teach the Saints Dan. 8.16 9 22. And I heard a Man's Voice between the Banks of Ulai which called and said Gabriel make this Man understand the Vision c. And he said I will make thee know what shall be in the last Day c. They open and reveal hidden Mysteries to the Saints 9. They rejoyce with the Godly at the Conversion of Sinners Luke 15.10 Likewise I say unto you There is Joy in the Presence of the Angels of God in Heaven over one Sinner that repenteth 10. They have a Charge to convey the Souls of the Godly when they die through the Territories of the Prince of Darkness viz. the Air and carry them safe to Heaven And it came to pass that the Beggar died Luke 16.22 and was carried by the Angels into Abraham's Bosom 11. To gather all the Elect together at the last Day 12. To separate the Evil from the Good the Chaff from the Wheat Mat. 13.49 So shall it be at the end of the World the Angels shall come and sever the Wicked from the Just Thirdly They have a Charge committed to them in reference to wicked Men. 1. To blind and infatuate them that they cannot see how to effect that Mischief they would otherwise do 2. To stop them in their Carreer that they cannot pursue their wicked Purposes and Designs as appears in Balaam's Case Numb 22.26 3. To destroy and cut off the Ungodly when they combine against the Church One Angel smote in the Camp of the Assyrians a Multitude of Men. 2 King 19.35 III. Watchers give warning of approaching Dangers III. So the Angels gave warning to Abraham and Lot Gen. â—9 of the approaching Judgment that fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah and the Cities about them IV. Watchers are very useful and oftentimes made a great Blessing to Towns and Cities many eminent Dangers by their means have been prevented IV. Angels are a great Blessing to the Church and City of God and every particular Member thereof How secure was the Prophet whilst he had those fiery Chariots and Horsemen round about him Quest But some may say Why doth God in the preservation of his People make use of the Ministration of Angels Answ Not for any Necessity He is all-sufficient of himself to do all things for them But to declare his abundant Love to and Care of his Children in making more excellent Creatures than themselves to be their Keepers Object But God's People often fall into Danger and many Inconveniences how then are they attended and kept by Angels Answ They are delivered by them from many Evils and Dangers that they know not of For as we have many Devils about us continually to do us Mischief so we have a Multitude of blessed Angels continually about us to keep and protect us Psal 91.11 2. If at any time God's Children fall into Danger it is because they are out of their way or rather God's way and then the good Angels have no Charge over them 3. If they suffer in the Custody of the Angels it is that they may be exercised tried and made better thereby For the Angels keep them from Evil or keep them in Evil and at last deliver them out of Evil so that they are made Gainers by all according to that Promise Rom. 8.28 V. Watchers or Watchmen go up and down to see what the State and Condition of Things is they take strict Observation of Persons and Things V. Angels go about or rather flie up and down in the Earth to see what the State and Condition of God's People more especially is Hence they are said to have Wings which denote their Swiftness in their Work Zech. 1.11 We have walked to and fro the Earth and behold all the Earth sitteth still and is at rest Inferences WHat infinite Grace and Favour doth God manifest to his poor People in giving his Angels such a strict Charge over them and to cause such glorious Creatures to watch and keep them day and night 2. What Honour also hath God conferred on his Children hereby Every Believer hath greater Attendance yea a more glorious Retinue than the mightiest Prince or Monarch in the World The Holy Angels compared to the Morning-Stars Job 38.7 When the Morning-Stars sang together c. STars are taken two ways First Properly Secondly Metaphorically Some understand by Stars in this place Caryl upon Job chap. 38. p. 81. the Stars which God hath set in the Firmament of Heaven or Stars in a proper Sence Others as Mr. Caryl observes the holy Angels which saith he may well be called Stars or Morning-Stars by a Metaphor c. Metaphor Parallel MOrning-Stars are full of Beauty bright and glorious ANgels are very beautiful Creatures their Glory is wonderful Hence Stephen's Face was said to be as it had been the Face of an Angel Acts 6. ult and very beautiful Persons are said to resemble or seem like Angels Tho they have not a visible bodily Beauty yet they have a better Beauty than any Body II. Morning-Stars give Light they are not only beautiful but shining The chief Morning-Star called Lucifer signifies a Light-bringer II. Angels are not only very beautiful Creatures but also full of Light We read of an Angel in the Revelations that the whole Earth was lighted with his Glory This shews that Angels are very glorious and shining Tho I understand that is not spoken of a proper Angel yet it shews that Angels are full of Light and therefore called Angels of Light III. Stars are Guides to Mariners by which they know how to steer a right Course III. Angels are and have been as Guides to the Saints and spiritual Mariners They guided or gave direction unto Lot to escape the Flames of Sodom and led Peter out of Prison and thereby saved him from imminent Danger Abraham told his Servant God would send his Angel to guide or prosper his Way Gen. 24.40 The Holy Angels called the Sons of God Job 1.6 There was a Day when the Sons of God came and presented themselves before God Job 38.7 And all the Sons of God shouted for Joy THe Chaldee Paraphrase is express that the Sons of God here are the Angels The Armies of Angels shouted for Joy And the Septuagint as Caryl observes are as clear for it saying When all my Angels sung for Joy To this do most Expositors agree Object But some object that Passage of the Apostle To which of the Angels said he at any time Thou art my Son Answ 1. Angels are not the Sons of God as the Apostle there expresseth i. e. as Christ is the Son of God viz. by eternal Generation For so To which of the Angels said he at any time Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Jesus Christ is the Son of God from Eternity 2. Angels are not the Sons of God by Regeneration nor by Adoption as Believers are The holy Angels need not Regeneration they
Fire 3. Thrones which are Royal Seats of Kings and Monarchs in their Magnificence and Glory 4. Dominions or Lordships Col. 1.16 5. Principalities connoting special and peculiar Jurisdiction 6. Powers such as have Right to execute Authority by God's appointment and not by his Permission only 7. Mighties 1 Thess 4.16 8. Archangels 9. Angels c. Others account but seven Orders of Angels and some but three The holy Scripture doth not fully open and unfold the Mystery of Angels to us in this respect therefore it is good for us as I said before not to be wise above what is written tho no doubt but there is a most excellent Order amongst them And probably there are different Ranks and Degrees of them and yet all are in subjection to our Lord Jesus Christ who is their Prince and Supreme Head whom they all reverence worship and adore III. An Host or Army is raised to make War and fight under the Banner of their Prince and Sovereign and many times do dreadful Execution and make great Desolation in the Earth III. The holy Angels God's mighty Host are employed to fight his Battels and at his Command to fall upon his Enemies when all Terms of Peace and Reconciliation are rejected and Sinners are grown incorrigible c. What fearful Execution and Desolation have they made in the World when they have had Commission from the Almighty Was it not this Host that came against Sodom and Gomorrah and the Cities about them Gen. 19 13 2 Kings 19 35. We will destroy this Place One of these Souldiers destroyed no less than an hundred fourscore and five thousand Men in the Camp of the Assyrians What cause have the Enemies of the Church to tremble when they consider what a mighty and powerful Army is raised and always in readiness at God's Command to fall upon them What is the Power of the proudest Monarch here below when compared to the Strength of the Lord's Host or Christ's heavenly Army IV. An Host or great Army sometimes breaks in upon a People that are secure utterly destroying and spoiling them on a sudden IV. The Angels of God come upon the wicked Enemies of Jesus Christ and his Church sometimes on a sudden in one Night was that great Host of the Assyrians destroyed Hab. 3.16 When he cometh up unto the People he will invade them with his Troops V. An Host or mighty Army hath many slaughtering Weapons if one doth not Execution another will V. So the Angels of God have many slaughtering Weapons or Ways to dedestroy sometimes by Famine Ezek. 9.2 sometimes by Plague sometimes by the Sword and sometimes make use of all these three together against a People that God resolves utterly to destroy VI. An Host or victorious Army sometimes meet with great Opposition and are fiercely engaged by stout and sturdy Enemies that will not quickly yield tho at last they are forced to fly being vanquished VI. The holy Angels of God are sometimes opposed by evil Angels who are fierce sturdy and cruel Enemies to them And there was War in Heaven Michael Rev. 12.7 and his Angels fought against the Dragon And the Dragon fought and his Angels and prevailed not c. Metaphor Disparity AN earthly Host or Army tho never so victorious at other times may yet meet with their Match nay be sometimes worsted THe Lord's Host was never worsted Tho the evil Angels are mighty in Power and have been oftentimes too hard for the Saints yet they are not able to stand before the holy Angels of God II. Souldiers of an earthly Host are mortal Men and may be put to the Sword or lose their Lives by the hands of their Enemies II. The Angels of God are immortal Spirits and cannot sustain the least Hurt or Wound much less be slain in any Wars they are engaged in against their Enemies Inferences WHat Comfort may this administer to the Godly May I not say with the Prophet Fear not for they that be with us are more than they that be with them 2 Kings 6.16 2. And as it affords Comfort to the Saints it may serve to terrify Sinners and such especially as are Persecutors of the Church of God How sad is their Condition considering who they make War against Can they stand before the terrible God God is their Enemy Christ is their Enemy and the Angels of Heaven are against them and their Enemies likewise 3. Bless God you that are in Covenant with him for the sake of these Helpers 4. This shews us also what great Glory is conferred upon the Lord Jesus Christ our blessed Mediator He is the Head and chief Leader of all the glorious Angels they are all at his Command and ready to engage in his Wars if he does but speak the Word they come with slaughtering Weapons in their hands Ezek. 9.2 to execute his Wrath and Displeasure upon the World The Holy Angels compared to the Faces of a Man of a Lion of an Ox and of an Eagle Ezek. 1.6.10 And every one had four Faces c. that is every one of the living Creatures or Angels which the Prophet saw in the Vision FOur particular Angels as some conceive which were chief over the rest of the whole Host of Angels Others upon better Reason rather understand it relates to the four Parts of the World East West North and South i. e. the Work of Angels laid out in all those Parts See Mr. Greenhill on Ezekiel pag. 85. Observ 1. God employeth glorious intelligent Creatures in his Service in the Ways and Workings of his Power and Providence in the World Observ 2. That Angels are in all Quarters of the Earth taking notice of Mens Works and Ways they perceive what is done in every Place by the Just and by the Vnjust The Consideration of which should make us carry our selves wisely and holily at all times and in all Places And every one had four Faces 1. The Face of a Man 2. The Face of a Lion 3. The Face of an Ox. 4. The Face of an Eagle In some Pictures saith Reverend Greenhill you may see several Faces so drawn that which way soever you look a several Face is presented So here before was the Face of a Man behind the Face of a Lion on the right side the Face of an Ox and on the left side the Face of an Eagle There is not a Face but is compared to the Face of some principal Creature Man is the chief of all the rest a Lion is the King of wild Beasts the Ox is the chief of the tame Ones and the Eagle is the chief of the Birds To these distinctly I. The Face of a Man Metaphor Parallel THe Face of a Man notes Understanding and the Excellency of Reason by which all human Actions are managed ANgels have great Knowledg and Understanding By their Likeness unto Man is laid before us the Rationality Knowledg and Understanding of Angels They
in the Morning when they awake from Sleep nay more than all they shall enjoy the glorious Presence of Jesus Christ himself But the Ungodly when they awake shall be in the midst of Devils and damned Spirits they must be their Companions for ever 5. The Godly shall when they awake have glorious Attendants in the Day of the Resurrection viz. the holy Angels of Heaven But the Wicked shall have no other Attendants than the black Retinue of the Bottomless-Pit 6. The Godly when they awake are led into the King's Palace to be married to the Bridegroom of their Souls and to receive every one of them a Crown of Glory But the Ungodly awake as condemned Malefactors to be led to the Place of Execution 7. In a word the Godly shall awake with â—ongs of Joy in their Mouths but the Wicked shall awake with Tears and dismal Cries The one to receive the Sentence Come ye Blessed of my Father the other to receive the Sentence Go ye cursed c. Some awake to everlasting Life Dan. 12.2 and some to Shame and everlasting Contempt The Resurrection-Day a Man's Reaping-Day Psal 126.5 They that sow in Tears shall reap in Joy Gal. 6.4 In due Season we shall reap if we faint not The Resurrection-Day is a Man's Reaping-Day Parallels MEN sow before they reap So Men in this World may be said to sow either they sow to the Flesh or to the Spirit and in the Resurrection-Day they shall reap II. That which Men sow that also they reap they do not sow Beans and reap Barley nor sow Tares and reap Wheat So the very same that all Men in a spiritual Sense sow Gal. 6. they shall reap They that sow to the Flesh shall of the Flesh reap Corruption and they that sow to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap Life everlasting III. According to the Quantity that every Man sows so they reap He that sows sparingly or but a little Seed must expect to reap sparingly or have but a small Crop So they who do much Service for God or scatter liberally abroad to his People in this World shall receive much from the Hands of God at the End of the World and he that doth but little for God tho he doth it in Sincerity must expect to reap accordingly in that Day He that improves two Talents shall receive the Improvement of two and he that improves five the Improvements of five There will be Degrees of Glory no doubt in the Day of the Resurrection But this I say He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly 2 Cor. 9.6 and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully There is one Glory of the Sun and another Glory of the Moon and another Glory of the Stars 1 Cor. 15.41 42. for one Star differeth from another in Glory So also is the Resurrection of the Dead c. And They that be wise shall shine as the Brightness of the Firmament Dan. 12.3 and they that turn many to Righteousness as the Stars for ever more IV. A Man 's reaping Time is his rejoicing Time With what Joy and Gladness doth the Husband-man gather in the Fruits of the Earth So the Saints spiritual reaping-Day will be their rejoycing-Day He that sows in Tears shall reap in Joy V. When the reaping-Time is come a Man gathers in the Fruit or Harvest of divers Sorts of Seed c. So in the Day of the Resurrection the Godly shall reap or gather in the Comfort and Increase of divers Sorts of Seed by them sown They shall then reap the Fruit of all the good Sermons they have heard and reap the last Fruit of all the spiritual Prayers they have made the Fruit of all the Tears of Godly Contrition they have shed and all the Sighs and Groans they have uttered They shall reap the Fruit of all the good Thoughts they have had and of all the good Words they have spoken and all the good Works they have done as also the Fruit of all the Evil which for Christ's sake they have undergone Obj. Is not a Saint's dying-Day his reaping-Day Answ A Saint at Death gathers the first ripe Fruits as it were but his Harvest is not till the last Day The Resurrection-Day the Saints Marriage-Day Rev. 9.7 The Marriage of the Lamb is come and his Wife hath made her self ready THE Resurrection-Day is the Saints Marriage-Day this is their espousal-Day For I have espoused you to one Husband that I may present you a chast Virgin to Christ 2 Cor. 11.12 But that will be the Day of the Solemnization of their Marriage-Union with Jesus Christ Parallels THere is or ought to be a most endeared Love in those Parties who intend to marry one another Nay they before the Marriage-Day mutually give up themselves one to the other sometimes in a solemn Manner before Witnesses they are espoused So the Soul of a Believer is spiritually united to Jesus Christ whilst in this World A Saint loves Christ dearly and Christ a Saint Nay and in Baptism in a most solemn and sacred Manner before many Witnesses the Soul is publickly espoused to the Lord Jesus and in the Day of the Resurrection shall be the Solemnization of the sacred Marriage II. The Marriage-Day is much longed for by those who in hearty Affection are espoused to one another So the Godly long for that Day when the spiritual Marriage shall be consummated between Christ and them III. The Bride in the Marriage-Day is usually richly adorned if a Princess or a Person of a noble and honourable Descent she is excellently clad and adorned with rare and costly Jewels that the Bridegroom may take the more Delight in her So the Church and consequently every Godly Christian shall in the Day of the Resurrection be most richly cloathed with Robes of Immortality Rev. 19.7 The Marriage of the Lamb is come and his Wife hath made her self ready Psal 45.13 14. and to her was granted she should be arrayed in fine Linen clean and white c. The King's Daughter is all glorious within her Cloathing is of wrought Gold she shall be brought to the King in Raiment of Needle-work c. Some by these white and glorious Robes understand the imputed Righteousness of Jesus Christ Others the Righteousness of Sanctification Some others conclude they are both intended and not only so but also those heavenly Robes with which the Bodies of the Saints shall be clothed in the Day of the Resurrection which none are able to describe however all conclude the Church in that Day shall shine forth so in Glory and Beauty that Men and Angels shall admire her No Bride ever appeared in such Splendor or so richly clothed and adorned as the Bride the Lamb's Wife shall when the Marriage of the Lamb is come IV. In a Marriage-Day the Bride and Bridegroom have a full and perfect enjoyment of each other and there is nothing in the World wherin there is
so full communication of one Creature to another saith Mr. Burroughs as there is in that Condition of Marriage So in the Day of the Resurrection when the Church shall be married to the Lord Jesus the Godly shall have a full and perfect Enjoyment of him whom they so dearly love The Lord Christ in that Day will communicate of himself to his People in such a manner that it is inconceivable whatsoever may delight them rejoice their Hearts or add to their perfâ—ct Happiness he will not withhold from them They have now only the Joy and Comforts of his Spirit but then they shall have the Joy and Comforts of his Person Where I am there also shall my Servants be Joh. 14.3 I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also Rev. 19.6 7. V. A Marriage-Day is a joyful Day So will the Marriage-Day of the Lamb be Let us be glad and rejoice and give Honour to him for the Marriage of the Lamb is come The Bridegroom rejoiceth in the Bride Isa 62.5 and the Bride in the Bridegroom As the Bridegroom rejoicâ—th over the Bride so shall thy God rejoice over thee VI. In a Marriage-Day the Bridegroom and the Bride have very great Attendance and are greatly honoured So Christ and the Church shall have great and glorious Attendance in the Day of the Resurrection viz. all the Angels of Heaven He shall come in the Glory of the Father with all the holy Angels The same Retinue the one shall have the other shall have likewise VII The Bride commonly makes great Preparation for the Marriage-Day to have all Things ready So the Godly make all due Preparation for the Appearance of Jesus Christ that they may be accepted of him in that Day The Marriage of the Lamb is come and his Bride hath made her self ready The Resurrection-Day the Saints Coronation-Day 2 Tim. 4.8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which God the righteous Judg shall give unto me in that day c. THat Day that is the Day of the Resurrection or Day of Christ's coming Note The Day of the Resurrection will be the Saints Coronation-Day Parallels CRowns properly belong to Kings Princes and Potentates of the Earth c. Saints are Kings Spiritual Kings He hath made us unto our God Kings c. Rev. 5. II. Kings are wonderfully honoured on their Coronation-Day So shall the Saints in the Day of the Resurrection the Angels of Heaven shall honour them Christ himself will honour them nay they shall be honoured by the Father If any Man serve me Joh. 12. him will my Father honour III. On a Coronation-Day some look upon it as their proper work to set the Crown upon the Head of the Prince who is to be crowned therewith So in the Day of the Resurrection the Lord Jesus will set as it were the Crown upon the Head of his Chosen Be thou faithful unto Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life Inferences LAbour to be fully established in the Truth of the Resurrection see that no Man deceive you 't is a perilous Age. And to confirm doubting Christians in this great Principle of the Christian Religion take a few Arguments 1. If the Dead rise not Then Christ is not risen from the Dead 1 Cor. 15.16 20. But Christ is risen from the Dead Therefore the Dead shall rise 2. That Doctrine that makes Preaching vain is a false and pernicious Doctrine But such who deny the Resurrection make Preaching vain 1 Cor. 15.14 15.2 Therefore a false and pernicious Doctrine 3. If the Dead rise not Then those who are fallen asleep in Jesus are perished 1 Cor. 15.18 But those who are fallen asleep in Christ are not perished Therefore the dead shall rise 4. If the Dead rise not Then the Godly are of all Men most miserable 1 Cor. 15.15 19. But the Godly are not of all Men most miserable Therefore the dead shall rise Obj. The Soul of a Child of God at Death is happy and with Christ and shall be for ever whether the Body rise or not and therefore they are not of all Men most miserable unless the Soul be mortal and die with the Body as some affirm Answ The Life of the Soul as well as of the Body depends wholly upon Christ's Resurrection and if Christ be not risen we are yet in our Sins and therefore this makes nothing either to prove Saints happy without a Resurrection or for the mortality of the Soul 5. If the Saints of God in the primitive time did believe and were well grounded in the Truth of the Resurrection Then the Dead shall rise But the Saints of the Primitive time did so believe and were so established Ergo. See these Scriptures Joh. 11.24 1 Cor. 15.22 23. Ver. 52. I know he shall rise again in the Resurrection at the last day For as in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive but every Man in his own order Christ the first Fruits and afterwards they that are Christ's at his coming for the Trumpet shall be sounded and the Dead shall be raised c. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again even so those which are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him 1 Thess 4.14 And the Sea gave up the Dead which were in it and Death and Hell delivered up the dead that were in them and they were judged every Man according to their Deeds Rev. 20.13 6. If all the Saints of God and Holy Apostles waited for the Redemption of their Bodies Rom. 8.23 Then the Dead shall rise But all the Saints and Holy Apostles waited for the Redemption of their Bodies Ergo. 7. If the chief Reward of the Godly is reserved to the last day 2 Tim. 4.8 viz. to the day of the Resurrection Then the Dead shall be raised But the chief Reward of the Godly is reserved to the last day or day of the Resurrection Ergo The Dead shall be raised 8. If the expectation of the Godly Martyrs shall not be frustrated Heb. 11.35 36. Psal 9 18. Then the Dead shall be raised But the expectation of the Godly Martyrs shall not be frustrated Ergo The Dead shall be raised 9. If the Bodies of the Saints shall be made like Christ's glorious Body the Dead shall rise But the Bodies of the Saints shall be made like to Christ's glorious Body Phil. 3.21 1 Joh. 3.2 Ergo the Dead shall be raised 10. If the Dead at the last Day shall be judged then they shall rise again from the Dead But the Dead shall at the last Day be judged 2 Cor. 5.10 Rev 20.12 13. Ergo the Dead shall be raised 11. That Doctrine that gives the Scripture Christ and his Apostles the Lie is a cursed and damnable Doctrine But those that deny the Resurrection of the Dead give the
