Pardon when God absolves a poor Sinner he not only forgives but also forgets their Sins and Iniquities he remembers no more 3. Because it is a Freedom from the Guilt of it 4. Because it is a Freedom from the Power and Dominion of it 5. It is a Freedom from the Punishment of it Rom. 6.14 Rom. 8.1 1 John 5.24 6. Because 't is a purchased Freedom it was obtained by a great Sum viz. the Sum of God's great Love and Grace with the Sum of Christ's Blood Remission is through Christ's Atonement 7. Because it is a sealed Freedom it is made over to the Soul by the King 's own Seal the Spirit of God Eph. 1.13 14. that great Seal of Heaven 8. Because it is a lasting Freedom the Sins of Believers are forgiven for ever they shall never be laid to their Charge The second Privilege of this City is Gospel-Fellowship free Access to the Lord's Table and Communion with the Saints Eph. 2.6 They are made to sit down together in heavenly Places in Christ Jesus The third Privilege is Right to the Ministry they may all lay claim to the Ministers and Ministry of the Word Whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas all are yours 1 Cor. 3.27 28. They and all their Gifts and gracious Endowments are the Saints The fourth Privilege is their undoubted Right to the City-Stock or the Churches Patrimony 1. The Stock of Prayers sincere Souls have a Right to all the Prayers of the Church 2. To that Store and spiritual Provision viz. the Bread of Life Psal 132 15. c. that is laid up in her God will bless the Provision of Zion and satisfy her Poor with Bread 3. The Stock of Promises God hath promised to bless comfort strengthen beautify build up and save Sion and consequently every Saint and Member thereof for all those and many more like Promises are directly made to every sincere Soul or Citizen of Sion The fifth Privilege is free Access to the Throne of Grace Eph. 2.18 Sixthly a Dwelling-place there This is a glorious Privilege they dwell near the King behold him in the Galleries every day they dwell in God's Courts nay in his House Blessed are they that dwell in thy House they will be still praising thee Psal 84.1 Psal 92.13 Selah They that are planted in the House of the Lord shall flourish in the Courts of our God they shall bring forth Fruit in old Age c. 1. 'T is a strong and sure Dwelling-place He shall dwell on high Isa 32.18 Isa 33.16 his Place of Defence shall be the Munition of Rocks 2. 'T is a rich and glorious Dwelling-place 3. 'T is a pleasant Dwelling-place 4. 'T is an honourable Dwelling-place 5. 'T is and shall be a peaceable Habitation Look upon Zion Isa 33.20 the City of our Solemnities Thine Eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet Habitation a Tabernacle that shall not be taken down not one of the Stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall any of the Cords thereof be broken Seventhly They have a Right and Privilege to chuse their own Officers every free Citizen hath his Voice at every Election No Minister Bishop or Deacon may be imposed upon them without their own free Consent Eighthly They have Right to all the Blessings and privileges of the River the Streams whereof make glad all the Inhabitants the Nature of whose Water you have heard Ninthly They have a Right to the City-Guard which always attends them whithersoever they go or whatsoever they do when they are about their proper Work which are the good Angels Tenthly The last Privilege I shall mention is Sonship Joh. 1.12 Gal 4.6 But to as many as received him to them gave he Power or Privilege to become the Sons of God Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your Hearts crying Abba Father XIII Some Cities have a common Stock in them out of which the poor decayed Citizens are often supplied and helped in their Distress and thereby delivered from utter Beggery XIII The Church hath a common Stock or Storehouse belonging to it called the unsearchable Riches of Christ Eph. 3 8. out of which all poor decayed Christians have their Wants supplied That Grace that is treasured up in Christ is always ready to be given forth to his poor Children and by this means they are kept from Ruin and being utterly undone My God shall supply all your Needs according to his Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus Phil. 4.19 XIV A City hath also a strict Watch appointed to keep the Gates and to see that no Accident happen in it to the hurt and detriment thereof XIV The Church or City of God hath also a strong and faithful Militia or spiritual Watch which are the holy Angels These are called Watchers Dan. 4.23 or Watchmen and in other places the Lord's Host or the Armies of Heaven who are mighty in Power one of them being able to destroy all the Churches Enemies These keep the Saints day and night they encamp about them and see that no Evil comes unto them Besides them God is said to watch over his People continually who is called the Watchman of Israel and the Saviour thereof in the Day of Trouble Psal 127.1 2. Vnless the Lord keep the City the Watchman waketh but in vain Besides Psal 127.1 See 6th head of Metaphors there are the Ministers of the Gospel who are called Watchmen XV. A great and famous City hath Towers and Battlements belonging to it not only for Ornament but also for Strength and Security from Evil. XV. The City of God is famous in respect of its Towers and Places of Security Walk about Zion Psal 48.12 13 14. and go round about her mark well her Bulwarks consider her Palaces that ye may tell it to the Generation following For this God is our God for ever and ever and he will be our Guide until Death The Name of the Lord is a Strong-Tower c. Everyone of the blessed Attributes of God are as so many Towers of Safety to his Church See Strong-Tower in the First Head of Metaphors XVI In a City notwithstanding the many noble and honourable Personages or worthy Patrons that dwell therein yet there are some ill and unworthy Members that get a being there which tends much to its Blemish and Reproach XVI So the City of God notwithstanding all the holy and eminent Saints and Servants of God who dwell therein yet hath in it some wicked and ungodly Ones who by Craft and Hypocrisy get a being there tho when known they are turned out as the incestuous Person Hymeneus and Alexander was 1 Cor. 5. 1 Tim. 1.20 Jud. 4. For there are certain Men crept in unawares who were before of old ordained to this Condemnation ungodly Men turning the Grace of God into Lasciviousness and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ These
