two Witnesses and the mark of the Beast And the decay of the mystery of iniquity QUest 1. Who kept the Testimony of Jesus and the word of God that came from Sems Tents in the times of the rising and height of the Pontificality Answ Many in the times of the rising of it and there were here and there two Witnesses some that followed the true Lamb and that in the height of it prophecyed misliked and cryed out against the proceedings of the mystery of iniquity But this company were not so conspicuous and visibly glorious being for divers Hundreds of years driven as into a Wilderness through a red sea of fire and fagot by the Beast of the Bottomless pit the counterfeit Lamb and the prevailing faction of his six hundred sixty six apostatical number yet at the last the Brethren overcame by the bloud of the Lamb and by the word of their Testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death QUest 2. Then the papacy would not bear with such as contested against it Answ Christs faithful witnesses were caused to mourn in Sackcloath No man might buy or sell that would not Worship the Image of the Beasts imperial State re-erected in the Pontificality Like their forefathers the servants of servants the cursed Canaanice Deut. 2.28 29. and receive the Mark of the Beast in his hand or forehead or the name of the Beast or at least be of the number of his name yea else were most cruelly used as is said throughout their large Common-weal That Whorish Church was and is drunk with the bloud and martyrs of Jesus QUest 3. What do you understand to be the mark of the Beast Answ The Popes Canon-Law telleth that none may live under the Empire but by yielding to the Popes Lawes in his subscribing to his Imperial and Ecclesiasticall Supremacy and oath of fidelity as a mark on the hand and some open token of communion with him and profession of his decrees as a mark in the forehead The saying of the Ave Maria went over all to the poor beggars and reverence to the cross and comming to their most wicked Mass Forbidding and refraining from reading and teaching the holy Scriptures but for licensed and auricular Confession Briefly all differing from their Dracons Lawes were heretiques and mightnot use policy having not the marks of his Politie QUest 4. Did then the Pontificalitie and Papacy as the old Empire porsecute the faith of the Prophets and Apostles doctrine Answ Yea for it is said that the latter Beast like a Lamb with two horns did all that the former Beast did He had the voice and speach of the Dracon Caesars and did maintain the same War against the * For the wars of the dragon Caesars and dragon-Pope◠see former notes Saints and for the same cause and that was the keeping of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus And this is the very mark of those that have Gods Name in their Foreheads Note as the old Beast-like enemies fought against the faith of Jerusalem Sems Tents and the People of God so Rome-Egypt Rome-Babylon with like cruelty and intestine hatred both in the Caesars and Popes against the same glorious faith of Jerusalem the holy City that came down from heaven Kain began the War the Pontificality and Papacy follow Kains waies The former be stamps of the latter As there is a like revolution of time so there is of other matters of Christs administration QUest 5. But the mystery of Iniquity the spiritual Supremacy did not still continue in that strength and repute in the Christian world as it had in former times Answ The Apostle foretold that the Lord Jesus would consume that wicked that man of sin and his corporation with the Spirit of his mouth and abolish it with the brightnesse of his coming so the fifteenth century the Lamb the King of mount Sion appeared with one hundred and forty four thousand attending on him who caused the Gospel to break out again and the light of it in the holy city increased to our daies that Christ the Sun of Iustice shineth and reigneth in England Scotland France Germany c. Blessed be his glorious name And let the four and twenty Elders and the sour lively Wights and all that fear God both small and great give thanks and sing Hallelujahs with all hearty courage as Apocal. 15. 19. QUest and Ans 6. Shall the Papacy be still decreasing Ans Yea for the preaching of the eternal Gospel falleth Rome-babylon and buildeth Jerusalem This the Sword of Christs mouth hath consumed the Kingdome of the Beast and chiefly through this Abaddon the son of perdition the angel of the bottomless pit and his cursed earthly politie and corporation shall be perishing to the end and is every day going to utter perdition QVest 7. But the Polity of Rome Egypt is strong by power and subtill counsells through the Kings and Princes that give their power to the Beast and through the swarms of innumerable Locusts and all his Worshippers all which are confederate with him and say b So said the Atheists of old Egypt and old Babylon Dan. 3.15 Exod. 5.2 Jer. 50.34 who can warr with the Beast as Apocal. 13.4 Answ Strong is Lord God of Hosts the King of Kings and Lord of Lords that will judge the great Whore and overthrow that habitation of Divels that hold of every foul Spirit that Cage of every uncleane and hatefull Bird. For he fitteth as on a White Cloud with a sicle in his hand and as on a White Horse of truth and might and in righteousnesse doth judge and make Warr. And the godly * The called the chosen the faithful are on the Lambs part Apoc. 17 14. Warriours †All those cry mightily to him that sits on the Cloud to thrust in his sicle and their prayers are heard Apoc. 14.15 Princes †Teachers and †people as on White Horses in his truth and might will follow him †And that we might be assured of Mysticall Babylons destruction Gen 6.11 12 13. 11.8 Jos 10.11 Jud. 4. 5.19 Jer. 25.10 Nah. 3.4.17 Ezek. 17. 28. Deut. 2.27 28. with Apoc. 13.17 Esai 63.3 the holy Spirit alludeth to the stories of the old enemies the old world Sodome Egypt Chanaan Edom Tyrus Niniveh Babel and apostate Jerusalem to the four cursed Kingdomes in Daniel chap. 7. to Gog and Magog Ezek. 38 39. As Gods wrath and vengeance came on them so most surely shall the cursed bloody heathenish apostaticall polity of King Abaddon be trodden in the wine-presse of the wrath of the Lord God omnipotent and perish The seven * The seven Phialls shew how Rome shal as it dealt in the Trumpets as shall be more largely shewed hereafter Phials set forth this how the just God doth pour out plagues on the Throne and Kingdome of the Beast QUest 8. Shall the Gospel of Christ increase in glory
Answer It shall Christ will raise up holy Teachers who shall by his great power cause the earth to be lightned with glory And the Temple and Testimony which the Beast of the Pit had shut up shall be further opened and the Lord the Almighty One shall reign The same Kingdomes that gave their power to the Beast shall regain and shall revive from their dead apostaticall condition and hate the Whore that loathsome Corporation of the King of Locusts make their Kingdomes our Lords and his Christs for they shall embrace the Gospel which shall shine among them This is called the marriage of the Lamb Apoc. 19. And verily as that whorish Polity hath been desolate and naked in respect of England Scotland and much of Germany c. so shall it be of France and Spain and others when Gods purposes are fulfilled QUest 9. What is the finall judgement given on the second beast with two horns like a Lamb who is the Beast of Empire revived and also with his Locusts is the false Prophet Answer It is said the Beast was caught and with him the false Prophet which worketh miracles before him by which he deceiveth them that receive the mark of the Beast and worship his image both were cast alive as Sodomites into the Lake burning with fire and Brimstone and shall be tormented with the Devils day and night for ever and ever Even so Amen Lord God omnipotent holy just and true are thy wayes and judgements O King of Saints QUest 10. What is the judgement on them that are seduced by the great glorious and Catholick Whore and were drunken with the cup of the Wine of her fornications that had the Mark of the Beast and did worship his image Answ They shall drink of the Cup of the wrath of God the wine mixed in the cup of his anger Psal 11.6 and 75.8 and shall be tormented for ever and ever without rest day or night in fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb Apoc. 14. This should be a most serious admonition for men to come out of mysticall Babylon mysticall Egypt to use no garments no prayers no laws of the Popes making QUe 11. What are we to think of all that go under the name of Papists that are under the Papacy Answ Fearfull judgement is pronounced on all those that worship the image of the Beast or have his Mark or print of his name in hand or forehead but sentence is not so passed on all that are of the Number of his name yet they are in great danger unlesse they obey the voice from heaven Come out of her my people O thrice blessed is that Kingdome O thrice blessed is that family O thrice blessed is that person that not onely hath gotten victory over the Beast and over his image and over his Mark but also and over the number of his name QUest 12. What is the end of all that know not God and which obey not to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ which will not be of the Corporation of the holy City Answ Everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power for so it is said without shall be dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters and the fearfull and unbelievers and the abominable and whosoever loveth and maketh a he Apoc. 21. and 22. QUest 13. What is the end of the godly that would not obey the Papacy and of all that sincerely walk with God Answ The Apostle John heard a voice from heaven saying Write blessed are they that die in the Lord even so saith the Spirit for they rest from their labours and their works follow with them Phil. 3.12 They shall not be unclothed but clothed upon in them mortality be swallowed up of life 2 Cor. 5.4 Luk. 20.35.36 And in the day of the all-joyfull resurrection our weak vile and corrupt bodies shall be raised up incorruptible and be fashioned and made like our Lords glorious body And the Saints that are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall have instead of death a sudden and unspeakable * changing in their bodies and shall together with them of the Resurrection be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the aire and to be ever with the Lord not to die any more but are equall unto the angels and shall shine like the Sun in the Kingdome of their Father Amen Even so come LORD JESUS Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the seventeenth Chapter QVest 1. and Ans Here and there two witnesses See Mr. White Way c. page 384. c. and Mr. Cade Justif l. chap. 4 and lib. 2. chap. 1. and many others Christ still raising up his witnesses was an argument that his cause should live till better times All the power of the Western world that Pope and Emperour and other horns of the Beast could make could not root out the Church nor the faith of the Primitive purity It did and shall increase in spite of fire and fagot prisons Massacres Index Expurgatorius c. the King of Locusts and his Locusts prevailed against the bodies of the Saints but not against their Testimony to the true faith of Christ Ibid. Prophesied misliked and cried out Here is a sore combate of Michaels servants called the patience of the Saints as with the Casars so now with the Tail of the Dragon the King of Locusts All the fight was for the salvation and power and Kingdome of God and his word and the authority of of Christ and his Testimony Apoc. 12.10 and this still is and must be intended for unto banishment spoiling of goods bonds and death Yea it shall be contended for till the seventh Trumpets sounding sheweth Christs reigning over the Kingdoms of the world in the glorious manifestation of his Ordinances Apoc. 11.15.19 Ibid. For divers hundreds of years In those dayes the Temple was shut and Christs Ordinances abandoned by the authority of the Beast with two horns like a Lamb so there is two kinds of authority and for this was the great strife Jehosaphat much reformed the State and took away the high places that had Groves but the other high places stood still for the peoples heart was not able to comply with purer worship 2 Chron. 20.33 So in our dayes our people are full of superstitions and hate faithfull teaching therefore pure Reformation shall not be yet nay now the the things not reformed by Queen Elizabeth and King James are a means of introducing moe things of Popish abominations Ibid. Of his 666. Apostaticall number Observe the Romane Catholick Church of Kings multitudes peoples Nations and kindreds and tongues rejoiced when the Beast of the Pit had killed the two witnesses and Martyrs of Iesus so they are the many that go the broad way and Christs witnesses sew that go the narrow way Papists ask where was your company
Tradition in reference to the last mentioned short Oâ—seâ—vations 1. Although the Church was taught by Tradition for 2513 years From the creation to Israels coming from Egypt is 2513 years yet the written word was no other Doctrine thâ—n was formerly taught by Tradition for all Genesis and much of Exodus was first delivered by Tradition till Moses wrote Genesis 2. The Eplstles to the Romans and Galatians open Gen. 12. 15. So John 1. and 1 John 3.8 open Gen. 3.15 So the Apostles Doctrine and writings are answerable to Gods Doctrine by Tradition for those 2513 years Ezek. 28. 3. That which Moses received by Tradition since Adam or by inspiration or both till he was 80 years old was no other than Christ gave him on Mount Sinâ—i which he wrote when he was shepherd to Israel 40 years So it is said by faith Abel offered by faith Araham when he was tried offered Isaac and by faith Moses kept the Paâ—leover and this holy faith hath commendation for all the godly of the old Testament Heb. 11. And the same faith we of Japhets house are exhorted to follow that Christ may be to our consolation to day as he was to them yesterday 4. And for that 2513 years wherein Religion was taught by Tradition Gods providence so ordered the affairs of his Church that while the families that hoped in Christ were few there were as is noted rate prophets long-lived and of great authority who although the Gospel was not written for ought we know till Moses times were most able to strengthen the faithfull of their times 5. The men that continued the Gospel by infallible Tradition from the creation to the giving of the Law are the first ten Fathers afore the flood Nine of them living together were a noble consistory to uphold the faith so shaken by the Apostasie of their own children and the wicked families of Cain 6. Then after the flood there were nine Fathers also of the holy line that lived together worthy Pillars against Niâ—rods revoâ—t these nine were Noah Sem Arphaxad Selah Eber Peleg Regu Serug Naho and so Sem Arphaxad Selaâ— Eber might and did instruct Abraham Sem Selah Eber and Abraham might and did teach Isaac Abraham Isaac and Eber taught Jacob Isaac and Jacob the twelve Patriarchs who left many godly that lived to Moses Moses Parents were godly Heb. 11. There was but 64 years between Josephs death and Moses birth 7. More briefly thus Adam taught the Gospel to Mathuselah and godly Lamech they two to Noah and Sem Sem taught Isaac Abraham and Isaac taught Jacob and Isaac and Jacob the twelve Patriarchs and they in Egypt held Religion sound while they lived and Joseph lived after Jacobs death 50 years and Levi 70 years after and there was 42 years between Levies death and Moses birth 8. The wisdome of God is admirable in the long life of the few families of the old holy men to preserve the faith by Tradition that Sem who lived with godly Lamech and Machuselah who saw Adam taught the Gospel to Isaac These four men Adam Lamech Sem Isaac could reckon years above 2000 but when mens ages were divers times shortened and at lâ—st brought to 70 years Psal 90. and when the Church of God consisted of many families and that the purity of Religion was forgotten and neglected after the death of the said Patriarchs of the most in Egypt for Israel in Egypt fell to the idols and Religion of Egypt then God commanded Moses in the wildernesse to write the word of faith and ever after it was the Standard and Cannon of faith and manners as all the Prophets after and our Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles kept themselves to the written word and to this all the Israel of God is enjoined To the Law and to the Testimony saith Esaias Starch the Sâ—â—iptuâ—es saith the Lord Jesus Let the word of Christ dwell richly in you in all wisdome saith the Apostle of the Gentiles c. c This word of Christ is the holy Scripture and it teacheth us wisdome to salvation 2 Tim. 3. we are exhorted to give heed to the old Prophesie 2. Pet. 1. and thrice blessed are they that with an honest and good heart so do 9. All the Patriarchs were Bishops for their families 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 using all care to teach theirs from their Fathers speech what Sem i. e. Melchizedeck learned of Mathuselah taught of Adam of the holy Trinity and how our Lord should come of Judah the King of glory the eternall the framer of the world of that poor shepherd to be man to have his Tabernacle in us to look through the windows within our wall and also how Christ by death should vanquish him that had the power of death they did know that he should come down from heaven and did feed upon his flesh and blood comforted in sorrow by this hope they would not misse to catechise their sons in this point as Joseph gave 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to feed his brethren Gen. 47 12. so all godly gave 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to feed their families souls In one word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 never used afore but in Josephs story with the Septuagint Our Lord his gracious tongue calleth us to the Patriarchs story Luke 12.42 compared with Gen. 47.12 to look to the Kingdome of heaven not to the earth which God hath cursed so Mr. Br. in Lords Fam. Luke 12 42. 10. Observe a little more concerning Tradition in those 26. Collections above that we should consider that the Spirit of Christ in the holy Prophets by Tradition and in the Law written by Moses is like it self one and the same Doctrine and all for the glorifying of Christ as it is said The spirit of Prophesie is the Testimonie of Jesus He is the mark of all Apoc. 19. Let us consider briefly for the new Testament therein also God took the same course though not for so long a time by Tradition I conceive it is a good instruction for us to strengthen us against the false Positions of Romane Catholicks concerning their unwritten verities for we shall easily perceive God to be without shadow of change whether by Tradition or writing 1. The Birth Life and Death the Doctrine and Miracles of our Lord Jesus Christ were by Tradition till the four Evangelists had written them but when written then it was the rule of our faith John 20.30 31. 2. The teaching of the Corinâ—hians the Institution of the Supper of the Lord was a Tradition 1 Cor. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. The Doctrine of the Resurrection of the dead to them was by Tradition 1 Cor. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 1 Cor. 15. was the same Doctrine he taught them 4. The Apostles teaching of the Man of sin that Son of Perdition was a Tradition to the Thessalonians 2 Thes 2.5 15. 5. Painfullnesse and diligence in a mans calling was a Tradition 2
from heaven to comfort him and it is most evident that Christ was not forsaken for the holy Angel did not come from heaven to the Lord Jesus without a commission from the heavenly Father to whom the humanity prayed and therefore in the closure of his meritorious sufferings his heart rejoyced and his tongue was glad and being full of faith and comfort he said Father into thy hands I commend my spirit and then he sent out his Spirit from his Body 10. Again if some shall say the wrath of God as some understand wrath killed Christ We should be well advised what passeth the doore of our lips for Christ our holy Mediatour said I have power to lay down my life Jâ—â— 10.17.18 and have power to take it again This commission or commandement have I received from my Father also he said As the Father knoweth me so know I the Father and lay down my life for the sheep therefore doth my Father love me because I lay down my life that I may take it again Joh 15. As the Father hath loved me so have I loved you continue ye in my love If ye keep my commandements ye shall abide in my love even as I have kept my Fathers commandements and abide in his love John 16. Ye shall be scattered every man to his own and shall leave me alone and yet I am not alone because the Father is with me These Scriptures and others are prevalent to make one think and believe that he was not under the wrath and curse of God in any respect or consideration as some understand wrath not for one minute of an hour for surely the Son of God our Lord Jesus Christ was a most willing Mediatour and Redeemer for us to God our Father he gave himself a voluntary and free will offering to our heavenly Father for us and therefore no force did separate his soul from his body but he did that act by his own power as the formality of his Sacrifice 11. Many Ministers have some expressions about our Lords Sufferings which many godly and learned Divines have testified are not warrantable for what are we dust and ashes to speak of God and our Redeemer and Mediatour words not comely but we all should consider that aâ— Moses spake nothing of his own mind nor Christ in the flesh nor his Apostles from him but what he taught to Moses and the Prophets So we should all speak from his holy Scriptures sound Doctrines wholesome Doctrines plain and pregnant speech sound and uncondemnable 12. The assertion that our Lord suffered hell-torments in this life in his soul or body appeareth not true by any Scripture True modesty would look to Scripture phrases in handling our Redemption The ill translation of the Article and the bad interpretation of it but especially the mistaking of the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath filled the Church of Christ with much trouble and the smoke of the Pit which hath troubled many mens eyes hath also been a great occasion thereof but now the smoke is much vanished blessed be God 13. Beloved Reader we desire to reverence his word by whom the world was made his word is of sufficient authority with us and to that we through the strength of Christ will cleave as to our life therein is these words And the Bread that I will give is my flâ—sh namely that I will give in sacrifice for the life of the world Joh 6. And this is at large expounded Heb. 9 But Christ being come an high Priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle not made with hands I mean not of this building neither by the blood of goats nor calves but by his own blood he entered once into the holy place having obtained eternall redemption for us And it is also sald that without shedding blood is no remission and this is further amplified How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God And for this cause he is the Mediatour of the new Testament that by the means of death this is not the second death for the Redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which were called might receive the promise of the eternall inheritance Chap. 10. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering the body of IESUS Christ once for al He. 10. And so he doth most sweetly and confortably speak in verse 19. 20 21. and in deed all that Epistle doth open Ioh. 6. most heavenly 14 Againe if Orthodox Churches yea the most Orthodox are so infallible that our faith must be resolved in part into their commentaries expositions c. how cometh it to passe that some do differ in Church discipline from so many reformed Churches both from Geneva Zurick Scotland Low Countries c. that they neither scotize it with the Scot nor Genevate it with the zealous Towne of Geneva they fall it may be under reproof in not agreeing with but discording the judgement and practise of the best and reformed and Othodox Churches in discipline And they had need to shew very good reasons of their so dissenting or they are to blame or else some may say came the word of God out from them or came it unto them only yea and may not others say so too of the best Orthodox Churches came the word of God out from or came it unto them only that men must be judged by them But the Holy Ghost hath charged us in his cause be not the Servants of men 1. Cor. 7. 15. The Pontificians said that our fore Fathers had the word of God from them and therefore they did by Egyptian Bondage tye our Ancestors to their Doctrines and Councils and at last to the Pontifician chaire and caused all Christs Witnesses to mourne in Sack-cloah that would not obey their constitutions But the Lord our God hath delivered us from that house of cruell bondage of mysticall Egypt And Christ saith his Magistrates must not bring his people back againe to Egypt Deut. 17. 16. We are of Japhets posterity And it is said God perswade Japheth to dwell in the Tents of Sem. So that we must know Japheth our Father and his faithfull posterity had their faith from Sems Tents and not from the Tent of the seaven Mountaine City of King Abaddons Kingdome And this holy faith was taught to Japheths posterity by the Sons of Sem the Prophets and Apostles The Apostles and Disciples taught this faith from the Scriptures of the Prophets at the commandment of the everlasting God to the Romans Corinthians and Galatheans Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians and the other Churches of Asia round about from Ierusalem to Illiricum and also to Dalmatia Croatia and doubtlesse to Spaine Rom. 15. And also to great Brittany as ancient Histories and as Master Speeds chronicle declareth Therefore it
Pelâ—g Regu Serug Nahor Gen. 9.10 and 11 chapters Terah he died 427 years after the flood the world then 2083 years old For he in no sort took on him the angels nature but he took on him the seed of Abraham Heb. 7. Abraham Isaac Jacob Judah Phares Hezron Aram Amminadab The rest of Gen. Exod. to the 12 ch of Job Naasson a Prince of Judah in the wilderness 430 years from the promise Gen. 12.2 3. to the coming from Egypt the world then 2513 years old It is evident our Lord sprang out of Judak Heb. 7.14 Naasson begat Salmon Boaz Obeb Jessai David Salomon Exod. Levit Numbers Deut. Ioshua Iudges Ruth 1. and 2 Samel and Psalms and 1 Kings to the 〈◊〉 chap and 1 Chron. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my Gospel 2 Tim. 2. The incarnation and the Resurrection are the Basis of all and should be better remembred and more taught The Cronology of the Judges and their oppressors The Judges and oppressors mentioned in the book of Judges all which were contemporary with Salomon Boaz Obed Iâ—ssâ—i Iudges Othoniel 40. Ehud 80. Shamgar 40. Deborah 40. Barak 40. Jael 40. Gideon 40. Abimelech 3. Tholah 23. Iaâ—r 22. Iephthâ—h 6. Ibsan 7. Elon 10. Abdon 8. Sampson 20. Eli 40  399 Oppressors Chusan 8. Eglon 18. Iabin 20. Midian 7. Ammon 18. Philâ—st 40.  111.  339  450 And after that he gaâ—â—â— unto them â—udges after a sort 450 years uâ—til Samuel the Prophet Act 13.20 Kings of Israel King of Iudah Ieroboam Nadab Baasa Elab Zâ—mâ—i Tibni Omâ—i Achab Achaziah brethren Ioram brethren Iâ—hu Ioâ—châ—z loash Ieâ—obâ—am Zachaâ—iah Shalâ—um Menachem Pâ—chaiah Peâ—ab Hosea David Salomon Râ—boâ—m Abiam Asa Iosaphat Ioram Aâ—haziah Athalâ—ah loash Amaziah Vzziah Joâ—ham Aâ—hâ—z Hezekiah Manasses Amon Jâ—sâ—â—s Jâ—hâ—jakim Iechâ—nias Zedekiah in his 11 yea the city Ierusalem was taken by Nâ—buchadnezzar it and the Temple burnt and that was 427 years from the foundation of it Babâ—l tyrannized full 50 years moe then the world as 3470 years old Saint Matthew follows Salâ—mons line to shew Christs Right to the Kingdome of Israel for Salâ—mons line failing in Jâ—chonias who made Sâ—lathiel his â—â—ir as next of riâ—hâ— 1 Kings And some of 2 Chr. ' ro Ecâ—l Canticles Kin. and the rest of Chr for the kings ' Judah and Israel Ionah Hosea Ioel â—mâ—s Esaias Micah Nahum Habbakuk â—zâ—phanâ—ah Jerem. Lam. Daniel Ezekiel Ohadiah Nathan Mattatha Mainan Mâ—lea Eliaâ—im Ionan Ioieph Iudah Symeon Levi Matthat Iâ—rim Eliezer Iose Eâ— Elmodam Cosam Adâ—i Melchi Neâ—i Salathiel Pedâ—jah Of these Fathers concerning the flesh Christ came who is God over all blessâ—d for ever Amen Zâ—robabel he was made Prince of Iâ—dah by Cyâ—uâ— Cyâ—us in the first yeare of his Reign over Judah made a Proclamation for the Jewes return from Captivity with Zorobabel from which Proclamation to the doath of our Lord and blessed Savior Jesus Christ are 70 Sevens or 409 years then the world was 3960. years old The Kingdome of Israel continued 327 years under 19. or 20 Kings most of them were stained with the sin of Ieroboam that caused Israel to sin their Royall descenâ—â— changed nine times The Kingdome of Ashur ended their apostâ—ticall Kingdome and carried the ten Tribes beyond Babel and so made them Lo-ammi noâ— people that is not Gods people but they were made Gods people by the preaching of the apostles of the Circumcision Rom. 9.1 Pet. 2.10 Then they looked on him whom they piâ—rced the last King of Israel was in the dayes of Hezekiah King of Iudah Pro. 28.2 Tibni stood in competition with Omri for the Kingdome of Israel but he was not sole King so he is not reckoned but if he be then there is 20. Kings ZOROBABEL Abihud Eliakâ—m Azor Sadoc Acbim Eliud Eleazaâ— Matthan Iacob Ioseph the husband of the blessed Virgin Mary St. Matthew followes these of Zorobabel to shew Christs right to the Kingdome of Israel Ezra Nehemiah Esther Haggai Zachar. Malachi Daniels Prophesies and the stories of the Bear Leopard and the fourth Beast their rising fall and afflictions of the Saints of them the high Trinity c. all are in the time of the Seventy-sevens at the ending of which the World was three thousand nine hundred and sixty yeares old Rhesa Joanna Juâ—ah Joseph Semâ—i Mattathias Maach Nagge Esly Nahum Amos Mattathias Joseph Janna Melchi Levi Matthat Eli Mary Jesus Christ the second Adam Oâ— these from Zâ—râ—baâ—el did the Lord Jesus Christ take humanity Luke 3. A little paines in observing the Geneology of Genesis and this of our Lord will be of great use you shall find them the Pillars of story both to Geography Chronology and to all Narrations through the whole Bible Labour to wade into the depth of our Lords Geneology there is not more use of the Stars of Heaven then there is of our Lords Ancestors who all shine like Stars in the holy Story Let no man think that his Geneology is condemned as Endlesse which the Spirit of endlesse Wisdome hath indited in his holy Volume But let all that hope for life know the Family of whom the Lord of life descended No Family in the World nor altogether match it therefore give glory to it The first fourteen Fathers of our Lord in Mat. 1. do abridge all the holy History from Gin 1â— to 1 King 1. The next fourteen do abridge all the Kings and Chronicles and all the Prophets except Aggi Zâ—chary Malachi Ezra Nehemah Esther and most of Daniel whose Chronology doth stop the mouth of the lying Heathen Chronologie The third fourteen doth abridge the last named Prophets with much of Daniel they make a Commentary for the honour of Zorobabels house for whom our Lord face on a fiery Throne to cast the Chaldeans Medo persians Macedonians and Sâ—leâ—co Lagidâ— into eternall flames that so Matthews last fourteen might have an heavenly glory to begin the new Testament for though their persons were base in the fight of the base World yet in the holy Angels account they were Kings of Heaven Dan 7.18 Japhets seven Sons and seven Nephews Gomer Magog Madai Javan Tubal Mesec Thiras Ashcanaz Riphath Togarmah Elishah Thaâ—shish Kittim Dodanim Chams Sons and Nephews Chush Sheba Havilah Sabbatha Regma Sabtecha Sheba Dedan Nimrod Milzraivn still translated Egypt Ludim Anamim Lehabiim Naphtuchim Pathrusim Castuchim Captorim Philistin Put. Chanaan Sidon Heth Iebusi Aemori Gargasi Hivi Arki Sini A vadi Zemari Hamatbi Sems Sons and Nephewes Elam Ashur Arphaxad Sela Heber Lud Vz Gether Aram Chul Mash Heber Peleg Regu Serug Nahor Terah Ioktan thirteen Sons Ioktans thirteen Sons Elmodad Shalaph Hazahmaneth Ierah Hadoram Vzal Diklah Obal Ahimael Sheba Ophir Hanilah Iohab It is thought the East and West Indians come of these of Ioktan because both of them as Learned say speak some Hebrew And the high God is doubtlesse laying a foundation of comfort
their properties Joh 1.14 Joh. 15.26 the Father from all eternity begetteth the Person of the Son the Son from all eternity is begotten of the Father the holy Spirit from all eternity proceedeth from them both These are incommunicable properties in the Persons the Fathers relative property is to beget and not to be begotten and therefore he is the first person in order so for our better conceiving we may say a Person in the God-head is a subsistence or a being considered in his relative property A 3. By their works to the Father is ascribed creation election predestination and adoption to the Son redemption to the holy Ghost sanctification Again the beginning of every action is given to the Father the dispensation to the Son the perfection and consummation to the holy Ghost these in some respects may be said to be communicable properties in the persons The reverend Mr. Richardson Mr. Yates and Mr. Antony Wotton c. Also it must be considered that every title attribute or property that in generall is spoken of the Deity is spoken of and attributed to each person as the Father is Jehovah so is the Son so is the holy Ghost Joh. 12.41 Act. 28.25 conferred with Esai 6.3 to 10. The Father the Son the holy Spirit be one co-essentiall and co-eternall infinite and unchangable c. And so in the attributes just holy good mercifull c. each person is so infinitely and unchangably c. Also in respect of the Creatures the attributes are communicable to each Person as the Son is called Father Esai 9. So it may be said of the holy Spirit who begetteth and reneweth us by the word of truth the Father is our teacher and so the Son and so the holy Spirit the Father sanctifieth the son sanctifieth the holy spirit sanctifieth Therefore it is very usefull to observe two things in the persons their co-operation and distinct manner of working the one is necessary in regard of this that they have the same essence and therefore cannot but co-worke in every thing the other is likewise as necessary because each person hath his distinct manner of subsisting All operation flowes from their essence co-operation from their unity in it and distinct manner from the distinct manner of their subsisting One essence one operation and Three being One must needes work inseparably and one being Three must needs worke in a distinct manner 6 Through faith we understand that the worlds were builded by the word of God that the things which are seen are not made of things which had appearance Ebr. 11. 6 It is the thrice holy Jehovah the Father the Son and their spirit all Three one infinite nature that hath created the heavens and the Earth and Seas and all things in them whether visible or invisible in a sweet dependency of order And He the Eternall Being gave them all their being with perfection of qualities that B was fit for each creature in its order and kinde 7 It is the same everlasting God that in his providence from the beginning to the ending doth in a most holy just wise and mercifull order preserve and govern all things with all their circumstances in the heavens earth seas C Therefore called an everlasting King But this King and D Kingdome is more specially to be understood of the son of God as Mediatour to whom the Father hath committed all authority and power Vt infra 8. The true God being thus glorious and a spirit infinite is therefore impossible to be perceived by our senses or comprehended in the short span of our understanding for hee is like to nothing in heaven earth or seas neither can all the wisest men of the world make any thing like to him but if any think so to do they dote and are follish and vain as Isui 40. and many more Chapters do speake and their images are no Gods E nor resemblances of him but works of errours and lyes They can do neither good nor evill those that make them are like unto them and so are all that put their trust in them And all that worship God by them are F haters of the eternall God and are hated and accursed of him 9 Here it is shewed that Gods worship is cheifly spiritual G and all outward worship otherwise then hee hath appointed is hatefull and abominable and uncomfortable as here and in other scriptures ceremonious and superstitious vanities and makers of images are reproved as bruitish senselesse and hopelesse 10 God being One and none other beside him the supream Governour whose is the Kingdome and power over all things he is only to be feared loved trusted in prayed unto and obeyed therefore he hath given us ten commandements with this entrance That he is Iehovah our H Elohim the Eternall the Mighty God our creator and Redeemer and he hath taught us to pray to him who is the everlasting father from whom all helpe comfort and defence cometh and is to be praysed and glorified in all his workes of goodnesse mercy wisdome justice c. 11 God being a most simple spiritual eternall and infinite Nature It followeth that he seeth at one instant and togegether past present and to come all things in heaven earth and seas There is nothing so invisible to our eyes in any place or so spirituall to our understanding but he seeth every particular Nothing is so secret as the imaginations of our thoughts yet God seeth them Many uses hence an understanding and beleeving heart will make for spirituall obedience and carefull watchfullnesse over his whole man Psal 139. all of it and 119 168. Job 31.4 1 Chron. 28.9 Men not understanding or not beleeving say in heart there is no God or like the wicked in Job chap. 22 and Psal 94. Who say Jehovah shall not see the God of Jacob will not regard But God doth both as the Psalme is notable Secondly Hence a world of outward Christians do shew themselves but Atheists Yea thirdly The godly not seriously and constantly considering this fail much in their sincerity for holy and just obedience 12. Another singular use is for afflictions When wee have any cause of fear wee may be preserved that this passion do not too much assaile us by meditating often wee may be throughly acquainted with I our God his titles properties and attributes both incommunicable and communicable Also of his works of creation redemption and Government in any evill felt or feared we may quickly turn and seek to god and so may not fear above measure as David saith K They that know thy name will trust in thee Psal 9.10 Againe When I was afraid I trusted in thee Psal 56.3 Remarkable also is this in Jehosaphat 2 Chron. 20.12 Also transcendent in those three noble confessors and Martyrs Dan 3.16.17.18 So in all temptations yea in death it selfe These things when they are well graffed and as nailes fastned in our soules will prepare us to contentednesse in all
For as it was in the dayes of Noah so shall it be at the day of the coming of the Son of man Mat. 24. c. Quest 6. And Abraham Abraham once ungodly yea after his calling he much failed rejoyced in him that justifieth the ungodly Jos 24.2 Rom. 4. so after mysticall Nimrod how many good men have been overtaken with their outward glory yea many strong men of great parts have beene wounded by that whorish Church Prov. 7. Apoc. 17. Quest 7. N 1. Those familes The families of Noahs sons despising Sem a King of Justice and Peace were cut off â—or two thousand yeares so the Jewes for despising Sem the great and reverend the true King of Justice and peace were cut off to this day Rom. 11. from Noahs days all heathens were Lo-ammi and Loruchamah no people and unpitied a foolish nation barren and a desolate widow to our Lords dayes Deut. 32. Psal 113. Esa 54.1 2 3. Ephes 2.1 2 3. Psal 119.118 Q. 7. From the life Justice But when light was revealed to the Gentiles and the glory of Jehovah was risen upon us It is said I will make thy government peace and thine exactions righteousness Marke the allusion This was under the King of Salem and Tzedek Justice and Peace kisse each other as it did of old in Sems Tents Psal 85. Then peace on earth and good will towards men Q. 7. Nor see the light Now darknesse covered the earth and gross darknesse the Nations Esa 60. So Pope Nimrod by his mysticall Babylon caused such darknesse by confusion of Language and all holy speech All languages of Europe and much of Asia if not all Asia have been confounded by the means of mysticall Nimrod and his rebellion Apor 9. Q. 7. For two thousand years All the time of this ignorance God hated them like devills till the time hee would judge the world in righteousnesse that is favour the world in mercy Act. 17. Psal 97. from this time to the Apostles the whole world did lye in wickednesse 1 Job 5.19 Q 7. N. 11. In their own wayes God left them to walke in their own waies of endlesse and lawlesse idolatries and superstitions and ill manners judgement and practise wholy corrupted as the holy scriptures and humane stories shew The Philosophers of the heathens spake much of the earth c. and to the height of heaven but unto Paradise above the Heavens no thought of theirs could ever come They had no Lampe of Grace not the best learned of them their sage as Pythagoras in tongue confessed God to be one but they knew not the holy Trinity and that the eternall son would be manifested in the flesh to come a man looking through our walls and to come a Judge of all nor that he framed the world for man because he would dwell in our Tabernacle Mr. Bro. Apoc. pag. 20. That regeneration is by faith from him the second Adam by hearing the doctrine of divine revelation that he should destroy death and him that had the power of death by his own death and resurrection and give us a Resurrection and that be should be a mediator between God and man as Prophet Preist and King Lord of Angells the head of all principality and power that a company of people were in him elected and should be called out of this present world to whom he should be wisdome justification sanctification and redemption c. in these things the outward Jew was dull of hearing Rom. 2. and 3. Phil. 2. Heb. 5.11 much lesse could the wisdome and Philosophy of the heathens once thinke of these things Col. 1.26 yea alas for pity how weakly and poorly are these things either taught or known and experimentally in mind and conscience felt and answerably in life practised in most of our congregations of our blessed England This must be proper to true christians no marvell the holy spirit doth taunt the wisdome of the worlds wise Masters and chargeth the saints to take heed of their Philosophy and vain deceit verily it is not fit for Christians to be trained up in their pedagogie 1 Cor. 1. they were haters of God Rom. 1. Col. 1.21 and haters of his people Psal 83. Hest 9.1 Then all that time they were not in the state of universall grace but in very deed of universall wrath such a wofull famine of hearing the word of the Lord holy justice gave them over unto So when the would did depart from the faith of the true Melchisedeck it was given over to Turk and Pope and all force of error and were far from Justice Peace and Truth the Reverend Doctor Ames in his Medâ—lla pag. 244 editio quarta citeth a fit testimony for this Non pium igitur minus quam prudens suit illud maximi artium magistri P.R. judicium votum Hujus Philosophiae doctrinam si mihi fuerit optandum quod assequi velim malim â—ueâ—as ex Evangelio per cruditum aliquem probatisque moribus Theologum quam ex Aristotele per Philosophum tradi Puer impietates mullas ex Aristotele discet quas verendum ne nimis sero dediscat Beatitudinis finem in homine terminari virtutes omâ—cs hominis facultate penitus contineri Eas ex hominis natura arie industria comparari Deum ad haec opera quamvis magna divina tamen vel adjutorem vel artificem nusquam adhiberi divinam providentiam ex hoc numanae vitae theatro removeri de justitia divina verbum nullum fieri Beatitudinem huminis in hac caduca vita constitui c. Quest 8. To be called their God This is a word of Covenant as God spake to Abraham Gen. 17. and as it was noted above God is called the God of Shem. Andoh most glorious priviledge of the Saints through the mediator in all ages Marke these Texts from the first to the last Gen 6.18 and 17.7.8 Exod 19.5 and 20.2 and 29.45.46 Jer. 31.33 2 Cor. 6.18 Gal. 3.29 Tit. 2.14 2. Pet. 2.9 Apoc. 21.3 Hence it is that the Saints say from Gods interest in them and theirs in him Our God my God my portion my Rock my Shepherd c. and Jesurun is Gods portion Jer. 10. In this they boast praise and sing My welbeloved is mine and I am his Cant. 2.16 Psal 44. and 48.2 Coron 25 6.7 Psal 42. and 43. Deut. 10.21 The observations of the properties and workes of God should here be minded which are in chapter first spoken of Q. 8 Heavenly City The Saints of old knew as well as them of the New Testament That if the earthly house of our Tabernacle were dissolved they should have a building of God an house not made with hands eternall in the heavens They had all the same spirit of faith compare the â— Cor. 4. with chap. 5.1 to 12. and Eccles 12.14 c. upon the dissolution of the one the holy soule possesseth the other here is no interposition of time nor of