never fell from their first Estate Christ is not to them a Redeemer for their Restoration but only a Head for their Confirmation But why Angels are called Sons of God will appear in the following Parallel Metaphor Parallel A Son is the Off-spring of the Father ANgels are the Off-spring of God Adam was called the Son of God by Creation so may the Angels because created by God II. A Son is greatly beloved by the Father II. Angels are greatly beloved of the Almighty III. Sons attend honour and wait upon their Father they are about his Table and at his Command III. Angels wait upon God they stand about his Throne and are always ready to obey his Command and seek his Glory IV. Sons are greatly dignified they are near to their Father and have great Power and Authority in the Family IV. Angels are greatly dignified they are very near to God Mat. 18.10 always beholding his Face and are mighty in power Mr. Caryl saith They are called Sons of God because of Power being called Principalities and Powers c. V. Sons serve their Father cheerfully willingly and readily they obey not as Slaves or Servants V. Angels serve God with abundance of Cheerfulness and Willingness they go about their Work with a Filial or Son-like Cheerfulness and Delight VI. Sons are like their Father they have some Resemblance of him in Nature and Qualifications VI. Angels have some essential Likeness to God God is a Spirit and incorporeal the Angels are Spirits in their Nature and incorporeal Tho the difference between God and them is as great as can be conceived in this respect God is the creating Spirit and they are created Spirits God is an infinite Spirit they finite Spirits Yet the Angels bear as the Learned observe some resemblance to God in their Essence as well as in their Qualification and may in this respect be called the Sons of God likewise VII And lastly Sons imitate their Father Do good to them that hate you saith Christ that you may be the Children of your Father which is in Heaven That is Imitate God as some Children do their Fathers carry it towards evil Men as God doth and this will be an Evidence that you are the Sons of God and he will honour you with the Title of his Sons VII Angels imitate God in Mercy in Love and Compassion as also in their good Works their Ways being all holy just and good pure and righteous and shewing much Kindness and Tenderness to the Children of Men. They doubtless are patient towards the froward and undeserving Mortals they are of most excellent Natures and Dispositions No Creatures do imitate God so plainly or fully as they do and from hence they may be called the Sons of God Inferences THis may teach us how to carry our selves towards God our Father We should labour to be like the Angels Our Saviour hath taught us to pray That the Will of God may be done on Earth as it is done in Heaven Mat. 6.10 We who are God's Sons on Earth should imitate the Sons of God in Heaven We should serve God as cheerfully and with the like Alacrity of Heart as the holy Angels and labour not only to imitate the Angels and be like them but also to imitate God himself for He hath set himself before us for our direct and immediate Example Mat. 5.44 And hereby God will not be ashamed to be called our God He will not grudg us the Honour and Title of Sons which as it appears by this is a most glorious Dignity and Privilege even such a one that is conferred upon the holy Angels of Heaven c. The Holy Angels compared to an Host or Army Gen. 32.1 Jacob went on his way and the Angels of God met him Verse 2. And when Jacob saw them he said This is God's Host And he called the Name of that Place Mahanaim that is two Hosts or Camps Luke 2.13 And suddenly there was with the Angel a Multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God c. ANgels so named of the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Angelos in Hebrew Maleac Messenger or Legate one sent or employed in any Work are in these Scriptures called God's Host or Army not that he needeth them to protect himself or suppress his Enemies being infinitely stronger than all the Armies he himself hath and then what is the Strength and Force of all the Armies of his Enemies Therefore when God is said to have Armies it is either to signify First That he hath all things at his Command and is full of Power Or secondly That altho he can do all things by himself yet he will use the Agency of his Creatures to effect his Purpose Metaphor Parallel AN Host or Army have a Prince or General who is the Head of them THe Lord's Host or Army of Angels have a Prince or General who is their Head and Leader viz. the Lord Jesus Christ who is câ—lled the Head of Principalities and Powers II. An Host or Army consists of many Companies amongst which there are divers Ranks and Orders and yet all in Subjection to their Prince and chief Leader II. Angels the Lord's Host consist of many Companies or Legions Mat. 26.53 Thinkest thou that I cannot pray to my Father and he shall send me more than twelve Legions of Angels Christ spake in the Roman Phrase who reckoned their Armies by Legions as we by Regiments Six thousand six hundred sixty six was the Number of a Legion then the Number of twelve Legions was Seventy nine thousand nine hundred ninety two a great Army But how many more no Man can say Christ pitched upon a great certain Number to shew saith Mr. Caryl he could have what Number he pleased if he did but call for them We are come saith the Apostle to an innumerable Company of Angels The Lord's Camp is very great The Chariots of the Lord are twenty thousand even many thousands of Angels Psal 68.17 We read of many Degrees or Orders of Angels which some account to be nine 1. Cherubims that is Angels of Knowledg as St. Hierom interprets the Word but others from Cherub a Figure or Image Others from Chi a Note of Similitude and a Chaldee Word which signifies Puerum Juvenem a Youth And so as a learned Writer observes they were usually represented in the shape of a young Man to shew them to be intellectual Creatures of a young Man to express their Vigor and Strength with Wings to declare their Agility and Swiftness These we read were placed at the East End of the Garden of Eden with a flaming Sword Gen. 3.24 Exod. 25. 1 Kings 1.6 Ezek 10. Psal 104.4 and their Figures were appointed to be placed over the Mercy-Seat in the Tabernacle and Temple 2. Seraphims the Angels or Zeal Their Name is from an Hebrew Word which signifies to burn or burning according to that of the Psalms He maketh his Ministers a Flame of
their own Nature look up to Him it might convince us that all inferior Creatures do depend upon Him as well as those noble Ones But when they come in with the Faces of other Creatures looking up it is a clear Evidence that all depend upon Christ By him were all things created Col. 1.16 17. that are in Heaven and in Earth visible and invisible whether Thrones or Dominions Principalities or Powers All things were created by him and for him and by him all things consist Sixthly We are to learn from hence to be heavenly-minded with the holy Angels to look up The Holy Angels compared to the Wind and to Flaming-Fire Psal 104.4 Maketh his Angels Spirits and his Ministers a flaming Fire Heb. 1.7 And of the Angels he saith Who maketh his Angels Spirits and his Ministers a Flame of Fire SOme of the modern Jews deny there is any mention made of Angels in Psal 104.4 affirming that the Subject the Psalmist treats of are the Winds with Thunder and Lightning which God employs as his Messengers and Ministers to do his Will and Pleasure But that the Psalmist means the Angels is evident from the Design and Scope of the Words The Consent of the ancient Jews lies against the Sentiments of the modern both the old Translations either made or embraced by them expresly refer the Words unto Angels On Heb. 1. so Dr. Owen observes do the Seventy and so doth the Targum thus rendring the Place Who maketh his Messengers or Angels swift as Spirits and his Ministers strong or powerful as a flaming Fire The Supply of the Note of Similitude makes it evident that they understand the Text of Angels and not of Winds and of making Angels as Spirits and not of making Winds to be Angels or Messengers which is inconsistent with their Words The Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth usually denote the Angels themselves and no reason can be given why it should not do so in this place The Apostle puts it out of doubt positively saying And of the Angels he saith c. That the Apostle speaketh not here of the Nature and Essence of Angels but their Dignity Honour and Employment is evident upon which account saith our Reverend Author he preferreth the Lord Jesus Christ before them Observ God sendeth his Angels like the Winds or like a Flame of Fire Metaphor Parallel THe Wind is invisible who can see it ANgels are invisible Spirits we are daily attended upon by them but see them not II. The Wind blows at God's Command he is said to hold the Wind in his Fist II. Angels go at God's Command He hath them at his Beck Psal 103.20 III. The Wind is quick piercing and powerful in its Operation the Cause of many gracious Effects tho sometimes sent as a Judgment III. Angels are quick agil and powerful in their Working and many great and glorious Blessings Saints receive from their Ministration tho sometimes sent as a Scourge to Nations and particular Persons to execute God's Displeasure as on Sodom c. Flaming-Fire I. A flaming Fire is of a burning quality I. Seraphims signify Burning noting that mighty Zeal they are attended with in doing God's Will II. A flaming Fire is of a consuming destroying and devouring Nature II. So have the Angels of God been to many of God's implacable Enemies as hath been hinted III. A Flaming Fire is a good Defence in a howling Wilderness especially if it be round about such as dwell therein III. The Angels of God are a glorious Defence to the Church whilst in the Wilderness of this World where they are daily surrounded by wicked Men who are compared unto Beasts of Prey Psal 34.7 The Angels of God encamp round about them that fear him c. Inferences THis may comfort the Godly who dwell among blood-thirsty Enemies they are surrounded with a Flame of Fire viz. the holy Angels of God 2. Let ungodly Ones tremble can they stand before a flaming Fire and not be consumed God can soon send his Angels to destroy them 3. It should also stir up Believers to act with much Zeal and Fervency in the Work and Service of God The Angels for Zeal and Agility are like a Flame of Fire We should do the Will of God on Earth as the Angels of God do it in Heaven The Holy Angels compared to Horses 2 Kings 6.17 And Elisha prayed and said Lord I pray thee open his Eyes And the Lord opened the Eyes of the young Man and he saw and behold the Mountains were full of Horses and Chariots of Fire round about Elisha Zech. 1.8 I saw by night and behold a Man riding upon a red Horse and he stood among the Myrtle-Trees that were in the bottom and behind him were three red Horses speckled and white BY these Horses all Expositors understand the holy Angels of God are intended They are compared to Horses and Chariots of Fire also to Horses of divers Colours These things seem very dark and mysterious 1. We shall briefly however hint a few things why they may be compared to Horses II. Why to Horses and Chariots of Fire III. Why to red speckled and white Horses Metaphor Parallel A Horse is a strong and a very couragious and fearless Creature which God himself elegantly setteth forth Job 39. v. 19 to 24. Hast thou given the Horse his Strength hast thou cloathed his Neck with Thunder Canst thou make him afraid The Glory of his Nostrils is terrible He rejoyceth in his Strength He goeth on to meet the armed Man He mocketh at Fear and is not affrighted neither turneth he back from the Sword c. ANgels are mighty in Strength One of them saith an eminent Writer is stronger than all the World They are called mighty Angels or God's mighty Ones Angels of his Strength They are couragious and void of Fear their Necks may be said to be cloathed with Thunder they turn their Backs for none They fear not the glittering Spear nor the Shield Who is able to engage or encounter with one of the glorious Seraphims or Cherubims Are any of the Sons of the Mighty a Match for him What was Alexander or Julius Caesar or all the mighty Champions that ever were to the Angels of Heaven II. The Horse is a very useful Creature useful to carry Burthens and draw the Chariots of Princes useful to ride on useful for War c. II. Angels are exceeding useful See Oxen. They bear up the Saints they help support and carry them along in their Journey to their everlasting Home they carry their Souls into Abraham's Bosom The Beggar died and was carried by the Angels c. The Chariots and Horses of Fire that parted the two Worthies 2 Kings 2.11 12. those Princes of the Prophets and carried one of them to Heaven were the Blessed Angels of God II. They are compared to Horses and Chariots of Fire to shew how fierce agil and swift they are in their Motion and how
Eagles Note In some Things the Saints are likened to Eagles Simile Parallel AN Eagle is the chief amongst the Fowls of the Air as a Lion is the King or chief among all the Beasts of the Earth SO the Saints are the chief of Men the Excellent as David calls them Thou art my Lord Psal 16.2 3. my Goodness extendeth not to thee but to the Saints that are in the Earth and to the Excellent in whom is all my Delight The Righteous are said to be more excellent than their Neighbour Prov. 12.26 1 Chron. 4.9 The World is not worthy of them Hence Jabez that holy and gracious Man is said to be more honourable than his Brethren A godly Man is of a more noble Extraction than the Men of the Earth Saints have an honourable Pedigree and Descent they are born of God are as it were of the Blood-Royal of Heaven and nearly related to the Prince of the Kings of the Earth They daily converse have Communion and Fellowship with the Father and the Son the glorious Sovereign of all the World They are delicately and most splendidly fed every day Others live and feed upon the empty Things of this World nay on the Dust of the Earth on Ashes Husks and Gravel as the Holy-Ghost declares They feed upon the Wind Hos 12.1 and snuff in the East Wind Whilst Believers feed on hidden Manna He eats that which is good and his Soul delights it self in Fatness He is often had into the King's Wine-Cellar he is richly cloathed hath more noble and honourable Titles than any Men on Earth He hath a most glorious Retinue viz. the heavenly Angels to attend him every day Never was King if ungodly so attended as the poorest Saint in the World is Saints are the chief of all the Children of Men as Eagles are chief of all the Fowls of the Air. II. Eagles are quick-sighted they behold afar off They have not only a quick and clear Sight but a very strong Sight able to look fully upon the Sun shining in his Strength Hence the Proverb is A Man that hath a clear and strong Sight is Eagle-ey'd II. The Saints are very clear and quick-sighted they can see afar off even from Earth to Heaven They through Christ can behold the Glory of God with open Face 2 Cor. 3.18 They can see and do pry into the secret and hidden Mysteries of the Gospel and Covenant of Grace Psal 25.14 The Secrets of the Lord are with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant They see the Evil that is in the least Sin and can discern what the End of the Wicked will be III. Eagles are very swift Creatures they have long Wings by which means they flie with great Swiftness Therefore Solomon calling upon us not to set our Hearts upon Riches saith They make themselves Wings Prov. 27.5 and flie away as an Eagle The Scriptures often express the more than ordinary Swiftness of Men by the Swiftness of an Eagle David lamenting the Death of Saul and Jonathan gives them this Character 2 Sam. 1.23 They were stronger than Lions and swifter than Eagles III. The Saints are very swift and speedy in their Motions when under the powerful Operation of the Spirit or upon the Wings of Faith and Love Psal 119.59 60. I made haste c. saith David They are said to run nay flie like Eagles or as Doves to the Windows they are many times carried swiftly along in the way of their Duties as upon Eagles Wings The Ministers of the Gospel are set forth by an Angel flying in the midst of Heaven Rev. 14.6 having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell upon the Earth When God's People are assaulted and persecuted they flie to God for Shelter so David Psal 143.9 I flie unto thee to hide me IV. The Eagles mount up on high The Word in the Hebrew signifies to get high and therefore as it is noted by Mr. Caryl it is used in the Noun 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sublimis elatus fuit eminuit per Metaphoram supervivit to set forth the Highness of God Job 11.8 Psal 113.6 Isa 5.16 52.13 Scripture as well as Naturalists tell us that the Eagle's Motion and mounting up is wonderful she flies quite out of Sight One of the Ancients says The Eagle soars above the * Doubtless he means the lower Region Air as if she would visit the Starry Heavens The common Epithetes of an Eagle are high flying swift c. IV. The Saints of God mount up on high Phil 3.20 Our Conversation saith Paul is in Heaven Men of the World are like Moles and Worms always digging and tumbling in the Earth and Muck of this World but Believers those who are truly risen with Christ Col. 3.1 2 3. seek those things that are above they soar aloft nothing will satisfy them but Communion with God They mount up by Prayer as also by fresh Acts of Faith they mount up by divine Meditation They are said to dwell on high Earth and earthly Things will not satisfy them they are of a more heroick and sublime Spirit V. Eagles are unweary in their Flight they faint not tho they flie high and are long before they rest V. So the Saints should never grow weary nay and the Promise is Gal. 6. Isa 40.31 They shall mount up as with Eagles Wings they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint Tho it be long before they come to Heaven their everlasting Resting-place they are held up and therefore they hold out in all their Service and Sufferings Faith and Love are two such strong and excellent Graces that they like Eagle's Wings keep them from tiring and fainting in their Minds tho their Work be hard and their Flight towards Heaven long Psal 27.13 I had fainted unless I had believed c. VI. An Eagle saith one hath a high Spirit she flies high and aims at high things she will not catch Flies she scorns to stoop to such low Game VI. So a Saint hath a noble high and excellent Spirit Low things are not for high and heavenly-born Souls they catch not at the Flies Toyes and Trifles of the Profits Honour and Pleasures of the World as others do VII Eagles make their Nests on high She dwelleth and abideth on the Rocks Job 39.28 upon the Crag of the Rock and strong Place VII So the Saints dwell on high Their Place of Defence shall be the Munition of Rocks Isa 33.16 They make their Nests in the Rock of Ages they dwell in God He is their strong Dwelling-Place VIII Eagles renew their Strength by changing their Feathers tho old they seem young and lively again and are very long-lived VIII The Saints renew their Strength When any Oldness as Mr. Caryl words it is coming upon the new Creature they renew their Strength by looking to Jesus
we reade their Brightness and Glory was very great V. Christ's true Ministers are lively and very beautiful when the Spirit of the Lord is eminently upon them they shine gloriously in Grace and Holiness Act. 6.15 Stephen who was a glorious Preacher was said to shine like the Face of an Angel VI. Angels are very obedient to God they do his Commands and wait for his Word VI. The faithful Preachers of the Gospel are very ready to obey God's Commands tho they are thereby exposed to great Danger if God bid them go Rom. 1.15 they go VII Angels are swift in executing their Business hence said to have Wings VII The Ministers of the Gospel are swift in their Spiritual Motion they are said to fly in the midst of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach c. Rev. 14.6 VIII Angels have made known much of the Mind of God to the Sons of Men. VIII Christ's true Ministers daily make known the Mind and Will of God 't is one great part of their Work and Business IX Angels admire reverence and adore the glorious Majesty of God and therefore vail their Faces before him and give Glory to him Yea as Mr. Venning observes 't is their very Business to sing Hallelujahs to God Angels Worship is singing and praising of God they seek not themselves in serving God IX The Ministers of Christ and all true Christians admire and adore God and his glorious Majâ—sty and with self abhorrency vail their Faces as it were ascribing all Glory and Honour unto God Not unto us O Lord not unto us Psal 115.1 but to thy Name do we give Glory the Servants of God desire only to rejoice in God they know no other Name to Glory in but in the Name of the Lord and hence they sing his praise tho in Prison Act. 16. in all which they seek not themselves in any Service they do for God but the Honour and Glory of his Name only X. Angels do their Service to the Lord with joyfulness the Morning Stars 't is said sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for Joy X. So Christ's true and faithful Ministers and People take much delight in their Service their Minds run exceedingly upon their Work to do for God to spend and be spent for God and his People is the desire and delight of their Souls XI Angels are without wearisomness in their Work and Service they are as strong and as lively at the end as they are at the beginning XI So Christ's faithful Ministers and People by the help of God's Spirit labour and faint not 2 Cor. 4.16 For which cause we faint not c. They shall run and not be weary Josh 14.7 8 9 10 11. Caleb was as strong and as able to do Service for God at fourscore as he was at forty Years old XII Angels serve the Saints and watch over them and daily administer to them and tho glorious Creatures do not think it below them so to do XII So the true and faithful Preachers of God's Word serve the Churches Members and Saints of God and daily watch over them and minister unto them and tho possibly some of them may far excell in Parts and Wisdom yet they think not his Service below them XIII Angels are often sent to comfort the Saints when cast down as they ministred to Christ in his Bloody Agony XIII So are Gospel-Preachers sent and commanded to comfort the Feeble-minded and support the Weak they know how to comfort others with the same Comfort whereby they themselves are comforted of God 2 Cor. 1.4 Inferences THis may inform us what Glory and Dignity God hath conferred upon his Servants who labour in the Ministry they have a glorious Name and are greatly honoured by the Lord and therefore should be received with all due respect and esteemed very highly for their Works sake II. It shews us who are true Ministers of the Gospel III. It shews Christ's faithful Ministers how they should do their Work and behave themselves before the Lord. Ministers compared to Stars Rev. 1.20 The Mystery of the seven Stars which thou sawest in my Right-hand and the seven Golden Candlesticks The seven Stars are the seven Angels of the seven Churches and the seven Candlesticks are the seven Churches BY Stars in this place it appears the Ministers of God's Word are meant Metaphor Parallel NAturalists say the Sun communicates his Light to the Stars SO Christ imparts of his Spirit and saving Light and Knowledg to his faithful Ministers II. The Stars are placed by the Lord in the Heavens II. So the Ministers of the Gospel are placed by the Lord in the Church III. The Stars are a great Ornament and shine gloriously in the Heavens III. So faithful Ministers are a great Ornament to the Church in which they shine forth gloriously in Doctrine and Conversation IV. Stars differ one from another in Glory IV. So there are Diversities of Gifts of the Spirit in the Ministers of the Gospel some shine more than others in Parts and Piety V. Stars sometimes are obscured by Clouds and shine not V. So Ministers sometimes through Temptations are beclouded and shine not as at other times VI. Stars are a Guide unto Mariners VI. So the Ministers of the Gospel are Guides to spiritual Mariners VII A Star led the wise Men to Christ VII A true Minister's design in Preaching is to lead Men to Christ VIII Stars give light to Men only in the Night VIII So Christ's Ministers shine forth and give light to Sinners and others whilst the Night of this World doth last IX The Stars send down sweet Influences on the Earth Job 38.31 Canst thou bind the sweet Influences of Pleiades or the seven Stars IX So the faithful Ministers of the Gospel in a blessed manner influence by their heavenly Doctrine and Life the Souls of Men to whom they preach and daily converse with Inferences O What a Blessing are faithful Teachers to a People or Nation where they live Is it not a lovely thing to see the Gospel-Stars Pray that the Heavens may be clear and that these Stars may not disappear nor withdraw their shining Ministers compared to Labourers Luke 10.7 The Labourer is worthy of his Meat THe Lord Christ compares his faithful Servants that preach his Word to Labourers to such as externally work and labour with their hands Labourers Parallel Labourers usually are hired and then set to work We read of one that went to hire Labourers Mat. 20. c. SO Christ spiritually is said to hire Labourers and send them into his Vineyard he assures them of a glorious Reward when they have done their Work II. Some Men labour in the Field they are Harvest-Men II. Such Labourers are the Preachers of the Gospel The Harvest is great Mat. 9.37 and the Labourers are few c. They labour to make ready and gather in Christ's Wheat III. Some labour so hard
as clear Demonstrations that the Head of Rome Papal is the Head of Babylon and the Grand Impostor or the Capital Manager of this Mystery of Iniquity he having most sacrilegiously assumed to himself all Heavenly Power of damning or saving and all Earthly Power both Temporal or Civil and Ecclesiastical or Sacred 11. This wicked Babylonish State comes forth with a great Pretence of Miracles which are but false Signs and lying Wonders to deceive and cheat the People and by this means they conquer Nations and carry away their Kings to their wicked Interest This Rome Heathen did not do For tho the Heathenish Power of Rome did conquer Nations and Countries with their Kings yet it was by State-Policy and Force of Arms not by pretended Miracles false Signs and lying Wonders Therefore Rome Heathen cannot be this Mystery of Iniquity or Babylonish State 12. This wicked State under consideration is declared not only to depart from the Faith by a palpable Apostacy but to forbid Marriage and command a long Lent and many other Fast-Days whereon some Sorts of Meats are prohibited to be eaten which doth so fully agree to the Papal State of Rome that nothing can be more plain unless the Spirit had expresly told us This will be fulfilled by Rome Papal For these two things we have their Canons upon Record the which if none can shew the like of the Heathen State of Rome then Rome Papal shall carry the Title of this Mystery of Iniquity and Babylonish State 7. If the Babylon under consideration be only confined to the Power of Heathen Rome then there is a more evident and apparent Mystery upon the State or Power of Rome Heathen than upon any Power or State that went before it or should come after it for so the Text imports Rev. 17.5 And upon her Forehead was a Name written MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT c. But there did no such Mystery appear upon the Power or State of Rome Heathen therefore this Babylon cannot terminate there What great Mystery appeared upon the Power and State of Rome Heathen more than appeared upon the Power and State of the three foregoing Monarchies 8. This Babylon cannot be confined to the Power of Rome only in its Heathen State because Babylon is to continue till the good People shall with the Horns that did support her which is the last Part of the wicked and persecuting Power answerable to the ten Toes in Daniel's great Image reward and destroy her for the Injury that she did unto them according to these three Texts of Scripture Rev. 18.4 Dan. 7.22 26 27. Rev. 17.16 And I heard another Voice from Heaven saying Come out of her my People that ye be not Partakâ—rs of her Sins c. Verse 6. Reward her even as she hath rewarded you and deal unto her double according to her Works In the Cup that she hath filled fill to her double How much she hath glorified her self and lived deliciously so much Torment and Sorrow give her And the ten Horns which thou sawest upon the Beast these shall hate the Whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her Flesh and burn her with Fire Which the Power of Rome in its Heathen State felt not but ended its Course without being destroyed by good People and the ten Horns which is the last Part of the Image-Government And in the Days of these Kings Dan. 2.44 viz. ten Toes ten Horns ten Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom which shall never be destroyed And the Kingdom shall not be left to another People but it shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms and it shall stand for ever Which could not be fulfilled in what Constantine did in the Time of Maxentius as Dr. Hammond would have us believe for these three Reasons 1. Because the ten Horns that afterwards the Roman Power fell into were not come up and so could not destroy the Power of Rome in its Heathen State 2. Because Babylon's Persecution Misery and Confusion did not utterly cease which it must have done so as to rise no more for ever if the Power of Rome Heathen destroyed by Constantine had been this Mystery Babylon 3. Because tho there might be a Body of good People with Constantine when he overthrew Maxentius yet the Power of the Kingdom was not so established in the hand of good People as not afterward to be left to others as the Text affirms And the Kingdom shall not be left to another People For as we shall anon shew the Kingdom or Power that ceased to be in the hands of Heathens and by a mighty and divine Providence came to be in the hands of a worthy and renowned Christian Emperor came afterwards into the hands of very Devils incarnate who acted all the Violence of the Heathen Power over again and indeed out-did them 9. Those that are for confining this Babylon to the Power of Rome in its Heathen State are not well aware what they do for if they do demand it their Opposites who hold it to be Rome Papal may grant it for Argument's sake But then the Remedy is worse than the Disease for they slip into such a Precipice as neither Baronius Bellarmine Dr. Hammond or the Rhemists can save or deliver them from The true State of the Case is this Rome Heathen is Mystery Babylon this say the Papists And the more willing they are to say so because it is a good Argument to prove that Peter was at Rome he subscribing his first Epistle from Babylon 1 Pet. 5.13 The Church that is at Babylon elected together with you saluteth you c. But this being allowed the worst is to come This Babylon is destroyed when the Power of Rome Heathen is taken away so as to be no more for ever but then what Condition doth the State of Babylon fall into Doth it become the Throne of the Lamb the City of the Living God the Habitation of Holiness and Dwelling-place of Zion the true Church the Place of the holy Ones and Saints of the Most High O no! What then Hearken and an Angel from Heaven shall tell you Rev. 18.1 2. And after these Things of the Horns hating the Whore making of her naked and burning her Flesh with Fire I saw another Angel come down from Heaven having great Power and the Earth was lightned with his Glory and he cried mightily with a strong Voice saying Babylon the Great is fallen is fallen and is become the Habitation of Devils and the Hold of every foul Spirit and a Cage of every unclean and hateful Bird. Now you Papists if you will needs have Babylon to be Rome Heathen take it and much Good do you with it but then make Rome Papal better than an Habitation of Devils if you can If it be not Rome Heathen then adieu to Dr. Hammond and the Rhemists we have what we desire If it be then Rome Papal is a far worse Place