Scarcity better than weak or poor Christians will only God hath for their Comfort and Encouragement promised to supply their Wants Phil. 4.19 and will if sincere also relieve them Psal 84.11 that they shall not faint or perish in the Years of Famine XIX Some Cities tho rich yet are in a comparative sence but small but little Cities XIX The City of God in comparison of great Babylon is but a small City notwithstanding all her Glory Grandure Luke 12.32 Eccles 9.14 Rev. 17.18 and Greatness as you have heard she is but little There was a little City and few Men in it This City is the Church of God c. Babylon is a great City In comparison of the Wicked Christ's Flock is but a handful of People as it were XX. A City tho very strong yet is sometimes besieged and hath many Enemies XX. The City of God this little City is besieged Isa 1.8 The Daughter of Zion is left as a Cottage in a Vineyard as a Lodge in a Garden of Cucumers as a besieged City And marvellous it is so small a City should hold out so bravely unto this Day especially considering what mighty Enemies have and do besiege her Object But here it may be objected Hath it not been overcome is it not said The Holy City was trodden under foot Rev. 11.2 Answ It is only the outward Court God hath had his Church in all Ages tho forced for a time to flie into the Wilderness from the Face of the Dragon Rev. 12 6. Quest By whom is this City besieged Answ 1. By the Devil called a great King and the King of the Bottomless Pit Eccles 9.14 Rev. 12. 2. By Antichrist the First-born of Satan He hath for above twelve hundred Years laid Siege against it using all manner of Engines Craft and Cruelty to batter her down and finally to destroy her 3. She is besieged by the World by wicked Men Men of earthly and carnal Principles who abhor Zion and say Let her be defiled raze her Psal 137.7 even to the Foundation thereof 4. She is besieged by Sin and the Flesh a secret Enemy who fain in a clandestine way would betray her this Enemy doth her the most Mischief 5. She is besieged by a Multitude of false Teachers 2 Pet. 2.1 2. these likewise have done great Hurt and Dammage to the Church of God who labour by evil Doctrine to poyson all her Inhabitants 6. And besides all this there have been sad Divisions within her also she has been as a City divided and yet she stands 7. There have been sad Breaches made in her Walls so that many have been let in that way who should have been kept out 8. Many that seemed to be for her have deserted her and joined with the Enemy and yet still she holds out 9. And which is worst of all few of those who have been in the City have bravely acquitted themselves by Zeal and Holiness to defend her and yet she holds out still Quest From whence is it that she is helped to bear up against all these sore and grievous Assaults Batteries and Calamities Answ 1. This City as you have heard is built upon a Rock it has a sure Foundation which cannot be removed Mat. 16.18 2. The Lord of Hosts hath fought for her 't is he that hath been on her side he hath defended Mount Zion and the Hill thereof he hath took part with her Psal 125.2 Isa 31.4 5 and doth at this day 3. She holds out because God hath decreed her Standing Zech. 12.8 9. and that her Enemies shall not prevail 4. She is defended because she is the Place which the Lord loveth Psal 74 2. and hath purchased with the Blood of his own dear Son 5. Because it is the Place where God's Honour dwells Psal 26.8 I have loved the Habitation of thy House the Place where thy Honour dwells 6. Again she still remains because she is tho a little City yet a strong City We have a strong City She hath strong Fortifications strong Walls and Bulwarks Isa 26.1 Psal 31.21 135.21 Zech. 2.5 7. 'T is because God's own Habitation as you have heard is in her God is a Wall of Fire round about her and the Glory in the midst of her 8. She is defended by reason of the Strong-Tower she hath in her so long as her Tower stands how can she be battered down And her Tower is impregnable The Enemy may sooner pull the Sun out of the Firmament than undermine or batter down deface or demolish the Tower of Zion which is the Name of the Lord. Prov. 18.10 See Strong-Tower 9. She is defended because in her are the Laws Statutes Ordinances Isa 2.3 and holy Institutions of her King the Lord Jesus where he is worshipped and adored in Spirit and Truth Inferences HEnce all that dwell in Zion may be provoked to a diligent Improvement of their great Privileges to the end they may be enriched with all those spiritual Riches and dignified with that Honour that appertaineth to a true Denizen thereof 2. Take Comfort and Encouragement also whatever the Attempts of the Enemies are yet about all her Glory shall be a Defence All those whose Feet stand within her Gates may read Honour Safety Isa 4.5 and Salvation as it were written upon her Walls 3. Let it be your Delight to prefer her above your chiefest Joy as she is called the holy City so be ye also holy Psal 137.6 that you may declare your selves unto what City it is you do belong 4. How may