Apostasie to Baal Peor c yet many of their hearts were false So it is with us at this day in our nation although God hath spoken to us by his Son have the blessed Scriptures which have in them a blessed comforting flaming light and brightnes and 70. years and more under Gods gracious husbandry yet how rebellious Oh mourn for the Corruption of our natures and see how the tradition of a false religion from fore-fathers prevailed and prevaileth with many afore the written word Our Teachers must earnestly press the reading of all the holy Scriptures but surely they do but coldly and seldome do it The Serpent and his seed are great enemies to the holy Scriptures and a surer note of a wicked man need not be sought after then the slighting and the scorning of the Scriptures Ibid As of the Canaanites And an Angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim and said I have made you to go up out of Egypt and have brought you unto the Land which I sware unto your fathers and I said I will never break my covenant with you And you shall make no league with the inhabitants of the Land you shall throw down their altars but you have not obeyed my voice Why have you done thus Wherefore I also said I will not drive them out from before you but they shall be as thornes in your sides and their Gods their religion shall be a snare unto you And it came to passe when the Angel of the Lord spake all these words unto the Children of Israel that the people lift up their voice and wept And they called the name of that place Bochim and they sacrificed there unto Jehovah Judges 2. observe all that chapter Quest 12. and Answ Joyful presence dwelling among them It is a joyful thing indeed and a glorious priviledge to have the Tabernacle reared that Christ may dwell among us and for us to tread in his Courts Look what any Father Husband or King is to a Kingdome and familie such is Christ to his After Christ had promised many blessings Levit. 26. as the basis of all he saith And I will set my Tabernacle among you and my soul shall not abhorre you and I will walk among you and will be your God and ye shall be my people And look these texts for meditation to see the glory of Christ in his Tabernacle as our Prophet Priest and King Exodus 20.24 25.22 29.42 43 30.6.36 Psalm 2. 1 Sam. 12.12 Psalm 45. 47. 48. 84. 95. 100. 145. 146 c. So when they were to come from Babel this is mentioned as the foundation of all comfort Ezek. 37.26 27. also we must mind what is to be done of us ye shall reverence my sanctuary and keep my sabbaths and never appear before Christ empty Exod. 23.15 Levit. 26.2 Now observe the same glorious mercies are related and applyed to us under the New Testament 2 Cor. 6.16 Apoc. 21.3 and their holy practise in their worships 2 Cor. 7.1.1 Cor. 11. 14. And their Alms-deeds every Lords day in their holy meetings 1 Cor. 16.1 2. as Deut. 16.16 17. Now of the uses of application how many how great how full of comfort and terrour First to instruct God would not have a Church or family in the world but because he would have holy worship Religion is the essence of a Church family or person 2. The world is not continued but for this 3. Great are the priviledges of the Church that Christ is among us by his ministery and ordinances for our Prophet Priest and King 4. What an heinous wickedness it is to interrupt or pull down holy things 5. They are cursed of God that do so Secondly to exhort 1. to study 2. to procure 3. to maintain 4. to be zealous for 5. to esteem above all and to be thankful for 6. to take up with content 7. to relish this glory Psalm 42. 63. 122. 132.8 To lay to heart to mourn for the absence and desolation of holy things Dan. 9. 10.2 3 Lament 1. 2. 3. Thirdly To reprove the wretchedness and deadness concerning these things Acts 18.17 c. Also we must ever observe that Moses Tabernacle was according to the Pattern of that which was in heaven They that enjoyed the peace of God in the earthy tabernacle had the same still in the heavenly as Psalm 15.1 2. And it is said our Lord with his own bloud went through the veil of his flesh into the most holy place the very heavens as the high Sacrificer went with bloud into the holy place made with hands This touched often and needful to be observed in all the Ceremonies of Moses else we shall have a veil over our hearts as Jewes and Papists who see not Christ the end of all these things that were to be abolished Ibid. 12. Quest and Answ Victories By faith they waxed valiant in Battel and turned to flight the Armies of the Alians Their faith saw the dâ—ies of Christ that he would overcome him that had the power of death the Devil the Prince of darkness the old Serpent Therefore by faith they overcame the Serpents seed All true souldiers should be doctors in divinity such will conquer with small loss as Israel under Josuah and the Elders surviving Josuah who delighted in the study of Moses Jos 1. 23.6 And Davids Captains by knowledge of Moses were mighty in Battail Heb. 11.34 Quest 13. and Answ N. I. Analek discomfited Amalek of Esau despised the faith as Esau his Father and became a fierce persecutor of the faith of Christ and his people which was the break-neek of that State Gods curse and the Churches War were never reversed nor appeased to the daies of Haman A warning to persecuting States especially to mystical Edom. The form of the pattent and promise that God gave to Abraham is for comfort to all the Israel of God for ever I will bless them that bless thee and curse them that curse thee as see in Numb 24. and Balaam foretels the like destruction to Kittim as to Amalek The same enmity the same war and the same curse shall follow the Serpents seed in perdition to the end N. II. a partition wall This was the vail and covering on all nations which Christ would abolish Esay 25. Dan. 9.24 c. Ephes 2.15 God hated the apostate families like Devils that he gave by Moses an hedge of Lawes to keep Israel from amity and communion with them And this was one special Law that certain Beasts fowls and fish prohibited to distinguish them in diet from heathen are called unclean So be all without the Gospel in their high learning Ro. 1.21 22. as Socrates Plato Tully Varro Plutarch and the civilest These things were continuall occasions of enmity between an Israelite and an Heathen Ephes 2.15 Hest 3.8 Ibid. N. II. Separated and made Aliens But being blessed in
of Holiest 25. Know then and understand from the outgoing of the word to restore and build Ierusalem unto (b) Ebr. Messiah so v. 26. CHRIST the King shall be seven sevens and sixty and two sevens In the other it shall be restored and builded Street and wall and troublous shall these times be 26. In that after the Sixty and two Sevens CHRIST shall †The sufferings of the Messias allusion often touched in the new Testament Acts 26.23 The angel sealeth Balaams Prophesic concerning Kittim Italy to be the crucifier of Christ Num. 24.24 hereby suffer but not for himself Thereupon the City and Holy Place shall he destroy and the Kings own people in the next generation and their end shall be with a Flood and at the end of the war shall be a finall judgement of utter desolations 27. But he shall confirm the covenant for the * Not for the Iews onely as Luc. 22.20 but for the many as Mat. 26 28. Rom. 5.15.1 Iohn 2 2. many the last Seven and half that seven shall bring to an end Sacrifice Offering Afterward by an Army of unclean lothsome infidels he shall make a desolation even untill utter destruction and finall judgement come flowing on the desolate QUest 3. What speciall Observations are in this Scripture Ans As the motions of the heavens declare the glory of God so the army like ordered times in Gods word is worthy of all admiration all serving Christ This Scripture doth shew the finishing of the golden chain of times of the old Testament in a pleasant Sabbaticall account The Seventy Sevens are from Daniels prayer for freedome from Babel untill the Son eternall the King of glory doth purchase an eternall freedome for all that believe the glorious Gospel 2. This Prophesie was given in the first year of Cyrus and Darius who overthrew Babels Kingdome and sent the Jews home that year with a most comfortable Proclamation of Subsidy over CXX Provinces and with commandement 〈◊〉 building Jerusalem and the Temple which with the wall and the Streets of the City were reedified within the Seven Sevens 3. This Scripture is a glorious revelation from heaven concerning Christ the King the Holy of Holy who by his just peaceable and spirituall government uncontrollable teaching and never ending Priesthood should finish trespasse offering and end sin offering and make reconciliation for iniquity and bring righteousnesse everlasting and seal that is confirm all the visions and Prophesies that he was the end that all aimed at himself being the true Prophet Sacrificer and King altar and Sacrifice so in himself ending all Abrahams Moses and the Temples Ceremonies both persons and things 4. Here is declared whither the benefit of all Christs sufferings tend that he suffered not for himself but for us the just for the unjust he was wounded for our transgressions and broken for our iniquities he gave himself for us an offering and a Sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour to God 5. Gods people for endeavouring to perform any worthy work for the advancement of the Gospel and the common weal must expect troubles and all oposition of slanders reproaches false accusations and whatsoever els the seed of the Serpent can possibly do the books of Ezra and Nehemiah shew this in re-edifying Jerusalem the wall and the Temple 6. Whereas the Angel told Daniel that he was sent to make him skilfull of understanding we must know that Daniel knew all but the time which bringeth a greater clearnesse to all therefore the appointed time the very year day and hour of fulfilling this prophesie is not a triviall or an uncertain thing but is that which the Angel calleth skill of understanding and therefore he doubleth a charge to the Prophet to understand and consider 7. This is remarkable as by the coming from Egypt recorded for the very day the day of the promise to Abraham may be certainly known which was the self same day 430 afore so the day of our Lord death being known which was answerable to the promise and Passeover this Prophesie also of the Seventy Sevens being exactly 490 years afore it may be known to agree in time with it Glorious is the wisdome of God herein to honour his feasts with most heavenly stories that promise and seal truth and figure might mèet together 8. This Oration of the Angel sheweth how long Sems Tents should hold their glory and be accounted holy and that at the end of the Seventy Sevens or 490 years The ending of the Seventy Sevens the time of reformation the heathen should have the Partition wall of ceremonies broken down and the hand writing of Ordinances * Epiâ—es 2.14 15.16 Col. 2.14 blotted out and the old enmity between Jew and Gentile †Isa 11. and 60.17 18. Epâ—â—â—s 2.15 abolished and be brought into equall covenant and that Christ the King would destroy his own Nation and demolish City and Temple with perpetuall devastions as with the Flood of Noah and make a new Jerusalem from heaven because all Nations could not depend on the City in Canaan read Isa 63 23. 9. Observe that the Romanes for killing of Christ are called like the unclean beasts in Leviticus unclean lothsome Infidels and Rome it self of all Cities in the world for that is specially cursed the Apocalips is a full declaration of this 10. Whereas the Angel saith Christ shall confirm the Covenant for the many and shall end Moses ceremonies and by his onely Sacrifice once offered bring in everlasting justification or freedome from sins guiltinesse and desert Popery is to be abhorred and accursed that doth revive Moses ceremonies the handwriting of Ordinances with repetition of Priest Altar and Sacrifice propitiatory And we in the Lords Supper do protest against Jews and Popery that CHRIST ended all by his death once performed through which he is to all the faithfull a most complete and perfect reconciliation for all iniquity QUest 4. Who gave heed to this word of Prophesie spoken by the holy Angel from heaven Answ The Forty nine thousand Ezra that left Babel for Jerusalem with the holy Prophets and Governours Zorobabel Nehemiah Haggai Zâ—hâ—riâ—h â—â—â—alachi and our Lords fathers and kindred fâ—om Zâ—â—bâ—â—leâ— Mat 1. Lukâ— 3. and the Maâ—â—habean martyrs and so many of Israel as had hope of salvation thought of Jeâ—â—â—â—â—â—m in all places 〈◊〉 they were scattered read Jeremiah Chap 51.50 QUest 5. Who also in the new Testament Answ Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth John the Baptist old Simeon and Anna the daughter of Phanuel and many in Israel and Jerusalem that waited for Christ the hope and consolation of Israel and Jews before the full ending of the Seventy Sevens came from all countries to Jerusalem looking for the Kingdome of heaven then to appear as Daniel foretold chap 2. and 7. and 9. And John Elias cried and our Lord and his disciples preached that The Kingdome of heaven was come Mat. 3.2 and 10.7 Luke 19.11 QUest
and profane Joh. 1.41 4.23 And the Jewes at that time commonly speaking Syriack spake the terme Messias and speaking Greek they uttered the Greek terme Christ so that as oft as we read the Greek terme we must remember the other Terme of the Hebrew or Syriack And all the Orthodox Churches in Christendome hold Messias here to be the Son of God our Redeemer vi Mr. Bro. on Daniell and in Advertisment pag. 33. Upon the verse 27. and halfe that seaven of this last seaven the first part is passed over in silence for a preparation the latter halfe doth Christ bestow in confirming the covenant for the Many beginning at his Baptisme ending at his death 3. Quest and Answ N. 1. As the motions of the Heavens The creation was made to serve the Son of Enosh Psal 8. so the revolution of the year all are his Servants Psal 119. lamed-part No Army is ordered more comely then the times in Gods word Dan. 10.1 And Gods people must learne to know that the times as well as the ceremonies and tipes teach of so they lead unto Christ for the Golden Chaine of times are fastned to famous Pillars as is prefixed to this Book N. 11. This prophecie was given Read Esai 44. 45. with Ezr. 1.1 2. concerning Cyrus his Letters Patents of building the Temple and City and returning the people But Cyâ—us going to war in Scythia was plagued for not leaving better order at home that his Letters Patents were not throughly executed for the good of Gods people and Cambyses Daâ—ius Hystaspis and Xerxes for questioning and damning the Patent felt Gods wrath and their Kingdomes Ezra 4. and 6.11 12 Est 1. trouble in Dan. Hyst court Ibid Sent the Jews home The blood of Gods Covenant in Christ sent them home as from Egypt so from Babel Zach. 9.11 Col. 1 20. the blood of the Covenant is our comfort in any disconsolate condition Ibid. That year with a most remarkable Proclamation over an hundred and twenty Provinces Then the Nations did hear of their demanding and enquiring of the way to Sion upon the hope of the Son of man his coming to shew the Kingdome of heaven to all Nations and to shake even the heaven of Moses policy Jer. 10.4 5. they presented Sion in the dust before glorious Babel and they then ought so to do but not now Psal 102.13 14. So Moses and all the Nobles of all ages Heb. 11.24 25 26 ye that have escaped the sword go away stand not still remember Jehovah a far off and let Jerusalem come into your mind Jer. 51.50 Psl 137.5 6. So all ye that have escaped mysticall Babylon go away stand not still remember Jehovah and let the glory of the heavenly Jerusalem come into your mind be ye separate be at a distance in all holy zeal still come out from among them touch nothing of theirs neither Laws nor their phrase nor apparrell make a covenant as Neh. 10. 2 Cor. 6.18 what if your name be put out as evil remember Isa 66. â— John 9.34 and 16.2 2 Cor. 6.17 No. 3. And seal that is confirm all the viâ—ons and Prophesies that he was the end all aimed at Among many Prophesies that might be related I will name now that of Jer. 31.22 The Lord hath created a new thing in the earth A woman shall compasse a man that is a woman Virgin The holy Spirit of Christ prosecuteth the foundation of Doctrine which he laid down in Moses of the blessed seed of the woman Gen. 3.15 and of Shiloh Gen. 49. that a tribe should not fail to Judah till Shiloh came Now Judah being in Babel and held captive the Prophet doth from the Lord comfort them that although they were in heavy calamities and much disconsolate Jer. 30 31.32 33. chapters yet Judah should return and have a policy to buy and sell and that Jerusalem and Temple should be built and the Cities of Iudah inhabited and that that New thing should be accomplished a woman Virgin shall compasse a man All promises were made in Christ and should be yea and amen in him to the glory of God And this is promised to be as sure as the heavens order that God would not fail of his promise he made to David and Israel although Salomons house and Kingdome were ended yea to all the elect from the beginning in sending Christ Iesus to be born of a Virgin and that in him the Church should have unspeakable consolation This made the people of God to be so refreshed as a man is by sweet sleep Ier. 31 26 But Ieremiah told them not nor any Prophet as yet How long Psal 64.9 that should be for the performance that was reserved for a more fit season when they were to come from Babel then they had the time told them by an angel from heaven which did much heighten their consolation wherein all comfort was promised by that glorious message of the angel concerning the Messias compassed by the woman-Virgin to perform all the promises visions and Prophesies by finishing and ending all sin-offerings and trespasse offerings and make by himself a reconciliation for iniquity and bring in everlasting righteousnesse by his perfect sacrifice once performed so by this Doctrine the godly were preserved and strengthened greatly in their faith and hope of Christs coming in this determined time And seing it is said Christ shall seal Vision and Prophet is taught that he shall restrain apostasie through preaching his glorious Gospel that they fall not away as the Jews did in that most grievous and almost universall revolt in and from the dayes of Antiochus Epiphanes Dan 8 13. and 11 30 31 32. Our Lord Jesus Christ in his coming was the morning star and the SUN of Righteousnesse and his brightnesse did visit us as holy Zâ—chariah saith Luc. 1 7.8 For those times were most deplorable in corrupting all holy Doctrine as it was greatly darkened by these three Shepherds Zac. 11. concerning the holy Trinity the sons incoâ—nation his death and resurrection and concerning justification and all Moses polity as all the Epistle to the Hebrews sheweth But the Lord Jesus and his Apostles from him made all clear again Also this Prophesie of the angel from heaven was wonderfull to the comfort of the people of God under their pressures by Persia Javan whole and Javan parted This Prophesie is marvellous if we consider the times Oh who is sufficient to expresse the things of Gods blessed word Ibid. N. 3. Everlasting righteousnesse The mentioning of everlasting righteousness justification redemption doth shew the Law made nothing perfect but was sponsorious and an introduction to a better hope in Christ for Christ by his own blood entered once through the vail that is his flesh into the holy place into the very heavens to appear now in the fight of God for us and obtained eternall Redemption Heb. 9. For it is not possible that the bloud of Bulls or Goats should take away sinne
destruction of so many honest and â—â—lâ—thfull subjects and so it was told you to your face you know when Hest 7 shall voluntary giâ—ts and contributions of such drosse Statists corrupt the breasts of Princes to make and confirm the Decrees and Canons c. to undo their bâ—st subjects absit absit Es 10.1 Psal 94.20 Prov. 25.4.5 wherefore hearest thou mens words saying David seeketh thy hurt Now therefore I pray thee Let my Lord the King hear the words of his servant If Jehovah have stirred thee up against me let him accept an offâ—â—ing but if they be the children of men cuâ—sed be they before Jehovah for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord saying go serve other gods 1 Sam. 7.4 and 26. CHAP. XI Shewing why there were no more Prophets after Malachy to our Lords incarnation FOr the better understanding of the reason three things must be well observed 1. The times of Daniel concerning Christ and his Church and the exact time of our Lords death 2. Concerning the church of the Iews standing or falling in these times 3. Concerning concerning the enemies of the church in these three things the times will be coincident which must be diligently observed First touching Christ and the exact time of his death it must be remembred The Seventy years of Babels captivity ending Daniel hâ—d this message from heaven that the Lord God had sent an holy angel from heaven to Daniel with that heavenly Message of the Seventy Sevens of years wherein MESSIAH the King should finish trespasse-offerings and end sin-offerings and make reconciliation for iniquity and bring in everlasting righteousnesse and seal Vision and Prophesie and that MESSIAH the holy of holy should confirm the Testament for Iews and the Many and should end Sacrifice and offering by his most obedient sufferings and death giving himself a sweet smelling sacrifice of savour to God for our Redemption Dan. 9.24 c. This Prophesie foretold the year moneth day and hour of Messiah his death the angel Gabriel at the time of the eenng sacrifice or ninth hour came then to Daniel to tell him that at the Seventy Sevens the Messiah should suffer and his Prophesie was performed and fulfilled at the ninth hour of the day for then our Lord gave himself a Sacrifice for the sins of the Iews and the Many of all Nations and said all was finished when he yielded his holy soul into the hands of the heavenly Father 2. We must know that Daniel knew all the holy Doctrine of the angels Message but the time of fulfilling all visions and Prophesies for the exact time of Christs death No Prophet ever told that time but Daniel this must be advisedly condered Now when the Church of God had the time of Christs death exaxctly foretold which Kings Priests and Prophets and all godly did desire to see and hear This gave the faithfull abundant satisfaction 3. When Daniel had such glrious Prophesies of ch 2. and 7. and 8. and this blessed Revelation from heaven in chap. 9. for the rejoycing of the hearts of the people of God They forsook Bahel to go to Jerusalem though in the dust Psal â—02 14 This company that returned were precious feed for after times Psal 126. Haggai end Malachy shew that the messiah shall sâ—ddenly come to the second Temple before it be destoyed so they open Dan. 9.24 c. then 49000 with Zorobabel were perswaded to forsake Babel in hope of the coming of the Son of Man in the clouds of heaven and to have Kingdome power and glory over all Nations Jeremiah sheweth that the deliverance from Babel should be more glosious than that from Egypt Jer 30. and 31. and 32. and 33. excellent things are spoken for the returned from Babel but Daniel onely tells the time of the death of Christ 4. When David had thus declared the exact time then Haggai further conâ—ecrated the returned against their discouragements that the Temple Zorobabel built should be of greater glory than Salomons because the MESSIAH the desire of all Nations should come and fill it with his glorious presence by teaching in it doing miracles in it and in it give peace to all the Israel of God Likewise Zachariah commenteth much on Daniel that Zion and Jerusalem should rejoice because the King of Israel was coming but in a lowly manner as our Lord tol them the Kingdome of heaven did not come in him with great shews of outward observation and he told them of the undervaluing King MESSIAH how he was bought and sold as for a slave for thirty pieces of silver this expounds Daniel for the sufferings of Messias yet at that day he would be a fountain for sin and all uncleannesse unto all the godly families of Judah and Levi for the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all faithfull as Daniel sheweth Christ shall suffer so Zachariah sheweth the blessed shepherd shall be smitten and the flock shall be scattered these things shew the sufferings of Messias not for himself being just but for us 6. Daniel having shewed of Messiahs confirming the Covenant for Jews and the many of all Nations Malachy expoundeth this saying from the rising of the SUN unto the going down of the same the name of the Lord should be great among the Gentiles Also he sheweth of Messiah the mesenger of the covenant in whom they delighted and expected Also he sheweth of him the SUN righteousnesse shall appear with healing in his beams and prophesieth of John Elias the Baptist to be Christs Messenger to prepare the way for his coming and the Nation of the Jews were so taken with John Baptist that they thought he was the MESSIAH for that time had many thoughts and questions 7. Daniel foretold the destruction of the low Jerusalem as with the Flood of Noah in the next generation after the Seventy Sevens were ended at our Lords death Zachariah saith the same Zac. 14.12 that it should be very terrible Also he sheweth of the heavenly Jerusalem the new Jerusalem so Esai 2 1 2 3. Micah 4â—1 2 Esai 54. speaks of his glory Titus Vespasian destroyed the low Jerusalem forty years after our Lords ascension and the Lord Jesus gave them an assured token of the same Luke 21.20 The Church standing Secondly touching the Church of God especially the faithfull rejoiced to think of the determined time of the Seventy Sevens and did calculate the years since their return from Babel so that they could not misse to know the time of MESSIAH his coming And nothing was ever objected against our Lord or his apostles about the time Zac. 11.11 The poore of the flock still waited for the accomplishment of all things especially the godly families of the house of Nathan Salomons brother by Batâ—shebah that came of Zorababel All the god evermore waited for Christ their blessed hope Isa 25.9 now much more And as they did thus for his first coming so
from Sems Tents and by the Doctrine of Sems sons the Prophets and apostles all Doctrine is to be tried and not by the best Orthodox Churches Ibid. N. 2. The twelve foundations of the Wall The apostle Paul was graven on the Jasper first foundation so he should be the head of the Church not Peter The twelve Jewels had the names of the twelve apostles then where is Peter above the rest his Epistles are pearls and so are Pauls and the other apostles the Spirit of God spake in them and no one could be above another but each stood a foundation on the Rock Christ the eternall Son of God Ephes 2.20 There are stronger proofs or moe arguments to make St. Paul or Saint John head of the Church than any Papalyn can bring for Saint Peter vide Mr. Henry Ainsworth and Mr. Bernard Mr. Ainsworth against Locust Ainsworth Mr. Bernard Khemos against Rome page 130. CHAP. XIV With Questions Answers and Annotations shewing who have the Spirituall blessings of the Covenant and who the Curses QVest 1. and Answ Who were enemies that did rage and imagine vain things against the Christ of God the Rock upon whom the Church is builded despising the Counsel of God against themselves Answ The high Sacrificers the Pharisees Sadduces and Scribes Herod Pontius Pilate and the loathsome Romane infidels the Caesars and their people persecuting this faith first in crucifying the Lord of glory and after persecuting the Church for 300 years and it is remarkable as it is said in the Alpha of the word that the seed of the Serpent should persecute the seed of the woman so it is said in the Omega of the same that the Dragon the old Serpent the Devil and Satan doth persecute the seed of the woman that is Them that keep the Commandements of God and have the testimonie of Jesus Christ QUest 2. How doth the goodnesse of God reward the faith of the Saints in the holy and constant profession of his name Ans By faith they obtained good report with God and God is not ashamed of them to be called their God whence proceedeth sweet peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost who stirs them to and helps them in that most heavenly exercise of prayer whereby they have unspeakable consolation in all their tribulatin for that the Spirit of Christ doth inable them by patience to possesse their souls and work in them and seal unto their hearts an assured and lively hope of things not seen of eternall rest and a Crown of righteousnesse which the Lord will give unto them at that day and to all those that love his bright appearing QUest 3. What severity was executed on those that set themselves and took counsell together against the Lord his anointed the King of Mount Sion Answ The thrice holy the Lord God omnipotent which was which is and which will be sitting as a King on a Throne in the heaven of the Church and administring the government thereof to the end of the world by the Mediation of the Son eternall who being the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (a) The Jews and Romanes despising Christs Kingdome and sacrifice-hood were plagued greatly as Psal 2. 1 10. The seven Seals and four horses did plague the Empire did tear in pieces the Jews his own people spoken of afore and the Romane Empire for he riding as on a white horse of Justice and Power plagued the world by the horses and Arrows of his vengeance (b) Red horse bloudy Warre (c) Black horse Famine * Pale horse Pestilence and through the cry of the innocent blood of Martyrs a grave of destruction following the unclean infidels the Emperours and their people to the ruine of the Empire that all men cryed to the mountains to fall upon them and the hills to cover them and in the world to come endlesse misery and vengeance in the Lake of flaming fire QUest 4. Had the Church rest after 300 years Answ Yea for God raised up Constantinus a good Christian Emperour so that the Church had rest and did wonderfully increase but this peace was quickly interrupted by the tares of ambition schisme and heresies of Ecclesiastical Teachers QUest 5. Did Constantinus continue the Romane Empire Answ No he removed the Seat of his Empire to Constantinople so that Rome in Italy was little set by for many years and often burned by the Goths and Vandals and at last by them brought to an extream ruine Then the sixth head or polity of Rome was made dead QUest 6. Was there not an Apostasie from the faith of the Prophets and Apostles Doctrine after the Empire of Rome was made dead Answer 1. Yea for the Spirit spake evidently that there would be an apostasie or falling away The misterie of iniquity was working in the apostles dayes and quickned secretly still by divers means Doctrines of Devils and worship of Devils with sundry corruptions superstitions and heretical Doctrines were continually springing The Churches left their first love zeal watchfullnesse and diligence and when the Empire the with-holder was dead presently after multitudes of hereticks arose 2 Thes 2.6 which with covetousnesse and ambition of Bishops exceedingy furthered the appearance of King Abaddon and his Locusts out of their bottomlesse Pit 2. For the first second and third Centuries this was generally received of the faithfull Jew and Gentile that God was One in holy Trinity Apot. 7.9 10. and Vnity and salvation was ascribed to God and the Lamb Christs sole mediation And in the Confession of this faith all the Saints the Elders and people cast down their Crowns before Gods Throne and fell down before God and the Lamb with all joyfull acclamations of praise blessing honour glory and power for the mighty Creation and gracious Redemption 3. But after those three Centuries hereticks and false Teachers more corrupted the Doctrine of God and Christ and Saints and angels were glorified as Mediatours and prayed unto c. But the Lord God takes care as Apoc. 7. for his elect both of Jews and Gentiles that they might be kept safe the foundation of God remaineth sure and hath this Seal the Lord knoweth who are his Therefore he takes order for their sealing to be kept from the deceit of the perillous times that hastened and those that are sealed make a most holy solemn and glorious confession of the faith according to the Prophets and apostles Doctrine and by this Confession the sealed servants of God are known in all ages The rest of the seventh Chapter shews the gracious priviledges of the Saints 4. And Christ forewarned the backsliding of the Churches by the seven Trumpets and shewed much mercy for the fourth fifth and sixth Centuries by stirring up the Spirit of some Christian Emperours for summoning Bishops to Councels to represse their ambition contention schisme and heresies of the which the first four generall Councels were the most orthodox 5. Also in those Centuries
were many worthy fathers who by teaching and writing with great constancy resisted Satan in his undermining of the faith Onely one thing they did not so discern Satans project and enterprise the mystery of iniquity the spirituall Supremacy one of the greatest heresies most of them being so corrupted with desire of priority and superiority QVest 7. What other things might be a means of the furtherance of the mysterie of iniquity Answ The open or visible Church by certain steps insensibly not all at once corrupted and schismed from the syncerity and plainnesse of Doctrine of the written word and the gifts of the offices of Christs ministerie and the ministration of the Seals of the new Testament and censures and followed and mannaged their own decrees orders additions inventions and heathenish superstitious ceremonies and traditions with wordly wisdome pomp ambition hypocrisie self-willed humility faction covetousnesse envy and cruelty extream corruption in manners 2 Tim. 3 1. c. And even thus it was in all apostasies of the Church since Moses wrote Adde also to these that the Teachers and Pastours rejected the fountains of Hebrew and Greek from which all things proceeded a great decay of all right proficiency in all Divine and humane studies (:) Read and consider these things as sin and the punishment of sinne the desolation of holy things never come but as effects of great sins and a fore-runner of mighty plagues Esa 5. So Mat. 21. QUest 8. How was Christs severity manifested on the Churches for their idolatry and apostasie from the Commandements and words of the apostles Doctrine not hearing what the Spirit spake to the Churches Ans 1. Christ the Lamb slain cast fire on the earthly apostate world despising his Person and Mediation plaguing it by the ambition heresie spirituall whoredome c. of the falling and wandring starres and the badnesse and negligence of Emperours but especially of Apolluon King of the Pit that did exalt himself and his Catholick Locusts against them all to be Pests and Tempests of hail * Vid. Mr. Cade Lib. 2.73 74. fire and blood a Mountain full of fierie bloody bitter poysoning and unutterable miseries to all States and Churches These things were in the four Trumpets yet as Preparations to the fifth Trumpet and first wo in which all these evils were coincident and compleat Of the which fifth Trumpet and first woe the Pontificality and its Corporation is an explication 2. Idolatry and other sinnes increasing in all hardened impenitency the King of Mount Sion plagued the Christian world by four messengers of his wrath let loose from Euphrates that is the people of the Eastern Countries which troubled lesser Asia and also much of Europe with horrible vastations and at last possessed great part But least that the Popish and Turkish Factions should wholly drown the world with raging impetuous innundations of outward and Spirituall calamities the angel of the Covenant descended cloathed with a cloud and a Rainbow about his head his face as the Sunne his feet as pillars of fire and in his hand the little Book of Scripture opened and standing on the earth and sea roareth like a lion thundereth and sweareth secret bitter and inevitable destructions to the Enemies Also God tormented the King of Locusts Sodomitical-Egyptian Corporation by the two Prophets in their teaching praying and martyrdome and by their resurrection which caused a great Earth quake in the Papacy that a tenth part of the King of Locusts politie fell This is under the sixt Trumpet and second Woe 3. Christ the Rock and Lion of the Tribe of Judah doth grinde to powder and also tear in pieces mystical Babylons politie by Kings and Princes that in the later times should fall from the Papacy and they and their People following the Lamb. And also maketh a further earthquake in Star-Wormwoods Kingdome by greater voices of godly Teachers and Witnesses that with the eternal Gospel fly through the heaven of the Church preaching terrour to the Corrupters of the faith and the eternal blessed reward to the Saints This is under the seventh Trumpet and third Wo. 4. Thus God hath once revealed all unto the end in Seales and Trumpets by sevens to teach the profane world of the resurrection The rest of the Apocalyps repeateth again and again in sundry varieties as briefly is touched these matters of Empire and Papacy and affliction of the Church by them and the overthrow of the King of Locusts and all his corporation of mystical Babylon Deprivation of all their spiritual and corporall merchandise and temporall destruction with all shame horrour and lamentation and their eternall sorrow in the world to come and lastly the glorious joy and comfort of the saints being revived from their dead State under mystical Sodoms polity to be of the corporation of the Holy and Beloved City Each blessing is here begun and shall be perfected when the Lord Jesus shall shew himself from heaven in that day of his bright appearing Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the fourteenth Chapter QUest 1. and Answ The High Sacrificers the Pharisees Isâ—ael which is after the flesh despised Christ and his Rest and fell after the same example of disobedience and unbelief or misbelieving disobedience as their Fathers both in the Wildernesse and in the revolt of the ten Tribes and of Judah also and would not receive the word of exhortation Heb. 3. 4.10 12 13. chapters Ibid. That the Seed of the Serpent All that persecute the faith are the seed of the Serpent from Kain to Caesars and Popes But the gates of Hades could not prevail because Christ had the keys of death and Hâ—des Here observe that the Apocalyps in two sorts draweth all the Law unto it It sheweth Christ from all the Law and Prophets and the curse of mystical Babylon from all the old cursed since the Serpent deceived Eva. Jehovah from Gen. 2. 3. Exod. 3. 6. is expoundâ—d in Apocalyps i. e. Who was Who is Who Will be and this draweth to the last acts looking to the first Counsels that all may be seen to depend upon One God The Apocalyps setteth forth the last acts Therefore they that expect new Revelations besides that which was leâ—t us by the Lord Jesus the Son of God in the writings of his Prophets and Apostles shall never be settled in a sound judgement in the Gospel and those that pretend they have new Revelations in such thoughts they are of them that add to the word of God but let such tâ—emble at the curse Apoc 2â— 18 19. Such shall bear this blame that they are an adulterous generation they would adulterate the faith Mat. 12.39 Quest 2. and Answ by saitâ—â— they ebtained good report with God Heb. 11.1 2. conferred with chap. 12.1 2. and Rom. 1.5 16.26 Gal. 3.8 9. Apoc. 14.12 21.3 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. As many as received him to them he gave prerogative to be the Sons
keys of Christs authority well then light of truth he taught to the opening of the kingdome of heaven and to glorifie Christ but apostating with the keys of the Dragon and his own authoritie he let out of the pit a smoak of heresies to corrupt the earth and to darken Sun and air Christ the Sun of Justice and his Mediation and the Scriptures by which light cometh to our eyes So in all this he is not a Star of Heaven nor a Messenger of the Congregation of God but Apolluon a King of Pit-darknesse 4. In that the Holy Spirit gives the King of Locusts the appellation of Apolluon it was to teach the sealed of God that all his Politie his Lawes crossing common reason his mass his idolitry his (c) Especially on Gen. 3.15 translating she for he false translating of Scripture his false litigious rules of faith his false miracles lying signes and wonders (d) Mr. Calvin and others write of their Reliques forged reliques his reviving of Aarons office and ceremonies (e) As eloquent and learned Viretus in his Christian disputations hath shewed so also a book of the three conformities and heathenish customes and fables c. c. that all tendeth to eternal destruction so he is another Apollo a Devil of Delphos destroying all such as spake at his mouth QUest 4. How are his Locusts described Answ 1. Out of the smoke of the Pit the Popes Clergy ariseth They be Locusts for their Great swarms and idle bellies bred from the pit fruges consumere nati to consume the fruits of other mens labours Millions of Monks and Friars c. void of all actions for Political use are fitly compared to Locusts 2. They be as Scorpions having stings in their Tayls shewing they be false Prophets by close-poisoning and terrifying doctrine to sting and vex inthral and torment the hearts and minds of men 3. They are for the Wars which they are their king cause and make and for strengthning and defending their own authority and doctrine as horses (f) This is too manifest ever since the Bishop of Rome got the Supremacy by the Murderer Phocas ready for battel with wings of Chariots with Breast-plates of iron Also they have teeth of Lions to devour all and to hold fast that which by fraud our violence they have once gotten 4. They would seem to have no secular power yet their dealings shew they wear Crowns like Gold as hating Gods ordinance of Magistracy How have they and Abaddon their king contested against Princes how have they given the affront to the greatest Potentates c. c. 5. For private State in pretence they are said to have faces of men for cloyster keeping and womanly-life and for many of women-sex in their orders they are said to have hair like women This denoteth also their counterfeit modesty and simplicity and alluring inticements by good words and fair speeches deceiving as Balaamites the hearts of the simple to spiritual fornication 6. They are three unclean spirits like frogs spirits of Devils that come out of the mouth of the Dracon and out of the mouth of the Beast and out of the mouth of the false Prophet from whom they have commission to creep into kings Courts to teach and persâ—ade by false miracles and froggy slimy unclean doctrines of devils to ignoble and dangerous attempts cruel and tyranical projects c. But their croaking hath not that event for their purpose under the Phials as under the Trumpets These notes all agree most fitly to the Roman Catholicks QUest 5. How furthermore hath the holy Spirit described Rome in its abominations Answ By the arms that God hath set out the Empire and Pontificality first by the great red Dracon and his tail by the body of the Dracon is meant the Empire under the Caesars by the tail is meant the false Prophet that deceived the world with false doctrine QUest 6. How secondly Answ The Empire is described by one Beast coming out of the Sea who hath seven heads and ten horns yea also in this Beast is comprized the Pontificality being the Reviver of the wounded Head This beast hath his arms from che four Beasts in Daniel chap. 7. For Rome having subdued all those Countries that those Beasts ruled and being like them for idolatry and cruelty in afflicting the holy City descending from heaven is a monster compounded of all four Being a Beast of seven heads and ten horns mouthed like a Lion footed like a Bear and spotted like a Leopard QUest 7. How thirdly Answ By the Beast that arose out of the Earth having two horns like a Lamb which meaneth the false Prophet the Angel of the Pit the usurping Vicar of Christ which is the Pontificality or the Corporation of Popes QUest 8. What is meant by the seaven Heads of the spotted Beast Answ Two things First the seven Hills on which the City of Rome was builded Secondly the seven Kings or Polities or kindes of government that were and should be of that City QUest 9. How many governments had been when the Apostle wrote Answ Five had been one then was and another should come after QUest 10. What Head was it that then was Answ The Caesars ruling the Empire This description of a City that then reigned when the Apostle wrote over the Kings of the Earth by seven Hills and seven changes of Government agreeth with no City in the World but Rome QUest 11. How long did that Head live which was alive when the Apostle wrote Answ About three hundred years and then godly Constantinus made it dead as is said removing the Constantinople QUest 12. What Government did come after the Caesars the fixt Head was wounded to death Answ The Pontificality that is the Government of the Roman State by Popes This is meant by the Beast with two Hornes like a Lamb who revived the wounded Head of the Empire and made it to live So the double power of the Pontificalitie is a Seavensh and after a sort an eighth Head or Politie QUest 13. What is meant by the ten horns of the Spotted Beast Answ The Kingdomes that committed fornication with the great Whore and that gave their power to uphold the kingdom of the Beast that revived the Empire QUest 14. How further is Romes Policy under the Empire and the Corporation of the Papacy described Answ By mystical allusions to Countries and Cities to Sodome for filthiness of life pride excesse idleness and oppression to Babylon and Egypt for false Religion bondage and cruelty And observe it is said plainly That our Lord was crucified in the great City or large Common-weal which Spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt And Apolluon the King of the Pit the King of Locusts and his Locusts did cruelly murder the faithful Witnesses of Christ that they found in that their policy QUest 15. How doth the Apostle to the Thessalonians set forth unto us the Beast with two Hornes like a Lamb