longer than they appear to walk strictly and holily according to the Principles upon which they first received them and as for their Officers they are soon summed up being no more than Bishops or Elders and Deacons But the Roman Church may be called Babylon or the City of Confusion very reasonably because she so fitly answers literal Babylon of old that was her Type and from whence she derives her Name 1. In setting up another way for Men to go to Heaven by than what God hath ordained and appointed viz. a Tower of their own making 2. In having so many Languages amongst them which is like the Confusion of Babel 3. In bearing the Glory and Sway over the Kingdoms and Countries of the chiefest part of the World therefore called the Lady of Kingdoms which is no way applicable to the poor Dissenters 4. In plucking up or razing out the true Worship of God which was setled at Jerusalem and setting up Idolatry in the room of it 5. In Captivating God's People who were carried away into literal Babylon 6. In their Doctrines Principles and Modes of Worship which is such a jumble mixture and heap of Things that may go for Confusion it self 7. In their Orders Diversity and long Muster-Roll of Officers that are so numerous as well as unscriptural that if Mixture and Confusion may be thought to be any where 't is to be found in this Church where you have Popes Cardinals Arch-Bishops Abbots Provincials Heads of Fraternities Priests Monks Fryers Followers of Dominick St. Francis Jansenius Augustine Caphucins c. and what not All which is many times more like to be Babylon Mixture or Confusion than the Dissenters from the Romish Church Thirdly For Mystery which is in the Description it no where agrees to them whom they call Hereticks but agrees very well to the Church of Rome in four Things 1. In calling themselves the Church of God and yet are the Synagogue of Satan that 's a Mystery 2. In calling themselves the pure Spouse of Christ and yet an abominable Whore that 's a Mystery 3. In pretending to be the Mother of Peace Purity and Charity and yet the Breeder Bringer forth and Cherisher of Division Falshood most bloody Butcheries and barbarous Cruelties this is a Mystery 4. In being Queen Regent riding upon the Beast in State and yet being that good Woman that fled into the Wilderness and abides there in a suffering Condition all the time of the Beast's Reign this is a Mystery See our fourth Argument One Proof of their Church is visibility yet it is evident the true Church for the space of 260 Years was to be in the Wilderness or in an obscure Condition c. Fourthly Mother of Harlots and Abominations better agrees to the Church of Rome than to Protestants 'T is against the Principles of Protestants to allow Fornication or Adultery in Persons of any Rank whatsoever maintaining constantly that Marriage is honourable but Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judg whereas Rome gives publick toleration to notorious Whoredoms and the most shameless and unnatural Beastialities as the whole World knows Fifthly For Mother of Harlots in a Spiritual Sense she is owned by all her Children to be the Mother-Church And 1. Therefore Protestants are exhorted to return into the Bosom of their Mother 2. All polluted and National Churches in the European Kingdoms sprang from her as the Churches of France Spain Portugal c. 3. All Corruption in Doctrine and Discipline may call her Mother that is to say the false Titles and Errours following viz. Universal Supream Infallible Head Holy Father the Pope His Holiness in the Abstract Our Lord God the Pope unerring Church Priestly Absolution Selling of Pardons Indulgences Dispensations adoring the Crucifix worshipping of Images foolish Crossings Anointings and Sprinkling with Holy Water the adoration of the Mass and many such things which from the beginning was not so 4. For Personal Vices from whence come horrid Oaths and Blasphemies most astonishing Perjury and subtile Equivocations and Hypocrisies all manner of Uncleannesses Lying and Adulteries Covenant-breaking and Bloody-mindedness is this allowed and practised by the Protestants No No they are the Brats and Off-spring of this lewd and filthy Mother who indulgeth those abominable pernicious Practices for which she is rightly called Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth Which we conclude with this Argument Arg. If this Name Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth doth not so fully and fitly agree to the Protestants nor any other People as it doth to Rome Papal or Church of Rome Then Rome Papal or Church of Rome and not the Protestants c. is Mystery Babylon the Mother of Harlots But this Name Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth doth not so fully and fitly agree to the Protestants c. as it doth to Rome Papal or Church of Rome Ergo Rome Papal and not the Protestants is Mystery Babylon the Mother of Harlots XIII This Mystery Babylon Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth is very drunken Company for she not only makes others drunk with the Wine of her Fornication and commits Adultery her self but she is a Beastly drunken Whore that makes her self drunk after the worst manner of Drunkenness which is to be drunk with Blood the best Blood the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus Christ Rev. 17.6 And I saw a Woman drunk with the Blood of the Saints and the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and I wondred with great Admiration XIII Rome Papal or Church of Rome if she be guilty here it is enough to make not only good Men but even Angels wonder to see a Woman pretending to be nobly descended the Daughter to the great King of Heaven the Spouse of the Lamb the Mother of all Peace Purity Holiness Innocency Charity and Chastity I say to see a Woman by Profession such a drunken beastly Strumpet in Works and Actions and if Rome Papal or Church of Rome be guilty in this point she is the unhappiest Church in the World for she then gives cause to every good Man in the World to abhor her and indeed she hath very good luck if she scape this Charge for if she be Mystery Babylon the Mother of false Churches and Abominations of the Earth there is no avoiding but she must be this drunken Strumpet But because it is never safe judging a Cause before Trial and Examination of Witnesses we will 1. Consider what it is to be drunk 2. What things do necessarily contribute to it 3. The true and proper Signs of it 4. Whether such things can be fixed upon Rome Papal or Church of Rome And then conclude this Head 1. To be Drunk is an excessive taking in of such Things as disorder Nature in its Course and Operations This we take to be a general Definition of it including the
so doth Heaven like Paradise with Divine and Sacred Pleasures IV. Adam in Paradise knew no Sorrow he had Joy without Sadness Strength without Weakness Health without Sickness Light without Darkness Life without Death for Death had nothing to do with him whilst he stood in his Innocency So in Heaven the Godly are delivered from every mixture of Evil Rev. 21 4. God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes and there shall be no more Death neither Sorrow nor Crying neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are past away Here is Joy without Sadness Strength without Weakness Health without Sickness Light without Darkness Life without Death V. Adam in Paradise before tempted by the Devil knew no Sin he was free absolutely free from the least stain he had not so much as an evil Thought he was created in the Image of God being perfectly Righteous So in Heaven the Saints shall be free from Sin perfectly free not only free from the Guilt Filth Power and Punishment of it but also from the Act of it they shall not be troubled with one evil Thought more they are without Fault before the Throne of God and the Lamb. VI. Adam in Paradise enjoyed the sweet and blessed Presence of God he convers'd and had glorious Acquaintance and Communion with him God and Man lived then in perfect Peace and Friendship there was no Breach because no Sin and so God's Face was not hid from him So in Heaven all the Godly enjoy the sweet and Soul-ravishing Presence of God and of Jesus Christ Joh. 12.26 Joh. 14.3 1 Thess 4.17 1 Joh. 3.2 Where I am there shall my Servant be And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to my self that where I am ye may be also so shall we ever be with the Lord. Saints there have the Fruition of God and of Christ for we shall see him as he is and this is the highest glory Man can be raised to we shall not only see God and the Lamb but be filled with the Joy and Delight of God and Jesus Christ Heaven from hence is called the Joy of the Lord if the perfect enjoyment and participation of the glorious Trinity or fulness of it so far as it is capable of Communication can delight and fill the Soul with Joy and Happiness the Godly in Heaven shall have it God's Face will never be hid from his Children any more there will be no more a Breach between the Soul and its Saviour VII Adam in Paradise had the Tree of Life and Liberty before he sinned to eat of the Tree of Life So in this Paradise of God we read of the Tree of Life which as some understand Rev. 2.7 is Jesus Christ And to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God which doubtless signifies the glorious participation of the Life Fulness and transcendent Sweetness of the Lord Jesus and of the continuance of the Life of the Saints in its full Strength Vigour and Glory to Eternity VIII Adam in Paradise had great knowledg both of God and the Nature of all Creatures God brought all the Creatures to Adam to see what he would call them and whatsoever Adam called each living Soul Gen. 2.19 that was the Name thereof the naming of the Creatures saith Ainsworth was a sign of Soveraignty it also manifested Adam's Wisdom in naming things presently according to their Natures as the Hebrew Names by which he called them do declare So the Saints in Heaven shall be perfect in Knowledg they shall know as they are known they shall know all the Patriarchs Prophets Apostles and all the Saints that ever lived by Name which we may gather by that Knowledg Peter James and John had of Moses and Elias in the transfiguration of Christ in the Mount which was a Figure of Heaven Disparity ADam's Pleasure and Delight in Paradise was much of it Earthly But the Saints Pleasure and Delight in the Celestial Paradise will be Heavenly II. Adam in Paradise was troubled with a tempting Devil But the Saints in the Celestial Paradise shall not be troubled any more with a tempting Devil for he shall be shut up in Chains of Eternal Darkness to be tormented for ever III. Adam soon lost his earthly Paradise by Sin and was turned out of all But those who are accounted worthy to obtain this Heavenly Paradise shall never lose it nor be turned out of it but continue in it for ever and ever even to the days of Eternity Heaven a Crown of Life 2 Tim. 4.8 Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness Rev. 2.10 And I will give thee a Crown of Life James 1.12 He shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him THE Reward of the Godly in Heaven is called a Crown a Crown of Life a Crown of Righteousness c. Parallels A Crown denotes any beautiful pleasing Ornament or profitable thing hence a Crown is put for to adorn and bless with good Things and so to make joyful Prov. 4.9 17.6 Psal 8.5 103.4 The Saints in Heaven shall be beautiful and very glorious they shall sparkle and shine forth like the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father plentifully enjoy and possess true Blessedness II. A Crown is a sign of a Kingdom and Dominion saith Ainsworth The glorified Saints in Heaven shall possess a Kingdom and shall be as Kings and Princes for ever and ever Hearken my beloved Brethren hath not God chosen the poor of this World rich in Faith Jam. 2.5 and Heirs of the or that Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him III. A Crown denotes also Victory Christ warring against his Enemies and overcoming them hath on his Head many Crowns or Diadems So the Saints being Crowned signifieth that perfect Conquest they have through Christ obtained over Sin Satan Death and Hell c. IV. A Crown signifieth Glory Honour and external Grandure The glorified Saints shall be honoured and appear in eternal Grandure as Kings who have their Crowns on their Heads V. As there is nothing more rich glorious desireable nor esteemed among Men above a Crown or Kingdom So the Holy Spirit in setting forth the Reward and everlasting Glory of the Saints in Heaven compares it to these things But alas there is no earthly thing how splendant and glorious soever can sufficiently set out the state of the Saints after Death or the Glory of Heaven For Pleasure 't is called Paradise for Riches and Honour 't is called a Crown and a Kingdom A Crown of Life denoting that Saints in laying down their Lives for Christ shall not be at all losers thereby but only exchange it for a better a short momentary Life for an everlasting Life a Life of Joy for a Life of Sorrow a Life of perfect
this Breast-plate upon them 1. In regard of the Design he hath to bring them into Union with himself and in marrying them to Jesus Christ which is that they might bring forth Fruit to God 2. They are regenerated by the Spirit that they might be holy A new Heart Ezek. 36.26 27. and a new Spirit will I put within you and cause you to walk in my Statutes and keep my Judgments and do them We are his Workmanship Eph. 2.10 created in Christ Jesus unto good Works which God hath ordained that we should walk in them 3. It is the Design of God in all his Ordinances The Word of God is both Seed to beget and Food to nourish Holiness begotten in the Heart Every part of it contributes to this Design abundantly The Preceptive part affords a perfect Rule of Holiness the Promises present us with admirable Encouragements to entice and allure us thereunto the Threatnings or minatory part of the Word are to deter and keep back from that which is contrary to it 4. It is the Design of God in all his Providences to make his People more holy The Afflictions he brings upon them are to refine and purify them This is the Fruit of all the taking away of your Sin See Refiner 5. Saints are called God's Witnesses they should from hence endeavour to shine forth in their Testimony for him What he speaks in his Word touching his Justice Holiness and utter Hatred of Sin and Ungodliness they ought not only with their Lips but also with their Lives bear witness unto Secondly In regard of Satan whose great Design is against the Holiness of the Saints How doth it behove them to walk with all Circumspection since they are continually besieged and assaulted by so strong an Enemy As God's great Design is to further and prompt to Holiness so Satan's great Design is to hinder and obstruct it And what should be our chief care to defend but that which our Adversaries Thoughts and Plots are most laid to assault and storm Thirdly Saints should labour to have this Breast-plate on viz. be holy in regard of the World Ye are the Light of the World Mat. 5.13 14. Let your good Works so shine before Men c. 1. If these Lights become Darkness or are darkned no marvel if Men stumble Wo unto the World because of Offences but rather wo to him by whom the Offence cometh Ye are the Salt of the Earth But if this Salt hath lost its Savour 't is no wonder if the World stink and be unsavoury 2. Wicked Men saith a worthy Minister know not the Principle by which you walk they cannot possibly discern the Excellency of that Way and Religion which you profess but they can discern and make some Judgment of your Conversations nay and their Eyes are upon you they watch to see your Failings Spots are soon espied in your Coats for tho they love not Holiness themselves yet they expect that those that profess themselves to be Saints should be holy How should this teach you to get on this Breast-plate 3. This may greatly work upon the Ungodly with whom you live and daily converse nay those that will not be won by the Word possibly may and many times have been won and converted this way 1 Pet. 3.1 2. 4. This will however convince them that you are the Servants of God and Heaven-born Souls it will silence them and stop their Mouths 1 Pet. 3.16 That whereas they speak evil of you they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good Conversation in Christ 5. This will leave the World without excuse in the Great Day Fourthly You should labour after Holiness in regard of the Gospel it self which you profess That will this way gain much Credit in the World Nothing brings Religion into greater Contempt or causeth it to be more slighted by the Ungodly than the loose carnal and unholy Lives of those who profess it Fifthly You ought to labour after a godly Life in regard of the sincere and holy Ministers of the Gospel and other faithful Saints and Souldiers of Christ What can comfort and delight their Souls more than the holy humble and fruitful Lives of Believers Psal 16.3 The Saints those excellent Ones were all David's Delight and Paul accounted them his Joy and Crown But if they are proud peevish covetous carnal and walk like other Gentiles what wounds and grieves them more This made David weep Jer. 9 1. yea Rivers of Water to run down his Eyes and Jeremiah to wish his Head were Water and his Eyes a Fountain of Tears that he might weep day and night Many walk saith Paul Phil. 3.18 19. of whom I have told you often and now tell you weeping They are Enemies to the Cross of Christ whose End is Destruction whose God is their Belly whose Glory is in their Shame who mind earthly things Sixthly Christians in regard of themselves ought to labour after Righteousness and true Holiness for this only will be the best Evidence to them of the Truth of Grace received and of their Interest in Jesus Christ What will all other Attainments and Privileges signify if they are not holy 1. By this means they will be able to hold up their Heads in the Day of Trial For our rejoycing is this 2 Cor. 1.12 the Testimony of our Conscience that in Simplicity and godly Sincerity not by fleshly Wisdom but by the Grace of God we have our Conversation in the World c. Isa 3.10 2. These are the Men it will go well with whatever comes Say unto the Righteous it shall go well with them c. 3. These shall have Peace in Christ tho they have Trouble in the World Peace whilst they live Psal 37.37 and Peace when they die Mark the perfect Man and behold the Vpright the End of that Man is Peace 4. These need not fear the Assaults of Satan they have Armor of Proof on a Breast-plate Rom. 8.1 that will preserve their Souls from Death There is therefore now no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit Seventhly Christians should labour to have on this Breast-plate of Righteousness in regard of the Excellency of it It is that which God himself is cloathed with it is that which makes Angels to shine gloriously in Heaven A Man is hereby capacitated to have Communion with God Psal 94 20 Shall the Throne of Iniquity have fellowship with thee c. Eighthly and lastly In regard of the Necessity of it For without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord. Quest How should we put on the Breast-plate of Righteousness Answ 1. In Heart we must be inwardly holy Holiness must begin there First make the Tree good c. 2. In Life Negative Holiness doth not only consist in the leaving all gross Sins but in abstaining from all appearance of Evil and to leave
corruptible things as Silver and Gold which perish FAith is a divine and precious Grace or a supernatural thing 't is from above wrought in the Soul by the Operation of the Spirit of God and therefore incorruptible an heavenly Principle or Seed that shall never fail till we receive the end of our Faith the Salvation of our Souls II. Tried Gold may make a Man renowned and great on Earth and adorn the Body or Habitation where he dwells but it avails not the Soul any thing it will not enrich or make honourable or beautify that c. II. Faith true Faith Faith tried in the Fire makes Believing Men and Women renowned in Grace and Godliness and adorns the Soul Church and People where it is None shine forth in that Beauty and Splendor as those do who have much Faith III. Tried Gold may be utterly lost a Man may have much of it to day and none to morrow Thieves may rob him of it c. III. True Faith cannot be utterly lost A Man may lose somewhat of the Strength of it he may decay in this Grace as well as in others but he can never lose the Habit the Seed or Truth of Faith it self I have prayed for thee Luk. 22.31 32. that thy Faith fail not Inferences FIrst Information How greatly are some mistaken about this precious and most noble Grace For we may infer from hence 1. That true Faith is not a simple or bare believing there is a God the Devils have this kind of Faith they also believe and tremble 2. That it is not a meer or bare believing the Truth of the holy Scriptures The Jews believed the Scriptures and thought by them to have eternal Life and yet were Enemies to Jesus Christ 3. That it is not a bare believing Christ died for Sinners most ungodly People in England believe that 4. That cannot be a true Faith which Swearers Drunkards Whoremongers and all other ungodly and prophane Persons have 5. That a Man may leave all gross Sins and assent to many Truths of the Gospel and yet have no true Faith 6. Nay that a Man may be baptized take upon him the Profession of the Gospel and suffer many things and yet not have one dram of saving Faith as appears by the foolish Virgins Judas and Simon the Sorcerer and many others 7. Nay a Man may seem to hear the Word with Joy and yet have no true Faith A temporary Faith is not the Faith of God's Elect or that Faith that is more precious than Gold c. Quest How may a Man know true Faith from that which is common and meer counterfeit Answ 1. There is in that Person who savingly believes in Christ a true Knowledg of God and of Jesus Christ the true Saviour it takes hold on the right Object Dost thou believe on the Son of God Joh. 9.24 9.35 Rom. 10.14 Who is he Lord c. How shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard 2. There must be a true Knowledg of and a free and full Assent and Consent to the Truth of that which is contained in the Holy Scriptures concerning God Christ and Salvation and all other essential Principles of true Religion It is not enough to believe as the Church believes as some ignorantly teach and affirm 3. He that hath obtained true Faith hath had his Understanding enlightned to see what his State and Condition was by Nature Acts 2.37 2 Cor. 7. he hath been under Humiliation for Sin 4. He seeth also that all his own Righteousness will avail him nothing in point of Justification and Acceptation with God Without Christ his Prayers Tears Reading Hearing and Alms-deeds will not save him To trust to any of these he sees is the way to make Faith void Rom. 3.8 Rom. 10.2 3. The Jews built upon this Foundation and thereby missed of Salvation 5. There is in that Soul where true Faith is wrought or where the Seed of it is sowed a desire after Christ not simply after his Merits but also after Union and intimate Acquaintance with him Yea doubtless I account all things but Loss Phil. 3.8 for the Excellency of the Knowledg of Jesus Christ my Lord for whom I have suffered the Loss of all things and do account them but Dung that I may win Christ c. A true enlightned Soul looks first to Christ's Person as being affected with his Beauty and Sweetness of his Love and then to the Goods and Riches he possesseth As a Woman newly married looks first to her Husband and then to the Inheritance or else is little better than an Harlot 6. But did I say a Desire after Christ Be not mistaken to think that every Desire after him is a Sign of true Faith 1. It is a fervent Desire such desire him more than all the World That Soul pants after him and Union with him Psal 75.25 more than after Heaven and Glory It greatly endears Christ to the Soul He is the chiefest of Ten Thousand 2. 'T is such a Desire as in a hungry Man nothing will satisfy him but Bread so nothing will satisfy a true Believer but Christ the Bread of Life 7. If a Man hath true Faith he knoweth the Time when he was without it he knoweth he was once blind and without God and Christ I will not say he knows the very Instant when God wrought it in his Soul but he can say with the Man whose Eyes Christ opened Whereas I was blind I now see Jon. 9.25 8. And not only so but he knows the Way and Means by which he obtained it viz. either by Hearing or Reading or Meditating on the Word of God either in the free Tender of Christ to Sinners in general or to dejected burthened and heavy-laden Sinners in particular 9. Faith is usually obtained of God in a constant and laborious seeking and crying to him for it What Pains hath it cost you Sirs Precious Faith is not easily obtained to What Conflicts have you found within Satan ever makes strong Resistance there is nothing he strives to obstruct or hinder more 10. What Love to God hath thy Faith wrought in thee True Faith works by Love Mary believed and loved much 11. Hath thy Faith purified thy Heart Hast thou seen its horrid Filth and Pollution and dost thou long after Purity not only to have thy Sins pardoned but also purged away and the Power and Dominion thereof destroyed 12. What Alteration in the Course of thy Life hath Faith wrought Faith made Jordan go back There is a Turning the whole Man to God a glorious Change in every Faculty in Heart and also in Life Half my Goods saith Zacheus Luk. 19.8 Act. 19.19 I give to the Poor And in the Acts 't is said Those that used unlawful Arts burned their Books If any Man be in Christ he is a new Creature 13. Faith leads the Soul to receive Christ in all his Offices not only as