this call home all those that are gone astray and invite all that profess good Will unto Sion to let their Feet stand within her Gates for the Lord hath desired it for his Habitation Holy David made this his one thing desirable Psal 27.4 viz. to dwell in God's House to be a Denizen of this City and why should not you 5. Let it be a Warning to all Sion's Enemies to take heed how they lift up their hands against her or reproach God and them that dwell in Heaven let them lay down their Arms and fight against her no more The Lord shall roar also out of Zion Joel 3.16 and utter his Voice from Jerusalem and the Heavens and Earth shall shake But the Lord will be the Hope of his People and the Strength of the Children of Israel So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion my holy Mountain c. The Church compared to the Moon Cant. 6.10 She is fair as the Moon THe Moon is called in Hebrew Lebanah of her Whiteness and bright Shining The State of the Church all Expositors agree is signified hereby The Church may in many respects be compared to the Moon Simile Parallel NAturalists affirm the Moon receiveth her Light from the Sun THe Church hath all her Light from Christ the Sun of Righteousness
in Christ Jesus shall suffer Persecution Through much Tribulation we must enter into the Kingdom of God Hypocrites in a Day of common Danger and Persecution are in the like Circumstances with those who truly fear God Satan that Arch-Pirate and his Emissaries will favour them no more than others until they renounce their Religion c. IX When a Ship is in a Storm all the Mariners have their Hands and Hearts full they are at their Wit 's end every one takes hold of a Rope and endeavours to the utmost to save and secure the Ship if possible from sinking IX Isa 64.17 So in an Hour of Trouble and Persecution every Christian should do his best to secure and save the Church of God from sinking or from being cast away or lost Every one should have their Hearts up to God and their Hands to work wisely for her and their own Safety X. Merchant Ships greatly enrich those Places Cities and Kingdoms to whom they belong bringing to them rare and excellent Merchandizes which are offered to Sale or to be exchanged to Traders X. So the Church of God by daily Trading to Heaven greatly enricheth poor Sinners What she receiveth from Christ her Merchants or Ministers offer to Sale Prov. 23.23 to the Nation or Nations where she lives Truth Peace Pardon the the Pearl of great Price and other excellent Merchandize she furnisheth the World with XI A Ship 's great Safety consists in her being well built having a good Bottom a skilful Pilot and sure Anchors c. XI So the Churches Safety consisteth in her being truly constituted Heb. 6.1 2 according to the Apostolical Prescriptions or that Pattern left in the Gospel by Christ and the Primitive Saints and in having Christ for her Governour or chief Pilot who as Jerome observes sits at the Stern and guides her Course as he sees good And lastly by having Hope that precious Grace of the Spirit for her Anchor Which Hope we have as the Anchor of the Soul Heb. 6.19 both sure and stedfast c. The Nature of which is opened under the Fifth Head of Metaphors concerning the Graces of the Spirit to which we refer you Inferences THis may inform us that Trouble and Persecution must be expected No Ship sets out to Sea but meets with Storms and Tempests at one time or another and therefore the Mariners look for them and provide accordingly to secure the Ship and save themselves and so should spiritual Sea-faring Men do 2. It may also be Matter of Comfort to the Godly What assurance is here of Safety Christ who guides the Ship can at his pleasure still the Seas and make the greatest Storm in a Moment to be a Calm Psal 65.7 He stilleth as the Psalmist saith the Noise of the Seas the Noise of their Waves and the Tumults of the People Therefore tho Satan that cruel Pirate and other malicious Enemies of the Church seek daily to sink this spiritual Ship and tho he be a Spirit and therefore of great Power against us yet he is nothing to God who is the Creating Spirit That which is said of Behemoth is no less true of him He that made him Job 46.18 can make his Sword approach unto him Let therefore the Power and Rage of our Enemies be never so great and their Opposition at this day never so fierce against us yet we have an Assurance from our blessed Saviour that the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against the Church She shall never be broken to pieces nor suffer Shipwrack O thou tossed with Tempests and not comforted The Church compared to a Golden Candlestick Rev. 1.20 The Golden Candlesticks are the seven Churches MR. Brightman and others understand this Metaphor of Golden Candlesticks is taken from the Candlesticks that were in the Tabernacle erected by Moses and the Resemblance between these holds good in two or three Particulars which take as follow Metaphor Parallel IN general the Use of a Candlestick is to hold out the Light to others No Man saith our Saviour lighteth a Candle and putteth it under a Bushel but into a Candlestick and it giveth Light to all that are in the House SO the Church holdeth out the Light of God's Word to all that dwell therein in which respect the Apostle calleth the Church the Pillar of Truth 1 Tim. 3.17 Exercit. Divin Exer. 9. Way to the true Church p. 80. Gurs Theol part 2. Col. 324. because she holds out the Truth to be seen saith Weemse the Expression being taken from the Custom of many Nations who are used to write their Laws in Tables and so to hang them upon Pillars of Stone that the People whom it concerned to know them might see and read them as amongst us Proclamations are nailed to Posts in Market-Towns Dr. White The Church holds out her Light three ways 