Who is able to utter the comfort of these Scriptures 4. God in Christ was the Shepherd of Israel and they are called the sheep of his pasture and in all places where he put his name there he fed his flock first at Shiloh 350 years seven Jubilees and after in 〈◊〉 to the end of the Seventy Sevens in both places three times a year most solemnly they did enter the Courts of Iehovah there they ascended his presence with great joy praise and thanksgiving c. The godly did so (a) 2 Chr. 29. and 30 35. and when they did not serve the Lord with gladnesse of heart see what was threatned and performed Deut. 28 47. c. all were exhorted so to do also they had other smaller Sabbatical Convocations in their Synagogues the Tents of the Shepherds where also Christ fed them and where God manifested himself it was called the presence of God and the gate of heaven where alwayes the ladder stood as the godly Shunamite found and many thousand even among the ten Tribes 2 Kings 4. Thus the Common-weal of Israel was the Kingdome of God above 1400 years 5. I will shew some Scriptures where the Saints felt the comfort of the promises when they did meet with Christ in the greater and lesser Assemblies Psalm 65.4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest to come to thee that he may dwell in thy Courts we shall be satisfied with the goodnesse of thy house of thy holy Temple So Psal 36. Let the godly heart meditate on Psal 42 an 63. and 81. and 84. and 100 c. and in Psal 122. In all their holy assemblies they testified â—heir faith in he incarnation and redemption by the Son of God The twelve Tribes came to bear witnesse by their faith to that holy Testimony of the Son of God in expectation of him the Testimony to be manifested in due time 1 Tim. 2.6 and the twelve Tribes instantly serving God day and night did hope of immortality in the Resurrection of the Son of God the second Adam the Lord from heaven Acts 26.6 7. 1 Pet. 1.2 3 4 5. 6. A little more for the smaller Sabbaticall Assemblies Psalm 111. It is is said I will praise the Lord with my whole heart in the Assembly of the upright and in the congregation The Hebrew word as the learned say signifieth lesser Assembles and in Psalm 74. it is spoken in a mournfull manner that heathens making inrodes into the Land of Israel burnt up all the Synagogues of God in the Land which sheweth the great benefit Gods people found in the exercises there performed Now the new Testament is plentifull for these Sabbaticall Convocations how the dispersed of Israel practised in all nations This hath been plentifully shewed of late in a book entituled A Discourse touching the Jews Synagogues that there is no necessity to insist more upon this Argument SECT II. Now I will speak promiscuously upon what hath been observed with reference to the errours of the concision 1. ALthough the Law of the passe over came foure hundred and thirty yeares after the Promise yet that was not another Covenant but a further exposition and confirmation of the former promises The Concision mistooke the meaning of the Law and regarded not the promises teaching of Christ but thought after the Law was given by Moses to be saved by bodily exercise whereas the Law truly understood was but an expansion or dilatation of the promises 2. And they might have learned the same from their fore-Fathers even the pattern of the holy faith and love that is in Christ Jesus For Abraham when he called upon God he called upon him by an Altar and Sacrifice as it is said Abraham built an Altar and called on the name of Jehovah the †The same holy saith was taught to the Gentiles at the commandment of the everlasting God and not Gentiles worship the same everlasting God as Abraham did Rom. 1. 16.20 everlasting God so Jacob although Joseph had sent for him with all necessary accommidations for the journey to Egypt yet he durst not or rather would not proceed till he had sought God by the intercession of Christ Gen. 46.1 2 3. To teach us what we should doe in all our journies and undertakings so it is said when they sacrificed call upon me in the time of trouble and I will hear thee and thou shalt glorifie me Psal 50 See Psal 20.3 And so Samuel by faith in Christs sacrifice had good report and put to flight the armies of the Aliens And thus also did David and Salomon and all the Prophets and all the faithfull 3. And Malachi by Christs command concludes all the old Testament to Israel to regard the holy Law that he gave in Horeb and to look for no more Prophets till John Elias the Baptist but study the statutes and judgements of the Law and cleave to it that Fathers and Children might be blessed Mal. 4. 4. And thus the Concision should have understood all for Moses wrote not a new Covenant for Abraham received circumcision as a seal of the justification that is by faith and so all Israel should have professed the same in faith as our Lord tells them that circumcision was of the Fathers not so much of Moses Joh. 7.22 5. It is true circumcision did further oblige Abraham to keep the way of the Lord and his charge which was comprehended in commandments statutes and laws and those Lawes c. with many others that Christ ordained Moses wrote as hath been at large before noted 6. And what did this way and charge of the Lord tend unto even surely this repentance towards God and faith in the Son of God our Mediatour and love to the holy Seed Which way and charge was taught ever since the promise Gen. 3.15 even the Breast-plate of wholesome words Faith and Love And all Moses and the Prophets and Apostles doe still bring their Doctrine to these two heads Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus 7. This is in Habell how he made the like holy uses of the Sacrifices as 1. Pet. 4.1 2. Tit. 2.14 he did bear on his Breast Faith and Love as he was a beleiver so he ceased from sin being purified to be of Christs peculiar people and was zealous of good works as it is said his works were good Habel by all this we see was gathered into Christ the Head Eph 1.10 8. The promise saith to Abraham that in the holy Seed Christ we are blessed what is this blessing but cheifly in spiriturall things in Christ Jesus Eph. 1. Him to be our Peace-Offering Sin-Offering Trespasse-Offering Whole burnt-Offering to be our Washing cleansing hissop c. And in the yeares of Râ—st and Jubilee to be our freedome or justification from the bondage and servitude of sin as deaths death and Satan and to be our fore-goer into the mansions of the Heavenly Paradise Luk. 23 c. c. Now
but in the wildernesse when ye came out of Egypt King Then said King Salomon what my Tirzana doth all your speach tend unto Queen I humbly crave your Graces favour to finish my speach I remember I have heard my Father and Grand-father speake what plenty of peace and prosperity our God Chemosh hath given us nay what victories we have had against our mighty enemies the Giants called Emims and as it was your God that conquered the Chanaanites for you so it was our God Chemosh that conquered the tall great and terrible Giants the Emims for us Yea which I am loath to utter our God Chemosh hath given our Fathers power over Israel for twenty years together Oh should not we then have a most devout opinion of our Religion But why should I your hand-maid thus be bold to speake to your royall and sacred Majesty your great favour and respect unto me hath quickned my spirit and then with an humble deportment of body with her face to the ground she said the intent of all my speach is that it would please my Sovereign Lord the King to grant my small request I humbly beseech that I may have leave to build a Chappell on Mount Oliver to worship our famous and reverend Numen Chemosh the God of my Fathers King What is this I heare from you my Dear Did your speach drive at this Oh I may not doe this Jehovah our most holy Lord God whom we worship in his holy Temple is the true everlasting God and he can command nothing but what is good and perfectly good so that we need not add any thing and he forbids nothing but what is evil which we must not dis-annull and he is the Sovereign Lord of Heaven and Earth and it is most requisite that man should subject himselfe to the most high who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and God above all Gods and therefore all the Children of men must be subject to his Laws and whosoever harden himselfe against him by disobedience shall never prosper and whereas you talk of strictnesse c. you are to know man by nature is borne a wild asse colt and there is no câ—ming of corrupt nature but by a strict course of holy Laws which to a regenerate and godly soul is an easy Yoke and to which he is willingly subject yea man by nature is sometime so refractory that he will not be brought unto God but by affliction yea neither Law nor affliction profits till the Lord himselfe deal with the heart such perversnesse is in man It is most true that man is addicted to his own vain heart Pro. 4. vid. the Margin and accounts the Law of our God most vile and is altogether contrary to God and would run to all licentiousnesse if there were not holy and just Laws and good government Gods ordinance to keep men within bounds 2. And whereas you talke that man is of a noble and free Spirit you are deceived in your apprehensions he is of a most ignoble Spirit ready to fall into all vile opinions and to all sin and wickednesse and to follow all tentations to evill as for his freedome of spirit he is free indeed to all evil as an horse rushing into the battell and not one spark of that celestiall fire is in him to any good till God put it in him and maintain it when he hath so infused it Mans mind will and affections are all corrupt and in himselfe no healing can be found How mercifull then was our God that he from whom we fell would give us a holy Law to be a medicine and healing Doctrine to restore the soul as his mercy and goodnesse is unspeakable in giving us his word for our need which is better known to God then our selves called for such blessed Heavenly Revelation as is declared in our most holy and most righteous Law which Moses received of God for us And we and all men must obey this Law and be reformed by it if we will have any comfort or protection in this world or hope in another 3. Whereas you talke of due liberty my beloved Tirzena I would have thee to consider all the reformation we can possibly attaine unto by the carefull industry of my royall authority and of our Preists and Prophets and Scholes will not come to that purity and exactnesse that the Lord our God requires Many imperfections in omissions and commissions will appeare continually through the lusts of corrupted nature that war in our souls by reason of the darknesse of the understanding and the untractablenesse of the will and the affections And none that have a feeling of the most holy Lord God and of his truth in the heart but find this thus And therefore to give the least liberty to thy opinion is such a designe that will provoke to anger our gracious and mighty Lord God and if I give liberty to thy opinion why not to the abomination of Moloch of the Children of Ammon and to the opinion of Ashtaroth the abomination of the Zidonians And so in the end to root out the holy faith of the Son of God our great high Preist Melchizedek and then that you desire will prove an evill impetuos to the downe fall of truth and godlinesse and hardly ever be reclaimable yea let me inforce this further that there cannot be any liberty granted in any respect to false worships and ungodly opinions such liberty will bring us and our posterity to miserable bondage as our Fathers felt in the Wildernesse and in the times of the Judges And if we that now live and our posterity doe not keep close to that reformation which is now setled in Israels Common-Weal Jehovah our God who is a jealous God will destroy this glorious Temple that we have built to his name and shake this Kingdome by many greivous calamities and at last weed us out of this good Land that he hath given to us and to our Fathers therefore you speak most unworthily to call our Reformation rigid And whereas you talke of pleasures c. you must know the pleasures of sin are but for a time which wast before we can enjoy them And all such lusts and pleasures doe but war against our souls as for the fewnesse of them that follow our God the Lord of Heaven and Earth it should put you to a stand whether the most doe not goe the broad way to destruction 4. I will inform you a little more because you boast of Antiquity in your Opinion and Religion you are deceived for our holy faith is as old as the first man and woman that was created yours is but of late from a God newly come up and indeed no true God Our God created the Heaven and the Earth and from him is our Religion and He destroyed the World by waters for profaning the name of the Lord by false worshipâ— and it was our God that cursed the Nations with strange Languages
for despising this our holy faith by which most heavy plague all the Families of the earth are in the bondage of Divels following atheâ—sme and abominable and lawlesse idolatries and it was this our God that brought up Israel out of the Land of Egypt and destroyed Pharaoh and his people with great plagues for despising this our holy Lord God and his people And your fore Fathers knew this and sent for Balaam the Inchanter to curse us in the Wildernesse and it was our God that saved our Fathers from Balaam and the King of Moab and as for the other King of Moah by whom our Nation was afflicted it was for falling to the idols of the Nations 5. I must warne you of a great errour whereas you say your Chemosh conquered the Emims for your Ancestors no such matter it was our mercifull God that destroyed those Giants and gave you their Land this our mighty Lord God did because your Father Lot loved our Father Abraham and did follow his faith and holy Religion and he did blesse our Father Abraham and God blessed him for this cause our God gave AR unto the Children of Lot for a possession And this you may read in our holy stories Deut. 2.9 And your God is a false God an idol but our Jehovah is the Eternall Lord God who made the Heavens and the Earth and a jealous God and will be very angry with us if I should grant in his Land any more Temples to be builded then his own And you cannot be ignorant of this nor your own kindred that our Eternall God is not such as your false Gods even all our Enemies being Judges and you have heard of these things by our Preists and Prophets and all my Court still have told you these things Therefore my Dear thou art much mistaken in all thy speaches and thou hast been instructed in an evill manner I have as you have heard spoken to you in an easy and milde frame of Language to persade thee therefore be advised by me if ever thou hope of comfort in the World to come Doe as your Father Lot did and doe as Ruth your faithfull and godly Countrey-woman did forget thy kindred and thy Fathers House and serve the Lord our God with a good heart Queen Although the King had thus brayed her as wheat with a pestill in a Morter yet her folly departed not from her But having this denyall tears fell from her eyes which bedewed her cheekes having her Handkercher in her hand with snubs of umphs and imphs fell at the Kings feet and further said Oh and it please my gracious Lord the King it is but to build a Chappell for me and my maids and some of my retainers which cannot fancy this worship of Israel I will promise your Majesty that not one of Israel shall come into our holy places King This may not be done it will be a snare unto my subjects to set up the abomination of Chemosh in Jehovahs Land I may not doe it Queen Oh why doth my gracious Lord call our Religion the abomination of Chemosh I assure your Majesty by the faith of a woman that there shall be dore-keepers that none of Israel shall come to have communion with us in our worships It is for my self and retinue and some of mine own Nation as they have occasion to come and see me in their visits King I may not I may not doe it I pray thee talk no more of this matter Queen Ymph umph tears And thus shee is dismissed and departs the presence of the King But yet another time assaults the King and sends an honorable personage her Brother before hand a notable insinuating crafty instrument who on a time came to Salomons Court and having seen and heard an excellent consort of musick of Instruments of all sorts as also the voices of singing men and singing woemen which he admired and praised and extolled the King as if all had been of his invention Kings and Princes when they came to Salomon would bring their Phisitians and their learned men with them and they would gather into writing much of Salomons speach of naturall philosophy c. also he magnified the King for his excellent endowments in contriving his plots for buildings and his wisdome in naturall philosophy and his rare gift in song and his wonderfull instinct to speake of the natures viâ—tures and effects of Trees Shrubs and Herbs of fowls beasts fishes and creeping things c. And that all Princes of the Earth that come to visit your Majesty and bring their Physicians with them will carry notes and writings home with them that shall stand all ages and people in great stead for ever And as for your Religion in worshipping Jehovah in his holy Temple he is the great God and above all Gods and all your performances are glorious But yet other Nations have much joy content and comfort every Nation in serving their own Gods For they cannot be perswaded to embrace your devotions as too strickt and rigid you may not add any thing to what your God commands nor take away any thing he forbids But we may add any thing as just occasion calls for and sometimes take away what was not so fitting which things are rational to all Nations for what is it but may be amended Yea I have heard of your Preists Prophets and learned men that there will be a great alteration in your Religion after some certaine time that all this service that you doe shall be ended as if it had never been for they doe say there shall be another manner of Kingdome Preists and Temple and Sacrifices and Worships These things considered is it not an hard thing to peâ—swade your bordering Princes to embrace your Religion which shall have such a great change among your selves and therefore they may well think it is more rational to hold their own then to be of yours seeing your own selves say it shall be changâ—d and therefore they suppose their worships shall continne as long as yours for if we go to Kittim Kedar Chaldea Ashur Ammon Egypt c. what Gods they have they ever had they change not and they think greater glory honor wealth prosperity and victories should not befall them if they should embrace your God for they all know that Israel hath had heavy pressures of famine wars and pestilence under your God yea of late years in the reign of the noble and royall King David your Father and it is not likely that such mighty Nations wise and politick should be all deceived in their worships and yours onely good and perfect And so these causes it is that those honorable woemen that your royall Majesty hath taken into so near society to your selfe and into your most honorable Court cannot be drawn to your Religion and among the rest my most honored and noble Sister your sacred Majesties consort to whom you have manifested much love and respect
in his reformed Catholike declareth the impossibility of reconciliation and which was written of purpose against such intendments and many others have testified against such State-abominations Yea Christian reformed States and Common-Weals that have departed from Abaddons Kingdome should be well advised what treaties they make with the King of Locusts Subjects But by no means to yeild them while such aid of men or ammunition not to receive from them any help It is best that the reformed look to their own Common-Weals States and polities Let the holy stories of Asa and Jebosaphats Kingdome with Achabs House be our instruction as also the holy Scriptures that shew us the mis-carriage of a maziah King of Judoh 2 Châ—on 25. 18. 19. and 1 King 22. confer also Esai 30. c. c. Let all Princes and Common Weals take heed of idolatrous and wicked weomen there are wealthy politike and of high countenance Such have caused much greif and trouble to the Church of God and the Republick a common mische if in most places from Gen. 6. even to this day But godly gracious woemen that have in them the power of godlinesse to love the word of God in the holy Scriptures of the Prophers and Apostles and to love the holy publick assemblies of Christ Jesus and be sober discreet temperate mercifull meek humble chast and be keepers at home to train up their dear children in godly wayes and to have a speciall care that servants doe not corrupt their children they have been an occasion of much evill in children also to be carefull in overseeing and guiding the affairs of the house especially in the husbands absence c. Such are a Crown of glory to their husbands the Common-Weal Town and Family I will transcribe a speach out of Iosephus pertinent to this conference of Tirzana the Lady of Moab which will also manifest the wickednesse of these apostating and perilous times Iosephus Lib. 4. chap. 6. When Moses the faithfull servant of the Angel of the Covenant the Son of God was zealous against the Apostasie of Israel especially of the Tribe of Simeon for joyning themselves to Baal-Pebor and seperating themselves to that Shame then Zimri to make a mutiny most audaciously uttered this speach to Moses Moses saith Zimri use thine owne Laws whereunto by long use thou hast added strength and confirmation which hadst not thou done oft times ere this hadst thou suffred punishment and learnt to thine own misery that the Hebrews were not to be deluded for my selfe thou shalt never tie me to thy tyrannicall decrees for hitherto hast thou endeavoured nought else but under pretext of Law and Religion to bring us into servitude and subjection and thy selfe by thy subtle and sinister means to honor and soveraignty taking from us the pleasures and liberties of our lives things that belong to free men and such as appertaine or live not under any mans government For this should be worse then an Egyptian thraldome to punish every man by thy Laws according to thine own pleasure whereas thou thy selfe art more worthy to be punished in that thou disannullest that thing that is approved by all mens consent and desirest that thy decrees should be of more force then all the resolutions of all other mortal men whatsoever But I as touching that which I doe in that I suppose it to be wel done am not affraid to confesse in this Assembly namely That I have taken a stranger to wife thou hearest mine actions from mine own mouth as from a free and resolute man neither doe I desire that they should be hidden I likewise sacrifice to the Gods contrary to our custome because I suppose it to be both just and necessary that from many I seek the truth and not depending as it were upon a tyrany or living there under to build my faith upon one onely for no man shall please me that will have more interest in my actions then my selfe Dear and beloved Reader this expresseth the uncleane and vile spirit of Satan in these evill dayes CHAP. XXXII Breif considerations about Sheol Gehenna and especially about Hades as it relates to the Article of the Creed he descended into Hell BEloved Reader there hath been in some places not a little stir about the sufferings of our Lord which doubtlesse were marvellous great even greater then can well be expressed But yet unlesse a man will say as some say that he suffred the very Essentiall Torments of Hell they will account such little better then Heretiques The very first occasion of his assertion was as I conceive from the mis-understanding of the holy Article of the Creed commonly called the Apostles Creed which speaks thus in the originall Greek K 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine descendi ad infeâ—os in English he descendâ—d into Hell But this Latine and English Translation doe come much short of the large sence and meaning oâ— the originall Greek I meane the said Translations do not fully expresse the large elegant meaning of the Greek word Hades as it ought to be understood and therefore from this barren and bad Translation sundry erroneous Expositions have been broached by sundry Authors which hath filled most Churches with much trouble 1. The controversy between Doctor Bilson and Master Broughton was this Whither the holy soul of our Lord Christ went at his death hence to Hell or hence to Heaven Doctor Bilson after much sweat and labor for his journey to Hell at last concludes thus in his Sermons p. 219. we have no warrant in the word of God so to fasten Christs soul unto Hell for the time of his death but that it might be in paradise before it descended to Hell 2. On the other hand there are some learned men not all and some Churches not all that expound this Article of Christs suffering the essentiall Torments of Hell in his soul in the Garden and on the Crosse Now that we may attaine to a true understanding of the Article we may do well to consider the Termes Sheol Gehenna and Hades 1. The word Sheol is onely Hebrew and it hath severall exceptions of which see Ains in Gen. 37.35 in Ps 16.10 and in sundry other Authors also 2. As for the terme Gehenna t is a dialect from the Hebrew and 〈◊〉 signifies properly and only the place of Torment for in all the New Testament it is ever taken in that sence in Mat. 5. Maâ— 9. Luk. 12.5 c. 3. As for Hades It is very needfull that light may shine in our pathes to consider well in what sence it is used in the New Testament and in what sence it must be taken in the Creed It is noted by Mr. Bro and Mr. Robert Wilmos and by some others also that Hades hath these three principall significations 1. It signifies death to the person or destruction to things 2. It signifies the grave to the dead body 3. It signifies the world un-seen namely the world of
is good for us to hearken to the counsells of the Scriptures of God the surest way is to consult with them It saith aske for the old way Ieâ— 6. Againe it saith he that knoweth God heareth the Apostles 1 Ioh. 4. Againe we are built upon the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Jesus Christ himselfe being the cheife corner Stone Eph. 2. And againe for perfect resolution we are referred to the words of the holy Prophets and commandments of the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. And Iudas Thaddaus speaks the same And they all were the Sons of Sem. The Scriptures of the Prophets is the faith of the Nations and it is said often in the Apocalips that Christs Witnesses suffered for the word of God and the Testimony of Jesus with which orthodox Churches must have no vote granted to them to stand in competition for authority 17. The Pontificians so dealt and deal that they will in shew at last yeeld honour to the Scriptures so that we rest in their Churches exposition and determination we suppose godly Christians should not be like them in such tergiversations Beloved Reader do not conceive that we dis-esteem and reject Orthodox Churches or the writings of their godly Divines no such matter But we highly prize them as most gracious mercies of Christ Jesus our Lord and as they by whom the Temple of God in the Heaven of the Church hath been opened and the Ark of his Testimony manifested And as such by whose voices teaching and praying writings and martyrdome they have made such a thunder in the Pontifician Ayre that the smoake of the Pit is much vanished and a tenth part of Abaddons polity is fallen And the great Angell of the Covenant the Lord Jesus Christ will still send forth godly Teachers that the whole Barth shall be lightned with his glory Apot. 18. We may and ought to have them in godly and respectfull remembrance for their works sake both of them that are departed and of those that are yet living though we make them not Lords of our faith 18. I will yet-speake a little more of that speach which some affirme of Christ that he did combate with his Angry Father shall the Son of God faith that treatise suffer the second death for you Shall he unchrist himself for a time for you Shal he suffer Hel Torments for you †Treatise of sacâ—ed divinity published by Mr. John Downame in the yeare 1619. p. 1. 317. Shall the Son of God enter the lists to fight the great combate hand to hand with his angry Father for you God the Father to fight with God the Son Is this good Orthodox Theoligie to be sould or taught in Pulpits or in Books to the people of God doubtlesse there is a deep silence of such expressions in the Book of God And from this time forwards I hope our godly Teachers will have the same deep silence and make no stir and utter plaine Doctrines and then our inventions will vanish 1. I pray consider it well did the humanity of our blessed Saviour and Mediatour cope or combate with the Divine nature of the God the Father Alas the humanity though holy yet it was but a finite creature created in time and what is a finite creature to the infinite creator The humane nature in a such a case could not abide the least touch of contradiction But I suppose we must seriously consider that the humanity did evermore from its conception subsist in the Divine nature of the second person by way of support else it could not have borne such sufferings as the holy Scriptures declare from the power of Satan death the grave and wicked men yeâ— else his oblation of himself had not been meritoriously satisfactory and therefore it is a strange saying that the second person did combate with the first for then the whole person of the Mediatour must combate if any combating my heart yea whose heart would not tremble at such speaches as this 2. Gen. 3.25 doth hold forth a declaration of a combate of enmity between the seed of the woeman namely her speciall seed Christ and the seed of the Serpent but no mention is made of any such combate with God the Father nor that the second person should combate with himselfe the humane with the divine nature Thesâ— Tenentes do jar much from the Divinity that was taught to our first Parents in Gen 3.15 3 Is it not strange Doctrine to affirme that the Lord Jesus with the helpe of a holy Angell did combate with God for in his Agony in Luk. 22.43 there was an Angel sent from Heaven to strengthen him 4 Was it ever heard that a Mediator between two at variance should fight with the stronger opposite to bring him to agreement some Teachers in teaching such Doctrines must use some such like strange language 5. The Lord Jesus did commit his cause to him that judgeth righteously 1. Pet. 2.23 This argueth although the Divils instruments did in wrath and rage condemne him for a sinfull malefactor as all presecutors did the Martyrs yet that God the Father did not judge him for a sinner but justify him as one that was every way Innocent therefore the Heavenly Father did not combate with his Son for he committed himselfe and his case to him as to a righteous judge 6. The Martyrs in like sort being Baptised with the Baptisme of Christ in sufferings committed their case to their Heavenly Father in Apoc. 6.10 And therefore as Gods essentiall curse Hell Torments and the second death was not on the Martyrs in their sufferings so neither was it on the true and faithfull Martyr the Lord Jesus in his sufferings CHAP. XXXV Observations upon that distinction which some make between the locall and penall Hell which penall Hell some say Christ suffered 1. SOme say that God can make a mans Hell here in this world by which speach they must meane if they meane any thing to he point in dispute that God can so plague a man in this world that the will not bring him to eternall destruction in Gehenna in the world to come I grant that the eternall Lord can do what he pleaseth both in Heaven Earth Sea and in all deep places Ps 135.6 2. The same eternall Lord can also make a Heaven for his children here in this world and never bring them to everlasting glory in Heaven in the World to come But Teachers must not bring their own speculations let them be true seers to shew us the visions of God from his word rightly expounded even his Revelled will for nothing else belongs to us and to our children 3. The holy Scriptures tells us that there is an everlawing blessed estate for all Gods chosen not heare but in the Heavenly paradise though each blessing is here begun by justification is freedome from sin death Satan whence ariseth peace and joy in the holy Ghost the first fruites of the spirit
saw no Angell CHAP. XLVI That the point of Chronology was a cheife part of the Angells Message to Daniell for Daniell knew all before the Chronology 1. HE knbw that Salem Daniel saith Seavens Seavens ore exactly â—â—â—â—uâ—ted for thy people and for thy holy City Sems Tents and people should not alwayes have peculiar glory and that one day the postericy of Japheth should be perswaded to embrace the faith of Sems Tents he knew that all Families that apostated Gen. 11. should be blessed in CHRIST Gen. 12 and that he would also confirme firme the Covenant of his grace for them The blessednesse promised and the confirming the Covenant are all one 2. He knew as well as Esaias that the Temple and holy place should not alwayes be regarded as Stephea cites Esaias and Daniet Act. 6. 7. Esai â—6 1. Dan. 9 26.27 that the holy place Christ would destroy 3. He knew that Esaias had said from Moneth to Moneth and from Sabbathto Sabbath all flesh shall come to worship before me saith the Eternal Esai 66.23 This sheweth an utter abrogation of Moses seeing all Nations cannot come every week to Jerusalâ—m Mr. Br. in the latter end of Ecclesiastes 4. He knew the Preist hood of Levi should be changed from Psal 110. And he knew if the Preist hood be changed of necessity there must be a change of the Law and therefore the Law of all manner of Sacrifices of Beasts and Birds c. should be abolished this he knew from Psal 40. And all faithfull as Habel thus expected and beleived and by that their faith they were made heires of the justification that is by faith And Daniel sheweth the same that Messias should by his once offering of himselfe make reconciliation for iniquity and bring an everlasting justification and so seal and confirme all the visions and premises and prophesres that himselfe was the end an scope that all aimed at 5. He knew from Esaias that Cyrus should send the Jewes home from Captivity and build City and Temple read Esai 44 45 46. Jer. 30.18 But in what time after the returne from Captivity Esaias told not But the holy Angel did shew the time that within the Seaven Seavens from Daniels prayers and the returne of the forty nine thousand Jerusalem should be builded Street and Wall 6. He knew that HE the holy seed of the Woman of Abraham of David c. should destroy Satans works that by the Seed of the Serpent his foot sole should be bruised that he should be slaine not for himselfe but for us 7. He knew that Esaias had prophecied of the acceptable yearâ— of the Lord in the Jubilee in which should be preached good tidings unto the meek to bind up the broken hearted to proclaime liberty to the Captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound c. Now Daniel told of the last Jubilee when all should be performed Levit. 25. seeing all the promises of God in Christ are yea and amen we are bound to marke the Jubilees beginning and ending and to joyne the last to our LORDS death for indeed they doe so most exactly fall out When the Angel had told the Prophet Daniel of the Seavensy Seavens Then the godly Teachers before the holy Incarnation could say the Majesty of God dwelling in our Tabernacle will be Redemption freedome i. e. justification and Finisher of Sabbaths to Israel in a Iubilee this speach is worthy of golden Letters This they might easily account For they knew how many Jubilees had been past and how many would be the last yeare of the Seavensy Seavens The last Jubilee falls out with the last yeare of the Seavensy Seavens Simeon the just knew this and he waâ—ted for the Mâ—ssâ—as the consolation of Israel and it was reveiled unto him that he should not see death till he had seen the MESSIAS of the Lord. Luk. 2. All this glorious meditation of the Jubilees and this last Jubilee Master P. defaceth utinam bec illi ne imputetur Num. 33 56. Deut. 28.66 Esai 66. Pâ—â—l 95. Ezâ—k 16. 8. He knew from Moses and the Prophets that Christ the King would destroy his own people as with a Floud of Noe that they should be shaken out of their own Land and that that Land should not be their Rest nor an holy Land nor holy Mountaine no more then any place under heaven after the ending of the Seavensy Seavens the Jewes shall be converted they will beleive that City and Temple shal never be restored and then they will not much regard the Land Now the holy Lord God sent his Angell from heaven to tell the time of the accomplishment of all these they are un-utterable wonderfull things and glorious mercies that from the beginning of Daniels prayer this exactly accounted time should begin Mr. Bro◠〈◊〉 Daniel and end at the shewing of CHRIST to be the most holy Redeemer in declaring the power of God in his passion and resurrection as is foretold in Dan. 9. Because the passion marveilously shewed Christ to be the most Holy when he sanctifyed himselfe Ioh. 17.17 and the Centurion said doubtlesse he was the Son of God and his resurrection shewed that he was indeed the Son of Gon. I will add a little to the eighth Section above If the Jews had known the words of the Prophets they would not have stoned Stephen for saying Jesus of Nazaret should destroy the City and the holy Place Great error hath herein been committed by not marking the force of Noes words pursued by Moses by Gabriell by the Lord and by their full Event and by the glorious erecting of the Church tearmed the Jerusalem from Heaven insted of it Iulian the Apostate to satisfy our Lords words indeavoured to repaire Jerusalem but he felt the wrath of Christ for it So in after ages * Anno 1100. 1200. the Pontificality stirred the Princes of the West to war for Low Jerusalem but Christ plagued Christendome to this day for that vanity Yea at this day people study not nor beleive the words of the Prophets but as the Jewes are susperstitious so are many the superstition of the Jewes is in part expressed by a godly Teacher And it seems their vanity pleaseth us to write so of them as we doe Christians now a-dayes are so foolish and erroneous as thinking of going to Jerusalem I could name some But it is better for them to alter their opinions and if I might give them counsell to doe as it is reported Jewes doe about their dead bones let them give order to some Feoffee to have care of their dead bones and when they have a sufficient Cargosie to fraight some Vessell to Joppa and to consigne them to some Reverend Mussel-man that he by Waggons may transport them to Jerusalem to be interred Ah let Teachers consider whether they have not been an occasion to people to stumble at the Law in teaching and writing about
unstable Soules are ever ready for the wolfs mouth a fit prey for the smooth subtil Serpent and his seed People must be constantly admonished weaken Popery weaken all this the Layalans know well enough Turcisme is no mysterie and all the unclean spirits of errour is no mysterie Therefore in few words O ye godly Families study the holy Scriptures they are the Inheritance of all the Israel of God And verily the most faithfull Witnesse hath said and then he spake of the old Testament Ye erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the Power of God Misbelievers know not God Wherefore if ye cry after knowledge and lift up your voice for understanding Prov. â— if ye seek wisdome as Silver and search for understanding as for hid Treasures then certainly you shall understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God for the Lord giveth wisdome and out of his Mouth in his holy Scriptures cometh knowledge and understanding And this also will follow That no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper and every tongue that riseth in Judgement against you you shall condemn this is the * This is a rich and great heritage Heritage of the servants of Jehovah and their Rghteousnesse is of me saith JEHOVAH Isaiah 54.17 To conclude it is said he that asketh receiveth he that seeketh findeth Mat. 7. and to him that knocketh it shall be opened The secret of Jehovah that is the Misterie of Christ is with them that sear him and his Covenant to make them know it He will cause the meek to go according to right and teach the humble his way Psalm 25. Two or three Directions concerning the reading of the following Dialogue First read the Text of it often to see how things in the course of the Bible follow one another then the margins at your leasure for explication 2. Let none be discouraged at the largenesse of this Dialogue for it is not intended that children or any should learn it without book but the substance of it they will have in their minds before they be aware For 1. Hereby a faithfull mind that hath his wits exercised in the word of righteousnesse will often in a day runne over all the Bible in sundry varieties if he mark the Chronologie and the chief persons in the Genealogie for by marking the times and the persons that lived in those times he will remember their stories as it is common to do in worldly affairs 2. I have not cited every verse to the chapter I mention because I would have the Reader to mark the coherence of things the better and though the verse be not named yet some part of the chapter is expressed and you are to remember that the holy Apostles when they cite a Text they name onely the Prophet or more generally the Scripture not naming the Prophet Rom. 9.13.15 17.25 1 Pet. 2.6 c. c And observe that Speech John 15.25 The Psalms are called their Law that term hath deep Meditation for the term Law comprehends all the Scriptures and the Doctrine of salvation by Christ and that saying of James 4.5 Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy but there is no one particular Text in all the Bible that hath those words and yet the whole Book of God and I think every particular Prophet doth shew this corruption of our nature that the Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy And where the verse is cited you may misse of that edification which you may attain unlesse you mark the scope for the holy Spirit doth in divers verses drive to one chief Conclusion therefore you must consider many verses and it may be the whole chapter before you find the true sense of a verse I will not excuse my want herein in not citing every verse But beloved all my labour is to gain this of you to delight in all the Blessed Book of God And if this effect be attained I shall think my labour well bestowed and out of this desire I hope it may come to passe I may be encouraged to do you further service E.H. CHAP. I. OF the UNITY of the GOD-HEAD AND TRINITY of PERSONS Also of their Properties and Workes QVestion I. What Scriptures do shew the Vnity of the God-head and the Trinity of Persons with their properties and workes Answ very many of which I will propound only some to consideration Deut. 6.4 Heare O Israel the Eternall our God the Eternall is One. Gen. 1.1.2 In the beginning * If the knowledge of God in Trinity had not been the ground of life God would never have declared himselfe to us in the plurall number for his eternall wisdome fore-saw what warrs would come for that betwixt Jewes Turks and Arrians and his true faithfull ones and God the God of peace would never have placed a name pluâ—all in his first Scripture but for peace to life to the fallen Sons of Adam Elohim God 's he created the Heavens and the Earth And the Earth was without forme and void and darknesse was upon the face of the * The Spirit of Elohim is sometimes called the Spirit of God the Father 1. Joh. 4.13 Apoc. 11.11 and sometimes the Spirit of the Son Gal. 4.6 Rom. 8.9.1 Pet. 1.11 because it proceeds as well from the Son as from the Father Joh 14.16.26 compared with Joh. 16.26 deep and the Spirit of Elohim Gods moved upon the face of the waters In the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with God and the WORD was God the same was in the beginning with God All things were made †Aâ—â— things were created by him and for him Col. 1.16 consider that Gen 1. 2. shewes that and all the rest of the Bible shews this by him and without him was made nothing that was made In him was life and the life was the light of men Joh. 1.1.2 And Elohim said Let US make man according to OUR Image Gen. 1.26 And Jehovah said The man is become as one of US Gen. 3.22 And Jehovah came downe to see the City and Tower and Jehovah said let US go downe Gen. 11.7 And it came to passe when they Gods Elohim caused me to wander Gen. 20.13 He built an Altar there and called the place El-Bethel because there they Gods appeared unto him Gen. 35. 7. But none say where is the Puissant my Makers Job 35. see Braughton on Job Let Israel rejoyce in his Makers Psal 149.2 Thy Maker is thy Husbands Esa 54.5 Remember thy Creatours Eccl. 12.1 By the WORD of Jehovah were the Heavens made and all the hosts of them by the SPIRIT of his mouth Psal 33.6 I am with you saith Jehovah of Hosts with the WORD by whom I made a covenant with you when yee departed out of Egypt and my SPIRIT remaining among you that yee should not feare Hag. 2.5 Go and teach all Nations baptizing them in the