this saith Mr. Pool If a Man being sought after should hide himself in some Corner or Hole of the House and Pursuers should ask for him could any with a good Conscience say he is not here because he is invisible none sure but a Papist who is so well skilled in Equivocation would give such an Answer Our Saviour every where makes these two Opposites his being in the World and going to Heaven John 13.1 the Hour was come that he should depart out of this World unto the Father It seems they could have taught him the Art of going thither and remaining here at the same instant They have an excellent Faculty as he had who said Since he could not give content in going nor staying he would not go nor stay For they know how a Man may both go from a place and stay in it at the same time I know not what can be more plain if they did not wilfully shut their Eyes Christ saith expresly Me you have not always with you That is his bodily Presence for as touching his Divine Presence so he is always with his People unto the end of the World Mat. 28. ult Besides their Doctrine destroys the Truth of Christ's human Nature We read of Christ He was in all points like unto us Sin only excepted His Body was like ours and therefore impossible it should be in a thousand places at once which according to their Doctrine it is This turns Christ's Body into a Spirit nay indeed they make his Body more spiritual than a Spirit for a Spirit cannot be in several Places divided from it self The Soul of Man if it be entire both in the whole and in every part of the Body yet it is not divided from it self nor from its Body nor can it be in two Bodies at the same time as all confess muâ—h less can it be in Ten Thousand Bodies at once When ever any Angel comes to Earth he leaves Heaven So that this quite destroys the Truth of Christ's human Body Object Much of what we say here the Papists say was true of Christ's Body in the days of his Infirmity but when he was risen from the Dead then he received a spiritual Body as it is said ours shall be at the Resurrection 1 Cor. 15. Answ This is but a Fig-leaf for they ascribe these monstrous Properties to Christ's Body before its Resurrection for they say the Flesh and Blood of Christ were really in the Sacrament which the Disciples received whilst Christ lived Secondly Christ's Resurrection tho it heightned the Perfection yet it did not alter the Nature and Properties of his Body nor gave it the being of a Spirit for after he was risen he proves that he was no Spirit by this Argument Handle me and see for a Spirit hath not Flesh and Blood as you see me have Luke 24.39 By this it appears that their Doctrine destroyeth the Truth of Christ's human Body at least it destroys the main Evidence of it against those who affirmed that Christ had only a phantastical Body namely that he was seen and felt and heard for the Papists say that Sense is not to be believed Again this Doctrine of theirs destroyeth the Truth of Christ's Ascension into Heaven for he is not ascended if he hath not left this World but is here in the Sacrament Nothing can be more clear than that Christ did visibly and locally leave this World when he went up into Heaven Acts 1.9 10. That being once there the Heavens must receive or contain him until the Time of the Restitution of all things Acts 3.21 And that at the last Day he shall come visibly and locally from Heaven 2 Thess 1.7 But that he should come down a thousand times in a day at the command of every Mass-Priest or that he should have such power to make the Body of his Saviour is such a Dream as the Scripture speaketh not one syllable of nor can any rational Man believe it Besides their Doctrine destroyeth the very Essence of a Sacrament which consists of two parts an outward Element or Sign and the inward Grace signified by it These things being well considered it is evident these Words This is my Body are to be taken figuratively i. e. This is a Sign of my Body or this is the Sacrament of my Body so that from the manner of the Words spoken by Christ there is no necessity to take them as the Papists do seeing it is so frequent with the Holy-Ghost to use Metaphors in this kind I need not name them considering it is the Subject of our present Work The seven Kine are seven Years the seven Ears of Corn are seven Years the Stars are the Angels of the seven Churches the seven Heads are seven Mountains c. Christ is called a Rock a Lamb a Lion a Door together with many other things which we have spoken unto See the Second Head of Metaphors Similies c. The Saints are called Sheep Branches c. ' The meaning of all this is saith Dr. Preston They are like such and such things But yet it is the manner of the Scripture-Speech Dr. Preston of the Saints Qualifications p. 487 and therefore saith he it is not necessary that those Words should be taken in a proper Sence as they are by the Papists Object But saith the worthy Doctor you will object Yea but in matter of this moment as a Sacrament the Lord speaks distinctly and expresly there he useth no Metaphor tho in other Cases he doth Answ 'To this saith he I answer briefly It is so far from being true that he useth them not in the Sacrament that there are none of all the Sacraments but it is used viz. in the Sacrament of Circumcision This is the Covenant c. In the Sacrament of the Passeover which were the Sacraments of the Old Law the Lamb is called the Passeover In this very Sacrament to go no further for instance take but the second part of it This is the Cup of the New Testament in my Blood Here are not one but divers Figures The Cup is taken for the Liquor in it the Wine in the Cup is taken for Christ's Blood This is the new Testament c. that is the Seal of the New Testament Here is Figure upon Figure saith Mr. Pool and yet the Papists have the Impudence to reproach us for putting in but one Figure which they confess the Holy-Ghost frequently maketh use of Wonder O Heavens and judg O Earth whether these Men do not strain at Gnats and swallow Camels c. This openeth a Way for us to our next Work which is to run the Parallel concerning those figurative and metaphorical Expressions of the Lord Jesus Christ used at the Institution of the holy Eucharist Mat. 26.26 Jesus took Bread and blessed it and brake it and gave to his Disciples and said Take eat this is my Body Metaphor Parallel CHrist took Bread after he had supped c. THis in
our Passeover with a sense of and bitter sorrow for our Sins wherein we were captivated XIV It was to be eaten in every Family and each Family to this purpose had a Lamb. XIV Shewing the Unity that ought to be among God's People they being all Fellow-Commoners in and Partakers of the Privileges and Blessings of Christ Every Church and Family of the Faithful yea each particular Soul hath a whole Christ XV. The House was to be prepared XV. To signify how we should prepare our Hearts 1 Cor. 11.28 XVI If the House was too little the Neighbour's House was to be assumed yea the Strangers were to partake if they were circumcised XVI To signify first the superabundant Virtue of Christ's Death for the House may be too little for the Lamb but not the Lamb for the House as also the sweet Communion of the Saints in Love the joyful Vocation also of the Neighbour-Gentiles and their Admission into the Fellowship of the Faith being inwardly circumcised c. XVII They were to eat it with their Loins girded XVII This signifies the girding the Loins of our Minds with Justice Strength and Verity XVIII They were to have their Shooes on XVIII This was to figure out the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace wherewith our Feet should be always shod XIX They were to eat it in haste The original word signifies to haste away as with fear and amazement XIX They that come to Christ must be ready to walk in the way of Salvation with the Staff of true Faith in their hands as Strangers and Pilgrims to make a daily progress towards the Land of everlasting Happiness XX. Lastly In that the Blood of the Lamb was first sprinkled on them XX. It shews that first Christ was made a Sacrifice to God and then a Sacrament to us Guild Type Disparity THe Passeover signified Christ was to come OUr Passeover shews he is come and hath been crucified for us II. The Passeover only fed the Body II. Christ spiritually feeds the Soul III. The Lamb being slain and eaten perished and nothing of it remains III. But Christ tho he was slain and became thereby spiritual Food for our Souls yet he is no whit impaired thereby but liveth and abideth for ever in perfect Bliss and Happiness and remaineth as perpetual Nourishment to his Chosen IV. That was a Type or Shadow IV. Christ is the Antitype and Substance of it Inferences GOd gave special Charge to the Israelites concerning their eating the Passeover He was greatly provoked by the Neglect of it Numb 9.13 But that Man that is clean and is not in a Journey and forbeareth to keep the Passeover even that Man shall be cut off from his People c. What then will become of them who refuse to come to Christ and eat of this spiritual Passeover Also it may stir up such sincere and godly Souls to look about them and cause them to tremble who live in the great Neglect of coming to the holy Supper of our Lord. Surely there is as good Ground and Reason for you to obey the Lord Jesus in this Ordinance as there was for Israel to obey Moses in keeping the Passeover nay I may shew much greater 1. From the consideration of what the one was a Sign of and what the other shews forth and is a Sign of 2. From the consideration of the Excellency of Christ whose Law this is above Moses who received that Law and delivered it to Israel 3. From the Threats that are denounced against those who refuse to hear Christ in whatsoever he shall say to them If the Word spoken by Angels was stedfast c. If they escaped not that refused him that spake on Earth how shall we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven And for further Motives consider 1. The strict and positive Injunction of Christ Do this in remembrance of me He that said Do not steal do not commit Adultery Repent believe pray always be holy c. said Do this c. 2. It is a perpetual Ordinance till Christ comes the second time Paul received it from Christ after his coming in Spirit according to his Promise c. And the Primitive Saints continued in it after that time likewise therefore the Coming he spake of must intend his second Coming at the last Day 3. Consider the great Need there is to remember Christ's Death and of those profitable Instructions and Blessings comprehended in this Ordinance 4. Is not the Neglect of a known Duty a great Sin 5. Is not this in effect to set light by Christ and to cast contempt upon his Commands and in effect to say there is no need of them What signifies say some the eating a little Bread and drinking a little Wine Wilt thou take upon thee to teach Christ and exalt thy own Wisdom above his who is the most wise God 6. Consider how faithful and ready the Saints in former Ages were to walk in the Commandments of God and is it not left upon Record to their everlasting Commendation Moses did all things according to the Pattern shewed him in the Mount c. Zachary and Elizabeth walked in all the Commandments of the Lord blameless 7. Dost thou know what spiritual Blessings thou losest by thy Neglect hereof Is not Loss of Communion with Christ a great Loss Psal 119.6 Joh. 14.15 8. Is not universal Obedience a Demonstration of Grace Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect to all thy Commandments If ye love me keep my Commandments 9. Will not the Thoughts of a wilful Neglect of known and indispensible Duties be bad Death-bed Companions 10. This preacheth the Gospel to the very Sight of your Eyes is it not necessary to make use of all Means God hath ordained for your Establishment in the Truth of the Gospel 11. Will not Omission of known Duties exclude Men and Women the Kingdom of Heaven Read Mat. 25. Is it not for Sins of Omission that Christ will condemn and sentence many Souls to eternal Burnings in the great Day THE Sixth HEAD OF METAPHORS SIMILES And other Borrowed TERMS Mentioned in the SACRED SCRIPTURES Relating to the Holy Angels of GOD AND THE Soul Spirit of Man Wherein the Nature Order Office and Ministration of Angels is opened THe Creatures of God are divided into Invisible and Visible The Invisible are Spirits 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 asomatoi without Bodies and by them we understand Angels because being in their Nature incorporeal they cannot be seen by humane Eyes The Visible are whatsoever things have existence in the visible World whether simple or mix'd Bodies In what Notions Metaphors are taken from Good and Evil Angels see our Sacred Philology Book 1. p. 101. 1. Angels then in their Natures are Spirits created of God 2. Called Ministers or Angels to shew their Office Take Mr. Ainsworth's Description of Angels Gen. 16.17 Angels so named of the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Angelos in
Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Maleac by interpretation a Messenger or Legate one sent and employed in any Work whether of God or Man And those sent of God were sometimes Men as Haggai is called the Lord's Angel or Messenger Hag. 1.13 and John Baptist Mat. 3.1 and generally the Lord's Priests under the Law Mal. 2.7 and Christ's Ministers under the Gospel Rev. 1.20 Vnto the Angel of the Church c. that is the Minister or Pastor of the Church But in special Angels are those heavenly Spirits and fiery Flames that are wise 2 Sam. 14.20 excell in Strength Psal 103.20 Which are all ministring Spirits sent forth to minister unto them who shall be Heirs of Salvation Heb. 1.7 14. The Hebrew Doctors Opinion of Angels is That they are essential Forms created without any material Substance or Body And whereas the Prophet says he saw an Angel like Fire and with Wings c. it is also spoken of prophetical Visions and by way of dark Parables Also that the Angels are lower and higher one than another 't is not in the highness of place as when one Man sits higher or above another but as we speak of two wise Men which excell one another in Wisdom that that Man is higher than this Likewise that there are ten Names that Angels are called by and accordingly ten Degrees of them and the tenth called Men are the Angels which spake with the Prophets and appeared to them in Visions for which they are called Men as Maimon sheweth in Misneh Jesudei Haâ—ovah chap. 2. That there are are ten Degrees of Angels the holy Scriptures shew not but Degrees there are as the Apostle mentioneth Rom. 8.38 Col. 1.18 Angels Principalities Powers Thrones Dominions c. Howbeit we are warned not to intrude into those things which we have not seen Col. 1.18 Sometimes the Word Angel is given to Christ himself who is the Angel of the Covenant and the Angel of God's Face or Presence Isa 63.1 In whom God's Name is Exod. 23.20 Thus Ainsworth And in another place he saith That one of the two Angels that appeared to Abraham was Jesus Christ whom Abraham called the Judg of all the Earth Gen. 18.2 who is called Jehovah v. 13. It is the Opinion of some of the Learned that every particular Saint hath an Angel to take care of him Mat. 18.10 which they gather from that passage Take heed ye despise not one of these little Ones for I say unto you That in Heaven their Angels always behold the Face of my Father c. And from that in Acts 12.15 Then said they It is his Angel But others rather conclude That the Saints have many Angels to watch over them and continually to minister to them That the Godly are under the Guardianship of the holy Angels is not doubted or questioned by any worthy Writer The Holy Angels compared to Watchers Dan. 4.13 I saw in the Vision of my Head and behold a Watcher c. Verse 17. This Matter is by the Decree of the Watchers and the Demand by the Word of the Holy Ones Metaphor Parallel A Watcher or Watchman imports such as sleep not or but little their Business is to watch which they cannot do unless they keep themselves awake ANgels are not subject to sleep as Men are they always are awake beholding the Evil and the Good hence said to be full of Eyes Ezek. 1.18 II. Watchers import such as have a Charge committed to them of great importance which they are continually to look after The Apostle speaking of the Care of Ministers Heb. 13.17 saith They watch for our Souls c. II. Angels have a great Charge committed to them they are employed about great and weighty Affairs and that First in reference unto God Secondly in reference unto Saints Thirdly In reference unto wicked Men. First In reference unto God 1. They are his Courtiers attending upon Him continually for his Honour and to set forth his Magnificence I saw the Lord sitting on his Throne 1 Kings 22.19 Act. 7.33 Gen. 16.7 10.12 2 Kiâ—g 1. Lâ—â— â— 26 Acts 10.3 1.11 8.26 27 24. Rev. 1.1 and all the Host of Heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left hand 2. They wait for his Word and do receive Commandment from him 3. They oft-times declare God's Mind and Will to Men. Thus they were employed to give the Law on Mount Sinai and to reveal God's Mind to Abraham to Hagar to Lot to Elijah to the Virgin Mary to the Shepherds to the Apostles to Philip to Paul to John c. 4. To govern the Kingdoms of the World for it is not to be doubted but God makes use of them upon this account Hence they are called Princes yea glorious Princes and are much above the Kings and Potentates of the Earth Dan. 10.13 Eccles 5.8 5. They are God's Warriors to execute his Decrees whether of Mercy as 2 Kings 6.17 or of Judgment 2 Sam. 24.17 2 Kings 19.35 Rev. 16.7 6. They are continually employed in praising of God crying Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts Isa 6.3 Rev. 4.8 7.11 12. Secondly In reference to the Church and People of God they have a great Charge committed to them and much Business and Work to do Psal 91.11 He hath given his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways 1. They are as Nurses to bear up and to keep the Godly from Hurt Psal 91.12 They shall bear thee up in their hands lest thou dash thy Foot against a Stone 2. They are as Stewards to provide for the Godly in their Need. How graciously was Elijah fed by Angels with a Cake baked on the Coals and a Cruse of Water 2 Kings 19.4 5. when he was faint and ready to die 3. They are employed as Physicians as appears by that Passage John 5.4 4. As Comforters in Trouble Gen. 21 17 How sweetly was poor Hagar comforted by an Angel when she said I will not see the Death of the Lad The like was the Prophet Isaiah Isa 6.6 7. Nay our blessed Saviour refused not to receive Comfort from the Angels who ministred to him when he was in his bloody Agony in the Garden Luk. 22 43 5. They are employed as Souldiers to guard them hence called God's Host Psal 34.7 2 Kings 6.17 6. They are Encouragers of the Saints in their Duties 2 Kings 1.15 And the Angel said unto Elijah Go down with him be not afraid c. 7. They are employed to rescue and put the Godly out of Danger as appears in the Case of Lot So concerning Daniel when he was in the Lion's Den Gen. 19.16 Dan 6.22 Acts 5.19 the Angels shut the Mouths of the Lions so that they did Daniel no harm The Angel of the Lord opened the Prison-Door and brought Peter forth and delivered him out of the hands of his Enemies 8. As Prophets and Instructors to
are not ignorant Creatures but ipsae Intelligentiae the most understanding Creatures in Heaven and Earth Greenhill The Woman of Tekoah said to David He was wise according to the Wisdom of an Angel of God to know all things that are upon the Earth That is he was very wise 2 Sam. 14.20 as Angels are to search out Understanding and discover things Therefore Jerom thinks they are called Cherubims from their much Knowledg Cherubims as it were Rabbies and Teachers of others And this Office some Angels have done Gabriel make this Man understand the Vision Dan. 8.16 I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy People in the latter Day Angels saith one are good Philosophers they know the Principles Causes Effects Life Motion and Death of natural things they are great Statists and know the Affairs of Kingdoms Dan. 10.13 saith Gabriel I remained with the Kings of Persia c. They are said to be full of Eyes before and behind because they see what is past and what is to come Besides they have much revealed to them by God by Christ nay and understand many things by the Church as concerning the Mysteries of the Gospel so Eph. 3.10 2 Pet. 1.12 Which things the Angels desire saith Peter to look into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Word notes bowing down to pry heedfully into a thing Cherubims were made looking down towards the Mercy-Seat so here Angels look into the things of Christ as it was there figured forth in whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg Col. 2.3 They have much experimental Knowledg arising from things done daily in the World and in the Church Angels love to be at the Congregation to meet the Saints they understand partly by their Essence and partly by Species communicated to their Understandings as to ours c. II. The Face of a Man hath much Awe and Majesty in it nothing as is observed by some Naturalists carries more Terror in it to sensitive Creatures than the Face of a Man II. Angels are very Majestical Creatures many have been greatly terrified and astonished at the sight of them How was Manoah's Wife Samson's Mother amazed at the sight of the Angel that appeared to her Judg. 13.6 Then the Woman told her Husband saying A Man of God came unto me and his Countenance was like the Countenance of an Angel of God very terrible c. III. The Face of a Man notes human Affections as Mr. Greenhill observes III. Angels are of a loving Countenance and most careful of Men they have most dear Affections to those they are sent to minister unto IV. The Face of a Man denotes Beauty How amiable and lovely are some Faces of mortal Creatures to look upon 'T is the Seat as I may say of human Beauty IV. Angels are very beautiful and lovely to behold tho they have saith Mr. Caryl no visible bodily Beauty yet their Beauty far exceeds the Beauty of Mortals See Morning-Stars II. The Face of a Lion A Lion is a Creature of great Strength Prov. 30.30 the strongest amongst Beasts as was said before he turneth not away for any What is stronger than a Lion Judg. 14.18 said the Interpreters of Samson's Riddle Angels are mighty in Strength Rev. 18 21. An Angel can hinder the blowing of the Wind stop the Mouths of Lions break Iron Chains open Prison Doors and make Bars and Doors of Brass to flie Hence they are called mighty Angels 2 Thess 1.7 Who can stand before the Angels of God! III. The Face of an Ox. I. An Ox accustomed to the Yoke is very tractable not stubborn kicking and flying like as untamed Heifers are Ephraim is an Heifer that is taught and loves to tread out the Corn. An Heifer taught delighting in her Work doth it willingly I. Psal 103.20 Angels do the Work of God willingly with much delight they hearken to the Voice of his Word they set about their Work with much Cheerfulness they are very obsequious to God's Commands If he saith Go smite Herod for his Pride Balaam for his Covetousness David for his vain Glory Senacherib for his Blasphemy and Sodom for its Uncleanness presently they go II. An Ox doth faithful Service Horses often deceive Persons in their Service and throw their Riders but Oxen either in plowing or carrying Burdens fail not nor deceive their Owners II. Angels are faithful in their Ministrations they fail not in the least Particular Rev. 22.8 9. The Angel would not let John worship him The Angel would not suffer Lot to linger in Sodom They never betrayed their Trust as some of the Saints have done III. An Ox is a very patient and laborious Creature They labour hard and carry heavy Burthens and yet tho never such hard Service be put upon them they quietly and with much patience bear it and never seem to complain III. Angels are patient in their Ministration tho they meet with much Opposition Dan. 10.3 The Prince of Persia saith Gabriel withstood me one and twenty days c. In the midst of all Opposition whether from Men or Devils and great Services they are not at all impatient tho their Work never end Rev. 4.8 yet they never complain IV. Oxen are very useful Creatures much Increase was brought in by them No Creature saith my Author is more useful to the Support of a Family Greenhill than the Ox for of old all the Plowing was done by Oxen. See 2 Kings 19.19 Job had Oxen plowing in the Field he had five hundred Yoke of Oxen Job 1.3 no mention being made of Horses There was a severe Law made against those that stole an Ox Exod. 22.1 David makes it one part of the Happiness of a Common-Wealth that the Oxen are strong to labour IV. Angels are very useful Creatures they are useful to God they continually go on his Errands execute his Judgments at the Command of his Mouth They were useful to Christ in the Days of his Flesh Luk. 2.9 10 11. they proclaimed the joyful Tidings of his Nativity had the charge of him in his Humiliation whilst his Conflict remained with the evil Angels they ministred to him in his Temptations and when he was in his bloody Agony they declared and made known his Resurrection He is not here he is risen Mat. 26.6 They witnessed to his Ascension and to his second Coming Ye Men of Galilee Acts 1.10 11. why stand ye gazing up into Heaven The same Jesus which is taken from you into Heaven shall so come as ye have seen him go into Heaven They shall come with him when he comes the second time without Sin unto Salvation He shall come in the Glory of his Father with all his holy Angels They shall attend him on the Throne of Judgment and as Officers execute his righteous Sentence viz. seize all condemned Sinners and cast them into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone c.
