivings for receiving good for our selves or others both in respect of spirituall blessings and in that all l creatures of each days creation whether visible or invisible in Christ are servants and freinds to the elect Hence also proceede praises and thanksgivings for m deliverance and protection from Satan his seed and works QUest 7. Did God ordaine any publick worship to his name presently after the fall of our first Parents and after the promise Answ As God n taught our first Parents the Doctrine of faith so he taught them prayer and sacrificing and blessed the seventh day and sanctified it for a day of rest for study how God rested from Creation in the Redemption by Christ he being promised to be Heire of all o Sacrifice was used from the day of Adams Apostasie teaching of life coming by death Adam taught his Sons and his Sons Sons to the eighth successive Childe and those that offered in faith discerning the bloud of the covenant did please God had peace and reconciliation with God and were made heires of the righteousnesse that is by faith the Church in Adams family with Gods †The Ordinances were the preaching of the word of faith 2 Prayer 3. the Seale of the promise Ordinances is called p the presence of God The * Mr. Ainsworth on Gen. 4.14.16 Presence of God in holy Ordinances is most glorious and comfortable to which the faithfull in all ages of the Church resorted with holy feare exceeding joy praise and thanksgiving Psal 42. 43. 84. 100. c. QUest 8. Who beleived this report concerning the second Adam and to whom was the arme of the Lord revealed Answ Adam and his Sons * Habel Seth Enos and the rest of the godly Fathers and their godly posterity to the Flood QUest 9. Who hated this Doctrine and persecuted this way of life in Christ Answ Kain was the first that began the †War of the Serpent against the q holy seed And this persecution by men that followed Kains wayes goes on to the end of the World QUest 10. Was there any apostasie from this faith and way of salvation afore the Flood Answ Christ the Light and Life shined in darknesse but he was not comprehended of the Sons of darknesse for beside the Doctrine and practise of bodily exercise in Kain there was r a great apostasie and that quickly of the Sons of the open Church who having a forme of godlinesse but denying the power thereof despised the Doctrine of regeneration greived the holy Spirit and corrupted the calling on the name of the Eternall And the cheife occasion of all this was by s ungodly marriages with Kains t worldly glorious house from all which issued u a confluence of all iniquity setting Light by Gods long suffering while the Ark was making committing all ungodly deeds and uttering hard and bitter speaches against the Heavens And so it is in all apostasies †Remember still that in all apostasies of the Church the faithfull cannot be visibly glorious QUest 11. What came to the faithfull that did first cleave to the faith which was once delivered to the Saints and that walked with God Answ Through x faith they obtained good †report with God God was not ashamed to be called their God and their Father they his Sons he accounted that the world was not worthy of them and therefore he prepared for them an Heavenly y City and Countrey for they had gracious promises of Gods favour through his covenant in Christ the true Noah who doth comfort us concerning our workes and concerning the sorrowes of our hands and concerning the earth which God hath cursed †wherefore they had preservation and deliverance from the severe destruction of the World by Waters Thus God was a rewarder of them that by faith did diligently seek him This doth teach us how precious faith is in the Son of God that should come into the World QUest 12. What came on the z co Ì„upters of the Faith the despisers and wantons and feasters and mockers and murderers the seed of the serpent that walked after their owne lusts Answ Kaine was cursed a and excommunicate and Christ did execute Judgement and bruised his posterity and the Apostates in his fearfull severity in the Flood washing their bodyes away
and cast their spirits into eternall prison for their unbeleeving disobedient striving against the b Spirit of Christ in his Prophets preaching the Gospel So dangerous it is when people will not be wise * Consider Psal 2. through the whole volume how Christ breaketh the plots counsells c. of the serpents seed and kisse the Sonne The next generall judgment of the world and of wicked and ungodly men shall be by fire God hates c the wicked unbeleevers and hyppocrites in all ages like Devills according to that most constant doctrinall position 2 Joh. 9. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God he that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son QUest 13. How long was it from the first pronouncing of the curse upon the Earth to the open manifection of it by the Floud of waters Answ It was sixteen hundred fifty and six years Some Annotations upon this second Chapter with References to the number of the Questions and Letters of A B C c. In Answer to the first question in expounding Gen. 3.15 This scripture is the Basis of all the Doctrine of Gods Counsell concerning Redemption by Christ this scripture declares the decree of Gods eternall counsell and covenant as it was concluded and agreed on by the holy Trinity for mans Redemption from Satans head-plot Satans plot and purpose was to spoyl man and so consequently to have spoyled and undone the whole work of God in the Creation But this that sets forth an heavy threatning against Satan and the serpent his instrument that one from the seed of the woman should break his headplot and heal that misery which he brought on man and because that should be done a new heaven and a new earth should be made to the praise of Gods counsells which over raught the plot and project of Satan So this scripture containes in it a threatning to the serpent and his seed and a promise to Eve to all her beleeving seed of Christ Beloved Reader concerning this Text and the threatning in it to the terror of the serpent and his seed be pleased to read Mr. Pynchons booke of the meritorious price of mans redemption printed 1655. there you will have plentifull satisfaction but for this little worke I purpose cheifly to enlarge my selfe not as it is a threatning but as it is a promise concerning Christ The refore I will further observe from Gen. 3.15 I. That in this Text The eternall Gospell hid in God before the foundation of the world was now in Paradise manifested even the hid wisdome II. To this first and precious promise the Apostle hath respect when he saith He was made an Apostle of the faith and truth that is for the hope of eternall life which God that cannot lye promised before the times of the world but made his word of promise manifest in due time by the sending of Iesus Christ Tit. 1.1 2 3.2 Tim. 1.9.2 Pet. 1.4 The times of the world are counted by the birth of the first ten Fathers to the flood Thence by ten holy Fathers to the promise to Abraham Thence to the coming from AEgypt Thence to the building of the Temple Thence to the burning of it by Babels King Thence to the end of the captivity in Babel Thence by seventy sevens of yeares to the death of Christ or to the glorious redemption of man by the death of our Lord Jesus Christ III. This comprehendeth the Faith of Gods elect which was once delivered that is first and once for all delivered to the Saints and never after to be changed All other promises of Christ are but commorations and expositions of this The Doctrine of Faith can be but one because there is but one God and one Mediator Eph. 4. Note this phrase againe once delivered but still expounded This is Genus generalissimum And for this faith the Saints of all ages have contended to keep and uphold it against the serpent and his seed as all the Epistle of Iudas Thaddaeus is upon this argument All sins and punishments come on the world for despising this faith and comforts for imbracing 2 Thes 1.8 IV. From this first preaching of Christ till the mystery of God which he hath spoken by his holy Prophets and Apostles be finished wee must mind this constantly that Gods purpose was not to bring man fallen to life by the remains of any naturall abilities there was a Bar that wee should not think of any hope in that Gen. 3. ult But by a new and living way in the second Adam This is a Covenant of Grace not to him that worketh but to him that beleeveth and receiveth the Son of God as Mediator him hath God exalted in holy doctrine from the begining with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give change of mind and forgivenesse of sins to all the Israel of God Acts 3.21 5. 31. Now this new way is very foolishnesse to us naturally therefore wee dream of great excellencies in our corrupt dead stinking graves But we must hear the voice of the Son of God in his owne ordinances Iohn 5. and he must say to us live afore we can have the first Resurrection as we cannot have the second without his powerfull voice Ioh. 5. Isa 2.1 2 3 4 5 6. V. If the first Adam or any of him could helpe themselves what need the Son of God to be promised from the beginning to be a second Adam and to appear to destroy the works of the Devill 1 Joh. 1. and 3. he only knew how and was only able to mannage the whole officâ— of mediation and to performe all righteousnesse according to covenant in his own person without pressing and by his glorious Ordinances effectually to call and unquestionably to justifie and to prepare for glory all them of his mysticall body which the Father gave him Neither Adam nor any of his posterity had such abilities and for any thing they could do they should have born their own iniquities which was such a yoke that neither Patriarch nor Apostle were able to bear change of mind and forgivenesse of sins was ever preached to be by the second Adam Luke 24.47 Be it knowne therefore to all men saith this first promise that through this blessed seed the son of God made man is preached to us the forgivenesse of sins and by him all that beleeve are justified that is made free from the guilt of sin and punishment from which we could not be justified or made free by the Law of Moses Acts 13. The world was 3960 yeares from the Apostasie of the first Adam to the Redemption by the second Adam and who in all that time saved himselfe from death Death reigned over all old and young it is the second Adam that conquered death the reward of originall sin and hee rose againe for the justification or freedome of all Gods Children from sin
and feare of death Oh that selfe conceited and proud iniquity would once stop its mouth for every mouth shall be stopped and all the world shall be subject to the judgement of God Acts 13. and 15. Rom. 4 ult What the Law of works could not do the election hath obtained Rom. 11. VI. Mark that from this first and maine free promise God hath conveyed all comforts of wisdome justification or Freedome Sanctification and Redemption on fallen man and no way else can or ought to be sought after It could never have entred into the heart of man to thinke of this way if God of his rich Grace had not first declared this rich mystery of his will in a free promise how could our first fallen Parents have thought of a Redeemer much lesse of the meanes of obtaining such a Redeemer at the hands of God This mystery was ordained in Gods eternal Council and providence before the foundacion of the world was laid to be revealed upon Adams fall his ways are unsearchable his wisdome mercy power and love is past finding out and doubtlesse our first parents and all their faithfull posterity could but with admiration say the Epitaph not seen nor ear heard neither hath entred into the heart of man the things that God â—ath prepared for them that love him 1 Coâ— 2. Of him and through him and to him are all things To him be glory for ever Amen Esa 43.25 Esa 48.9 10 11. Rom. 11. Jer. 31.33 Jer. 32.39 Ezek. 36.25.26 VII Christ was promised a Redeemer not only from the guilt and punishment of sin but to make us in himselfe Sons of God even new creatures VIII All outward comforts come by promise in Christ severall godly persons of late years have done well in composing Treatises of the promises IX It is to admiration That Jehovah the eternall God should seeke to enter into a covenant of Grace with fallen man with the slaves of the Devill with enemies and with children of wrath that he should enter into a free promise and Covenant with us to be our God and to make us to be his people See his kindnesse to the polluted infant in Ezek. 16. X. All things are made subject to Christ as the heir of all from the first day of Adams fail but Satan doth labour with all sedulity to withdraw mans Blind heart from the understanding of this doctrine and doth labour to suggest fond imaginations of idolatry superstition bodily exercises and Fables c. to corrupt it and by persecution to hinder it yea to abolish it This is a Doctrine of Faith which no naturall man can attain untill his mind and divine illumination be regenerate and made capable to comprehnd this hid mystery of God in Christ All precepts promises and threatnings are ordained to bring fallen man to obey the Son of God as mediator All the victory administrations of Christs Kingdome by the word seals censures c. are for this purpose till the mediatorian Kingdome be redelivered 1 Cor. 15. But all things are cheifly intended for the Elect 1 Cor. 14.32 11. The second not on Gen. 12.13 may be of use here 12. Thus from the first preaching of the Gospell we must observe why Christ is called Alpha and Omega the first and the last not only in causes and effects but also of all divine Revelation in the blessed scriptures all runs on him All the Promises Threatnings Commandements Examples Chastisements c. all drive us to Christ he also is Alpha and Omega in all the praises of the Church he is also the maine matter and marke of the holy Bible All things were created by him and for him and he is before all things and by him all things consist and hee is the head of the body the Church Col 1.18 In 3. Q. The seed of the woman Hence Children should be first taught to read Gen 3. with Luke 3. and Luke 4 together for two principall ends first To know how Jesus our Lord is of the blessed Virgin Mary of Eli and of Adam and Eve naturally and in this respect the Genealogie of men in Luke 3. are the glory of mankind being all Fathers to the Son of God after the flesh 2. The better to compare the sorrowfull combate of Adam being killed on his first day from the life of the soule to death in sin with the glorious combate and victory of our Lord the second Adam driving Satan to flight and the reason why the Son of God should take hold of mans nature is purposely handled by the Apostle in Ebr. 2. Ebr. 3. Ebr. 4. Ebr. 5. Great is the mystery of Godlinesse God manifested in the flesh It is most glorious to consider it and how it hath been diligently taught in every age from Gen. 3.15 and for the better knowing of this mystery the Law of Moses was made the Tabernacle and the frame of the world and well might David and Solomon say with admiration That God would dwell with man on earth also in his apparitions to the Saints before the Flood and to the Patriarchs and Prophets he spake with us marke this corporation speech in Hos 12.4 At Bethel and dwelt among us in his Tabernacle and Ordinances then in the Temple till the captivity then in the second Temple and then at last he became very man making our flesh his Tabernacle and dwelt among us Joh. 1.14 Cor. 6. but his speciall residence in us is in our hearts by Faith These things made singing affections in the Saints of old Ps 40. Ps 100. Ps 135. Ps 147. Ps 149. Ps 149.1 Chr. 16.1 King 8.2 Sam. 7. Joh. 17. Ex. 15. and any that duely consider this cannot but sing praises to the God of our Salvation In Q. 3. Of Adam in the Genealogie When the holy spirit bringeth Genealogies from the first man unto Jesus our Lord it may teach all men that the world was made and had a beginning so Moses Law taught Misgraim that is the Egyptians and others in his time and Ezra the Persians too before Aristotle and such Athean praters 1 Chron. 1.1 see Bro. in Manuscript In Q 4. and Answ He might govern Genesis sheweth how that by the word of Jehovah the Heavens were made all the setled Army of them by the spirit of his mouth and when man fell the word telleth That for the destroying of the workes of the Serpent hee would be made flesh and have a Tabernacle in our nature and so to be a second Adam to govern all things In which point the Patriarks faith is evidenced by the charge of Joseph to carry his bones with theirs unto the Land of Canaan where our Lords Resurrection should be a testimony of a new world see Bro. in Appo 1.108 The government of the world to come for so the Jewish Doctors did stile the dayes of Messiah is that meditorean Kingdome which the holy Prophet so magnifieth to endure through all ages and generations Ps 8. Ps 45. Ps 93. Ps
145. c. And this Kingdome of Christ the second Adam is handled in 1 Cor. 15. Ebr. 2. Eph. 1.22 from Ps 8. Namely That the Son eternall should rule as the mediator of his Church till all things be restored but then his Kingdome shall be delivered up when the last enemies death Sathan are perfectly subdued and destroyed Then all the elect which have been called justified and adopted in Christ by the word of his kingdome by the work of his spirit shall be presented unto the father and all prophesying and all other new victory sweet helps of our edification in the body of Christ shall cease for then shall be the fullnesse Eph. 4.11.12.13 In Q 4. Heire of all David with great admiration doth handle this in Ps 8. He the second Adam upholds all by the word of his power and this he shewed in Noah when all beasts and Elements obeyed him at the flood and so at the destruction of Sodom Jehovah from Jehovah rained fire and brimstone Gen. 16. and so in the days of Joshuah 10.11 In like sort those noble and excellent descriptions of Christ his person and Office in the three fold Offices of Prophet Preist and King are wonderfull for all sorts of heavenly and terrible Doctrine in Psal 2. Psal 45. Psal 110. Esa 9. Dan. 7. Dan 9. Dan. 10. Daq 12. and that in Apot. 1. may well comprehend the summe of them all but all of them should first be minded as expounding Gen. 3.15 Eph. 1.22.23 Col. 1.14.15 the Epistle to the Ebr. all of it He is the blessed only potentate to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords 1 Tim 6. Apoc 19. Joh 3.35 The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hands wee must reverence the Heir and beleevingly obey him for Christ is appointed a Prince and a Saviour to give change of minde and forgivenesse of sins This was taught from the beginning that hee should be this horne of Salvation and of this Doctrine there have been prophets to declare it ever since the world began Luke 1.70 Act. 3.21 In Q. 4. From the day of mans fall All the time from the time of mans fall to the restoring of all things by the Messiah is called The World to come and it is subjected to the Messiah Ebr. 2.5 but the restitution of all things is first prophesied in Act. 3.21 In Q. and Answ 5. Satan brought man n. 1. Man was ever the object of Satans harred and as Christ was man of the seed of the deceived woman and appointed to combate with Sathan for mans Redemption so Christ was the object of Sathans most deadly hatred but such was the perfection of his obedience under his greatest enmity that hee spoiled principalities and powers even in his death on the crosse Col 2.15 and this comfort also belongs to all the persecuted Saints that this great Red Dragon is chained Apoc. 20. and shall shortly be utterly troden under our feet Rom. 16. In Q. 5. Christ the second Adam Christ destroyeth Sathans workes not only in us but from without us and this is â—n unchangeable truth in all those that are called according to Gods purpose Joh. 13.1 Christ is the restorer of all things in him wee have all things that appertaine to life and godlinesse he is the Corner stone that couples all the building and there is no other name under Heaven whereby we can be saved Act. 4 None but Christ as blessed Lambard said Him hath God the Father sealed Joh. 6.27 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to all the Israel of God and forgivenesse of sins And this is a sure rule from the beginning He that beleeveth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that beleeveth not the son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Joh. 3â—36 so then cursed was he that said Si illa illa colantur neque esse noxium si inter Gentilium aras Dei Ecclesiam quis transiens utraque vâ—nercâ—ur and little better are the Atheisticall moderators of our dayes 1631.1632.1633 1634.1635.1636.1637 In Q. 5. And Adoption And now little Children abide in him the second Adam that when he shall appear we may have boldnesse and not be ashamed before him at his coming 1 Joh. 2. By him wee have adoption Joh. 1.12 and his spirit doth enable us to cry Abba Father mark these scriptures Ebr. 4.14.15 16. Rom. 8.15 Eph. 2.18 Rom. 5.1 2. In Q 5. N. 11. Christ the second Adam Now Sathan the old Serpent spirituall weaknesses and the God of this world doth by Gods just judgement make war against us about super-celestiall things and wrastleth cunningly to hold us still in our most miserable estare of blindnesse imprisonment and bondage but by the power of the second Adam and by the word of his Grace we are set free and such as are blinde do receive their sight and by his grace we are made able to stand resist and overcome his Grace is in us and over us and the Apostle of the Gentiles salutes them all thus The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen Esa 42.6.7 Esa 49.9 Ephes 6.1 Ioh. 2 Rom 7. Esa 45. 24. In Q. 5. The life of holinesse In him was life and the life was the light of men Ioh 1. Ioh 8.12 The second Adam saith I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walke in darkenesse but shall have the light of life his Law restoreth the soule Psal 19 Ps 23. Ephes 2.1 Eph. 4.24 Col. 3.10.1 Coâ— 15.49 Esa 11 9.1 Ioh. 1. Ioh. 2 4. He is the true Shepherd and Bishop of our Soules In Q 5. N. 3. Christ the second Adam The appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ as it was promised hath brought life and immortality through the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. Marthas and our Lords conference was heavenly the shewes that she expected life and immortality through him Ioh. 11.21 and 1 Cor. 15.1 Thess 4. And Iohs faith for this point is worthy of all consideration Ioh 19. Ps 46.15 Ps 17.15 Sin reigns to death through the first Adam but grace reigns through Righteousnesse or freedome to eternall life through Christ the second Adam Râ—m 5. The comparisons of the first and second Adam are most sweet in Rom. 5. and 1 Cor. 15. Secondly Consider further how our Lord doth sustaine us in this our pilgrimage he is said to hold our soules in life in him wee live he is our life and the lenghth of our dayes he provides and gives meanes of life meat to eat and cloathes to put on he is our preserver in all places and at all times he speaks to diseases to come and to go and when hee pleaseth to withold his preservation wee languish and dye the Godly have the feeling and knowledge of all this they finde they have their life from Jesus as from
and out of whom wee neither have nor can do nothing But following the truth in Love as the truth of this healing Doctrine is to be sought and found only in JESUS we grow up in all points into him which is the head even Christ himselfe by whom all the body conveniently joyned and fastned together by every point of the furuitâ—re according to the operation of the spirit which is in measure of every severall part reneweth increase of the body unto the edifying of it selfe in Love A proud Laodicean Arminian thinkes and speaks contrary which shewes he is not only ignorant of Christ and his learning but of his own naturall Philosophy Nosce teipsum What naturall abilities did and would worke we see Jer 4.22 Job 28. Rom. 1.1 Cor. 1. But no change of heart to fear God in Christ here heathens who could say Video meliora deteriora sequor might see further with the Apostle Rom. 7.23 c. But man sold unto sin can neither hear nor see where God openeth not the eyes and here the spirit teacheth the godly to groan with sighings unspeakable See Mr. Bro. upon Lam. 1.11 When we read in the holy scriptures or elsewhere of errours in judgement and sins in practise in heathens and others then refer all hither to thinke upon the poyson of the serpent breathed into the natures of our first Parents which could never by all humane learning be healed The truth is man is most adverse to be cured till Christ by his word and spirit illuminate and quicken The Pharisees were the most excellent of all naturalists yet they could not attain to the Law of Righteousnesse or freedome from sin and guilt Rom. 7.8 9 10.11 chapters Phil. 3.3 4 5. c. The plaine reason is they despised to know this glorious hidden mystery of Christ the second Adam and missed the meaning of the Law In the 6. Quest N. 3. Doth rule all ages The second Adam and his doctrine is the light the way the truth and the life to all generations The song of all ages is Salvation is of our God and of the Lambe Apoc 5 9. and Chap. 7.10 11 12. This is the true Catholik faith faith in Christ ever one and the same although the outward Administration did differ Psal 100.5 119.89 135.13.1 Pet. 1. JESUS CHRIST yesterday and to day is the same also for ever Christ the Rock of all ages Esa 26 4. Ebr. 13.2 John 1.2 He that cometh to God must beleeve that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently by faith in Christ Jesus seek him This is a ruled case from the beginning No man cometh to the Father but by the Son The cloud of witnesses from Habell to our Lords dayes confirmeth this Ebr. 11. all of it And the clouds shall not catch up any to glory but those of the same holy faith This faith is the charge and commandement of the Lord which the Saints are to keepe inviolable from age to age without spot of heresie or vanity of mans traditions In Q. 6. N. 4. To this faith he calleth his elect The faith of Gods elect is glory and the righteous Nation that keepeth it entire and walketh in it is a most glorious people not the like in the earth if we consider the King of Saints his Lawes his government and the purity of his subjects Of this company of faithfull soules and their King their endearednesse each to other the Canticles singeth yea all the holy stories shew the same from the first to the last Prov. 8.31.2 John 9. Ibid. N. 5. Great disputations contentions c. Here is the faith and patience of the saints here are they that keep the commandements of God and the faith of JESUS Apoc. 13. and 12. and 14. When the Lord God spake that of Gen 3.15 fire was cast into the Earth and a sword was sent ever since there hath been divisions factions and contentions Three against two and two against three Hitherto pertaine all the warrs plottings devises deceits slanderings cavillations mockings â—scoâ—nes scoffings geerings thrasonicall boastings murders massacres treasons c. of them of that wicked one It is not liberties and states that the Seed of he Serpent so much shoots at but blood All that will live goldly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution and yet in all tryalls whatsoever faith is victorious Christ sometimes builds his Jerusalem Temple street and wall in troublous times Note whereas sufferings might be just punishments for sin the Lord God in his unspeakable goodnesse and in honour to the Saints maketh them to be for testimony to his truth And his Angells by Satan Many cases of conscience arise out of this if Christ bruise Satans power how is it that we suffer so many trialls hence many doubtings feares teares distractions unrulinesse of passions Psal 73.1.1 Sam. 27.1 All is answered Rom. 8.17 18. Dan. 11.35 Mat. 10.1 Pet. 1.1 John 15. and 16. and God over-ruleth all for the good of his children Apoc. 1.18 Psal 33.10 and 76.10 and 94.19 and 119.75.2 Cor 1. Phil. 4 5.6.7 Heb. 12. Be humble and live the life of faith with temperate affections and in the sober use of all good means and all wil be well 1 Cor. 7.29 30 31 32. The spirituall armour belongs hither Eph. 6 Afflictions are compared to darknesse to waves of the sea c. God can still them Psal 89. and 93. wee looke not to the decree of God concerning sufferings Gen. 3.15 that it must be so wee propound selfe ends in profession of the Gospell Verily we do not consider why we were borne and for what cause we came into the world if we did all reasonings of our hearts would be silenced then let us meditate that good confession that the Lord Jesus witnessed before Pilate Iohn 18.37 In Q. 6. N. 6. Brotherly love holding one another dear This is and was the message that was taught from the beginning 1 Iohn 3.11 Kains and Habells story is there remembred This 6 point is the summ of the second Table and handled by exposition and example continually See the later part of the Epistles to the Churches to Rome Corinth Galatia Ephesians Colessians Heb 10.24.25 Act. 4.32 Psal 133. Ioh 15. compare 1 Iohn 3.23 and 4. ult 2 Iohn 5.6.2 Tim. 1.13 In Q. 6. N. 6. And to have no fellowship This enmity and warr of Michael and his Angells against the Dragon and his Angells cannot and therefore must not be reconciled it is a cursed worke to endeavour it And indeed either side holds one another Anathema God hath put the enmity betweene the seeds and who shall joyne that which God by principles of unreconcilable distance hath perpetually divorced and separated it was never yet reconciled though Satan and his prophets and the false brethren in their owne ungracious projects have laboured Gen. 6.2.3.4 c. Numb 31.16 Apoc. 2. Iud 2. and 3.1 King 11.1 and in Nehemiahs and Ezras dayes
Floud Gen. 26.5 Answ Sem Arphaxad Selah Heber Peleg and the rest of the godly Fathers and their faithfull posterity to the dayes of Terah and Abraham QUest 5. Was there any that contemned and apostated from the God of Shem and his true religion Answ Yea Cham and Chanaan and Nimrod the grandchild of Cham drew away many of the sons of the open or visible Church to despise Christ in Shem sirnamed Melchisedeck who was ordained over them King and Preist who governed in Justice and peace so that there was a great apostacie of Sems own families Japheths and Chams QUest 6. Shew further how this apostacy went on Answ The outward glory of the false church was so great that some of the Fathers of the holy line as Terah and Abraham fell to the idolatry of Nimrods Kingdome Jos 24. But they being called repented Gen. 11. QUest 7. How did Christ break and bruise the seed of the serpent for their enmity and wickednesse that would not bave him to reigne over them Answ I. With his unspeakable severe judgements for even those families for despising the faith were excommunicated and cut off both Father and child from being of the houshold of God by the confusion * So Judah for despising the faith were plagued by a Nation of a strange tongue Deut. 28 49. so the world by the man of sin 1 Cor. 14. mind seriously Jer 44 26. of tongues and so were No-people and foolish Nations by being estranged from the life justice and peace of God in Christ that they did not hear nor see the light of his truth for two thousand years but followed Divells the Prince of the darkness of this world in endlesse and lawlesse Idolatries and of all the miseries that befell them they in speciall lost the Sabbath which would have kept them in the faith of the creation and redemption And let this sinke into the hearts of all men that all men ever were and will be Atheists or Idolaters that Christ speaks not to in their owne language by his holy law and to this answer ever seriously minde 2 Joh v 9. II. From these dayes the wrath of God was revealed from Heaven against them for their ungodlinesse and unrighteousnesse by wars and commotions and suffered them to walke in their own wayes by giving them up to a regardlesse mind and to the power of grosse darknesse and wilfull ignorance and to their hearts lusts and vile affections c. c. QUest 8. What benefit had the godly in Sems Tents and house by cleaving to the faith of Gods Elect Answ Through faith they obtained good report with God and confessed that they were pilgrims and strangers in this cursed world wherefore God was not ashamed of them to be called their God and accounted that the world was not worthy of them And as he promised builded and prepared so they hoped for an heavenly City and Country And Sems Tents had this glory that all the while that those families were cut off the hidden mystery of godlinesse was carefully kept in his Tents and house and the Hebrew Tongue also as all the old Testament doth witnesse QUest 9. Then the Prerogative of Sems Tents did not alwaies continue Answ No When the God of Shem tooke mans nature of the seed of the woman and gave his life a Ransome not for the Hebrewes or Jewes only but for the Heathens also Then that he might raigne and judge the world in righteousnesse he turned the curse of tongues to preach to and perswade all those families to obey the same faith from which their forefathers had apostated even to the Religion of Shems Tents QUest 10. How and to whom was the Revelation of the mystery of Christ continued to be revealed after the blessing to Sem Answ In the promise to Abraham that Christ should come of him according to the flesh QUest 11. How many yeares are from the floud to the promise made to Abraham Answ Foure hundred twenty seven yeares and so from the promise to our first Parents whom the Serpent murdered unto the promise to Abram given presently upon the death of Terah whose faith the Serpent corrupted to flames of Idolatry are years two thousand eighty three QUest 12. How many Chapters of Genesis are contained in those 2083. yeares Answ The eleven first chapters and also part of the first chapter of 1 Chronicles and also Luke part of chap. 3. Note that all the rest of the holy scriptures doth not containe so many yeares for the writing of them A breife summe of the former Questions and Answers JEhovah our God Jehovah is one the Father the Son and the holy spirit be one coeternall and co-essentiall The Son is called the word by the word the Father made the world and by the spirit beautified the heavens And because the word would become flesh the world was made to serve once Adam the first The Angells that grudged at that fell for ever and deceived Adam and made him dead in sin and brought him to be dayly turning to dust untill hee dyed And for him the whole frame of the creation was pronounced corrupt but after divine Revelation he beleeved that Christ made of a woman made under the Law God being in him to reconcile the world unto himself should give him free forgiveness for justification by faith and renew the inner man in knowledge holinesse and righteousnesse and raise up his body and make a new world by his power Whereby he can subdue all things to himselfe All faithfull travailed in soule to have Christ brought forth to the knowledge of their posterity that all might know that all this world was made obedient to a man at the first which man fell from God his first day and then God opened his counsell that the Son eternall would be made man of a woman to destroy the works of the Angells that fell who all are collectively Satan Satan brought Adam to loose the life of his soule and his body to death and dust and all this world to corruption Christ kindled light in Adams soule and after 930 years heavinesse for sin took it to his joy and will raise up his body and make a new world that all men who will receive the abundance of Grace of free forgivenesse for justification may reigne by Christ and all who will not regard this mercy so clear as the sun they all by Adams fall dead in sin shall be damned for ever with the Devills This is the travell of the christian minde speech of this full of joy is in all the books of the old and new Testament Or thus The summ of the Bible is short how of Gods eternall counsell the world was made for man because the son of God by whom he made the world would be a man to give life to them that rested in this wisdome *** All this dialogue will evidence this or doth desire so to do * The faith of Gods elect in