name of the Fether of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Mat. 28.19 For there are Three which beare record in Heaven the Father the WORD and the holy Ghost and these three are one 1. Joh. ◠7 Yee worship yee know not what we know what we worship for salvation is of the Jewes but the houre cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shal worship the Father in Spirit and truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth Joh. 4.22.23.24 Jer. 10.1 Heare yee the word which Jehovah speaketh unto you O house of Israel 2. Thus saith Jehovah learne not the way of the Heathen and be not dismayed at the signes of the Heavens for the Heathens are dismayed at them 3. For the customes of the people are vaine for one cutteth a Tree out of the Forrest the worke of the hands of the workman with the ax 4. They deck it with Silver and Gold they fasten it with Nayles and with Hammers that it move not 5. They are upright as the Palm Tree but speak not they must needs be borne because they cannot go be not affraid of them for they cannot do evill neither is it in them to doe good 6. For as much as there is none like unto thee O Jehovah thou art great and thy name is great in power 7. Who would not feare thee O King of Nations for to thee doth it appertaine for as much as among all the wise men of the Nations and in all their Kingdomes there is none like unto thee .. 8. But they are altogether bruitish and foolish the stock is a Doctrine of vanities 9. Silver spread into Plates is brought from Tharshish and Gold from Vphaz the work of the Workman and the hands of the Founder blew and purple is their cloathing they are all the works of cunning men 10. But Jehovah is the true God he is the the living God and an everlasting King at his wrath the earth shall tremble and the Nations shall not be able to abide his indignation 11. Thus shall yee say unto them the Gods that have not made the Heavens and the Earth even they shall perish from the Earth and from under these Heavens God gives raine and he witholds raine Deut. 11.14 Amos. 4.7 Psal 147. Sing unto Jehovah who covereth the Heavens with clouds read Job 36. 37. 12. HE hath made the Earth by his power he hath established the world by his wisdome and hath stretched out the Heavens by his discretion 13. When he uttereth his voice there is a multitude of waters in the Heavens and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth he maketh lightnings with raine and bringeth the wind out of his Treasures 14. Every man is bruitish in his owne †Vaine man would be wise though man be borne a wild asse colt Job 11.12 knowledge every founder is confounded by the graven Image for his molten Image is but false-hood and there is no breath in them 15. They are Unity and the work of errours in the time of their visitation they shall perish 16. * The Lords portion is his people Jacob is the lot of his inheritance Deut. 32. how gracious is this reciprocation See the uses that the Saints should and have made of it Psal 73.16 119.57 Lam. 3. Christ is the portion of the faithfull and they are his portion The portion of Jacob is not like them he is the former of all things and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance Jehovah of Hosts is his name Jer. 23.23 Am I a God at hand saith Jehovah and not a God afarr off can any hide himselfe in secret places that I shal not see him saith Jehovah do not I fill Heaven and Earth saith Jehovah Psal 135.6 Whatsoever pleaseth Jehovah he doth in the Heavens and in the Earth in the Seas and in all deep places vid Dan. 4.34.35 Ephe. 1 11. QVestion 2. What may be learned from these Texts Answ These Scriptures teach us to know the most glorious God in his nature and properties in his works of Creation and providence Also the Unity of his essence and that there is a distinction in the unity of essence by which description wemay plainely see that he cannot be likened to any thing nor any thing made like to him Therefore all Idolls and Images of him are vanity and wicked and are to be abhorred and that he only is to be feared beleeved in worshipped c. And all this will more cleerely appeare by certain positions which may be gathered out of these Texts QVest 3. Which be they Answ 1. These Scriptures teach us that God is a Spirit most perfect and infinite and therefore impossible to be conceived of us as he is in himselfe and therefore we must content our selves with such a knowledge as he hath in his word revealed to us according to our capacity in his names and properties 1. His names are * It is good to observe how the attributes and titles are taken one for the other as Deut. 18.13 Mat. 5 48. So that Elohim Jehovah and Father are all one and so we shall finde in other Scriptures These names titles and properties do expound the proeme of the decalogue and the first commandement and the Proeme of the Lords prayer and the first petition Elohim Jehovah Adonaj Shaddaj Jah Tzur c. which signifie the Mighties the eternall being of himselfe and the giver of being to all things else the Stay of the World the All-sufficient the giver of life and breath the Rock c. these and others are abridgments of the Bible and the Bible a commentary on them 2. His properties some of them are incommunicable and some communicable the incommunicable are simplenesse or unmixednesse infinitenesse eternitie omnipotency unchangeablenesse immeasurablenesse c. no creature hath these 3. The properties communicable are being life goodnesse power wisdome justice holinesse truth mercy c. These he communicateth to his creatures yet they are but in a measure in them as qualities but in God essential in the creatures weak and imperfect but in him each of them is infinite in all perfection and by these things in the creatures which we see and perceive the invisible things of God are understood Some call these names and properties titles and attributes 4. These Scriptures affirme that there is one God and but one for there can be but one infinite and eternall being Creatour and Governour 5. The distinct persons in the God-head are from these Scriptures to be learned the Father the WORD and the holy Spirit Other Scriptures do further direct us how they are distinguished by their order properties an works 1. By their order the Father is the first person of himselfe the Son is the second person only of the Father he holy Ghost is the third person from them both 2. By
adverse things But let a man be carefull allwaies to keep a conscience void of offence toward God and toward man then hee shall not need to fear for any sudden fear for the Eternall Being will be for his assurance But an unfaithfull heart of unbeleif cannot tell whither to turn him in affliction and distresse this is manifest in Kain Saul Ishcariot and Achitophel 13. The mighty Elohim the eternall Being hath created and disposed all things in Christ for the good of his Elect. Therefore the Prophets shew that Gods Jesurun portion and inheritance should not be as the Idolatrous heathens and such like blind ignorant sots L They must not learn their Abominations nor to be afraid of any of the signs of the heavens the constellations eclipses or strangnesse of any of the fiery ayery watery or earthly Meteors God hath ever used them as all are his servants for the good of his church and the world and for the destruction of the wicked as in the Flood Sodom Aegypt c. so it is sayd the Heavens fought and the Stars in their course fought against M Sisera Jud. 5. The stars by their influence in their Constellations raised stormes winde raine hail inundations c. Compare with this Job 38.22.23 and Jos 10.11 also Exod. 5. and the troubles of Pharaohs pursute of Israel in the Red sea Exod. 14.24.25 Psal 77.16.17.18.19 meditate on Psal 18. and 28.3 c. and Psal 104. and 148. and 1 Sam. 7.10 and 12.17 and 14.15 and much of Jobs booke ANNOTATIONS upon Chapter 1. In Q. 3. N. 5. The same order of the persons in existence is the same in operation both in the creation and in the new creation or regeneration For the spirit of Elohim first of the Father and Secondly of the son moved hovered or as one may say sate a Metaphor from birds that fit on their eggs on the face of the waters to hatch or bring forth out of that created Chaos all the visible and sensible creatures as it followes in the sixth dayes work As for the other the Love of the Father draws on the sons redemption and their spirit works it up by sanctification c. This is an irrefragable bond of working which the creature cannot frustrate and Jehovah changeth not Eph. 1.2 to 16. 1 Cor. 8.6 2 Cor. 4.4 2 Cor. 13.13 Joh. 5.19 and 14.26 and 15.26 and 16.7 In N. 6. That was fit for each cretaure though the creatures do now groan under corruption yet it is a miracle of beauty that things are placed to be so excellently subservient to each other The baser and inferiour serve the next above them the livelesse serve the Vegetives the Vegitive the sensitive the sensitive the Rationall the Rationall are to serve the eternall Lord God In N. 7. Therefore who is he that sayth that any thing falleth out which Jehovah commanded not From the mouth of the highest proceedeth not the evill and the good Lam. 3 27.38 Broughton reads it Are not two sparrowes sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall on the Ground without the Father Matth. 10. Is there evill in the City and the Lord hath not done it Amos 3.6 Let us be humbled for our Atheisme that looke so much to second causes God alters times and seasons and over-rules his means as in the plague in 1636. it being most in winterly season And as for fretting and tormenting our selves about events every event is an Oracle of God then no disputing Yea be the instruments what can be it is just wise or a mercifull event and all to his glory Why doth living man murmur a man for the punishment of his sin Lam. 3. Therefore David was in a sweet temper when he sayd I opened not my mouth because thou didst it Psal 39. 2 Sam. 16.10 So then what ever be the second causes yet the most high God ruleth all in all things in Heaven earth sea and in all deep places Psal 135. His providence reacheth as far as his creation We say it raines it snowes it freezeth ir misteth it thundereth it bloweth and that the stormy windes do raise the waves c. We may so speak impersonally for the holy scripture alloweth the Phrase But yet wee must looke and our children must be taught to looke to Jehovah the Eternall Being He sayth to the snow be thou upon the Earth and likewise to the small raine and the great raine of his strength he thundereth he raiseth the stormy winde c. Job 17.38 and Psal 104. and 107. These things should be in us from our infancy that our Faith Fear Love Joy Hope Patience should abound towards him who doth all things by his wise Counsells and for the good of his chosen In N 7. Kingdome Although the Kingdome of God be much spoken of in the holy scriptures yet it hath a more retyred and speciall sence then is commonly thought upon this Kigdome is that mediatoriall Kingdome of Christ and therefore all power in Heaven and Earth was not first given to him in Matth. 28.18 For God hath governed the world by his son ever since Adam lost the government by his fall Gen. 3.15 And therefore it is sayd Jehovah from Jehovah rained fire and brimstone up Sodom and Gomorrah Gen. 19.24 In N. 8. Nor resemblances We ought to be very carefull in prayer c. That we fashion not God in our conceptions to any shape We ought not to thinke of the God-head like sottish heathens or superstitious Papists Acts 17. Esa 40 Rom. 1. Therefore let us helpe our children from the breasts with true knowledge In N. 8. Haters For God saith I will visit the iniquity of Fathers upon the third and fourth Generation of them that Hate mee as in Exod. chap. 20. In N. 9. And all outward worship Selfe-will worshippers are bruitish wights they worship they know not what for all their babling and prating Act. 17. Joh. 4.22 Jeroboam and his Preists thought and taught that they worshiped the true God in his calves but God hath told us that hee worshiped Devils A Papist thinks hee worships Christ when hee kneeles before a golden silvery woodden stony or painted Crucifix But the spirit saith It is the worship of Devills 2 Chron. 11.25 Apoc. 9 20. In N. 10. Our Elohim Meditare ever more of Gods Attributes and properties as a helpe in Prayer and as a meanes to preserve faith and obedience and to prop us against all temptations to sin and when through Weaknesse overtaken by sin meditate on the same This will be a meanes to make us that we shall not conceale or hide our sins For by concealing we disgrace Gods Attributes and properties but by confession we give Glory to Jehovah the God of Israel that he sees us knows us that he is just if he judge and condemn us that he is holy and cannot abide iniquity that he is mighty and able to plague save and deliver And this is a gracious way to
make entrance to the Attributes of Mercy Grace Patience loving kindnesse Consolation c. c. When men will conceale and hide their sins they labour to make themselves no better then Atheists Ezeck 9.10 Psal 86.14 and 94 7. First The Apostle saith thus of Gods Attributes of strength Do we provoke the Lord to anger are we stronger then he 1 Cor. 10. Jeremiah exhorteth not to glory in the wisdome strength and riches of this world which come to naught but in the wisdome strength and riches that may be found in the true knowledge of God Jeâ— 9.23.24 Job 22.25 Apot. 3.18 and make the comfortable expression of an incommunicable Attribute in Mal. 3.16 There is both terror and comfort in this Attribute the living God it is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God then it is a living wrath unto hypocrites that shall last to all eternity and observe how this is pressed by the Aopstle to the revolting Hebrewes despising the blood of the covenant and cleaving to the false Doctrine of the traditions of their Fathers Ebr. 10.1 Pet. 1.18 Moses pressed this upon the deceitefull hearts that were in Israel in his dayes But to the godly this title of living God is as comfortable for he is their living joy living consolation living peace living glory with God after this life and therefore while we live here let us meditate as David did Jehovah liveth and blessed be my Rock Psal 18.46 This was his comfort in all the stormes floods and windes that assaulted him in diverse tryalls as this Psalme and others shew he built on the Rock This Psalme is expounded of the Son of God who ruleth all Rom. 15.9 And he saith to his Disciples Joh. 14. Because I live yee shall live also lively stones built on him the living Rock this he said to them and to us because of the tryalls he foresaw would affront them It is well for us that Jehovah liveth Also observe how Moses dealeth in pressing his exhortations Deut. 7.9 Againe he is wise in heart and mighty in strength who ever hardned himselfe against him and prospered Job 9.4.3 When a man addresseth himselfe to prayer it is a ground of faith to begin with some Attribute and with all to remember some promise as is suitable to our petition this is an high poynt of Christian wisdome and piety the Saints have used so to doe Dan. 9.2.3.4 Rom. 15.5 Neh. 1.8 A man that hath not some knowledge of God in his attributes and faith concerning them cannot pray with that profit to his inner man as else he might do What man can pray as he ought to doe if he beleive not Gods emnipotency omnipresence and omnisciency and so of the other attributes above noted Oh what shall we say we are not able to order our speech concerning the attributes and works of God by reason of our darknesse Job 37.19 N. 12. Our God his titles c. Observe the sweet influences that some glorious starrs have yeilded which have risen in the horizon of a Church from the consideration of Gods attributes the RR Mr. Dod on Exo. 34. D. Preston and others oh we of little faith God wil set al his attributes on work for us his attributes are of unspeakable consolation to an holy soule so on the contrary they are of thundering terror to the Vessells of wrath and dishonor Psal 147.5.6 That worthy man though a private man Mr. Henry Church is worthy of joyfull memorial for his Miscellanea philo theologica speaking of the Attributes of God N. 12. they that know The holding of God by faith is better then our holding of him by reason God is able to do and doth exceeding abundantly above all that we can aske or thinke Gods name is as his nature is secret and not to be sought this may wonderfully strengthen faith for if God were not above and greater then our apprehensions he could not helpe us infinitely Eph. 3.29 and faith maketh a man to set too his seal that God is true faith giveth God the honour of all his properties and attributes Assur shall not save us we wil not ride upon horses neither will we say any more to the works of our hands ye are our gods for in thee the fatherlesse finde mercy Hos 14. Again it is said My defence is in God who saveth the upright in heart Ps 7. and 112.6 7.8 Prov. 3.26 In N. 13. They must not The mysticall Babylonians called the year 88. the climactericall year of the world and trusting to their vaine superstitions took the opportunity of that fatall yeare as they supposed utterly to overthrow the Church of God in England and the State there which before they could not do The Angell of the pit the false Prophet and all his deceived worshipers layd up all their hopes upon this years destiny But for Israels and Jesuâ—uns sake as against old Babylon God frustrated the tokens of the lyars and made the Diviners mad and turned the wise men backward and made their knowledge foolish For they as Balaam and Haâ—man could not prevaile with their inchantments and sorceries counsells neither could their Astrologers the star gazers the Monthly Prognosticators stand up save them from the miseries that came on themselves Foolish Idolaters mistake their Calculations and do not consider that the Eternall our holy one the creator of Israel our King hath made the Earth created man upon it and that his hand hath stretched out the Heavens and that he commandeth all their Hoasts for the service of his Redeemed It is hee that commandeth deliverances for Iacob Isa 44 45 47 Psal 44. Vi The thankfull remembrances of Gods mercies by the R.D. Carlton pag. 130. In N. 13. Sisera So again consider for the year 88. for by allusion the story of Sisera is Cited in Apoc. 16. to shew like events against Abaddons kingdome And while we make Christ our Judge our Statute maker and our King Hee will be Lord Admirall of our Seas that the Enemy shall not come with their ships against us they shall not strengthen their Mast nor spread their sailes c. He will save us Esa 33. Deut. 33.29 And see how he will make the creatures bustle for us in our distresse Psal 18.6.7 c. Psal 77.14 1 15.16 and 114.1 Sam. 2.10 God hath no portion in the world or any inheritance but his Church to which he will be a sun and sheild every man will plead for and defend his inheritance much more wil our Redeemer do it for his inheritance his Church and people Beloved Reader it is sayd This is life eternall that they know thee to be the only very God and whom thou hast sent Jesus Christ Joh. 17.3 This first Chapter in some measure hath spoken concerning the knowledge of God Now all the rest of his booke doth endeavour to declare the knowledge of the sending of Jesus Christ and this knowledge should not be a
and feare of death Oh that selfe conceited and proud iniquity would once stop its mouth for every mouth shall be stopped and all the world shall be subject to the judgement of God Acts 13. and 15. Rom. 4 ult What the Law of works could not do the election hath obtained Rom. 11. VI. Mark that from this first and maine free promise God hath conveyed all comforts of wisdome justification or Freedome Sanctification and Redemption on fallen man and no way else can or ought to be sought after It could never have entred into the heart of man to thinke of this way if God of his rich Grace had not first declared this rich mystery of his will in a free promise how could our first fallen Parents have thought of a Redeemer much lesse of the meanes of obtaining such a Redeemer at the hands of God This mystery was ordained in Gods eternal Council and providence before the foundacion of the world was laid to be revealed upon Adams fall his ways are unsearchable his wisdome mercy power and love is past finding out and doubtlesse our first parents and all their faithfull posterity could but with admiration say the Epitaph not seen nor ear heard neither hath entred into the heart of man the things that God â—ath prepared for them that love him 1 Coâ— 2. Of him and through him and to him are all things To him be glory for ever Amen Esa 43.25 Esa 48.9 10 11. Rom. 11. Jer. 31.33 Jer. 32.39 Ezek. 36.25.26 VII Christ was promised a Redeemer not only from the guilt and punishment of sin but to make us in himselfe Sons of God even new creatures VIII All outward comforts come by promise in Christ severall godly persons of late years have done well in composing Treatises of the promises IX It is to admiration That Jehovah the eternall God should seeke to enter into a covenant of Grace with fallen man with the slaves of the Devill with enemies and with children of wrath that he should enter into a free promise and Covenant with us to be our God and to make us to be his people See his kindnesse to the polluted infant in Ezek. 16. X. All things are made subject to Christ as the heir of all from the first day of Adams fail but Satan doth labour with all sedulity to withdraw mans Blind heart from the understanding of this doctrine and doth labour to suggest fond imaginations of idolatry superstition bodily exercises and Fables c. to corrupt it and by persecution to hinder it yea to abolish it This is a Doctrine of Faith which no naturall man can attain untill his mind and divine illumination be regenerate and made capable to comprehnd this hid mystery of God in Christ All precepts promises and threatnings are ordained to bring fallen man to obey the Son of God as mediator All the victory administrations of Christs Kingdome by the word seals censures c. are for this purpose till the mediatorian Kingdome be redelivered 1 Cor. 15. But all things are cheifly intended for the Elect 1 Cor. 14.32 11. The second not on Gen. 12.13 may be of use here 12. Thus from the first preaching of the Gospell we must observe why Christ is called Alpha and Omega the first and the last not only in causes and effects but also of all divine Revelation in the blessed scriptures all runs on him All the Promises Threatnings Commandements Examples Chastisements c. all drive us to Christ he also is Alpha and Omega in all the praises of the Church he is also the maine matter and marke of the holy Bible All things were created by him and for him and he is before all things and by him all things consist and hee is the head of the body the Church Col 1.18 In 3. Q. The seed of the woman Hence Children should be first taught to read Gen 3. with Luke 3. and Luke 4 together for two principall ends first To know how Jesus our Lord is of the blessed Virgin Mary of Eli and of Adam and Eve naturally and in this respect the Genealogie of men in Luke 3. are the glory of mankind being all Fathers to the Son of God after the flesh 2. The better to compare the sorrowfull combate of Adam being killed on his first day from the life of the soule to death in sin with the glorious combate and victory of our Lord the second Adam driving Satan to flight and the reason why the Son of God should take hold of mans nature is purposely handled by the Apostle in Ebr. 2. Ebr. 3. Ebr. 4. Ebr. 5. Great is the mystery of Godlinesse God manifested in the flesh It is most glorious to consider it and how it hath been diligently taught in every age from Gen. 3.15 and for the better knowing of this mystery the Law of Moses was made the Tabernacle and the frame of the world and well might David and Solomon say with admiration That God would dwell with man on earth also in his apparitions to the Saints before the Flood and to the Patriarchs and Prophets he spake with us marke this corporation speech in Hos 12.4 At Bethel and dwelt among us in his Tabernacle and Ordinances then in the Temple till the captivity then in the second Temple and then at last he became very man making our flesh his Tabernacle and dwelt among us Joh. 1.14 Cor. 6. but his speciall residence in us is in our hearts by Faith These things made singing affections in the Saints of old Ps 40. Ps 100. Ps 135. Ps 147. Ps 149. Ps 149.1 Chr. 16.1 King 8.2 Sam. 7. Joh. 17. Ex. 15. and any that duely consider this cannot but sing praises to the God of our Salvation In Q. 3. Of Adam in the Genealogie When the holy spirit bringeth Genealogies from the first man unto Jesus our Lord it may teach all men that the world was made and had a beginning so Moses Law taught Misgraim that is the Egyptians and others in his time and Ezra the Persians too before Aristotle and such Athean praters 1 Chron. 1.1 see Bro. in Manuscript In Q 4. and Answ He might govern Genesis sheweth how that by the word of Jehovah the Heavens were made all the setled Army of them by the spirit of his mouth and when man fell the word telleth That for the destroying of the workes of the Serpent hee would be made flesh and have a Tabernacle in our nature and so to be a second Adam to govern all things In which point the Patriarks faith is evidenced by the charge of Joseph to carry his bones with theirs unto the Land of Canaan where our Lords Resurrection should be a testimony of a new world see Bro. in Appo 1.108 The government of the world to come for so the Jewish Doctors did stile the dayes of Messiah is that meditorean Kingdome which the holy Prophet so magnifieth to endure through all ages and generations Ps 8. Ps 45. Ps 93. Ps
God hath forbidden it and plagued the transgression in the old and new Testament 2 Cor. 6 and 7.1 Apoc 3.14 See Ezraes sadnesse chap. 9.14 the affinity of Loegria with Gallia hath brought heavy wrath In Q 6. N. 7. Praises and thanksgivings He is thy Praise and he is thy God that hath done for thee thâ—se great and terrible things which thine eyes have seen Deut. 10 For the duty of praise Psal 95. and 96. and 100. and 103 and 108 and for all kinds of blessings spirituall and corporeall and the assured hope of eternall let us delight in this duty of praise and thanksgiving In Q. 6. N. 7. Of each dayes creation All the Hosts of the Heavens and Earth worship him if he give but a watch-word to any of his creatures to any of his hosts they rebell not against his word his word runs very swiftly in them Ps 136. and 91. c see this in all the stories of the word and especially when the saints offer up strong cryes to Jehovah of Hosts a terrour to the seed of the serpent who engage all the armies of Heaven and Earth and seas against them 1 Sam. 7. See much of Ps 18.6 7 8 c. In Q. 6. N. 7. For deliverance Psal 136.23.24 Apoc. 15. and 19. All the plagues of Pharoah shew this His plagues were from Iehovah Eâ—â—him from each dayes creation in Geâ— 1. The thankfull remembrance of Gods mercy to our blessed England is worthy of happy memory Eph. 3.20.21 In 7. Quest and Answ Christ who is Alpha and Omega the first and the last is the first and the last teacher of his own religion and worship Man not precisely cleaving to divine revelation is an idolatrous superstitious and selfe-willed foole although hee will make great shew of wisdome and humility In Q 7. I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified This holy Doctrine is breathed constantly in all the holy scriptures from the beginning Sacrifice was a seal of justification or freedome from guilt of sin and punishment that is by faith Sacrifice was still taught with the Doctrine God made a covenant with man fallen by sacrifice and when they sacrificed they prayed Gen. 12.8 1 Sam. 7.9 Yea Habel Gen. 4. Eb 11. consider Ps 20. all of it and Gen. 15. God promised Abraham beleeved and to strenghen his faith sacrifice was added and it is say God made a covenant with Abraham the same day From the time of mans fall beasts were killed for sacrifice and it kindled first with fire from Heaven The tame quiet and mild kinde as Ox Sheep and Goat and birds not devouring as Turtle and Pigeon and other little birds no beasts of prey nor birds of prey but such as feed upon seed are fit for sacrifice These shewed that the second Adam by his combating with Satan through his constant patience and holy obedience unto death should procure our justification or freedome from Satans power Also such manner of sacrifices taught us mortification following Christ and profession of a quiet and harmlesse life For no Tyrants can sacrifice to God but just quiet and patient folke 1 Tim. 2.8 And the keeping of the fire once kindled taught them not to quench the spirit That speech of Apoc. 13. must here be minded Christ was the Lambe slaine from the foundacion of the world slaine in the decree of the blessed Trinity and in the Church by types of the Lords owne appointment In Q 7. The presence of God Holy convocations together with Gods Ordinances was so called in after times called also the Courts of God there is Gods residence there he keeps Court and glorious is it to consider Exod. 20 24. and chap. 29.43.44.2 Cor. 6. For it is sayd There will I meet with thee There we sit at his fâ—et as his disciples to heare his words at the posts of wisdome wee must attend Prov. 9. There is the beauty of holinesse his own commanded worships There is the provision of the heavenly housholder there the blessed shepheard feeds the flock of his fold Oh see the comforts that an holy soule doth there finde Psal 23. and 36. and 40. and 42. and 65. and 84. and 95. and 100. and 132. c. The Saints as Habell have blessed communion with God their exceeding joy there the Saints the Israel of God rejoyce in his Makers the children of Sion rejoyce in their King Jehovah their God is with them the joyful shout of a King is among them There the holy voluntaries the army of Heaven assemble and compass their commander and blessed and holy is the communion that the Saints have there one with another and especially it shineth when there is none unclean and profane of their company Infinite are the uses of application how that we in all things must remember That holinesse becomes his house and presence for ever What preparations longings and attention to meet such a King such a Father such a Bridegroome c. insuch holy Ordinances and before men to shew forth the virtues of him that hath called them that as their King is holy so they to be holy in all manner of conversation Solemn assemblies without mixture of mens in ventions is a deare blessing it is an Eden the very Garden of God Ezek 28. Cant. 4 3. In 8. Quest and Answ Habel Now faith is the expectation of that which is hoped and the tryer our of things which are not seen for by it the Elders were well reported of By faith Habel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice then Kaine by which he obtained witnesse that he was righteous i. e. jâ—stified that is freed from sins guilt and desert God testifying of his offerings and by it he being dead yet speaketh Ebâ— 11.4 So Habels faith did speak to the revolting Hebrewes how and from whom they must expect justification and salvation In 9. Quest and Answ Began the war Where as it is sayd the seed of the serpent shall bruise it sheweth they should be of great power outward glory and temporall felicity as from Kaine through all the holy stories Psal 44. and 73. and 79. Job 12 and 22. Apoc. 13. c. c. In Q 9. The holy seed Habel for love to Christ was the first that was accounted as a sheep for the slaughter that was killed for the word of God and faith testimony of Jesus Christ Hence the Proverb begins to take place The just is an abomination to the wicked Observe hence that the wicked are one corporation from Kain to the end of the world and all the godly from Habel to the end of the of the world are another corporation in Christ And therfore what persecution Kain did to Habel wicked men are now guilty of Psal 66.6 Hos 12.4 Mat. 23.35 for they would have done the same to our Lord to the Prophets as Kain did to Habel if they had then lived And ungodly men have do and will
Floud Gen. 26.5 Answ Sem Arphaxad Selah Heber Peleg and the rest of the godly Fathers and their faithfull posterity to the dayes of Terah and Abraham QUest 5. Was there any that contemned and apostated from the God of Shem and his true religion Answ Yea Cham and Chanaan and Nimrod the grandchild of Cham drew away many of the sons of the open or visible Church to despise Christ in Shem sirnamed Melchisedeck who was ordained over them King and Preist who governed in Justice and peace so that there was a great apostacie of Sems own families Japheths and Chams QUest 6. Shew further how this apostacy went on Answ The outward glory of the false church was so great that some of the Fathers of the holy line as Terah and Abraham fell to the idolatry of Nimrods Kingdome Jos 24. But they being called repented Gen. 11. QUest 7. How did Christ break and bruise the seed of the serpent for their enmity and wickednesse that would not bave him to reigne over them Answ I. With his unspeakable severe judgements for even those families for despising the faith were excommunicated and cut off both Father and child from being of the houshold of God by the confusion * So Judah for despising the faith were plagued by a Nation of a strange tongue Deut. 28 49. so the world by the man of sin 1 Cor. 14. mind seriously Jer 44 26. of tongues and so were No-people and foolish Nations by being estranged from the life justice and peace of God in Christ that they did not hear nor see the light of his truth for two thousand years but followed Divells the Prince of the darkness of this world in endlesse and lawlesse Idolatries and of all the miseries that befell them they in speciall lost the Sabbath which would have kept them in the faith of the creation and redemption And let this sinke into the hearts of all men that all men ever were and will be Atheists or Idolaters that Christ speaks not to in their owne language by his holy law and to this answer ever seriously minde 2 Joh v 9. II. From these dayes the wrath of God was revealed from Heaven against them for their ungodlinesse and unrighteousnesse by wars and commotions and suffered them to walke in their own wayes by giving them up to a regardlesse mind and to the power of grosse darknesse and wilfull ignorance and to their hearts lusts and vile affections c. c. QUest 8. What benefit had the godly in Sems Tents and house by cleaving to the faith of Gods Elect Answ Through faith they obtained good report with God and confessed that they were pilgrims and strangers in this cursed world wherefore God was not ashamed of them to be called their God and accounted that the world was not worthy of them And as he promised builded and prepared so they hoped for an heavenly City and Country And Sems Tents had this glory that all the while that those families were cut off the hidden mystery of godlinesse was carefully kept in his Tents and house and the Hebrew Tongue also as all the old Testament doth witnesse QUest 9. Then the Prerogative of Sems Tents did not alwaies continue Answ No When the God of Shem tooke mans nature of the seed of the woman and gave his life a Ransome not for the Hebrewes or Jewes only but for the Heathens also Then that he might raigne and judge the world in righteousnesse he turned the curse of tongues to preach to and perswade all those families to obey the same faith from which their forefathers had apostated even to the Religion of Shems Tents QUest 10. How and to whom was the Revelation of the mystery of Christ continued to be revealed after the blessing to Sem Answ In the promise to Abraham that Christ should come of him according to the flesh QUest 11. How many yeares are from the floud to the promise made to Abraham Answ Foure hundred twenty seven yeares and so from the promise to our first Parents whom the Serpent murdered unto the promise to Abram given presently upon the death of Terah whose faith the Serpent corrupted to flames of Idolatry are years two thousand eighty three QUest 12. How many Chapters of Genesis are contained in those 2083. yeares Answ The eleven first chapters and also part of the first chapter of 1 Chronicles and also Luke part of chap. 3. Note that all the rest of the holy scriptures doth not containe so many yeares for the writing of them A breife summe of the former Questions and Answers JEhovah our God Jehovah is one the Father the Son and the holy spirit be one coeternall and co-essentiall The Son is called the word by the word the Father made the world and by the spirit beautified the heavens And because the word would become flesh the world was made to serve once Adam the first The Angells that grudged at that fell for ever and deceived Adam and made him dead in sin and brought him to be dayly turning to dust untill hee dyed And for him the whole frame of the creation was pronounced corrupt but after divine Revelation he beleeved that Christ made of a woman made under the Law God being in him to reconcile the world unto himself should give him free forgiveness for justification by faith and renew the inner man in knowledge holinesse and righteousnesse and raise up his body and make a new world by his power Whereby he can subdue all things to himselfe All faithfull travailed in soule to have Christ brought forth to the knowledge of their posterity that all might know that all this world was made obedient to a man at the first which man fell from God his first day and then God opened his counsell that the Son eternall would be made man of a woman to destroy the works of the Angells that fell who all are collectively Satan Satan brought Adam to loose the life of his soule and his body to death and dust and all this world to corruption Christ kindled light in Adams soule and after 930 years heavinesse for sin took it to his joy and will raise up his body and make a new world that all men who will receive the abundance of Grace of free forgivenesse for justification may reigne by Christ and all who will not regard this mercy so clear as the sun they all by Adams fall dead in sin shall be damned for ever with the Devills This is the travell of the christian minde speech of this full of joy is in all the books of the old and new Testament Or thus The summ of the Bible is short how of Gods eternall counsell the world was made for man because the son of God by whom he made the world would be a man to give life to them that rested in this wisdome *** All this dialogue will evidence this or doth desire so to do * The faith of Gods elect in
c. QUest 3. What do you in general observe out of these portions of Scripture Answ These Scriptures are a confession of faith proceeding from the holy Spirits illumination and experience in the inner man agreeing with the doctrine of the promises wherein the faithful soul applyeth the doctrine of the corruption of nature and of justification and the fruits thereof unto special uses of information confession prayer and praise containing two parts what we are without Christ and what we are by Christ for he is the Mercy-seat Quest 4. What more specially may and is to be minded Answ I. It is necessary that each one Job 11.12 14.4 15.14.16 Gen. 6.5 8.21 Gen. 1.27 compared with 5.3 Psal 51.5 58.3 Esa 48.8 and circumcision enjoined in infancy sheweth the corruption of nature though in a visible Church-estate know and be perswaded of the truth of the doctrine of the uncleanness and filthiness of the corruption of nature taken from parents derived from the first Adam and that all actual sin proceedeth from this birth-sin as from a fountain 2. That the Son of God became a Second Adam to be to all that receive him and believe in him a fountain for sin and for uncleanness and to renew and create in us his glorious Image and to repair the lapses and decayes of the same The graces of which are from his fulness as a well of water springing up unto eternal life 3. The regenerate upon conscience of guiltiness can never be in quiet till with godly sorrow he do freely and ingenuously confess his sin which being done by the convincing power of the Spirit of Christ the soul which groans and sighs from the same Spirit earnestly longeth and prayeth for reconciliation and restoring to former favour peace and joy with God which is more sweet and satisfactory then all contentments in this World and on the contrary the withdrawing or withholding from the conscience his gracious Divine aspect nothing more dejecteth 4. No man can stand before God to be justified if God should judge him according to the Law 5. Here is shewed the blessedness of the saints touching justification and how them of the old Testament understood the doctrine that it consisted in transgression forgiven in sin covered iniquity not imputed speeches importing one and the same thing which grace is only procured by Christs redemption and satisfaction figured in the Gospel-Law And when the Lord God preaching his free promise of grace and peace in Christ Jesus by the words of reconciliation doth by his spirit unite a man to Christ then at that instant he receiveth and believeth in Christ as Mediator of his attonement justification and salvation and by this faith in Christ the saints in all ages had good report Heb. 11. 6. No man can fear God that is to say serve God as his Child unlesse he be set free that is justified from sin by faith and forgiveness Faith resting upon Christ and apprehending at least a possibility of forgiveness worketh love obedience reverence and godly fear Luke 7.47 (a) Ro. 5.1 Esa 26.3 4. Heb. 4 5-56 1.0.16 to 23. Psa 130. 62. S. Rom. 10.14 Also hope joy patience perfect or continual peace quiet waiting upon God and stirreth up to prayer with boldness and confidence 7. In coming unto God we must do it with an humble heart from an inner feeling of our sins and corruptions and a true desire to be eased or justified from thern not only for remission of guilt and punishment but mortification and sanctification For no man that stands upon his own righteousness or alloweth or is indulgent to himself in any sin secret or open of omiâ—sion or commission can be an humble and upright supplicant and petitioner to God nor can look for audience 8. The saints go only to Jehovah in prayer and onely to him for forgiveness and all kindes of mercies who hath set up his throne of grace onely in Christ Our Lord in his doctrine of prayer teaching us to pray confirmeth this Matthew chap. 6. Here is to be noted the glorious use of faith not onely for justification but how necessary it is for us in this our pilgrimage in all estates conditions and varieties of life that it settleth the heart and banisheth from the inner man heart-rending thoughtfulness that the minde will and affections are conserved from heaven in a flourishing green temperature the word of promise and the blessed Spirit that sealeth the promises do so water nourish and restore the soul that it is carryed above all wants and difficulties c. 10. Before we can have any comfort to be delivered from any danger by the seed of the Serpent or from any other affliction or for assistance consolation or direction in any thing for our selves or for the Church we must go to God by faith in Christ for forgiveness of sin 11. The inner feeling and apprehension of Justification Psal 103.1 2 3. Psal 32.1 2 3 c. Mortification and Sanctification doth greatly affect an holy soul with thankfulnesle and prayse and denyal of self-sufficiency c. deeply admiring the blessed Jehovah in those and in all other fruits comforts and effects of his favour c. c. Quest Go on to shew to what other famous Pillar the Spirit of endless wisdom hath fastened the holy and pleasant Chain of times which direct and draw unto Christ Answ To the building of Salomons Temple a figure of Christ the true Temple Quest How many years are from the Lamb of the Passover or since the comming from Egypt to the Temples foundation Answ Four hundred and fourscore years Quest What Scriptures are contained in those four hundred and eighty years Answ Exodus 12. to the end of that book Leviticus Numbers Deuterenomy Josua Judges Ruth two Books of Samuel the first of Kings to the 6. chap. and most of the first of Chronicles and the two first chapters of the second of Chronicles and very much of the book of Psalmes Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the sixth CHAPTER Qvest Answ David the sweet Psalmist David sung most sweetly of Christ and his Kingdome of his Person both of his divine and humane nature and offices and the benefits thereby He spake of Christs humiliation and exaltation This Patriark and prophet in holy Psalmes speaking by the Spirit of God 2 Sam. 23. Mat. 18. calleth Christ his Lord Psalm 110. the Son in whom they that trust are happy Psalm 2. Also after God had promised him Christ he called him David beloved Psalm 130.10 Mat. 3.17 c. Quest 2. and Answ Psalm 51 7. Purgeme with hyssop The High Sacrificer purged the unclean with hyssop he was to do the outward action and could do no more David did not believe the doctrine of bodily exercise So John Baptist saith I baptizâ—lyou with water but the Messias with the Holy Ghost So Daniel goeth to God in Christ who is the true
satanical and Julian fancies that would not have Schools of Prophets Christ will curse such and their posterities Quest 7 and Answ blessed protection Upon their glorious faith was a defence and the last speech of Moses was made good through all their State while they hold their glory Deut. 33 26 c. That Scripture is full of heavenly joy to all Christian States that hold the faith of Christ sincere Esay 4. Where this glory is seated there shall be a defense Blessed hast thou been O England who is like unto thee O people saved by Jehovah from the â—eed of the Serpent sundry times but especially in eighty eight and in the Gan-powder plot and in 164â— c. Ibid. Written word The sweet blessed Scriptures are to make Kings and Common Weals wise and learned that the wrath of Christ burn not up their States and in special the books of Kings and Chronicles with the prophets of their times are for instruction to Christian Kings and polities in many things of State but chiefly to take heed how the true Church doth tamper with the false and apostate in treaties and affinitie Psalm 2. 2 King 22. 2 Chron. 34. 35. c. The holy Scriptures will yield more fundamental conclusions and sure rules for government then all the Machiavels in the world Quest 8. and Answ Aholah for their apostasie Our blessed gracious and merciful Lord God doth never cast off his people till they have first cast off and contemned his word for then idolatry will begin and all ungodliness and unrighteousness like a torrent will follow Then will God hisse for a flie and a Bee What Prince is able to keep a flie or a Bee from comming near his Court yea or into his Chambers and Excheqâ—ers God is as able to bring an enemie even of their lovers to enjoy and possesse them See the stories of Râ—choboam Ioram Ioash Amaziah c. 2 Chr. 12. 21. and 24. 25 And Pharoah with all his wisdome and multitude Ezek. 29. and 30. and 31 c 32 could not prevent Nebuchadnezzar from his spreading his royal Pavilion near his Court Gate Jer. 43.9 10. and who caused that the Babylonian Princes sate in the Gate of Ierusalem but the Lord Iehovah the God of recompenses Jer. 39. Esai 42.24 Esay 5.26 7.18 Pro. 13.13 Jer. 6. 7. 2 Kings 22.13 Ibid. N. 1. and gave them over to the lying Spirits Wo to them saith God when I depart from them then followed a secret dedication of them to devils transferring his right of them to idols Ephraim is joined to idols Let him alone Hos 4.17 Acts 7.47 1 King 22.23 Psal 81. Ezek 14.9 and so 2 Thess 2. Apoc. 16.13 1 Tim. 4. Ibid. N. 1. To walk in their own Counsels Ezek. 20.25 Psal 81. 2 Kings 17.8 Hos 10.6 13.1 Observe Mich. 6. ult Salomon fitted many Proverbs and told them the words of the wise do bear grace and that the words of the fools of the ten tribes and of Judah also would be foolishness and wicked madness to swallow them up Eccles 10. Behold still how Christ the Corners stone was rejected and became a stone of offence to both the houses of Israel as Esaias and David had told them Psalm 69.22 Esay 8.14 and 28.16 and so is ever to all that will not receive him in the way of his own ordinances and mark how these texts are pressed by our Lord and his Apostles in the Acts Evangelists and in the Epistle to Rome and 1 Pet. 2. and this is written for us Rom. 15. confer Esai 6.9 10. with John 12.40 Acts 28.26.27 c c. Ibid. N. 1. Could not live the life of a State c. Observe how the Holy Spirit compares the dead State of the ten tribes being in Apostasie with the apostasie of the families 2 Chron. 15.3 with Ephes 2.1 to 12. Dead from a Church life Hos 13.1 false worship breeds atheism and corruption in manners heresie frets like a gangreane and such Authours and fautours wax worse and worse The ten tribes were without the true God by their apostasie and so the heathens were atheoi atheists without God in the world and note that speech of Asa King of Judah was spoken of Israel before the idol Baâ—l was brought into Israel 2 Chron. 15.3 Ibid. 8. Quest and Answ N. 2. He did pour out his fury God was angry for the provocation of his sons and of his Daughters Deut. 32. Gods four sore judgements followed Aholah and Aholibah for their backslidings Ezek. 14. and the Earthquake in Amos 1. had in Israel its events Jeroboam the second his son was two and twenty years in getting his Fathers Throne such trouble in State all plagues and curses Levit. 26. Deut. 28. came on them not for breaking a Covenant of Works but for accounting Christ and his Kingdome Anathema They did as all apostates do loath his word they abhorred his Statutes they obeyed not the Son of God the Angel of Gods presence as Mediatour and so had not life John 3.35 36. they served not God in their spirits in the Gospel of his Son He that hath not the Son of God hath not the Father 1 John 5.12 2 John 9. and so come all plagues and curses on men Let the wilde Olive branches fear Ibid. Vpon them famine pestilence Famine and Pestilence are chiefly the Plagues of the meaner sort and the sword is the plague of the rich Ezek. 21.14 when the heavens dealt with the subjects Levit. 26. the Governours felt the other The spirit of Christ hath long and wonderful patience afore the sword cometh Lev. 16 23 24 25. then the sword doth avenge the quarrel of Gods covenant not a covenant of works but for despising the covenant in his Son against the godliness of high place who were and are the hinderers of all good and the promoters of all evil as it is said A great man grieveth all and he hireth the fool he hireth also the transgressors Prov. 26.10 Ibid. By secret corroding mischiefs Christ was as a Lion to tear in pieces by their domestick dissentions as in the overthrow of the houses of Jeroboam Baasa Omri Iehu c. and by forrein enemies and also he was as a Moth insensibly eating and consuming their riches honour and people by one ill project or other And for this read Hosea 5.12 Ibid. House of Assur They made Israel Iezâ—eel Loruchamah and Lo-ammi till the latter daies as Hebr. 1.1 But then they were gathered in Christ and pittied and again made Gods people The Apostles of the circumcision preached to them that were dispersed in Asia Galatia Pontus Bythinia Cappadocia and Chaldea c. 1 Per. 1.1 and chap. 2. all tribes then are called Iews Ephraim mixed himself with the heathens Religion therefore God mixed them among the heathen Ibid. Out of their own Land There nettles and thornes grew in their pleasant palaces then the thorne and thistle grew on their