Angels are useful to the Saints We little think what great Good we receive by the Ministration of Angels See Watchers Inferences This should instruct us we should be like Angels in many respects 1. when God commands or calls upon us to do any Service or Duty how ready ought we to be to do it even say with Samuel Here am I speak Lord what thou commandest I will do it 2. It should teach us to be faithful to the Lord as the holy Angels are 3. To be patient under Burthens Reproaches and all the Oppositions we meet with 4. To be serviceable to God and to one another in the Places and Stations wherein God hath set us c. Angels in all they do seek the Glory of God and the Profit and great Good of the Saints let us in this imitate them III. The Face of an Eagle Metaphor Parallel I. An Eagle hath a mighty quick Sight her Eyes behold afar off from the Top of Rocks out of Clouds they are said to behold Fishes swimming in the Sea So strong is the Sight of an Eagle that she can a long time behold the Sun with open and stedfast Eyes I. Angels are quick-sighted they as you hear have Eyes before and behind as if they were all Eye which notes the Excellency of their Sight and Knowledg of things They soar aloft stand before God they are said to behold the Face of God Mat. 18.10 Their Angels always behold the Face of my Father which is in Heaven 2 Sam. 1.23 II. Eagles are swift in their Flight Naturalists tell us no Bird flies more swiftly than the Eagle II. Angels are swift Creatures their Agility Speed and Swiftness is extraordinary moving saith one like Lightning from one end of Heaven to the other compared therefore to a Flame of Fire Heb. 1.7 and said from hence also to have Wings with which they flie Isa 6. Their Quickness or Agility in Motion proceeds from their spiritual Nature which is not subject to Weariness they cannot be hindred by any corporeal Substance they can pass over and through all Impediments And besides this their Agility is much helped forward by their Promptitude and Readiness Propensity and Zeal to dispatch their Errand and Ministry upon which they are employed 'T is not here saith Ayston Timor but Amor addidit alas Their Swiftness is very necessary saith Clark 1. Because of the vast distance between Heaven and Earth betwixt which they often pass and repass 2. Because many of the Saints whose Necessity requires present Relief live far asunder 3. Because the Devils are swift to do Mischief therefore they are swift to defend succour and do us good III. Eagles are fresh and lively always Age and Sickness works not upon them as upon other Birds The Eagle in her Age saith a great Writer is useful Pliny saith they never die with Age nor Sickness but by Hunger her upper Bill groweth so much over the under that she cannot open her Mouth to take in Sustenance and so dies Her Age is said to be renewed by often changing of her Feathers III. Angels never grow old they are always strong and lively they know no Sickness their Service doth not wear them out The Cherubims before the Mercy-Seat which represented the Angels were without Beards to shew their Vigor Vivacity and Youthfulness Men soon decay their Strength and Activity many times on a sudden is gone Sin hath brought this upon us if Man had not sinned he had never decayed but retained an immortal Vivacity Angels sinned not and so retain their first Liveliness Inferences FIrst From hence we may infer that Angels are fit for publick and great Service They have four Faces a Man's a Lion's an Ox's and an Eagle's which shew they have all that is requisite to great Undertakings They have Wisdom to consult to contrive and manage the Affairs of the World prudentially they have the Strength of a Lion to execute they have the Willingness and Faithfulness of the Ox to rejoyce the Heart of the Commander and Patience to undergo the Difficulties of their Work and Usefulness of the Publick they are quick-sighted to discern and prevent the Designs of Enemies and speedily to dispatch much in a little time and that with cheerfulness This is meant by their four Faces which notes their Perfection and Fitness for Service in all Parts of the World in regard of which they are said to have one Face before and another behind and one on each side God sets forth their Serviceableness by these Creatures both rational and irrational they have the Shapes of Men Birds and Beasts Secondly That suitable Persons ought to be employed in publick and great Service God employs Angels in the Government of the World who are wise trusty strong and speedy and you know what Men God calls for in the State Exod. 18.21 viz. Such as fear God Men of Truth hating Covetousness and in the Church 1 Pet. 5. Bishops must not lord it over God's Clergy They are not Lords but Servants they ought not like Princes to dwell in stately Palaces in Pride and Idleness but daily to study and preach God's holy Word and labour in God's Harvest like as an Ox is faithful and laborious to his Owner not instead of Preaching and striving to build up God's House plot and contrive Ways to pull it down and instead of feeding undo and ruin such as are faithful in the Land Thirdly Angels are noble and glorious Creatures and yet disdain not to do Service to them that are far beneath themselves Man at first when in his Glory was but a little lower than the Angels but since he sinned he is degraded and fallen as low as Hell he hath a vile Body a defiled Conscience and a polluted Soul yet the Angels that are stiled Gods Holy Ones Elect Psal 8.5 that are of the Privy-Council of Heaven these blessed Creatures are not ashamed to serve and wait upon us tho we have the scent of the Earth and Hell about us and do often grieve and offend them with our Miscarriages yet they despise us not but cheerfully minister unto us What Pride is it then in Men that have Parts Places Honour Greatness Grace c. not to stoop to those that are their Inferiors They have not more Worth in them than an Angel and Angels condescend to serve us Rom. 12.16 therefore let us not mind high things but condescend to Men of low Estate and not be wise in our own Conceit Fourthly There is one thing more remarkable touching their Faces viz. the Faces were stretched upward so Montanus and others read it They looked up to him that sate upon the Throne which was Christ The Cherubim's Faces Exod. 25.20 21. were towards the Mercy-Seat Fifthly Observe all Creatures depend upon the Lord Jesus Christ These Angels have the Face of Men Lions Oxen Eagles and look up to him If there were nothing in it but this viz. Angels in
Pardon when God absolves a poor Sinner he not only forgives but also forgets their Sins and Iniquities he remembers no more 3. Because it is a Freedom from the Guilt of it 4. Because it is a Freedom from the Power and Dominion of it 5. It is a Freedom from the Punishment of it Rom. 6.14 Rom. 8.1 1 John 5.24 6. Because 't is a purchased Freedom it was obtained by a great Sum viz. the Sum of God's great Love and Grace with the Sum of Christ's Blood Remission is through Christ's Atonement 7. Because it is a sealed Freedom it is made over to the Soul by the King 's own Seal the Spirit of God Eph. 1.13 14. that great Seal of Heaven 8. Because it is a lasting Freedom the Sins of Believers are forgiven for ever they shall never be laid to their Charge The second Privilege of this City is Gospel-Fellowship free Access to the Lord's Table and Communion with the Saints Eph. 2.6 They are made to sit down together in heavenly Places in Christ Jesus The third Privilege is Right to the Ministry they may all lay claim to the Ministers and Ministry of the Word Whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas all are yours 1 Cor. 3.27 28. They and all their Gifts and gracious Endowments are the Saints The fourth Privilege is their undoubted Right to the City-Stock or the Churches Patrimony 1. The Stock of Prayers sincere Souls have a Right to all the Prayers of the Church 2. To that Store and spiritual Provision viz. the Bread of Life Psal 132 15. c. that is laid up in her God will bless the Provision of Zion and satisfy her Poor with Bread 3. The Stock of Promises God hath promised to bless comfort strengthen beautify build up and save Sion and consequently every Saint and Member thereof for all those and many more like Promises are directly made to every sincere Soul or Citizen of Sion The fifth Privilege is free Access to the Throne of Grace Eph. 2.18 Sixthly a Dwelling-place there This is a glorious Privilege they dwell near the King behold him in the Galleries every day they dwell in God's Courts nay in his House Blessed are they that dwell in thy House they will be still praising thee Psal 84.1 Psal 92.13 Selah They that are planted in the House of the Lord shall flourish in the Courts of our God they shall bring forth Fruit in old Age c. 1. 'T is a strong and sure Dwelling-place He shall dwell on high Isa 32.18 Isa 33.16 his Place of Defence shall be the Munition of Rocks 2. 'T is a rich and glorious Dwelling-place 3. 'T is a pleasant Dwelling-place 4. 'T is an honourable Dwelling-place 5. 'T is and shall be a peaceable Habitation Look upon Zion Isa 33.20 the City of our Solemnities Thine Eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet Habitation a Tabernacle that shall not be taken down not one of the Stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall any of the Cords thereof be broken Seventhly They have a Right and Privilege to chuse their own Officers every free Citizen hath his Voice at every Election No Minister Bishop or Deacon may be imposed upon them without their own free Consent Eighthly They have Right to all the Blessings and privileges of the River the Streams whereof make glad all the Inhabitants the Nature of whose Water you have heard Ninthly They have a Right to the City-Guard which always attends them whithersoever they go or whatsoever they do when they are about their proper Work which are the good Angels Tenthly The last Privilege I shall mention is Sonship Joh. 1.12 Gal 4.6 But to as many as received him to them gave he Power or Privilege to become the Sons of God Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your Hearts crying Abba Father XIII Some Cities have a common Stock in them out of which the poor decayed Citizens are often supplied and helped in their Distress and thereby delivered from utter Beggery XIII The Church hath a common Stock or Storehouse belonging to it called the unsearchable Riches of Christ Eph. 3 8. out of which all poor decayed Christians have their Wants supplied That Grace that is treasured up in Christ is always ready to be given forth to his poor Children and by this means they are kept from Ruin and being utterly undone My God shall supply all your Needs according to his Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus Phil. 4.19 XIV A City hath also a strict Watch appointed to keep the Gates and to see that no Accident happen in it to the hurt and detriment thereof XIV The Church or City of God hath also a strong and faithful Militia or spiritual Watch which are the holy Angels These are called Watchers Dan. 4.23 or Watchmen and in other places the Lord's Host or the Armies of Heaven who are mighty in Power one of them being able to destroy all the Churches Enemies These keep the Saints day and night they encamp about them and see that no Evil comes unto them Besides them God is said to watch over his People continually who is called the Watchman of Israel and the Saviour thereof in the Day of Trouble Psal 127.1 2. Vnless the Lord keep the City the Watchman waketh but in vain Besides Psal 127.1 See 6th head of Metaphors there are the Ministers of the Gospel who are called Watchmen XV. A great and famous City hath Towers and Battlements belonging to it not only for Ornament but also for Strength and Security from Evil. XV. The City of God is famous in respect of its Towers and Places of Security Walk about Zion Psal 48.12 13 14. and go round about her mark well her Bulwarks consider her Palaces that ye may tell it to the Generation following For this God is our God for ever and ever and he will be our Guide until Death The Name of the Lord is a Strong-Tower c. Everyone of the blessed Attributes of God are as so many Towers of Safety to his Church See Strong-Tower in the First Head of Metaphors XVI In a City notwithstanding the many noble and honourable Personages or worthy Patrons that dwell therein yet there are some ill and unworthy Members that get a being there which tends much to its Blemish and Reproach XVI So the City of God notwithstanding all the holy and eminent Saints and Servants of God who dwell therein yet hath in it some wicked and ungodly Ones who by Craft and Hypocrisy get a being there tho when known they are turned out as the incestuous Person Hymeneus and Alexander was 1 Cor. 5. 1 Tim. 1.20 Jud. 4. For there are certain Men crept in unawares who were before of old ordained to this Condemnation ungodly Men turning the Grace of God into Lasciviousness and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ These
House of the Lord all the days of my Life c. XII A dear Child will strive to imitate his Father and walk in his Steps in all things that are just and right Thus Solomon was exhorted to follow the good Example of his Father David XII So a dear Saint takes care to follow God Be ye Followers of God Eph. 5.1 as dear Children Be ye holy for I am holy That is the Precept and a sincere Soul labours so to be it is his great desire to be like God and Christ as near as he can Be ye Followers of me as I am of Christ Jesus 1. A Saint strives to follow God and Christ in Love We are taught of God to love one another 2. In Humility What a Pattern hath God in Christ laid before us herein Mat 11.28 Phil. 2.5 6 Learn of me saith our Saviour for I am meek and lowly in Heart c. Let the same Mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus 3. In being merciful and kind to all Be ye merciful Mat. 5.45.48 as your Father that is in Heaven is merciful 3. In hating and abominating that which is evil God loaths Sin and so doth every sincere Christian 5. In Forgiveness they strive to be like God in this He is ready to pardon forgive and forget Injuries done to him and so ought his Children Eph. 4.34 And be ye kind one to another and tender-hearted forgiving one another as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you God forgiveth freely universally and for ever so must they Inferences LAbour to follow God as dear Children 1. Sincerely not in Hypocrisy not for Loaves 2. Speedily do not defer it I made haste saith David c. 3. In whatsoever he commands you 4. Diligently 5. Follow him through all Difficulties and Hardships as Caleb did c. and as Ruth followed Naomi 6. Follow him humbly 7. Follow him joyfully 8. Follow him when others leave him 9. Follow him constantly even to the end 10. And lastly follow none but him forsake all those that would lead you astray Christ's Sheep will not follow Strangers they will follow God and not Baal II. From hence every one may perceive whether they are God's Children yea or no. III. This shews also what great Dignity God hath conferred upon Believers Behold what manner of Love is this God hath bestowed upon us 1 Joh. 3.1 2 that we should be called the Sons of God If David thought it no small thing to be Son in Law to an earthly King what an Honour hath God conferred on us Rom. 8. IV. Saints may from hence read their Privileges If Children then Heirs Heirs of God and Joynt-Heirs with Christ. Saints compared to Heirs Rom. 8.17 If Children then Heirs c. Rev. 21.7 He that overcometh shall be Heir of all things Note The Saints of God are Heirs Heirs of God Heirs of all things c. Heirs Parallel THe First-born had a Princely Power and Dominion over their Brethren who bowed down before them they were next their Fathers in Honour THe Saints are made Kings to God are called Kings and Princes Isa 32.1 A King shall reign in Righteousness and Princes shall decree Judgment They shall have Dominion over the Mighty of the Earth in their Day They are next to Christ in Honour Rev. 3.21 and shall sit upon the Throne with him II. The First-born were Priests in their Father's Family till the Levites came in II. The Saints are Priests as well as Kings to God Rev. 1.6 1 Pet. 2.5 He hath made us Kings and Priests c. They are called an holy Priesthood to offer up a holy and acceptable Sacrifice unto God III. The First-born had the Inheritance the rest had but a Piece of Money And to this day we see that Men use to make their Inheritance over to the First-born and besides the Inheritance they had a double Portion of Goods III. The Saints have the eternal Inheritance made over to them the World hath but a small Allowance for all they have amounts to no more than Vanity God giveth himself and all he hath to Believers they have a double Portion an Hundred-fold in this Life and in the World to come Life everlasting IV. An Heir sometimes stays a great while before he comes to the full Possession of the Inheritance and until then he is under Tutors and Governors and differeth but little from a Servant IV. The Saints patiently wait a while being under Age before they come to the full Possession of the Inheritance purchased for them by Christ and until they come to full Age they are under Tutors and Governors who deal hardly with them and they seem not to differ from Servants V. The First-born had a peculiar Sort of Apparel whereby they were distinguished from others such was Esau's goodly Raiment which Rachel put upon Jacob. V. The Saints are cloathed with a goodly Raiment viz. the Righteousness of Christ Holiness is the Saints Livery whereby they are distinguished from the rest of the World VI. The First-Born had the Blessing annexed to them and unless they were supplanted as Esau was by Jacob they were blest of their Father especially when their Fathers were at the point of Death VI. The Saints are the Blessed of the Lord none can take either Birth-right or Blessing away from them they are blessed and shall be blessed The Lord Jesus blessed them at his Departure and that Blessing shall never depart from them Heirs Disparity AMong Men all a Man's Children are not Heirs nor can they fully possess the same Estate entirely to themselves as if but one had it BUt all the Saints are Heirs together they are all Joynt-heirs and yet every one hath all to himself They have all one and the same Father one and the same Christ one and the same Spirit the same Apparel the same Grace all one Faith Hope c. all the same Promises same Attendance viz. the holy Angels the same Crown Kingdom and Eternal Inheritance II. Heirs among Men have but a small Inheritance What is all this World Luther called all the Turkish Empire but a Crust God casts to a Dog II. But the Saints are Heirs of all Things Heirs of Heaven and Earth too Heirs of God And what is there more what can a Man ask or desire to have would he have more than all III. An Heir among Men is often deprived by Force or Craft of his Title and turned out of all III. But the Saints cannot by Force or Fraud be deprived of their Title to Eternal Life That it may be sure and firm to them it is made over to them by the Oath of God See Light in the First Volume Saints compared to Eagles Isa 40.31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their Strength they shall mount up with Wings as Eagles Psal 103.5 Who satisfieth thy Mouth with good Things so that thy Youth is renewed like the
and Silver such Love O Lord hast thou laid up in my Breast that I hunger for thee Take heed you consult not with carnal Reason rely wholly upon Christ and never consult thy present Strength with thy future Sufferings Take heed you do not overvalue your Lives Alas you cannot live long what if you die a little sooner than you might do according to the Course of Nature Also consider is it not better if God calls you to it to glorify him by dying than to die otherwise Remember You are not your own let God therefore make what Improvement of you he pleases Lastly Pray continually pray always for this is the way to overcome Prayer hath done wonderfully And this is one great Thing that is enjoined on the Christian Souldier Ephes 6.18 Praying always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all Perseverance and Supplication for all Saints and for me c. HEre are two Things to be noted 1. A Duty enjoyned Prayer 2. Blessed Directions about it Viz. 1. The Time Always 2. The Kinds All Prayer and Supplication 3. How viz. 1. In the Spirit 2. With Diligence 3. Constantly 4. For whom 1. For all Saints 2. More particularly for the Preachers of the Gospel Note Souldiers of Christ ought to pray to be much in Prayer to pray always to pray in the Spirit to pray for themselves and to pray for others also First Tho we are to pray always Yet there are some special Times for this Duty Prayer is twofold 1. Ordinary 2. Extraordinary We must in some Seasons more especially be at this Duty to pray hard to pray mightily c. Quest What is meant by praying always Answ 1. It is as much as to say Pray in every thing according to that Word Phil. 4.6 In every thing by Prayer and Supplication let your Requests be made known to the Lord. Some pray in nothing they do In all thy Ways acknowledge him 2. In all Conditions in a full State in a naked State in Poverty in Plenty in Sickness in Health in Prosperity and in Adversity 3. For every Thing we need for Spirituals for Temporals so far as God seeth them good for us 4. Daily frequently Morning and Evening David said to Mephihosheth Thou shalt eat Bread at my Table continually 2 â—am 7 7 He cannot mean thou shalt do dothing but eat he would not have him to be such a Cormorant but commonly every day c. 5. To have a Heart always for this Duty to be always fit and ready for this sacred Ordinance Quest What are those special Times and Seasons for Prayer Or when is extraordinary Prayer to be made Ans 1. When a Saint hath any great Work to do for God or eminent Business and Service for his Church See Nehem. 1.5 Acts 4.2 9. When Abraham's Servant had special Work to do for his Master he was much in Prayer 2. When a Saint is in the dark concerning any one Truth of God and cannot get Satisfaction Dan. 9.1 2 3 c. then 't is a Time for extraordinary Prayer When Daniel was at a loss about the Time of Deliverance out of Captivity how much did he give himself to Prayer 3. When a gracious Soul is under any sore and grievous Affliction David in his Distress and Affliction cried mightily to God Is any afflicted let him pray that is let him be more abundantly in that Duty James 5.13 4. When Sin abounds or in a Day of great Rebuke and Blasphemy When Hell seems to be let loose or the Flood-gates of Wickedness opened wide in a Nation then it is a Time for the Godly to be much in Prayer Jer. 13.19 Isa 37.23 5. In Times of great Distress upon the Church when the Danger is imminent as at this Day this is a Time for extraordinary Prayer See Isa 22. When many Nations came up against Judah then Jehoshaphat cried mightily to Heaven 2 Chron. 20.12 When Haman plotted to destroy all the Jews and cut off Israel at once and the Writings were sealed and sent forth then Esther and the godly Ones pray mightily Thus did Jacob when his Brother was coming to meet him fearing he would cut off the Mother with the Child Gen. 33. how did he then wrestle with God! 6. In Times of Temptation When Christ was assaulted and his Hour was come he prayed hard he spent a whole Night in Prayer Mat. 26.44 And what saith he to his Disciples Mat. 26.40 41. 2 Cor. 12. Watch and pray that ye enter not into Temptation When Paul had that Thorn in the Flesh the Messenger of Satan to buffet him he besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from him That three times as some conclude might be threescore times 7. Lastly In a Time of great Expectation when great Things are near and much look'd for When Daniel expected great Things understanding by Books Deliverance to the Church was at hand he set himself to seek God Dan. 9.2 Secondly Consider Prayer is a great Ordinance And that doth appear 1. In respect of God it gives him the Glory of three great Attributes 1. Of his Omnisciency We hereby acknowledg that he knows our Wants and Necessities Psal 39 9. All my Desires are before thee and my Groanings are not hid from thee 2. His Omnipotency We acknowledg in our crying to God and relying upon him in this Duty that he is able to help us and supply all our Wants 3. It gives him the Glory of his Goodness O thou that hearest Prayer A Saint knows and confesseth hereby if he pray aright that God is willing and ready to help and save him 2. Prayer is a great Ordinance if we consider the Power and Prevalency of it Luther ascribed to Prayer a kind of Omnipotency It hath prevailed over Fire Water and Earth it hath stopp'd the Sun in its Course It hath prevailed over evil Angels it hath cast the Devil out and broke his Kingdom down It hath had Power over the good Angels as appears in the Case of Elisha it fetched them from Heaven to be his Guard and Protection 2 King 9.6 17. Nay it hath prevailed with Christ himself the Angel of the Covenant as appears in Jacob's Case As a Prince thou hast wrestled with God and hast prevailed It hath healed the Sick raised the Dead stopp'd the Lion's Mouth and hath subdued and put to flight the Armies of Aliens Heb. 11. hath opened Prison-Doors and broke in pieces Chains Gates and Bars of Iron and Brass There is none of the battering Rams or Artillery of Hell can stand against it 'T is like an Engine as one observes that makes the Persecutors tremble and wo to them that are the Buts and Marks that it is levell'd at when it is fired with the Fire of the Spirit and discharged in the Strength of Faith 'T is said Mary Queen of Scots dreaded more the Prayers of Mr. Knox than an Army of Twenty Thousand