any tormented estate Q. 8. The mystery of godlinesse The mystery of Godlinesse was hidden in types and figures from the ages and generations of the Apostate families Eph. 3. Col. 1.26 But in Judah was God known his name was great in Israel in Salem was his Tabernacle and his dwelling place in Sion Psal 76.1.2 He shewed his word unto Jacob and his statutes and Judgments unto Israel he dealt not so with any nation and as for his judgements they had not knowne them therefore they sayd Praise ye J A H. Psalm 147 So that Israel did enjoy the true knowledge of God in Christ and were the houshold of God having the covenants of promise and the seals of the fame and lived and dyed in the constant hope of immortality in glory read diligently Eph. 2.11 12 Act. 26.6.7 And this we must understand concerning the true hidden mystery hid in types and figures among godly families untill Moses and then to the Nations while Israels fleece only was moystened by the dewes that fell on mount Sion but after the ending of the seventy sevens Dan. 9. then the Gospel was openly revealed and made known to all Nations of Noahs families and yet in those dayes yea now in these dayes it is an hid mystery too too manifest experience doth witnesse in kingdoms townes and families 1 Cor. 2. Q 9. The heathens also All those noble prophesies in Moses Prophets and Psalmes of the calling of the Gentiles do comment on the blessing to Sem and the Promise to Abraham The holy Prophets rejoyced in spirit foreseeing the glorious calling of the families to the Faith we should have the like affection to the calling of the Jewes Rom. 11. Q. 9. By sending his disciples The Apostles were sent unto them to open their eyes to turne them from darknesse to light from the power of Satan to God that they might receive forgivenesse of sinnes and inheritance among all them of the old Testament which are sanctified by faith in Christ Act. 26. Eph. 1.11 12 13 14. Annotations How Redemption was taught from the Promise to ABRAHAM till the Law of the Passeover or the coming forth of EGYPT QUest 1. What is the scripture in which the Revelation of the mystery of Christ was made known to Abraham Answ Gen. 12 2. And I will make of thee a great Nation and I will blesse thee and make thy name great and thou shalt be a blessing And I will blesse them that blesse thee and curse him that curseth thee And in thee shall all the families of the Earth be blessed QUest In what doth this scripture teach instruct convince correct and comfort Answ I Of the cursed and most wretched estate of the apostate families and unrecoverable in respect of any ability in themselves God hiding from them by Babells Languages for many generations the glorious mystery of the Gospell of his Son that they became Loammi and Lo-ruchamah that is not Gods people nor pitied and ever enemies to God and his people walking in all courses of unperswadeable disobedience II. It is prophesied by this great and precious promise that the families shall be delivered from the misery of that apostasie by the Son of God who was sent of the Father into the world in fullness of time to be a blessing to make knowne the riches of the glorious mystery of his will to reconcile them to be Gods people and to be under mercy through his gracious Redemption and by the same to reconcile the enmity of Jew and Gentile III. Here it is taught who Christ is touching his person that he being God is also man of the Seed of Abraham Gal. 4.4 Eb. 2.16 Saint Matthew chap. 1. doth shew the history and the promise fullfilled As also how Christ Immanuel doth blesse us saving his people from the guilt punishment and dominion of their sins by his precious death and sacrisice By which hee brake the Serpents head-Plot Gen. 3.15 in his constant patience and obedience at the very same time when the Serpent and his seed put him to an accursed death on the tree as a notorious sinner By this performance Gal. 4 5. Rom. 3 25. this manner of the blessing of Abraham came on the Gentiles Gal. 3.13.14 IV. By faith in the promise we are reconciled justified and adopted and so are no more servants in bondage but heirs in Christ V. Whereas it is sayd in thy seed all families of the Earth are blessed it sheweth there is the same and no other way or means of eternall life and salvation to Jew and Gentile but only and alone the Lord Jesus Christ nor any comfort in this world but as given us by promise and covenant through faith in Christ in the use of the meanes lawfully used Wherefore all other Religions Additaments inventious of men are abominable and all communion with such is no better then the communion with devills VI. We have not forgiveness of sins life and the inheritance of heaven †Act. 3.26 Tit. 3.5 6. Gal. 3.16.17 Abraham had not-wherein to rejoyce as of himselfe he did not prevent God but God prevented him by workes of our doing or will in our choosing but all is of free grace and free promise VII The Lord God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ doth give The Lords Prayer and all the prayers of the Saints belong hither Gal. 4.6 Rom. 8.15 so note here that Gods promises are the foundation of prayer David 2 Sam. 7.27 Dan. 9.2 c. as the effects of his promise his spirit to cry Abba Father and to seal assurance of reconciliation justification and adoption and to be an earnest of that inheritance of the Saints in light and to worke mortification and to begin the life of glory in sanctification This the Lord God doth worke in those only that looke for salvation in Christ as sons by the promise not as servants for workes or images VIII In that the eternall God the Gentiles shall be blessed in Christ it is a speech manifesting * Of eternity all Gods works were known to him as the Apostle James saith Act 15. This is handled Rom 8.9 10 11. chapters the purpose of Gods election and predestination in Christ as the spirituall blessings are handled by the Apostle to proceed out of those eternall fountaines Eph. 1. under the word blessed are comprehended the unsearcheable riches of Christ the second Adam who of God is made unto us the efficient cause of wisdome †Or freedom or forgiveness justification sanctification and redemption IX The precious promises in Christ understood and beleeved transforme or metamorphose a man and make him partake of the divine nature so that they which beleeve in God must as from a new principle in uprightnesse of heart walke in the spirit be alwaies zealous to shew forth good workes and with all due care flee the corruptions that are in the world through lusts This is to keepe the mystery
6. And lastly note the promise is called a Covenant Act 3. and Gal. 3. and so the promise Gen. 3.15 must be considered as a covenant that God made with our first parents as Christ is the hope of the promise made unto our Fathers Acts 26.6 2â—2 3. Jer. 50.7 so he is the hope of the covenant Esa 42.6 Quest 2. N. 1. This first point is handled by a Son of Abraham Rem 1. 2. 3. The book of Job teacheth of the corruption of nature taken from Parents and of redemption so it sheweth how Abraham taught his posterity how all the faithfull of old taught their children by tradition and all true and sound tradition before the scriptures agreeth with the scriptures so must all tradition since the scriptures Ps 78.1 2 3 4. c. Jobs book was afore the Law of faith was written by Moses Ibid. N. 11. This second is handled Rom. 3. 4. 5. To these two points confer the notes of N. 4. and N. 5. in page 21. All of the first Adam miserable and no blessduesse but in Christ the second Adam all the Acts and the Epistles c. abundantly open this Ibid. N. 5. In thy seed all families In Christ all are gathered Eph. 1.10 The glory of this blessednesse to procure the salvation of the elect God will not give to any other mediatour Esay 42.1 c. This blessing came on Abraham in his uncircumcision Rom. 4. and so observe these blessings are handled to the uncircumcised the familes of Japheth the Romans Corinthians Ephesians c. Therefore Turkes Jewes and all misbeleevers are excluded from all hope of comfort Ibid of Question 2. N. 5. Only and alone the Lord Jesus Christ all scripture speaketh exclusively concerning any other 1 Joh 5.11.12 13. so the Apostle Peter is plaine This is the stone cast aside of you builders which is become the head of the corner Neither is there salvation in any other for among men there is given none other name under heaven whereby we must be saved Act. 4. God would in due time shew this his justification of a sinner and that he might be just in all his promises and a justifier of him who is of the faith of JESUS Rom. 3. Ibid. of N. V. Given us by promise We cannot we may not pray or expect any blessing temporall spirituall or eternall but by covenant and promise in Christ Levit. 26. Deut 28.7 12 still looke to the promise The promise is sure by faith to all the seed it can be sure no way else faith doth realize and evidence things promised to our hearts God is keeper of covenant and in that faith resteth In God things promised have their consistency and therefore they shall have a being on us in due time Deut. 8.18 And we must take blessings as blessings of the covenant and redemption in Christ all mercies to the Saints are the price of bloud not as common favours with the world that have the sun and rain c. else we shall not be of those generations that praise God through Christ Ephes 3.21 Hos 2.19 20 c. else our mouthes will not be filled with laugher and our tongue with singing praises to our God Psalm 96.98 136. 137. Lev. 26. Ibid. of 2 Quest N. VII seal assurance As the spirit sealeth to the heart of the believer the doctrine of the Covenant and promise so the seals of the Covenant are made effectual by the spirit for the further confirmation of the justification that is by faith to none other persons but to the children of the promise and covenant made with Abraham Acts 3. Rom. 4. And none other persons can understand what this saying of covenant and seal meaneth but those that are redeemed from the earth Apoc. 14.3 Ephes 1.13 14. 2.18 Rom. 8.15 16. N. 9. which believe in God must Faith is a wise and an obedient grace saith worketh by love Rom. 6.7 8. chapters handle this Gal 5.6 the Apostle opens this as a part of the blessing in the promise Acts 3.25 26. Christ destroyeth sin in his and sanctifieth If any be in Christ he is a new creature 2 Cor. 5.17 old things in the old Adam are passed away and all things become new in us from the second Adam The ten Commandments belong to this point and handled as an use from Gods mercy and covenant in Christ Exod. 20.1 c. Rom. 6. chapter and 12. chapter and the later parts of the Epistles to the Galatians Ephesians colossians and by holy Zacharias Luke 1.74 ubique See the practise of this in holy Job his effectual faith and diligent love and patience of hope from the godly instruction of Abraham in the promise The covenant of grace is reciprocal the seals also teach the same It is glorious to keep the mystery of faith in a pure conscience And this is an easie yoke to an holy and humble soul his commandments are not burdensome Mat. 28.20 1 Iohn 5.3 And after the Lord hath spoken peace by justification we must not turn again to folly that grace may abound Psal 85. Roâ— 5 6. And they that put away a good conscience will make shipwrack of faith and blaspheme Briefly this is a sure character of the Saints of God that all that call on the name of the Lord with a pure heart do follow righteousness faith charity peace c. and such only are vessels of honour for our heavenly masters use Observe yet further the Popish Company and many others that are ignorant when they speak of good works their thought darteth chiefly on almes-deeds prayer fasting c. But withall teaching and believing the doctrine of opere operato at the Pharisees Whereas by good works is meant not only those but all the duties of charity of the first and second Table both toward God and toward man yea all to be done in faith as regenerate in the Second Adam that God the Father in him may be glorified And where the true faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ is planted it will so shew it self And this is the true sense of James 2. of shewing our faith by our works and our Father Abraham and Rachabs story are conferred to this exposition Again observe that commonly those that so call for those good works care not for sound teaching of the word of God but rather carry a grudge against it and holy assemblies and the sincere professors and preachers And alasse what are their prayers almsdeeds fasting c. for matter manner or end It may be questioned if they be materially good And let such take heed that for manner or end they are no better than Kains Genesis chap. 4. then theirs in Psalm 50 and Esay 1. and 58. and the Scribes and Pharisees who did all those things and more too and yet crucified the Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory who would have had them come to a more exact and joyful
mystical Egypt and mystical Babylon have cursed and do seek still the destruction of our nation especially of the Gospel yet while we keep our covenant they shall never prevail Balaams counsel was more dangerous than his curse for his counsel being followed brought a plague O ye Princes O ye people do ye not know that the sincere Word and the holy seed is the subsistence of your Kingdomes and common-weals towns and families Esay 6.13 Every childe of God is a publique good Minde one thing more how those thor did seem to be of the truth and were brethren touching the outward circumcision yet cursed the servants of Christ that would not walk in their waies traditions devises and abominations Esay 66.5 and in after times they so used the poor blind man John 9. So have the cruel Prelates used the dear servants of the Lord they did curse yet Christ did bless and hath and will pay his enemies home that abuse his ordinances for if any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ anathema maranatha is his heavy Censure 1 Cor. 16.22 Ibidem N. 12. Cast out the servant and her son Without shall be lyars Lyars in judgement as all Papatines be Whosoever transgresseth and abideth nor in the doctrine of Christ hath nor God he that continueth in the doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son 1 John 2.24 2 John 2.9 Be it that they sometimes confesse the doctrine of Christs person yet both in their doctrine and practise they deny it because they deny him in his offices and administrations for which he became such a person and such a Mediator And oh what lying blasphemies do they utter against the holy records that testifie of the eternal Son the Mediator Popery is a mystery of iniquity N. 13. The word of faith in our own languages In the Law it is written with men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people and yet for all that they will not hear me saith the Lord Wherefore tongues are for a sign not to them that believe but to them that believe not but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not but for them which believe Esay 28.11 1 Cor. 14.21 This looks back to Nimrods rebellion they despised the faith taught by Noah Sem and the rest of the godly fathers before Abraham in their knowen language therefore Christ cut them off from the faith by strange languages When Israel despised the things of the Law of Christ written for their comfort see how he in this would avenge the quarrel of his covenant Deut. 28.49 and fulfilled it Ier. 5.15 2 Chron. 36. If it be then such a deer blessing to have Moses and the Prophets our Lord and his Apostles speak to us in our own language let the saints worship God with hearty praise and thanksgiving so did David Psalm 103.7 and 147. 19. All are abominable idolatrous and false worshippers and unclean infidels that Christ speaks not to in their own language by his blessed Gospel as all the Babylonian builders and their seed to this day and the mystical Babylonian builders It is much to be considered that when the churches departed from the Apostles doctrine Christ confounded the Europian and Asian languages VVhen it was prophesied of the calling of the Gentiles to the faith of the Gospel it is said I will turn to the people a pure language which was fulfilled when Christ sanctified all tongues as it is said We do here them speak in our own languages the wonderfull works of God Acts 2.11 Zeph. 3.9 VVhereas for two thousand years the Gentiles Noahs families called on idols names We little consider the severity of the wrath of Christ in the confusion of tongues what a plague it is and will be to the end of the world most sad is that scripture Jer. 44.26 3 Quest of his covenant and promise God did not first give a seal and then made a Covenant but first made a Covenant and a promise as to our first parents Gen. 3.15 and then taught them of the seal the Sacrifices so to Noah God made a Covenant and then gave him the seal of the Floud and of the Ark so in Gen. 9. first the Covenant and then the Rainbow so to Abraham so each godly parent must seek to know God in Christ in the Covenant and to be in covenant for them and their children And it is to be marked C ham had an outward blessing in the covenant with his father for he was of Noahs houshold Heb. 11 7. and he and his children had continued in the same if he had not and his son mocked and scorned his father for which both of them were excommunicated and Chams house feared not but waxed worse and worse against Christ and his Kingdome and set up a tyranny in Nimrod to give the affront to Sems blessing Again note when the merciful God made a covenant with all flesh man and beast were not young as old comprised in the covenant a sucking chile and a lamb as the parent Gen. 9.9 10 11. Quest 4. Of justification or remission of sins The apostate and adulterous generation in our Lords daies that did adulterate the faith missed stating Circumcision as a part of the Law or Covenant of Works a school distinction of their own neither of Moses nor of the Prophets whereas it was rightly understood a law and seal of faith in Christ and the seal of justification that is by faith Their fac hoc is credere in our Lords interpretation of the Law to believe in him whom the Father had sealed and sent to be the true manna and sacrifice and their perfect justification and freedome as was told them Acts 13.38 39. And as they missed in stating circumcision a Law of works ex opere operato to justification so they did of all the politic of Moses that it did initiate them unto which yet they could not do being too heavy a yoke Acts 15. Now they despising Christ the end and scope of the law of Moses they made their own justification their idol and vanity and so provoked Christ to their rejection confer Deut. 32.21 with Rom. 10.19 That speech is very strong that the Lord Jesus spake Iohn 7. that circumcision was not so much of Moses but observed of the Fathers before Moses was born They should have considered in what sense Abraham received it and used it Rom. 4. Ibidem God did justifie the circumcision so this is clear God did justifie the infants of Israel for else he would not have commanded circumcision to infants this was to comfort all godly parents that although they knew their children were conceived in sin and born in iniquity yet God knew how for his covenant sake not for our sakes to justify that is to free infants from sins guiltiness filthiness and desert and to comfort godly parents of the Gentiles touching their infants the Apostle saith God is not the god of the Iews
only but of the Gentiles also for he that justifies the circumcision will justifie the uncircumcision And God is a husband to the once barren and desolate woman but fruitful in children as the former married wife Israel Doth not the promise save infants as well as grown men and doth not our heavenly father declare his counsels that his will is to save infants as well as grown men that he enjoyns the seal to infants and saith that he will be their God and the Lord saith not he will be the Father of grown men rather than of infants And a godly parent hath as great hope of his dying infants as any Anabaptist can have of their grown men Ibid. of Quest 4. Of adoption This adoption of Israel hath a double consideration general and speciall visible and invisible visible in covenant in respect of the Apostate families that were cut off Gen. 10. 11. invisible the faithful in Israel All did profess the faith except in their apostasies to the false faiths and religions of Earl-Peor and Moloch and Chemosh c So they were not all faithful no not in outward profession They were Christs own afore he came to his own all Exod. c. his own by visible priviledges yet many a time they grieved him and his holy Spirit Psalm 78 106. so many of them slighted this adoption by joyning themselves to Peor as the sons of the open Church followed Kains wayes Gen. 6. even so it is now some in the Church born after the flesh and some born after the Spirit yet both make a visible Church of Christ it cannot be it must not be denyed It is not sound reasoning from a visible Church estate to the doctrine of election If any be further contentious beware of them Rom. 16.17 18. Quest 4. N. 11. Putting of the sinful body It shewed how distastefull man is to God in his sinful estate of the first Adam and no communion with God but by regeneration in the second Adam 1 Joh. 1. Therefore observe what Esaias Ezekiel John Baptist and our Lord and Stephen said to carnal Israel boasting to be Abrahams seed Esay 57.3 Ezek. 16.3 Ioh. 8.44 Acts 7 51. Matth. 3.9 That they were neither Gods children nor Abrahams seed not treading in the steps of the faith and works of Abraham ibid. N. II. The putting on the new man An Israelite being circumcised yet the old Adam was not so put off nor the new Adam so put on but that birth sin did remain yea so remained that through the Bias of lusts and sinful appetites and by temptation and not taking heed to themselves and keeping their souls diligently omissions of duty and many actuall sins did bud forth For although by faith in Christ the saints were justified or freed from the guilt and punishment of sin inheriting the justification that is by faith yet there was corruption in them issuing from that original or birth-sin that we still are yoked with all we are in Christ Jesus justified from the reign of this sin but not from the being of it in us Gods counsel is such to make us humble This the saints of old felt and acknowledged and bewayled and prayer for further mortification Psalm 51. And those Scriptures from two Apostles that were both circumcised and baptized shew the truth of this Rom. 7.1 John 1.8 Phil. 3.12 13. Therefore every godly soul must observe three things 1. That we slight not any sin in thought word or deed Rom. 6. 7. And 2. to be careful that we content not our selves with bodily exerccise Phil. 3.1 2 3 c. And 3. not to be discontent that Gods counsel is such that perfection is not attaineable in this life that was the sin of our first parents they were Seekers to be in a better estate then they were stated in they were discontent and hearkned to Satan While we are in this vale of tears this must ever be in our hearts 1 Ioh. 1. If we say we have no sin we deceive our selves and truth is not in us but if we acknowledge our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all our unrighteousness and minde that of the Apostle Phil. 3.7 8 9 10 11 12 c. Satan and his instruments will by all means corrupt our hearts in these three things Ibidem N. II. Drew them to the spirituall meaning The faithful worshipped Gop in Spirit and rejoyced in Christ Iesus Ier. 4.4 Phil. 3.3 but a circumcised carnal Israelite thought opus operatum enough as a Law of works and so in all their ceremonies And note this as the doctrine of the covenant is reciprocal so of the Seal as they did teach and seal all comforts from God so they did binde them closer to God in Christ by faith and filial obedience N. III. of the 4 Quest their infant-children Let us consider two or three words more of that which is said touching the infants of Israel that departed this life It is Gods promise and covenant that are workfull and his Spirit did blesse circumcision for the joy and comfort of parents for their infants reconciliation justification sanctification and adoption and hope of immortal glory The same covenant and promise doth belong to the Parents of the Churches of the Gentiles for their infants in the seal of Baptism Is the Father Son and Holy Ghost the holy Trinity the God of the Jewes onely and not of the Gentiles also yea of the Gentiles also Thy Makers are thy Husbands Esay 54. faithful is he that hath promised and he will do it Therefore he is reconciled to our infants and will justifie and sanctifie and adopt them and bring them to immortal glory They by circumcision were circumcised into one body as is evident in all the Church politic of Moses And so by baptism we are all baptized into one body whether Iews or Greeks The promise and covenant is ours as well as theirs as the Epistle to the Galatians upon Gen. 12.2 3. sheweth and baptism sealeth the same and the Covenant and seal is in extent excepting the obligation of Ceremonies and some judicials as large for application to all converted Gentiles to them and to their seed as of old to Israel and their seed The false teachers of these dayes say the Covenant with the people of Israel was carnal and fleshly c. but this is not so not so in Gods intent when he gave those promises and made that covenant and ordeined that seal of his covenant not so in the judgement of the faithful and in their whole conversation which was heavenly as all Heb. 11. Luke 1.55 72 73 74. Again not so for after they came to Canaan they did not reject Canaan nor city nor Temple but in apostasie nor sacrifices nor washings c. as Psalm 50. Esay 1. Ier. 7. yet God plagued them which was for despising Christ in those ordinances so their table was made a
snare to them and Christ was a stumbling Stone to them as he was to Kain That which was ordained for their welfare they made their ruin And so if we do no more but outward exercises in a shew of godliness and deny the power thereof and live wickedly as they did Psalm 50. Esay 1. Ieremy 7. The Angel of Gods presence our glorious Lord Iesus Christ will not spare our misdeeds 1 Thess 4 6. c. These false teachers abuse the holy Scriptures as in that of Heb. 8. It is said better promises c. but they must be asked what better promises than Genesis 3 15. Genesis 12.3 Let such know there are not better promisâ—s in old or new Testament and indeed those two promises contain all the doctrine of the Gospel as in part before is shewed They must excogitate the true interpretation by seeking how our Lord and his Apostles convinced the false glosses the Concâ—sion made of Moses Politie for we all must know theirs and ours is the same Covenant as often said onely new for Administration in fulfilling all promises and prophecies Let us confer Exod. 19. 29.45 Lev. 26.15 with Apoc. 21.3.2 Cor. 6.16 Gen. 3.15 with 1 John 1.2 3. and chap. 3. Jos 1. with Heb. 13.5 Rom. 4. with Gen. 15. 17 c. This must be often spoken and meditated for we are dull of hearing Again better promises hath respect to Deut. 30. Psalm 40 and 95. in Deut. 30. Christ promiseth that he will circumcise their heart and the heart of their seed to love him Jehovah their God and to keep his commandments c. This Christ spake to them that they might not be deceived to think that their salvation stood in outward observances as in circumcision c. but in serving God in their spirits in the Gospel of his Son And so this to be understood in all Moses ceremonies The bloud of Oxen and Goats and Rams did not could not purge their conscience from dead works but their conscience would still be to them for all their bodily exercise an ill accusing and condemning conscience Their salvation was established upon better promises and a better hope That Christ by his own most perfect sacrifice and bloud-shedding should be a sweet smelling savour to God for us and procure eternal redemption And while we as strangers converse in this world he would be mortification and sanctification by his word and spirit Mic. 7. John 3. Yet let the godly take heed they neglect not ordinances and outward observances of Christs institution though they be as the bark and shell yet they are such a bark and shell that a Christian cannot have life kept within him without them as a tree will not live without his bark nor the kernel prosper without his shell Publique administrations and family ordinances and secret duties are of that consequence that he that carelessly neglecteth them is in danger of gangrenating errours both in doctrine and manners N. VI. Not of the Jews only but of many Nations Gen. 17.5 It is promised by the Lord Iehovah the performer of his promises For a Father of many nations have I made thee This speech was spoken at that time when God renewed his promise and covenant in Christ with Abraham and added the seal to that covenant teaching thereby that he would not be the God of Israel only but in due time the God of the Gentiles also therefore the Covenant is to the infants of the Gentiles as of the Iewes and all faithful are Abrahams seed and the Israel of God Gal. 3 6.16 and if the covenant be to the infants then the seal none dare deny it but those that care not for the education of their children in godliness and honesty for the hope of the resurrection unto eternal life Abraham durst not deny the seal but with all joy went about it Again consider Mat. 19.13 Mark 10.13 little children are comprehended in the Covenant For of such is the Kingdome of heaven Yea observe further Of such is the Kingdome of God that is of the Church of God as Matth. 21.43 The Kingdome of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation that shall bring forth the fruits thereof So then Israels infants were of the kingdome of God and so are the Gentiles infants Did the Kingdom of God consist of the parents and infants of Israel in the old Testament surely then godly parents and their infants of the Gentiles are in equal honor He that shall hill an infant shall be put to death as justly as if he had killed a parent So the murderous accursed doctrine of Anabaptists that would murder children is as wicked as to kill a godly parent For the Lord God doth justifie and wash infants from their sins in his Covenant and bring them to glory as well as their godly parents And again seriously minde The covenant of God in Christ by circumcision was in full force to the death of our Lord and Saviour Luke 1.59 and Circumcision was a seal of the covenant of grace to the infants of the faithful and infants were in covenant as is evident and now after our Lords death were they not in covenant Did our Lords death disannul the Covenant of his grace in respect of them absit absit It was about six or seven weeks from our Lords death to Peters sermon Acts 2. And the holy Apostle in the conclusion of his Sermon doth exhort his auditors to receive the ordinance of Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the Remission of sins and to shew he spake by the same Spirit of God that gave the promises doth affirm that the promise and covenant is as firm to infants as ever it was and therefore saith The promise is made unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shal call Acts 2.39 In chap. 3.25 2â— It is said the Jewes were the children of the Prophets and of the Covenant which God made with our Fathers saying to Abraham Even in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed First unto you hath God raised up his son Jesus c. so the Jewes had the first prerogative of the blessing in their kinreds and of the resurrection of Christ and then secondly the Gentiles have the like portion in the blessing and in our Lords resurrection Rom. 2.10 consider for these things Rom. 4.16 17 18 c. to the end of the chapter Quest 5. Answ on Gen. 49.10 And to Him shall the gathering of the people be O give thanks unto Jehovah for he is good for his mercy endureth for ever And say ye Save us O God of our salvation and gather us together and delivâ—r us from the heathen that we may give thanks to thy holy Name and glory in thy praise Blessed be Jehovah the God of Israel for ever and ever and all the people said Amen 1 Chron. 16. Psal