be more studious and conversant in them than we are Our slightness will hinder much our consolation in sad houres read Ezek. 36 31 c. They must pray and did pray but the blood of the covenant brought them from Babel Zach. 9.11 Then shall ye call upon me and ye shall go and pray unto me and I will hearken unto you 13. And ye shall seek me and finde me when ye shall search for me with all your heart 14. And I will be found of you saith Jehovah and I will turn away your captivity I will gather you from all Nations and from all places whither I havedriven you saith Jehovah and I will bring you again unto the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive Pertinently it may be here remembred that the Son of God by his Spirit in the Prophet Esaias foretold above two hundred years how Cyrus King of Persia should conquer Babel send Judah home from captivity and give letters patents for re-edifying Jerusalem and the Temple Esay 44.24 Thus saith Jehovah thy Redeemer and he that formed thee from the womb I am Jehovah that maketh all things that stretcheth forth the heavens alone that spreadeth abroad the earth by my self 25. That frustrated the tokens of the lyars and maketh diviners madd that turneth wisemen backward and maketh their knowledge foolish 26. That confirmeth the word of his servant and performeth the counsel of his Messengers that saith to Jerusalem Thou shalt be inhabited and to the Cities of Judah ye shall be built and I will raise up the decayed places thereof 27. That saith to the deep be dry and I will dry up thy Rivers 28. That saith of Cyrus (b) Read more of Cyrus in Esay 45.1 2 3 4 13. whom God raised up by a strong hand to conguer Babel to return Israel home and to build the City Jerusalem He is my Shepheard and shall perform all my pleasure even saying to Jerusalem thou shalt be built and to the Temple thy foundation shall be laid This is the prophecy now follows the History 2 Chron 36.22 Now in the year of Cyrus (c) We must consider here that Cyrus Darius Dan 9.1 were fellows in goverment who joined their Forces against Babel as it is prophecied Esay 21. Go up against Babel O Elam besiege Babel O Media And marke here by conferring Dan. 9.25 Cyrus his proclamation is that going forth of the word of commandement of returning the people of building the Temple and city as when Daniel was in humble prayer then Cyrus was drawing his Letters Patents even at the same instant of time and the Angel Gabâ—iel is disparched from heaven with a joyful message to tell Daniel so Let us think of it upon humbling our selves surely some message is comming from heaven King of Persia that the word of Jehovah spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accompliâ—â—ed Jehovah stirred up the Spirit of Cyrus King of Persia that he made a proclamation throughout all his Kingdom and put it also in writing saying 23. Thus saith Cyrus King of Persia all the kingdomes of the earth hath Jehovah the God of Heaven given me and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem which is in Judah Who is there among you of all his people Jehovah his God be with him and let him go up QUest 2. What Collections do you take notice of in these Scriptures of Moses and the Prophets Answ For brevities sake I will name but few and those main principles out of the doctrine of Christ that Moses spake in Leviticus 1. Let this be observed of all that have their senses exercised in the word of righteousness to confer History with prophecy whether in promises and threatnings We shall see God to be Iehovah in all to be Being and to give being as to all his works so to his words whether they concern persons families Cities Churches or Kingdomes 2. VVhereas it is said that Iehovah spake to the Patriarks and to Moâ—es in all his five Books in most places we must conceive it spoken of the second person of the holy Trinity the Redeemer the Angel of the covenant to whom the heavenly Father hath committed all authority and power as Mediatour yea also this attribute of Jehovah throughout all the old Testament must be so understood some few places excepted wherein the first person or the third is also to be considered Examine this by Psalm 18.49 117. with Romans 15.9 10 11 Psalm 68.18 with Ephes 4.8 Psalm 97.7 with Heb. 1.6.1 Cor. 10 4.9 with Num. 21.6 Esa 6.9 10. with Iohn 12.41 Our Lords most heavenly speeches in the Apostle Johns Gospel will shew us the reason of all cha 5.17 and so forwards 3. Among all the corruptions from the first Adam that is in us note this that we hold Christ his Kingdom and Ordinances anathema this is expressed by Moses there is in us a contrariness to God (a) confer Lev. 26.15 with Zac. 11.8 These tearms abhorring loathing c. of the old Testament is in effect the same of the new the preaching of the Gospel to them savoured death unto death and so it doth in the daies of the New Testament Gods people must be diligent to mark phrases though different in words yet the same in force and value a despising his judgements abhorring loathing and hating him his word statutes and commandments mandements The New Testament speaks the same as the old when it saith the wisdom of the flesh causeth enmity against the Law of God by nature enemies in our minde by evil workers also haters of God fighters against God and such a stubborness is annexed that we are unreconcileable Much may be said of this in the sad effects thereof that men meeting with cross providences when his folly perverts his way his heart frets against Jehovah that is his breath and being and saying he is a hard master and that his waies are not equal yea alas what do the regenerate finde in themselves of murmuring fretting impatience distrust c. But the second Adam dissolves the works of the devil by his spirit in the administration of the Gospel of his Kingdom heals all in the elect Ezek. 36.25 26 27-37 Mich. 7.19 2 Cor. 5 11-15 chap. 10 4 5 6 c. 4. Whereas in Levit. 26. Moses saith from Christ sicknesses diseases sorrowes on the labours of our hands the teeth of wilde beasts pestilence famine sword captivity c. avenge the quarrel of his Covenant we must advisedly understand This is not meant of a covenant of works but the covenant of his Grace the lawes of which they have despised and abhorred and so in Deut. 5. 29 Jer. 34. all of it and many other places there is mention made of the covenant and it is but the renewing or dilating on that as is noted Exod. 24. which they violated For the whole covenant is Jehovah is our God in Christ and that we
6. Who were enemies that did hate and cruelly mock and persecute the doctrine of God and his people Answ The wicked Kingdome signfied by the Bear Leopard and beast with ten horns Hamans wickednesse and Sanballats and others under the Government of the Breast and Arms of silver must be remembred QUest 7. Who did neglect and apostate from this prophesie of so great salvation Answ Many in Israel that associated with Sanballat and Malachi sheweth that some began to be Atheists and to speak stout and wearisome words against God and his doctrine The Angel foretold of * Antiochus caused stars to fall Dâ—n 8. 11. so did the tail of the Dragon the new Antiâ—chus Apâ—c 12.2 Thes 2. The fourth beast cast down truth to the ground Dan â— forsakers and wicked dealears against the holy Covenant of Daniels own people under the iron legs and fourth Beast Also Zacharias spake of wicked Shepherds that loathed Christ and his Kingdome And that came to passe in those Hereticks and false Teachers the Sadduces Scribes and Pharisees They were great oppugners of all Gabriels heavenly message as in all the Evangelists the Acts and in the Epistles to Rome and to Galatia to the Hebrews is seen QUest 8. How did Daniels holy people find Gods goodnesse in cleaving to this Doctrine Answer By faith they obtained good report with God and God was not ashamed of them to be called their God By faith the Jews in Esther escaped the edge of the sword Also we are to consider that Zachariah Haggai and Malachi enlarge Gabriels Oration for many things that a fountain for sin and for uncleannesse should be opened by the King and Sacrificer even Iehovah of hosts that should glorifie the second Temple with his presence And that although the low Jerusalem and Temple should be destroyed a larger should be builded and a better raised up And the Covenant shall be confirmed with the many Gentiles from East to West among whom in every place incense of prayer and pure offering of lips praising of God shall be offered unto his holy name That Him the Angel of the Covenant the Sun of righteousnesse shall arise with healing in his beams and that God enrolls in the book of life all that fear him and thought upon his name to glorifie them in that day of the better resurrection to shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and as the stars for ever and ever Quest 9. How was Gods service executed on the Seed of the Serpent the open enemies of his name and people Answ Streams of fire came from the fierie Throne through the Mediation of the high Sacrificer in the heavens which overthrew the thrones of Kingdomes Dan. 7.9 10. Zac. 1.12 13. and destroyed the strength of the Kingdomes of the heathens contained in the image and Beasts Dan. 2. and 7. That same vengeance hanged that Courtier and favourite Haman and his sons and brought to confusion their assassines and others were told that they had no right nor portion nor memorial in Jerusalem Nehem. 2.10 QU. 10. With what reward did Christ recompence the disobedience of scandalized revolters from the Doctrine of salvation Heb. 2.1 An. 1. Malachi denounced that Gods wrath should burn them up as an oven and tormenting sorrows befell them afore and after the bright morning Star of Jacob appeared as Zachariah also had foretold them for as they abhorred and loathed Christ and his Doctrine so Christ abhorred and loathed them leaving the lost sheep to perish that would needs be perishing whom yet he pitied before that wrath came on them to the utmost 2. And Christ the Rock of Israel having confirmed the covenant for the Jews and the many of all Nations the last year of the last Seven did forty years after grind to powder the Jews his own people by the Romane infidels and destroyed City and holy Place with utter and small (a) Then the corner stone fell on the Iews and the vineyard was let out to other husbandmen Mat. 21.41 c. desolations and such miseries and sorrows (b) Read Heb. 25.31 and Iosephus on the wars of the Iews befell the Nâ—tion that they could rather have wished the mountains to fall upon them and the hills to cover them read Luke 23 39 30. QUest 11. But shall not the Land of Canaan City and Temple and Kingdome be restored to the Jews Answer They shall never be restored yet the Jews shall have a generall glorious calling in all places where they are scattered when the fullnesse of the Gentiles is come in and when they are called and the veil (c) Then they shall see the 12 Tribes over our gates and the apostles doctrine to be fastened in Aharons jewels Apo. 21 taken off their heart and know Christ and his spirituall government they will esteem Canaan and Ierusalem no more than any City or countrey in the world they will then look to the heavenly Rest yet here begun and to the holy City from heaven in which the Lord God of hosts even the Lamb is the Temple Apocal. 21.22 QUest 12. What Scriptures are contained in those Seventy Sevens Answ The two last verses of the last of Chronicles Daniel the 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. chapters Ezra Nehemiah Hester Haggai Zachariah Malachy and the 4 Evangelists which finish their storie with the death resurrection and ascension of Iesus Christ our Lord whose death was the very last day of the Seventy Sevens or 490 years at the time of the Evening Sacrifice Note all the rest of this New Testament was written within 70 years after our blessed Saviours ascension QUest 13. What do you observe in the Scriptures of the old Testament as speciall occasions of the Churches apostacies and revoltings Answ 1. Wicked marriages as is manifest from the times of the old world to Malachies dayes 2. The open or visible Church never careth for nor cleaveth to the written word unlesse there be faithfull Governors but ever men are declining to their own vain inventions 3. Wicked sacrificers and false Prophets who came without Gods sending both came with outward shews of truth but were base sycophants and parasites alwaies falsely accusing and persecuting the godly and flattering Princes and people in their exorbitant courses 4. The abuse of sweet peace health and plenty turning these blessings of the Gospel to pride wantonnesse idleness gluttony drunknnesse oppression worldly confidence and carnal and carelesse security for Church and Common-weal c. c QUest 14. How many years hath Palmoni the wonderfull Numberer numbred from the Creation to the Redemption Answer The Sun in his Tabernacle of the heavens had joyfully run his race as a servant to the SON of righteousnesse Three thousand nine hundred and sixty years from the first promise of Christ to Evah till the SUN lost his light the SON brake the Serpents head dying rising and ascending QUest 15. How many Iubilees were there Answ From the Conquest and partition
of the Land of Canaan by Iesus the son of Nun unto the conquest of JESVS the son of God over Sin death and Satan and all our enemies are twenty eight Iubilees our Lord and Saviour the Lord Iesus Christ who is the second Adam and Sem the Great and Reverend The Jubilee year a wonderful◠〈◊〉 the joyfull sound of the Trumpet in the acceptable year of the Lord sounded all these things The victorious combate with the Serpent and his seed and his triumph over them the fullnesse of times the Sacrifice of eternall Redemption the just for the unjust the open recovery of Paradise the resurrection of the most holy the true Temple destroyed and raised the day of salvation the Jews Prerogative ended the Gentiles called the enmity of Jew and Gentile abolished the shadows flee away Christ shook and ended the things made with hands the Sun is darkned the Vail of the Temple rent because the way into the holy heavens was opend by a better Priest and Sacrifice c. c. c. died in a * Iubilee year The ancient holy Hebrews had an excellent and wonderfull saying among them that The Divine Majesty dwelling in our Tabernacle will be to Israel in a Iubilee remission redemption and finisher of Sabbaths Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the ninth Chapter QVest 2. and Ans upon the 2. verse of Dan. 9. The reading study and meditation of the holy Scriptures a great furtherance to prayer A man cannot pray with sound spirituall comfort that is ignorant in them as is manifest in this verse and the rest of the Chapter Blessed is the man that delighteth in them and in them doth meditate day and night Psal 1. And anathema maranatha be that man of sin and his locusts and Kingdome that with-holdeth and forbiddeth the reading and study of the holy Scriptures to the people Observe well 2 Sam 7.27 Gods revelation the ground of prayer yea boldnesse in it Upon Daniel 9 23. Conceive the word and perceive it c. By this commandement doubled for vehementer charge he condemneth the world that regardeth not to be instructed in this doctrine sent from heaven by an Angel unto Daniel and penned for all Nations use Wherefore we must give better heed unto the speech lest we perversly swarve for if the word spoken by angels fall out sure and every trespasse received just recompence of reward how shall we ever escape neglecting so great a charge of our King to our own salvation where the vision is so clear that no doubt can be moved by any plain heart that will rest in the clearnesse of the most bright message by an angel of glory who coming to teach all the world was to shine in words as Stephâ—n by him did in the face Acts 6 when he spake the angell Gabriels words that Jesus of Nazareth would destroy the place City and Temple and change the Laws which Moses gave To this day the blind Jews stand in this that the Laws of Moses shall stand for ever Maymon Tom. 1. delege perek 9. Therefore God fore-seeing their dullnesse of hearing would have an angel of light to teach them by this Prophesie 490 years when from the year of that message unto Daniel the Laws of Moses should have their end and none of the Scribes when Herod was affrighted nor any of the Iews as is seen by their answers in all the Gospel objected disagreement for the time which thing had been done if there had been any colour of disagreement in time but they could not conceive of Christs person and office how that he should be the most holy and King and yet dy for our redemption how he should be Davids Lord and yet his son of these things the main objections arose Now let us look unto the Text sâ—il Mr. Bro. on the text on both his english Daniels Upon Dan. 9.24 c. In this Scripture we come to behold in its flaming brightnesse of the King that is Sacrificer also by whom and for whom death is vanquished sun is cleansed Iustice is brought redemption is wrought a vision is sealed our soul is healed sacrifice abolished and the Temple destroyed for defacing of this doctrine the Iews be reiected for embracing this doctrine the Gentiles be elected to open calling Mr. Bro. in S. sight surely the angel his message concerneth the sum of all the Bible The Jews went weeping to Babel seeing Salomons house and Kingdome ended and the Temple burnt and all Moses ceremonies shaken but they returned rejoycing bringing sheaves of all comfort by Gabriels heavenly message of the seventy sevens concerning MESSIAH the King the Holy of Holy Upon Dan. 9.25 Out going of the word to restore c. mark the word of Proclamation of Cyrus Ezra 1. how it answereth this Prophesie Meditate also how pleasing it is to our God to have a tender affection to his cause Daniel mourned and prayed for the holy City and the holy Mountain and had a gracious answer by the holy angel compare Dan. 9 21.22 Also observe a speech in Zephaniah I will gather them that are sorrowfull for the solemn Assembly who are of thee such are the children of Sion the genuine members of Christs mysticall body to whom the reproach of it was a burden Zeph. 3.18 Psal 137.5 6. So Daniel again was affected when he mourned so bitterly when the building of the temple was hindred by Cambyses in Cyrus his absence Ezra 4 Dan. 10.2 3 4. No losse to the losse of holy things when they are gone God is gone and the enjoying of them no gain so great and no time so acceptable Lam. 2.6 7. Hâ—s 9 12. Ezek. 9 3. 10 4.18 19. and 11.22.23 Micâ—hs idolatrous contestation in a contrary must be the thought of every Holy soul for the esteeming procuring and upholding of Holy Assemblies Jud 18 24. Upon Dan. 9.26 The City and holy place shall be distroy The holy Martyr Stephen was called into question and lost his life for this glorious Doctrine of the holy Angell and yet his countenance before the Councill was like the Angels that brought the message Act 6.13 14 15. and all Chap. 7. How did Despisers wonder and perish when Stephen and Paul taught this Act. 6 7 Act. 13.41 45. 21.28 they wondered and in the end perished As of old they wondered at the Prophets Esai 8 18. Jer. 26 6 7 8. Hab. 1.5 so they did at our Lord and his Apostles Doctrine And verily so it is at this day where ever the Commandements of God and the faith of Jesus is truly and zealously taught Upon the same verse verse twenty five about the attribute Messiah which in this message of the Angell is twice expressed as a proper name of the Son of God who became a Son of man the Son of Adam Dan. 7.13 to fulfill all the Angels message And from this time of Dan 9. this attribute Messiah was very usuall among the faithfull
Heb. 9. and 10 or give enterance into the heavens but the blood of Christ did Col. 1.20 and in this faith all the faithfull from the beginning of the world died and went to the heavenly City and countrey and inheritance Heb. 11. and Col. 11.12 And all the faithfull evermore knew this our blessed Mediatour to be Jehovah our justifications Jer. 23.6 No. 4. Suffered not for himself but for us Zachariah saith they shall mourn and be in bitternesse when they consider this as they did in Mark 16.10 Acts 14. and 2.37 which is an history to the Prophesie of Zac. 12. And so should we consider and do This Text of Daniel is a fit Meditation for preparation when we come to the Supper of the Lord. N. 6. Therefore the appointed time As in Moses the Law had an expresse day and hour for their sacrifices even from the beginning so it was no lesse needfull to have from God an expresse warrant when sacrifice should be ended specially seeing all the world was bound to regard sacrificing at Jerusalem so long as it was to continue if they hoped for Gods favour And also to know most exactly when the Jews Prerogative did end and the partition-wall should be broken down Ibid. Is not a triviall or an uncertain thing Talk no more so exceeding proudly let not arrogancy come out of your mouth for Jehovah is a God of knowledge and by him actions are weighed and times pre-ordained and determined 1 Sam. 2.3 Acts 17.26 N. 8. Ceremonies broken down Christ shook the things made with hands and settled the polity of his Kingdome in the heavenly Jerusalem Dan. 2. 7. Hag. 2. Apoc. 21. Heb. 12.27 There is the Throne of the Son of David Apoc. 4. 5. 22. 1. Luke 1.31.32 33. Ibid. Perpetuall devastations In the Vision of Ezek. 1. although terror of fierie desolations and captivity for seventy years yet there was a Rainbow in the vision to shew that God in wrath remembreth mercy for there was a return but for the desolations by the Romane Infidels in Daniels and Zachariahs Prophesies and our Lords speaketh Mat. 24. no Rainbow mentioned and consider the phrase of spâ—ing out Levit. 18. 28. Num. 31. ult after the chana anites were spued out the â—ever returned so it hath the Jews who shall never return and to be in such a condition as we are taught now adayes Heare O ye people O all ye Ibid. As with the Flood of Noah The men of the old world resisted the holy Ghost the Flood destroyed them and so the Jews resisted and a flood of miseries hath ever followed upon them to this day Acts 7.51 The Apostle remembreth Noahs and Sodoms story to the Circumcision and so doth Judas Thaddeus v. 14 15. of the judgement of the old world when the Lord came with thousands of his holy ones to plague the old world faith was scant found on the earth so in the overturuning of the Kingdome of Iudah and so at our Lords first coming the Church was in a sad condition of ignorance and heresies by the means of the wicked Shepherds Zac. 11. And before our Lords second coming there will be another apostacy after a Reformation when faith will be scant found on the earth Luke 18. for it is said the ending of the world shall be like the ending of the old world Mat. 24. The times shall exceedingly degenerate into outward shews of bodily exercise and into atheisticall scoffing and security Mat. 25.3 1 Thes 5.1.2 3. 2 Pet. 3. and so it was afore the desolation of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar 2 Chron. 36. And upon that generall defection the Lord Iesus will appear in the clouds with his mighty angels Christ will not come in a glorious time of Reformation but in a time of generall defection No. 10 And we in the Lords Supper do protest c. The Bread and Wine in the Lords Supper is a Seal of ending Moses polity given by the Creatours wisdome and authority The end of Moses Ceremonies could hardly be taught the Jews So God by an angel of light and glory gave them words for that to reckon ever since they came from Babel how for they were year by year to the Redemption by our Lord and to the end of the shadows that must flee away and be cancelled Cant. 2. Col. 2.14 And therefore let all Gods people mark diligently that the ending of Moses Ceremonies required as certain a warrant as their beginning had even for the very last day And so stand the angels words clear in their own simplicity for ending of them And the Authority of the Lords Supper standeth upon that when Bread is given for the bodies of Sacrifices and Wine for their blood All soundly learned and of stayed judgement will refuse all colour of learning that contradicteth In the words of an honest man spoken in like sort as the angel spake to Daniel none would doubt what should be the true meaning The more to blame are we who pervert the words of the living God to make Questions thereupon to set light by the Rock of our salvation as though one thing might be spoken and another thing meant Mr. Broughton Sedeâ— Olam 18. assert 2. upon Dan. 9. Ibid. No. 10. Death once performed the Epistle to the Hebrews by Christs fore-sight was written of purpose to teach this and convince the contrary As Popery is full of Paganisme So it is of Judaisme Quest 4. and Answer The forty nine Thousand Who are thus described in Daniel Michaels people The Saints of them The high Trinity The stars of heaven Dan. 8. The holy people Daniels holy people The Army of heaven Their Religion the truth and the holy Covenant The Temple called the Sanctuary and the holy And chap. 7.25 mark that verse Glorious holy mountain These terms cannot belong to the State of the Jews of these last dayes Heb. 1.1 for these 1580 years for these are proper and peculiar phrases to them of the old Testament when as yet the partition Wall was not broken down and the Gentiles were not as yet brought within the Covenant when not as yet the vessel was let down from heaven Acts 10. therefore onely the Jews State for the time of the Seventy Sevens is the afflicted in Daniel chap. 2 and 7.8 10 and 11 12. by the image and four beasts All these terms are in the Prophesie of Daniel Ibid. Left Babel for Jerusalem the hope of the SON OF MAN who should come with the clouds of heaven and have Kingdome power and glory over all Nations and for ever perswaded them to leave Babel Dan. 7. Ezra 1. Jerusalem the beauty of holinesse ever loved and longed for and laboured for by the Saints Quest 5. and Answ And Jews before the ending of the Seventy Sevens the glorious Prophesies of Isaiah of Amos of Dan. 2 7 and 9. c. c. of the Kingdome of Christ made all the Nation of the Jews to expect it as
c. And the seed of the Serpent shall bruise the heel of the holy seed Ge. 3.15 Faith stayeth on the rock of Israel God in Christ was the rock of their heart and portion for ever Psal 73. another Scripture faith Trust ye in Jehovah for in Jah Jehovah is the rock of all ages Isa 26. And again My God is the Rock in whom I will trust 2 Sam. 22.3 32 33 47. And the terms of the New Testament are agreeable it is said Ye believe in God believe also in me for he is the Rock Mat. 16.1 Cor. 10. And they are pronounced happy that trust in the Son Psal 2. and curled that make flesh their arm Jer. 17. And gracious Hannah saith there is no Rock but our God 1 Sam. 2. Ibid. The violence of fire By faith they looked to things not seen they by faith knew that JESUS the Son of God by the blood of the Covenant would save them from the wrath to come the vengeance of eternal fire the second death 1 Thes 1.10 N. 4. Would still tender the cause of his own Nation Daniel a Subject maketh a golden state for the Church under tyranny so did honoured Mordecai Hest 10 Good States-men seck the wealth of the Saints so did Eliakim when he was substituted in Shâ—baaes place Isa 22. Obadiah was of great and good use in Achabs Court 1 Kings 18.13 Nebemiah a noble pattern of courage fidelity and zeal to God and the King forget not holy Joseph none of these were temporizers Psal 122 and 132.1 2 3 c. Remember Ahikam and those Princes that had somelise of Religion left in them that saved the holy Prophet from the blood thirstie Priests and false Prophets Jer. â—6 N 6. As those noble Sages who came from Persia Daniel so tendered of Princes and so Religious would cause the mysterie of Christ to be known in the Court and Palace at Susan as Saint Paul in Câ—sars Court Phil. 1. Daniel a pattern for young and old Courtiers and such shall find more favour at last both of God and their Prince then they that flatter with their lips Dan. 8.2 Susan was in the Province of Persia or Elam N. 8. Of a generall Subsidie Daniel a wealthy subject doubtlesse would further help in this matter his care for the returned would answer the effects of his prayer Dan. 9. as Mordecai did afterward further the cause of Christ as Esther 10. N. 9. And by faith stopping the mouths of lions Daniel knew by faith that the Son of man would stop and deliver us from the mouth of Satan that roaring lion the accuser of the brethren who goeth about seeking whom he may devour whom resist stedfast in the faith knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren which are in the world 1 Pet 5.9 N. 10. Offspring of Amalek Amalek was of Esau who with his posterity despised the blessing of the Gospel and hated the Israel of God even to Herod To this story of Haman the Agagite of Amalek we must remember Exod. 17.15 16. and Num. 24.20 of terrour to all apostaticall fierce persecutors of the holy seed Ibid. They escaped the edge of the Sword They knew by faith that the MESSIAS the King would by his death frustrate the counsell of Satan and all the power of darknesse and deliver all the children of God from the bondage and fear of death and spoil and triumph over the principalities and powers of darknesse the spirituall wickednesses even all the Legions of Devils that war against us concerning super-celestiall things Eph 6. Ibid. Letters of commission this story fell out about seventeen years before Zachariah prophesied that he might well say from God He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye Zac. 2. Ibid. Atheist Haman to plot against them and to accuse See how Satans seed folâ—owed Hamans project Acts 16.20 21 22. and 17.5 6 7. And all times have not neither will want such shamelesse liars and cursed dogs that accuse the Saints to Princes Hos 7.3 The Locusts and their King and their friends were ever most vigilant and sedulous in this thing and no marvell for Sathan the accuser of the brethren dealt so against the holy One of Israel Luc. 23.2 Their throats are open sepulchres the poison of asps is under their lips But our Lord and his apostles though few and mean were better subjects to Cesar than their lying numerous malitious adversaries Acts 17.7 and 24.5 6 7. c. Oh that Princes and Nobles would search into matters that they would read Gods Chronicles with diligent study as it is their duty Deut. 17. They would find all to be false that Haman speaks against Mordecai and the Jews mind a story 2 Sam. 16. flattering Ziba tells a most shamefull lie too many such about Princes that accuse honest subjects and make Princes trespasse against their Subjects as good David did that gave Mephibosheths lands away upon a false accusation But David said he would do otherwise in ruling the Common-weal He said he would sing of mercy and judgement and that a slanderer and a liar should not be in his Court or roiall City Psal 101. But alas alas what with sycophants and backbiters and gifts as lying Ziba presented to David 2 Sam. 19. Kings and Nobles trespasse against the faithfull of the Land and remove Land-marks It is pertinent to confer Dan. 6. that wicked men can find nothing for the most part against the Saints but concerning the Law of their God as it was then so it is now Acts 16.20.21 1 Pet 4. Let none of you suffer for evil-doing but as a Christian c. Ibid. And their Laws are divers from all people What Laws none but the holy Scriptures of the blessed God thou adversary and enemy thou wicked Haman See the contrary in good Princes and Nobles that good and truly noble and Royall Darius Artaxeâ—xes and his privy counsellours who honoured the Laws of the God of heaven he knew that Gods Laws were not hurtfull but profitable to him and his Government and that his subjects ought to walk in them View his letters patents well which he never questioned nor revoked that King and his counsellours let them be patterns to their Peers Ezra 7 Ibid. Neither keep they the Kings Laws There your Lorship hit 'em they will not obey the Kings Laws The idiome now of profane and superstitious hyocrites self-willed in humility Help O eternall they have said with our tongue we will prevail our lips are our own who is Lord over us Psal 12. and 120. Isa 57. Psal 131.18 Let the lying lips be put to silence which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous and make their own tongue to fall on them Psal 64. Acts 17.6 7. Ibid. And I will pay ten thousand But Lord Haman this sum of money would not have recompensed that great dammage that the King would have sustained no not in the bondage much lesse in the
of the seventy seavens and Ptolomy Epiphanes all that time of Javan in those Kings of North and South they were a Beast horned to gore the people of God and had Iron legs to trample under foot the pleasant Land that is the Land of Israel Immanuels Land But after Antiochus Epiphanes the Fourth Beast Daniel 7. failed much of the strength of his hornes Before and after Antiochus Epiphanes death Christ strengthened Iudah and Ephraim against Iavan Zac. 9.13 and the legs of the image Dan. 2. were day now as Iron partly strong and partly brittle and so continued till at last Kittim the Romans possessed all as hath been noted The Kings of the North the Seleucidae reigned two hundred seventy years the Kings of the South i. e. Egypt reigned two hundred ninety four years But we must understand the years of these Kings of North and South were contemporary So these stories of the Medes and Persians Javan whole and Javan parted will reach 430 of the Seventy Sevens and the other 60 years to our Lords death for the most part the Romanes ruled If the godly Reader will make use of Mr. Bro. Commentaries on Daniel the preface thereof will shew him the Kings of Persia and the Kings of Javan their number and succession and the number of their years and all these Kings are to be confined within the compasse of the Seventy Sevens all the stories both of the four beasts Dan. 7. and of the four mettalls of the image Dan. 2. Mr. Bro. is so large in his Expositions of Daniel that there is not need of inlargement at this time Also let the Reader mark his Consent of Scripture for the orderly disposing of the times Furthermore they should not have nor needed any moe Prophets for that they should be greatly scattered shortly after Malachies dayes and their State continuallly shaken for hundreds of years before the holy incarnation by the interchangeable warres and victories of the Kings of the North and South Mal. 4. therefore the Law of Moses was so strictly enjoined to them to remember it which would have preserved them from all those errors and apostasie they fell into Again the Hebrew tongue after the return from Babel ceased from common use even the returned spake a mixt language as Nehemiah sheweth so they should have no more Prophets for the Hebrew tongue And we are to mark the lively Providence touching the families of Scripture Babel the eldest wicked monument Mr. Bro. in his notes on Dan. 5. which was built to the great ruine of all the godly families by Nymrod the Nephew of oursed Cham to the great grief of SEM and Japheth whereupon Adams tongue was made 70. of one Which Babel ended the Jews language the first tongue that it was common in no Kingdome after that And the greek tongue shortly after Malachies dayes became to be the most common tongue in the world that the the apostles did use it and write the New Testament in it Furthermore for Jews that look for such Prophets they should consider that Jerusalem and the Temple should have utter The Rulers and people of the Jews did not know the meaning of their own Prophets Act. 13.27 All the Prophets and the Law propheprophesied untill Iohn Mat. 11.13 so our Lord and his apostles shall prophesie in his speeches and their writings untill our Lords second coming and finall desolations in the neaâ— generation after the Seventy Sevens and such Prophets were to be no longer than Israels Prerogative lasted which was at the ending of the Seventy Sevenâ— for it is said God hath in these last dayes spoken to us by his Son who hath told us all thing and sealed vision and Prophet for the old Testament and hath given by himself and by his apostles visions and prophesies for the new Jerusalem to the end of the world in his new Testament Therefore those that now look for new apostles Prophets and miracles do and will run into all vanity and errour as the Jews did that regarded not the cloâ—ing up of the Prophesie of Malachy and for us of Japhets families of the new Testament we are charged to remember the commandements and words of the holy apostles our Lord Jesus Christ which charge not being observed the Church fell into errours fables and Doctrines of Devils Thus I suppose we may see they needed no moe Prophets to foretell the exact time of Christs death John Baptist was a great Prophet but he pointed with the finger that Christ was come and the chief point of his Ministry was to prepare the peoples heart for Christ that in him they might be blessed and saved from the curse that was coming on the disobedient so old Simeon with Zachurias and Anna a Prophetesse did declare Christ was come of whom Daniel and all the Prophets spake and John-Elias the Baptist preached to all Israel saying the Kingdome of heaven is come as Daniel had foretold chap. 2. and 7 and 9. Briefly sum up the premises seeing the holy angel from heaven had told Daniel in the Seventy Sevens of the exact time of the death of the MESSIAH to end Sacrifices and offerings and of the four mettals in the image and of the four beasts and of the wicked Kingdomes that were taught by them and of all them to be destroyed by the birth of the Son of Man the MESSIAS that is Babel Medes and Persians Javan Whole and Javan parted and the afflictions by them on the stars of heaven the Jews and of the full date of Israels peculiar glory by the utter desolation of the City Jerusalem and the Temple and that Ezra Nehemiah Esther did comment on Daniel and that Haggai Zachariah and Malachy had reproved the sinnes of their present age and also had much enlarged and opened Daniel in many things to the dayes of the coming of the Son of Man Now no more Prophets needed Mal. 4. but onely to remember the Law of Moses the servant of the Lord which he commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel with the Statutes and judgements They should study it till the coming of CHRIST and the coming of his fore-runner Mat. 11.13 14. for it should be to them a most sure word Therefore they needed not the URIM and THUMMIM and School-master This conclusion of Malachy with his Speech of John-Elias doth intimate a cessation of such holy prophets for all was spoken that need to be spoken People should diligently be exhorted privately and publickly by them whose place it is in chief so to do to read the holy and blessed Scriptures diligently and for this above handled to read together * These 6 books were in the time of the Seventy Sevens Ezra * Nehemiah * Esther Haggai Zachary * and Malachy with Daniel these six last books do much comment on Daniel And the godly Reader would be exhorted to mark the chronologie of the holy Scriptures and the chief persons in the times Thus
I have endevoured to relieve the studious and godly about that doubt and question concerning why no more Prophets after Malachy to the dayes of MESSIAS the King the holy of holies CHAP. XII Being an Answer to the five things lost in the Second Temple They might have named more then five as you will perceive BEloved Reader It may be worthy of good consideration to say somewhat of those five things that Solomons Temple had which some Modern Rabbins of the Jews complain they wanted in the Temple built by Zorobabel and thus they number them 1. The fire from heaven to consume the Sacrifices on the Altar 2. The sacred Monuments of the Vrim and Thummim that were put into the Breast-plate of the High Priest 3. The Ark of the Covenant wherein were put the two Tables of stone written with the finger of God 4. The Mercy-seat and Cherubim from between which the holy Oracles were given 5. The manifest breathing of the holy Ghost upon the Prophets These were great outward glories of the first Temple But let us consider of them 1. For the fire from Heaven to burn upon the altar It should seem to be so for it is said God testified of his gifts Heb. 11.4 I will transcribe what Mr. Broughton saith of it When Adam first sacrificed fire from heaven kindled it and Habels Sacrifice respected of God is in Octaplo was fired by God that fire was kept until the Flood Then again Noahs sacrifice was kindled from heaven and that fire was kept by Great Sem or Melchizedeck Abraham sacrificing had fire first in record from Heaven And in Moses and Salomon that is expresly told and thence gathered to the former so when the Jews came from Babylon If they had had fire Antiochus would have put it our again taking away the daily sacrifice for 3. year and a half Dan. 8.11 they sacrificed but no direct mention is made of fire yet their private story Salseleth Hakabalah saith they had fire from heaven See Mr. Bro. in Apoc. 190 Now one would think this to be true because so many promises of comfort by Jeremiah and such a godly company returned they might have that glory although there is no mention of it Gods counsels are unsearchable But the Angels message from heaven of the Messias was a great satisfaction to them Malachi saith the second Temple should have this honor that Christ in his doctrine should be refiners fire no purge the corruptions of their Rabbins touching all sacrificing 2. For the Vrim and the Thummin Daniels Prophecy of the Seavensy Seavens hath as glorious Light and Perfection of Doctrine as ever the Vrim shewed which also was brought by an angel of light and glory This prophecy sheweth when Messias that had all light and perfection in him should come and would bring light to us all The Messias when he cometh will tell us all things Job 4. Heb. 1.1 so the Saints of the Most High were exceedingly comforted in him that would reveal and tell us all things better than the oracle of Vrim for he came from the Bosom of the Father to reveal the whole mystery of the Kingdome of Heaven For He should seal vision and Prophesie And so Christ was Vrim and â—hummim in the hearts of the faithful and hath made us Kings and Priests to carry on our Breasts and Hearts 1 Thes 5.8 the Breast-plate of Faith and Love 3. The Ark of the covenant Jer. 3.15 16. mark that text of Jeremiah they should want it yet Christ saith they shal have godly Teachers the Prophet Jeremiah foretold the Ark should be no more they shall say no more the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord neither shall it come to mind neither shall they remember it neither shall they visit it neither shall that be done any more Babel shook these patterns of heavenly things in part and Rome should end all The Seavensy Seavens was a relief to the Saints concerning this Once shaking by Babel it shewed of Messias the King the Most Holy who had the Law of God in him most perfectly that from his fulness we all should receive and grace for grace The Ark was golden within and golden without it was plated with gold upon Sittim Wood so our Lord although he took flesh was golden within and golden without perfect in his inner man without sin and perfect in his conversation the Messias the Holy of Holy And although they had not the golden Pot of Manna yet all faithful of the Jewes did feed upon it for the time of the Seaventy Seavens as all Christians do now feed upon it Apoca. 2.17 Christ took away such things that they might looke to him the true Manna as he shewed them most heavenly John 6. 4. For the Mercy-Seat and Cherubim the Holy Angel Gabriel from Heaven foretold Daniel 9. in the Seavensy Seavens though they lost that outward glory who should be our Mercy-Seat of Reconciliation for all iniquity the Hilasterion of all comfort bringing in everlasting righteousnesse or freedome or justification So the faithful in the Seavensy Seavens did meditate and did hope still in the full accomplishment of it at the end of the Seavensy Seavens So they needed not these outward things And to all the faithfull the Lord God sent holy Angels to be Cherubim visibly to the returned from captivity and to all faithful after invisibly And although they lost Moses and Salomons Candlesticks yet the returned were a golden Candlestick and two Olive branches of Golden oyl which signified a replenishing of the Church with all graces of the Spirit so the Lord God taught them to meditate things spiritual rather than to glory in outward things The holy faith and doctrine of the Seavensy Seavens and walking in the light of it in peace and truth made them a glorious golden Canalestick 5. For the manifest breathing of the Holy Ghost upon the Prophets they wanted not this for one hundred and thirty years after the Return from Babel all the time of the Persian Government The Jewes say Ezra was Malachi and he lived long the Holy Ghost breathed in him and likewise in Haggai and Zachariah Daniels Prophecies with Haggaies Zacharies and Malachies and the study of Moses and the Prophets breathed the holy Ghost in the Saints of the Most High in the after-times who were men of Wisdome and did instruct many and as it said did turn many to righteousnesse all the time of the Seavensy Seavens confer diligently Dan. 8.9 10 11-24 11.28 30 31 32 33 34 35. 12.1.4.10 Zacharias John Baptists Father Simeon to whom the Holy Ghost revealed himself and likewise to Anna a Prophetesse these were under the second Temple and so in the beginning and ending of the Seavensy years the holy Ghost breathed in some special persons So that they did not so much want these outward things because the spiritual were conferred more abundantly the outward Jew looked carnally