Word of God because the Wind blows or it rains or he hath wearied himself the day before and so cannot rise early enough or it is a great Way and the Ways are bad c. Yet he knows in his Conscience that if there were but a good Bargain to be bought or some worldly Advantage to be had tho it were not above the Value of half Five Pound all these Obstructions would be nothing But perhaps some Sluggards may get over these things and yet if there lie other Difficulties in the Way they cannot hold the Plough of the Gospel if there is a Blast of Persecution feared he knows not how to encounter with that And thus the Sluggard discourages himself VIII The Sluggard tho he is so slothful as to hide his hand in his Bosom and is grieved to bring it again to his Mouth yet he is wise in his own Eyes Prov. 26.16 The Sluggard is wiser in his own Conceit than seven Men that can render a Reason VIII So the spiritual Sluggard tho he is monstrous idle prays as if he prayed not and reads as if it were a Burthen to him and hears the Word with no delight his Heart is asleep and perhaps his Eyes too yet he is very wise in his own Conceit Notwithstanding he is such a poor carnal worldly Wretch he hath high Thoughts of himself and cries out when reproved I know as much as you mind your own Matters every Tub shall stand upon its own Bottom why do you trouble your self with me Thus every Man is right in his own Eyes but the Lord pondereth the Heart Prov. 21.2 IX The Sluggard is a Man that seems to desire but a little time and then he will awake Yet a little Sleep yet a little Slumber yet a little folding of the hands to sleep c. As much as if he should say Let me alone yet a little I will sleep but a little longer let me have a little more Sleep c. IX So the spiritual Sluggard seems also to desire but a little time to gratify his Flesh and please his sensual Appetite to walk in ways of Vanity and sin against God I will saith an ungodly Person repent or 't is my purpose to reform my Ways but let me alone a little longer 't is time enough yet 'T is a great while to Day saith the Sluggard when one comes to awake him early in the Morning so saith the Sinner 'T is a great while before Christ will come or before old Age and Death will come in his Heart therefore he is resolved to continue in his evil and ungodly Courses a little longer Yet a little Sleep yet a little Slumber yet a little folding of the Hands to sleep Pray observe how sweet Sleep seems to be to a Sluggard so the Ways of Sin and Vanity seem sweet to an unconverted Man And as hard Labour is grievous to such a Person so is Godliness I mean strict and real Godliness Godliness in the Power of it to an unsanctified Heart X. Lastly A Sluggard cannot abide to be disturbed O let me lie let me sleep what ado you make is the Voice of a slothful Man X. A Sinner or spiritual Sluggard cannot endure to be disturbed the Thoughts of Death are to him like the Hand-writing on the Wall Dan. 5. he loves not that Conscience should call upon him to awake him nor Ministers nor any Friends he hath nay such as would or do strive to rouse a Sinner are the unwelcomest People in the World to him Repent repent what ado is here saith the graceless Soul can you not let me alone pray do not trouble me You know who sent away Paul being unwilling to hear any more at that time Inferences THis shews what a sad and dangerous Condition Sinners are in they are not only asleep but in a dead Sleep and know not how near eternal Ruine they are II. We shall endeavour therefore to awaken the Sinner out of his deep Sleep 1. Sinner God calls aloud upon thee Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the Dead How long wilt thou sleep O Sluggard 2. God hath called not only loud but long upon you Consider what Danger you expose your Souls unto you put an Opportunity into the Devil's hands to destroy you How easy is it for a weak Enemy to destroy a mighty Champion when he is asleep Jael a Woman soon destroyed Sisera when he was asleep 3. May I not say Sinner the Philistines are upon thee and thy Soul is in danger of being made a Prey for ever 4. Many ways hath God used to awaken thee He hath employed his Ministers he hath set Conscience on work he hath brought forth many dreadful Judgments and all to awaken thee and shall all Means fail and be insufficient 5. Thou losest many choice Blessings by lying thus asleep in thy Sin 6. There is Grace offered you Pardon offered you Peace offered you and will not this stir you up Nay more than all Christ is offered you Heaven offered you a Kingdom and Crown of endless Glory is offered you Soul rouse up and look about consider the Opportunity that is now in your hands will not Life and Light Pardon and Peace God and Christ Heaven and Happiness do you much Good Prov. 6 8 9 7. 'T is Harvest-Time Go to the Ant thou Sluggard consider her Ways and be wise She provideth her Meat in the Summer and gathereth her Food in the Harvest And shall such a small and contemptible Animal be wiser than you 8. The Harvest will soon be gone the Day of Grace be over and then it will be too late Jer. 8.20 The Harvest is past the Summer ended and we are not saved 9. If you will not sow now because it is cold you are like to begin Harvest and have nothing viz. at the End of the World and then you will say Lord Lord open unto us and he will say Verily verily I know you not depart from me ye Workers of Iniquity 10. Let me tell thee thou art just ready to drop into Hell thou sleepest in a dangerous Place awake Sinner or thou art damned If thy House were all on fire and thy Neighbours should not cry out to thee to save thy self thou wouldest conclude they were without all Bowels of Humanity Sinner this is thy Condition thy Soul is on a flame see what Sin that evil Spark hath done I can do no less than cry out Fire Fire wilt thou sleep and be burnt for ever The Lord awaken thee III. Let Saints bless God they are awakened out of their sleepy State IV. Let not Satan this World nor any other Enemy lull you asleep again Let us not sleep as do others Christians are subject to fall into a spiritual Drouziness see Mat. 25.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. O cry therefore with David Lord open thou mine Eyes lest I sleep the Sleep of Death Quest Some may say From whence doth it arise
forbidden but now through Christ there is a free Trade opened again to Heaven Convinced and repenting Sinners may be stored with all Things they need as Pardon Peace Union and Communion with God and eternal Life even all the Riches of Grace and Glory Ho every one that will Come buy and you that have no Money come buy Isa 55.1 and â—at yea come buy Wine and Milk without Money and without Price VI. Those that honour an Ambassador honour the Prince that sent him but those that abase slight or despise him do also despise the Prince or State that sent him We cannot despise this Messenger and yet honour his Master saith Mr. Gurnal VI. So those who receive and shew all due respects to Christ's faithful Ministers honour Christ whose Deputies they are and whose Person they represent Few are so bold as to say with that proud King Who is the Lord Exod. 5.2 that I should obey him Yet many dare say Who is the Minister that I should obey his Message or repent at his Summons or tremble at the Words he speaks What 's he Do I not know him What 's he better than us Shall I mind what he says A Rush for his Doctrine c. But let such read that Word He that heareth you heareth me Luk. 10.16 and he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me VII An Ambassador should take heed he cast no Indignity upon his Office by any base or unworthy Practice he should behave himself with all Wisdom and Gravity and avoid all dirty and unseemly Actions for in so doing he would bring much Honour and Renown not only to himself but to his Master also that sent him VII So Ministers must be holy Men that they bring not themselves and the Dignity of their Function into Contempt A wise grave and gracious Behavior exceedingly becomes a Minister Paul saith he magnified his Office O then let others take heed they do not vilify and debase it That which another Man may do without much Reproach you cannot do but it will be to your great Blemish and Dishonour nay and to the Dishonour of Christ and of his Truth also VIII An Ambassador is to do his uttermost endeavour to negotiate and accomplish such Matters he is sent about he must see to his Charge For if the Treaty of Peace or Marriage or Ambassy for Commerce and Trade succeed not the Ambassador is sure to be called to an account how he hath discharged his Place c. VIII So Ministers must see the Work of their Place and Function They are saith Gurnal ' called Ambassadors in regard of their Duty as well as Dignity where there is Honor there is Onus Places of Honour are Places of Trust Many like well enough to hear the Ministers Dignity with Diotrephes they love Preheminence yet would willingly be excused the Work that attends it None have a greater Trust reposed in their Hands than Ministers 't is tremendum Onus a Weight that made the Apostle tremble under it I was among you saith Paul with much fear and trembling They have the Charge of Souls committed to them one of which is more worth than all the World no less than the Price of Blood the precious Blood of Jesus Christ To them is committed the Word of Reconciliation Hence they pray and beseech and use all Means imaginable to bring the Souls of Men to Terms of Peace and Reconciliation with God through Christ they knowing the sad and dreadful Effects if they speed not in their Ambassy Knowing the Terror of the Lord we persuade Men. And in another place saith Paul We pray you in Christ's stead be you reconciled to God For if the Treaty of Peace between God and Sinners doth not succeed the Minister is sure to be called to an account how he discharged his Trust in the Business c. IX An Ambassador is to keep close to his Instructions he is in nothing to act contrary to or derogate from his Commission IX So Ministers must see they keep close to the Word of God they had need to take their Errand well before they come into the Pulpit or Assembly of God's People I have received of the Lord what I delivered unto you They must speak nothing require nothing preach nothing but what is according to the Authority of God's Word which is above the Church Senates General Councils or any Authority whatsoever These Ambassadors must act and do exactly according to their Commission c. X. An Ambassador must not only act according to his Commission as to Matter but must deliver his Message also with much Zeal and with all due respect had to his Master or Prince that sent him He must not prosecute his Business coldly or after he hath had Audience give himself to the Pleasures of the Court where he is resident and mind his Affairs no more or not regard how his Master's Business succeeds What Answer will he be able to return Surely if he should do thus he could not say he had done the Work of a faithful Ambassador c. X. So Ministers must be fitted with Zeal and act diligently in their Places or prosecute their Business vigorously their Hearts must be deeply engaged in their spiritual Ambassy They are to preach with all fervency as having the Sense of Christ's Honour and the Worth of immortal Souls upon their Hearts and not only say Thus and thus saith the Lord and be satisfied to see People willing to give them the hearing Tho they may thank them for that Civility yet they must not quit them unless they see they accept of the Terms of Peace and Reconciliation offered to them in Christ's Name through the Gospel They must shew them the Profit that will accrue to them if they do comply and the Danger on the other hand if they do refuse and that it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment than for them XI It behoveth an Ambassador to be faithful in all things to his Master's Interest and not to become a Pensioner to a Foreign Prince for such an onâ— is utterly unworthy of such an honourable Employment XI So Ministers must not comply with Christ's Enemies or seek for Reward from them such as would betray his Interest whatever is proffered them But as we are allowed of God to be put in Trust with the Gospel even so we speak 1 Thess 2.4 5. not as pleasing Men but God which trieth our Hearts For neither at any time used we flattering Words as ye know nor a Cloak of Covetousness God is Witness XII An Ambassador ought to seek the Interest of his Fellow-Subjects and shew much Love Care and Tenderness to them so far as the Interest of his Prince will bear and not to do any thing to the spoiling of their Trade c. XII So Ministers ought to seek the Good and Welfare of all the Saints and
another Angel saying Babylon is fallen is fallen that Great City because she made all Nations drink of the Wine of the Wrath of her Fornication REV. 16.19 And great Babylon came in remembrance before God to give unto her the Cup of the Wine of the Fierceness of his Wrath. REV. 17.5 And upon her Forehead was a Name written MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS or Fornications AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH REV. 18.1 2. And after these things I saw another Angel come down from Heaven And he cry'd mightily with a strong Voice saying Babylon the Great is fallen is fallen and is become the Habitation of Devils and the Hold of every unclean Spirit and a Cage of every unclean and hateful Bird c. IN the handling of this great Subject it seems needful to give an Account of the various Opinions that have more or less prâ—sented themselves to the World about it which may be reduced to these four following Heads I. That it is Jerusalem and that for two Reasons 1. Because the Man of Sin or last Beast that is to head this Babylon is set forth by St. Paul to sit in the Temple of God shewing himself to be a God 2 Thess 2.4 Rev. 11.8 2. Because this City where the Beast reigns and shall slay the Witnesses is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt where our Lord was crucified II. That it is the Turkish Empire or Power of the Saracens which Mr. Mede somewhat touches and in a brief way most learnedly argues against in his third Book pag. 644 645. III. That it is indeed Rome the Seat of the fourth or last Empire but Rome in its Heathen State under the idolatrous and persecuting Emperors So the Rhemists would have it if there be a Necessity to fix upon Rome to be this Apocalyptical or Mystery Babylon For this Opinion the present Romanists have no better Advocate than Dr. Hammond who hath done very worthily at other Turns See his Annotations upon the 17th Chapter of the Apocalypse IV. That it is the present Power and Church of Rome who under pretence of the most high and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction doth influence and govern the Secular Power and State of Kingdoms Of this last Opinion were the ancient Waldenses who felt the bloody Power of Rome venting it self in most horrid and barbarous Cruelties against them and that for a long Series of Time as appears by our most Authentick Ancient and Modern Writers who give a very ample Account of the great Persecution of Christians for many hundred Years last past in all Parts of the Christian World where they have had Power To which Opinion of the Waldenses most of our modern Protestant Divines agree of which we shall mention only Cartwright Fulk the worthily admired and Learned Mede not forgetting famous Du Moulin of France as may be seen in their Works at large But because we will not take Things upon Trust nor refer the Reader to many Quotations which he may want Books and Time to satisfy himself about it appears needful that we remove the Objections with as much Brevity as possible before we state the Metaphor and run the Parallel Now that Babylon in all these New-Testament Texts cannot be fairly applied to Jerusalem the Turks and Saracens nor terminate in the Heathenish State of Rome we offer these following Considerations or Arguments I. It cannot be meant the City Jerusalem 1. Because Jerusalem did not reign over the Kings of the Earth in St. John's time when he saw this Vision and wrote the Revelation which this City Babylon is expresly said to do Rev. 17.18 And the Woman which thou sawest is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth Jerusalem having been not only under Captivity divers times before but were then entirely under the Power of the Roman Yoke as the whole History of the Gospel doth confirm and themselves did most plainly confess We have no King but Caesar John 19.15 2. Jerusalem was never in so high esteem with the Beast as to be capable to ride as Queen-Regent upon him as this Woman Whore or City is said to do And the Angel said unto me Wherefore didst thou marvel I will tell thee the Mystery of the Woman and the Beast that carrieth her which hath the seven Heads and ten Horns Rev. 17.7 Rev. 17.7 compared with Vers 3. So he carried me away in the Spirit into the Wilderness and I saw a Woman sit upon a Scarlet-coloured Beast full of Names of Blasphemy having seven Heads and ten Horns For by the Woman sitting and Beast carrying is undoubtedly signified Influence Power and Dominion which Jerusalem was far remote from not only under the Roman Monarchy but also under the three Kingdoms that went before it viz. the Babylonian Grecian and Persian as might be largely illustrated both out of Sacred and Humane History 3. Jerusalem did not sit upon many Waters which is interpreted to be People Nations and Tongues that is had not Command or Dominion over them as this Woman Rev. 17.15 Whore or City is said to have And he saith The Waters which thou sawest where the Whore sitteth are Peoples and Multitudes and Nations and Tongues The whole Land of Judea being under Tribute to the Roman Government at that time And it came to pass in those Days Luke 2.1 that there went out a Decree from Caesar Augustus that all the World should be taxed Verse 4. and particularly Galilee Nazareth Judea and the City of David called Bethlehem 4. Jerusalem was not capable to enchant and bewitch all the Nations round about her either by her Religion and Doctrine or by great Gifts and Rewards 1. Because the Roman Power kept her under and much in awe on the one hand not owning nor subscribing to her Religion 2. The Christian Doctrine and Religion block'd up her Way on the other hand that she could not extend her Influence to either neighbouring or remote Nations as this Woman Whore or City is said to do For thy Merchants were the great Men of the Earth for by thy Sorceries were all Nations deceived Rev. 18.23 5. Jerusalem tho she were guilty of much Blood from the beginning of her Excellency and Glory in Solomon's Time killing Prophets even all that were sent unto her murthered John Baptist and our Lord and Saviour as also the blessed Martyr St. Stephen yet in her could not be found that great Mass of Blood that was shed and Myriads of Christian Saints that have been barbarously murthered by Massacre and publick Martyrdom since they were ruined and destroyed by Titus Vespasian which we find positively charged upon this City Babylon Rev. 17.6 And I saw the Woman drunk with the Blood of Saints and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and I wondered with great Admiration as indeed well he might as shall be shewn Rev. 19 24. And in her was found the Blood of Prophets and of
Christ and the Things of Religion of which Justice and Charity Holiness and Compassion are not the least Part and yet under this Vizard and in the very time of these Pretensions perpetrate the greatest and most unparallel'd Villanies in the World 1. In being the Top of Pride 2. In committing palpable Idolatry 3. Fill themselves with Excess and Drunkenness 4. To curse swear and blaspheme the very Name they profess to be sacred 5. To cast down the Truth burn the Bible deface the holy Books and Laws of God 6. To assume not only a Power to dispense with Violations of the highest Nature but to pardon and forgive them at pleasure 7. To commit Adultery and account it a venial Crime 8. To break Covenants drive a Trade in Perjury forswear every thing they are justly charged with and is fully proved against them 9. To foment Wars and Broils in every Kingdom and Country where they have Power contrive the Ruine of Towns and Places Cities Countries and Kingdoms by Fire Sword and most cruel Devastations 10. To slaughter kill and barbarously murther both Men Women and Children even all that dare make a shew of Conscience and Religion so far as to abhor and dissent from these Villanies This is such a Scheme of Religion and Systeme of Divinity to come from an Apostle a Shepherd a Vicar and Successor of Christ from a Church Sheep Saints and the pretended Followers of the meek peaceable and innocent Jesus who taught altogether otherwise by his Doctrine and Example that it might well be wondred at and is the strangest Mystery that ever appeared of which we challenge the whole World to shew the like in the Turks and Saracens For Men to swear lie and forswear themselves and yet be true Men to contrive Rebellion Murther and Treason and yet be as innocent as the Child unborn to be elevated to the highest Pinacle of Pride even above Emperors and Kings above Jesus Christ and God his Father and yet be humble and lowly To commit gross Idolatry and yet be the Servants of the Living God To be filled with and make a Trade of Excess and Drunkenness and yet be the Paterns and Standards of Sobriety and Temperance To cast down the Truth to the Ground deface the Laws of God and burn the Scriptures and yet be the true Witnesses to it To forgive Sins and yet be the greatest of Sinners themselves To commit Fornication and Adultery and yet be spotless and pure in Heart To foment Wars and Broils in every Kingdom and Country where they have Power to contrive the Ruine of Towns and Places Cities Countries and Kingdoms by Fire Sword and cruel Devastations and yet be as harmless as Doves to all Mankind the only Sons of Peace and Quietness To slaughter kill and barbarously murther Men Women and Children that dare not be so wicked as themselves and yet to be full of Mercy tender Pity and Compassion an Apostle Shepherd Vicar and Successor of the meek and Lamb-like Saviour And for the dear Consort of this impious Head or Man of Sin to be not only confederate with him but a Principal in all these unparallel'd Villanies and most butcherly and rapacious Murthers and yet be the Holy Catholick Church of God the pure and spotless Spouse of Jesus Christ the true Sheep the harmless Lambs the best of Saints and close Followers of the Lord Jesus who always taught the contrary by his holy Doctrine and meek Example We say these Things not being found by secret Search but are written in Capital Letters upon her Forehead appear in open view to be read by every one that is not wilfully blind Let any one shew us a greater Mystery in the World than this and we will subscribe to it 4. It cannot be the Turks because they are not the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth which this Babylon is said to be Rev. 17.5 And upon her Forehead was a Name written MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH And here we demand in excuse to the Turks this one Thing From whence did proceed the Murthers Massacres and Martyrdoms of all the Religious Professors of Christianity that have died by violence in the Christian World for the space of twelve hundred Years last past And from what People did proceed those horrid Oaths Blasphemies and Execrations that the World hath wofully been acquainted with most horrid and strangely astonishing to repeat Came these unparallel'd Degrees of Impiety from the Turks from the Waldensians Lutherans Calvinists or any Non-conforming Protestants No no. Why whose Language then is it Whose Why 't is the Language of the Beast of the bottomless Pit and bloody Whore who bare these blasphemous Sons of her own Body daily nourishes them at her Breast and strengthens them in their sinful Courses by accounting them the Sons the precious Sons of Sion the true Sons of the Catholick Church the Darlings of Heaven the beloved Ones of the Virgin Mary and giving them Pardons for these bold and Heaven-daring Sins as often as they do commit them and come to ask Pardon for them so that Sin and Pardon is as constant and common with them as Breathing and Eating And these Things are done to seal and confirm Lies which is the more heavy heinous and prodigious For if Men may lie by allowance may kill and shed innocent Blood without Controul of Conscience and Church-Censures may swear and blaspheme and challenge God himself to damn them may burn Men for Religion consume Cities to Ashes conspire the Death of Kings the Ruine and Overthrow of Kingdoms whore and murther Infants and yet be accounted a Church the Members and Parts of it called Saints holy Children and Sons of the Most High God Then may we claim a Patent and take a License to change the Name of all Things and alter all the Idea's of the Minds of Men call and account Beelzebub a good God and all his black Tribe the pure Saints of the Most High call the lower Regions of Blackness and Darkness to which he is confin'd the Heaven of Glory and eternal Light Of which Things we ought in Justice to clear the Turks until Witnesses of undoubted Credit shall come forth and evidence that the Turkish State is the Mother of as great Abominations as these are 5. And lastly The Turks cannot be Mystery Babylon because they never were made drunk with the Blood of the Saints and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus which this Woman Mystery Babylon is expresly said to be Rev. 17.6 And I saw the Woman drunk with the Blood of the Saints and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and I wondred with great admiration Now let any Man shew such Bloodshed Saints Bloodshed by Massacres and Martyrdom for the professing of Christianity which must be if the Text be answered in that Clause Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus by the Turks either within their Dominions or