147.2 The Apostle saith the same Grace be to you and peace from God the father and from our Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world according to the Will of God which is our father to whom be glory for ever Amen Gal. 1.3 4.5 Eph. 1. 10. Abraham was gathered from the world and Christ hath and doth still gather and deliver us out of the world to be of his Israel John 11.52 so observe Iohn 17. Quest 7. Answ Abraham Isaac Iacob they to testifie their faith in the Promises of Christ built Altars in divers places and called on the name of the everlasing God And therefore observe the Apostle saith he served God with pure conscience from his forefathers in the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 1.1 2 3. and therefore the promises to the Fathers with the seal of circumcision were not carnal and fleshly as Mateologists wickedly prattle if they were carnal to them so they are to us for the promises and covenant belong to us as hath been laid from Acts 2.39 and chap. 3 25.26 Surely the faith of a good Christian is builded on Christ the Comer stone and on his religion practised of the godly Patriarks and on the blesse holy scriptures and hope in the resurrection all which by the work of the spirit doth make a man watchful to keep a good conscience in Church in Common-Weal by Land or Sea at home abroad in sâ—ops in labours c. see how all is taught in promise and seal He that is such an one shall look death in the face and needs not to be afraid before whom he comes nor needs be ashamed of the groundless criminations of schism heresie and blasphemy c. diligently ponder Acts 24 14 15 16. Quest 9. Ans A great apostasie for Israel in Egypt Read Ezek. 23.8 Israel with his family came as a pure virgin into Egypt and so continued all the dayes of Iacob and Ioseph while he lived held the whole house in life and faith but the Egyptians afterwards infected their poweritie with idolatry even in her youth lay they with this virgin Israel and bruised the breasts of her virginity and powred their whoredomes upon her False worship being a work of the flesh pleaseth and quickly insinuateth into our corrupt nature especially being conversant with idolaters Let all people beware of mystical Egyptians And let Common-weales Churches and families note that false worship and heresie increaseth and somenteth all projects of ungodlynesse and unrighteousness Ezek. 16.6 and 20. must also here be considered to the captivity both of Israel and Judah They were by apostasie rather of the Amoâ—ite and Heâ—hite then of Abraham and Sarah They were in the bloud of their false religion being foully corrupted with the idols of Egypt and so they were dead till Christ by his own law said unto them live So were we being under the bondage of Rome-Egypt until Christ by his everlasting Gospel made us to live Apoc. 14.6 20.4 5. And note as Terah his corrupt worship continued long in Israel so did that of Muzrajim i. e. Egypt Jos 24.14 Ezek. 23 8. Quest 10. Ans God was not ashamed But God will be ashamed of adulterers and adulteresses that follow superstitions lusts of the flesh lusts of the eyes and pride of life for such do and will deny Christ and be ashamed of him and his word and such cannot be pilgrimes and strangers and seek things celestial Iames 4. 1 Ichn 2. Mark 8. Col. 3.1 Ibid. To be called their God Christ saith I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Iacob this is my memorial to all generations that is to all of their faith and heavenly conversation whether Jew or Gentile Exedus 3.6 15 16. Hebrews 11. Ibid. Heavenly City and Countrey The faithful to the fulness of time were in heaven and part of the blessed familie of the heavenly Father Ephe. 1.10 3.15 All the faithful in Israel were the adopted sons of the Eternal their God and if sons then heirs Rom. 8. so they were living and so they were dead Therefore the living might not sorrow as the heathens that had not certain knowledge of the joyful and glorious state of the immortal souls of the faithful nor any hope of the resurrection Luke 13.28 29. They might not cut themselves for the dead nor make any print or mark in the flesh Levit. 19.28 Dent. 14. 1 2 1 Thess 4 The loving kindeness of Iehovah is better than life because though life departs yet we be and live for ever in him Therefore it is said God is the God as of Abraham Isaac and Iacob and so of every true believer even when his body is dead and turned to dust and therefore Abraham must be held in spirit to be and live with God and shall have the resurrection of the body Luke 20.37.38 Matt. 22.24 Mark 12. The faithful enjoy the same inheritance and happiness with Abraham and this is one part of the blessedness in Christ promised to Abraham And Christ saith of Moses being dead Moses my servant is dead he was still the Servant of Christ though he went up to Mount Nebo and dyed and we know he doth live for he appeared when Christ was transfigure and death is one of the works of the divel which Christ was to dissolve Christ was promised from the beginning to destroy the works of Satan now called the old Serpent Acts 26. 6. Josh 1.2 1 John 3.8 Heb. 2.14 15. 2 Tim. 1.10 CHAP. V. With Questions Answers and Annotations on them How Redemption was taught From the Law of the Passeover to the building of the Temple QUest 1. Proceed to declare what Noble Pillar did Wisedome hew out to which the holy and golden Chaine of times is fastned by which life and salvation was taught to the Saints Answ This is the (a) Although they apostated to the idols of Egypt yet by the bloud of the Passeover God chose them again but again rejected them for their idols and vanity when Christ our Passeover is sacrificed for us Passeover Exod. 12. QUest 2. How many yeares were from the Promise to Abraham to the Passeover or to the comming from Egypt or to the giving of the Law Answ Four hundred and thirty years QUest 3. How much of the Scripture is contained in those 430. years Answ From the beginning of the 12. of Genesis to the 12. of Exodus the book of Job and also part of the 1. 2. ch of 1 Chron. QUest 4. How doth the Passeover c. teach of Christ Answ Christ is called the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the World also our Passeover Mark what the Holy Ghost saith Heb. 11.28 (a) The Levites in Hezekiahs dayes taught the good knowledge of Jehovah that is Christ The Levites taught the meaning of the Passeover as Moses by
enter into the rest of Christ where Baptism and the Lords Supper are no burden Mr. Bro. on Lam. 1.14 where Christ is not sought and found in his own ordinances all not the moral but also the ceremonial savours death 2 Cor. 3.7 to 16. what are we then to think of mens precepts voluntary religion and self-willed humbleness Take notice what our Lord taught Mat. 15.3 John 6.27 c. and his Apostle Rom. 10.3 Phil. 3.3 c. Colos 2.23 Quest 6. Num. II. Moses politie ever aimed at Him The Law Morall and Ceremonial was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ grace is two fold the one of Justification from the guilt and curse of the Law the other of sanctification the righteousness of the Law being fulfilled in them that are in Christ Iesus who inables them by his spirit most willingly to walk therein delighting in the Law of God concerning the inner man And Christ was the truth and substance of the Ceremonial Law as all the Epistle to the Hebrews sheweth all was sponsorious of a better hope in him Heb. 7.22 8.6 And this was that the saints so fervently prayed for teaching and understanding the wonderous things of the Law how all was sponsorious of comfort in Christ Psalm 119. And so of this did Ethan sing Psalm 89.1 2 c. Ibid. Quest 6. N. III. The Ceremonial Law That is Gods ceremonial Law no man hath power to institute or sanctifie as of himself any teaching sign or ceremony of person or thing time or place to worship God thereby or to take away that which the Lord hath ordained Moses durst not add or diminish any thing no not any other colour as green which is as pleasant as blew purple and scarlet all colours of blood and susâ—â—ing The pattern was his Direction And therefore was Moses called faithful in Gods house the Church of God the Pillar and ground of truth Will worship is a corruption of all our hearts it likes us better then Gods commandments Amos 4. Mat. 15. Luke 16.15 And we have great confidence in it that it pleaseth God But it brings shame at last to any State and all the Priests of Bethel cannot quench the fire that it will kindle Amos 5. Hos 10.14 15. And let all will-worshippers minde that however they have a shew of wisdom in their will worship yet it makes the people forget their Maker Hos 8.11 12 13 14. 1 Kin. 12.33 Amos 5.21 8.10 And this too evident of later years in the ungodly dealing of the Prelates in their hinderance of sound teaching of the word in most paroches of England Ibid N. III. and the moral is still to humble Doubtless the Moral Law must be taught it is a part of Christs mediatorian kingdom God the Father made Him Lord and Christ to all the Israel of God and obedience is better than sacrifice It is a point of faith to believe that Christ gave the Law Exod. 23.20 21 22. They of old were commanded to hear him and so we under the New Testament must hear the Beloved Son and reverance the Heir Mat. 17.5 Matth. 21.98 It is said Felix called forth Paul to hear him of the faith in Christ and as he was teaching of righteousness temperance and of the judgement to come Felix trembled Acts 24.25 Therefore the Law ought to be taught it belongs to the faith of Christ And godly teachers are to lift up their voice like a Trumpet to make mens hearts shake and tremble for rebellion against the Mediatour and therefore the godly teachers 40.50 and 60. years ago taught the way of the Lord more perfectly then many now do vid. infra the note on Levit. 26.17 chap. 8. Quest 7. Answ Vpon the text of Deut. 30. Moses speaks this of the Law the Apostle of Christ taught in the Law Rom. 10. So Esaias faith In his Law shall the nations hope Esay 42.4 Matthew saith In his Name Mat. 12.21 The Apostle calleth this text the word of faith and the just do live by faith Moses sheweth the Law of Jehovab that is Christ is a law of Love and the Apostle calleth it A law of Faith So then it is a form of Wholesome words of Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus And how precious sweet dear rich pure is the Law of Christ being a Law of Life in him Deut. 32.47 Therefore Stephen saith that Moses received from the Angel of the Covenant lively Oracles Acts 7.38 And so the Apostles received from him words purer than snow whitter than milk sweeter than honey or the honey comb words of spirit and life to preach unto the dead apostate families John 6.63 So the Sacrifices washings tabernacle the land of promise c. profited nothing were a killing letter having the veil on the heart The words and doctrine that Christ spake to Moses they were spirit and they were life And so David knew and all of faith when he cryed to Christ to be his sprinkling and his hyssop Psalm 51. And so Esaias and Stephen taught them and the Apostle Rom. 10.6 Exod. 20.2 And all expositions of the ten words were a killing letter not looking to that which is within the Veile even the grace and truth of our Lord Jesus Christ Acts 15.11 The Prophets and Apostles unveil Moses face most brightly they have made it as open even as Moses made it when he took off the veil when he went to speak with Christ Read Quest 8. Ans N. II. To be man and to suffer Mark the cause of the Apostle I am accused for the hope of the promise made of God unto our Fathers Psalm 16.10 22.29 40.6 7 8. Acts 26. this was a constant doctrine from the beginning and to be declared from age to age to the end of the world that the Son of God should come down from heaven to be a second Adam and to give himself a sin-offering to death and be raised from the dead 2 Tim. 2.8 and so in this doctrine Christ is our bread and drink Joh. 6.27 28 29 c. The pattern was not yet to come down from heaven to take our nature to be his Tabernacle and his flesh and bloud by sacrifice to be our bread and drink Iohn 1.14 6.54 And till the Son of God came to be and do thus All that Christ revealed to Moses was sponsorius and an introduction of a better hope that is Christ hoped for by all faithfull of the old Testament by whom they and we come unto God Hebr. 11.1 2 3 4. Iohn 14.6 Heb. 8 Ephes 1.10 11 Esay 15 1 2 3. Acts 13. Ibid. N. II. Accounting this wisedome foolishness And the light shineth in the darknesse and the darkness comprehended it not Joh. 1. 〈◊〉 It was ever a stumbling block and foolishness to the wise and prudent of this world to the natural man Iohn 6.52.60.1.1 Cor. 1. 2. And so is was to many while Moses was yet alive
Deut. 31.11 27 28 29. such waited but for an opporeunity of Moses death and Ioshuahs and the godly Elders then they did shew themselves so blessed Paul spake of Wolves and apostasie Acts 20. It is hard for us to deny all of the first Adam and wholly submit to be taught and guided in the doctrine of the second Adam the Lord from heaven Quest 8. Answ N. IV. Of Melebisedecks and Levies sacrifice hood See the Apostles disputation concerning Melchesedeck Heb. 5. 6 7. who was still alive after a sort in discription As the holy Prophet David taught the people of his dayes and what use they should make of the Land of Promise Psalm 95. and of the use and end of the sacrifices and washings c. Psalm 40. 51. So he taught them that Levies Priesthood should have an end for that our glorious Lord Iesus Christ is made a sacrificer for ever ofter the order of Malchesedek and not after Aarons order of the Levitical Priesthood where neither the persons or things that Levi did could justifie the doers or commers thereunto Now the Lord Jesus Christ he was promised and prophecied of in all the old holy volume of the book of God that he was made a Mediator and a Surety a Sponsor of such an Administration that should perfectly save and justifie them that came unto God by him He was of God the Father none else could made a Sponsor a surety All the sacrifices that he commanded our Fathers they did them till the fullness of times did come and then he did send his beloved Son and Servant in whom his soul delights he took unto him true humanity and was a Sponsor a Surety of a better Testament i.e. The Mediatour of the New Testament for their full conâ—olation to comfort them concerning their works and concerning the sorrows of their hands and concerning the earth which God hath cursed He shall do that which all Levites tribe could not ex opere operato Levies Priesthood could not cleanse the conscience from the guilt of our sinful works not procure a blessing on our Labours nor make a new world his Priesthood could not cleanse the conscience from dead works to serve the living God c. And for this cause Christ was a Sponsor of a better covenant And Christ himself faith he will become this Sponsor and Mediatour to answer the will of the Father Lo I come to do thy will O God thy Law and appointment for the redemption of thy people that thou hast given me is in my heart to give my self a Sacrifice of a sweet smelling favour of rest God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not counting their trespasses unto them For be made him to be a Sin-offering for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5. Much more might be said but let the people of God study the Scriptures their inheritance God hath a time and a day wherein he will burn up the hay stubble and rotten wood of impertinent applications and interpretations Ibid. N. I V. Is not an bidd doctrine It is not an hidden thing nor a wonder for thee O Israel for this doctrine that the Son of God should come down from heaven to be man hath been taught to thy Fathers from the beginning and that he should be the great High Priest and Sacrifice and that he should raise himself from death to give hope to all faithful of their resurrection Israel should not make doubt of this doctrine Yet it is a Wonder as Ethan sings of it Psalm 89. great is the mystery of Godliness But this hath been ever taught in the Church this doctrine is the faith of Gods elect and the Churches possession Ioh. 1. Levi the Tribe appointed to reach divinity should never have been graven in the bright and pleasant Smaragd if the stories of this Art had been dark â—et had been a fitter stone for darkness The minde of man may have abundant satisfaction and strong confidence concerning the doctrine of the way of life by holy and humble diligent study of the Scriptures And they that will not believe Moses and the Prophets will not believe though one should rise from the dead Quest 9. and Answ Taught by tradition Note the doctrine of faith one and the same whether by Tradition or Writing For those 2513. years the faith of the Gospel was propagated by tradition by great prophets of long life and great authority and sacrifices as seals of the Covenant added for confirmation of doctrine Quest 10 and Answ Midian Although Abraham taught his houshold the faith of Christ as is seen in the book of Ioh yet many of his posterity apostated to that idolatry religion and opinion with which he was corrupted at YR others fell to the false faith religion and opinion of Peor Jos 23. 24. and did seek to curse the true faith of Gods elect and the holy people of that profession Num 23. 24. Midian was of Abraham by Ketâ—rah The world was then full of false opinions and heretical Doctrines as now they could plead for Nachors Teraphim for Peor for Chemosh and Milâ—ham c. but Israel must hearken to the Law and Testimony that Christ gave them so Moses and Iosuah most pathetically a little before their deaths exhorted them to regard the holy Law and not to follow the traditions of their fathers or of the Nations Ios 24. Deut. Quest 11. and Answ And wou'd have gone into Egypt again Like them are our Popish fools that would go into Rome Egypt again for their Fish Flesh pots Leeks Garlick Onions Cucumbers Melons their doctrines of bodily exercise of Images Pilgrimages the dotage of Purgatory c. goodly Cates sure to be compared to the heavenly Manna of Gods word and Gods dwelling in his tabernacle among us We do not consider the glorious presence in Christ in his Ordinances and protection c since he brought us from among them By the Gospel the way of Christ the face of God shineth upon us The Gospel is the object of promise joy and gladness to every honest hearted Christian Let our apostate hearts remember Lots wife in looking back to Rome-Sodome Christ complained Israel would none of me Oh that we could think of these things What one nation on the earth hath been like us for mercies and how ill have we requited the Lord as Israel did so do we Psal 81. Deut. 32. Ibid. Of their forefathers The idolatry of Terah and Abraham continued above 500 years to the death of Iosuah yea long after Iosuah 24. 2.14 Observe how fast idolatry and superstition and will worship sticks in the heart of posterity Although they had the fiery Law expounded by Moses and miracles to confirm them of the truth of that Religion that holy faith of the Son of God Moses taught and possessed Canaan in the obedience of that holy faith and many chastisements for
satanical and Julian fancies that would not have Schools of Prophets Christ will curse such and their posterities Quest 7 and Answ blessed protection Upon their glorious faith was a defence and the last speech of Moses was made good through all their State while they hold their glory Deut. 33 26 c. That Scripture is full of heavenly joy to all Christian States that hold the faith of Christ sincere Esay 4. Where this glory is seated there shall be a defense Blessed hast thou been O England who is like unto thee O people saved by Jehovah from the â—eed of the Serpent sundry times but especially in eighty eight and in the Gan-powder plot and in 164â— c. Ibid. Written word The sweet blessed Scriptures are to make Kings and Common Weals wise and learned that the wrath of Christ burn not up their States and in special the books of Kings and Chronicles with the prophets of their times are for instruction to Christian Kings and polities in many things of State but chiefly to take heed how the true Church doth tamper with the false and apostate in treaties and affinitie Psalm 2. 2 King 22. 2 Chron. 34. 35. c. The holy Scriptures will yield more fundamental conclusions and sure rules for government then all the Machiavels in the world Quest 8. and Answ Aholah for their apostasie Our blessed gracious and merciful Lord God doth never cast off his people till they have first cast off and contemned his word for then idolatry will begin and all ungodliness and unrighteousness like a torrent will follow Then will God hisse for a flie and a Bee What Prince is able to keep a flie or a Bee from comming near his Court yea or into his Chambers and Excheqâ—ers God is as able to bring an enemie even of their lovers to enjoy and possesse them See the stories of Râ—choboam Ioram Ioash Amaziah c. 2 Chr. 12. 21. and 24. 25 And Pharoah with all his wisdome and multitude Ezek. 29. and 30. and 31 c 32 could not prevent Nebuchadnezzar from his spreading his royal Pavilion near his Court Gate Jer. 43.9 10. and who caused that the Babylonian Princes sate in the Gate of Ierusalem but the Lord Iehovah the God of recompenses Jer. 39. Esai 42.24 Esay 5.26 7.18 Pro. 13.13 Jer. 6. 7. 2 Kings 22.13 Ibid. N. 1. and gave them over to the lying Spirits Wo to them saith God when I depart from them then followed a secret dedication of them to devils transferring his right of them to idols Ephraim is joined to idols Let him alone Hos 4.17 Acts 7.47 1 King 22.23 Psal 81. Ezek 14.9 and so 2 Thess 2. Apoc. 16.13 1 Tim. 4. Ibid. N. 1. To walk in their own Counsels Ezek. 20.25 Psal 81. 2 Kings 17.8 Hos 10.6 13.1 Observe Mich. 6. ult Salomon fitted many Proverbs and told them the words of the wise do bear grace and that the words of the fools of the ten tribes and of Judah also would be foolishness and wicked madness to swallow them up Eccles 10. Behold still how Christ the Corners stone was rejected and became a stone of offence to both the houses of Israel as Esaias and David had told them Psalm 69.22 Esay 8.14 and 28.16 and so is ever to all that will not receive him in the way of his own ordinances and mark how these texts are pressed by our Lord and his Apostles in the Acts Evangelists and in the Epistle to Rome and 1 Pet. 2. and this is written for us Rom. 15. confer Esai 6.9 10. with John 12.40 Acts 28.26.27 c c. Ibid. N. 1. Could not live the life of a State c. Observe how the Holy Spirit compares the dead State of the ten tribes being in Apostasie with the apostasie of the families 2 Chron. 15.3 with Ephes 2.1 to 12. Dead from a Church life Hos 13.1 false worship breeds atheism and corruption in manners heresie frets like a gangreane and such Authours and fautours wax worse and worse The ten tribes were without the true God by their apostasie and so the heathens were atheoi atheists without God in the world and note that speech of Asa King of Judah was spoken of Israel before the idol Baâ—l was brought into Israel 2 Chron. 15.3 Ibid. 8. Quest and Answ N. 2. He did pour out his fury God was angry for the provocation of his sons and of his Daughters Deut. 32. Gods four sore judgements followed Aholah and Aholibah for their backslidings Ezek. 14. and the Earthquake in Amos 1. had in Israel its events Jeroboam the second his son was two and twenty years in getting his Fathers Throne such trouble in State all plagues and curses Levit. 26. Deut. 28. came on them not for breaking a Covenant of Works but for accounting Christ and his Kingdome Anathema They did as all apostates do loath his word they abhorred his Statutes they obeyed not the Son of God the Angel of Gods presence as Mediatour and so had not life John 3.35 36. they served not God in their spirits in the Gospel of his Son He that hath not the Son of God hath not the Father 1 John 5.12 2 John 9. and so come all plagues and curses on men Let the wilde Olive branches fear Ibid. Vpon them famine pestilence Famine and Pestilence are chiefly the Plagues of the meaner sort and the sword is the plague of the rich Ezek. 21.14 when the heavens dealt with the subjects Levit. 26. the Governours felt the other The spirit of Christ hath long and wonderful patience afore the sword cometh Lev. 16 23 24 25. then the sword doth avenge the quarrel of Gods covenant not a covenant of works but for despising the covenant in his Son against the godliness of high place who were and are the hinderers of all good and the promoters of all evil as it is said A great man grieveth all and he hireth the fool he hireth also the transgressors Prov. 26.10 Ibid. By secret corroding mischiefs Christ was as a Lion to tear in pieces by their domestick dissentions as in the overthrow of the houses of Jeroboam Baasa Omri Iehu c. and by forrein enemies and also he was as a Moth insensibly eating and consuming their riches honour and people by one ill project or other And for this read Hosea 5.12 Ibid. House of Assur They made Israel Iezâ—eel Loruchamah and Lo-ammi till the latter daies as Hebr. 1.1 But then they were gathered in Christ and pittied and again made Gods people The Apostles of the circumcision preached to them that were dispersed in Asia Galatia Pontus Bythinia Cappadocia and Chaldea c. 1 Per. 1.1 and chap. 2. all tribes then are called Iews Ephraim mixed himself with the heathens Religion therefore God mixed them among the heathen Ibid. Out of their own Land There nettles and thornes grew in their pleasant palaces then the thorne and thistle grew on their
glad it was rid of such a Tyrant and Apostate He poureth contempt upon Princes 10. His son Achaziah knew all this yet he feared not God but walked in the way that is the Religion and manneâ—s of apostate Israel 2 Kin. 8.27 11. His idolatrous mother was his Counsellour and because there were not States-men wise enough in Judah the counsâ—llours of Jeroboam man of sin his Religion must be sent for and so the secrets and mysteries of State in Iudah must be discovered Ah poore Iudah how sick and intangled was thy State â— Châ—on 22 3 4. can such with well to and procure the weal of Mount Sion Psal 122. Apoâ— 14.1 12. As the two fathers so the two bâ—ethren joyned in league for Achaziah joined with Iehoram King of Israel in battel against Hâ—zael of Aram who held still Ramoth-Gilead so Achaziah being not onely a very wicked man but as bad a States-man wasted also the strength of Iudah 13. Achaziah going to visit Joram being sick was slain by Jehu as he was of the house of Achab by the mother so he perished with it 2 Chr. 22.6 7. Complices in tyranny and idolatry complices in punishment Hosh 5 5. 14. Many idolatrous Princes and 40 young Gentlemen and Courtiers of the kindred of Achaziah going down from Iudah to comple-mentit with the children of the King and Queen of Israel there Iehu found them and slew them These apostate Princes of the faction of Ierobâ—am man of sin his Religion and it may be pensioners too that put their hands to kill the good Princes God met with them by Iebu 2 Chron. 22. Let this teach Courtiers the eye of Christ is in Kings Courts 15. Athaliah the wife of Iehoram daughter of Achab and it may be of Iezabel being Queen Regent six years in Iudah seeing her son Achaziah was slain by Iebu she seiseth like a cruell tyrant on the children of her son Achaziah and slew all but a yong infant of a year old O sick Iudah sick sick sick 2 Chron. 22 Isa 1.5 6 7. 16. She being Regent governed in an idolatrous and turbulent manner to the hearts grief of the honest Subjects for she being King cut off idolatry was banished the Gospel was restored and the Land was quiet 2 Châ—on 23.21 Christ poureth contempt upon Princes 17. The sons of Athaliah that wicked woman for the time of those six years had broken up the house of the Lord and had committed abominable and idolatrous sacriledge It should seem she had sons whom she tendred by some other man 2 Chron. 24.7 These evils and others yea and others which are not written Deut. 28 61 followed good Jehosaphats bad affinity with Achabs wicked house 18. Mark through all the holy story what pollution of blood from that Ammonean and Achabean breed ran in all the Royall descents to the Captivity That you be not mistaken you must observe that there were two Kings of Iudah and Israel reigning at one time of the same name Iehoram Also two Kings both called Achaziah and near of the same time Ioram and Iehoram are all one name and so in King Iehoash of Iudah and King Iehoash of Israel The Table of genealogie prefixed will help your observation Other State-affairs in the stories of other Kings reigns beginning with King Azariah alias Vzziah and so forwards compared with the prophets will afford many meditations I think it not amisse to touch a little from the story of Salomon for this matter of affinity In policy he might make affinity with Pharaoh a great Potentate to strengthen himself being a King of peace by this course he thought to maintain it for him and his successours but it proved otherwise Although Pharaohs daughter might prove a proselite and forget the Religion of her own people and her fathers house and cleave to the truth of Christ as it is thought she did to be a figure of the Gentiles calling to the true Salomon It might be a great mercy to her to be of the true Church and of the houshold of God But very like it it was done of Pharaoh but as a snare to work their own interests against Israel No trust to be had in idolatrous people for so of this affinity came no good to the Church of God 1. There was no succession of this proselyte-daughter 2. The State of Egypt maintained a Faction and fostered Traytors and enemies to Salomon and the State of all Israel as Ieâ—oboam that lifted up his hand against the King and Hadad the Edomite 1 Kin. 11. So Egypt nourished two factions in Salomons life-time against him 3. And Shishak King of Egypt might well be the brother of that daughter who five years after Salomons death invaded Iudah and warred against Rehoboam that apostate fool Eccl. 2.19 2 Chron. 12.13 and 13.17 Marriages do not alwayes unite houses and kingdomes as in the Seleuco-Pagidae Dan. 2 43. and 11. So France and Spain knock one against the other 16 36 Rome is called Egypt and it hath nourished traditours and proditours against Christian Princes of the Reformation This should make all Christian Reformed States to be very watchfull and diligent concerning any treaty with Abaddons Kingdome for he in allusion is compared with Ieroboam called the Man of sinne 2 Thes 2. and Romes polity is called Egypt in a mysterie Quest 9. and Ans and the nations sometimes they gadded and treated with Assur but that framed not sometime with Egypt that also failed Ier. 2.16 17 18. False worship taketh heart from a State This folly madnesse and sillinesse other Prophets reprove in Ephraim Esay 29. Hos 5. and 7. The whorish State her feet cannot abide in her house therefore she did wander Pâ—ov 7.11.12 Hos 9 2 Ezek. 16.33 c. and chap. 23.14.15 c. God plagued them by their lovers They pleased themselves in the children and manners of strangers Isa 2.6 wise States-men of old were carefull of this Iob 15 19. and the godly returned from Babel Ezra 4. Hezekiah was to blame Isa 39. Our nation changed their glory and loved Kâ—ttims Religion therefore God plagued and did trouble them with Italian Monsters Ier. 2.25 Deut. 28.43.44 Hos 7.9 It is to admonish 1 Cor. 10.11 and to make States wise and learned Psal 2. read Ezek. 16. and 23. for their Babylonian lovers and compare things for Rome is called Egypt and Babylon in a mysterie Vide Mr. Cade Instit Lib 1 pag. 128. and the Appendix Also insinuations for corruption of manners will make the sweet yoke of Christ burdensome and will work further change of our way as things go on uncomfortably at this time anno 1636. Ibid. Yea astonishing sorrows The Lamentations of Ieremiah and Psa 80 and 89 c. c. compared with the history shew astonishing sorrows with the causes and this was one chief cause for the sins of her Prophets and the iniquity of her Priests that shed the blood of the just They they the chief cause of
people 2 Chr. 20. Dan 7.1 Sam. 7. Psalm 84. Hest 4.16 humiliation of his people he alway heard their cry (f) He had ever respect to his glorious and great Name Exod. 34. Num. 14. Deut. 32. Ezek. 20. and this the Saints perpetually remember to God Psalm 74. 79 149. his promise and covenant is ever working and remembred his covenant in Christ breaking the head and head-plot of the seed of the Serpent in his unsearchable judgements (g) Consider Psalm 2. 110. through all stories at the word from Kain to all that follow his waies putting away all the wicked of the earth like dross treading and trampling them in the (h) Let this text of Esay 63. be cited no more impertinently not erronionsly Apoc. 19. teacheth to expound it Wine-press of his anger and fury and overthrowing Kingdome after Kingdome with great desolation as it is said Lo I begin to bring evil on the City whereupon my name is called and should ye be utterly unpunished Read Jer. 23. Esay 30. Very many more are the observations which these Scriptures of Moses and the Prophets will afford to the wild Olive branches but to the godly and deligent student they will be familiar QUest 8. Was not the Kingdome of Salomon restored after the captivity Answ 1. No They were told that they should never have an earthly Kingdome any more for God had sworn that Jechonias of Salomons posterity and of the direct line of the Royal descent should dy childless and that none of his seed nor of Jehojakim his father should bear rule any more in Judah Jer. 22. 36.30 2. Also God had told them in Babel that the 4 Kingdoms signified by the four mettals of the Image by the four beasts Dan. 2. 7. should over-rule their outward estate and that the Crown and Kingdom should be overturned overturned overturned and cast to the ground till he came to whom it belonged that is Christ the King QUest 9. If Salomons race was ended in Jechonias how was Gods promise fulfilled that Christ should come of David according to the flesh Ans David besides Salomon had a son of Bathsheba called Nathan and of him our Lord Jesus Christ linealy descended QUest 10. If Jechonias dyed childeless how is it said that he begate Salathiel 1 Chron. 3.17 and Mat. 1.12 Answ Salathiel was the Son of Jechonias by legal right of succession to the kingdom not son by nature and so Ezra teacheth 1 Chron. 3. That Jechonias being in (a) See how Tremelius translates 1 Chron 3.17 the term Assiâ— is not a proper name strait prison adopted Salathiel his heir And in the same manner the Evangelist Matthew handles our Lords case declaring that he was right heir to the kingdome of Israel QUest 11. Which are the Kingdoms signified by the four mettals and by the four Beasts Dan. 2. 7. Answ By the Head of Gold and the Lion is signified Babel the Brest and armes of silver and the Bear signifie the Medes and Persians the Belly and sides of Brass and the spotted Leopard the kingdom of Graecia the thighs and legs of iron and feet of iron and clay and the Beast with ten horns the kings of Gog in the north and the kings of the South QUest 12. What was the end of those wicked kingdomes that oppressed the Saints the holy Hebrews Answ The whole Image was beaten to dust and made as chaff before the winde the four Beasts were cast into the fire unquenchable before the Son of man came in the clouds QUest 13. What reasons may be rendred why God did abolish some of Moses Ceremonies and Salomons race and everthrew Temple City and kingdome Answ Israel which is after the flesh looked not to the sure mercies of David in the eternal throne and kingdome promised to them in Christ But that which was for their welfare became to them through misbelief an occasion of falling they stumbled at the Stumbling Stone and seeking by the outward work to be justifyed as Esay 1. 58.59 Psa 50. complains and made their Belly their God and minded outward and earthly things therefore God did shake all those poor rudiments by Babel read Jer. 3.16 52.13.17 c. and once more finally said he wouldâ— that they might be better perswaded to embrace the New Covenant that God had promised to make with them to look to Christ the end of the Law and to entertain his easie yoke and to enter into his rest to be more spiritually minded to look to him the true Salomon and to his Priesthood and kingdom QUest 14. How many years was it since the 19. of Nebuchadnezar or the third captivity to the end of the Captivity Answ Full 50 years then the golden head was made dust the Lion thrown in the fire Then Cyrus K. of Persia overthrew Babel The eighth Chapter of Dan. for the fufilling of it belongs to the time of the Seventy Sevens and likewise much of chap 2. and 7. and made a decree for the return of the people and building of the Citie and Temple in the first year of his Reign QUest 15. What Scriptures are contained in those 50. years Ans Part of the last chap of 2 Kings and part of the last chap. of 2 Chr. much of Jeremiah and much of Ezekiel so much as is noted to be after the 11. of Zedekiah or the burning of the Temple the 4 5 7 8. a chapters of Daniel the prophesie of Obadiah The Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the eighth CHAPTER QUest N. 4. Moses saith from Christ People should be taught this constantly that the Son of God to whom the Father hath committed all authority and power so as Mediatour he gave the Law And when we are careless or wilful and break the law and do not obey it then we dishonour the Son for this is the holy revealed will of the Lord that all men should honour the Son as they honour the father Exoa. 23. Mat. 17.5 So it is said of Servants they serve and obey Christ when they perform their duties in conscience to their masters the same is said of wives and children And so we must say of all relations divine and humane in all the Ten Words Mark Jeremy chap. 34. all of it That is a great Word which is spoken Obdience is better than Sacrifice This well understood will make to vaniâ—h the term Legalists and the vain doctrines that have been about keeping and walking in the Law of the Lord as though it were not made for the righteous to be a rule of life but we may not once to think to be justified by the doing of it for the Law is more spiritual then the best Christian in the world But we ought to be very careful that we walk in his holy covenant that our hearts by his spirit may comfort us that we are honest subjects of the Kingdome of so good and gracious a