but surely the Second Temple had more glory then the first Hag. 2.9 None of all the Prophets told the definitive time of fulfilling the promises to perfect the event of the Predictions of the Prophets and the joyful singing Hosanna to the King of Israel who made the day to break and the shadows to flee away c. c. The Second Temple had this glory and the performance of that which Moses Tabernacle and Salomons Temple with all their appendancies figured Therefore these things being well considered we may well give Sentence that the prophecies of Daniel cha 2.7 8 9 10 11 12. chapters with the Prophecies of Haggai Zachariah and Malachi were a thousand fold more comfort to the Faithful then the loss of those exteriours could be sorrow That worthy noble man Lord Plessi Truenesse of Christian Religion hath written somewhat of these five things chap. 29. pag. 455. Thus Christ was taught yesterday Heb. 13. The SECOND PART OF THE DIALOGUE Drawn from the NEW TESTAMENT CHAP. XIII How the New Covenant or the way of Redemption was taught or opposed under the first preaching of the New Testament QUest 1. Hitherto we have in part seen how God at sundry times and in divers manner spake of Redemption to the Fathers and faithful of the times of the old Testament Now give me some text in the New Testament which may call to minde the Prophecies of the old Testament that our hearts may be comforted being enriched in the full assurance of understand-standing to know the mystery of God even the Father and of Christ Answ Matthew 17.5 This Scripture is very pertinent This is my Beloved Son (a) Psal 2. Es 9.6 Prov. 30.4 2 Sam. 7.14 in whom I am well (b) Esa 42.1 Psal 132.10 pleased (c) Exod. 23.20 21 22 as Moses received the lively oracles from the Angel of the covenant to teach Israel so the Apostles received from him words that have spirit and life to teach the Israel of God John 6. Hear Him This text doth graciously look back to all the Prophesies that have been spoken of that now he was come this is He He that was promised in Paradice to Eva and afterwards to Sem to Abraham Isaac Jacob Judah David c. and figured by the Passeover Tabernacle and Temple Cloudy-fiery-pillar Manna Rock Brazen Serpent The Sacrifices c. By Melchizedecks and Aarons office and promised in Daniel to be the complement of all All the New Testament commenteth on this Oracle that came from the excellent glory QUest 2. and Answ What are the points that you observe out of this Scripture of Mat. 17.5 Answ 1. The Gospel consisteth in the true knowledge and belief of the person and office of Christ John 17.3 1 Cor. 2.2 Col. 2.3 4 5. 2. The doctrine of his person is clear in that the Father calleth this man Christ his son so that he is the son of God and man where this word Son is not to be understood in regard of Creation as were the Angells or of adoption as are the elect but by nature and generation eternal and in-effable John 1.18 Col. 1.15 3. Observe the distinct person of the Father acknowledgeth the distinct person of the Son to which add out of Matthew 3.17 the distinct Person of the Holy Ghost 4. This Son is called Beloved to shew that in that love the Father hath to the Son Pro. 8.31 Ephestans 1.6 John 1.14 15 16. there flow the joyful streams of love to his Elect so that he is the fountain of grace unto us 5. Unto those two points of his Person are joined two of his office answering unto them first In the beloved he is well pleased This sheweth the Mediation of his sacrifice-hood to God for us Secondly Him being Son he would have heard this sheweth the Mediation of his Soveraign Kingdome from the Father over us 6. This Mediation of his Sacrificehood is to be understood in two parts First John 17. What he did for us on earth And secondly What he did and doth for us in heaven On earth he made intercession for us and was delivered to death a sacrifice for our sins and was raised again for our justification from sinne and death to a resurrection Rom. 4.25 1 Pet. 3.18 Rom. 5.1 By his death and Sacrifice he purchased reconciliation justification and adoption also the word of reconciliation and the ministery thereof In heaven he entred with his own bloud into the holy Heavens and purchased eternal Redemption and the possession of the heavenly Mansions John 14.2 17. and in his ascention is our Fore-runner thither to prepare them he sitteth at the right hand of the Father making request for us he presenteth all our supplications 1 John 2.1 There is one God and one Mediatour 1 Tim 2. Ayoc 8.3 Eph. 3.12 2.18 intercessions and giving of thanks for our selves and others The effect of these things are joy peace hope of glory the giving and the in dwelling of the holy Spirit who mortifieth sin sanctifyeth our natures blesseth all holy means quickneth in duties perswadeth and assureth of free accesse to the throne of grace c. more then we can ask or think 7. These words In whom 1 Cor. 3.11 do exclude from this mediation all other Saviours and Mediatours whatsoever and condemneth such doctrine as stubble for the fire 8. In that he decreed to please himself with Christ it sheweth our free election justification adoption and salvation Galat. 1.4 Mat 11.28 Iames 1.18 to exclude all mans merits free will and works fore seen and to establish an unspeakable comfort to the man that findes in himself that God hath given him faith that he may know God hath predestinated him unto Salvation in his Beloved Son 9. The second part of his office is his Soveraignty in this Hear Him which sheweth his Soveraign authority over all Nations which standeth in this that He is the chief Prophet over all Kings Powers and Principalities and in all things Head to his Church 10. Under the word Hear is commanded our obedience that we should hear Him with our ears hearts and deeds that is by learning his word by believing it and practising it by works 11. This word Him is spoken exclusively there is no other Head of the Church but Christ none other to rule and make Lawes and Offices and Officers for the well ordering thereof but Christ none other Priest or Sacrificer to offer sacrifice for reconciliation of iniquity and lastly none other in (*) That doctrine of the Papalines that Christ is not in heaven sole mediator of intercession anathema sit Rome 8.34 Heb. 1. 8. Acts 2.36 5.31 heaven to offer with his own odours the prayers of the Church militant QUest 3. and answ What Seals hath Jehovah our King Judge and Statute-maker the Lord of the House hung and fastened to the writings of his new Covenant Answ Baptism and
the Supper of the Lord. QUest 4. Shew first what is considered jointly in these two Answ Both these are memorials signes and seals as strong as the worlds frame to repenting and believing Receivers of whatsoever Gods word hath revealed for their hope and comfort of life temporal spiritual and eternal They by the work of the Spirit represent and seal the whole doctrine of the covenant and promises made to our Fathers and also it must ever be remembred they are reciprocal and for restipulation as the covenant and being added to the covenant more firmly binding strenthning and comforting to faith obedience and thankfulness QUest 5. What do you conceive to be taught us in Baptism Answ Baptism is to teach and seal unto us 1. †1 Mat. 3. Acts 2.38 39 40 41 42.2 Acts 2.38 and 22.16.3 Gal. 3.26 27.4 Rom 6.5 Tit. 53.6 1 Cor. 15.29 Rom 6. Col. 2.12 and 3.3 To all which we must joyn the calling on the name of the Lord with good understanding Acts 22.16 1 Pet. 3.21 Concrning our entrance into the Church and politie of Christs Kingdome and the priviledges of the same to distinguish us from other polities 2. Concerning our justifiation 3. Our adoption 4. New birth or sanctification 5. Mortification 6. The resurrection QUest 6. What do you consider in the Supper of the Lord. Ans This should be written in all hearts that they onely be happy which in the Lords Supper protest the abundance of grace of free forgivenesse for justification to reign by Christ the second Adam 2. The Bread broken and without mixture the wine poured out and without mixture administred in the Primitive sincerity and plainnesse dispensed by a lawfull Pastour and taken with holy judgement and faith our souls feeding upon the eternall Son his incaâ—nation and Redemption is a Seal of mercy of faithfullnesse builded and established in the very heavens to stay us in Christ and in his holy Doctrine The authority of the Speaker promising covenanting and now sealing who made the world by his word must be looked unto 3. As our eyes judge of the frame of the world and our minds to what invisible use all was made subject to the second Adam So our eyes must judge of Bread and Wine and our minds that Christ our onely and most holy and perfect high Sacrificer offered himself a Sacrifice for us 4. When Sacrifice was to end at the Supper of the Lamb Christ Jesus our Lord the Son eternall whom we must hear to seal the end of Sacrificing gave for beasts flesh and blood which figured his Body and Blood Bread and VVine to be in Covenant-speech his body and Blood 5. As all faithfull of the old Testament kept with all Religious observance the Gospel Statutes and testimonies of circumcision the passeover and Jubilee c. to the death of our Lord Jesus Christ at his first coming so shall this precious ordinance yea and all the ordinances that it seals to continne to the judgement of the great day And the Saints must evermore celebrate and observe it with an eye to his second coming This should be a constant Meditation with the people of God (*) Read a little treatise intituled a fruitfull Sermon on Rom. 12. but man by nature of a stubborn disposition to divine revelation will not be charmed though the charmer charm never so wifely Here should be inserted concerning the offices and officers of Christ for the government of his churches and the ministration of the holy things thereof Much hath been written Pro and Con. but questionlesse that church politie that is according to the words and commandements of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ is best and will agree and stand with the polities of Christians yea of heathen common weals And nothing but Popish ambition tyranny coveteousnesse idlenesse doth resist Christs government of which if the territories of Princes were rightly possessed they would glory in it * both for safety of person and State Kings being just †Kings that set light by gody and just government shall find Christs providences to be iron and fire to their common-weals 2 Sam 23.7 and ruling in the fear of God need not fear losse by Christ for that his Kingdome is not of this world VVhat his Kingdome is and who his Subjects are he sheweth Mat. 5. John 18.37 QUest 7. Who believed the most sure word of Prophesie and the Record that God the Father witnessed of the Son Answer The apostles and disciples and many others afore our Lords death the 3000 converted at one Sermon and 2000 and many more added presently after and in succeeding times 144000 Jews and innumerable martyrs and confessours of all Nations and languages as the Acts the Epistles to the Churches and the Apocalips do shew †Now the Kingdome of Christ spokeng of in Daniel c. 2 7 is fully manifested when the image of four mettals and the four beasts became as chaffe before the wind and were consumed by rivers of fire and that the Son of Man was come and had ascended to the Ancient of dâ—â—es then to him was given Kingdome power and glory that all people Nations and tongues should serve him Thus Prophesie and history do sweetly agree QVest 8. Then by this that you have said it doth manifestly appear that all Nations which were of the families of the Sons of Noah had no other faith for salvation taught them but what was taught in Sâ—ms Tents and by the Sons of SEM Answ Most true it is for all that was taught to Eva to Sem to Abraham Isaac Jacob Judah Moses David Salomon Daniel and all the Prophets in the old Testament the same faith and none other as the new Testament sheweth Christ taught his Apostles and disciples who went from Jerusalem Sems tents to the uttermost parts of the earth by our Lords commandement with the gift of tongues to disciple all nations by preaching the word of truth the Gospel concerning the incarnation of the Son of God his sufferings death resurrection from death his ascention and shining glorious appearing at his second coming to judge the world That work they performed by the strength of God who confirmed their Doctrine with signes wonders and divers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost Then tongues nations and people of all Kingdomes departed from the power of darknesse by faith and obedience to the Kingdome of Christ giving honour and glory for ever to the king eternall holy invisible God onely wise 2. As Christ our salvation came of the Jews so the scriptures of the old and new Tâ—stament which reach the salvation came from them and because the saints from the dayes of the apostles have obtained the same like precious faith as Salem Sems tents had of old the state of the Church is termeâ— a Jâ—rusalem from Heaven and the names of the twelve Tribes upon the twelve Gates of this â—iâ—â—e do shew that all must be of their faith that enter
arose that spake and wrote perverse things wherefore the reformed are too blame in two respects 1. In yielding too much to the Papalines to prove points from the Ancients for that doth not saâ—issâ—â— them and there is no end with them 2. To urge against their Brethren that desire sincerity the opinions and practise of the Fathers in doctrine church-politie or ceremony The Apostles being Prophets and foreseeing evils gave this precept To remember their words 2 Pet. 3.2 And it is safest so to do This must be often pressed thought upon by all that love our Lord Iesus Christ with incorruption of spirit It was said plainly Beware lest any man carry you for a spoil through the traditions of men according to the rudiments of the world Augustine was of mind that Councils and Bishops ought not to be objected for trial of controversies but the holy Scriptures August Cont. Max. Wherefore give the controversie about altars no quiet no not for an hour for the truth of the Gospel else will not continne with crifice to officiate upon his altar Mordecai was sure to overthrow Haman God had sworn and said that be would have war with Amalek til he was rooted out O yee servants of the Lord contend by meek writings by fervent prayer and bold confession for the maintenance of the faith once given to the saints for Christ hath sworn and said Romes apostate politic should be perishing to the end Exod. 17. Num. 24.2 Thess 2. Apoc. 10. 17. â—lâ—ars are a main prop for Abaddons Kingdome and it is a complying with it and therefore some learned men have done amiss in pleading for that innovation Ibid. and fiâ—st wo Whereas Christ pronounceth Wo Wo Wo to the apostate churches it sheweth the ignorance and vanity of a childish belly-god spirit of many that say it was a good world in the daies of Popery of such good neighbourhood plenty and prosperity and cheapnesse of things Thus of old apostates pleaded against Christ and his Prophet Ieremiah ch 44. But his answer will stop all mouthes but the obstinate in superstition profanesse and mans inventions lyea such are ignorant of our own chronicles that so speak Quest 8. and answ N. 2. which troubled lesser Asia The seven churches of Asia and others falling from the faith Christ removed their Candlesticks by the Turk which shall be further touched in the comparison of the seven Trumpets and seven Vials Ibid. and by their resurrection The two Prophets that were killed by the beast stand upon their feet that is other godly of their spirit Christ raised for the good of the Church as the Spirit of Alias rested on Elisha N 4. Thus God hath once revealed The eleven former chapters of the Apocalyps revealeth the State of the church to the end of the world and the rest of the Apocalyps goeth over the same things with sweet variety Ibid. Eath blessing is here begâ—n and shall be perfected all the saints that are in this vale of tears do sit in the heavenly places and have chambers in the Jerusalem that is from heaven And here God wipeth all tears from our eyes And when they change this life they fully possesse that of which they had an earnest as the godly of gold were in the heavenly Tabernacle Psalm 15.1 The heavenly Father hath but one family yet two Tabernacles or two dwelling places the one in heaven the other on the earth When any of his Servants hath done so much service or factorage Polytâ—uman Phil. 3.20 as he thinks fit then he calls for him home from that part of the family on earth to the other in the heavens to possesse the joy of his Lord. Here an entrance is given us into the everlasting kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1. here we pass from death to life John 5. It is said we are in the second Adam renewed after the image of God that created us and as here we bear his image so shall we bear it in the heavens and there be fully satisfyed with it Psalm 17.1 Cor. 15.49 and further the Scripture saith he that hath prepared us for immortall glory after our earthly house of tabernacle is taken down is God who hath also given unto us the earnest of the Spirit Another Scripture saith He hath made us meet to be partakers of the inhertiance of the Saints in light 2 Cor. 5.1 2. Col. 1. We are made meet in this life for that blessed possession Christians trained up in the word of Christ must hold anathema the Ovidian and Vâ—rgilian doctrine of the Popish purgatory c. Beware left there be any man catry you for a spoil through Phylosophy and vain deceit Col. 2. CHAP. XV. Questions Answers and Annotations Proving that Rome in Gods just Judgement is the place that he hath given unto the power of Satan for the setting up the mystery of iniquity QUest 1. and Answ What place by Gods unsearchable judgement was permitted to Satan for the setting up of the Mystery of Iniquity Answ Rome in Italy for after those ruins it was brought unto it began in process of time to be in credit again Then Satan used all signes and lying wonders to advance there the Throne of the Beast the man of sin or the Pontificalitie (a) As most churches so Rome in special was broken off by mis belief and for not continuing in Gods goodness as they were forewarned Rom. 11. And when the Pontificalitie was set up by the decree of God then nations from East to West obeyed and Worship the Pope and the image of the Imperial State as of old time they did the profane Emperours Whereas if it had not been for the Pontificality Rome and its Empire should never have been revived but left a most filthy lodging of Oxen and Hogs (b) Stâ—uchus against Vallo Lib. 1. in the beginning Even this do the Roman Catholicks themselves confesse And so there the wounded Head was revived by the Pontificality QUest 2. But Rome totidem literis is not named in the holy Scriptures to be the Mother of Whoredomes and abominations How do you know that all these evils were thence to arise Answ By divers notes and marks 1. It is evident that the fixt Head of the Roman State and Power the Politie of Roman Caesars crucified our Lord. 2. By the Locusts and their King the Angel of the bottomless-pit which can agree to no politick corporation in the world but to the Pope and his spiritualty QUest 3. and Answ How is the King of Locusts described Answ 1. It is shewed that the King of Locusts was a star in the heaven of the Church but did opostate and became not a Messenger of the Church of Christ but the Angel of the Pit 2. The keyes which formerly he had being an Angel and a Star were for the honour of CHRISTS Kingdome but apostating his keyes are the keys of the bottomless pit 3. When he used the
language of Levit. 26. and Deut. 28 and 30 vain talkers must vent their Mateologisme Quest 12. and answer That know not God c. Many will not be Papists and yet are ignorant and love to be so superstitious ungodly and unrighteous in all their life they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord and such shall eat the smit of their own wayes Prov. 1. and 5.12 Answer without shall be dogs Without the Lord Jâ—sus Christ in his holy ordinances coth make a marvellous separation of the precious from the vile but at that day shall be the perfection Psam 1. Mat. 25. Also note all these sorts of sinners are not to be understood as commonly men apprehend them but they stand in opposition to the peace quietnesse holinesse zeal purity of worships truth grace and glory of the heavenly Jerusalem Shall be dogs The Concision were dogs and murderers Psalm 22 Phil. 3. and cast our Gal 4. they resisted the building of new Ierusalem maintaining bodily exercise opus operatum their idol and vanity this made their house and habitation desolate to this day And is not this written for our admonition Those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring hither and slay them before me Luc 19. 2 Thos 1.9 as it was observed at the beginning that CHRIST his Doctrine and servants were held anathema of the godlesse so it will ever be Ibid. And sorcerers Or poisening Sorcerers read Thankfull Remembrance page 193. Aâ—ias translates venefiei Apoc. 22.15 It is thought the Jesuites are such creatures the book of their State mysteries mentioned doth imply such things it must be taken also spiritually bewitching people by feined words c. to make them believe false Doctrine Gâ—l 3.1 All this the Locusts must do for we are sure that the holy Lord God doth not answer them by dreams nor by Vrim nor by Prophets so that the next course is to go to Eudor they know who will there readily attend them 1 Sam. 28.6 Ibid. And the fearfull And I say unto you my friends Be not asraid of them that kill the body and after that have no more that they can do Luk. 12. I I aâ— he that comforteth you Who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die and the Son of man who shall be made as grasse and forgettest Iâ—bovah the eternall being thy maker that hath stretched out the heavens and laid the foundation of the earth in the waters Isa 51. If Gods word bear Supremacy in our hearts and faith evidence to us things not seen we shall as men of another spirit and independent as those three noble martyrs and Confessors Dan. 3. and as Daniel himself chap. 6. as Moses Heb. 11. as Calch and Iosua c. c. Quest 13. and Answ Saying Write Observe still the blessâ— comforts of the written word and mark the command Write Apoc. 14.13 Psal 103.18 Ibid. For they rest from their labours Let him that hath an ear to hear let him hear what the spirit saith to the Churches Those that keep the commandements of God and the faith of Jesus Write it they shall have rest They shall have Rest that follow the true Lambs Religion let liars and cursed dogs bark never so much to the contrary let all that bear the name of Christian hate and accurse the fables of the heathenish Papacy of Purgatoty that men walk when they are dead and their vain Doctrine of prayer for the dead and their anniversaries and other ceremonies and superstitions numberlâ—sse as the Christian Disputations of Mr. Viret shew O ye all that are Gods Iesurum the Israel of God study the blessed Scriptures your inheritance cursed smokie Poperie and all deceitfull vain Doctrines will flee before the glorious light of the word Amen Amen A Postsrcipt BVl ye Beloved Remember the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our LORD IESUS CHRIST 2 Pet. 3.2 and Iudas Thaddaeus verse 17.1 Iohn 4.6 c. c. The holy spirit seeing and foreseeing that false Teachers were and continually would arise after the apostles times with fair speeches flattering and feigned words philosophy a shew of wisdome cogging and vain deceir spurious Epistles feigned revelations of the spiri and hâ—ocriticall lies and slanders and by bringing in fables superstitious voluntary humility will-worship mens Precepts Decrees Doctrines of Devils perverse things damnable heresies and rejection of Magistracy to cause divisions and offences to beguile men and to carry them for a spoil from the plainnesse and simplicity of the Apostles Doctrine and these evils were pursued by all deceit and violene of flesh and blood being driven on by the fury of spirtuall wickednesses principalities and powers the rulers of the darknesse of this world that did war against the Church about super-celestiall things therefore this warning and many others were given to regard the Prophets and Apostles Doctrine Thus the Holy Ghost did as is noted in the conclusion of the old Testament referre them that feared God to the Law of lively oracles given by the inspiration of the SON OF GOD the angel of the Covenant and by the ministery of Moses at Horeb Mal 4. Thus Christ was taught to day and so shall till the time of his coming 2 Cor. 11.26 Heb. 13.8 The Caesars persecuted the faithfull for The word of God and the Testimonie of JESUS Apoc. 6.9 ch 1.9 Keeping of the commandements of God and holding the testimony of JESUS Christ Apoc. 12.17 The Popes persecured the faithfull for Keeping of the Commandements of God and the faith of Iesus Apoc. 14.12 The Testimony of JESUS and for the word â—of God Apoc. chap. 20.4 THE THIRD PART CHAP. XVIII Of the seven Trumpets in Apocalyps 8 9 10 11. chapters In which the Popes Rising to his Antichristian Hierarchy is first described compared with the seaven Phials in chap. 16. under which the Antichristian Hierarchy doth fall and is consumed by degrees THE Seaven seals destroyed the Roman Empire and the seven Trumpets do forbid that Rome being overthrown as Jericho should be built again and as Hiel endeavoured to re-edify Jericho contrary to Gods will for which act God in Justice took away his eldest and youngest son So Princes that joined with the Pope to hate the Greek Empire that they might seâ— up Rome for which act the Lord in justice made it the means of their wo and great misery The comparison of the Phrases for the Trumpets in Apâ— 89 10 11. chapters with chap. 16. for the Phials is diligently to be marked for the understanding of the true scope of the Apocalyps The Phases concerning the Plagues for the ruine of the Papacy in the Phialls are wonderfully fitted to the former Phrases in the Trumpets by which the Popes rising was first described SECT 1. The first Trumpet and first Phiall .. UNder the first Trumpet Satan endeavouring to advance his project The Mystery of Iniquity then the
thousand years after it is not rationâ—◠〈…〉 to think most impertinent assertions As if a godly soul or a 〈…〉 under greivous pressures and afflictions at present should 〈…〉 for consolation must the Teacher then tell stories to 〈…〉 that neither they nor theirs for many genera 5. Again these in captivity were godly and faithfull and knew they were chastised for not regarding Gods * The Iews now are perswaded of no such thing although forewarned Heb. 10.25 26 27. covenant in Christ and therefore they did humble themselves and confesse their sins as Levit. 26. foretold and had gracious promises of return to Canaan and of building city and Temple and that the City should be builded on its own heap and that they should have a policy to buy and sell Ier. 32. and the Prophet Ieremiâ—h knew well enough that the godly in the state of Iudah were or would be much cast down in their spirits even as Ieremy himself was concerning their most grievous calamities as Ier. 32. * It was â—n that age of God people that needed this satisfaction and thereupon the Lord God did comfort him and all the godly of those dayes and did revive their hearts in divers passages even as he did by Ezekiel see Jer. 29.30 31 32 33. chapters 6. But the Jews now are not godly but grievous apostates for they hold Christ and his Gospel Kingdome and people anathema they are exceeding hard of heart and blaspheme our Christ look for Christ yet to come not one of 1â—00 is godly of them nor have been for many hundred years 7. A glorious calling of the Jews from Rom. 11. is not denied in all places where they are scattered and will not this be a wonderfull glory to them and us that they in all places where they are shall yield obedience to the Gospel This should suffice for more cannot be proved and when Christ came we Gentiles were received into their sheepfold Iohn 10 Other sheep I have c. but hereafter the contrary Rom. 11.11 To provoke them to follow them that was their glory this ours 8. So certainly this speech of Ezek. 37. was spoken for the present disconsolate age These were not yet cast off All Zac. z. was consolatory to the returned who were vexed by the Samaritans and others Ierusalem being as yet unwalled although the providence of Christ was as a wail of fire for them till it was walled nor cut off from their own people but they onely were as yet Gods people and that made Zachariah say * that the Lord will yet choose Sion and Ierusalem and that yet he would be jealous for Ierusalem and Sion This was to comfort them under many pressures being under the government of the Persians and under such like pressures they should be under Iavan whole and Iavan parted namely in much affliction therefore it was fit and convenient so to comfort them for the Lord doth alwayes speak sitly to his olive and so the Lord did yet choose them even after this for the time of the Seventy Sevens of years in which space of time they should be the peculiar holy people and Ierusalem should continue to be the holy City but after the Seventy Sevens of years were accomplished according to Dan. 9 they had not any peculiar priviledge nor ever shall We mâ—sâ— not regard that strange Doctrine that teacheth otherwise but what tends to that Sion in Hebrews 12. and in Apocalyps 14.1 and to that Jerusalem Hebrews 12. Gal. 4. Apoc. 3 and 21. in too many things we do hinder the conversion of the Jews in Judaizing with them They hope for the building of Ierusalem and daily pray for their return to Canaan and many of us thus Judaize with them in teaching their return thither to bâ— a glorious Church again 9. And whereas the people of God in Jeremiahs and Ezekiels dayes were much dejected in spirit for the sorrows which they felt by Babel the golden head as they had cause went weeping to Babel not clearly discerning Gods counsel yet at the end of the captivity the holy counsels of God were fully opened by Gabriel the holy angels glorious message from heaven to Daniel * This Text of Dan. 9.24 did comfort them for the losse of the Ark Jer. 3. and the shaking of the rest of the Ceremonies and because the Lord foresaw what he would once more do by the Romane polity therefore he gave to Daniel that glorious revelation that they should expect the MESSIAS the holy of holy to confirm the Covenant for the many by his death Dan. 9.24 That they need not mourn nor lament for destroying Salomons Progeny and Kingdome because the holy angel had told them of the MESSIAS their King greater than Salomon who was also of the house of David for it is said he shall be great and shall be called the Son of the most high and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdome there shall be no end Luc. 1.32 33. and hence we learn that Christs spirituall kingdome shall never be ended nor overthrown nor his heavenly progeny extinct who are Princes and Priests in all the earth Psal 145.16 and the Metropolis of his kingdome is the heavenly Sion and Jerusalem builded by the Gospel over all the four quarters of the world and this city 1500 mile square compassed about with a wall of precious truth invincible that no power of the enemie can scale it or make any breach in it and the foundations of the wall are twelve compounded of twelve precious Jewels The holy Doctrine of the Lambs twelve apostles that there can be no Satanicall pioneers to make any mynes to blow it up no if they be as deep in their counsels as Garnet and Faux of that hellish crue and the Temple within this holy city is so glorious that it secretly affrights all opposers more than that in the times of Psal 48. For the Lord God of hosts even the LAMB is the Temple who is also the Rock of defence of his Church 10. Now though all this be our glory under the new Testament yet the Doctrine of many is contrarie for in effect they teach the Jews to lament and mourn for earthly Canaan and for the low Ierusalem and Temple Teachers may as well follow their Thalmudicall fables as this doctrine and so they do in part for they look for a pompous Kingdome in Canaan and continue against Gods oath the line of Salomon Ier. 22. These things will be touched again as the argument calls for it 11. The Prophesie of Amos chap. 9. is expounded in Acts 15. by the holy Councel and it will confine all our expositions that we make upon Esaias Ezekiel and Zacharias for such a calling of the Jews as I have shewed The last of Amos expounded by the Apostles themselves I take it is a key to open
Tribes of Israel The Providences of Christ in a constant progresse of the holy story made this promise good to the ending of the Seventy Sevens Then was the Period of Israels peculiar glory CHAP. XXII Expounding Zac. 12.10 11 12 13 14. Verses 1. ZAchâ—riah sheweth how the faithfull should mourne for the sins of the times every godly Family cheifly them of Davids progenie of the Family of Nathan Solomons Brother by Bathâ—hebah of whom our Lord lineally ascended As also of the godly of the Tribe of Levi and all the godly Families that did remaine for then to them was the blessed Fountaine for sin and uncleanesse opened And our godly translators doe confer Act. 2. in the 3000. converted by Peters Sermon to be an History to this Prophesie And Act. 1.14 is fitly to be conferred for their godly private exercises 2. Also we must diligently observe how John Elias the fore-runner to Christ by his powerfull Ministry did turne the heart of the Fathers to the children and the children to hearken to the wisdome of their godly Teachers that the evill Spirits of the three Shepheards and their Doctrine was much quailed and were made ashamed of their evil wayes And our Lord Jesus Christ the great Apostle from Heaven coming after Iohn Baptist he brought his Fanne of holy Doctrine in his hand and by his holy Spirit separating the chaffe of persons and Doctrine in wonderfull manner as in Mat. 5 6 7. chapters and at other times which Sermons of Christ made them rage against him and were never quiet laying snares still for him till they had his life And when they had smitten this blessed Shepheard and destroyed the Temple of his precious Man-hood he raised it againe and gloriously ascended Then afterward the Lord Christ gave a mouth and wisdome to his holy Disciples and Apostles that all false Doctrine and all Worldly wisdome of Satans Kingdome fell like Dagon before them All their idols of the Doctrines of justification ex opere operato bodily exercise and their Traditions of their Abotheru and the Sadducisme of the Sadducies and other errors among them All these idols of theirs and the Heathens were famished and so perished Zeph. 2.11 3. That Doctrine of Justification of bodily exercise was the great controversie of those dayes and it was their idoll and vanity as Deut. 32. compared with Rom. 10. that idoll cleaving to the letter made them despise MESSIAS their King whose most precious obedience through his manifold sufferings made his death a most acceptable Sacrifice and so it was the end of the Law for justification to every one that beleiveth and by him all that beleive are justified from their sins guilt and punishment Moses Doctrine given by Christ taught the sure mercies Act. 13. Deut. 30. Such an idol it was and is that it hath cast off the Jewes to this day For by it they despised the Son of God and his justification which the bodily exercise of all the Law of Moses could not doe And that they might not think of justification by bodily exercise from the Temples worships Christ destroyed City and holy Place to this day who brought to us by his once offering up of himselfe to an everlasting Righteousnesse or Iustification 4. After the Jewes had rejected the corner-Stone their King for Caesar many heavy and unexpressable sorrows came upon the Jewes and Jerusalem continually untill by the Roman power Titus Vespasian who came against Jerusalem took the City rifled the Houses and the uncleane infidell Souldiers ravished the women slaughtered multitudes and carryed may thousands of Iewes Captives and sold many numbers of them for Slaves All this came to passe about forty years after our Lords ascention Our Lord sitting on Mount Olivet and beholding the City told these things of Zachariah Ch. 14.1 3 4 to his Disciples Mat. 14. Luc. 19. 21. 5. And the Apostle as a Prophet Act. 13.40 41 1. Thes 2.16 Ebr 6 8. 10.26 27 28 29 30. Act. 13. threatned by allusion Hâ—bb thicks prophesy against them noted before that as the Chaldean had done the Romans should execute further and greater wrath upon them even wrath to the utmost And so the Apostle had told the revolting Hebrewes that they and their Nation would be Bryars and Thornes and must look for violent fire to consume them Moses and David fore-saw all these evils Deut. 32.22 2 Sam. 23. Then the corner Stone which the Builders refused fell on them and bruised them to powder 6. The Prophet Zachariah having spoken of the dâ—struction of the Low Jerusalem makes this transition to speak by way of b Jer. 31.38 39. Is literally propheticall and performed in Nehem 3. but this of Zac. 14.6 is allegoricall see Tremel on Zach. 14.10 c. allegory of the building and setting up of the High Jerusalem As by the returned from Babel Jerusalem was builded from Benjamins Gate c. so sure shall the Heavenly Jerusalem be builded notwithstanding all oppositions of Enemies And whereas it is said Zac. 14. Jerusalem shall be inhabited in her own place it is to be understood that the Heavenly Jerusalem should begin to be builded in the Earthly as it was fittest Thence the Law went forth of Sion and the word of the Lord from Ierusalem then the Mountaine of the Lords House was lifted above all Mountaines and all Nations ftowed unto it to build on that Mountaine and this promised blessing was performed before Salem was abolished and the word of the Lord did not faile that Iapheth must have religion from Some Tents 7. There were skilfull Master-Builders at Salem the Fishers of Galilet and the other Apostles with others to the number of six score and five thousand after which with the Physitian of Antiâ—ch and the Tent-Maker of Tâ—rsus that might carry the healing and wholsome b Our Lord in his Apoc. 21. expounds Zach. 14. Ezek. 47. For these waters that run thorough the streets of the Heavenly Jerusalem and no better waters shall â—ver come among us then what the holy Prophets and Apostles have let us in their most sweet and blessed writings Let us beware of deceitfull opinions of new Apostles and new Revelations waters of holy Doctrine to the uttermost parts of the Earth Oh how wonderfull and un-utterable was the glory of Christ in and by them that he was King over all the Earth that as the Apostle saith God was not the God of the Iewes only but of the Gentiles also Rom. 3. 8. Zac. 14.12 sheweth that all montanous opposions could not hinder the building of this Heavenly Ierusalem this City was lifted in glory and did and doth abide notwitstanding all the wrestlings of the misbeleiving and unbeleiving Iewes and the Roman Empire against it And all that fought against his Holy City both the Caesars the old Pontificality the sixth head of the Roman Beast afflicting the Church and the new Pontificality the Papacy the seventh Head and Turke
afterward found great severity of thundring wrath and terrour of most bitter plagues as if their filthy flesh rotted from their bones and their idolatrous and adulterous eyes did consume in their holes and their blasphemous tongues in their mouths 9. And the Lord MESSIAS to whom the Father of Heaven had committed all authority and power raised tumults among them first on the Iewes then on the Caesars Augusti and their people in most fearfull manner That the Caesars and their Assassines had death and a gulph and grave of destruction by intestine garboiles in their Armies destroying one another for three hundred years the six seals do also shew this in Ap. 90 Ap. 6. 10. Zach. 14.16 When the Heavenly Ierusalem was builded on twelve precious Foundations all of precious Iewels the Prophets and Apostles Doctrine b These are the same waters Ezekiel speaks of that came from the Temple Ezek. 47. and Christ JeAsue expounds Zac. and Ezek. in Apoc. 21. 22. then those holy waters as is noted of healing Doctrine issued and had free course into all quarters under Heaven East West North and South and every quarter had three Gates into the City And the godly in all times of the New Testament did flee like Doves to nestle in this City they came to it b Constantly continually from mouth to mouth c. Esai 66.23 these are allegoricall expressions anniversarily to keep the Feast of Tabernacles And the Apoc. 7. is an Historicall prophesie that 144000. of Israel the twelve Tribes that held the faith and an innumerable company of all Nations come to this City to blesse and praise * All Nations did blesse him as they were in him Psal 72.17 Gen. 12.1 2 3. the Eternall Son of God who did Tabernacle or Temple in our nature for 〈◊〉 â—edemption and when they came they brought Palme-Branches in their hands crying Hosanna Salvation to our God that sâ—â—teth on the Thorne and to the LAMBE for evermore 11. And they that will not come to the Feast of Tabernacles to serve Christ Iesus the true Tabernacle or Temple in his holy Assemblies in this his Ierusalem they shall have no Raine to moisten their dry and barren hearts They shall not know what meanes the Dewes that fall on Mount Hermon and the sweet small Raine that distilleth on the Holy Mount aine of Sion Apoc. 14.1 All the Gentiles that will not yeild obedience to the faith of the Gospell Christ will bring upon them positive and privative plagues as the stories of the Church shew this in all the Centuries in all Countries 12. And because Christ Iesus our Lord hath made us Kings and Sacrificers to God his Father Holinesse to Jehovah which was graven on the front place of the high Sacrificer shall be written on the Horse Bridles and on every Pot in the Heavenly Ierusalem thus Zachariah as Dan. 9. Esai 66. sheweth an utter abrogation of the Ceremonies of Moses Chanaan City Temple and worships 13. And let this be noted that the holy Apostles expounding the Prophets never taught the Saints that ever they should expect any outward glory to returne to Chanaan City Temple or Kingdome but taught them of the Heavenly Iâ—â—usalem and therein the Lord God of Hosts the Lambe to be the Temple and the holy worship to be cheâ—fly spirituall prayer to be every where in lifting up pure hands and hearts in all godly qualifications as our Lord Messiaâ— told the woman of Samaâ—ia Ioh. 4. 14. And therefore the Apostle Peter the Apostle of the circumcision taught the scattered Tribes of Israel in Pontus Asia Galatia Bithinia Capadocia and Chaldea of the Heavenly inheritance that fadeth not as Canaan and that themselves were lively Stones in the spirituall building to be an holy Preist-hood to offer up spirituall sacrifice acceptable to God by Iesus Christ the true Temple And that they that were and had been for many dayes Lo-ammi and Lo â—uchamah Hos 1. 3. were now by the glorious Gospell made Gods people and had obtained mercy and pity and warnes them that they be not as their Fathers to stumble at Christ and his Doctrine And further instructs them that the Prophesiâ—s which they so looked to be fulfilled in an outward manner were not to be taken properly and literally as Ezikiels Land City and Temple is taken to this day of the Jewes in propriety of spâ—ach that Peter blameth And the teaching otherwise was damnable heresie and a denying of Christ Jesus as the Apostle said of Circumcision Gal. 5.2 3 4 as experience also tels us these fifteen hundred years And therefore let Teachers beware how they harden Jewes in their idolâ— and vanity Solomons Kingdome was shaken but we receive a Kingdome that cannot be shaken the Low Jerusalem was destroyed but the Heavenly City cannot The Preist hood of Levi is passed away but Christs Preist-hood abideth for ever c. and we crosse all the Doctrine of Christs new Testament to plead any more for Terrestials Chap. XXIII Expounding Zach. 12 10 11 12 13 14. Zach. 14.10 11 c. SECT I. It is objâ—cted that Zac. 12.10 11 12 13 14. is not fulfilled AND I will poure upon the House of David and upon the inhabitants of Ierusalem the Spirit of grace and supplications and they shall look upon me whom they have peâ—rced and they shall mourne for him as one mourneth for his only Son c. and the Family of the House of David and Nathan shall mourne and the House of Levi and the Family of Sbimei shall mourne 1. I think Act. 1.14 is an History to the prophesie for Davids House †The Apostles argument is strong that although must did not mourne yet the saith â—ulnesse of God is not without effect and God had not cast off all the Apostle reasons from himselfe as if there should not have been no more then himselfe Rom. 3. 11.1 2 3. but in the Acts there were five thousand and more and in â—erusalem suâ—â—ly the faithfull are but a little stock these all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary the Mother of IESUS and with his Brethren In this company was some of the House of David and some of the Family of Nathan and some of the House of Levi for it is said a great company of the Preists were subject to the faith Act. 6. and Baâ—nabas a Levite became a gracious Son of consolation to the Church And that the Lord powred on the inhabitants of Ierusalem the Spirit of his grace and supplications is historied in Acts ch 2.37 and many more afterwards ch 4. and in after times of every Tribe twelve thousand Apoc. 7. 2. I doubt not but when the Iewes be hereafter called according to Rom. 11. they will mourn for their own sins and for the sins of their fore Fathers but we must stick to propriety unlesse it opposeth the analogic of faith in other Scriptures that so we may