having a Dispensation from Heaven which the Pope keeps the Keys of and fearing no Power on Earth for she hath the Beast the Secular Power under her she sits upon him and rides him and is not only distinct from the Secular Power but above it so as what of the Secular Power is still left at Rome is under the Conduct and Management of the Church there being no Civil Administration of Justice or Exercise of Laws but what is authorized and allowed by his Unholiness the Head and the Cardinals the Shoulders Breasts and Arms of the Church or State Ecclesiastical To make this fully evident the Pope doth not only exercise a Power of appointing Seculars in Rome and near to it but he claims the like Supremacy abroad in the Islands far off If the Secular Princes fall off from him or if they will not be reconciled to him as Head of Holy Church he will excommunicate and depose them and dispose of their Crowns Thrones and Scepters from them That the Pope is a Temporal Prince as well as an Ecclesiastical Bishop i. e. makes Laws exacts Tribute raises Souldiers and acts as a Monarch which fairly affords him the Title of Beast that his Royal Robes Chair he sits in to his very Hose and Shooes with the Vestments of Cardinals is Scarlet no Man can reasonably doubt That what the Civil Power claims and the Ecclesiastical Power exercises are not incorporated or entirely mix'd that the Princely Pope is in the Masculine and his Spouse the Church in the Feminine is owned by all Parties That the Church-State doth sit upon ride and govern the Secular at Rome Italy and all its Territories that the Church of Rome owns that she is no Widow but hath a Head called his Holiness or Supreme Ruler of the Church is so evident that we cannot find them upon any File or Record of Controversy There remains therefore no more to be done at this time but to frame our Argument upon the Premises and leave the Reader to prove the Weight thereof in the Ballance Argument If there be no visible State in the Christian World that doth so apparently sit upon command and govern the Beast or a great Secular Power cloathed with Scarlet Vestments as Rome Papal or Church of Rome doth Then is Rome Papal or Church of Rome the Whore of Babylon here treated of But there is no visible State in the Christian World that doth so apparently sit upon command and govern the Beast or Secular Power cloathed with Scarlet Vestments as Rome Papal or Church of Rome doth Ergo Rome Papal or Church of Rome is the Whore of Babylon here treated of To reinforce this Argument we challenge any profest Papists Atheist or any else to shew where any other People or Parties are to whom these Characters agree and then we shall be content to let fall our Argument X. This Beast that Babylon sits upon commands and governs is not only cloathed with Scarlet but is full of the Names of Blasphemy c. Which may be taken in a threefold Sense 1. For reproaching the Name of God 2. For telling Lies in Divine Things 3. For ascribing that to Creatures which belongs to God And tho we will not excuse the Beast from the two former yet for brevity's sake we shall take the latter viz. the ascribing that to Creatures which belongs to Him that saith I am God and my Glory will I not give to another X. Rome Papal or Church of Rome sits upon commands and governs that Beast or Scarlet Power that is not only cloathed with Scarlet Vestments but is full of the Names of Blasphemy which appears by his receiving allowing and encouraging the ascribing that to Creatures which belongs to God and to his Son of which we give you but these Instances 1. When this human sinful and wicked Head is called our Lord God the Pope whether this is not Blasphemy against God 2. When he is called Universal Head of the Catholick Church which none is but Christ 3. When he is called the Lamb of God the Light of the World the Root of David the Lion of the Tribe of Judah whether this is not Blasphemy against the Son of God 4. Whether when the Orders of the Church Oral Tradition the Decrees of Councils are said to be of greater Authority than the Scriptures which they call a Nose of Wax the Hereticks Ink-Rule are perniciously mischievous to the People whether this be not Blasphemy against God that spake and the Word of God spoken 5. When Angels the Virgin Mary and other unknown Saints shall be invocated with Addresses only becoming the Divine Majesty as if these Creatures were infinite and could hear us at so great a distance as is Earth from Heaven which they could not do if perpendicularly over us much less from all parts of the World over which they cannot be whether this ascribing Infiniteness and Adoration to the Creature that is only due to the Creator who is over all God blessed for ever be not Blasphemy 6. To conclude Whether making a God of a piece of Bread and calling the prophane Priest the Maker of the Creature be not ascribing that to the Creature which only belongs to God Is not this the vilest Blasphemy in the World worse if possible than Atheism it self For as Philosophers observe 't is better having no Opinion of God than such an one as is unworthy of Him which we shall close with this Argument Arg. If no People in the Christian World are born up and supported by a Beast full of Names full of such Names or Inscriptions of Blasphemy as Rome Papal or Church of Rome is Then Rome Papal or Church of Rome must be this Babylon treated of But there is no People in the Christian World born up and supported by such a blasphemous Beast as Rome Papal or Church of Rome is Ergo c. To reinforce this Argument let it be considered that none can pretend to fix this Character or Mark upon any Protestant Dissenters from the Church of Rome called Hereticks who have no such Beast to support them nor ascribe such blasphemous Titles or Adoration to any Creature in Heaven or Earth For they acknowledg the one God the Object of Divine Worship one Mediator between God and Man the Lord Jesus and God's sacred Truth to be the only Rule disowning all Principles and Practices contradictory thereunto Ergo 'T is not the Protestant Dissenters from the Church of Rome that are here meant XI Babylon that sits upon a Scarlet-coloured and blasphemous Beast is adorned with great Pomp and outward Glory very well fitting that Spirit that delights in Grandure Rev. 17.4 And the Woman was arrayed in Purple and Scarlet and deck'd with Gold and precious Stones and Pearl having a Golden Cup in her hand full of Abomination and Filthiness of her Fornication Which must be such as none of her Neighbours can match her in else no Note of Distinction XI
in the Body but he could not tell whether the Soul acted with his bodily Organs or without them He had mighty Operations in his Soul his Spirit wrought strangely and then took in such Revelations of God and from God as his bodily Organs could never fashion into Words or represent by Speech He heard quae fando explicari à quoquam homine non possunt unspeakable Words Beza which it is not lawful or possible for a Man to utter The Soul hath an Ear to hear such Words that the Body cannot find a Tongue to express So John in his divine Ravishment saith I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day as for his Body that was as to that Business laid aside and suspended as useless in that Day and his Spirit called up to that angelical Work viz. the receiving of Visions and Revelations from on high c. Now as the Souls of good Men whilest they are in this World in Sleep and in Trances or Ecstasies are capable of such glorious Ravishments c. So when their Bodies dy or fall asleep their Souls are with Christ in Heaven and the Souls of the Wicked they go into Chains of Darkness Torment Luk. 16.22 2◠and Misery The rich Man died and was buried and in Hell he lift up his Eyes being in Torment III. Sleep is not perpetual we sleep and wake again So tho the Body lie in the Grave yet Death is but a Sleep as it were the Man will awake and rise again IV. The going to sleep and sleeping of some Men greatly differs from others So the Death of the Saints greatly differs from the Death of the Wicked 1. In the Preparation the one makes to go to rest over what the other doth Some go to sleep before their Work is done So some die before their Work is done As no Saint dies before his Work is done So there is no wicked Person that dies but he dies or goes to sleep before his Work is done This is our Working-day when the Sun of our Life is set no more Work can be done The Time comes saith Christ when no Man can work All a Godly Man's Care is to be ready when Night comes to go to rest But the Wicked take little Thought about it 2. Some Men fall asleep in an hurry of Business and in great Distraction when others in a sweet Manner lay their Heads down upon their Pillows So some wicked Men die in great Distraction and under sad Horrour of Conscience when many a Godly Man dies in a sweet and heavenly Manner declaring to all he hath nothing to do but to die 3. Some Men dread the Thoughts of going to sleep for that it is dangerous in some Cases for some Persons to sleep So some wicked Men dread the Thoughts of Death like him who cryed out I am so sick I cannot live and so sinful that I am afraid to die But most Godly Men are delivered from the Fear of Death they go willingly to Bed Luk. 2.29 Now lettest thou thy Servant depart in Peace c. Saints are many times willing to go to rest because they are quite wearied out 1. Sin wearies them and even wares them out and makes them groan 2. The World wearies them and makes them willing to go to Bed Eccl. 5.12 3. The Devil the God of this World wearies them with his Temptations 4. Their bodily Weaknesses and disquieting Pains wearie them 5. The Absence of Christ also makes them willing to go home 4. Some Men fall asleep in a dangerous Place nay and sometimes in the midst of their Enemies So wicked Men die in a dangerous Place being far from God and out of the Covenant of Grace and besides are surrounded about with evil Angels who stand ready to devour their Souls But a godly Man falls asleep in Jesus O that 's a sweet Place to sleep in 1. He sleeps in the view of Jesus Christ knows his Grave and will preserve his Dust 2. He falls asleep in the Love of Jesus 3. He falls asleep in the Covenant of Jesus I am the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. 5. Some Mens Sleep is much more sweet and comfortable than others as we shewed before some Mens Sleep is very troublesom their Spirits are troubled So the Death of the Godly is sweet they have Peace and heavenly Joy being with Christ but the Death of the Wicked is troublesom their Spirits being in Torment whilst the Body lies in the Grave I might also shew you the great Difference there shall be in the awaking of the one and the other but that I will leave to its proper place V. A Man that is asleep taking his natural Rest may be easily awakened and called up by the Power of Man So the Body when it is dead can with infinitely more ease be raised up by the Power of God 't is but a Call from Heaven and we are awakened out of the Dust The Day is coming when all that are in the Grave shall hear his Voice and come forth c. John 5.28 Inferences WHat a blessed Condition are Believers in They are not only happy whilst they live but shall be blessed when they die their Bodies have not only quiet Rest but their Souls also rest in Peace and Quiet 2. It may stir up all Christless Souls to labour after an Interest in the Lord Jesus for if they are not in Christ whilst they live they are not like to fall asleep in Christ when they die 3. We may learn also from hence what little ground there is for a godly Man to be unwilling to die when his Work is done Are any unwilling to go to sleep at Night that have laboured hard all Day 4. Let us labour hard whilst the Day lasts whilst we have Health and Life that we may have done our Work and be ready to go to sleep Death a Departure Phil. 1.23 Having a desire to depart c. WE at Death leave one Place to go to another If godly we depart from our Place here on Earth and go to Heaven we depart from our Friends on Earth and go to our Friends in Heaven we depart from the Valley of Tears and go to the Mount of Joy we depart from an howling Wilderness to go to an heavenly Paradise Who would be unwilling to exchange a Sodom for a Sion an Egypt for a Canaan Misery for Glory Death a Rest Rev. 14.13 And I heard a Voice from Heaven saying unto me Write Blessed are the Dead which die in the Lord from henceforth Yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their Labours and their Works do follow them Parallels REst is a desirable Thing to a labouring Man Paul desired to die Death or to depart was greatly desirable in his Sight II. Rest is sweet and therefore desirable to a weary Man So will Death be to a poor weary Saint one that is weary of Sin weary of the World weary of the Temptations
Scripture Christ and his Apostles the Lie Dan. 12.2 John 5.28 Ergo. The Scripture saith that those that sleep in the Dust of the Earth shall awake Christ saith all that are in the Grave shall hear his Voice and come forth and we have shewed the Apostles do affirm that the Dead shall be raised c. 12. If that which sleepeth in the Dust shall rise then the Body shall rise again for 't is the Body that sleepeth in the Dust But that which sleeps in the Dust shall be raised Ergo. 1 Cor. 15. Obj. 'T is not the same Body Thou sowest not that Body that shall be c. Answ If the same numerical Body rise not it will not be a Resurrection but a new Creation therefore that which the Apostle there intends is the Manner of the Resurrection i. e. how the Saints shall be raised 'T is not the same in respect of Weakness and Frailty It is sown a natural Body and shall be raised a spiritual Body 't is sown in Corruption and shall be raised in Incorruption 't is sown in Weakness and shall be raised in Power Which Thing a Grain of Corn that is sown teaches Quest Why shall the same Body of the Dead be raised Answ Because the same Body of Christ was raised that suffered 2. Because the same Body that suffered for Christ shall be glorified with Christ 3. Because the same Body that sinned shall be punished if not the same Body that sinned it might reflect upon the Justice and Goodness of God to punish an innocent Body Besides those Scriptures must be fullfilled which assert the Resurrection of the Body Inferences FRom hence we may infer that here is a World to come 2. That Death is not the last end of Man 3. Prepare for the Resurrection Day think of it when thou liest down and risest up in the Morning Thy lying down to sleep is a Figure of thy lying down in the Grave and thy awaking out of Sleep in the Morning is a Figure of the Resurrection 4. Think of the Resurrection in the Spring when thou seest the Flowers of the Earth bud forth and spring up for that is a Figure also of the Resurrection Of the Iudgment-Day The Iudgment-Day compared to an Assize 2 Cor. 5.10 For we must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ Rev. 20.11 And I saw a great white Throne and him that sate on it c. AFter the Resurrection comes the Judgement the eternal Judgment Note The Judgment-day may fitly be compared to an Assize or general Goal-Delivery Parallels THere is a Judge appointed by the King or supream Power of the Nation or Kingdom where an Assize is to be held who receives his Commission and acts by the Authority thereof Jesus Christ is appointed to be the Judge of Quick and Dead by the Father King of Heaven and Earth The Father judgeth no Man but hath committed all Power to the Son John 5.22 II. The Judge likely comes to the Bench or Judgment-seat with the Sound of Trumpets Christ will come to the Judgment-Seat with the Sound of a Trumpet 1 Cor. 15.52 The Trumpet shall sound and the Dead shall be raised incorruptible III. There is a known Law or Laws in a Kingdom by which the Judge heareth and determines all Causes So there is a known Law or Laws by which Jesus Christ will judg and determine all Causes in the great Day viz. the Law of Moses the Law of Nature and the Law of Christ called the Book of the Gospel The Books shall be opened Rev. 20. IV. The Judge hath many honourable Persons that sit on the Bench with him So Jesus Christ will havâ— all the Saints sit with him on the Throne of Judgment who shall assent and consent to whatsoever he shall do in thâ—t Day Hence 't is said Rev. 3. the Saints shall judge the World He that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my Throne even as I also overcame and am sate down with my Father in his Throne V. A Judge at Assizes after he hath read his Commission and given his Charge calls for the Prisoners So Jesus Christ will orderly proceed and câ—ll before him all Nations all the ungodly that ever lived on the Earth shall be arraigned by him being brought before his Judgment-Seat VI. A Judg having arraigned the Prisoner calls in the Witnesses and then suffers every Man to speak what he hath to say for himself So Jesus Christ will call in Witnesses and indeed every Man's Conscience shall be more than ten thousand Witnesses against him Rom. 2.14 15 16. and all Mouths shall be stopt and every ungodly Man shall be found guilty before Christ VII A Judg after he hath found Men guilty and cast them for their Lives passeth the Sentance So Jesus Christ at the last day having found Sinners guilty of all the horrid Crimes they shall be charged with will pass the fearful Sentence Go ye cursed Mat. 25. VIII A Judg after the Sentence is past orders the manner time and place of Execution So Jesus Christ will at the last day after the Sentence of Condemnation order the Execution of the Wicked and appoint them the place where and the time how long they shall suffer the place will be Hell the time will be for ever and ever See more in the First Volumn Christ the Judg of all Of Heaven The Celestial Paradise Luk. 23.43 Verily I say unto thee This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise 2 Cor. 12.2 He was taken up into Paradise Rev. 2.7 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God c. PAradise is taken in the Holy Scripture in a twofold Sense 1. For the Garden of Eden this is Earthly Paradise 2. For Heaven the Seat or Place of Glory this is Celestial Paradise Now the Earthly Paradise being a Figure of Heaven I shall in the opening of this run the Parallel principally with respect to the Garden of Eden and the State of Adam in Innocency c. Parallels PAradise or the Garden of Eden was a place of Pleasure So Heaven is a place of Pleasure II. Paradise was a place created of God and appointed for Man whilst he stood in the State of Innocency So Heaven is created of God and appointed for all those who obtain through Christ perfect Righteousness their Primitive Glory and Innocency III. Adam in Paradise had all Delight Joy and Pleasure his Heart could desire he wanted nothing to make his Life sweet and pleasant to him So the Saints in Heaven have the fullest Joy Pleasure and Satisfaction imaginable there is nothing wanting they can desire to please and delight them Thou wilt shew me the Path of Life Psal 16.11 Psal 36.8 in thy Presence is fulness of Joy and at thy right-hand Pleasures for evermore They drink of the Rivers of God's Pleasures A River abounds with Water