8.44 Mat. 3. Christ saith to the unbelievers and hypocrites Ye are of your father the devil Men that hate Christ and his word and his servants their genealogie is from Satan and Cain 1 Iohn 3.12 and the faithfull theirs is from Abraham yea from God and Christ Gal. 3. 7.29 and chapter 4.31 Iohn 1.13 Let all Phil 3. be considered with this note Quest 10. and Answ N. 1. And tormenting sorrows Note some special God gave over into the hands of one another and into the hands of their Kings the Herods and the Cesaâ—s Ioseph Liber 13. chap. 19. c. Then Christ brake both his staves by which they were strengthened he brake the staffe of beauty bereaving them of the duty of his Ordinances and brake also the brother-hood of Judah and Ephraim And much of this came to passe when the tribe of Levi cared not for the sacrifice-hood and would be Kings contrary to Jacobs and Moses will Gen. 49. Deut. 33. Then they and others became Sadduces and killed 50000 Pharisees This is the fruit of hereticall Doctrine and mens Traditions The poore of the flock that waited on Christ and valued him above all observed these things Zac. 11. Ibid. For as they abhorred Christ As their fore-fathers moved Christ to jealousie by revolting to idols so they did by mens traditions and false Doctrine which is as bad as idolatry yea it is idolatry and vanity Deut. 32.21 compare with Rom. 10.19.1 John 5.21 Observe how the Apostle Paul citeth that Text of Moses They despised the eternall Son and his righteousnesse the new and living way Bodily exercise was not the living way and so they despised God the Father 2 John 9 but that brought upon them the day of violent fire and wrath to the utmost as it is said despisers wonder and perish Acts 31.41 Heb. 10.27 1 Thes 2.19 False Teachers and their deceived never prized nor admired Christ and his word read Phil. 3. Quest ibid. N. 2. with utter and finall desolations Your house that is the Temple shall be dosolate while the world standeth Mat. 23. Luc 13. And this came to passe about 40 years after our Lords ascension Not such a desolation and transâ—â—gration as was at Shiloh or at Jerusalem by Babel or as that three years half by Antiochus with restauration but utter desolations as experience for 1500 years The affliction from Egypt had a fore-told limitation so had Babels so that of Antiochus and Israels proper glory was limited Dan. 9.24 But how carnal Israels affliction is not limited and earthly Canaan and Jerusalem shall never have proper and peculiar glory Quest 11. and Answer They shall never be restored Let Ezk. 16.43 to the end of the chapter be well considered both for the captivity to Babel and the utter desolations by Rome as Ezekiel compares Iudahs state with Sodoms unrecoverable so our Lord both to Sodom and to Noahs flood Mat. 24. mark well Num. 33. ult Again note where the Apostle saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not have c. by a cosequent he meant Neither would he Temple City and Kingdome which were all figures till the time of setling Christ should be and was the building in which God would delight and therefore these shadows shall never be restored unlesse we say Sacrifice and offering shall Why do we not as Mr. Finch and Mr. Brightman c. make the Jews expect things seen and temporall No no they will rejoice to be of the holy City from heaevn and will never care to make a corporation in the Lowâ— Jerusalem Ibid. Then any countrey or Citie in the World Then they will believe the doctrine of their apostle Peter the Apostle of the circumcision as their Godly forefathers dispersed in Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia Bythinis and Chaldea and mind the heavenly inheritance that is uncorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not and the spiritual Temple 1 Peter 1. 2. and 2 Pet. 1.19 20 21. How sweetly doth the Apostle draw them from their carnal sense of Ezekiels prophesie under the terms of Canaan Citie and Temple So the apostle to the Hebrews draws them to the heavenly Government of Christ in the Jerusalem Celestial And that the Low Jerusalem all that hold of the policy of it now ended by the Son eternal were briars and thornes and near rejection cursing and the destruction of violent fire and wrath to the utmost compare 2 Sam 23.1 to 7. with Hebrews ch 6. 10. As their fore-fathers did so the children as Stephen laies that heavy crimination on them Ibid. The Lamb is the Temple Seeing the Lamb is the Temple and that he destroyed the material Temple and all the politie of it for if the Priest-hood be changed there must be of necessity a change of the Law old things are all passed Then surely it is abominable to have Priests Altars Sacrifices Candles Incense Copes Linnen Ephods Musick Distinction as of Mosaical daies and times as Rests Jubilees new Moones distinction of meats annointings c. in our Ecclesiasticall administrations yea or an Ecclesiastical politie answerable to Levi of a subservient Clergy under one universal high Priest on earth Christ our Statute-Maker hath forbidden all Levitical ceremonial worship Iohn 4. There is no Typical ceremonie left unto us in his New Testament but the two Seals of the covenant of the New Testament and Gods Worshipeâ—s must worship him in Spirit and truth Spirit is opposed to bodily exercise of our carnal hearts Truth is opposed to the shadows rites types and ceremonies by which Christ saith The hour was coming that the Father would refuse to be worshipped And the Son by whom the Father spake taught none such to be repeated much less others by man to be invenced They are tyrannical ecclesiasticks that force ceremonies Col. 2. Before Christs coming the Wisdom of God as the old covenant needed instituted many types and ceremonies but the fulness of time being come two signs seals and memorials Baptism and the Lords Supper were ordained Seeing the Lord God of hosts even the Lamb is the Temple and we all with open face see the shining of the Sun of righteousness all Moses Ceremonies and others of mans invention should be left It is else as if we were still under pupillage and now it is bondage from which Christ hath justified us that is made us free The servants of Christ in these things must not be the servants of men but still contend and fight the good fight for the utter abolishing what he hath abolished and what in his last Will and Testament he never bequeathed nor commanded Gal. 4. Greek Fathers began the Name Priest and high Priest to be fitted to their doctors But in the end the gangrene crept to haâ—m unspeakable that Satan by Turk and Pope ruled the world For the god-Pope the high Priest of the Papacy he made a Mosaical subservient Clergy He made another peculiar holy Citieâ— He made Priests and annointed them
Prov. 1. Quest 14 and answ How many years hath Palmoni Palmoni an attribute of Christ Dan. 8.31 much to be meditated He numbreth our tears and wanderings He numbreth the hairs of our head He numbreth the Stars He numbreth the times in the holy Scriptures in a most pleasant frame by the ages of holy Fathers by promises and types by Sabbaths and Seavens and he will teach us so to number our daies that we may apply our hearts to wisdome Ibid The Sun in his Tabernacle The Suns chronicle draweth all along to the Sons righteousness It is not a small matter in consideration that the whole frame of the Celestial Orbs should be so wheeled by him that made day and night Summer and Winter that the Suns journeys should be so guided that all Israels stories do fall out in time according to their ceremonies to be the harmony of all the Bible and the joy of Christianity of this very thing David the sweet singer of Israel and the other Prophets did joyfully sing and speak and made many heavenly ditties and comparisons Psalm 8. 19. 103 21 22. 119 89 90. Psalm 136. 7 8 9. 148.3 Jeremy 31.35 36. 33 20. c. A godly Mathematician should consider this Profance abominable hath been and is the endeavour of some men to teach us of Christs coming by the building of Rome by the Archontes or Mayors of Athens by the foot-races and horse-races c. of the Satanical games of the Olympiads of the Heathens as gamestry is much prejudicial to godliness so this heathenish gamestry-doctrine to the holy Chronologie of the blessed book of God Ibid. Quest and answ 14 Ruâ— his race as a servant The Suns name in Hebrew is Shemesh a servant to perform service 1. Especially to the second Adam as all are his Servants Psalm 8. 119.91 And 2. in him to the Church holding sincerity Jos 10. And it shall not smite thee by day nor the Moon by night Psalm 121 And 3. to all the world through his general good providence Deut. 4 Mat. 5. And 4. that mankinde should not worship that which the creator hath made their daily servant Quest 15. and answ Dyed in a Jubilee year The Jews never kept in their own land any more a Iubilee for 40 years after our Lords death Titus Vespasian raced to the ground Citie and Temple and sold the Jewes as flaves This came to pass as our Lord foretold Deut. 28.68 Zac. 14.1 2 3. Matth. â—4 Luke 21. 23.28 29 30. Read Iosephus on the wars of the Jewes Ibid. will be to Israel in a jubilee They might well cast this to be so by the Seavensy Seavens which did 490. years foretel the death of the Lord of Glory Ibid. Remission Or freedome or Justification our holy Apostle seeing the fulness of time more fully and gloriously addeth Wisdome and Sonctification 1 Cor. 1.30 if the Son shall make you free then are ye free indeed John 8. He that was before the beginning and promised from the beginning did appear to destroy unloose dissove the works of the Devil 1 John 1. 3. This expounds Genesis 3.15 He gives liberty to the Captives Esay 61. Rom. 7. then was the just captivity delivered to go to his heavenly possession and to the heavenly familie of our Father which is in heaven Lev. 25.23 Remember ye the Law of Moses my servant which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel with the statutes and judgements Mal. 4. Observe well this conclussion of the old Testament the Written Word the glory and inheritance of the Saints and let them most highly account thereof The spirit of Christ foreseeing the false doctrine of those three Shepheards Zachary 11. and the afflictions of the Army of heaven in the daies of the fourth Beast and the iron Legs thus forewarned the Elect Daniel 7. 8. 11.28 to 33 12.3 4.10 This text of Malachi well minded would stop the prattle now a daies that Moses Politie was a covenant of works and not a covenant of Grace in Christ CHAP. X. Shewing how God ordered the Several Captivities of his people for the planting of Religion among the Heathens as a preparation to the Covenant of Grace under the Gospel QUest 1. How was Gods providence seen in bringing about famous matters concerning the People of Israel and that the Heathens of Noes families might have a general preparation for the daies of Christ Answ 1. The Jewes being carryed to Babel the Land of Nimrod of the house of Cham were a great means of good to those heathens for the knowledge of the true God and of the faith of the Messias for they were bidden to say when they came to Babel Thus shall you say unto them the Gods that have not made the heavens and the earth The learned say this verse of Jer. 10. is in the Chaldean Language they shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens Jer. 10. We are also to consider that many Jewes believing the prophets that their countrey should become under Babel fled into other Countreys where they would have Synagogues 2. Daniel being advanced and famous in Nebuchadnezzars Court did inform the King very much of the true God in his opening of the dream of the image of four mettals upon which the King acknowledged the God of Israel and preferred Daniel over the province of Babel and above the wisemen of Babel Dan. 2. 3. Daniels three noble cousins Hananiah Azariah and Mishael denying worship of Babels gods in the presence of King Nebuchadrezar that mighty Monarch and at the Assembly of such an huge concourse of peoples nations and languages at the dedication of the golden Image and upon their denyal to be cast into the burning furnace Who by faith escaped the violence of fire Heb. 11.34 And the Kings proclamation over every nation and language setting forth the praise of the God of Israel and that none should speak amiss of the God of Shadrach Meshac and Abednego These things must of necessity cause great consideration among the heathens seeing also the King made their cause more famous by their advancement 4. Daniels opening the dream of the Tree The Kings proclamation over the world unto all Nations Peoples and Languages that dwell in all the earth in which telling of his own abasement for seven years and of Daniels opening of the dream would cause the nations to think better of the Jewes although captives And Daniel being at the opening of the dream a famous Courtier of thirty five or thirty six years standing and a great favourite had and would still tender the cause of his own nation 5. Another proclamation concerning Daniel chap. 5. being now an old Courtier and an attendant on three Kings upon the reading and expounding the hand-writing on the Wall and upon that investing him again with great authoritie 6. The glorious prophecy of the Seavensy Seavens of the precise year and day and
should we for his second coming and with more joy but alas and the godly families of the house of Levi chiefly them of Shimei and old father Rabbi Simeon greatly waited for the Messiah the consolation of Israel and so did that old Matron the Prophetesse Anna of the Tribe of Aser who spake of MESSIAH in that Synod to all that looked for Redemption in Israel and Jerusalem So she and Simeon Zacharias and his wife Elisabeth and the blessed Virgin with many others blessed and praised God for the performance of his promises all the godly now know that the Kingdome of heaven was come and that was John Baptists theam Mat. 3. 2. As Anna was godly so her father Phanuel and it seems his father was godly tnd believed the Doctrine of the Seventy-Sevens for he spake to his children of seeing God in the flesh Phanuel importeth seeing of God or we shall see God Jacobs story hath Peniel Panuel Zac. 4â— Luke 2. Gen. 32. And gracious Anna cried grace grace to the righteous branch to the Lamb the true Temple The birth of Anna was about the 54th Seven her fathers might be in the 47th seven his fathers might be in Antiochus Epiphanes time about the 40th seven To these we must consider of the house of Zarobabel he had two son Abihud and Rhesa Mat. 1. Luke 3. of Abihud these Sadoc These lived in the time of Ianan whole and Ianan parted Achim Eliud Eleazar Matthan Jacob Joseph the husband of Mary Of Rhesa these Mattathias Maath Nagge Esli Naum Amos Mattathias Joseph Janna Melchi Levi Matthat Ely Mary These might be contemporary in sucession with the former godly under the Kings of the North and South 3. I do desire somewhat to inlarge The godly returned from Babel were a foundation of glorious mercies to the Church they were a godly seed and left a godly seed which held on successively how godly were they in Ezra Nehemiah Esther Haggai Zachariah and Malachi It were too long to gather all that might be said First by the gracious Proclamation of Cyrus the returned as they had Jerusalem ever in their mind so now their faces looked thitherward Jer. 51.50 Psal 102. though it was desolated in the dust yet they preferred it before glorious Babel and other stately Cities and Palaces in Chaldea or Persia 2. Being come the incumbent neighbours of Samaria c. did envy them therefore they builded the altar and offered sacrifice calling on the name of Jehovah the everlasting God as Abraham Isaac and Jacob their godly forefathers had done 3. Set on Temple work and being hindered upon better opportunities set on the work again with great courage as Ezra 4. and 5. 4. In the second return by Ezra ch 7. and 8. what a godly company came with him Many mo returned afterward Zac. 8 what fasting prayer and thanksgiving used they 5. When Ezra being come saw their unequall yoking in marriages with infidels how did they repent of it with godly humilation and amend it by putting away their strange wives and the children by them Doubtlesse a sharp corasive to flesh and blood An holy seed in the Church of God is most precious that is Gods end and should be our intendment 6. In Nehemiah is seen how full of courage labour and diligence they were in building the wall of Jerusalem and how God did comfort them in reproaches of the enemies 7. Upon the complaint of the oppression of one another these evils were repented of and amended 8. Their reverent demeanour in the exercises of publick Ordinances in teaching prayer hearing of the word all done with much love rejoycing and thanksgiving very imitable 9. Kept solemn fasts 10. Made solemn renewings of their Covenant and for the maintenance of the worship of God 11. Consâ—der their loving association to come out of the Cities of Judah one of ten to dwell in Jâ—rusalem 12. Holy care taken for the Sabbath 13. In the book of Esther how many godly were in 127 Provinces What fasting prayer and thanksgiving was among the Jewes who by faith Escaped the Edge of the sword Hebr. 11 34. of that cruel bloudy massacre intended by wicked Haman 14. It is shewed in the Prophet Haggai they obeyed in teaching of the Lords message and were careful to promote the building of the Temple 15. Zachary declareth they humbled themselves in hearing of the word and turned from their sinful courses against Gods holy Worship and love to one another and did love peace and truth 16. The inhabitants of one Citie did exhort the inhabitants of another City to the Worship of God 17. Yea the Jews having Synagogues in all Countreys should make many Proselytes and take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew and be of Israels Common weal to learn the faith of Sems Tents 18. They had great zeal against false Prophets Zachary 13. 19. Malachi sheweth what an holy seed the returned were that although there were many Hypocrites and Atheists Wantons Sacrilegious among them yet there were many godly that feared the Lord and spake often one to another to incourage in godly waies Mal. 4.1 and the Lord God took notice of their Godly communion and they were a blessing to themselves and the State of Israel and the Lord God promised many comforts to them but a day of wrath was comming which should burn the wicked up as an Oven Iosuah was 〈◊〉 a self Seekeâ— to grapplâ— what he lisâ— for his greaâ— service by the Elders granted 〈◊〉 he request Iosuah 19.50 of their godliness meekness courage zeal wisdome c. Looking into the manners of the people to amend what was amiss they were not self-lovers nor self-seekers and would not suffer their servants and attendants to oppresse or grinde the people not like them in Amos 4.1 that is a great matter to be observed in a Common-weal 20. Zorobabel lived long but Nehemiah longer near to the end of the Persians to be a Noble Corrival against Sanballat who also lived long to see Alexander the Great These things I write to shew what a godly seed the returned were and so continued to the end of the Persian Monarchy 21. And the fruit of these comforts went on the dayes of Antiochus Epiphanes in many godly called Dan. 7.18 Saints of the most High Antiochus times reach to about two hundred and eighty years of the Seventy Sevens Dan. 12.3 Daniel prophecied that in the dayes of Antiochus there should be wise and faithfull Teachers that did instruct many and turn many to righteousness 22. That although those daies of Antiochus were the saddest times that ever Israel before had yet Christ had noble Worthies that stood to the Truth and did not shrinke for Sword Dan. 11.33 Heb 11.35 Flame and Captivity that they might enjoy the better resurrection to shine like the Stars for ever and ever And this godly seed still successively sprang up to our Lords
but surely the Second Temple had more glory then the first Hag. 2.9 None of all the Prophets told the definitive time of fulfilling the promises to perfect the event of the Predictions of the Prophets and the joyful singing Hosanna to the King of Israel who made the day to break and the shadows to flee away c. c. The Second Temple had this glory and the performance of that which Moses Tabernacle and Salomons Temple with all their appendancies figured Therefore these things being well considered we may well give Sentence that the prophecies of Daniel cha 2.7 8 9 10 11 12. chapters with the Prophecies of Haggai Zachariah and Malachi were a thousand fold more comfort to the Faithful then the loss of those exteriours could be sorrow That worthy noble man Lord Plessi Truenesse of Christian Religion hath written somewhat of these five things chap. 29. pag. 455. Thus Christ was taught yesterday Heb. 13. The SECOND PART OF THE DIALOGUE Drawn from the NEW TESTAMENT CHAP. XIII How the New Covenant or the way of Redemption was taught or opposed under the first preaching of the New Testament QUest 1. Hitherto we have in part seen how God at sundry times and in divers manner spake of Redemption to the Fathers and faithful of the times of the old Testament Now give me some text in the New Testament which may call to minde the Prophecies of the old Testament that our hearts may be comforted being enriched in the full assurance of understand-standing to know the mystery of God even the Father and of Christ Answ Matthew 17.5 This Scripture is very pertinent This is my Beloved Son (a) Psal 2. Es 9.6 Prov. 30.4 2 Sam. 7.14 in whom I am well (b) Esa 42.1 Psal 132.10 pleased (c) Exod. 23.20 21 22 as Moses received the lively oracles from the Angel of the covenant to teach Israel so the Apostles received from him words that have spirit and life to teach the Israel of God John 6. Hear Him This text doth graciously look back to all the Prophesies that have been spoken of that now he was come this is He He that was promised in Paradice to Eva and afterwards to Sem to Abraham Isaac Jacob Judah David c. and figured by the Passeover Tabernacle and Temple Cloudy-fiery-pillar Manna Rock Brazen Serpent The Sacrifices c. By Melchizedecks and Aarons office and promised in Daniel to be the complement of all All the New Testament commenteth on this Oracle that came from the excellent glory QUest 2. and Answ What are the points that you observe out of this Scripture of Mat. 17.5 Answ 1. The Gospel consisteth in the true knowledge and belief of the person and office of Christ John 17.3 1 Cor. 2.2 Col. 2.3 4 5. 2. The doctrine of his person is clear in that the Father calleth this man Christ his son so that he is the son of God and man where this word Son is not to be understood in regard of Creation as were the Angells or of adoption as are the elect but by nature and generation eternal and in-effable John 1.18 Col. 1.15 3. Observe the distinct person of the Father acknowledgeth the distinct person of the Son to which add out of Matthew 3.17 the distinct Person of the Holy Ghost 4. This Son is called Beloved to shew that in that love the Father hath to the Son Pro. 8.31 Ephestans 1.6 John 1.14 15 16. there flow the joyful streams of love to his Elect so that he is the fountain of grace unto us 5. Unto those two points of his Person are joined two of his office answering unto them first In the beloved he is well pleased This sheweth the Mediation of his sacrifice-hood to God for us Secondly Him being Son he would have heard this sheweth the Mediation of his Soveraign Kingdome from the Father over us 6. This Mediation of his Sacrificehood is to be understood in two parts First John 17. What he did for us on earth And secondly What he did and doth for us in heaven On earth he made intercession for us and was delivered to death a sacrifice for our sins and was raised again for our justification from sinne and death to a resurrection Rom. 4.25 1 Pet. 3.18 Rom. 5.1 By his death and Sacrifice he purchased reconciliation justification and adoption also the word of reconciliation and the ministery thereof In heaven he entred with his own bloud into the holy Heavens and purchased eternal Redemption and the possession of the heavenly Mansions John 14.2 17. and in his ascention is our Fore-runner thither to prepare them he sitteth at the right hand of the Father making request for us he presenteth all our supplications 1 John 2.1 There is one God and one Mediatour 1 Tim 2. Ayoc 8.3 Eph. 3.12 2.18 intercessions and giving of thanks for our selves and others The effect of these things are joy peace hope of glory the giving and the in dwelling of the holy Spirit who mortifieth sin sanctifyeth our natures blesseth all holy means quickneth in duties perswadeth and assureth of free accesse to the throne of grace c. more then we can ask or think 7. These words In whom 1 Cor. 3.11 do exclude from this mediation all other Saviours and Mediatours whatsoever and condemneth such doctrine as stubble for the fire 8. In that he decreed to please himself with Christ it sheweth our free election justification adoption and salvation Galat. 1.4 Mat 11.28 Iames 1.18 to exclude all mans merits free will and works fore seen and to establish an unspeakable comfort to the man that findes in himself that God hath given him faith that he may know God hath predestinated him unto Salvation in his Beloved Son 9. The second part of his office is his Soveraignty in this Hear Him which sheweth his Soveraign authority over all Nations which standeth in this that He is the chief Prophet over all Kings Powers and Principalities and in all things Head to his Church 10. Under the word Hear is commanded our obedience that we should hear Him with our ears hearts and deeds that is by learning his word by believing it and practising it by works 11. This word Him is spoken exclusively there is no other Head of the Church but Christ none other to rule and make Lawes and Offices and Officers for the well ordering thereof but Christ none other Priest or Sacrificer to offer sacrifice for reconciliation of iniquity and lastly none other in (*) That doctrine of the Papalines that Christ is not in heaven sole mediator of intercession anathema sit Rome 8.34 Heb. 1. 8. Acts 2.36 5.31 heaven to offer with his own odours the prayers of the Church militant QUest 3. and answ What Seals hath Jehovah our King Judge and Statute-maker the Lord of the House hung and fastened to the writings of his new Covenant Answ Baptism and
the Supper of the Lord. QUest 4. Shew first what is considered jointly in these two Answ Both these are memorials signes and seals as strong as the worlds frame to repenting and believing Receivers of whatsoever Gods word hath revealed for their hope and comfort of life temporal spiritual and eternal They by the work of the Spirit represent and seal the whole doctrine of the covenant and promises made to our Fathers and also it must ever be remembred they are reciprocal and for restipulation as the covenant and being added to the covenant more firmly binding strenthning and comforting to faith obedience and thankfulness QUest 5. What do you conceive to be taught us in Baptism Answ Baptism is to teach and seal unto us 1. †1 Mat. 3. Acts 2.38 39 40 41 42.2 Acts 2.38 and 22.16.3 Gal. 3.26 27.4 Rom 6.5 Tit. 53.6 1 Cor. 15.29 Rom 6. Col. 2.12 and 3.3 To all which we must joyn the calling on the name of the Lord with good understanding Acts 22.16 1 Pet. 3.21 Concrning our entrance into the Church and politie of Christs Kingdome and the priviledges of the same to distinguish us from other polities 2. Concerning our justifiation 3. Our adoption 4. New birth or sanctification 5. Mortification 6. The resurrection QUest 6. What do you consider in the Supper of the Lord. Ans This should be written in all hearts that they onely be happy which in the Lords Supper protest the abundance of grace of free forgivenesse for justification to reign by Christ the second Adam 2. The Bread broken and without mixture the wine poured out and without mixture administred in the Primitive sincerity and plainnesse dispensed by a lawfull Pastour and taken with holy judgement and faith our souls feeding upon the eternall Son his incaâ—nation and Redemption is a Seal of mercy of faithfullnesse builded and established in the very heavens to stay us in Christ and in his holy Doctrine The authority of the Speaker promising covenanting and now sealing who made the world by his word must be looked unto 3. As our eyes judge of the frame of the world and our minds to what invisible use all was made subject to the second Adam So our eyes must judge of Bread and Wine and our minds that Christ our onely and most holy and perfect high Sacrificer offered himself a Sacrifice for us 4. When Sacrifice was to end at the Supper of the Lamb Christ Jesus our Lord the Son eternall whom we must hear to seal the end of Sacrificing gave for beasts flesh and blood which figured his Body and Blood Bread and VVine to be in Covenant-speech his body and Blood 5. As all faithfull of the old Testament kept with all Religious observance the Gospel Statutes and testimonies of circumcision the passeover and Jubilee c. to the death of our Lord Jesus Christ at his first coming so shall this precious ordinance yea and all the ordinances that it seals to continne to the judgement of the great day And the Saints must evermore celebrate and observe it with an eye to his second coming This should be a constant Meditation with the people of God (*) Read a little treatise intituled a fruitfull Sermon on Rom. 12. but man by nature of a stubborn disposition to divine revelation will not be charmed though the charmer charm never so wifely Here should be inserted concerning the offices and officers of Christ for the government of his churches and the ministration of the holy things thereof Much hath been written Pro and Con. but questionlesse that church politie that is according to the words and commandements of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ is best and will agree and stand with the polities of Christians yea of heathen common weals And nothing but Popish ambition tyranny coveteousnesse idlenesse doth resist Christs government of which if the territories of Princes were rightly possessed they would glory in it * both for safety of person and State Kings being just †Kings that set light by gody and just government shall find Christs providences to be iron and fire to their common-weals 2 Sam 23.7 and ruling in the fear of God need not fear losse by Christ for that his Kingdome is not of this world VVhat his Kingdome is and who his Subjects are he sheweth Mat. 5. John 18.37 QUest 7. Who believed the most sure word of Prophesie and the Record that God the Father witnessed of the Son Answer The apostles and disciples and many others afore our Lords death the 3000 converted at one Sermon and 2000 and many more added presently after and in succeeding times 144000 Jews and innumerable martyrs and confessours of all Nations and languages as the Acts the Epistles to the Churches and the Apocalips do shew †Now the Kingdome of Christ spokeng of in Daniel c. 2 7 is fully manifested when the image of four mettals and the four beasts became as chaffe before the wind and were consumed by rivers of fire and that the Son of Man was come and had ascended to the Ancient of dâ—â—es then to him was given Kingdome power and glory that all people Nations and tongues should serve him Thus Prophesie and history do sweetly agree QVest 8. Then by this that you have said it doth manifestly appear that all Nations which were of the families of the Sons of Noah had no other faith for salvation taught them but what was taught in Sâ—ms Tents and by the Sons of SEM Answ Most true it is for all that was taught to Eva to Sem to Abraham Isaac Jacob Judah Moses David Salomon Daniel and all the Prophets in the old Testament the same faith and none other as the new Testament sheweth Christ taught his Apostles and disciples who went from Jerusalem Sems tents to the uttermost parts of the earth by our Lords commandement with the gift of tongues to disciple all nations by preaching the word of truth the Gospel concerning the incarnation of the Son of God his sufferings death resurrection from death his ascention and shining glorious appearing at his second coming to judge the world That work they performed by the strength of God who confirmed their Doctrine with signes wonders and divers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost Then tongues nations and people of all Kingdomes departed from the power of darknesse by faith and obedience to the Kingdome of Christ giving honour and glory for ever to the king eternall holy invisible God onely wise 2. As Christ our salvation came of the Jews so the scriptures of the old and new Tâ—stament which reach the salvation came from them and because the saints from the dayes of the apostles have obtained the same like precious faith as Salem Sems tents had of old the state of the Church is termeâ— a Jâ—rusalem from Heaven and the names of the twelve Tribes upon the twelve Gates of this â—iâ—â—e do shew that all must be of their faith that enter