and stories to the times after the great mysterie of godlinesse was manifested the holy Incarnation of God manifested in the flesh when their events are before it 2. The Apocalyps all of it is by allusion to the old enemies of the Low Jerusalem as the stories of Egypt Babel Tyrus c. are alluded unto that the heavenly Jerusalem should have many enemies in all quarters The Apocalyps expresseth new times states and governments in old terms so it openeth all the old Testament for us that all the old enemies fought against Christ and his Kingdome then as now Rome and Turk do against Christ and his holy City from heaven 3. Magog Meshech Tubal c. were Nations known in Ezekiels dayes and without mixture and their dwelling undoubted But now the Lord God hath made great confusion and scattering of all Nations by thâ— warres and commotions that have been in the world that those places are not known by such Princes and Nations 4. The very phrase of the holy Prophet concerning the Nations he describeth Magog Meshech Tubal Gomer Togarmah and the North-quarters that is the North quarters from Israel with the times do argue that it was of Israel that returned from Captivity from all the Countries of Ashurs and Babels dispersion not of the Romane And it cannot be said that the Jews now are in such a captivity as formerly unlesse it be the spirituall captivity to Sin Satan and Unbelief at all Nations are without the Gospel These Considerations would make one conceive that the Prophecie of Ezekiel chap. 38. and 39. must be before the ending of Gabriels Seventy Sevens People must be taught to distinguish between Gog and Magog spoken in propriety and of Gog and Magog taken mystically 5. If we regard the holy story well we shall find that most Prophesies of these things reach not much further than the first coming of Christ Balaam goes as far if not further as any Prophecie of the old Testament concerning Kingdomes and Countries and their affairs He prophefied of Kittim afflicting Heber the Jews or Hebrews and especially of Christ Jesus the chiefest of all Hebers sons and so all Christians as in the Caesors and Popes 6. Tremellius Mr. Forbes and many others expound Ezek. 38.39 to be of the Nations that were under the Kingdome of Seleucidae called the Kings of the North in Dan. 11. SECT 2. I Think it is to good purpose to examine some verses in Ezek 38. and 39. concerning Gog. Thus it is said chap. 38.16 1 And I will bring thee against my Land that the heathen may know me when I shall be sanctified in thee O Gog before their eyes The Lord God of Israel did not bring Gog and his armies unto the mountains of Israel to war onely but that the knowledge of God might be dispersed among the heathen by the dispersion and affliction of his people doubtlesse those wars had that effect doubtlesse it caused after a while much dispute in many points about Religion and the calling of the Gentiles now drawing on and for these dayes of affliction it is said many shall greatly search and knowledge shall increase Dan. 12. So then the persecution of the two witnesses by the Beast of the Pit caused much study in Christendome as it did warring with mysticall Gog. The warres among the Seleuâ—â—-lagida were many and great and many fearfull slaughters among them the which the Jews could foretell to the heathen by the Prophefles of Ezekiel Daniel and Zachariah Dan. 11. and 12. as by an historicall Prophecy and it is reported by divers writers that the Jews were skilfull in Prophecies and By Daniel they might have understanding to foretell many events about the Kings of the North and South yea and of many other great matters about the coming of Messias Mr. Bro. hath this in the Consent of Scripture Anno mundi 3910 that Sybil writ that which Virgil is thought to follow and Lactantius citeth may well be made by some witty men taught of a Jew or the spirits otherwise might well speak of those times what Daniel taught plainly These things of Gog would cause much knowledge of Jehovah the God of Israel for it is said the Heathen shall know the Lord God of Israel when these things should have their events above Gog and Magog Thubal Meshech and Togarmah c. There were great expectations in the world but especially of Israel by Daniels Prophecies which would cause great rumours among all sorts so we may well think that Jehovah the God of Israel brought those wars of Javan in the Land of Gog for this purpose that the heathen may know me saith Jehovah the ever-living God By these wars there was spread a report among the heathens what Laws Israel had better and more ancient than all the heathens and although the heathens captived the Jews * A wonderful providence of Chist yet their Law captived the heathens This rumour of the holy Scriptures stirred up Ptolomie Philadelphus King of Egypt to endeavour to have the old Testament translated for his Library which was done for him by seventy two learned Interpreters of the Jews And this their work to this day is called the Septuagint 1. Ezek. 38. ult Thus will I magnifie my self and sanctifie my self and I will be known among the Nations and they shall know that I am Jehovah Christ did make himself great over Gog by the bloody slaughters that he sent among his Camps but all these troubles of Gog among the people Israel were so ordered as is noted that the heathen might know Jehovah the Lord God of Israel therefore there was a further Providence of Christ to shew his power to be great over Gogs Kingdome in the lesâ—er Asia when in Antiochia the chief City of the Kingdome of the Seleucidae Kings of the North the saith of the Gospel of the Son of God so prevailed that the disciples of Christ were there first called Christians So the seven Churches of old Gogs kingdome doth further look to Ezekiel That these events may plainly shew they are an history to the Prophecy of Ezekiel and Christ in theire own language doth conquer them to his Kingdome and faith of the Gospel 3. Ezek. 39.23 And the heathen shall know ' that the house of Israel went into captivity foâ— thâ—â—r iniquity because they trespassed against me c. This Text will afford these meditations 1. It must be well observed that the knowledge of all the providences of Christ that befell Israel by Assuâ— and Babel came not to Israel as the heathens had foolish conceits of the people of God which made them have these Proverbs in scorn of Israel yea in scorn and deâ—sion of Iehovah the God of Israel that they wâ—re a Nation born to bondage and their holy Religion was a barbarous suâ—erstition c. 2. But now the heathens by the Septuagint and the Jews being so dispersed among them of Iavan in Gogs countrey and in Egypt The heathens by
these providences of Christ and by his word that they began to have among them know what iniquity was and for what principal iniquity Israel was dispersed by Assur and Babel did know that all these captivities came on Israel for their iniquities and apostasies from the faith of the Gospel of the Son of God 3 These things might be a means to procure much knowledge of the Lord God of Israel among the heathens and it did so for Zac. 8. shews that the heathens should take hold of the skirt of him that is a Iew and so consort much with the people of God and this reason should the heathens themselves give we have heard that God is with you yea further they should say Surely our fathers have inherited lies vanity and things wherein there is no profiâ— Ier. 16. 4. The wayes of Christ are unsearchable for this knowledge might well come among the heathens by the Iews daily conference and by preaching the word among them in their Synagogues and by the Septuagints translation The Septuagints translation was much used among them Saint Luke and the Apostles chiefly used that translation and cite many times the Text of their translation as learned men observe and the godly Proselites did much read it doubtlesse and the prophane heathen might also read it because Horace and Ovid mock at their Sabbatismes as the Chaldeans had done It is also as true they might have knowledge by the Iews being so dispersed and having Synagogues in all great Cities by which means Iews matters would â—e much celebrated Beloved Reader if we were better versed in the holy Scriptures of the Son of God we should know more of him and the mannaging of his Mediatorian Kingdome in mercy and severity from Gen 3 15. cocerning the holy Seed and the Seed of the Seâ—pent SECT 3. OBject Some say there shall be a great Battell which hath never as yet come to passe as Ezek. 39. and Apoc. 20. 1. But for answer we ought to understand the warriourâ— there and here are of divers times and peoples and places as is above noted That of Exckiel is of Israel and the low Jerusalem this of Gog and Magog in the Apocalyps is meant of the troublers of the Church the holy City from heaven wheresoever and that at divers times 2. Neither place either of Ezekiel or of Apocalyps most be understood of any one Battel there never was nor ever shall be any such one Battel as some would understand in Ezek. 39 although it be said that all the arms and weapons of war of bows and arrows bucklers shields c. should serve the Cities of Israel to burn seven years and they shall not need to go to the woods and forrests to fetch home fuell to their fires What shall not the Cities of Israel fetch home fuell for their necessary uses for their families to burn for seven years We must labour to understand better when the literall sense must admit of allegories Tremellius understands seven years to be very long and very often numeâ—u finâ—tus pro infinito 3. Gog and Magog and all the North quarters mentioned are the Kingdome of the Seleucidae one of the iron legs Dan. 2. and explained chap. 11. and their war with the other leg the Lagidae of Egypt and their camping in Israel brought great troubles to them for 250 years and moe so that all their arms utensils and weapons of war should last seven year for fire-wood and because they were a continuall vexation to Israel for above 250 years it is spoken as one battell such are Corporation-speeches and so the Apocalyps must be understood not of one battel but after the tenth Century then the holy City of Christians was besieged in all quarters and is still even to this day and yet still it shall be vexed by the Beast and false Prophet that also is a Corporation speech for the Beast-like Empire of the Papacy and the false Prophet-Pope and all his Clergy have been in being these 600 years and moe and is still as yet in being and so for a while shall be till they be with Satan cast into the Lake of fire and Brimstone 4. Corporation Speeches must be observed diligently as Man of sin not to be attributed to one man 2 Thes 2. but it is the Pontificality the whole Corporation of Popes they are that Man of sin that Adversary that exalts himself c. and so the two Witnesses are not properly two but they are all the godly that have do and shall witnesse against the Beast and false Prophet the holy Scripture is full of of such manner of speaking Moses often speaks to all Israel as to one man so it is said the Prince of Tyrus was in Eden the garden of God Ezek. 28. but it is not meant of that Prince of Tyrus in Ezekiels dayes but of him in Davids and Salomons days lie in Ezekiels dayes was an apostate and an enemy to Israel and did not care for that honour as to be of the houshold of God and common weal of Israel in which Hyram Prince of Tyrus rejoiced 1 Kings 5. 5. It is not said Israel shall have such a battell against Gog but that Gog and his companies shall fall on the mountains of Israel and this came to passe by the Ptolomies of Egypt overcoming Gog the King of the North in divers battells The Sel uco-lagidae made marriages to strengthen one another but it did not take that effect for they dealt deceitfully one with another therefore it is said they shall be destroyed one of another Ezek 38.21 But all this came 〈◊〉 them for afflicting the Saints of them the holy Trinity and Christ was a burdensome Stone to them for their oppressing Ierusalem the holy City 6. It is true also the Jews had as in the Macchabees and Iosephus a great hand divers times against Gog as against Antiochus the vile and afterwards also CHAP. XXV Some Observations on Jeremiah 30 31 32 33 Chapters IT is evident that the Prophet must in these Chapters be taken in proprier for the return from Babels captivity and from all other Lands of the North. where they were chiefly scattered For Jer. 30.18 Ezra and Nehemiah do shew the fulsilling of that 18. verse Also chap. 31.23 these words aâ—yet they have been often touched and for chap 31.38 39 Nehemiah in chap. 3. is an expresse history for chap. 32. the godly being much disconsolate yea Jeremiah himself for that incurabl breach in mans apprehension and grievous wound in the Common weal of Israel yet Jehovah the performer of promises doth assure them they shall return from Babel and have a policy to buy and sell to set and let c. and this promise was as sure as the order of the heavens and chap. 33. hath speeches of like comfort The godly it may be were troubled Heb. 6.8 and 10.27 28 29. as the Thessalonians 2 Thes 2.1.2 For when the Jews saw that
Babel had so ruinated them they could not chuse but have many sad thoughts of discomfort that they should never return So when the Churches saw wrath so full of fierie indignation on the Jews they thought the day of Christ was at hand The Apostle satisfied them and the Prophet Jeremiah comforts them with this speech as yet and the Prophets often reiterate these words which must be marked And in all those prophesies of their return there are many promises of Christ mixed for he is the radix of all comforts to the Church because God will send Christ to destroy Satans work and his seed and to blesse us All promises are made in him to be yea and Amen as that promise to Achaz although he despised it Esai 7. and would not put the safety of his Kingdome on such promises but would seek as his stubborn and unbelieving heart taught him help from Assur but because God had made promise yet to protect Ierusalem the City he had chosen to put his name there therefore he would protect it and because our heavenly Father would send his Son to be immanuel God with us therefore he would yet save Iudah Sion and Ierusalem Ieremiahs Prophecies are of this nature to be understood Esaias before Ieremiah had said by prophecie that although Babel had sorely afflicted the Church Isa 14 1.2 3. notwithstanding the Lord would have mercy on Iacob and would yet choose Israel and set them in their own Land the Land of Iehovah called elsewhere the Holy Land and pleasant Land and so it was to the ending of the Seventy Sevens but then any Land City and Assembly where the Gospel of Christ was and is taught believed and professed was and is as holy as that Land CHAP. XXVI That the Covenant of God in Christ made with Israel in Deuteronom is the very same that God made with Israel in Exodus and Leviticus and so to the end of the 19. chap. of Numbers in answer to them that hold the former to be only a covenant of works and the latter in Deut. to a covenant of grace because it is said in Deut. 21.9 beside the Covenant which he made with them in Horeb. Mr. Ainsworth saith it is the same Covenant but onely renewed to the children And Tremellius speaketh to the same effect we must remember that Malachi in shutting up the old Testament chargeth Israel from Christ to cleave to the Law given by Moses at Horeb Mal 4. as the onely good means to secute them from the Apostasie that would come upon them in the dayes of Antiochus Epiphanes yea it began even in the dayes of Malachi then stout words were spoken that it was in vain to serve God c. Like the apostacy of the old world Dan. 11.14.30 31 32. Job 21. 14 15. and 22.17 Mal. 3.13 14. And the angel foretold of the lawlesse crew of Daniels people that would deal corruptly concerning the holy covenant 2. It was greatly consequent to renew the covenant to the children for now all their fathers were dead of the first numbring and so it was very fit that the children should be taught the fathers holy Religion by way of covenant the better to watch over their hearts before they went over Jordan to possesse Canaan 3. Moses repeats divers passages of Christ in three former chapters of Deuteronomie as a preparation and then most pathetically exhorteth to the obedience of Christ Deut. 4. and prosecutoth the same exhortation in chap. 5. where he repeat Exod. 20. and mark the second and third verse of chap. 5. in these words The word onely must be understood as in Cor. 1.17 Deut. 6.13 10 20. and so the Rabbins of the Jews understood it vid. Mr. Ainsworth Not with our fathers onely made Jehevah this Covenant but with us This doth not onely look to them of the first numbring that died in the wildernesse but to Jacob Isaac and Abraham and so Tremellius it was verily the same covenant for substance that was made with Abraham renewed in the wildernesse and exhibited fully and plainly in Christ but in respect of times and persons it is called a divers form of covenant vid. Heb. 8. So he yea I doubt not but we may go higher even to that promise of God to our first Parents Gen. 3.15 and to Noah Gen. 6. Promise and covenant are often taken promiscuously and it is for our comfort so to understand It is much for our edification and comfort in the holy faith so rounderstand the same promise made to our first Parents concerning Christ for they had sacrifices to seal the covenant of their salvation to him the same was made with Noah Gen 6. and the same with Sâ—m whose God was God blessed for ever Abraham Isaac and Iacob and in that covenant all the visible Church were ingaged before Moses to observe it and it is called the way of Christ and his charge in his commandements statutes and Laws Gen 26.5 These were enjoyned by Christ and by most godly tradition propagated in godly families from father to child untill Christ commanded Moses to put all these Laws and histories of Genesis into writing with sundry other Laws because the Church was now grown into a large common-weal and were to dwell in a Land by themselves as Christs peculiar people I will adde one Text in Leviticus to stablish our hearts in sound Doctrine chap. 25.23 The Land shall not be sold for ever for the Land is mine for ye are strangers and sojournens with me This text shews what all the Polity of Christ by Moses aimed at even faith and love in the Son of God Christ Iesus this text hath irradiant beams over all the holy Doctrine What a worthy exercise might a godly Oratour of a congregation a Scribe taught unto the Kingdome of heaven that hath his wits exercised in the word of righteousnesse make hence to an Auditory 1. You are strangers and sojourners with me How might he amplisie this from other Scriptures 1 Chron. 29. Psal 39. and 119. Heb. 11. by the godly example of the Nobles of all ages 1 Pet. 1. and 2.11 2. From the coherence of matter in the verses preceding and following that those that confesse in heart this Doctrine of Christ that they are but strangers and sojourners in this cursed world they must not oppresse and vex one another in setting and leting in buying and selling but deal justy and mercifully one with another 3. It will afford an heavenly meditation to consider how and why the Lord should say he is a stranger and sojourner in this world surely this Text sheweth how Light Life and immortality was brought to light by the Gospel in Moses and in Leviticus 4 All Deuteronomie is the abridgement of Moses Sermons for one moneth The Apostle Heb. 9. doth dilate much on Exodus and sheweth it was a Covenant of grace in Christ Deuteronomie must be understood to be the same covenant with Exodus
to Abrahams Bosome where note that Lazarus and Eleazar Faithfull factors in far countries for their Masters need not fear to be called home so the great Lord and housholder when the servonts are called to give account of their trading by the Talents they received we know what the Lrd will say to them that can give a good account Maâ— 25. are but one name though differing in Dialect 3. That Parable of the rich man in Hades in torments and of Lazarus Soul that was carried by the Angels into Abrahams Bosome in Luke 16.19 c. Was spoken to the unbelieving Jews and Pharisees and Saâ—duces especially to such as were contemners of Abrahams faith and cared not for the dayes of the Son of Man and therefore they were not glad to see his day as their Father Abraham did and was glad but instead thereof they despised and disdained such as were godly Eleazars whose hope and help Christ is and that he will send his Angels at their death to carrie their souls into the happie part of Hades to Abrahams Bosome where note that Lazarus and Eleazar Faithfull factors in far countries for their Masters need not fear to be called home so the great Lord and housholder when the servonts are called to give account of their trading by the Talents they received we know what the Lrd will say to them that can give a good account Maâ— 25. are but one name though differing in Dialect 4. Let me yet give the godly Reader one lift more to the placing of their souls in Abrahams Bosome when they come to die Remember that the Lord God our heavenly Father The Lord God our heavenly Father hath but one Familie part of it is in the heavens and part of it in the earth and when any one of his servants have finished their factorage Phil. 3.20 their Politeuma among that part of the Familie on earth then he sends for them home to the other part of the Familie that is in heaven all the faithfull for the dayes of the old Testament are so called And so the Apostle Paul finishing his course he went to receive his Crown in the Kingdome of the Father So Peter the Apostle 1 Pet. 1 2.3 4. 2 Pet. 1. therefore let us strive for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus that when we think or speak of death or are near to the approaching to it we may be without much disturbance in mind or heart as Abraham Isaac Jacob David c. Delight in the stories of the faithfull that ye may be more transformed This made the Saints to say Why should I fear in the evil day when our iniquities shall compasse us about and trip up our heels unto death for God will redeem us from the power of the grave for he shall receive us to himself to Abrahams Bosome Psal 49. Christ the second Adam the Lord from heaven hath destroyed death and him that had the power of death he hath opened the gates of death and himself hath passed through them to deliver the children of God from the guilt and bondage of sinne and from the fear of death unto which we are subject Christ our life is our justification for he hath freed us from the sting of sinne by his precious death and Sacrifice The Law the strength of sin Gen. 2.17 and 3.19 and although the curse of the Law is the strength of sinne yet he hath fulfilled the Law for us and so became a most perfect Mediatour for us For such an high Sacrificer and Mediatour it became us to have who was holy harmlesse undefiled separate from sinners and made higher than the heavens Again death is but an harbenger to bring us to Christ it is said that death is ours it s our servant for our good Again it is said that Christ is our life and therefore death must needs be our advantage 2 Cor. 3.12 Phil. 1.21 and therefore we should not be troubled at that which is so advantagious to us we cannot live holily righteously and comfortably unlesse we live above the fear of death 1 Cor. 15 34.58 2 Cor. 5 15. to be well instructed in this point is a point of great wisdome Moses prized it at a high rate when he prayed Teach us to number our dayes that we may apply our heartes to wisdome namely to be prepared for death and Salomon doth exhort us saying Remember thy Creatour in the dayes of thy youth before the evil dayes come upon thee Ezech. 12. This wisdome is to be valued above gold and silver and the most precious Jewels of the earth but it is wonderfull how averse our hearts are by nature from the practise of this heavenly wisdome we commonly put off the thought of our death untill the Lord bring upon us bruising miseries and then we begin to think of God and Christ and of death as it is said Destruction and Death say we have heard of the fame of this wisdome with our ears and when men come to the doores of death then is this wisdome of some fame with men then they send for a godly Minister or for a godly neighbour whose person it may be they hated in the time of their health and abhorred his teaching with their godly counsels Death was a terror indeed to Aristotâ—e though a wise and great Philosopher and to all such Job doth call it the King of terrours that speech of Bildad in Job 18. doth import that God is a just God to whom all souls must ascend to have their judgement and so in 2 Cor. 5. knowing the terror of the Lord c This made that most miserable Cardinal to say that he had rather lose his part in Paradise then his part in Paris But let all the godly be still mindful that though they depart from their Families hereon earth yet they shall still continue to be of Gods family they go from brethren and sisters here to brethren and sisters there and above all remember the dying or rather the living words of the Lord Jesus the night before his death Job 13.14 15 16 and 17 chapters Oh the ineffable love and care of our blessed Mediatour for his apostles and for all his faithfull servants to the end of the world CHAP. XXXIV Some Propositions and Expostulations concerning the true nature of Christs Sufferings 1. BEloved Reader we are yet further pressed and orthodox Churches are called up as Troopers against us about the true nature of Christs sufferings we acknowledge that the very remembrance of them is reverend and doth joy us not annoy us I know we shall not fight but treat for they may perceive that we have otthodox Churches with us and as learned Leaders though perhaps not so many That is not much materiall for the book of God must lie between them and us and they and we must search the holy pages that so by them we both may be composed 2. It is to be lamented
most say is imputed to us But it is very questionable whether we ought so to teach or believe for then he is as really a sinner as we are righteous by him the reciprocation calleth for that sense but we may not so say for his righteousnesse maketh a change in our state and condition but the reciprocation calls for thoughts of derestation the ear cannot endure it 4. Hence it is that some Ministers in their Rhetoricall amplifications speaking of our sinnes imputed to Christ say that Christ was the vilest sinner that ever was that the essentiall curse and plague of God pursued Christ with Huy and Cry as a sinner and therefore they may say and it may be some have said go Huy and Cry as to attach Châ—istum illum Atheon Christum illum Dei cultus corruptorem illum hominem blasphemum illum Sabbati vinatoâ—em illum bominem parentibus â—jus non obsâ—quentem pursue with Huy Cry Christum illum homicidum illum moâ—chum soedum â—oâ—nicatorem soâ—dâ—dum mollem concabitantem masculinis illum surem raptorem latronem illum soenoratorem conterentem pervellâ—ntem illum conviâ—iatorem detractâ—rem misere perjucatum illum hominem temper aliorum proprietatum â—varum â—upientem Whose ear doth not tingle Thus some may please themselves to rowl in blasphemous Rhetorick And it should be most abominable to have such words as some have in book and Pulpit 5. To such Doctrine men have brought themselves about imputations so to impute as some teach our sinnes to Christ is to impart Mr. Anthony worton de reconcil sheweth such Doctrine is not orthodox communicate or make common to him with us our unconformity to God and his Law so that he thereby shall be unholy and unjâ—st both in habit and quality inwardly and ourwardly in action and thus it comes to passe that we making him a sinner as them of the Priesthood of Lâ—vi who offered for their own sinnes as for the peoples but the Holy of Holies Christ Jesus our high Priest at that time of offering up himself was holy harmlesse undâ—fiâ—ed separate sâ—om sinners and made higher than the heavens So his holy Priesthood was infinitely transcende it above the persons and Priesthood of Levi but some mens Doctrines woulâ— make him like them 6. This Doctrine of Huy and Cry for ought we ever yet did see must be pursued with Huy and Cry out of Schools studies books and Pulpits But let us a little further examine what this Huy and Cry tends to with its great noise When the hour of our blessed Redeemer was near at hand no Huy and Cry needed for he set his face to go to Jerusalem and said to his Disciples that he went to be delivered to the sons of men wicked sinners and that they would crucifie him Mat. 20. Luke 18. He was sent of the Father and came of purpose to give his life for his sheep and when they came to apprehend him he did not shift nor deny his name as malefactors do that are pursued with Huy and Cry but he asked with a constant mind whom seek ye They said Jesus of Nazareth then he said I am he with which speech there went such an energie that they fell in a swound to the ground and there might have lain unlesse he had given them leave to rise out of their swound Then again he asked them whom seek ye and offered himself willingly Pilate with his Romans and Jews could not have had power over him but by dispensation from above that is of Christ himself with the Father and the Holy Ghost for the Lord Jesus had said to Peter Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of Angels Mat. 26. Thus far of the idle expression of Huy and Cry of which there can be no defense The Phrases illustrations and expressions of the holy Scriptures are most seriously transcendent and so full that that we need not be so enamoured with our black pin feathered young birds SECT 2. Of the severall Curses spoken of in Deut. 21.23 and in Deut. 27.26 and in Gal. 3.13 1. THE Apostle in Gal. 3.13 doth not prosecute the eternall curse cited in verse 10. from Deut. 27.26 But he goeth to another Text for another curse namely to Deut. 21.23 which is not the eternall curse For who is able to say the seven sons and Nephews of Saul died out of the Covenant of God in Christ therefore none can say they had the essentiall and eternall Curse yet they underwent the Curse of the Law in Deut. 21.23 for the evil deeds that Sauls house had done to the Gibeonites which brought the Curse of famine on the whole Nation And so the repenting thief had the curse of God inflicted on him by the gods the Judges of the Nation according to Deuteronomy 21.23 2. If the Apostle had not expressed himself further for any other curse than Deut. 27. there had not been so much doubt but seeing he â—lledgeth Deut. 21.23 and doth not dilate on Deut. 27. As Gods essence is love so Gods essence is hatred and curse doubtlesse he would not have us to think that the Son of God our holy Mediatour underwent that eternall curse that he spake of in verse 10. He knew it was impossible the most Holy One could suffer the eternall and essentiall Curse for he was not the Holy One of God as touthing humanity onely but in respect of the personall Union of the Divine and humand nature therefore that speech of Mr. Perkins upon Gal. 3.13 must slot be entertained of the people of God Whole Christ Man God God-Man was cursed this is an evil saying although we speak it with retractation as he doth presently but his retractation and limitation will not expiate the sin of his former Doctrine 3. Was it nothing that the Son of God the Lord of glory should so humble himself as to suffer such shame from the Seed of the Serpent before the Angels of heaven and men on earth as Psal 69. speaketh Thou hast known my reproach my shame and my dishonour mine adversaries are all before thee Reproach hath broken mine heart and I am full of heavinesse and I looked for some to take pity but there was none and for comforters but I sound none Is this nothing when the Holy of all holinesse gave his body and blood a Sacrifice for sin through such great shame and Sufferings 4. What would you have us to say That our blessed Mediatour underwent the second death we dare not say so absit absit it is to be detested Will you have us to say that we may say that the Son of God was not Christ for a time when he suffered such sorrows as you intimate This also hath no analogie of faith with Divine revelation but contradicteth for it is most blasphemous Belike our Teachers have this theologie from the Philosophers Due Pless Truenesse of Christian
thy prayer came forth the word which I am come to tell thee because thou art greatly beloved therefore conceive the word and perceive the clear vision Which is seventy Sevens of years are accounted for thy people and for thy holy City to finish trespasse offerings and to end sin ofierings and to make reconciliation for iniquity and to bring righteousnesse everlasting and to seal vision and Prophet and to shew Christ the holy of holy c. Thus we see the ground-work of Mr. Bro. is a Rock as firm and stable as Mount Sion that we might build on Christ the Rock spoken by an Angel So the Angel speaking from heaven makes the begininng of the seventy Sevens to be from Daniels prayer and their ending to be at the glorious manifestation of MESIAS i.e. Christ to be the Holy ef Holy which was seen in his healthy passion and glorious Resurrection 5. Let us further consider the speech of the Angel which I noted before and think it worth the noting again who saith to Dantel Conceive the word and peâ—ceive the clear vision By this commandement doubled for more vehement charge he condemneth the world that regard not to be instructed in this Doctrine sent from heaven by an Augel unto Daniel and penned for all Nations use Wherefore We must give better heed unto that speech lest we wilfulyswerve for if the word spoken by Angels fall our sure and every trespasse received just recompence How shall we escape neglecting so great a charge of our King unto out own salvation where the vision is so clear that no doubt can be moved by any plain heart that will rest in the clearnesse of the most bright message by the Angel of glory who coming to teach all the world was to shine in words as Stephen by him did in the face when he spake the Angels words Acts 6. That Jesus of Nazaret would deftrroy the place city and Temple and change the Lawes which Moses gave To this day the blind Jews stand in this that the Laws of Moses shall continue for ever Maymon Tom. 1. de lege Perek 9. Therefore God seeing their dullnesse would have an Angel of light to teach them by this Prophecy 490 years when from the year of that Message unto Daniel the Laws of Moses should have their end And none of the Scribes when Herod was affrighted objected disagreement for the time which thing had been done if any colour of disagreement could be brought so none in all the new Testament touched disagreement in the time Mr. Bro. upon Daniel 6. Who would think to say the sveenty Sevens are a time not certain when as the holy Angel divides them into three parts seven sevens and sixty two sevens and one seven for the seven sevens he sheweth the troubles the â—â—â—dly returned from captivity should undergo before the Temple should be built and City walled and Christs should be born towards the latter part of the 62 Sevens and the last seven the last half of it our Lord would by his preaching and teaching three years and an half and by his death confirm the Covenant 7. Another weighty reason though noted other where That there was great need that Gods Israel and all the world should have know a definitive sentence from God how long Canaan and Jerusalem and Temple should have their Prerogative and how long sacrificing should be there lawfull and acceptable and when the partition-wall should be broken down and when the Gentiles should be brought into equal Covenant and this definitive and determinate time is most graciously demonstrated to us in the seventy Sevens It is not mans * Vâ— Mr. P. his Epistle prefixed Eulogia nor his Chrestologia nay rather nor his Mateologia that shall dis-anull the holy Chronologia of the holy Bible And therefore most cordially we do protest against the unworthy dealing of Mr. Sarson and Mr. P. in the premises not doubting but one of them will seriously think of his doings and be humbled though he saith he is unmoveable pa. 65 and that hence forward he will adhere and subscribe to the propriety of the word for tropes may not be sought where propriety standeth well enough and cleave to the lively Oracles of Iehovah the God of Israel And what Chronologie can be plainer then those of the holy Scriptures on which we rest and rely First on the accounts of the Fathers to the Floud Secondly the Fathers ages to the death of Terab upon whose death the promise to Abrabam was given Thirdly From that promise to the Law of the Passeover Exod. 12. Fourthly Thence to the building of the Temple 1 King 6. Fisâ—hly Thence to the burning of it which was in the nineteenth of Nebuchadâ—ezay Sixthly Thence to the ending of the Captivity in Babel Seavenshly Thence that sweet Heavenly scripture the I amp of all the Old Testament and the Abridgment of the New the Seavensy Seaveus which began from Daniâ—lls prayer and ended at the death of Christ All these Journeys of the Sun before largely shewed now breifly expressed were created to serve the Son of righteousnesse and are sure clear and certain and in their holy use have the power and strength of the Almighty But as for the Olimpiad accounts in this respect D.R. and Mr. P. c. would have us fall into the plame of 2 Tim. 4.4 we do not reston them but detest to take up their names into our lips it was the offering to a strange God to Divels to new Gods which came newly up which the holy Patriaâ—ks and Prophets and Saints of old feared not nor served What is this must we and our children regard the * fabulous toyes stories and accounts from this man that wan the Stadion this Olympiad or from that man that wan it in another or from that man that acted his part bravely as a gladiator this Olympiad or from him that acted the next Olimpiad or from this foot race and this horcerace that this man atcheived at this Olympiad or the foot race and horse-race that another man archieved at another or from the accounts of the Archontes of Athens or from the accounts of the building of Rome or from the accounts of the lying Caldeans as Daniel ever found them so to be Must I and our children hearken to these abominations and neglect the word spoken by an Angell from Heaven no surely but let all this cobweb-stuff of Doctrines of Divels be left to them to whom it belongs we are sure not to Christians this further warning I give to the people of God our Brethren For it is a shame that our godly learned Mr. Bro. in Advertis pa. 25. or any should contend to teach or to be taught by these Olym piads how to understand an * Angel of light sent by the grace of God to teach all the simple world into whose lips if grace were not poured to be unnerstood as soone as he spake Heaven would say Daniel
the Iewes repairing of Jerusalem in Chanaan and of the great businesses that will follow thereupon Some Teachers have silled the Churches full of mateologie and fond expectations CHAP. XLVII That Daniell is alleadged in the New Testament to prove the Messiah to be already come MR. P. saith in pa. 52. That in no place in the New Testament this prophecy of Dan. 9.24 25 26 27. is used against the Jewes to prove the Messiah already come Of this assertion I suppose I may and ought to say if I say no more that it is un beseening a man of God and a Minister of Messiahs Gospell so to say For 1. Stephens speaches to those that disputed with him and to the Councâ—ll sheweth that he spake the words and Doctrine of the holy Angel Act. 6. 7. and as he had the Angels words so he had his countenance This I have noted and it seems there is necessity to note it often and to say as the thing is Stephens contestation is the sum of the Angels message if Mâ—ssias shall destroy the holy Place and change the Mosaicall customs then no longer an holy Mountain then no holy City then no peculiar people then no holy Land all these depend each upon other but the Lord God doth give us further illustration For 2. Where â—ver we read the attribute Christ in the new Testament we must remember it to be the attribute of Messias from Dan. 9. there given as a proper name of the Son of God so used of his Nation in expectation of him and no place in the old Testament but Daniel useth it as a proper name the Hebrew word is in Greek letters and that in the mouth of the simplest as Andrew the fisher man and the Samaritan womans shewing that the Samaâ—itâ—ns as well as Jews knew when Christ should come into the world Job 1.4 3. Our Lord teaching to forgive as God in Christ forgave us alludeth to this Oration of the holy angel teaching Peter to forgive seventy times sevâ—n times Mat. 18. 4. The Angel Gabriel saith that Christ shal make reconciliation for un-righteousnesse The Epistle to the Hebrews goeth upon this point that the Son of God the Mâ—ssiaâ— the holy of holy by himself should purge our sinâ— should procure remission of sins and should be the reconciliation for our sins Rom. 3.1 John 1. and 2. 5. The angel saith Christ shall bring everlasting justification the Apostle saith to the Hebrews Christ by his own blood entered once into the holy place the very heavens and found eternal redemption for us 6. The angel saith Messias shall seal vision and prophecy The visions and propheciess and ceremonies all tended to our redemption by the Son of God When that was manifested young men and maids might be said to see the visions and dreams because they saw the performance of the best part of them They saw Acts 2 what the first Adam looked for Gen. 3.15 How Christ the second Adam by death overcame him that had the power of death to work freedome for them which all their life time with fear were guilty of or subject to bondage Heb. 2. â—5 They saw how the great God of Sem after the flesh perswaded the sons of Iapheth in their own language as Noes allusion Iaph and Iapheth told they saw in whom from Abraham all the families apostared Gen. 10. 11. were to look for the blessing Gen. 12. They saw the last Iubilee gave us an open recovery of our possession of the heavenly Paradise Luke 23.43 Rom. 15 8. They saw how the Lamb of God had taken away the sins of the world having a better Tabernacle than Moses made a sacrifice-hood better than Aharons a sacrifice better than oxen goats sheep and birds a covenant of greaterforce larger extent not onely to the Jew but also to the Gentile They knew what Nathan told David of the eternall Throne and what Daniel dreamed of it chap. 7. and what Gabriel told Mary Luke 1.32 This they knew clearly how all the promises of God in Christ were sealed with yea and Amen Yea the Lord Iesus Christ hath sealed and confirmed the holy doctrine of the old Testament in the holy Evangelists and his holy Apostles in their Epistles and in a wonderfull manner in his Apocalyps shewing how new enemies under old terms did strive against the doctrine of his heavenly Ierusalem and the phrases of holy speech are so couched in the Apocalyps from Moses and the prophets that no one article of new doctrine of faith is taught to the churches 7. The angel saith Messias shall suffer but not for himself so it is said he once suffered for sins the just for the unjust 1 Pet. 3â—18 8. The angel foretold that Messias should confirm the Testament for many the latter half of the last seven and the Lord Christ beareth witnesse to his message by the angel that he was now ready to do that which was foretold and he took the cup and gave thanksâ— and gave it to them saying Drink ye all of it for this is my blood of the new Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins Mat. 26.28 9. When Christ the King had suffered confirmed the covenant the angel foretelleth that afterward in the next generation so Mat. 24 34. by loth-some Infidels he would destroy the city and holy place and his own people with most bitter wars to a final judgement of utter desolations and Messias foretelling the same again as he had done by his angel that when they see Ierusalem besieged by an host and the abominable infidels standing in the holy place Let him that readeth Daniel consider the whole doctrine of the seventy Sevens Mat. 24 Mark 13. Luke 19. and 21. CHAP. XLVIII Shewing how the holy Evangelists expresse the Attributes MESSIAS or CHRIST 1. JAcob begat Joseph the husband of Mary of whom was born JESVS which is called CHRIST Mat. 1. â—6 Chap. 2. When JESVS was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the dayes of Herod the King Behold there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem saying 2. Where is HE that is born King of the Jews for we have seen His Star in the East and are come to worship him 3. When Herod the usurping King had heard these things he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him 4. And when he had gathered all the chief Priests and Scribes of the people together he demanded of them where Messias Christ should he born The Magi from Persiâ— we may suppose They asked Where is the King of the Jews But Herod the usurper he demanded of the learned of the Nation where Messias i.e. Christ should be born so this plainly looketh to Dan. 9. where the Lord Iesus is called Nagid Basâ—â—â—us Messias the King Mat. 2.1 2 3 4. 3. In the godly and ravishing society of Messias Andrew Simon Philip and Nathanael What joyful heavenly conference have they about Dan 7. and 9. and Gen.