1. By her Doctrine she having divers approved Ministers belonging to her that she calleth forth to preach and publish the Word of Truth Hence the Law is said to go forth of Zion and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem 2. By her holy Discipline 3. By her godly Example and Conversation Let your Light so shine before Men that they may see your good Works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven Mat. 5.16 Walk as the Children of the Light Eph. 5.8 The Church ought to meet publickly to make a publick Profession II. Candlesticks of Gold are of great Worth and seldom found but in the Houses of Princes II. So the Church is very precious in God's sight Exod. 19.5 6. Mal. 3.17 Ye shall be a peculiar Treasure unto me above all People Hence they are called his Jewels This Candlestick only belongs to the Prince of Heaven and Earth they are Christ's Churches III. Those Golden Candlesticks had some part of them for Use and some part for Ornament there were Knobs and Flowers curiously set upon them III. The Church of God is not only of use to hold out the Light of God's Word 1 Pet. 3.3 4. but it is also richly adorned with several choice and heavenly Graces that make it and every Member thereof who truly fears God amiable in Christ's Sight IV. The throwing down or removing of the Candlestick throweth down and removeth the Light or Candle also IV. So when a Church is removed out of its place the Light of God's Word is many times removed from a Nation or People likewise which severe Judgment hath befallen the People of Asia long ago by God's taking away or removing those seven famous Golden Candlesticks or Churches that once were there Inference LEt the Saints and People of God take heed how they walk before Him It behoves them to strive to recover themselves from whence they are fallen lest He remove their Candlestick out of its place The Church compared to a Flock of Sheep Cant. 1.7 Tell me O thou whom my Soul loveth where thou feedest and where thou makest thy
Eagles Note In some Things the Saints are likened to Eagles Simile Parallel AN Eagle is the chief amongst the Fowls of the Air as a Lion is the King or chief among all the Beasts of the Earth SO the Saints are the chief of Men the Excellent as David calls them Thou art my Lord Psal 16.2 3. my Goodness extendeth not to thee but to the Saints that are in the Earth and to the Excellent in whom is all my Delight The Righteous are said to be more excellent than their Neighbour Prov. 12.26 1 Chron. 4.9 The World is not worthy of them Hence Jabez that holy and gracious Man is said to be more honourable than his Brethren A godly Man is of a more noble Extraction than the Men of the Earth Saints have an honourable Pedigree and Descent they are born of God are as it were of the Blood-Royal of Heaven and nearly related to the Prince of the Kings of the Earth They daily converse have Communion and Fellowship with the Father and the Son the glorious Sovereign of all the World They are delicately and most splendidly fed every day Others live and feed upon the empty Things of this World nay on the Dust of the Earth on Ashes Husks and Gravel as the Holy-Ghost declares They feed upon the Wind Hos 12.1 and snuff in the East Wind Whilst Believers feed on hidden Manna He eats that which is good and his Soul delights it self in Fatness He is often had into the King's Wine-Cellar he is richly cloathed hath more noble and honourable Titles than any Men on Earth He hath a most glorious Retinue viz. the heavenly Angels to attend him every day Never was King if ungodly so attended as the poorest Saint in the World is Saints are the chief of all the Children of Men as Eagles are chief of all the Fowls of the Air. II. Eagles are quick-sighted they behold afar off They have not only a quick and clear Sight but a very strong Sight able to look fully upon the Sun shining in his Strength Hence the Proverb is A Man that hath a clear and strong Sight is Eagle-ey'd II. The Saints are very clear and quick-sighted they can see afar off even from Earth to Heaven They through Christ can behold the Glory of God with open Face 2 Cor. 3.18 They can see and do pry into the secret and hidden Mysteries of the Gospel and Covenant of Grace Psal 25.14 The Secrets of the Lord are with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant They see the Evil that is in the least Sin and can discern what the End of the Wicked will be III. Eagles are very swift Creatures they have long Wings by which means they flie with great Swiftness Therefore Solomon calling upon us not to set our Hearts upon Riches saith They make themselves Wings Prov. 27.5 and flie away as an Eagle The Scriptures often express the more than ordinary Swiftness of Men by the Swiftness of an Eagle David lamenting the Death of Saul and Jonathan gives them this Character 2 Sam. 1.23 They were stronger than Lions and swifter than Eagles III. The Saints are very swift and speedy in their Motions when under the powerful Operation of the Spirit or upon the Wings of Faith and Love Psal 119.59 60. I made haste c. saith David They are said to run nay flie like Eagles or as Doves to the Windows they are many times carried swiftly along in the way of their Duties as upon Eagles Wings The Ministers of the Gospel are set forth by an Angel flying in the midst of Heaven Rev. 14.6 having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell upon the Earth When God's People are assaulted and persecuted they flie to God for Shelter so David Psal 143.9 I flie unto thee to hide me IV. The Eagles mount up on high The Word in the Hebrew signifies to get high and therefore as it is noted by Mr. Caryl it is used in the Noun 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sublimis elatus fuit eminuit per Metaphoram supervivit