therein And the names of the Lambs twelve Aposties upon the twelve precious Jewels the same as the High sacrificer ware on his Brest the twelve foundations of the Wall teacheth and convinceth that all must be builded on their most holy doctrine that will be within the corporation of the Holy City The Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the thirteenth CHAPTER THe first Quest and Answ This is he that was promised Christ the hope of the promise made unto the Fathers Acts 26.6 Heb. 11. all Christ the hope of all the Israel of God Acts 28.20.1 Tim. 1.1 Observe the gloriousness of Christ in all the old revelation of him yet in manner of doctrine they had not perfection to see and feel the word of life 1 John 1. But we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us a minde to know him which is true and we are in him that is true in his Son Jesus Christ This same is very God and eternal life Babes keep your selves from Idols that is from all false doctrine 1 Joh. 5.20 21. Quest 2. N. 9. The Father doth love and honour the Son and hath committed all power into his hand as Gen. 3.15 for humbling himself and laying down his life for his sheep so do the Angels so do all the Saints John 10. Phil. 2. Apoc. 5. Christ is a great King and witnessed concerning it a good confession before Pontius Pilate John 18.37 He is Fore-leader and Commander over the House of Jacob even over all the Israel of God Iew and Gentile Luke 1.32 3â— Gal. 3.7 6.16 Esay 55 Christ will be received as King Prophet and Sacrificer in Sion the heavenly or he will fill all places with dead bodies Psa 2.8.9 110. Deuâ— 18.18 Heb. 3.1 Ephes 1.21 23. Mat. 28. Hebr. 〈◊〉 1. If Angels and Moses must be heard and disobedience was justly recompensed much more the Son eternal must be heard to whom Maseâ— was but a servant Heb. 2.1 2 3. N. 11. This word Him is spoken exclusively â—y divine dispensation he alone passeth all acts from God to man and from man to God 1 〈◊〉 3.23 5.11 12 13 he is the One Mediatour between God and man Hebr. 2.17 18. 1 Tim. 2.5 Observe evâ—lusive speeches although the terms onely and alone be not alwaies expressed for in divine revelation there is not from Gen. 3.15 to the end of the Apocalips the least hint of any other Name under heaven he is the Alpha and the Omega of all the holy and blessed Scriptures so the promise to Abraham is exclusive no blessedness but in Christ the holy seed of all holinesse and so expounded by two Apostles Paul and Peter to the Jewes and Galatians Acts 3. 25. Gal. 3. Ibid. Is no other Head of the Church Christs Supremacy he is Lord of our faith and binder of conscience by his Laws To the Church he is Prophet Sacrificer and King and the same to every particular person for his particular comfort and calling as his person is not divided so neither his offices he is not a sacrificer for any but also he is a prophet to teach and a King to govern he is a Prince and a Saviour to all the Israel of God If Christ is not thus received his Father is not honoured in Kingdomes families and persons For this eleventh observation ponder these Scriptures Ephes 1.22 Jam. 〈◊〉 1â— Ephes 4. 8 11 12 13. Mat. 23.8 Acts 2.36 5.31 Quest 3. What Seals hath Iehovah commonly to call them Seals is the best and aptest term and suiteth even to the capacity of the meanest to be soonest conceived Because in this as the Jewes proverbially say well of the holy Spirits familiarizing with us God speaks according to the language and dealings of the Sons of Adams it is used Rom. 4. as also the true sign or token Gen. 17. Ibid. the Lord of the house None may ordain a Seal but he that hath ordained the writings of the Covenant God only inspired the holy writings and he only can add seals to his covenant in them As none can make a true deed or lease and seal it but the true Landlord in whom the Propriety is Therefore all Popery is to be aâ—â—ursed that addeth writings and Seals The Apostle glorieth only in this What I received of the Lord that have I delivered unto you 1 Cor. 11. Thus he as Moses faithfull in the house of God Heb. 3. Quest 4. and Answ They are reciprocal Ever since the Gospel was taught Gen. 3.15 God made a covenant with the faithfull and their seed as with Adam and Habel understood it thus he walked in good works 1 Iohn 3.12 God renewed the covenant to Noah before and after the Floud and he was godly But the Terms of the covenant in open record is more fully declared in after ages Genesis 17. and there it is shewed there is a restipulation on our part concerning Gods promises commandments threatnings curses admonitions counsels good examples c. we ingage our selves in all when we apply the Seals Our Lord saith Go teach and baptizâ— and teach them to observe all things Mat. 28. So the Tenant binds himself when he subscribes or puts to his seal Quest 5. and answ Baptismis for to teach and seal Baptism is a Seal of ending circumcision and all Abraâ—ams and Moses ceremonies the same may be said of the Lords Supper 〈◊〉 supra much more it bindeth to abhor humane religious traditions and precepts And we should not care to be judged as culpable for the not observing of them Col. 2. A circumcised Israelite was bound to keep the whole Lawâ— and our baptism bindeth us to look only to Gods commandements what he hath commanded us Mat. 28.20 Quest 6. and Answ N. 2. without mixture The Wine not to be mixed with Drakes bloud nor water nor Bread or Wine to be mixed with poyson as the Papal Hostia was when they gave it to the Emperour Henry the seventh next Albertus A fine device of the seed of the Serpent to kill Princes and Nobles that stand in their way Any action feazible and consequent for the Throne of King Abaddon is and must be a Declamation on that Theame of theirs sides non observanda cum â—aereticis O ye Princes and Nobles beware of such Scorpions trust none of them that hate the sincerity of the Gospel lest you finde their doctrine of Transubstantiation too true when they are such cursed Sorcerers that can turn bread into poison pretending to give Christ our life they give death and sacrifice your precious lives upon their Altars They can and will give you a secret sting for they are Scorpions and Sorcerers Also the Bread and Wine neither to be adored nor conjured with crossings or any other fantastical Popish Devilish humane deviceâ— but in all plainess the holy seal of the Covenant to be administred in both kindes according to the primitive institution As King Josias said Keep the
of God to them that believe in his name John 1.12 chap. 5.24 is fit for this answer both of the commendation of faith and the blessed fruit of believing eternal life and rest Ibid. heavenly exercise of prayer Who shal stand before the son of man at that day of his bright appearing even such that watch their hearts that pray much watch therefore pray continually that you may he counted worthy to escape all these things that shal come to pass Luk. 21.36 Ibid. Of eternal Rest c. As all the faithful of the old Testament in their blessed spirits had an immortal life with God in the heavenly Tabernacle in the boâ—omâ— of Abraham the happy part of Hades in Paradise and were the heavenly family so all since that have died in the faith are In heaven and also of that blessed family We are taught to pray Our father which aâ—t in heaven therefore as our affections should â—e heavenly so heaven is our Countrey And therefore aâ— they of old were not to mourn immoderately being the sons of Jehovah their God Deut. 14.1 2. neither are we to sorrow as men without hope of the better resurrection 1 Thess 4 Behold what love the Father hath given us that we should be called the Sons of God 1 John 3.1 This adoption is from the Son of God who died and rose again to give us hope who is Lord of quick and dead Rom. 14 9. Quest 3 and answ Sitting as King on a Throne Observe the fourth and fifth chapter of the Apocalyps is to be considered as a Platform of the divine Majesties administration through the stories of the Church and the enemies thereof we shall finde mention made of the Throne of God and the twenty four Elders and the four lively wights under the Dracon Caesars and Dracon Papacy and after that the King of Mount Sion beginneth to consume the Kingdome of Abaddon with the breath of his lips and to shine in glory to the comfort of his people Apoc. 11.16 14.3 19.4 The Rainbow about the throne Apoc. 4. is an â—â—lusion to Gen. 9. and Ezek. 1. and is to be remembred through all the stories of the troubles of the Church also minde that in all the Apocalyps the Church is tearmed commonly heaven to shew that its Polytenmâ— conversation trading dealing should be heavenly and also that the State of Abaddous Kingdome is called the earth and the bottomless-pit as indeed it tends to these two Quest 4. and answ The cares of ambition Schismes and Heresies of Ecclesiastical Teachers Note that Church-men and for the most part Bishops were the beginners of Schisms and founders of heresies and then with open and full mouth like dogs Enemies of the heavenly Icrusalems peace and glory Apoc. 21. they cryed heresie heresie schism schism faction faction sedition sedition anarchy anarchy of all that would not obey theiâ— constitutions c. so of old it was The Leaders of my people have caused them to erre who destroy the way of their paths Esay 3. So the Scribes and Pharisees made constitutions and canons c. and then all were questioned and hereticks that questioned their traditions John 9. Acts 24.14 28.22 Maâ— 15. They cannot be truly called Schismaâ—icks and Hereâ—icks that cleave to the Words and commandements of the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour but they that do depart from the puritie and sincerity of the Apostles doctrine Romans 16.17 Mark what is said of your own selves and St. Paul spake to Bishops shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw disciples after them Acts 〈◊〉 so such although Bishops were Schismaticks factious sedâ—ious and heretical persons and it was they that brought all to anarchy and Princes became subject to King Abaddon that lawless man of sin And let Princes take heed of such Spirits that still speak lies through hypocrisie The Prelates of our native Countrey for most part have been exceeding culpable in urging their Canons and inventions and for setting the hearts of Q. Elizabeth K. James and K. Charâ—s against faithful Teachers Quest 6. and answ Yea for the Spirit spake evidently 1 Tim. 4. Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils speaking lies through hypocrisie having their consciences seated as with an hot iron Teaching not to marry and to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth It hath been observed before for the old Testament and so it must be for the New that the Government of Christ for essentials is the same The plot of his counsels expressing it self in an uniform manner Men of old time apostating and pleading against the Gospel were given over to Devils and false Prophets So men despising the healing doctrine in the Words and commandements of the Apostles were given over to lying Spirits and strong delusions of â—lse Teachers Mr White Way of the true Church page 385. hath this speech cited out of Egesippus That the Church continued a Virgin undefiled as long as the Apostles lived but when that generation was passed the conspiracy of wicked heresie through the seducement of those which taught other doctrine took beginning Consider the like speech Iud. 2 6 7. and so long as the flames in Smithfield and other cruelties of King Abaddon and his Locusts were fresh in memory so long Orthodox Bishops and zealous Protestants and no peace with Rome and our good Laws were executed against the Locusts and other Babylonish trayterous sectaries of the man of sin but now against Christ and his ambassadours and servants how were the godly of late disgraced at the assizes c. and now the Catholick Roman church is a true church of Christ c c. The first love and works are best Apoc. 2. and we hope and pray Christ will make his Scriptures good upon us which are written Hosea 2.6.7 Ezâ—k 20.32 33. c. c. Ibid. N. 11. For the mighty Creation Aâ—oc 4. Setteth forth Gods glory in the Creation and affordeth meditation against Heathenâ— Romes Gods They worshipped Stars and Juno in the aire Aeolus in the winde Neptune in the Sea Pan in their sheep c. c. These were their Divâ—s and Divas He gods and Shee gods c. And this was the the cause of the wars against the heaven of the Church Apoc 12. whether Jupiter Apollo c. and the heathens oracles or the eternal Son and his Gospel were to be followed and the same war was with the tail of the Dragon for their refined idolatry Ibid. and gracious redemption Apoc. 5. Gives Meditation for Christs Mediation by whom all is restored who is the Head of all Principalitie and Power as all Creatures acknowledge joying that they shall be for the service of Christ for being turned to service of idols they groan in Gods esteem as corrupted
Christ giving the world over to slavery and befottednesse in former times Rejoice over her thou heaven and ye holy Apostles and Prophets for God hath avenged ye on her read attentively Psal 81. and in all this book of the Apocalips compare old things with new Quest 6. And chiefty through this Abaddon States miss much the mark that think to overthrow the Kingdome of Abaddon if liberties and not the quarrell of the Gospel be not syncerely intended Let the King of Swedens doings advise them And consider Zac. 4.6 chiefly so must the Temple be built and Fathers and Councels Doctors and School men are not the sword of Christs mouth much lesse a dumb base idle and proud ministery those and these humane helps we have used long enough Ibid. Shall be perishing to the end As those four beasts Daâ—â—y perished by the time of our Lords first coming so the Romane Beast made of those four shall by his second A greater curse cannot be to terrisie us in partaking with them For what State will seek to uphold the Kingdome of the Beast King Abaddon must sink with it as a great milstone that Christ casteth into the sea and let each State whose Kingdome is the Lords and his Christs take heed how they tamper in leagues and Treaties with any of the horns that yet uphold and give their power to the Beast and mark events Christ hath and will preserve his Common-Weals that rule for him that in truth defend his faith as D. Cariton in his thankfull remembrance hath evidenced to our ingratefull and forgetfull Nation Will we not yet mind that theam of theirs nulla fides observanda baereticis yea it is more than a theam it is one of their Papall Laws a Canon in the Couneel of Constance Sess 19. Will not we believe a man to be bald till we see his brains vide Cade Justif lib. 2. 80 81. c. and the apdendix Ques salvos suscitaâ— ques destruit dementet Just with God that they that will not know his holy faith should not know reason The children of Noph and Tahpanbes have broken thine head contrary to Gen. 3.15 Jer. 2. Isa 9.13 and 30.4 The harlot Aholibah doted on the Egyptian and Babylonian worships which were her ruine they sent for the brave Gallants of Babel clothed inred attire a type of Scarlet Cardinals of mysticall Babylon Ezek. 23 14 15. Hos 9.2 and 10.6 c. c. Dear Queen Elizabeth would not suffer Jerolamus Martinengo to come over into England for any Treaty Hist Council of Trent 440. but now Treaties and Locusts are either sent for or suffered to swarm Alasse what means it that an ambasâ—adour should be sent to the seven Mountain City of mysticall Babylon What have we to do to drink the waters of Tyber Jer. 2.18 1636 Ezek. 23.16 in King Edwards dayes the State sent for P. Martyr and Martin Buâ—er and for many years countenanced men of their Spirit but now c. The syncerity of the Gospel is the sure Basis of all prosperity to a State and notwithstanding all this Elias and Elisha and Samâ—el c. will be the Chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof False Religion and oppression is the earthquake of a State as Mr. Cade most affectionately sheweth in the Appendix Quest 7. and Answ That gave their power to the beast The Kings that did traffick with the Pope continually for his confirmation they felt Christs anger for it for he would have them know that by him Kings reign that all power in heaven and earth is his that the most high ruleth over the Kingdomes of men as the proud King of old Babel who was made a beast did confesse to warn the Beast of mysticall Babylon of his blasphemous arrogancy Prev 8. Mat 28.18 Dan. 4. Rom. 1â— 1 i.e. Kingdomes that will not stick to Gods covenant shall find this Scripture made good on them 2 Chron. 12.8 Ibid. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords The Lamb shall overcome and revenge the blood of his servants Apoc. 19. Five beads were fallen for Gods peoples sake when John wrote and the sixth head was wounded to death for persecuting the faith so shall the seventh Head feel the curse of the living God Ibid. That will judge the great Whore God shall judge them and his Prophets and their enemies shall judge them and the righteous men shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses and blood is in their hands Ezek. 16.38 and 23.45 Ibid. That hold of every foul spirit Whom do these foul spirits conscience-cauterised hypocrites seduce on whom do these Vultures kites and ravens seise on surely on none but those men and women that have sore and itching ears and cannot abide sound Teaching and have no love to the truth and laden with sins and led away with divers lusts lusts of the eyes of flesh and pride of life 1 Tim 6.10 2 Tim. 3 6 7. and 4. and 3 4.1 John 2.16 Apoc. 18.2 This verse of Apoc. 18.2 may be an allusion to Isa 13.21.22 as old Babylon was troubled Zim Jim and Ohim so mysticall Babylonians in our Land in these dayes of darknesse have been troubled with spirits and hobgoblins and night-terrours c. But blessed be the father of mercies the God of all consolation for the Gospel of his Son which hath scattered these evils from us Ibid. For he sitteth as on a white cloud with a sicle in his hand and on a white hoâ—se Let the Saints remember with joy how Christ the King rode on a cloud in bringing Israel out of old Egypt so now in bringing us his Isael out of Rome Egyâ—t Gird thy sword upon thy thigh O most mighty Psal 45. in Apoc. 6.2 Christ rode as on a white horse in his instruments the angels invisibly men visibly against the Casars till he had wounded to death that head of the Romane State so now against the reviver of the wounded head he rode on a white horse Apocal. 19.11 as against old Egypt Hab 3.8 Jehovah shall reign for ever and ever Moses and all faithfull so sing Exod. 15. Apoc. 15. At the figure of the †The holy spirit alludeth to the stories of the old enemies Apocalyps 18. c. sheweth the great fall of mysticall Babylon from old stories Oh that our brethren would be conversant in the holy Scriptures the Romane polity killing men for the Prophets and Apostles Doctrine is as guilty as if it had killed them and all holy in the same faith All the righteous blood shed from Habel the righteous to this day shall be required of them and it should admonish our Nobles Gentry ministery and Commonalty to take heed how they comply with that bloody whorish Church lest they acquire the guiltinesse of its massacres treasons Gun-powder plot c. consider Job 9.4 to help the Reader to compare the Apâ—calyps with old stories somewhat I will mention for these present expressions The old world Gen. 6.11 12 13.
Babel had so ruinated them they could not chuse but have many sad thoughts of discomfort that they should never return So when the Churches saw wrath so full of fierie indignation on the Jews they thought the day of Christ was at hand The Apostle satisfied them and the Prophet Jeremiah comforts them with this speech as yet and the Prophets often reiterate these words which must be marked And in all those prophesies of their return there are many promises of Christ mixed for he is the radix of all comforts to the Church because God will send Christ to destroy Satans work and his seed and to blesse us All promises are made in him to be yea and Amen as that promise to Achaz although he despised it Esai 7. and would not put the safety of his Kingdome on such promises but would seek as his stubborn and unbelieving heart taught him help from Assur but because God had made promise yet to protect Ierusalem the City he had chosen to put his name there therefore he would protect it and because our heavenly Father would send his Son to be immanuel God with us therefore he would yet save Iudah Sion and Ierusalem Ieremiahs Prophecies are of this nature to be understood Esaias before Ieremiah had said by prophecie that although Babel had sorely afflicted the Church Isa 14 1.2 3. notwithstanding the Lord would have mercy on Iacob and would yet choose Israel and set them in their own Land the Land of Iehovah called elsewhere the Holy Land and pleasant Land and so it was to the ending of the Seventy Sevens but then any Land City and Assembly where the Gospel of Christ was and is taught believed and professed was and is as holy as that Land CHAP. XXVI That the Covenant of God in Christ made with Israel in Deuteronom is the very same that God made with Israel in Exodus and Leviticus and so to the end of the 19. chap. of Numbers in answer to them that hold the former to be only a covenant of works and the latter in Deut. to a covenant of grace because it is said in Deut. 21.9 beside the Covenant which he made with them in Horeb. Mr. Ainsworth saith it is the same Covenant but onely renewed to the children And Tremellius speaketh to the same effect we must remember that Malachi in shutting up the old Testament chargeth Israel from Christ to cleave to the Law given by Moses at Horeb Mal 4. as the onely good means to secute them from the Apostasie that would come upon them in the dayes of Antiochus Epiphanes yea it began even in the dayes of Malachi then stout words were spoken that it was in vain to serve God c. Like the apostacy of the old world Dan. 11.14.30 31 32. Job 21. 14 15. and 22.17 Mal. 3.13 14. And the angel foretold of the lawlesse crew of Daniels people that would deal corruptly concerning the holy covenant 2. It was greatly consequent to renew the covenant to the children for now all their fathers were dead of the first numbring and so it was very fit that the children should be taught the fathers holy Religion by way of covenant the better to watch over their hearts before they went over Jordan to possesse Canaan 3. Moses repeats divers passages of Christ in three former chapters of Deuteronomie as a preparation and then most pathetically exhorteth to the obedience of Christ Deut. 4. and prosecutoth the same exhortation in chap. 5. where he repeat Exod. 20. and mark the second and third verse of chap. 5. in these words The word onely must be understood as in Cor. 1.17 Deut. 6.13 10 20. and so the Rabbins of the Jews understood it vid. Mr. Ainsworth Not with our fathers onely made Jehevah this Covenant but with us This doth not onely look to them of the first numbring that died in the wildernesse but to Jacob Isaac and Abraham and so Tremellius it was verily the same covenant for substance that was made with Abraham renewed in the wildernesse and exhibited fully and plainly in Christ but in respect of times and persons it is called a divers form of covenant vid. Heb. 8. So he yea I doubt not but we may go higher even to that promise of God to our first Parents Gen. 3.15 and to Noah Gen. 6. Promise and covenant are often taken promiscuously and it is for our comfort so to understand It is much for our edification and comfort in the holy faith so rounderstand the same promise made to our first Parents concerning Christ for they had sacrifices to seal the covenant of their salvation to him the same was made with Noah Gen 6. and the same with Sâ—m whose God was God blessed for ever Abraham Isaac and Iacob and in that covenant all the visible Church were ingaged before Moses to observe it and it is called the way of Christ and his charge in his commandements statutes and Laws Gen 26.5 These were enjoyned by Christ and by most godly tradition propagated in godly families from father to child untill Christ commanded Moses to put all these Laws and histories of Genesis into writing with sundry other Laws because the Church was now grown into a large common-weal and were to dwell in a Land by themselves as Christs peculiar people I will adde one Text in Leviticus to stablish our hearts in sound Doctrine chap. 25.23 The Land shall not be sold for ever for the Land is mine for ye are strangers and sojournens with me This text shews what all the Polity of Christ by Moses aimed at even faith and love in the Son of God Christ Iesus this text hath irradiant beams over all the holy Doctrine What a worthy exercise might a godly Oratour of a congregation a Scribe taught unto the Kingdome of heaven that hath his wits exercised in the word of righteousnesse make hence to an Auditory 1. You are strangers and sojourners with me How might he amplisie this from other Scriptures 1 Chron. 29. Psal 39. and 119. Heb. 11. by the godly example of the Nobles of all ages 1 Pet. 1. and 2.11 2. From the coherence of matter in the verses preceding and following that those that confesse in heart this Doctrine of Christ that they are but strangers and sojourners in this cursed world they must not oppresse and vex one another in setting and leting in buying and selling but deal justy and mercifully one with another 3. It will afford an heavenly meditation to consider how and why the Lord should say he is a stranger and sojourner in this world surely this Text sheweth how Light Life and immortality was brought to light by the Gospel in Moses and in Leviticus 4 All Deuteronomie is the abridgement of Moses Sermons for one moneth The Apostle Heb. 9. doth dilate much on Exodus and sheweth it was a Covenant of grace in Christ Deuteronomie must be understood to be the same covenant with Exodus
and Leviticus for we must observe that the Son of God the holy Angle of Gods presonce repeateth diverse Laws that were formerly commanded in Exodus and Leviticus the holy Law with the exposition was first delivered in Exodus and Levitecus See Exod 10 21 22 23. and 24. chapters and that holy covenant was made in the bâ—ood of the covenant Exod. 24. as it is said Assemble my Saints together that have made a covanant with me by Sacrifice to walk in his holy Law and as the breach of it is charged on them Ps 50. So it is the same covenant that is made with the children in Deut. for as it is said Moses repeats the Law to them Deut 5 and makes large Expositions upon it and then renews the covenant even the same Covenant in Deut. 29. Note also that the same promises for obedience to the law of the Gospel and the same curses are spoken to the fathers as are repeated to the children Lev. 26. Deut. 28. Yea which must be well observed Numbers 20. Numb 20. to the end of that book and all Deut. is but the history of one year and Aharon died the fortieth year in in the fifth moneth Num. 33. and forwards may and must be called Deutera-nomie a second Law for all is spoken to the people of the second numbring all the Fathers being dead Consider Num. 28.2 also confer Exod. 19. with Deut. 76. and 14.1 and 26. And the covenant that Iosua made with Israel a little before his death is but the renewing of the former and saith Mr. Ainsworth in Deut. 29.1 Here the covenant is renewed between God and the people and it is the same in effect with the covenant made at Horeb Exod. 19. and 24. save that Christ who is the end of the legal covenant is here more clearly recalled and saith he on Exod. 20.2 here he especially intendeth the covenant of grace made with his people whereby they are blessed that have Jehovah for their God Psal 3â— 12 and Tremellius speaketh to the same effect and divers others might be cited to their sence Men man and will speak their pleasures but let us take heed we do not darken Gods counsels by our own words or by his words mis-interpreted CHAP. XXVII Short Collections out of Genesis Job and some part of Exodus shewing that the Gospell of the Son of God Mark 1.1 2 was manifested and taught among the faithfull before Moses wrote the same SECT 1. CHRIST the eternall word the light and life of men inspired holy Prophets in all ages to teach men his way and charge which consisted in Commandments Statutes and Laws from the apostasie of our first Parents to Israels coming from Egypt that is two thousand five hundred and thirteen years all which Laws were to bring men to feare and love Jehovah and to love the holy Seed their Brethren and to give no just occasion of offence to any no not to the seed of the Serpent Gen. 18.25 26.5 And that this holy faith and religion might abide and the fruit of it remaine Christ gave holy Prophets who were of long life and of great authority which were a great helpe to preserve the faith for those years and propagate the same by tradition to posterity till those commandments statutes and lawes were written And because many things before the Floud and after the Floud doe set forth the Law of faith rather by way of narration then by manifest precept though doubtlesse they were commanded even from the beginning I will breifly set down some particulars in which the Son of God reveiled himselfe even before Moses 1. The Holy faith for Doctrine was taught in that great and precious fundamentall promise coucerniâ—g the Son of God his person and office I will â—uâ— enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her sâ—â—d He shall break by head and thou shalt break his heal Gen. 3.15.2 We are to consider that this holy promise or covenant was opened by diverse providences and ordinances which the Saints most religiously observed that so they and their posterity might abide in the Doctrine of Christ and not transgreâ—se from it For they knew they that did not so had no communion with the holy Trinity but they that did abide in it had communion both with the Father and the Son SECT II. 1. TThey had Sacrifices to make profession of this holy faith of the son of God taking humanity of the Seed of the Woman to be the Mediatour and Procuratour of justification sanctification wisdome and redemption by his death and sacrifice and thus sacrifices ever taught of life coming by death Now we are to consider how this way and charge of Châ—ist was made known to Moses in commandments statutes and laws he wrote the very some that was formerly practised by the Saints Christ indeed commanded more laws to Moses because the church of God became into a great common-weal and kingdom Therefore hence observe that all ancient godly tradition is according to the written word 2. Moses is frequent in this They had Altars on which they sacrificed their offerings which made the sacrifices acceptable because it sanctified the offering signifying the in effable Divinity of the Son of God made man to uphold the humanity in that great work of our Redemption 3. So in Moses most sericusly the Sabbath is enjoyned likewise in the Prophets The holy Trinity Father Son and holy Spirit Jebovah Eloim appointed the Sabbath to be a signe between him and his people that in it they might meditate on the mighty Creation and gracious Redemption And it was to sanctify them unto himselfe and to sâ—perate them from all the prophane and so to be a means of holinesse in their persons soul body and spirit The Sabbath was made for man to meditate how the holy Trinity rested in Christs Redemption And the Subbath was kept before it was commanded in Exo. 20. for Moses speaks of it in Ex. 16. as being observed before and teacheth them there further the holy use of it as it was at the first enjoyned Exâ—d 16 23. but Israel in Egypt apostating from the faith and following the Idols of Egypt neglected the Sabbath very great ly as the word Remember in Exo. 20.8 doth argue and we see that where men care not for or do corrupt the holy Doctrine of faith that they either neglect the Christian Sabbath the Lords day or utterly cast it off Eze. 20. And 100 manifest miserable experience in our days of rejecting the fourth Commandment and its Doctrine as Papiâ—ts doe the second Commandment do witnesse Again further note all the Patrarchs entred into the Sabbaticall Rest from Gen. 1. to Moses times God did not rest but in Christ and the Sabbath taught that and the faithfull kept it but the Families most wickedly followd Nimrod Gen. 26.5 and would not be perswaded to embrace the faith of Seâ—â—s Tents which was the charge of
Christ contained in Commandments Statutes and Laws which Abraham observed therefore the Families were cut off from the Sabbath and all the Ordinances of it and then followed abominable and law-lesse idolatries The observation of the Sabbath would have kept them in the faith of the Creation of the World and the faith of Redemption Object But it is not said they kept the Sabbath Answ It is comprehended most certainly in the charge of Christ which was contained in Commandments Gen. 26.5 Statutes and Laws which were extant in Sems and Abrahams dayes We may object as well they kept not Sabbaths for the times of three hundred and fifty years all the time of the Judges and but little mention of it for many years together And it is not recorded that they kept the Sabbatical year of Rest butonly once in Zedekians reign and he a wicked King and it is not recorded they kept any Iubilee yeare But we ought not to doubt but they did keep Sabbaths and the years of Rest and the Jubilees 4. In all their Sacrifices they invocated the holy name of Jehovah the everlasting God Psal 116.17 Psal 20.1.2 3 4. yea all of it Gen. 21.23 This is in commendation of Abrahams faith and in opposition of all the idolatries of the Families Here I think it is meet to observe sometimes offrings are mentioned and no Altar and sometime Altars and no Offring and sometime both are mentioned but not calling on the name of Jehovah and sometime an altar was builded and invocaâ—â—n was performed and no sacrifice is mentioned So in Moses and the Prophets holy convocations are called the presence of God False â—eatheys do as their first evil master did Satan promised our first Parents wâ—eâ—y when himselfe was a Servant of corâ—untion Satan used flattring speeches and fair words and great swelling words of vanity Ye shall be as Gods c. Gen. 3.5 semetime calling on the name of Jehovah is mentioned but no Altarnor Offering But we may be assured that all the faithfull did all three built Altars brought Ostrings and made invocation all this before Moses 5. The place of worship where the Saints assembled is called the presence of God Gen. 4. there he did put the remembrance of his name The Lord God thus shewed great merey to enjoyn such assemblies for our good we should else ay forget our MAKER and Redeemer and by this nercy of Sabbaths and alsemblies enjoyned we have communion with God our exceeding joy in the redemption by Christ Observe diligently Although our first Parents were shut out of Eden Garden or Paradise and from that Tree of life yet the Lord God would have an Eden in another way for the comfort of his chosen ones For where He puts the remembrance of His Name that is an Eden a Garden of God as Israel having Gâ—ds Ordinances among them The Ensigne of his presence was there set up for fourteen hundred yeares And it is called Eden the Garden of God Ezek. 28.13 And there Christ the Tree of life was fed upon by holy O. dinances No marvell that Salomon did sing so much of this Garden out of which he had almost excluded himselfe from the Tree of life but the Icdidia was helped to overcome himselfe and all Satans Instruments We should much think on this what a blessing it is beyond comparison that God should make us his Garden and set up his Tabernacle among us the Church is called the Garden of Eden from the first we are excluded by Adams sin but in this we are Inhabitants by faith in Christ and there Christ doth meet with us to blesse us Exo. 20 21. Exo. 29.43 And so Israel was Gods Garden Cant. 4. and so is the Church gathered from the Gentiles Apoc. 2.7.2 Cor. 6 16.17 And marke how Ezek. 28. and Cant. 4. and Apoc. 2. doe allude to the first stories It is said to us to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the Tree of life which is in the midst ' of the Paradice of God this looketh to the first stories Ever since Adams fall mans corrupted nature is exceeding apt to forsake the faith and to cleave to the false Doctrine of Devils Our first Parents were pild by Satan of Gods Image and of created comforts and shut out of Paradise c. to be sojourners here they and their children as pilgrooms in hope of a better Countrey by Christ 1. Pet. 1.3 4. We are poore grooms pild and pold by Satan and his Seed and so shall be till we come to our Father which is in Heaven 2. Cor. 5.1 2 3 4. 5 6 7 8 9. Here we are pild-grooms and sojourners in this cursed World but live in hope of the Heavenly Paradise through the blessed tydings of the Gospell of Christ who hath brought life and immortality to light by that promise of Gen. 3.15 Israel being made Gods Eden and Garden they had the Tree of life among them so the Church of the Gentiles while they abide golden Gandlesticks and overcome false Doctrines and worldly lusts they doe and shall cate of the Tree of life and shall be nourished by it continually Apoc. 2 21. 22. The meditation of these things are a refreshing but my intent is not now for manifold explications The godly soul by holy study will help to enlarge an hundred fold 6. They had the Law of distinction of Beasts and Fowls of clean and un cleane and might offer in Sacrifice only of the clean Gen. 7. the like Law of distinction is Moses 7. They must not eat bloud that they might have a reverend apprehension of the bloud of Redemption by Christ Gen. 9. the like is in Moses 8. They had diverse kinds of Sacrifices the Meat-offering of Kain but the offering of Habell was of Beasts also they had Burnt-Offerings as in Noah the effect of Noahs sacrifice is termed as our Lord his passion and Drink Offerings Ephes 5. and Oyl Offerings Gen. 35. 9. They had Sacrifices often Job 1. they knew as they asked for dayly Bread so they needed dayly forgivenesse of sins so in Moses they had a dayly Sacrifice this Antiochus put downe for a while Dan. 12. 10. The cheif Father was Preist and * Jacob wrestled for that honour of the birthright most commonly the eldest as in Exo. 24 son was trained up to that function yet for many hundreds of yeares they had a peculiar Preist Sem the Son of Noah sir-named Mechizedek a figure of the Son of God Sem the great and reverend Deut. 28. the great High Pfeist of our profession who was Sacrificer to Iehovah God most high Possessour of Heaven and Earth And he was a directour and strengthner of the godly in holy wayes for five hundred yeares after the Floud to the fiftieth of Isaac Sem was a great stay to the Church of God to uphold the faith so shaken against the revelt of Nimred and the apostate Families Gen. 11. 11.