28 saith Andrew to his brother Simon We have found that Messias which is by intepretation the Christ and Philiâ—i finds Nathanael and said unto him we have found him of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets did write All the Prophets did write of Christ but none named him Messias the attribute of a proper name but Daniel from the Angels message and the same Angel was sent to Mary to name him Jesus so both those names were given to the SON of GOD not by man but from heaven so in their blessed and heavenly society these speeches were uttered and confessed Christ to be the Son of God to be the Son of man to be the King of Israel and the Messias the Holy of Holinesse and the Ladder of all comfort 4. And Martha's conference with our Lord is most comfortable and full of faith shewing what they all expected and believed I believe thou art the Christ the Son of God that should come into the world to be our life and Resurrection John 5. 5. Pilates speech to the Jews is of great force What shall I do then with JESVS which is called MESSIAS Christ They all said Let him be câ—ucified This looks to Dan. 9. Psal 22. where it is said Messias shalâ— suffer Mat. 27. 6. The questions that were in agitation among the Jews at this time will brighten this matter the signes of the times as our Lord speaketh gave them occasion of moving many questions when John Elies came teaching and baptizing the Jews sent Priests and Levites to ask him Who art thou and he confâ—ssed and denied not and plainly confessed I am not the Messias the Christ Yea the Jews did so expect the Messias that all men mused that John was the Messias they were hardly driven off from the conceit they were to taken with him Luke 3.15 Iohn 1. Therefore this is a strong argument that Dan. 9.24 c. must of absolute necessity be believed to be a proper speech and definitive for the time MESSIAS coming to satisfie the consciences of the faithfull And for that also our Lord foretold of false Christs that would arise as immediately they did and deceived many as our Lord said unto them I am come in my Fathers name and ye receive me not if another shall come in his own name him ye will receive John 5. Therefore he said Search the Scriptures c. and very likely Mr. P. if he had then lived would have been a deceiver and deceived and a false Prophet or a false Christ if he had not believed Daniels Prophesie to be a most clear exact and definitive time from Daniels prayer to the death of MESSIAS So Iohn-Elias sent his disciples to Christ to stablish them in that which he their Master had acknowledged When Iohn being in prison heard of the works of Messias i. e. Christ he sent two of his disciples and said unto him Art thou he that should come or shall we look for another The times did call for all these questions being but a little before the ending of the seventy sevens 7. The adjuration of the Priest to the Lord is very considerable Mr. P. If he had been of the Councel he xitld have objected to him that the seventy sevens were ended long before he was bâ—â—n The high Priest and the whole Synedrion could not nor did challenge the Lord for the time of 70. sevens so where no doubt or question was â—â—va answer needed but the high Priest and most of the Jews thought him too base for such a Messias as they expected and so adjured him to answer to this I adjure thee by the living God to tell us if thou be the Messias the son of the blessed God and Christ answered affirmatively 8. Many weighty arguments depend on these things of Dan. 9.24 as 1 Iohn 4. Every spirit which confesseth Iesus to be the Messias the Holy of Holy is come in the flesh to be a son of man Dan. 7. is of God and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus to be the Messias the Christ is come in the flesh to be a son of man is not of God 1 Iohn 5.1 whosoever believeth that Iesus is the Messias is born of God not simply or barely a confession of the attribute Messias i. e. Christ but a right apprehension of his person and offices Rom 10. his person that he is the son of man Dan. 7. and the holy of holy as touching the spirit of holinesse that raised him from the dead God dwelt in the Messias who is God blessed for ever nor onely to confesse this of his person a Locust from the bottomlesse pit as Satan will chirp out this but to confesse Iesus to be Messias experimentally in our minds and hearts in his offices as he is Prophet Priest and King All the three Offices of Christ as he is Prophet Priest and King are in Dan. 9.24 c. to be Messias Nagid Christ the King that all power is his by donation from the Father to command and rule the Church to restrain apostasie and all adverse power and that he suffered not for himself but for us who by his precious death hath abolished our sinnes and wrought reconciliation for iniquity and hath brought everlasting justification by his once offering up of himself and that he hath sealed vision and Prophesie that we need not expect new revelations that he made himself manifest to be the holy One of God by his Resurrection Ascension and sitting at the right hand of the Power in the higstest heavens and from thence sent gifts to furnish his Church with Offices and officers to teach and gather the elect out of the world to open their eyes to turn them from darknesse to light from the power of Satan to God that they might receive forgivenesse of sinnes and inheritancce among them which are sanctified by the faith which is in him Christ hath confirmed in his Testament all this holy doctrine for the many Jew and Gentile and the Jews for despising the blood of the Covenant have felt to this day the heavy burthen of their own imprecation Matth. 27 25. as their Fathers Num. 14.2 c. All this the holy Apostle Iohn meant and much more unutterable that the Lord Jesus Messias became such a person to be such a mediatour and that testimonie in due time according to the prophesie 1 Tim. 2.6 And the spirit is peremptory and saith whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in this doctrine of Messias which is called Christ hath not God he that continueth in this doctrine of Christ he hath the Father and the Son 2 Iohn 9. 9 It will not be uselesse altogether to observe what Taciâ—us Suctonius Iosephus speak that in all the Romane Empire it was divulged in Augustus caesars dayes that a King should arise in Iudea that should rule all the world This is evident by the Persique Magi. They having discerned an unusall Comet in the air which did
argue to them the birth of some noble and famous light even that Star of Iacob that should * Num. 24 â—id wonderfully expounded in 2 Cor. 10 4.5 unwall all the sons of Seth that was now come into the world and whither shotld they direct their journey and steer their course but thither the star guided them and that was to Iudea It should seem by the good hand of God that Daniel * As the Apostâ—e Paul did in Caesars Court Phil. 1.13 and 4.22 celebrating the cause of Christ by the angels seventy sevens at the City Susan where was the Royall Palace of the Kings of Persia Let these godl Authors be consulted with about those things Mr. Rollock Du Plessis Beroald Mr. Bro. Mr. wolphius and many others there were some that did expect continually the compleating of the seventy Sevens of which this celebrious Comet appearing gave them an undoubted hint For we are not to doubt but the seventy Sevens was a glorious Prophesie to lighten all the East And the Evangelist Luke ch 3.1 2 3. doth shew that he bringing in the Emperours annals into the Churches stories and John Elias Ministery to settle the stories of the times do make a sweet concent of all these things But to make things yet more plain it is said Luke 19. That the Nation of the Jews did expect * This scripture was spoken but few daies before our Lords death and resurrection the Kingdome of heaven should immediately appear according to the Prophesies of Dan. 2. and 7. and 9. no Prophesy shewed the time as Daniel and all falls our fit'ly according to the worlds expectation especially the Church of God 1. Mr. P. objecteth in page 52. If the restauration of the city Dan. 9.25 is of the materiall Jerusalem after Nebuchadnezzars captivity it must begin the first of Cyrus from which time seventy weeks of years will fully expire long before the birth of Christ Answ It is most true the seventy Sevens do begin at Cyrus first year of the reign of his monarchy In this Mr. P. saith true but to say they end long before the birth of Christ is a most manifest untruth for it is said they end at his confirmation of the Testament for the Many by his sufferings and death in the last Seven He must be born the Son of man before he could suffer death to redeem the sons of men I will stir no more in this for it is too too bad and that which hath been said will I hope make this assertion to vanish I am perswaded all the godly Churches in christendome hold MES-SIAS Yea Papists vide Cornelius a Lapide he hath many excellent passages on Dan. 9. but yet none but what the learned and godly reformed have and had yea more compleatly before him in Gabriels message to be the Son of God our Redeemer Scotland Heydelberg Geneva so doth and our dear native countrey by divers learned Expositers and in our Bible notes I think above eighty years since it is said In this last week of the seventy shall Christ come and preach and suffer death And a little after speaking of Christ confirming the covenant the note saith by preaching of the Gospel he confirmed his promise first to the Jews and after to the Gentiles And that Christ by his death and resurrection caused sacrifice and oblation to cease Are not we to mourn and lament that our ministers should thus deal to take us off from holding to the Messias the Rock of salvation as it was taught to Daniel by the holy Angel from heaven The Angel spake matter of salvation plain and fortified by Scripture and it is fortified also by learned Expositions recoived in all Orthodox churches but by Mr. P. is added much impertinent and false matter I will briefly recapitulate some things and let the people of God study the holy Scriptures and judge 1. The angel continueth the holy chronicle to the death of Christ Vide Mr. Bro. Advertis pag. Mr. P. breaketh it off altogether concerning that 2. The Angel nameth the Redeemer of the world Messias Mr. P. doth utterly deny that and will have Zisca the Bohemian to be his Messias 3. The Angell saith Messias shall confirm the convenant for many that is for the elect of all Nations both Jews and Gentiles Mr. P. telleth us of a covenant that Antichrist shall make with his antichristians and their favourites page 62. and 63. 4. The Angel prescribed for our Lord his preaching three years and an half and that is the compasse of the Evangelist Marks Gospel and of the Evangelist Iohn as it hath been noted by old and later writers by four Paschata's that is by four Passeovers which he kept after his Baptisme to his last Supper which proveth that publick administration of his office to be three years and an half or the half seven See Dr. Lightfoots harmony All this Mr. P. disgraceth 5. The Angel taught how long Ierusalem should be an holy City for use of sacrifice and how long Israel onely should be Cods holy people and peculiar treasure namely from the time of Daniels prayer seventy Sevens were exactly accounted for his people and the holy City But Mr. P. taketh from the Church which God hath gathered from the Gentiles these meditations c. c 6. Some ancient principall Rabbines confesse that by Messias Christ the Redemer is meant Mr. Bro. on Dani. Christians that dare put forth books to deny this against the honour of Christian name should think that here they do not well and Christians should loath such Treatises even as the godly converted did their books at Ephesus and account them and make them anathema as the Prophesies of Achab and Zedekias Much more might be said of Mr. P. Expositions of Dan 9. and of all his book It is said by the great Rabâ—oni the Lord Christ We be to the world because of offences and Mr. P. must yea he will lay it to heart yea it is marvell that the godly Teachers of new England did not question him for it in some of their Synods they have not convented a Synod for a greater matter than the agitation which that Book called for and I hope some godly and more learned men will consider of that book especially about Dan. 9. and by the fire of sound judgement consume it as hay stubble and rotten wood and Gods day shall declare it that that work is worthy of no better an end 1 Col. 3. CHAP. XLIX A Conclusion of the point of Chronologie 1. IT hath been observed that the holy Spirit of endlesse wisdome and foresight hath perfectly made up the holy Chronologie of the old Testament and that the seventy Sevens doth that by ending the Chain of Jubilees and all the ceremonies in the death of Messias 2. The first coming of Christ was most needfull to be known for the assured comfort of Jew and Gentile Little did Mr. P. consider the
c. The times following were also times of violence and fraud in Pope and Turk Popish superstition still increasing exceedingly till by the two Witnesses it was resisted by Waldenses Wickliff Hus Jerom of Prague and Luther c. and Mahometisme greatly prevailed to the removing of the Candlesticks of the Churches of Asia as it was threatned against them Apoc. 2. 3. and evills in the Churches of the East prevailed by the strength deceit and falschood of the Papacy till that the Turk possessed Constantines Empire and City The Kingdome of Christ our Lord and Saviour under the new Testament was first impugned in the time of the Caesars and in the growing on of the mystery of iniquity Then this Propheticall Office and at last his Priestly Office was striven against which was almost desperately corrupted in the height of the mystery of iniquity in the tenth Century This last was first contested against by Waldenses Wickliffe and Luther c. Then his Propheticall Office was upheld by the faithfull in cleaving to the Divine Oracles of the holy Scriptures and at this day this is the greatest contestation And his Kingly Office hath been but in few places executed for Christian States do not consider as they should the benefits thereof that will redound unto them by true Ecclesiasticall Discipline and much opposition there hath been and is about it But as Christian Governours and Teachers have embraced the two former they will also the other rejoycing to defend onâ—ly Christs Ordinances and hate to maintain any thing of the Beasts marks that they may make good that Scripture of the Apostle of us Gentiles 1 Tim 6.13 I give thee charge in the sight of God who quickneth all things and before Christ Jesus who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good profession 14. That thou keep this Commandement without spot unrebukable untill the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ 15. which in his times he shall shew who is the blessed and only POTENTATE the King of Kings and Lord of Lords 16. Who onely hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see to whom be honor and power everlasting Amen CHAP. LII Of the Attributes or Titles of God Essentially considered AELohim Almighties or Almighty Powers but in Greek the Apostles do alwaies render it singularly Theos God Aelohah Omnipotent or Almighty Job 12.4 Ael Puissant or mighty Gen. 14 18. Jehovah Being of himself and giving being to all things Elion The most High Elionin A Plurall Shaddai Almighty or All-sufficient Gen. 17.1 Adonai My Staies my Pillars Gen. 15.2 Job 28.28 Ehieth I am or I will be Ex. 3.14 Jah In notation much like Jehovah Yzur The Rock the seventy translate it Theos and sometimes Ctistes Goel Redeemer Ghosai Plurall sig my Makers Job 35.10 Abba Father The Power Matth. 26.64 The Feare Gen. 31.57 Psal 76.12 Name Theos God Curios Lord. Creator Master Mal. 1.6 Eph. 6. Eternall God Gen. 21.33 Sabbaoth When he warreth against the wicked he is called Jehovah Sabbaoth the Lord of Hosts or when he performeth great intendments for his Church From these Attributes sundry Vses may be gathered 1. From the Attribute or Title Aeloim 1. Aelohim is a form plurall to teach the mystery of the Trinity which is most necessary to be well marked or else that form were dangerous I say it were dangerous if necessity did not require us to be thereby taught the knowledge of the Divine persons 2. But sometimes it is joyned with a word singular as in Gen. 1.1 Aelohim He created because there is but one Godhead but the plurall form of speaking when it is joyned with a word singular doth necessarily call upon us to know the mystery of the Trinity in the unity of the Godhead 3. This plurall Attribute Aelohim though it be commonly joyned with a word singular for the reason aforesaid yet it is sometimes also joyned with a word plurall as Aelohim He went 1 Chron. 17.21 and so Aelohim They went 2 Sam. 7.23 and so in Jos 24.23 He is holy Gods and in Jer. 10 10. He is living Gods but in Gen. 20.13 it is also joyned with a word plurall They Gods caused me to wonder and in Gen. 35.7 They Gods were revealed to him The Wisdome of God thought these Expressions to be necessary for our instruction in the mystery of the Trinity and in the Unity of the Godhead or else it had been dangerous for Idolatry so to declare himselfe to us 2. Hence we may learn that though sometimes words of the plurall Number be joyned with the plurall Attribute Aelohim yet God did no way intend thereby to teach to worship a plurality of Gods as the ignorant and negligent in the Scriptures are ready to understand it because he hath taken good order to cleer it from that errtour by other Scriptures especially to such as are diligent in the study of the blessed Scriptures he hath cleered his Attribute Aelohim from being taken for many Gods because he hath often put this Attribute into the form singular as by Eloah in Job 12.4 and sometimes by a shorter form El The Mighty in Gen. 14.18 And secondly by joyning it often to a word singular and thirdly by limiting this plurall Attribute Aelohim onely to three persons or Existences in the unity of the Godhead as in Psal 33. 6. By the word of Jehovah the Heavens were made and all the Hosts of them by the spirit of his mouth And saith Ains in Gen. 1.1 The ancient Hebrew Doctors have left Records of this mystery Though at this day that Nation doth not understand it Come and see saith Rab. Ben Iochai The mystery of the word Aelohim There are three degrees and every degree by it selfe alone that is distinct And yet notwithstanding saith he They are all One and are not divided one from another And saith Ains in Numb 15.25 Rabbi Menâ—â—hem on these two Phrases Vnto the Lord and Before the Lord saith from their former ancient Rabbins This it meant of him and his Judgment Hale and no Judgment Hale had lesse then three by which it appeareth that the mystery of the Trinity in the Godhead was formerly believed by the Jewes though now they do oppose the same And the Lord Duplessie in his Truenesse of Religion page 74.75.76.78 doth prove that the ancient Hebrew Doctors held the Trinity But blessed be God our New Testament doth tell us most cleerly 1. That the Father is the Creator Eph. 3.9 2. That the Son is the Creator Eph. 1.8.10 Col. 1 16. 3. That the holy Spirit is the Creator Gen. 1.2 Psal 33.6 Psal 104. 30. And hence it is that Salomon would have young men to make it their care to Remember their Creator in the daies of their health Eccles 12.1 4. Hence we may learn that God is Almighty for the protection of those that feare him and that trust in his gracious promises and he is Almighty to ruinate his Churches
Popes rising to his Antichristian Hierarchy is first described compare with the seven Phials in chapter 16. under which the Antichristian Hierarchy doth fall is consumed by degrees p 261 Vnlearned Schollers that affected Superiority in the severall Centuries after Constantines time turned all to ambition and heresie and polititians to prophanesse p 262 There shall be persecution from the seed of the Serpent in one place or other as long as the Church remaineth in this world notwithstanding all that is alledged for Christs glorious personal reign here on earth p 266 None of the Phials is poured on the Turks Tyranicall Kingdome p 267 Chap. 19. The dead bones in Ezek 47. must not be understood of the Jewes câ—ling after our Times But onely of their return from Babel p 2â—7 The calling of the Jewes yet to come shall be in all places of their dispersion â—269 The Jewes do hope for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and do pray daily for their return to Canaan and many Christians do Judaize with them in teaching their return thither and to be a glorious Church there again p 269 Chap. 20. Of the two sticks in Ezek. 37. in confutation of them that say It is not yet fulfilled that Ephraim was joyâ—ed to Judah in the return from Babylon p 271 178 Also some observations on Zach. 2. Zach 8. Zach 9 10 11. chapters p 271 Chap 21. Of the Jewes calling that Zach 12 13 14. chapters cannot be applied to the Jewes calling yet to come as many Ministers dâ— too unadvisedly teach p 284 Chap 22. Expounding Zach 12.10 11 12 13 14. verses The subservient Typicall Covenants of works after some time was made such an Idol of Justification by the Jewes that it made them despise Messias the King and his justification p 288 Chap 23. Expounding Zach 12.19 11 12 13 14. with Zach 14.10.11 c. p 291 Chap 24. Gog and Magog in Ezek 38. Ezek 29. must be taken properly but God and Magog in Apoc. 20. must be taken in a mysticall sense p 294 179 Corporation-speeches must be marked for the right accommodation of the true sense of the blessed Scriptures p 298 Chap. 25. Some Observations on Jeremiâ—h 30 31 32 33 chapters p 299 Chap. 26. That the Covenant of grace made with Israel in Dan. 29. is the same that God made with Israel in Exod 20 and the one is no more a Covenant of works than the other p 301 Chap. 27. Short Collections out of Genesis Job and some part of Exodus shewing that the Gospel was taught among the faithfull before Moses wrote the same 304 alias misprinted 296 The Sabbath was a sign of Sanctification to them by the death of Christ p 304 alias 297 296 In Moses and the Prophets holy Convocations are called the presence of God p 298 alias 305 p 36 Chap. 28. Of Divine Tradition p 302 From the Creation till Israels coming from Egypt or from the promise of Christ in Gen. 3.15 till the Passeover in Egypt is 2513 years in which space of time the Church had not the written word but was taught by Tradition Chap. 29. Being an answer to them that say that the polity of Christ given to Moses was not a Covenant of grace p 306 Chap. 30. Shewing that Israel under Moses Law were under a covenant of grace p 313 Finis operis intends all that live under the visible Church as once all the world had a being under the Church in Adams dayes and under Sem none are excluded from being under the Covenant of grace to outward apprehension though finis operantis is for the elect as Moses speech shews in Deuth 29.29 p. 314 Divers brief Arguments to prove the Jews under Moses Law were under a covenant of grace p. 315 Chap. 31. A Prosopopeia of Solomons fall by granting liberty of conscience to his idolatrous Wives p. 316 Chap. 32. Brief Considerations about Sheol Gehenna and especially about Hades as it relates to the Article of the Creed he descended into hell p 328 Chap. 33. Of the phrase of Abrahams Bosome p 335 Faithful Factors need not fear to be called home from forreign parts so when the good servants were called to give an account for their trading by the Talents they feared not p 336 Comforts to the godly against the fear of death p 336 337 Chap. 34. Some propositions and expostulations concerning the true nature of Christs sufferings p 338 Job doth tell us that it is not good to defend Gods cause with an Error pretending Religion p 339 The second Adam had power over his affections more then ever the first Adam had in his Innocency for he had power to trouble himself with grief and sorrow which Adam in innocency had not p 340 Christ in his sufferings was not under Gods vindicative wrath for one minute of an hour p 840 341 The assertion That our Lord suffered Hell torments in this life in his soul or in his body appeareth not true by any Scripture p 341 In Heb 9 14 15. Christ offered himself by his eternall Spirit c. That by means of death for Redemption c. This death cannot be expounded of the second death because it is compared with the bodily death of such as do thereby confirm their Testaments p 341 A just reproof of them that affirm That Christ in his sufferings did combate hand to hand with his angry Father p 343 Chap 35. Observations upon that distinction which some make between a locall and a poenall Hell which Poenall Hell some say Christ suffered p. 345 Some say Christ suffered a poenall Hell out of a locall Hell they say Locall Hell is but a circumstance they may as well say That the glorious place of heaven is but a circumstance and so in this sense all created things in respect of God are but circumstances p 345 Our old English Saxon word Hell doth not answer to Hades but to Gehenna Hell which our Ecclesiasticks must cleer p 346 Christ underwent a poenall Hades in this world but not a poenall Gehenna p 346 Chap 36. Observations on the second death which some say Christ suffered p 347 When Christ was in his sad Agony in the Garden there was an Angel from heaven to strengthen him which doth evidence that he was not then under the second death for if he had then it had been impossible for an Angel or for all the Angels in heaven to strengthen him p 348 If Christ had suffered the second death which is indeed the Effect of the Essentiall wrath of God he could not have said My God my my God why dost thou leave me And Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit c. p 348 When did our Lord suffer the second death was it before his bodily death We know by divine Revelation that the second death is after the first or else if we by our wit and learning will affirm the contrary we shall destroy Gods order p 348 The Doctrine
that the Article of our Lords going to the joyes of God taught in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 should be taught people of suffering hell-torments that when we should be taught to understand Hades of heaven we have been instructed to understand it of hell but we hope it will be so no more to put darknesse for light and evil for good 3. But now of latter times some learned seeing the native meaning of the greek in the Article will neither justifie the translation nor the exposition that is made upon it and yet still they do labour to make the matter good about hell-torments and therefore they have endevoured by the Scriptures to fortifie that opinion which how orthodoxly they have done it is hoped men may have leave to examine which if it be denied then we shall transfer the infallibility of the Pontifician chair justly decried to them whom we know will not arrogate any such thing 4. Are Orthodox Churches so infallible in all things may not godly learned men utter unsound Doctrines and much miscarry in matters of sound judgement and application It is possible they may There were in times past three godly Divines none like them now on the earth yet they did not speak of God right things although they thought they spake in the behalf of God I will transcribe what is spoken of them 5. Hear now my reasoning and hearken to the pleading of my lips will you speak wickedly for God and talk deceitfully for him will ye accept his person will ye contend for God Is it good he should search you out Job will tell us that it is not good to defend Gods cause with an error pretending Religion or as one mocketh another do you so mock with him He will surely reprove you if you do secretly respect persons Shall not his excellency make you afraid and his dâ—ead fall upon you Your remembrances are like to ashes and your bodies to bodies of clay Hold your peace c. Job 1â— 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. They were holy men and spoke most excellently and we see by this that though they exalted Gods holy justice in their applications yet they spake not righteously as Christ testifieth for the comfort of his servants Job in chap. 42. Thus Job spake to his three friends and we hope we speak to friends and we doubt not but they will remember that we ought not to have the faith our glorious Lord Jesus Christ in respect of persons 6. And we hope our learned will say as Elihu What shall we say to him for we cannot order our speech by reason of darknesse Job 37. and they will acknowledge they know in part and prophesie in part and we hope they wil not be angry if we judge of what they say the Apostle would not be angry but said Judge ye what I say 1 Cor. 10. and we hope they will not deny but that they may know we will not say be instructed in the way of Christ more perfectly 7. May not godly Ministers now speak things not fitting about the sufferings of our Lord and Saviour as if any shall say that he sufferred the second death els we should have suffered it if any shall say he suffered Hell torments for the same reason If any shall say that the Son of God was not Christ for a time when he underwent the wrath of God Also if any shall say that in his agonie in the garden or upon the Crosse he did enter the lists to fight the great combate hand to hand with his angry Father c. c Are these speeches if any shall so say the Dialect of the holy Spirit in his holy Scriptures which he hath conveyed unto us by his infinite good and gracious providence Again if some good men shall have these passages that it was not the violence of his crucifying that cut off his life but the wrath and curse of God swallowed up his spirit and made his heart fail him and that his soul left the body in that agonie Thus if any shall say then one may inter that he felt not the love of God his Father before he yielded the Spirit but died in a cloud but we are taught of God Gen. 3.15 Psal 22 the cicle of ii that when the Seed of the Serpent was so busie in breaking the foot soal piercing the hands and feet of the * morning Star that he with an holy peaceable and quiet spirit as a sheep dumb before the shearer committed the cause to him that judgeth righteously and prayed Father forgive them for thy know not what they do And it is said in Psal 16. that he did alwayes behold the Lord his heavenly Father before him and that he was still at his right hand that he could not be so moved or disturbed in soul as some talk The world was made to shew principalities and powers and thrones and dominions the contrary that he would rule all his souls affections in an holy and glorious manner and by that Justice make a new world and that he the second Adam had power over his affections more than ever the first Adam he had power to trouble himself with grief and sorrow and to be affected with grief and sufferings from others and to rejoyce as he saw occasion he could rule his affections as he did the waves of the sea so far to go and no further such an holy Majesty appeared in all his Sufferings at all times but especially in his agonie in the garden and sufferings on the Crosse In all which he carried himself beyond the comprehension of men and angels And this doth more appear if we consider the sweet heavenly and calm conference he had with the repenting thief on the Crosse He that bade us possesse our souls in patience that so in all afflictions we might enjoy our selves he much more did enjoy himself by his patience and obedience and as David in type saith I waited patiently for the Lord and he enclined his ear unto me and saved him from the pit of tumultuous as flictions So the Lord Jesus was from the fear of death Heb. 6 5.7 Again he loved his enemies and did good to them that hated him and prayed for them and bade us so to do and to overcome evil with goodnesse thus the LORD ruled his affections and gives us grace for grace so to do as Stephen c. And in that agonie in the garden there was an angel from heaven strengthening and comforting the humanity so that he was neither forsaken as some understand forsaken of the Father nor of the holy Angels and if God had forsaken him what Angel durst come to comfort him That we may better understand the term forsaken The rich man we know was forsaken of God for he was in torments under the second death and therefore he might not have so much as a drop of water to cool his luxurious palate much lesse might he have an holy Angel