to set forth the Highness of God Job 11.8 Psal 113.6 Isa 5.16 52.13 Scripture as well as Naturalists tell us that the Eagle's Motion and mounting up is wonderful she flies quite out of Sight One of the Ancients says The Eagle soars above the * Doubtless he means the lower Region Air as if she would visit the Starry Heavens The common Epithetes of an Eagle are high flying swift c. IV. The Saints of God mount up on high Phil 3.20 Our Conversation saith Paul is in Heaven Men of the World are like Moles and Worms always digging and tumbling in the Earth and Muck of this World but Believers those who are truly risen with Christ Col. 3.1 2 3. seek those things that are above they soar aloft nothing will satisfy them but Communion with God They mount up by Prayer as also by fresh Acts of Faith they mount up by divine Meditation They are said to dwell on high Earth and earthly Things will not satisfy them they are of a more heroick and sublime Spirit V. Eagles are unweary in their Flight they faint not tho they flie high and are long before they rest V. So the Saints should never grow weary nay and the Promise is Gal. 6. Isa 40.31 They shall mount up as with Eagles Wings they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint Tho it be long before they come to Heaven their everlasting Resting-place they are held up and therefore they hold out in all their Service and Sufferings Faith and Love are two such strong and excellent Graces that they like Eagle's Wings keep them from tiring and fainting in their Minds tho their Work be hard and their Flight towards Heaven long Psal 27.13 I had fainted unless I had believed c. VI. An Eagle saith one hath a high Spirit she flies high and aims at high things she will not catch Flies she scorns to stoop to such low Game VI. So a Saint hath a noble high and excellent Spirit Low things are not for high and heavenly-born Souls they catch not at the Flies Toyes and Trifles of the Profits Honour and Pleasures of the World as others do VII Eagles make their Nests on high She dwelleth and abideth on the Rocks Job 39.28 upon the Crag of the Rock and strong Place VII So the Saints dwell on high Their Place of Defence shall be the Munition of Rocks Isa 33.16 They make their Nests in the Rock of Ages they dwell in God He is their strong Dwelling-Place VIII Eagles renew their Strength by changing their Feathers tho old they seem young and lively again and are very long-lived VIII The Saints renew their Strength When any Oldness as Mr. Caryl words it is coming upon the new Creature they renew their Strength by looking to Jesus
or Life it self in his Cause but he can restore it with great Advantage Joh. 12.25 He that loveth his Life shall lose it but he that hateth his Life in this World shall keep it unto Life eternal III. Souldiers are armed with carnal Weapons and fight with Men like themselves and yet many times are overcome and lose the Victory III. But Saints fight with spiritual Weapons and not only with Men like themselves but with the Devil and his infernal Crew and yet through Christ their Captain they get the Victory For the Weapons of our Warfare are not carnal Eph. 6. but mighty through God c. For we wrestle not against Flesh and Blood but against Principalities and Powers c. Inferences THese things being so let all true Christians take Heart and be valiant and fear not the Face of Enemies 1. Consider the Worth and Dignity of your Captain Christians have the best Captain and Leader in the World 1. He is of a most honourable Extraction of a most high and noble Descent the Heir of all things the Father's First-born the express Image of his Person He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and he is saith one Generalissimo of all his Majesty's Forces in Heaven and Earth 2. Consider his Strength and Valour He hath an Omnipotent Arm and is of a most valiant undaunted couragious and heroick Spirit What was Sampson Gideon David Alexander Julius Caesar Scanderbeg or any other mighty Warrior to the Lord Jesus This is he who cuts in pieces the Gates of Brass and breaks asunder the Bars of Iron that hath the Keys of Death and Hell that flew Rahab Isa 51.9 and wounded the Dragon who is terrible to the Kings of the Earth and will come upon Princes as upon Mortar This is He that is the Terror of Devils the Dread of Mortals who will make other Captains tremble and cry out to the Rocks and Mountains to hide them in the Day of his Wrath. 3. Consider his Wisdom His Skill and Policy far exceeds the Craft and Subtilty of all the Machiavellian Politicians in the World He knows how to assault and harm his Enemies and to carry on and bring off to preserve and defend his People and faithful Souldiers Let Men and Devils be never so skilful and politick Christ knows how to outwit them and over-reach them all He knows where all their Mines are digged where all their Forces Flankers and Ambuscadoes do lie He knows their Plot and how laid this day against his Interest Gospel and Covenant-People in this and other Nations He knows how to confound them and catch them in their own Craftiness and to bring them to Shame He is wonderful in Counsel and mighty in Working He hath an Omniscient Eye as well as an Omnipotent Hand He makes his Countermines and blows them up or burieth them in the Pit they have digged He outshoots the Devil and the Wicked in their own Bow He will bring down the Beast and Whore and all their Abettors and make them ashamed of their Hope Mark the Issue of this present Dispensation See Captain in the First Volume and God a Man of War 2. Consider the Excellency of your Cause which is just and righteous 3. The Goodness of your Call against which nothing can be objected 4. For your further Encouragement consider the Strength of your Fortifications They are all