Frâ—edom for a Life attended with manifold Temptations Disparity OTher Crowns I mean earthly Crowns are corruptible This Crown is incorruptible II. Other Crowns are attended with many Sorrows Troubles and Perplexities c. But this Crown is attended with no such thing for the condiâ—ion of the Heirs of this never-fading Crown will be so joyful that look outwardly there is Joy in the Society Heb. 12.22 if inwardly there is Joy in their own Felicity 1 Cor 2.9 Look forward there is Joy in the Eternity of it 1 Pet. 5.10 So that on every side they shall be even swallowed up of Joy Isa 35.10 Oh! the transcendency of that Paradise of Pleasure where is Joy without Heaviness or Interruption Peace without Perturbation Blessedness without Misery Light without Darkness Health without Sickness Beauty without Blemish Abundance without Want Ease without Labour Satiety without Loathing Liberty without Restraint Security without Fear Glory without Ignominy Knowledg withâ—ut Ignorance Eyes without Tears Hearts without Sorrow Souls without Sin Where shall be no Evil heard of to affright them nor Good wanting to chear and comfort them they shall have what Good they desire and desire nothing but what is good their Promises shall end in Performances Faith in Sight and clear Vision Hope in Fruition and Possession Yea Time it self shall be swallowed up in Eternity To sum up all in a few Words there is no Joy here comparable to that in Heaven all our Mirth here to that is but Pensiveness all our Pleasures here to that is but Heaviness all our Sweetness here to that is but Bitterness Even Solomon in all his Glory and Royalty to that was but as a Spark in the Chimny to the Sun in the Firmament yea how little how nothing are the poor and temporary enjoyments of this Life to those that the Heirs of Promise shall enjoy in the Life that is to come III. Other Crowns fade away the Prince is in a moment gone from that or that is gone from him But this Crown abideth It is incorruptible and undefiled and fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for you c. 1 Pet. 1.4 IV. Other Crowns are gotten many times by Usurpation But the Saints shall have the Crown in a just and righteous way 't is a Crown of Righteousness of which Saints are true and lawful Heirs this Crown is purchased for them by Christ and given to them by the free Donation of the Father besides they are born Heirs to it by the Spirit If Children then Heirs Heirs of God and Joint-Heirs with Christ c. Rom. 8.17 Inferences WE may infer from hence that God's Children are not such Fools as they are accounted by the Ungodly World they have made a good Choice in preferring Heaven above Earth What 's the Glory of this World to the World to come Yea Paradise or the Garden of Eden was but a Wilderness compared with this Paradise And indeed if the Gates of the City be of Pearl and the Streets of Gold what then are the Inner Rooms and Lodging Chambers of the Great Monarch of Heaven and Earth at whose right Hand are Pleasures for evermore II. Let not the Saints grow weary nor faint in their Minds when Heirs of a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away methinks they may be contented to undergo some Troubles in this Life since by suffering these things for Christ's sake they shall be crowned with Glory Honour and Everlasting Life They shall receive the Crown of Life c. Jam. 1.12 Of Hell Hell a Furnace of Fire the Place of the Damned Mat. 13.42 And shall cast them into a Furnace of Fire there shall be wailing and gnashing of Teeth WE are now drawing towards a Conclusion it remains only that we speak something concerning Hell which is the Place prepared for the Damned the Torment of whom is set forth by Fire by a Furnace of Fire and by utter Darkness It hath been a long and ancient Controversy whether Fire here is to be taken Properly or Figuratively I shall not undertake to determine whether it be real Fire or not Doubtless the Torment of the Wicked will be worse than 't is to be cast into any Furnace of Elementary Fire The Schoolmen affirm that the least Torture in Hell exceeds the greatest that can be devised by all the Men on Earth even as the least Joy of Heaven surpasseth the greatest Comforts of this World c. There is scarce any Pain here on Earth but there is some hope of Ease Mitigation or Intermission but in Hell their Torments are easeless endless remediless and they themselves left hopeless helpless and pittyless However we will run a Parallel between a Furnace of Fire and the Place of the Damned for in some things there is a fit Resemblance Parallels A Furnace of Fire hath been prepared as a place of Torment the King of Babylon caused a Furnace to be heat exceeding hot and that whosoever would not bow down to his Golden Image should be cast unto it Hell is a place of Torment prepared for all Wicked and Ungodly Men Rev 21.8 who live and dye in their Sins II. A Furnace of Fire that is heated exceeding hot is very terrible and amazing to him who for his wicked Deeds is told he must be cast therein So Hell is a very terrible and an amazing thing to think upon how lamentable is the Thoughts of it to a guilty Sinner that is awakened that sees no Remedy but thither he must go III. What Torment can be greater than to be cast into a burning fiery Furnace So what Torments can be greater than the Torments of Hell Disparity A Fiery Furnace tho terrible and painful yet it puts an end to the Lives of those that that are thrown into it and the hotter it is the sooner it dispatcheth them out of their pain But the Torments of Hell put no end to the tortured neither can the Damned die but have an ever-dying Life and an everlasting Death it is a Death which hath no Death The Worm dyeth not II. The Torment of a Fiery Furnace can reach but the outward Man it cannot destroy the Soul But the Torments of Hell reach to the very Soul called the Perdition or Destruction of Ungodly Men both of Soul and Body III. The hottest Furnace in the World may abate its heat for want of Fuel and at length be wholly extinguished however its Terrors and Pains are but short and momentary But the tormenting Fire of Hell never abates its heat nor ever goeth out therefore called everlasting Fire now to add Eternity to Extremity and then you will perceive Hell to be Hell indeed IV. Other Fire may be quenched But the Fire of God's Wrath or Hell Fire shall nevâ—r be quenched Vt supra Inference THat as there is no greater cause of magnifying Christ than for Redemption-Mercy and so of Joy unspeakable and full of Glory So there is no greater cause of Sorrow and intolerable Misery than
decide the Case who is clean and who unclean who is to be put out and who to be taken into his Church The Tabernacle and what it was the Type of THe Tabernacle in some respect according to the Learned was a Type of Christ's Human Nature 1. It was exceeding glorious within all the inward parts thereof were overlaid with pure Gold This might signify how the Human Nature of the Son of God was covered with the Diety that being the true Tabernacle that God hath pitched and not Man Saint John saith The Word dwelt or tabernacled amongst us speaking of his being in our Flesh or taking upon him our Nature it being conceived by the Holy Ghost and not erected by Man 2. The Tabernacle was the place where God met with his People now God meets with his People in Christ 't is in and through him we come to know or have the true Revelation of his Will and enjoy his gracious Presence c. Those who would be accepted with God and worship him aright must wait at the door of this Spiritual Tabernacle Others understand by the Tabernacle the Church or Mystical Body of Christ wherein God graciously dwells and hath promised also to meet his People 1. It was moveable signifying the troublesome State of God's People whilst they pass through the Wilderness of this World 2. The Tabernacle had three places 1. The outward Court wherein stood the brazen Altar 2. The Holy Place 3. The Holiest of all In the first it typifies forth the visible or outward Form of the Church in respect of the external Exercise of Religion and Worship hither the common People may come The second typified out the Spiritual State or more close and holy Fellowship of the Church which none have admittance into but sincere and sanctified Persons who feed upon the Spiritual and true Shew-Bread Jesus Christ The third typified Heaven it self or the Church of God triumphant where Christ is set down in Glory at the Father's right hand to intercede for us 3. The Entry to the Holiest of all was by the Holy Place and to the Holy place was by the outer Court c. So our Entry into Heaven is by being Members of the visible Church through Faith and a good Conscience He that would enter into the Holiest of all must first be Holy and he that would come into a State of true Holiness and Communion with God and his People must learn to know where the Candlestick and true Shew-Bread stands which is the visible Church 4. You read of the fixed Pillars of the Holy Place they might signify the Holy Apostles of Jesus â—hrist and his faithful Ministers who help to support the Spiritual Structure the Church as Pillars do support a House c. 5. The divers Ornaments and Instruments thereof might signify the diversity of Spiritual Gifts and Graces in the Gospel-Church the Tabernacle was exceeding glorious within and all the inward parts thereof were overlaid with pure Gold Exod. 35. Psal 45. So inwardly the Church of God is very beautiful the King's Daughter is all glorious within 6. The several covâ—rings thereof typified the Lord's sure and safe Protection of his Church by his own immediate Power and gracious ministration of Angels 7. Gold within and Skins without might signify tho the Church is glorious within yet outwardly to the sight and view of carnal Men she hath no Beauty but is look'd upon as contemptible 8. The Tabernacle and all the Instruments thereof yea the very Ash-Pans and Snuffers of the Candlestiâ—k must be made according to the Pattern shewed in the Mount which figured forth Exod. 25.40 that the Church of God and all the exercise of Worship that is therein whether Doctrâ—ne or Discipline must be exactly according to the express written Word nothing must be aâ—ded to nor diminished from no Alterations one way or other must be made 9. The voluntary Oblation of the People to build the Tabernacle signifies how willing Christians should be to contribute of their outward Substance to uphold God's Church and the publick Worship thereof 10. The glorious Door of the Tabernacle might be a Figure of Christ who saith I am the Door Joh. 10.7 't is by him we enter into the Kingdom of Grace and Glory The Veil of the Holiest Exod. 26.31 and what it figured forth IT was glorious of Embroidered Work this saith Guild signified the Body of Christ filled with the fulness of God Heb. 7.26 or beautified with all the most excellent and Heavenly Graces of the Spirit Joh. 1.51 II. It was replenished and wrought full of Cherubims noting thereby that serviceable and ready attendance of the Angels on Christ's Natural and Mystical Body III. It was born up by glorious and costly Pillars overlaid with Gold on Sockets of Silver to shew that the Humanity of Christ especially in his Sufferings should be born up by his Deity which his Manhood overveiled IV. By the Veil only there was entry into the Holiest place of all So by the Veil that is to say the Flâ—sh of Christ wâ—ich was rent as it were upon the Cross a new and living way is made for us to the Father Heb. 10.20 The Ark a Type of Christ THe Ark was an assurance of God's Presence amongst his People So Christ is the Cause and Assurance that God in a gracious way is present with us II. Where the Ark was there it was lawful to offer Sacrifice and no where else which might shew that our acceptance in God's Sight is through Jesus Christ If Christ dwell not in our Hearts by Faith if we have not the Ark with us Christ with us God will not accept of our Prayers nor Service III. In the Ark was the Pot of Manna to shew that in Christ is the Life Comfort and Spiritual Nourishment for our Souls IV. The Ark had a Crown of Gold round about it signifying the Majesty of Christ's Kingdom or his Regal Power V. The two Tables were in the Ark the Ark kept them which might signify Christ's keeping the Law perfectly for us and deliver us thereby from the Curse of it VI. When the Ark was set in the Temple of Dagon Dagon fell down and broke to pieces So when Christ and his Truth are set up in a Man's Heart or a Nation Sin and Idolatry will go down VII Where the Ark was there was the Glory of God and when that departed the Glory of God departed So where Christ's blessed Truth and Gospel is there is the Glory of God but when Christ leaves a People takes away his Gospel the Glory of God goes from that People Some run a Parallel between the Church and the Ark others between the Publick Worship of God and it But in my Judgment it more clearly was a Type of Christ which may comprehend much of what they say in respect of other things The Mercy-Seat Exod. 25.17 a Type of Christ IT was called the Mercy-Seat or as
Ainsworth gives it from the Hebrew Word a Propitiation covering this saith the Apostle applyeth to Christ called God's Propitiation 1 Joh. 2.2 't is in Christ Mercy is truly seated and 't is he that hath made a Propitiation for our Sins II. It was the Cover of the Ark where the two Tables lay So Christ is the true Cover Rom. 3. and Deliverer from the Curse and Accusation of the Law III. It was of pure Gold noting the spotless Holiness of Christ IV. Upon the Mercy-Seat were two Cherubims these Cherubims signifyed the holy Angels they stretched their Wings on high covering or shadowing so the Mercy-Seat This Word is used for Protection or Defence from Evil saith learned Ainsworth And doubtless it might signify the usefulness of Angels in Christ's Spiritual Kingdom they looked down upon the Mercy-Seat signifying the Mystery of Christ's Incarnation or God manifested in the Flesh which things the Angels desired to look into hence the Apostle saith in another place 1 Pet. 1. He was seen of Angels seen with Delight and Admiration Some by the Mercy-Seat and Cherubims understand the Holy Trinity in Unity viz. By the Mercy-Seat being a Figure of â—hrist and the two Cherubims the Father and the Holy Ghost and by the two Cherubims at the end of the Mercy-Seat they understand Christ's standing between God and and the Rigour of his Justice God looking on the Law through Christ as fulfilled by him for us and from hence communing with us But that the Father should be represented to us in the Figure of one of the Cherubims I see no ground for it forasmuch as we read of no Similitude of the Father save the Person of Christ only So Deut. 4.15 The Table of Shew-Bread a Type of Christ IT was covered over with Gold and a Crown about it noting saith Guild the Purity of Christ's Humanity with the Glory of his Deity and Majesty of his Kingdom II. It had Food called Shew-Bread set upon it which none were to eat of but the Priest only signifying that Spiritual Nourishment which is in Christ the Bread of Life which none receive or partake of but Believers only or the Royal Priesthood of the Faithful III. The Bread was always to be upon the Table signifying in Christ there is Food continually for our Souls IV. There was much Bread twelve Cakes or square Loaves c. signifying in Christ there is Food and Nourishment enough for all who see a necessity of him or it doth shew how plentifully God feeds his Elect his poor shall not want Bread his Table is always spread always richly and abundantly furnished The Candlestick a Type of Christ and of his Mystical Body IT was the only thing that held the Light which enlightned the Sanctuary So from C rist all the Light of Grace and â—piritual Gifts come for the use and benefit of his Church II. It had seven Lamps to signify that perfection of Light that is in Christ III. It was placed in the Sanctuary So is Christ as a glorious Light placed in his Church or Spiritual Sanctuary Out of Zion the Perfection of Beauty God hath shined Some by the Lamps understand the Ministers of the Gâ—spel were signified IV. It had an upright Stem which bore the many Branches that issued or proceeded from the same typifying Christ Jesus that true and blessed Stalk and Fountain of Light from whom all Light floweth and who bears up and keeps constant in the Truth all the Branches and true Light-Bearers of his Word Rev. 1.20 V. The Branches were adorned with Bowls Knobs and Flowers c. So are the Ministers of his Gospel or true Spiritual Light-Bearers with many rare and most excellent Graces and Gifts of the Holy Spirit VI. Aaron dressed those Lamps and renewed their Oyl daily So our High Priest Jesus Christ is the only Enlightner and Fitter of his faithful Ministers That they may shine more clearly and be the greater Ornament to his Church 't is he that supplies them continually with his Spirit and the saving Graces thereof VII The Candlestick had Snuffers and Snuff Dishes of pure Gold which might figure forth the Good and Godly Discipline of the Câ—urch whereby those evil Persons who hinder the Peace and Glory of it are taken away by Excommunication The Altar of Perfume Exod. 30.1 to 13. a Type of Christ THe Altar was made of Shittim Greek incorruptible Wood or Wood that never rots overlaid with Gold and having a Crown about it as had the Ark this Altar signified Christ in both his Natures his Deity yeilding Glory to his Humanity and now crown'd with Glory and Majesty at God's right Hand where he abides for ever incorruptible c. II. The Altar had Horns on the four Corners thereof overlaid with Gold which were not only for Ornament Ezek. 43.16 Heb. 3.4 but to keep things from falling off the Altar for the Horns were upward And Horns usually signify Power and Might these four Horns saith the learned Ainsworth signified the Power and Glory of Christ's Priesthood for the Salvation of his Church gathered from the four Corners of the Earth III. The Incense was only to be offered upon this Altar to shew that all our Prayers and Services must be performed in Christ's Name Reâ— 8.3 4 5. or offered up upon the Golden Altar of his Mediation IV. The Incense was to be first beaten made fit and well prepared before it was to be put on the Altar Psal 41.2 Psal 51. noting how our Prayers which are compared to Incense ought to proceed from a humble contrite and broken Spirit which we offer up in the Name of Jesus Christ V. The Incense was kindled by Fire upon the Altar So must our Prayers be holy and fervent we must pray with much Zeal or be set on Fire by the Spirit and powerful Heat and Operation thereof if we would have them accepted upon the Golden Altar c. Rev. 8.3 4 5. VI. The Incense was offered up by the Priest So are the Prayers of all the Saints made acceptable to the Father through the Oblation and Intercession of our High Priest VII No strange Incense was to be offered upon this Altar This figured the Prayers of the Saints must be according to the Will of God Mat. 21.22 1 Joh. 5.14 Rom. 8.26 by his Spirit and in Faith not in a vain or formal manner after the Tradition of Man we must not intermix them with any Superstitious and Idolatrous Devices or Human Inventions we must offer up no strange Prayer no Prayer to Saints nor Angels 8. The Perfume was to be perpetually before the Lord which signified not only the continual exercise of Prayer which daily we should use Heb. 7.25 but also the perpetual Intercession of our Saviour in the Heavens for us 9. The High Priest only made this Perfume and it might not be applyed to any other use than to burn before the Lord teaching us that Christ
only gives Direction how we should pray and that we should in Prayer only design the Glory of God 10. After the clearing of the Lamps of the Candlestick Evening and Morning then the Incense was burnt shewing that all our Prayers and Duties must be according to the Directions of God's Word and Spirit 11. The Incense was made of divers Spices Psal 51. So must the Prayers of the Godly be seasoned with divers Graces viz. true Repentance lively Faith and unfeigned Love 12. The Incense was offered up in the Holy Place without the Veil of the Holiest near to the Testimony before the Mercy-Seat So we must always have an Eye to Christ in our Prayers who is the true Mercy-Seat we must come to God by him c. 13. Once a Year the Altar was sprinkled with the Blood of the Expiatory Sacrifice signifying how Christ is by shedding of his Blood consecrated our blessed Mediator and that no Prayer is acceptable to God but through Faith in the Blood of Christ The Altar of Burnt-Offering Exod. 27.1 to 9. a Type of Christ Parallels ALtar in Hebrew Mizbeach in Greek Thusiasterion Ainsworth so named of Sacrifices offered thereon it was anointed dedicated sanctfied to be most holy that it might sanctify the Gifts offered thereon This Altar and Sacrifice signified Jesus Christ sanctifying himself for his Church and People that so he might sanctify them II. This Altar was but one and in one place and the Sacrifice only to be offered upon it signifying thereby that we have but one Altar of Redemption and Salvation viz. Jesus Christ alone who only once and in one place offered up a sufficient and unreiterable Sacrifice for the Sins of Mankind III. This Altar had four Horns also See Altar of Incense IV. It had a brazen Grate in the midst of it which let the Ashes and like things fall through c. whereon the Fire was put which might signify two things 1. The Humanity of our Saviour who bore the Fire of God's Wrath for our Sins thus Guild 2. Isa 53.12 It signifieth saith Ainsworth the place wherein the Holy Fire always burneth that is the Heart which sustaineth also the Sacrifice 2 Tim. 1.3 Rom. 1.1 2. Heb. 7.14 and where all Ashes and Excrements of Corruption are inwardly conveyed away as they are discovered by the Word and Spirit of God as also our Sanctification by Affliction V. In that the Altar was to be made of Shittim Wood and overlaid with Brass that it might endure the Fire it might figure out the Human Nature of Christ supported or sustained by the Diety to endure God's Wrath for our Sins VI. They that served at the Altar lived of the Altar So they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel Disparity THE Altar was one thing and the Sacrifice another But Christ is both the Altar Sacrifice and Sacrificer too he offered up his Body by the Eternal Spirit as a Sacrifice acceptable to God the Father The Brazen Laver Exod. 30.18 to 25. what it was a Type of THE Brazen Laver served for the Priest-hood to wash their Hands and Feet in before they ministred before the Lord typifying that inward washing by Christ's Blood wherewith all the Holy Priesthood of Christ must be sanctified in Heart and Life before their Services can be accepted in the sight of God and that none ought to minister the Word of Life but Godly Persons who are washed in the Laver of Regeneration Psal 50. Vnto the wicked God saith what hast thou to do to take my Words into thy Mouth c. II. After the Priests had washed themselves clean and arrayed themselves they entred into the holy Place So after the Godly are inwardly washed by the Blood of Christ and have received by Faith his Righteousness to adorn them they become fit Members of the true Gospel-Church III. They shall wash themselves saith the Lord lest they die to shew that all Persons must be purged by Faith in Christ's Blood Mark 16.16 or die eternally IV. He that toucheth or washeth in the Laver it being anointed with the holy Oil as all other Things in the holy and most holy Place were shall be holy saith the Lord signifying that all they who by Faith touch the Lord Jesus who is anointed with the Oil of Gladness above his Fellows shall be spiritually sanctified accepted and accounted holy before the Lord likewise The Sacrifice of Beasts a Type of Christ THe Beasts that were appointed for Sacrifice were to have Horns signifying the Kingly and Priestly Office of Christ Horns as we have elsewhere shewn being a Symbol of Power c. II. They were to be of a tame sort not wild and savage Beasts who by force are brought to the Slaughter signifying the Meekness and Mildness of Jesus Christ who was patient like a Lamb led to the Slaughter Isa 53. III. They must be of the Male Sort which generally are the strongest signifying the Excellency and Strength of Jesus Christ IV. They ought to be without blemish and the best of the Flock or Herd and presented of voluntary Will noting two Things 1. That Christ should be perfectly holy and that he should willingly lay down his Life 2 That we should dedicate to God the best of our Days Time and Strength and not offer unto the Lord a corrupt Thing and also perform all our Services to him with a free and willing Mind V. They were to be presented at the Door of the Tabernacle to be slain signifying that Christ s Blood makes our entry into the Church of God here and into Heaven it self hereafter VI. They must lay their hands upon the Head of the Beast who brought him noting thereby our Sins being laid upon Jesus Christ and that we must lay the hand of Faith upon him if we would have Benefit by his Death VII Then the Burnt-Offering was slain signifying that so it behoved Christ the great Anti-type to be slain or crucified for our Sins Mark 16.15 Mâ—t. 28.18 19. VIII The Blood thereof then was sprinkled about the Altar noting the All-sufficiency of Christ's Death and Plenty of his Bloodshed with the large spreading or preaching thereof universally throughout the whole World IX The Skin thereof was plucked off and the Flesh cut in pieces thereby shewing the Grievousness of Christ's Sufferings X. The Body the Head and the Fat and all was laid on the Fire signifying how Christ should suffer for us both in Body and Soul Isa 53.12 My Soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto Death XI This Burnt-Offering was called a sweet Savour unto the Lord which in Christ's Death is solely and only accomplished for 't is thereby God's Wrath is appeased and his Justice satisfied XII The Ashes were to be carried without the Host and put into a clean Place shadowing thereby how Christ should be buried without the Gates of Jerusalem in a Tomb wherein never Man lay and that his Body should not