They paid Tythes to maintaine holy worships and other charitable uses And so it was in Moses 12. They had Teachers which were Preachers of righteousnesse of the justification that is by faith which of old was called propheseying Noah was a Preacher of this righteousnesse and the godly Peophets did teach others the ways of Christ as it is said Abraham would and so did Iacob c. and so it was under the polity of Moses 13. The Spirit of Christ in the Prophets did strive with the people of their days to turn them from darknesse to light from the power of Satan to God Gen. 6. Neh 9. 14. Although the Prophets were godly yet what ever profection or any earthly or spirituall comfort they had from the Lord all was of grace as it is said Noah sound grace in the eyes of the Lord Gen 6 to be saved by waters and if of grace it is no more of works So Moses saith understand this day it is not for thy righteousnesse that God brought you from Epypt and placed his Tabernacle among you and gave you Chanaan but Gods love and mercy Deut. 9. 15. The corruption of nature taken from Parents is told Gen. 5. that they were but flesh that the thoughts of mans heart were evill from his youth Gen. 6. 8. and so all the apostate Families were un-regenerate Iob is plentifull on this subject Col. 3.5 Rom. 12 1. This sheweth how Abraham taught his Hous hold and Circumcision taught the same and the offering and burning of the rump kidneys and far taught them Mortification 16. In matters of doubt that concerned their particulars they went to holy Prophets to eâ—quire of God as Rebecca did to Eber or her Fatherinlaw Abraham Gen 20. and so it was in Moses if any doubt did arise they asked Moses and he inquired of God for them 17. We are constantly to observe that the same holy Covenant made to our first Parents was continued to some speciall persons for the comfort of the present age and posterity as to Noah Sem Abraham c. 18. As occasion was offered they made vows to God to bind themselves to a watchfull care and to chearfull thankfullnesse and willing obedience and so it was under Moses 19 In all which holy Doctrine and holy profession of it they knew that without faith in the Son of God it was impossible to please God therefore in all their worships they came in faith receiving and resting on Christ in the holy promise and Covenant Gen. 4. Heb. 11. and so Moses taught them in Exed 12. and in Dent. 30. 20. And by this holy faith receiving the Son of God as Mediatour from the Father for their Prophet Sacrificer and King Receiving and accepting the Son of God in all his Offices trusting in him for doctrine government and exâ—iation That speech of John ch 1.12 As many as received him is expounded of them that believe in his name Remember it still for a more clear definition of faith is not revealed and resting on him for Doctrine expiation and government were adopted the sons of God Gen 6. and were made heirs of the Julification that is by faith Heb. 117. and this receiving and believing on the Son of God was accounted of God above any righteousnesse they could do and this is the same holy faith that the Son of God imbreathed in the Prophets and Apostles to teach and write and all Moses taught the same Doctrine Deut. 30. Rom. 10. 21. Want of love to the brethen hypocrisie envy ill Gestures and hanging down conntenance bodily exercise murderous thoughts c. in the woship of God is reproved as in Cain and Christ in all Moses called them to holinesse truth and love c. * See hers how the Prophets expound Moses and teach the people of their generations and the Prophets do so expound him Psalm 50. Esai 1. God seeth not as man seeth the Sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord but the prayer of the righteous is his delight again the Sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord how much more when he bringeth it with an evil mind Proverbs of experience from the first and last counsels Prov. 15. and 21. David saith I will wash mine binds in innocency and so compasse thine a taâ— Psal 26. So Christ faith to us Let men pray every where â—â—fung up puâ—e hands without wrath and doubting 1 Tim. 2. 22. That the holy faith of the holy Son of God might not be violated or adulterated they were to take heed of unequall yoking by ungodly morriages Gen. 6 1 2 3 Christ in Moses speaks mâ—ch to this purpose 23. Upon any great design they sought God by the intercession of Christs Sacrifice as Jacob Gen. 46.1 2 3. And Abraham still shewed the same in building altars so did the faithfull in after times as Psalm 20.3 24. To all the holy Doctrine revealed they had Seals of the Covenant The Sacrifices were Seals of the justification that is by faith and the flood was a Sacrament of saving by waters as Baptismâ— is to us 1 Pet. 3 21. Christ renewing his Covenant to Abraham instituted Circumcision a seal of faith Rom. 4. and so in Moses was the Passeover and the other Sacrifices 25. It was required of all that did call on the name of the Lord to be upright in heart and to walk as before him and to testifie their faith by good works of obedience as Habel Enoch Noah Abraham Job c. the same is taught us 2 Tim. 3 Tit. 3 and Christ in Moses taught all this 26. They had washing or persons and garments that they should hate the garment sported by the flesh or for any defilement of worship c. c Thus for many things we may see The Modern Doctors af the Jews say that all was Tohu till Abraham that in him their glory might begin Mr Br. 1 in Mele. p. 75 76 all was not a Tohu an emptinesse from the apostasie of our first Parents to the death of Terah that apostated to idols but that the Gospel of Christ was revealed to out first Parents and by them taught as is evident to the Fathers and great severity came on despisers neglecting the word of faith both in the flood and in the confusion of tongues And we may well perceive what was their conversation Jesus Christ yesterday and to day and the same holy Doctrine in him shall be for ever Their conversation was acccording to Christs way and charge in his commandements statutes and laws as in all Genesis and Job it is said they walked with God and before God Hence we may see and discern the close life that is scattered in the short sayings of Moses especially for 2083 years to the death of Terah in Gen. 11. and in all Genesis and to the twentieth of Eaodus CHAP. XXVIII Of Divine Tradition I Think it is to some purpose to write a litle about
Thes 3. 6. The Doctrine of Devils should ever be remembred or tradited to Posterity to be warned and taken heed of all the Doctrine of the Gospel should be tradited or delivered by the faithfull to others that there might be a godly feed in the Church 1 Tim. 4 6. 2 Tim. 2.2 But all these Traditions are now written by the Apostles yea what they taught was according to the Scriptures of the old and new Testament as ever they proved their Doctrine bâ— the old Testament 7. The Doctrine to the Galathians was by Tradition at the first but we see what the Doctrine was by the Epistle unto them it could not be but by word of mouth at the first and they were accursed that taught other Doctrine than the Apostle taught by preaching and Tradition and the same was as is written else the Apostle had incurred the anothema pronounced by himself Again consider the Doctrine to the Galathâ—an was no other but what was taught to Abraham Moses and the Prophets 8. Observe again 2 Thes 2.15 and 3 6. These two places shew what Traditions he gave them when he was present none other than those he wrote unto them as confer chap. 2.5 and chap. 3 10. So we may be sure by such conference of Scripture that none of the Apostles gave any Tradition by mouth contrary to their writings contra 9. Now then Traditions are of two sorts some agreeable to the Scriptures some disagreeable that make the word of God of no authority The Pharisees are the true fathers of the Pontificality and Papacy for these latter but for the former all that fear God and love the Gospel and love their posterity will follow the example of the old faithfull Psal 78 1 2 3 4 5 6. and obey the commandement of the Spirit of Christ of holding fast and standing fast in the now-written word and the comandments of the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour 2 Pet. 3 So this Apostle exhorted the Saints of his Bishoprick to regard the Prophets and reproved them for follwing â—yain Traditions of their fathers 1 Pet. 18. and 2 Pet. 1.20.21 And therefore to conclude with the Text of Romanes The same holy Lord God as Abraham worshipped Gen. 21.33 in chapter 16.26 When the Apostles and Disciples were inabled with the gift of tongues they were sent by the commandement of the everlasting God among all Nations to preach the Gospell and mystery of Christ by the Scriptures of the Prophets for the obedience of faith Blesse Jehovah O my soul and all that is within me blesse his holy name Blesse Jehovah O my soul and forget not all his Benefits who mâ—de his wayes known to Moses the Prophets and his holy Apostles Psalm 103.7 CHAP. XXIX Being an answer to them that say that the Polity of CHRIST given to Moses was not a Covenant of grace SECT 1. TO answer this sorry assertion we are to consider that Moses on Mount â—ivai talking with the Angel of the Covenant saw the whole Doctrine of our salvation in what sort all ages had and should have it among men what Moses saw his Law offereth to our fight The Prophets and Apostles saw the very same and happy are they onely which study to see these things The Dialogue with its annotations and ch 14. doth endevour to shew this and therefore I shall not now be large I will touch a little of Circumcision and of the Passeover and of the place of holy worship with the practice of the Saints I will speak somewhat promiscuously upon all in which the errours of the Concision will be occasionally spoken of 1. Crn cerning the Seal of Circumcision we must mark diligently the Doctrine of it by the Lord himself Gen. 17. and of his Apostle Rom. 4. and of the practice of faith in the Sâ—iâ—ts how they understood it and made use of it the Dialogue sheweth these things 2. Of the Passeover it was a Doctrine of faith in Christ as it is most evident by Exodus 12. Heb. 11. Iohn 29.1 Câ—â— 5. c. and the practise of the Saints is much to be observed 2 Chron. 30.22 The Levites taught the good knowledge of the Lord concerning the Passeover and they did eat throughout the feast seven dayes offering Peace-offerings and making concession to the Lord God of their fathers Thus the Levites taught the good knowledge of Christ-Jehovah in the Passeover as well as the Apostle to us 2 Cor. 11. They made confession of their sins and of their faith in the Son of God thus the godly and faithfull did and did not doubt and say Who can go up to heaven to bring Christ down to dwell in our Tabernacle or who can go to the deep of the grave to bring Christ from the dead but they confessed the Son of God should come to be a second Adam and give himself our Passeover to be sacrificed for our atonement and that the Godhead would raise the manhood to ascend the heavens to find eternall redemption and heavenly mansion for us And the Apostle doth shew us how and what they understood of the Passeover and the feast of unleavened bread 1 Coâ— 5. So it is said of Iosias that he commanded the people to keeâ— the Passeover unto Jehovah their God 2 Chron 35. as it is written in the Book of the Covenant What is that a Covenant of works No such matter but a Covenant of grace in Christ Thus in brief of the Seals of Circumcision and the Passeover which were seals of the justification which is by faith and all parts of worship that Circumcision initiated them unto must be understood of the Doctrine of a Covenant of grace Covenant and Seal must not differ neither do they in Gods ordination Psalm 119.04.128 3. Of the places of worship these are to be understood generally and specially the place of their generall worship was of all the Tribes together the more speciall and particular places were their Synagogues Oâ— both which we must observe what Gracious Promises of the presence of CHRIST is spoken Exod 20. In every place where I record my name I will come unto thee and blesse thee Exod. 29. Where I will meet with you to speak with thee and there I wâ—lâ— meet with the children of Israel and Israel shall be sanctified by my glory and I will sanctifie the Table of the congregation and the Altar I will also sanctifie both Aaron and his sons to minister unto me in the Priests office * The same â—is said to us for all the faithfull christians are the Israel of God 1 Cor. 6. Gal 6. Apoc. 21 and I will dwell amongst the children of Israel and will be their God c. c. Vnto the place which the Lord your God shall chuse out of all your tribes to put his name there unto his habitation shall ye seek and thither thou shalt come Deut. 1â— 5. and seek his presence evermore Psal 105.4 1 Chron. 16.11
calling c. Ephes 1. 3. this is a mercy past evpression that God should make a covenant with such as we are this is the radix of all and therefore it is said 1. That they were his peculiar treasure 2. A Kingdome of Priests 3. And holy Nation 4. God placed his Tabernacle among them and 5. called them the Kingdome of God and the joyfull shout of so just good and mercifull a King was among them Who can but shout with all exultation if we did but understand our own comfort These things and other Scriptures shew they were under a covenant of grace if we be they were for their spirituall priviledges and promises are now conferred on us 2 Cor. 6.16 Apot. 21.3 Ephes 2. and 3.1 Pet. 2. conferred with Exod. 29.45 Leviâ— 25 23. and 26.12 Dâ—ut 7.6 7 8. now as Israel was Gods peculiar treasure so the Gentiles called to the faith are T it 2.14 this well considered will make the Doctrine of Anabaptistrie to be abhorred of us touching our infants 6. If reformed churches can make it good that they are under a corenant of grace and we may truly say it blessed be the name of the Lord then they were and we could not be so but because their priviledges are transacted to the wild olives and we are graffed into their olive tree we received from them all our glory all our spirituall things for Christ our salvation and all his holy Doctrine is of and from them I will collect some brief heads of Doctrine which were taught believed and professed in the common Weal of Israel 1. They had the Doctrine of the Trinity and Unity Deut. 6.4 2. They had the Doctrine of election and rejection Psalm 65. Exod. 9.16 and 33.19 3. They had the Doctrine of the great mysterie of godlinesse God manifested in the flesh to be a second Adam and to be a sin-offering and to rise from death the third day Gen. 3.15 and 12 3. Gen. 49. and they went three times a year according to the Testimony to Israel to testifie their faith in this this was the main 4. They were taught that the Father the Word and the Spirit one infinite nature created the world Psalm 33.6 Provâ—â— 5. They were taught that the Father had committed all power to the Son for governing the church and the world Psal 2. and 8. and 110. Gen. 19.24 Exod 23.20 21 22. all expound Gen 3.15 6. They were taught justification by faith in Christ Gen 4 and 15 Heb. 11. 7. They were taught Sanctification Be ye holy for I am holy Levit. 19 2. 8. Under Moses Polity they had hope and rest in Christ Psal 130. Ephes 2. Jer. 6.16 and 50.7 Mat. 11.29 Christ complained they had forgotten him their resting place he was the rest of the Saints evermore Jer. 50 6 7. the Apostle saith the Gentiles were without hope but Israel had hope in Christ both for remission of sinnes and eternall glory Eph. 2.12 Ezra 10.2 9. The spirituall graces of Circumcision and the Passeover were required and so practised Deut. 10.16 and 30.6 Exod. 12. Heb. 11.28 1 Sam. 1.7.36 10. The heavenly inheritance was taught them Levit 25.23 11. They were taught to account themselves strangers and sojourners in this cursed world Levit. 25 23. and so David taught his generation 1 Chron. 29 and so believed himself Psal 39. 12. They had hope in the Resurrection Job 19. Psal 49. Exod. 3.6 Mat. 22 32. 13. They had the holy Spirit to lead them in all holy wayes 2 Cor 4. to write the Law in their hearts to seal to them all holy Doctrine of the word whether promises threatnings commandements all good examples c. One may make a large volume of this Subject I think this question may be asked what one new doctrine is taught in the new Testament that the Saints of the old Testament knew not when grievous crimination of heresie by the Councel were laid to the Apostles charge he protesteth he taught no new principles Acts 14.15 16 17. and 26.7 now if the common-Wealth of Israel had all this holy doctrine they must needs be under a covenant of grace CHAP. XXXI A Prosopopeia on Solomomons fall by the Temptations of his idolatrous wives to the ruine of his Kingdome and posterity in granting them the liberty of conscience for the practice of their idolatrous Rites framed by way of Dialogue between King Solomon and Tirzana the Queen TIâ—zana being a Princesse of the house of Moab and being called for did enter into the presence of King Solomon and after some dalliance with her and after she had fitted his humour by giving him all the best content she could she took the opportunity and said my Lord King Solomon I have an humble Request to make unto your gracious Majesty I pray you say me not nay K. What is that my sweet Tiâ—zana Q. My most gracious Lord and Soveraign I have been some years with you though you have often spoken to me to be a Proselite to the Religion of Israels common-weal yet I cannot bring my heart unto it you well know that my education was not in the way manner of Israel and my affection is not toward it it is not so pleasing to me for I cannot forget my fathers house nor forsake his Religion In this case I shall blemish my father and my mother brethren and sisters and people in case I should apostatise from our ancient Religion and in my opinion far the better we have more zeal in ours and many moe pleasures to give man and woman content than is in your profession your Religion is very crosse to mans nature and is urged with great terrour and strictnesse your Religion reproves thoughts words and most mens actions no Religion under heaven doth so as yours and that makes so few to embrace it Yea many of Israel have formerly been more addicted unto ours and the worships of neighbours Nations than to this of Israel and they will not follow it but by compulsion of Governors whereas religious worships should be freely exercised according to every mans conscience when if your subjects should be left unto you well know which way the ride will run it is a pitifull thing that man of a noble and free spirit should be so tyred with hard injunctions and heavy burdens as with bands cords and fetters and it may be that reformation that your noble Father indeavoured and your selfe have prosecuted would not and will not be so convenient as due liberty which would be a more noble design than rigid reformation And if Antiquity make things reverend then our Religion is more ancient or if not more yet as equall for Antiquity for ought I can learne I am but a poor Historian being a woman but I am able to prove the Religion of our God Chemosh to be above four hundred and fifty years old This I can attest and prove by your own Records and you had yours
in an high degree for which all the Familie of my Father and Mother doe much rejoyce And although your most excellent Majesty have given her out of her gracious respect to her good counsell and shee is much greived that shee cannot give content to her most Sovereign Lord in changing her judgement in Religion from that shee was educated in Wherefore if I may be so bold to imâ—lore your graces favour on her bohalfe in granting her small request to build her a Chappell on Mount Olivet to satisfie her mind it is but her fancy I am sorry for my part shee cannot comply with your devotions shee is but a woeman and I hope no hurt will accrew to your selfe or Kingdome and if I may have leave of your sacred Majesty to say it is but too much stricknesse for I am well perswaded of your Religion that you may be saved with your profession and so I hope we shall as soon also come to the Elisian Feilds of all happinesse as well as you At this speach of the Queens Brother the King was somewhat moved and began to be angry but he fell at the Kings feet and besought him that he might speake two or three words more in my Sisters behalfe and I hope I may speak freely that you did covenant with my Sister that shee should use her conscience and that shee and her attendants of our Nation should have free exercise of their devotions and therefore let it please your Majesty give us leave to put you in minde of your promise and how can they perform their devotions unlesse they have a place of assembly else it had been better for her never to have come to the Land of Israel But as you have given us cause to admire your speciall love to my Sister So we humbly pray let us have no occasion to distrust it And let me say one thing more it will marvellously affect our Nation and it will perswade them that you love us if you please to grant this request to the noble Daughter of our Leige Sovereign Lord the King of Moab my Father and yet one thought more comes into mind which I suppose will be pleasing to your sacred Majestie that if you perceive any damage or danger is like to issue upon it you may pull downe every stone of the building and levell it with the ground King The King said trouble me no more with these matters I will gâ—ant no such thing your speaches are unsavory and full of ignorance I could answer all your fond allegations but it is not for Kings to dispute with them that have nothing to doe with us in such cases Where the word of a King is there power is and let that suffice you This Brother went and told his Sister of all the discourse with the King and of his denyall at which report shee fell sick and was very sad upon which the King gave her a visit and shee wept abundantly now the King had some relenting in his heart for the King perceived it was greife and trouble of heart he spake very kindly and tenderly to her A man of ingenuity cannot endure unlesse a Nabal a Fool a Churl to see his near and dear consort to weep a woman endowed with excellent parts of wit understanding grace of speach courteous loyall comely sweet and beautifull and what may give a man content I speak simply of man and woman The King after he had in a most pleasant manner saluted her departs and then her spirit was revived colour began to be in her cheeks and lightsomnesse in her countenance Although a woman be as a mans selfe very desirable yet in case of Religion and the worship of the most High who is a jealous God and his worship is pure and holy and will not abide our Tresholds to be set by his Thresholds In this case we must deny our selves as not to be servants of men much lesse of woemen and her that is most deare of earthly comforts that lies in the Bosome and dearer then all other relations what ever rather then to be a means that the name of Jehovah be profaned by false worships he that doth not so the Son of God saith is not worthy of him The story of our first Parents must be conferred when our first Father was perswaded by his Wife with her selfe to break the commandment it should seem shee perswaded him for it is said Because thou hearknest to the voice of thy wife Gâ—en 3.17 and ever since woemen are weak to be seduced but strong even Satans engine to seduce the man with her Enchantments for so they may be very well called of her eye-lids lips tears c. The Son of God laid this danger before his people Exod. 34. And Satan put this in practise by his wicked Prophet Numb 24. 25.1 2. And Satan thus dealt by the Jannes's and Jambres'es under the New Testament times who did and doe creep as Serrpents into Houses to lead captive silly woemen laden with sins and led away with diverse lusts 2 Tim. 3. The wife shee is still at home with her children and servants and how insensibly doth shee corrupt them And if a Woeman be active shee will corrupt other woemen and after a little while men follow their wives and so corruptions gangrenate quickly and spread far This the Apostlâ— foretold which came to passe afterward but especially concerning Mahomet and in the Papacy Pardon this digression Queen About certaine moneths after that the King had called for this honourable and royall Lady shee prepares her selfe in all costly raiment cloath of Gold and Silver of curious needle work with chains of inestimable Jewels about her neck that the beames of her spankled raiment with the precious gems made radiant beams the Sun shining thorough the Windowes upon the wals of the Kings palaces as shee passed and at last enters the chamber of presence honoured Virgins attending her and presents her selfe before the King with her â—orient eyes damaske rosie cheeks twinkling eye-lids cherry lips and all festivity and grace of speach with comely and pleasant deportment fell at the Kings feer the King took her up by the hand and fals a kissing her with all loving embracements and after many pleasant passages the night drawing on the King and shee had sweet complacency in the bed of love the next morning shee retyred her selfe to a close secret Chamber by and after shee had washed and perfumed her selfe and had put on other change of raiment very costly craves leave to doe her humble duty and take her leave of the King whom when the King saw he was taken again with her eye-lids and closes her fast in his armes Then shee ponders how shee may inforce her old arrand and after much and pleasant complement with the King as soon as shee had perceived shee had intangled him then shee utters the oracles of the old Serpent and saith to the King How doe I admire and
from heaven to comfort him and it is most evident that Christ was not forsaken for the holy Angel did not come from heaven to the Lord Jesus without a commission from the heavenly Father to whom the humanity prayed and therefore in the closure of his meritorious sufferings his heart rejoyced and his tongue was glad and being full of faith and comfort he said Father into thy hands I commend my spirit and then he sent out his Spirit from his Body 10. Again if some shall say the wrath of God as some understand wrath killed Christ We should be well advised what passeth the doore of our lips for Christ our holy Mediatour said I have power to lay down my life Jâ—â— 10.17.18 and have power to take it again This commission or commandement have I received from my Father also he said As the Father knoweth me so know I the Father and lay down my life for the sheep therefore doth my Father love me because I lay down my life that I may take it again Joh 15. As the Father hath loved me so have I loved you continue ye in my love If ye keep my commandements ye shall abide in my love even as I have kept my Fathers commandements and abide in his love John 16. Ye shall be scattered every man to his own and shall leave me alone and yet I am not alone because the Father is with me These Scriptures and others are prevalent to make one think and believe that he was not under the wrath and curse of God in any respect or consideration as some understand wrath not for one minute of an hour for surely the Son of God our Lord Jesus Christ was a most willing Mediatour and Redeemer for us to God our Father he gave himself a voluntary and free will offering to our heavenly Father for us and therefore no force did separate his soul from his body but he did that act by his own power as the formality of his Sacrifice 11. Many Ministers have some expressions about our Lords Sufferings which many godly and learned Divines have testified are not warrantable for what are we dust and ashes to speak of God and our Redeemer and Mediatour words not comely but we all should consider that aâ— Moses spake nothing of his own mind nor Christ in the flesh nor his Apostles from him but what he taught to Moses and the Prophets So we should all speak from his holy Scriptures sound Doctrines wholesome Doctrines plain and pregnant speech sound and uncondemnable 12. The assertion that our Lord suffered hell-torments in this life in his soul or body appeareth not true by any Scripture True modesty would look to Scripture phrases in handling our Redemption The ill translation of the Article and the bad interpretation of it but especially the mistaking of the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath filled the Church of Christ with much trouble and the smoke of the Pit which hath troubled many mens eyes hath also been a great occasion thereof but now the smoke is much vanished blessed be God 13. Beloved Reader we desire to reverence his word by whom the world was made his word is of sufficient authority with us and to that we through the strength of Christ will cleave as to our life therein is these words And the Bread that I will give is my flâ—sh namely that I will give in sacrifice for the life of the world Joh 6. And this is at large expounded Heb. 9 But Christ being come an high Priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle not made with hands I mean not of this building neither by the blood of goats nor calves but by his own blood he entered once into the holy place having obtained eternall redemption for us And it is also sald that without shedding blood is no remission and this is further amplified How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God And for this cause he is the Mediatour of the new Testament that by the means of death this is not the second death for the Redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which were called might receive the promise of the eternall inheritance Chap. 10. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering the body of IESUS Christ once for al He. 10. And so he doth most sweetly and confortably speak in verse 19. 20 21. and in deed all that Epistle doth open Ioh. 6. most heavenly 14 Againe if Orthodox Churches yea the most Orthodox are so infallible that our faith must be resolved in part into their commentaries expositions c. how cometh it to passe that some do differ in Church discipline from so many reformed Churches both from Geneva Zurick Scotland Low Countries c. that they neither scotize it with the Scot nor Genevate it with the zealous Towne of Geneva they fall it may be under reproof in not agreeing with but discording the judgement and practise of the best and reformed and Othodox Churches in discipline And they had need to shew very good reasons of their so dissenting or they are to blame or else some may say came the word of God out from them or came it unto them only yea and may not others say so too of the best Orthodox Churches came the word of God out from or came it unto them only that men must be judged by them But the Holy Ghost hath charged us in his cause be not the Servants of men 1. Cor. 7. 15. The Pontificians said that our fore Fathers had the word of God from them and therefore they did by Egyptian Bondage tye our Ancestors to their Doctrines and Councils and at last to the Pontifician chaire and caused all Christs Witnesses to mourne in Sack-cloah that would not obey their constitutions But the Lord our God hath delivered us from that house of cruell bondage of mysticall Egypt And Christ saith his Magistrates must not bring his people back againe to Egypt Deut. 17. 16. We are of Japhets posterity And it is said God perswade Japheth to dwell in the Tents of Sem. So that we must know Japheth our Father and his faithfull posterity had their faith from Sems Tents and not from the Tent of the seaven Mountaine City of King Abaddons Kingdome And this holy faith was taught to Japheths posterity by the Sons of Sem the Prophets and Apostles The Apostles and Disciples taught this faith from the Scriptures of the Prophets at the commandment of the everlasting God to the Romans Corinthians and Galatheans Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians and the other Churches of Asia round about from Ierusalem to Illiricum and also to Dalmatia Croatia and doubtlesse to Spaine Rom. 15. And also to great Brittany as ancient Histories and as Master Speeds chronicle declareth Therefore it