impregnable and impenetrable of most invincible Strength Your Out-Works your Walls your Bulwarks your Forts and Towers all your Defence is admirable The Name of the Lord is a Strong-Tower Prov. 18.10 Isa 26.1 Salvation will God appoint for Walls and Bulwarks O how formidable and terrible are the Attributes and Threatnings of God to his Enemies 5. Consider Tho your Number be the fewest yet your Side is the strongest God is for us and on our Side With them is the Arm of Flesh but with us the Lord our God to fight for us How many said Antigonor will you reckon me for Poor Mortal How many then may we reckon God Christ the Holy Ghost for The whole Trinity is engaged for us 6. Consider Tho your Service be hard and Conflict sharp yet it will be short It is but a little while and your Enemy shall trouble you no more 2 Cor. 4.17 Our light Afflictions which are but for a moment c. 7. Consider the Devils and all other Enemies tho never so potent cruel and malicious yet they are all conquered and spoiled Col. 2.15 Having spoiled Principalities and Powers he made a Shew of them openly triumphing over them in it The Romans were wont in a triumphant manner to carry those they had conquered about with them and to brandish their Swords and display their Colours and carry their Arms in open View as Trophies and Emblems of Victory So the Lord Jesus having conquered Satan and the Powers of Hell rode as it were in Triumph through their Kingdom the Air and made a Shew of them openly as a glorious Victor 2. Again the World is subdued Be of good cheer saith Christ Joh. 16. Rom 8. I have overcome the World And we through him are hereby made more than Conquerors Come Tribulation Distress Persecution c. with all their Blackness Darkness Threats and Terror what will they do Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ Rom. 8.35 or hinder us of eternal Life 3. Death is subdued Christ hath got the Victory over that What Joy and Comfort is this to Believers to hear that all their Enemies are conquered your Captain-General hath broken them all to pieces 6. The Enemy cannot hurt you Rom. 8.28 the worst you can meet with will work for your Good 9. Consider Tho you meet with hard Things Christ can and will make them easy to you All your Wounds he can heal and all your broken Bones he can set The more you suffer for Christ the greater your Reward will be 10. Consider what great and glorious Pay you shall have in the end Is not a Kingdom a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away worth fighting and striving for 11. Look to Christ remember what he hath done and suffered for you and consider what many Saints have endured for his sake before you that were most precious in God's sight Is it not better to suffer here than to suffer in Hell What is the Pain and Sorrow of the Godly in this Life to the everlasting Pains and Torments of the Damned in the World to come Get much Faith and provide your selves with all your Armor and the right Use of it the Nature of which is opened under the Fifth Head Get your Hearts loose from the World No Man that warreth 2 Tim. 2.4 entangleth himself with the Affairs of this Life Labour for much Love to God It was a notable Saying of Mr. Bland the Martyr when he was at the Stake This Death saith he is more dear to me than Thousands of Gold
as clear Demonstrations that the Head of Rome Papal is the Head of Babylon and the Grand Impostor or the Capital Manager of this Mystery of Iniquity he having most sacrilegiously assumed to himself all Heavenly Power of damning or saving and all Earthly Power both Temporal or Civil and Ecclesiastical or Sacred 11. This wicked Babylonish State comes forth with a great Pretence of Miracles which are but false Signs and lying Wonders to deceive and cheat the People and by this means they conquer Nations and carry away their Kings to their wicked Interest This Rome Heathen did not do For tho the Heathenish Power of Rome did conquer Nations and Countries with their Kings yet it was by State-Policy and Force of Arms not by pretended Miracles false Signs and lying Wonders Therefore Rome Heathen cannot be this Mystery of Iniquity or Babylonish State 12. This wicked State under consideration is declared not only to depart from the Faith by a palpable Apostacy but to forbid Marriage and command a long Lent and many other Fast-Days whereon some Sorts of Meats are prohibited to be eaten which doth so fully agree to the Papal State of Rome that nothing can be more plain unless the Spirit had expresly told us This will be fulfilled by Rome Papal For these two things we have their Canons upon Record the which if none can shew the like of the Heathen State of Rome then Rome Papal shall carry the Title of this Mystery of Iniquity and Babylonish State 7. If the Babylon under consideration be only confined to the Power of Heathen Rome then there is a more evident and apparent Mystery upon the State or Power of Rome Heathen than upon any Power or State that went before it or should come after it for so the Text imports Rev. 17.5 And upon her Forehead was a Name written MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT c. But there did no such Mystery appear upon the Power or State of Rome Heathen therefore this Babylon cannot terminate there What great Mystery appeared upon the Power and State of Rome Heathen more than appeared upon the Power and State of the three foregoing Monarchies 8. This Babylon cannot be confined to the Power of Rome only in its Heathen State because Babylon is to continue till the good People shall with the Horns that did support her which is the last Part of the wicked and persecuting Power answerable to the ten Toes in Daniel's great Image reward and destroy her for the Injury that she did unto them according to these three Texts of Scripture Rev. 18.4 Dan. 7.22 26 27. Rev. 17.16 And I heard another Voice from Heaven saying Come out of her my People that ye be not Partakâ—rs of her Sins c. Verse 6. Reward her even as she hath rewarded you and deal unto her double according to her Works In the Cup that she hath filled fill to her double How much she hath glorified her self and lived deliciously so much Torment and Sorrow give her And the ten Horns which thou sawest upon the Beast these shall hate the Whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her Flesh and burn her with Fire Which the Power of Rome in its Heathen State felt not but ended its Course without being destroyed by good People and the ten Horns which is the last Part of the Image-Government And in the Days of these Kings Dan. 2.44 viz. ten Toes ten Horns ten Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom which shall never be destroyed And the Kingdom shall not be left to another People but it shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms and it shall stand for ever Which could not be fulfilled in what Constantine did in the Time of Maxentius as Dr. Hammond would have us believe for these three Reasons 1. Because the ten Horns that afterwards the Roman Power fell into were not come up and so could not destroy the Power of Rome in its Heathen State 2. Because Babylon's Persecution Misery and Confusion did not utterly cease which it must have done so as to rise no more for ever if the Power of Rome Heathen destroyed by Constantine had been this Mystery Babylon 3. Because tho there might be a Body of good People with Constantine when he overthrew Maxentius yet the Power of the Kingdom was not so established in the hand of good People as not afterward to be left to others as the Text affirms And the Kingdom shall not be left to another People For as we shall anon shew the Kingdom or Power that ceased to be in the hands of Heathens and by a mighty and divine Providence came to be in the hands of a worthy and renowned Christian Emperor came afterwards into the hands of very Devils incarnate who acted all the Violence of the Heathen Power over again and indeed out-did them 9. Those that are for confining this Babylon to the Power of Rome in its Heathen State are not well aware what they do for if they do demand it their Opposites who hold it to be Rome Papal may grant it for Argument's sake But then the Remedy is worse than the Disease for they slip into such a Precipice as neither Baronius Bellarmine Dr. Hammond or the Rhemists can save or deliver them from The true State of the Case is this Rome Heathen is Mystery Babylon this say the Papists And the more willing they are to say so because it is a good Argument to prove that Peter was at Rome he subscribing his first Epistle from Babylon 1 Pet. 5.13 The Church that is at Babylon elected together with you saluteth you c. But this being allowed the worst is to come This Babylon is destroyed when the Power of Rome Heathen is taken away so as to be no more for ever but then what Condition doth the State of Babylon fall into Doth it become the Throne of the Lamb the City of the Living God the Habitation of Holiness and Dwelling-place of Zion the true Church the Place of the holy Ones and Saints of the Most High O no! What then Hearken and an Angel from Heaven shall tell you Rev. 18.1 2. And after these Things of the Horns hating the Whore making of her naked and burning her Flesh with Fire I saw another Angel come down from Heaven having great Power and the Earth was lightned with his Glory and he cried mightily with a strong Voice saying Babylon the Great is fallen is fallen and is become the Habitation of Devils and the Hold of every foul Spirit and a Cage of every unclean and hateful Bird. Now you Papists if you will needs have Babylon to be Rome Heathen take it and much Good do you with it but then make Rome Papal better than an Habitation of Devils if you can If it be not Rome Heathen then adieu to Dr. Hammond and the Rhemists we have what we desire If it be then Rome Papal is a far worse Place
Apostle expresly tells us that a Man of Sin shall arise who shall be a lawless One 2 Thess 2.3 c. 1 Tim 4. that will lift up himself against God to sit in the Temple of God that was hindred in his wicked Design by the Imperial Power who gets up by a falling away That he was to be so considerable as to be easily discerned and discovered by the Christian World that he was to manage a great Mystery of Iniquity His coming up was to be by the Assistance and Working of the Devil He was to have a twofold Power Civil and Ecclesiastical comprehending all earthly Power He was to suggest Signs and lying Wonders to the People He was to make use of all Treachery or Deceivableness and Lies his Followers were to be given up to strong Delusions his Party was to speak desperate Lies in Hypocrisy to have scared Consciences That he should be against Matrimony that he should command a long Lent and to abstain from Meats If the Pope of Rome be not a Man of Sin then Beelzebub is not a Devil as is largely demonstrated in the foregoing Sheets for no Divine or Humane Law can set any Bounds to his Ambition and spiritual Tyranny That he exalts himself against God in polluting his pure Worship and against Kings by his usurped Supremacy is before evidenced That he was hindred by the Roman Imperial Power is the Opinion and Judgment of the Learned and also that he was the monstrous Spawn of the Great Apostacy That he manages a great Mystery of Iniquity in which his grand Counsellor the Devil lends him Politicks to a double Usurpation and Encroachment upon Soul and Body pretends to Miracles and false Wonders acts like the Metropolitan Cheat and Impostor of Christendom That his Followers are strongly deluded meer Lyars and Hypocrites with seared