is good for us to hearken to the counsells of the Scriptures of God the surest way is to consult with them It saith aske for the old way Ieâ— 6. Againe it saith he that knoweth God heareth the Apostles 1 Ioh. 4. Againe we are built upon the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Jesus Christ himselfe being the cheife corner Stone Eph. 2. And againe for perfect resolution we are referred to the words of the holy Prophets and commandments of the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. And Iudas Thaddaus speaks the same And they all were the Sons of Sem. The Scriptures of the Prophets is the faith of the Nations and it is said often in the Apocalips that Christs Witnesses suffered for the word of God and the Testimony of Jesus with which orthodox Churches must have no vote granted to them to stand in competition for authority 17. The Pontificians so dealt and deal that they will in shew at last yeeld honour to the Scriptures so that we rest in their Churches exposition and determination we suppose godly Christians should not be like them in such tergiversations Beloved Reader do not conceive that we dis-esteem and reject Orthodox Churches or the writings of their godly Divines no such matter But we highly prize them as most gracious mercies of Christ Jesus our Lord and as they by whom the Temple of God in the Heaven of the Church hath been opened and the Ark of his Testimony manifested And as such by whose voices teaching and praying writings and martyrdome they have made such a thunder in the Pontifician Ayre that the smoake of the Pit is much vanished and a tenth part of Abaddons polity is fallen And the great Angell of the Covenant the Lord Jesus Christ will still send forth godly Teachers that the whole Barth shall be lightned with his glory Apot. 18. We may and ought to have them in godly and respectfull remembrance for their works sake both of them that are departed and of those that are yet living though we make them not Lords of our faith 18. I will yet-speake a little more of that speach which some affirme of Christ that he did combate with his Angry Father shall the Son of God faith that treatise suffer the second death for you Shall he unchrist himself for a time for you Shal he suffer Hel Torments for you †Treatise of sacâ—ed divinity published by Mr. John Downame in the yeare 1619. p. 1. 317. Shall the Son of God enter the lists to fight the great combate hand to hand with his angry Father for you God the Father to fight with God the Son Is this good Orthodox Theoligie to be sould or taught in Pulpits or in Books to the people of God doubtlesse there is a deep silence of such expressions in the Book of God And from this time forwards I hope our godly Teachers will have the same deep silence and make no stir and utter plaine Doctrines and then our inventions will vanish 1. I pray consider it well did the humanity of our blessed Saviour and Mediatour cope or combate with the Divine nature of the God the Father Alas the humanity though holy yet it was but a finite creature created in time and what is a finite creature to the infinite creator The humane nature in a such a case could not abide the least touch of contradiction But I suppose we must seriously consider that the humanity did evermore from its conception subsist in the Divine nature of the second person by way of support else it could not have borne such sufferings as the holy Scriptures declare from the power of Satan death the grave and wicked men yeâ— else his oblation of himself had not been meritoriously satisfactory and therefore it is a strange saying that the second person did combate with the first for then the whole person of the Mediatour must combate if any combating my heart yea whose heart would not tremble at such speaches as this 2. Gen. 3.25 doth hold forth a declaration of a combate of enmity between the seed of the woeman namely her speciall seed Christ and the seed of the Serpent but no mention is made of any such combate with God the Father nor that the second person should combate with himselfe the humane with the divine nature Thesâ— Tenentes do jar much from the Divinity that was taught to our first Parents in Gen 3.15 3 Is it not strange Doctrine to affirme that the Lord Jesus with the helpe of a holy Angell did combate with God for in his Agony in Luk. 22.43 there was an Angel sent from Heaven to strengthen him 4 Was it ever heard that a Mediator between two at variance should fight with the stronger opposite to bring him to agreement some Teachers in teaching such Doctrines must use some such like strange language 5. The Lord Jesus did commit his cause to him that judgeth righteously 1. Pet. 2.23 This argueth although the Divils instruments did in wrath and rage condemne him for a sinfull malefactor as all presecutors did the Martyrs yet that God the Father did not judge him for a sinner but justify him as one that was every way Innocent therefore the Heavenly Father did not combate with his Son for he committed himselfe and his case to him as to a righteous judge 6. The Martyrs in like sort being Baptised with the Baptisme of Christ in sufferings committed their case to their Heavenly Father in Apoc. 6.10 And therefore as Gods essentiall curse Hell Torments and the second death was not on the Martyrs in their sufferings so neither was it on the true and faithfull Martyr the Lord Jesus in his sufferings CHAP. XXXV Observations upon that distinction which some make between the locall and penall Hell which penall Hell some say Christ suffered 1. SOme say that God can make a mans Hell here in this world by which speach they must meane if they meane any thing to he point in dispute that God can so plague a man in this world that the will not bring him to eternall destruction in Gehenna in the world to come I grant that the eternall Lord can do what he pleaseth both in Heaven Earth Sea and in all deep places Ps 135.6 2. The same eternall Lord can also make a Heaven for his children here in this world and never bring them to everlasting glory in Heaven in the World to come But Teachers must not bring their own speculations let them be true seers to shew us the visions of God from his word rightly expounded even his Revelled will for nothing else belongs to us and to our children 3. The holy Scriptures tells us that there is an everlawing blessed estate for all Gods chosen not heare but in the Heavenly paradise though each blessing is here begun by justification is freedome from sin death Satan whence ariseth peace and joy in the holy Ghost the first fruites of the spirit
Religion page 82. Will you have us to say that the Godhead of the person of Christ hated and cursed his humanity as you understand curse this is as full of trembling to be spoken as the vilest speech that ever was spoken 5. What shall we say Tell us from sound Judgement in few words from Divine revelation These Tenets and others though from some godly Ministers must not be received but contradicted and contended against as not of the faith once given to the Saints but indeed we may as well span the heavens and dig the Tehom of the first dayes Creation and gather the wind into a sack and measure the earth with inchâ—s yards and perches as to search into these things and yet we dare affirm the imaginations and declare the wadings of our own never-seen visions 6. The doctrine of imputation as some teach it to make the Holy and Just One a sinner hath bred all this stir and trouble 7. Reverend Teachers of salvation do not think we beseech you that out of any sinister end and purpose we thus write but out of conscience We know we ought not to maintain errour much lesse foul here sie neither ought we to be silent at other mens errors but to contest for the truth The Lord Jesus will witnesse for his poor servants that we have not written of perverse pravity As for 2 Cor. 5.21 time I know will wear out some mens interpretations and sound disquisition will qualifie mens minds for the other and if this fort of mis-interpetation of 2 Cor. 5. be demolished other things will more easily yield upon quiet parlie 8. In doth not rellish well to make Christ a sinner by Gods imputation for the holy Scriptures snew that at the instant time of his sufferings he was not in Gods account a sinner nor in the Apostles account though in wicked mens account he was and therefore Peter chargeth them with a just and heavy crimination Ye denied the Holy One and the Just and again he saith 1 Pet. 3. He suffered for us the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God He could not have given us manuduction to God the Father unlesse he himself had been just And again at the very time when he offered a propitiatory Sacrifice for sin he was JESUS CHRIST the righteous therefore it cannot be thought he was accounted of God a sinner Christ Jesus our Lord the holy of holy stood not in the state and place of a sinner as some understand sinner but as of a Mediatour of atonement between God and man for sia Christ Jesus the Holy One must not be stated of us a sinner but a Mediateur according to that Law of Mâ—diation transacted between the Father and him Heb. 10.7 8 9. Psal 40. and 110. Heb. 7.8 and 9. and this Text of 2 Cor. 5.21 doth evince the same as is most evident SECT 3. THerefore to go on with this most blessed Scripture He was made a a sin offering for us who knew no sin that we may be made the righteousnesse or freedome of God in him 1. Q. How are we made the righteousnesse or freedome of God Answ God the Father doth justifie doth set free doth forgive doth pardon the guilt and punishment of our sins for his dear sons sake the sins of all that by faith receive Christ Jesus and rest on him as the Mediatour of our Redemption This is God the Fathers justification and plentifull Scriptures are answerable Christ his perfect sin-offering hath procured this justification righteousnesse or freedome mercy forgivenessâ— and atonement from God the Father therefore it is said the righteousnesse or freedome of God which is by the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all that believe and this righteousnesse or freedome is freely bestowed by God the Father through Christs-Redemption and through faith in his blood 2. This is as is said to declare God the Fathers Righteousnesse or freedome through the Remission of sins Rom. 3.25 26. and David and Abraham are brought in for this justification righteousnesse or freedome in Rom. 4. and all Rom. 5. duth not adde any new matter to make our justification more compleat but onely makes most heavenly deductions from the Doctrine of justification compleatly laid down in chap. 3.21 to the end of that chapter 3. The Apostle to the Philippians utters this point most heavenly and might be found in him not having mine own righteousnesse or freedome dicaiosune which is of the Law ex opere operato but that which is through the faith of Christ even the freedome or righteousnesse dicaiosune of God the Father through faith Phil. 3. 4. Beloved Reader the unbelieving Rabbins of the Jews did think to justifie or free themselves from sinnes Observe the Pharasaicall righteousnesse Luke 18. 〈◊〉 Mark 7. guilt and everlasting purishment by their ex opere operato bodily exercises of Sacrifices and washings and contribution * Exod. 30.12 c. compare with Pet. 18. John 6. of silver c. in these exteriours they would be exact and unrebukeable and they thought and taught the worship of God was so terminated But our Apostle Paul after that Christ had revealed himself unto him and had revealed the idol and vanity of his Pharasaisme he would have no other freedome or righteousnesse but that wrought by Christ when he sacrificed himself and gave his flesh and blood to be our bread and drink life atonement washing and redemption For the Apostle had before this written to the Hebrews that it was impossible the blood of bulls and goats or any Mosaicall sprincklings could cleanse the conscience from the guilt of sin and this he had testified long before this to the Jews in their Synagogues as we may see Acts 13.38 39. * They did wonder and stumble and perish when the Apostle taught this Doctrine shewing all their bodily exercise was lost labouâ— therefore this Doctrine they thought ought ought to be persecuted to the death as destroying and making void the Law Mat. 5.17 and Rom. 3.31 Acts 22.4 26.9 be it known to you therefore men and Brethren that through this Man is preached unto you the forgivenesse of sins and by him all that believe are justified freed or set free from all things from which ye could not be set free or freed by the Law of Moses This Text doth shew what is our justification or freedome even forgivenesse of sins Reader study the Scriptures and be acquainted with the term justfiâ—ed that is freed And so it is translated in Rom. 6 7. Again Gal. 5. 1 2 3 4. must be well considered the false Teachers did perswade the Galathians to be circumcised not knowing their deceit for if they thought circumcision was of absolute necessity they were to sacrifice and do all the rites of Moses that circumcision did initiate them unto and so they must deny Christ and his Priesthood for ending all Moses and so christ could profit nothing
for they were bound to observe the whole Law that is all that the Priesthood of Levi taught them and so Christ is of no effect for if they thought by the Law ceremoniall or morall ex opere operato to be justified Christ would be of no comfort to them by this Tenent they denied the grace of free justification by Christ mind also Gal. 4 9 10. 5. Let it be considered from this time forward concerning this point of justification whether it be not better to use the terms and phrases setteth free freeth and freedome for seeing our godly learned do so translate in some places we may have Christian liberty so to render and interpret the Noun and the Verb of the Greek in other places if it may be done with rationall understanding according to the analogie of faith 6. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself not imputing their trespasses unto them The Apostle saith to Philemon If Onesimus oweth thee ought compute count or reckon it to mine account The word I suppose is the same a meraphor from debts in books therefore may it not better be said for clearing doctrine not counting not computing not reckoning their trespasses unto them in the words impute compute count or reckon is not much difference so the point be cleared to our understanding 7. Our sins are called debts which we cannot justifie or free our selves from nor pay or satisfie for by all the means that we can use as from our selves and we are naturally so vile that we care not to be reconciled and therefore naturally we care not for the word of reconciliation but are enemies to God and have a very ill opinion of God because of love to our sinfull appetites and because of the soulnesse of offenses which the conscience doth accuse us of 8. But our mercifull God heavenly Father determined a way from all eternity to reconcile us to himself by sending his dear son a second Adam to take humanity and in humanity to give himself to death for us a sacrifice offering of a sweet smelling savour and for this sacrifice of his beloved son he doth not count he doth not reckon our debts and trespasses to us but doth pardon them doth forgive them doth justifie us that is doth free us from the guilt and * In all these speeches it is not to be understood temporally although by the blood of the Covenant we are comforted in all conditions Zach 9.11 but chiefly stil to be under stood of eternal freedome redemption and salvation Dan. 9.24 Adoption is the fruit of redemption Gal. 4. punishment of them and this he doth to all that by the word of reconciliation are by the mighty work of the Spirit perlwaded to embrace by faith Christ Jesus the Mediatour sent down from heaven from the Father to be our Prophet Priest and King and they that so receive Christ and believe in him shall have this dignity to be called Gods adopted children in Christ and by this most glorious Grace of adoption in the Sonne of God beleevers are stated into a most joyfull capacity of being heirs to the inheritance of the Saints in light for that the spirit of God doth by the same word of reconciliation regenerate them or cause them to be borne again not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God to serve God in their spirits in the Gospel of his Son and so to be meet persons for that inheritance This was the sum of the Apostles message in his ambassage to the Gentiles 9. God the Father doth justifie for Christs sake as the first person for he is the first cause in order of the persons the father is the first efficient 2. The Lord Jesus Christ doth justifie us as the meritorious cause and so he is the second efficient this maketh the Apostle often to say Grace be with you and peace from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ the son of the Father 2 John 3. and the Holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the son doth regenerate us and qualifie us with the grace of faith as the condition of applying the said justification and doth seal to our hearts God the Fathers justification from the sons redemption 10. Dicaiosune is the effect of dicaiontai Acts 13.39 justification or setteth free and freedome differ as the form and applying of the form to the subject Dicaioumenoi c. is the act of God the Father upon or to a believing soul freeing him from the guilt and punishment of sin for the merit of Christs sacrifice also dicaiosune is that freedome that God the Father bestowed upon the repenting and believing Apostle Paul Phil. 3. So dicaiosune is the effect of dicaioumenoi and diacontai the freedome that a godly soul finds in himself from God that justifieth or setteth free and the holy Ghost by the word of * The holy spirit dothregenerate by the word John 3. Ephes 5. Tit. 3. and by this new birth saith and all other graces are manifested reconciliation doth work faith which doth ovidence that soul to be the subject of that freedome as Gal. 2. and although every godly man hath not as himself apprehends that Plerosoria yet he knows his heart is reconciled to God to love the Lord and his wayes and doth rest on the Promises of God in Christ for salvation and onely by him 11. This I suppose may be thus illustrated a Kings son that is obedient to all his fathers commands hath a promise that for such and such performances he shall obtain his favour for any Traytor that he shall please to intercede for thereupon he doth by the vertue of his Fathers promise and his performance intercede the Kings dicaiosis justification of the said Traitor and the King doth justifie that is doth pardon setteth him free from the guilt of his sin and punishment provided he will repent and accept the said pardon and therefore that he may be the subject of the said pardon he doth repent believe it and accept it and so comes out of prison and when he hath this pardon and freedome under seal granted him he may truly say here is my dicaiosune Justification freedome and pardon from my guiltinesses and punishment due for them he will not say nor cannot say the personall righteousnesse honesty and obedience of the Kings sonne is reckoned to him for his righteousnesse but this is all his righteousnesse and it is enough even pardon and freedome from his offence and the desert of it and received into favour this it a compleat attonement and reconciliation through the Kings sons intercession the offender is not onely pardoned but also is restored to his former yea to a greater honour and favour with the King and what can he desire more for the comfort of a subject From all which the Delinquent if he have any ingenuity will shew much love both to the King and his son
28 saith Andrew to his brother Simon We have found that Messias which is by intepretation the Christ and Philiâ—i finds Nathanael and said unto him we have found him of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets did write All the Prophets did write of Christ but none named him Messias the attribute of a proper name but Daniel from the Angels message and the same Angel was sent to Mary to name him Jesus so both those names were given to the SON of GOD not by man but from heaven so in their blessed and heavenly society these speeches were uttered and confessed Christ to be the Son of God to be the Son of man to be the King of Israel and the Messias the Holy of Holinesse and the Ladder of all comfort 4. And Martha's conference with our Lord is most comfortable and full of faith shewing what they all expected and believed I believe thou art the Christ the Son of God that should come into the world to be our life and Resurrection John 5. 5. Pilates speech to the Jews is of great force What shall I do then with JESVS which is called MESSIAS Christ They all said Let him be câ—ucified This looks to Dan. 9. Psal 22. where it is said Messias shalâ— suffer Mat. 27. 6. The questions that were in agitation among the Jews at this time will brighten this matter the signes of the times as our Lord speaketh gave them occasion of moving many questions when John Elies came teaching and baptizing the Jews sent Priests and Levites to ask him Who art thou and he confâ—ssed and denied not and plainly confessed I am not the Messias the Christ Yea the Jews did so expect the Messias that all men mused that John was the Messias they were hardly driven off from the conceit they were to taken with him Luke 3.15 Iohn 1. Therefore this is a strong argument that Dan. 9.24 c. must of absolute necessity be believed to be a proper speech and definitive for the time MESSIAS coming to satisfie the consciences of the faithfull And for that also our Lord foretold of false Christs that would arise as immediately they did and deceived many as our Lord said unto them I am come in my Fathers name and ye receive me not if another shall come in his own name him ye will receive John 5. Therefore he said Search the Scriptures c. and very likely Mr. P. if he had then lived would have been a deceiver and deceived and a false Prophet or a false Christ if he had not believed Daniels Prophesie to be a most clear exact and definitive time from Daniels prayer to the death of MESSIAS So Iohn-Elias sent his disciples to Christ to stablish them in that which he their Master had acknowledged When Iohn being in prison heard of the works of Messias i. e. Christ he sent two of his disciples and said unto him Art thou he that should come or shall we look for another The times did call for all these questions being but a little before the ending of the seventy sevens 7. The adjuration of the Priest to the Lord is very considerable Mr. P. If he had been of the Councel he xitld have objected to him that the seventy sevens were ended long before he was bâ—â—n The high Priest and the whole Synedrion could not nor did challenge the Lord for the time of 70. sevens so where no doubt or question was â—â—va answer needed but the high Priest and most of the Jews thought him too base for such a Messias as they expected and so adjured him to answer to this I adjure thee by the living God to tell us if thou be the Messias the son of the blessed God and Christ answered affirmatively 8. Many weighty arguments depend on these things of Dan. 9.24 as 1 Iohn 4. Every spirit which confesseth Iesus to be the Messias the Holy of Holy is come in the flesh to be a son of man Dan. 7. is of God and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus to be the Messias the Christ is come in the flesh to be a son of man is not of God 1 Iohn 5.1 whosoever believeth that Iesus is the Messias is born of God not simply or barely a confession of the attribute Messias i. e. Christ but a right apprehension of his person and offices Rom 10. his person that he is the son of man Dan. 7. and the holy of holy as touching the spirit of holinesse that raised him from the dead God dwelt in the Messias who is God blessed for ever nor onely to confesse this of his person a Locust from the bottomlesse pit as Satan will chirp out this but to confesse Iesus to be Messias experimentally in our minds and hearts in his offices as he is Prophet Priest and King All the three Offices of Christ as he is Prophet Priest and King are in Dan. 9.24 c. to be Messias Nagid Christ the King that all power is his by donation from the Father to command and rule the Church to restrain apostasie and all adverse power and that he suffered not for himself but for us who by his precious death hath abolished our sinnes and wrought reconciliation for iniquity and hath brought everlasting justification by his once offering up of himself and that he hath sealed vision and Prophesie that we need not expect new revelations that he made himself manifest to be the holy One of God by his Resurrection Ascension and sitting at the right hand of the Power in the higstest heavens and from thence sent gifts to furnish his Church with Offices and officers to teach and gather the elect out of the world to open their eyes to turn them from darknesse to light from the power of Satan to God that they might receive forgivenesse of sinnes and inheritancce among them which are sanctified by the faith which is in him Christ hath confirmed in his Testament all this holy doctrine for the many Jew and Gentile and the Jews for despising the blood of the Covenant have felt to this day the heavy burthen of their own imprecation Matth. 27 25. as their Fathers Num. 14.2 c. All this the holy Apostle Iohn meant and much more unutterable that the Lord Jesus Messias became such a person to be such a mediatour and that testimonie in due time according to the prophesie 1 Tim. 2.6 And the spirit is peremptory and saith whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in this doctrine of Messias which is called Christ hath not God he that continueth in this doctrine of Christ he hath the Father and the Son 2 Iohn 9. 9 It will not be uselesse altogether to observe what Taciâ—us Suctonius Iosephus speak that in all the Romane Empire it was divulged in Augustus caesars dayes that a King should arise in Iudea that should rule all the world This is evident by the Persique Magi. They having discerned an unusall Comet in the air which did
c. The times following were also times of violence and fraud in Pope and Turk Popish superstition still increasing exceedingly till by the two Witnesses it was resisted by Waldenses Wickliff Hus Jerom of Prague and Luther c. and Mahometisme greatly prevailed to the removing of the Candlesticks of the Churches of Asia as it was threatned against them Apoc. 2. 3. and evills in the Churches of the East prevailed by the strength deceit and falschood of the Papacy till that the Turk possessed Constantines Empire and City The Kingdome of Christ our Lord and Saviour under the new Testament was first impugned in the time of the Caesars and in the growing on of the mystery of iniquity Then this Propheticall Office and at last his Priestly Office was striven against which was almost desperately corrupted in the height of the mystery of iniquity in the tenth Century This last was first contested against by Waldenses Wickliffe and Luther c. Then his Propheticall Office was upheld by the faithfull in cleaving to the Divine Oracles of the holy Scriptures and at this day this is the greatest contestation And his Kingly Office hath been but in few places executed for Christian States do not consider as they should the benefits thereof that will redound unto them by true Ecclesiasticall Discipline and much opposition there hath been and is about it But as Christian Governours and Teachers have embraced the two former they will also the other rejoycing to defend onâ—ly Christs Ordinances and hate to maintain any thing of the Beasts marks that they may make good that Scripture of the Apostle of us Gentiles 1 Tim 6.13 I give thee charge in the sight of God who quickneth all things and before Christ Jesus who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good profession 14. That thou keep this Commandement without spot unrebukable untill the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ 15. which in his times he shall shew who is the blessed and only POTENTATE the King of Kings and Lord of Lords 16. Who onely hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see to whom be honor and power everlasting Amen CHAP. LII Of the Attributes or Titles of God Essentially considered AELohim Almighties or Almighty Powers but in Greek the Apostles do alwaies render it singularly Theos God Aelohah Omnipotent or Almighty Job 12.4 Ael Puissant or mighty Gen. 14 18. Jehovah Being of himself and giving being to all things Elion The most High Elionin A Plurall Shaddai Almighty or All-sufficient Gen. 17.1 Adonai My Staies my Pillars Gen. 15.2 Job 28.28 Ehieth I am or I will be Ex. 3.14 Jah In notation much like Jehovah Yzur The Rock the seventy translate it Theos and sometimes Ctistes Goel Redeemer Ghosai Plurall sig my Makers Job 35.10 Abba Father The Power Matth. 26.64 The Feare Gen. 31.57 Psal 76.12 Name Theos God Curios Lord. Creator Master Mal. 1.6 Eph. 6. Eternall God Gen. 21.33 Sabbaoth When he warreth against the wicked he is called Jehovah Sabbaoth the Lord of Hosts or when he performeth great intendments for his Church From these Attributes sundry Vses may be gathered 1. From the Attribute or Title Aeloim 1. Aelohim is a form plurall to teach the mystery of the Trinity which is most necessary to be well marked or else that form were dangerous I say it were dangerous if necessity did not require us to be thereby taught the knowledge of the Divine persons 2. But sometimes it is joyned with a word singular as in Gen. 1.1 Aelohim He created because there is but one Godhead but the plurall form of speaking when it is joyned with a word singular doth necessarily call upon us to know the mystery of the Trinity in the unity of the Godhead 3. This plurall Attribute Aelohim though it be commonly joyned with a word singular for the reason aforesaid yet it is sometimes also joyned with a word plurall as Aelohim He went 1 Chron. 17.21 and so Aelohim They went 2 Sam. 7.23 and so in Jos 24.23 He is holy Gods and in Jer. 10 10. He is living Gods but in Gen. 20.13 it is also joyned with a word plurall They Gods caused me to wonder and in Gen. 35.7 They Gods were revealed to him The Wisdome of God thought these Expressions to be necessary for our instruction in the mystery of the Trinity and in the Unity of the Godhead or else it had been dangerous for Idolatry so to declare himselfe to us 2. Hence we may learn that though sometimes words of the plurall Number be joyned with the plurall Attribute Aelohim yet God did no way intend thereby to teach to worship a plurality of Gods as the ignorant and negligent in the Scriptures are ready to understand it because he hath taken good order to cleer it from that errtour by other Scriptures especially to such as are diligent in the study of the blessed Scriptures he hath cleered his Attribute Aelohim from being taken for many Gods because he hath often put this Attribute into the form singular as by Eloah in Job 12.4 and sometimes by a shorter form El The Mighty in Gen. 14.18 And secondly by joyning it often to a word singular and thirdly by limiting this plurall Attribute Aelohim onely to three persons or Existences in the unity of the Godhead as in Psal 33. 6. By the word of Jehovah the Heavens were made and all the Hosts of them by the spirit of his mouth And saith Ains in Gen. 1.1 The ancient Hebrew Doctors have left Records of this mystery Though at this day that Nation doth not understand it Come and see saith Rab. Ben Iochai The mystery of the word Aelohim There are three degrees and every degree by it selfe alone that is distinct And yet notwithstanding saith he They are all One and are not divided one from another And saith Ains in Numb 15.25 Rabbi Menâ—â—hem on these two Phrases Vnto the Lord and Before the Lord saith from their former ancient Rabbins This it meant of him and his Judgment Hale and no Judgment Hale had lesse then three by which it appeareth that the mystery of the Trinity in the Godhead was formerly believed by the Jewes though now they do oppose the same And the Lord Duplessie in his Truenesse of Religion page 74.75.76.78 doth prove that the ancient Hebrew Doctors held the Trinity But blessed be God our New Testament doth tell us most cleerly 1. That the Father is the Creator Eph. 3.9 2. That the Son is the Creator Eph. 1.8.10 Col. 1 16. 3. That the holy Spirit is the Creator Gen. 1.2 Psal 33.6 Psal 104. 30. And hence it is that Salomon would have young men to make it their care to Remember their Creator in the daies of their health Eccles 12.1 4. Hence we may learn that God is Almighty for the protection of those that feare him and that trust in his gracious promises and he is Almighty to ruinate his Churches
the faithfull or sure Creator in 1 Pet. 4.19 9. Ghosai a plurall signifying My Makers 1 Hence we may learn that there is a Trinity of persons in the Unity of the Godhead it is used in lob 35.10 and Psal 149.1 2. Hence we may learn that God hath not onely made us to have a being in his visible Creation but also that he doth make his Elect to have a being in his invisible Creation namely to be his people by a spirituall Creation as the double reading in Psal 100.3 doth well expound the sonse 10. Goel Redeemer This is most usually applied to the second person because he paid the price of our redemption But yet redemption is also often attributed to the first person in trinity as in Isa 63. because all our actuall liberation is from him The second person paid the price But the actuall Attonemont by which redemption is compleat is the act of the first person and the qualification that belongeth to the persons that are to be redeemed is the act of the third person and in this sence all the three persons may be called Redeemers 11. The other Attributes the Power the Feare c. are coincident with the former Titles and with their Expositions and uses Conclusion Seeing Elohim is the mighty Creators and Iehovah is Being of himselfe and giving being to all other things and the most High and onely Potentate to maintain and defend his Saints that are in Covenant with him and seeing he is our All sufficient four Pillars and stay alwaies unchangable and ever the same our breath in whom we live and move and have our being in whose hand is our breath and all our waies and seeing he saith that he is our Father and Redeemer through the everlasting Covenant confirmed in the blood of his deare Son we may well make all the Trinity in that eternall Covenant to be our Rock and Refuge for our Redemption Reconciliation Justification Adoption and Eternall Salvation Amen CHAP. LIII Of the Attributes of the Divine Nature of the second Person in Trinity JEhovah in Gen. 6.3 Rock Son The Word Wisdome Immanuel Lord. God Angel Michael Puissant Name Act. 3.14 Alpha and Omega Beginning and Ending First and Last 1. Jehovah is the Attribute of the second person as in Gen. 6.3 there the Spirit of Jehovah is in 1 Pet. 3.19 called the Spirit of Christ 2. Jehovah in Isa 6.8.9 is expounded of Christ in Iohn 12 37.38 3. In Icr. 23.6 that Christ is called Jehovah our Righteousness because he is by God made unto us Righteousness 1 Cor. 1.30 and 31. And saith Bro. in Ecclesiâ—stes the Hebrew Doctors do commonly say from Jer 23. as in Bathra Sect 1. fol. 75. B. that the Messias is Iehovah our Righteousness 4. In Gen. 19.24 Jehovah from Jehovah rained fire and brimstome c. hence we may learn that the second person as Mediator doth speak and work from the Father as Iohn 5.17 to verse 30. The Father must evermore be considered as the first in the order of working in the Trinity 5. From Iohn 5.17 c. we may see the reason why the Title Jehovah is so usually to be understood of Christ except in those places where the Father is distinguished as in Gen. 19 24. Psal 110.1 and some few other places as in Isa 26.4 there Jehovah is said to be in Iah the Father and our Lord doth thus insinuate the sense of that and such like places to Philip in Iohn 14.10 11. Believest than not that I am the Father and the Father in me so in Exod 23.21 My name is in him is thus opened in 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ 2. Hence we may learn that all the attributes that are given unto God essentially are likewise given to the second and third persons as well as to the first 6. Christ is called the Angel that Jacob invocated The Angel that appeared unto Moses in the Bush Exod. 3. The Angel of Gods presence Esa 63. And the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3 1. Likewise the Titles Jehovah Aelohim c. used by Moses in Geneses Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deutrenomy and used by David and all the Prophets These Titles are applied by the Apostles to Christ in 1 Cor. 10 and Stephen called Christ the Angel in Act. 7.38 7. The title God is applied to Christ as in Psal 78.1 Let Aelohim God arise and in v. 19. Thou art ascended on high is expounded of Christ in Eph 4 8.9 and the former sentence Let God arise is taken from Numb 10.35 and there it is Rise up Iehovah and in these words Moses also hath respect unto the promise in Exod. 23.20 21. Behold I send and Angel before thee c. Beware of him and hear his voice c. for my name is in him and in Gen. 31.13 he is called the God of Beithâ—l 8. The title Son is applied to Christ in Psal 2 12 Kiss the Son least he be angry likewise in Prov. 30.4 What is his name and the name of his Son if thâ—u canst tell Likewise God the Father doth call him Son This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear him Matth. 3.17 Matth. 17.5 9. Word as in 2 Sam. 7.21 For thy words sake but in 1 Chron. 17.19 repeating the same thing it is for thy servants sake So in the new Testament the second person is called the Word Iohn 1.1 he as Mediator is also so called in relation to the eternall Covenant which he in his Godhead made with his Father for mans redemption and that he is called the servant of God because he assumed our nature in relation to do the Office of a Mediator Matth. 12.18 compared with Esa 42.1 10 Christ is called the Wisdome of God first in Pro. 8.1 and secondly he is so called in the new Testament Luke 11.49 1 Cor. 1.24 11. He is called the Father of Eternity in Esa 9.6 because he did in his Godhead from Eternity covenant to undertake the Office of a Mediator by which means he procured the spirit for our Redemption and so consequently for our Adoption and thus Christ is called the Father of Eternity and in this respect he hath taught us to pray unto all the Trinity by this title Our Father Matth. 6.9 12. He is called Michael the Arch-angel by Iudas Thaddae is v 9. but this very person is called Iehovah in Zach. 3.2 being cited thence 13. He is called Gods Fellow in Zach. 13.7 with Matâ—h 26.31 for he thought it no robery to be equall with God Phil. 2.6 14. He is called God over all blessed for ever Rom. 9. and the God of Beithell Gen. 31.13 and the mighty God Tit. 2.13 15. He is also called the Lord in Rom. 10.9 But that place is taken from Deut. 30 10. c. and there he is called Jehovah and in 1 Cor. 2 8. he is called the Lord of Glory and in Jam. 2.1 our glorious Lord Jesus Christ 16. He is called Name
in Exod. 23.21 My Name is in him and in Heb. 1.3 he is said to be the expresse Image of Gods person and in 2 Cor. 4.4 he is called the Image of God and in Col. 1.15 he is said to be the Image of the invisiâ—le God begotten before all the Creation for by him were all things created which are in Heaven and which are in Earth the visible and the invisible whether Thrones or Dominions or principalities or powers all things were created by him and for him and he is before all things and by him all things consist yea he is called the beginning of the Creation of God Rev. 3.14 and hence it followes by necessary consequence that seeing all things were created in the first six daies both the visible and the invisible Creation both the earthly and the spirituall Creation namely because some of all these kinds were then created it must needs be that Adam Eve were then created not onely for an earthly Paradise but for a spirituall and for an heavenly Paradise for he presently lost the possession of the earthly Paradise and therefore seeing some were elected to an heavenly Paradise Adam and Eve must be belonging to that kind of Creatures that were elected to that place for there were no other that should be created for that Paradise in the first six daies but Adam and Eve or else if they were not then created a new for that place in the first six daies then it will also follow that God did not finish all the Hosts of Heaven and Earth in the first six daies But it is affirmed that he did finish all the said Hosts namely some of every Host in the first six daies and therefore it doth necessarily follow that Adam and Eve were then created as a part of the Host of the spirituall Paradise here and as a part of the Host of the heavenly Paradise hereafter by a reâ—creation on the same sixth day in which they were created and fell 17. He is called the blessed and onely Potentate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who onely hath immortality and dwelleth in light that none can approach unto whom no man hath ever seen nor can see To whom be honour and power everlasting Amen 1 Tim. 2.15 These and many other Texts which are cited in the new Testament from the old do prove the Godhead of Christ by an undeniable consequence against Turks Jewes and Arrians CHAP. LIV. Of the Attributes of the humane nature of the second Person THe Seed of the woman The seed of Abraham The seed of David The root of Jesse The off-spring of David The Son of God the Son of Man Shiloh Immanuel 1. Christ in his humane nature is called the seed of the woman in Gen. 3.15 Then God said thus to Satan I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed he shall break thy head plot and thou shalt pierce him in the foot soal This seed of the woman must not be expounded in a not collective sense for Christ and his members but of Christ onely because he onely could break the Devils head-plot 2. God said to Abraham in Gen. 18. In thy seed Shall all the Nations of the earth be blessed This word seed is expounded in a collective sense but of the individuall person of the Mediatour and of his humane nature only as it is expounded in Gal. 3.16 3. It is said in Rom. 1.3 That he was made of the seed of David according to the flesh though it was also united personally to his divine nature as in Mat. 9.27 O thou Son of David have mercy on uâ— let the beams of thy divine nature shew forth its power in thy humane nature taken from the loins of David 4. Christ is called the Root and the Offspring of David in Rev. 22.16 as it was prophesied in Isa 11.10 In that day there shall be a root of Iesse which shall stand for an ensign of the people to it shall the heathen seek and his rest shall be glorious 5. He is called Shiloh in Gen 49.10 The Sceptre shall not depart from Judah nor a law-giver from between his feet untill Shiloh come and unto him shall the gathering of the people be 6. The titles Son Son of God and Son of man are often applied to the humane nature of Christ as for example 2 Sam 7.14 I will be to him a Father and he shall be unto me a Son this word Son is applied to his humane nature in personall union with his Divine in Heb. 1.5 because he doth there make him above the angels 7. God called him Son in Psal 2.7 Thou art my son I this day begat thee Now Christ is called Gods son in sundry respects 1. He is Gods son from Eternity by divine generation 2. At his incarnation when his humane nature was conceived by the Holy Ghost in the Virgins womb and therefore that holy thing was called the Son of God Luke 1.35 3. He was called Gods Son in Psal 2.7 by being begotten into the Mediatours office when he was extrinsecally installed by the visible anointing of the Holy Ghost when we was baptised of John at Jordan Mat. 17. and of this begetting of Christ the Apostle speaks in Acts 13.23 32 33. Of this mans seed namely of Davids seed as verse 22. hath God according to his promise in Es 11.1 2. raised or begotten as it is after expounded unto Israel a Saviour Jesus and this raising he takes up again in verse 32 33. We declare unto you glad tidings how that the promise which was made unto the Fathers God hath fulfilled unto us their children in that he hath raised up Jesus again as it is also written in the second Psalm Thou art my son this day have I begotten thee The word again is not in the Geneva nor in Ains who translates the verse in Psal 2.7 and being added it carries the sense to the Resurrection of Christ which is not intended in this verse though it be intended in the next verse but that which is intended in this verse in the beginning of the raising up of Christ on the spirituall throne of David to be a King Priest and prophet by his extrinsecall anointing into the Mediatours office which was not done till he went to Jordan to be baptised then the Holy Ghost did anoint him visibly before Johus Auditory by sitting like the dove upon him and Christs extrinsecall installment into the Mediatours office is also proved by Heb. 5.5 from the second Psalm Christ glorified not himself to be made an high Priest but he that said unto him Thou art my Son to day have I begotten thee hence it is evident that he called him his son glorified him with the visible anointing of the holy Ghost at his Baptisme before all Johns auditory and in this respect he is said to be his son by being begotten extrinsecally into the Mediatours office 4. He was also begotten
death a most acceptable Sacrifice of Reconciliation 4. Christ is called the Prince of life in relation to his Office of Mediatorship 1. Peter tells the multitude of the Jewes in Act. 3.14 15. Yee killed the Prince of life why else is he called the Prince of life but because he brake Satans head-plot by his combate of suffering and by his sacrifice of obedience even through all the said sufferings and by that means he redeemed the Elect from the death of sin which Satan by his cunning head-plot had brought upon them all and so in this respect he is called the Prince of life alluding to that Combate and Victory over Satan in Gen. 3.15 and to that in Psal 2.2 The Kings of the Earth set themselves and the Princes do plot together against Jehovah and against his Christ and the fulfilling of this combate is thus expressed in Act. 4.27 28. Of a truth Lord against thy holy child Jesus whom thou annointedst gathered were both Herod and Pontius Pilate to do whatsoever thy hand and thy Council had determined before to be done according as he had declared it in Gen. 3.15 namely That the seed of the Woman should combate with his proclaimed Enemy Satan and his seed and that by his obedience to the Lawes of the combate he should break the Devils head plot for the redemption of the Elect from the death of sin to the life of grace and so at last to the life of glory and in this respect lie hath merited the Title Prince of life and to this effect did Peter speak to the Council of the high Sanâ—dâ—im in Act 5.31 Him God made high with his right hand a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel and forgivenesse of sins and in this respect Christ is also stiled the King of Justice and the King of Peace Esay 7 2. And the Prince of Peace in Esay 9.6 and in Ezek 34 23 24. God calls him One Shepheard And his Servant David And a Prince among them and so in Ezek. 37.25 5. Christ is called the King of Israel 1. Nathaniel makes this confession of his Faith to Christ in John 1. 49. Rabbi thou art the Son of God thou art the King of Israel In this speech Nathaniel had respect to Dan. 9.25 where he is called Messiah the Prince or King as Broughton in his last Edition reads it 6. He is called the Messias In Dan. 9.25 26. He is twice called the Messias which in Greek is Christ that is Annointed and so in John 1.41 Andrew found his Brother Simon and said unto him We have sound the Messias and in verse 45. Philip found Nathaniel and said unto him We have sound him of whom Moses did write in the Law Deut. 18.18 and in the Prophets Esa 4.2 and in John 4.25 The woman of Samaria said unto him I know that Messias cometh wâ—ich is called christ or the Annointed and this Title was given him in relation to his Victory in breaking Satans head-plot for our redemption as it was first implied in Gods Declaration of the Combate and Victory in Genes 3.15 7. He is also called the Apostle and high Sacrasicer of our profession in Heb. 31. And the Shepheard and Bishop of our Soules in 1 Pet. 2.25 and our Advocate in 1 Iohn 2. If any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the just who is the reconciliation for our sins 8. Christ hath many Titles given him in relation to his Office of Mediatorship from Metaphors and Similitudes 1. My Husband Hos 2.7 2. The morning Star in the Title of Psal 22. and in Rev. 2.28 and Rev. 22.16 3. A Nazaren Math. 2 23. He was not a Nazarite according to Num. 6. as some through heedlesnesse do take it for he both drank Wine and was polluted by the dead Luke 7.33.34 Luke 8.49.54 Mat 9.25 Luke 7.14 which a Nazarite might not be but he was a Nazaren of the Town of Nazareth which Towns name is derived from Nazar the Branch out of the root of Jesse in Esa 11.1 And saith Bro. Nazar in the Thalmud is the Messias from Esa 11.1 and saith he in his Consent 2830. Nazar is a Spring or Branch Esa 11.1 and saith he the Town Nazareth alludeth unto that in Mat. 2.23 4. He is called the brightnesse from on high hath visited us Luke 1.78 5. He is called the Bud of the Lord in Esa 4.2 Zach. 3.8 Zach. 6.12 6. The Son of Righteousnesse Mat. 4.2 7. A Son and Shield Psal â—4 12. 8. The way the truth and the life John 14.6 9. The Door Job 10.7 10. The bread of life that came down from Heaven John 6.35.48.51 11. The true Vine John 15.1.5 12. The Lamb of God John 1.29 13. The chief corner stone Eph. 2.10 1 Pet. 2.6 14. The head of the body of the Church Eph. 1.22 Col. 1.18 15. The head of all principality and power Col. 2.10 16. The first fruits of them that sleep 1 Cor. 15.20.23 17. The Lion of the Tribe of Iudah Rev. 5.5 18. The horn of salvation Luke 1.69 These and such like Attributes do shew the effects and the operations of Christs Mediatorship sundry waies both for the comfort of the godly and also for the terrour of the wicked enemies of his Church and people CHAP. LVI Of the Attributes of the holy Spirit HE is called the Holy Ghost Act. 28.25 Paul said to his offended Hearers at their departure Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esay as the Prophet unto our Fathers c. But in Esay he is called Iehovah Esay 6.8 9 10. so also the Title holy Ghost in Heb. 10.15 is taken from Ier 31.33 and there he is called Iehovah which is an incommunicable Attribute to any Creature and hence it is evident that Iehovah the Father Iehovah the Son and Iehovah the holy Ghost in the unity of the Godhead and in the Trinity of persons did make the new Covenant for all the Elect and therefore they will certainly give the gift of faith to all the Elect that so they may be partakers of all the blessings that are therein contained 2. The said Holy Ghost is called the Spirit Iohn 1.32 33. Mar. 1.10 3. The Spirit of Aelohim Gen 1.1 2. 4. The spirit of God Mat 3.16 Act 5.3 4. 5. The holy Spirit Psal 51.11 Esa 63.10 Luke 11.13 6. The holy Spirit of God Eph 4.30 7. The holy Spirit of promise Eph 1.13 8. The Spirit of the Father in Iohn 14.16 17. I will pray the Father saith Christ and he will give you another Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name and so consequently the Spirit proceeds from the Father as in Iohn 15.25 9. The Spirit of the Son Gal 4.6 and therefore he proceeds from the Son as well as from the Father If I depart said Christ to his Disciples that were so full of sorrow for his departure I will send the Comforter to you Iohn 16.7 and in
Iohn 15.26 I will send the Comforter to you from the Father for our Covenant and Contract was so from eternity that in case I did perform the conditions of the Mediators Office I should have a joynt hand with my Father in the sending of the holy Spirit 10. He is called the Spirit of his mouth namely the Spirit of Iehovah Father and Son Psaâ— 33 6. 11. He is called the Finger of God in Luke 11.20 by which the humane nature of Christ did his Miracles 12. He is called the power of God Luke 1.35 The Angel said unto Mary The holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the most High shall over-shadow thee namely as it did over-shadow the confused Chaos in the Creation as Mr. â—rap speaketh 13. Peter calls the Holy Ghost God in Act. 53 4. These and such like blessed Attributes of the third person in Trinity are sufficient to convince any Iew Turk or Arrian that the holy Spirit is true God except such as God hath given up to the Spirit of slumber and to the hardnesse of their own hearts to perish in their own impenitency CHAP. LVII Of the Attributes of the Holy Ghost in relation to its opperations and effects in the various manner of his working 1. AS the Spirit of Aelohim in the beginning did move upon the face of the waters to the producing of the visible Creation Gen 1.1 so it moved also upon the water of Gods word to Adam and so to all the elect for the producing of the spirituall Creation For except a man be born of Water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God Iohn 3.5 And there are three that beare witnesse in the earth the spirit and the water and the blood and these three agree in one 1 Iohn 5.8 And so Moses Doctrine is compared to raine in Deut. 32.1 and so Tit. 3 5. 2. Saith God in Gen. 6.3 My Spirit shall not alwaies strive with man for that he is but flesh Hence take notice of the Spirits working or striving with men that are given to the flesh it doth often strive along time with such but if after some time they will not hearken then God saith it shall not alwaies strive but it shall at last give them up to their own hearts lusts to perish in their sins Noah â—a a preacher of righteousnesse to the old world for a hundred and twenty yeares and this long time the Apostle calls the long suffering of God 1 Pet. 3.19.20 2 Pet. 2.5 3. It is said in 1 Pet. 3.18 That Christ was quickned by the Spirit by which he went and preached to the Spirits that now are in prison that were disobedient in the daies of Noe hence two things are observable 1. That Christ was called Iehovah in Gen 6 3. 2. That the Spâ—rit by which Naah preached to the disobedient world is here called by Peter The Spirit of Christ 4. In Esa 6.10 They rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit which did strive with them for their conversion by the preaching of his Prophets Therefore was he turned to be their enemy and he fought against them as he threatned to do if they did not obey his voice Exod. 23.21 and he did also fulfill it in Psal 78.40 c. and 1 Thes 5.19 5. God saith thus to his Elect I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my Statutes and yee shall keep my Judgments and do them Ezek. 36.27 This is the operation of Gods Spirit in the Elect at one time or other while they attend upon him in his Ordinances for the walking in his Statutes and the keeping or doing of his Judgments doth imply the obedience of faith to all his statutes in their spirituall sense and meaning as in Ezek. 11.19 20. and Ezek. 36.27 and in Rom 2.26 Yea the Spirit doth by its operations work upon baptized Infants that belong to Gods Election by vertue of the Covenant which is the word of promise for their Regeneration and knitting to Christ if they dye before they come to knowledge by the outward hearing of the word as Esa 59 21. 6. It is said in Esa 11.2 That the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon the root that shall proceed out of the stem of Jesse and the Prophet doth repeat some heads of those endowments of the Spirit whereby the humane nature of the Messias should be furnished But the said heads are expressed in such large and copious words that it implies he should be furnished with the whole Spirit and with all the gifts and graces of that Spirit and from thence it is said in Reve 1.4 that he hath the seven Spirits of God that is to say the whole Spirit and all the graces of the Spirit and this Endowment of his is often repeated as in Revel 3 1. Revel 4.5 and Revel 5 6. 7. It is said in 1 Cor. 1â— 4 That there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit And in verse 8. to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdome and to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit And in verse 13. by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body 8. It is said because yee are sonnes God hath sent forth the Spirit of his son into your hearts which hath this operation it inables you to cry Abba father Gal. 4.6 and in this Text the holy Trinity is also expressed 9. Sundry operations are ascribed to the Spirit in Rom. 8. 1. in verse 5. They that are after the spirit do mind the things of the spirit 2. In verse 6. The wisdome of the spirit is life and peace 3. In verse 11. If the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you c. he shall also quicken your mortall bodies by his spirit 4. In verse 13. If ye mortifie the deeds of the flesh by the spirit ye shall live 5. In verse 14. As many as are led by the spirit are the sâ—ns of God 6. In verse 15. Ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby ye cry Abba Father 7. In verse 16. The same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God 8. In verse 26. The spirit helpeth our infirmities for we know not what to pray as we ought but the spirit it self maketh request for us with fight and groans that cannot be expressed 9. In verse 27. The spirit maketh request for the Saints according to the will of God These sundry operations of the Spirit are expressed in this eigth chapter 10. Sundry operations of the spirit are in Gal. 5. 1. In verse 16. Walk in the spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flâ—sh 2. In verse 17. For the Spirit lusteth against the flesh 3. In verse 18. If ye be led by the spirit ye are not under the law 4. In verse 12. The fruit of the spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentlenesse goodnesse saith meeknesse
temperance against such there is no law 5. In verse 25. If we live in the spirit let us also walk in the spirit 11. It is said in Ephes 6.17 The sword of the spirit is the word of God and in verse 18. Pray in the spirit 12. Quench not the spirit 1 Thes 5.19 13. The holy Ghost doth renovate our corrupt natures as in Tit. 3.5 Of his mercy he saved us and by the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the holy Ghost 14. The spirit and the Bride say come Rev. 22.17 15. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost he with you all Amen 2 Cor. 13.14 Sundry other Attributes are ascribed to the holy Ghost in relation to its operations and effects from metaphors and similitudes as by fire water seed an earnest and to the oyl of gladnesse c. All which with many more will be of heavenly use to every godly Christian that will take delight to meditate in Gods book as David did both night and day Psalm I therefore say as David said O how love I thy law it is my meditation all the day Psal 119.97 FINIS A Table of Chief Heads Chap. 1. OF the Vnity of the Godhead and Trinity of Persons also of their properties and works page 1. If the knowledge of God in Trinity had not been the ground of life God would never have given himself names in the Plural number p. 1. The Spirit of Elohim is sometimes called the Spirit of the Father and sometimes the Spirit of the Son p. 2 It is good to mark how the Attributes and Titles of God are often interchangeably used the one for the other p. 5 Chap. 2. How Redemption was taught from Gen. 3.15 to the Flood of Noah p. 14 Gods purpose was not declared to bring fallen man for life by theremains of any naturall abilities p 23 The place of holy Convocations was wont to be called the presence of God p 36. 298. Chap. 3. How Redemption was taught from the Flood till the promises to Abraham also the seed of Sem is explained p 40 The subduing of ours and of Gods enemies is a benefit that God hath tied to our constancy in Religion p 42 Chapter 4. How Redemption was taught from the Promise made to Abraham till the Law of the Passeover and the coming of Israel out of Egypt p 52 We may not pray for nor expect any blessing either temporal spirituall or eternall but according to the promise and Covenant of grace in Christ p 61 Covenants go before Seals p 66 The Covenant of grace was not made onely to believing Parents but also their Infant children p 70 Chap. 5. and Chap 6. How Redemption was taught from the time of the Passeover till the building of the Temple p 74 How Christ was the end of all Moses Law p 75 76 77 82 83 85 86 It is a point of rare faith to believe that Christ gave the Law p. 84 n. 3 Chap. 6. How Redemption was taught unto David and others p 92 How they of the old Testament understood the Doctrine of Justification p 95 n. 5 and p 100 n. 5 p 356 Chap. 7. How Redemption was taught from the foundation of the Temple to the burning of it p 102 Chap. 8. But it is misprintd How the Covenant of grace was taught and opposed in this time namely from the burning of the Temple to the end of the Babylonian captivity p 117 Chap. 9 How Redemption and the Covenant of grace was taught and opposed in the time of the Seventy Sevens as it is expressed in Dan 9.24 p 137 The endevour of some Schollers is by necessary consequence very prophane by teaching us to confute Daniels propriety of the seventy sevens by the building of Rome and by the Mayors of Athens and by the Satanicall chronicles of the Olympick games p 160 and see more towards the end of the book Chap. 10. How God by his wise providence did order the severall captivities of his people to build Synagogues for the planting of Religion among the heathen nations as a preparation to the speedy preaching of the Gospel by the Apostles and Disciples that were dispersed into those Countries at the death of Stephen p 162 Chap. 11. Giving divers reasons why there were no more Prophets after Malachi or after Ezra for he is holden to be Malachi to our Lords Incarnation p 170 The 49000 that returned from Babel were godly and lâ—ft a godly seed after them p 173 174 175 Many of Judah and Israel did continually return after the 49000 were returned p 178 271 Daniel foretold of the falling away of many of the Jews from the faith p 176 The Saints the Jews in the time of the 70 sevens had sundry enemies before after the death of Antiochus Epiphanes p 179 but Christ did strengthen the godly Jews against the tyranny of Javan p 179 The Kings of the North were Gog and Magog in Ezek. 38. and Ezek. 39. p 179 129 The Hebrew tongue after the return from Babel ceased from common use p 180 The Rulers and people of the Jews did not know the meaning of their own Prophets after that the Prophets and Vrim and Thummim did cease Acts 13.27 p 181 Chap. 12. Being an answer to the complaint of the Jews for the losse of five things under the second Temple which they injoyed under Solomons Temple p 183 Fire from heaven to burn their sacrifices was a testimony of Gods gracious acceptance of the types of Christs death p 183 If they had had the fire from heaven after the captivity they should after some time have been deprived of it by Antiochus Epiphanes when he took away the daily sacrifice for three years and a half p 184 Vrim and Thummim they needed not when John Elias came p 182 184 Though after the captivity they wanted the Ark of the Covenant yet Christ told them they should have godly Teachers in the place of it Jer. 3.15 16. p 184 Chap. 13. How the new Covenant and the way of Redemption was taughe and opposed under the first preaching of the Gospel p 187 How the heavenly Jerusalem began first to be builded in the earthly Jerusalem p 198 Chap. 14. Shewing who they are that have the spirituall blessings of the Covenant of grace and who the curses 201 The Jews and Romames for their despising of the Kingdome and sacrifioâ—hood of Christ were greatly plagued p 202 Chap. 15. Proving that Rome in Gods just judgement is the place that Christ hath given to the power of Sathan for the setting up of the mystery of iniquity p 215 Chap. 16. Proving that the mysterie of iniquity began to get head from Constantines time p 229 Chap. 17. Of the two Witnesses and of the mark of the Beast and of the decay of the mysterie of iniquity p 235 Chap. 18. Of the seven Trumpets in Apoc. 8 9.10 and 11 chapters in which the