Consciences forbidding honest Marriage but allowing Canonical Whoredom That he forbids Meats but can dispense with the grossest Debaucheries All these I say with those other Marks the Holy Spirit gives of him are so legible upon the Pope as if the very Sun-Beams had writ them in Capitals upon his Brazen Forehead Therefore we dismiss him with this full-prov'd Conclusion That He and only He is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Antichrist and the very Man of Sin Thus you have had a brief Description of Mystery Babylon and the Antichristian Beast who hath been so long a time so great a Plague to the World but more especially to God's Church and we did intend to have added some probable Conjectures concerâ—ing the Time of her Fall which according to most Authors will be in this present Age c. according to Peter du Moulin Brightman and others before the Year 1690. 'T is said The ten Horns shall hate her c. And I have met with a very ancient Prophecy that says There shall arise a Prince of the Illustrious Lilly that should make War with â—landers c. And that he should fall out with Rome and make War against Italy and in the fortieth Year of his Reign should burn Rome with Fire And according to the Description there given of the Person it should seem to be the present French King the Difference there seems now to be between him and the Pope causeth many to speak of it c. But this we must leave to what Time shall produce THE Tenth HEAD OF Metaphors Allegories Similes AND Other Borrowed TERMS CONCERNING Sin and the Devil Sin a Thief Luke 10.30 And Jesus answered and said A certain Man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among Thieves which stripped him of his Rayment and wounded him leaving him half dead c. THis is generally taken for a Parable tho 't is not so called and before I run the Parallel concerning Sin and a Thief I shall very briefly open the whole Parable according to my present Understanding and commit it to better Judgments 1. By this certain Man I understand the First Adam 2. By Jerusalem that happy State and Place of Peace and Rest which he enjoyed before his Fall 3. By his going from Jerusalem to Jericho his departing from God in obeying the Serpent 4. By Thieves Sin and Satan c. These stripped him of his Rayment viz. His first Righteousness c. and spiritually wounded him leaving him half dead i. e. tho he was alive in his Body he was dead in his Soul In the Day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die 5. By the Priest and Levite who had no compassion on him may be meant the Law and Levitical Priesthood 6. By the Samaritan Jesus Christ 7. By pouring in Wine the Blood of Jesus that precious Fruit of the true Vine by Oyl the Holy Spirit which those receive who partake of the Virtue of Christ's Blood called the Oyl of Gladness 8. By setting him on his own Beast may be intended the Doctrine of the Gospel for that a Doctrine metaphorically is said to carry the Soul as a Beast doth the Body Be not carried about with divers and strange Doctrines c. Heb. 13. 9. By the Inn may be meant the Church of God for thither the true Doctrine of Christ carries Believers 10. By the Host the Minister or Pastor of the Church 11. By the two-Pence given to the Host to take care of the poor wounded Person may be meant the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit or as others the Old and New Testament but I rather conclude the former 12. The Samaritan going away may signify Christ's Ascension into Heaven who besides all the Divine Gifts Graces and Comforts of the Spirit he bestows upon his faithful Ministers here and to capacitate and fit them to do their Work and Office he will when he comes again give them Eternal Life Observ Sin and the Devil are and may fitly be compared to Thieves and Robbers If this may not safely be inferred from hence yet from divers other Texts of Scripture it may naturally be reduced c. See Rom. 7.11 2 Cor. 11.1 2. Eph. 4.22 Heb. 3.13 In the opening of this we shall first shew what Sin and the Devil robs Men of 2. Shew what kind of Thieves and Robers Sin and the Devil are Thieves Parallel A Thief is one or more that in a secret and felonious manner takes away that which is another Mans whether it be Goods Money c. and thereby oft-times undoe and utterly ruine their Neighbours depriving them of all those good things they had in Possession or the Promise of enjoying c. SIn and Satan strive unjustly to take away or deprive the Sons of Men of their undoubted Right to Divine Things Adam was invested with a very great Estate he had great abundance of all good things in his Possession before the Fall viz. Union and Communion with God perfect Righteousness c. he was the Heir of the World Eden in an especial manner with all the Riches Glory and Delights thereof were his c. nothing
in the Body but he could not tell whether the Soul acted with his bodily Organs or without them He had mighty Operations in his Soul his Spirit wrought strangely and then took in such Revelations of God and from God as his bodily Organs could never fashion into Words or represent by Speech He heard quae fando explicari à quoquam homine non possunt unspeakable Words Beza which it is not lawful or possible for a Man to utter The Soul hath an Ear to hear such Words that the Body cannot find a Tongue to express So John in his divine Ravishment saith I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day as for his Body that was as to that Business laid aside and suspended as useless in that Day and his Spirit called up to that angelical Work viz. the receiving of Visions and Revelations from on high c. Now as the Souls of good Men whilest they are in this World in Sleep and in Trances or Ecstasies are capable of such glorious Ravishments c. So when their Bodies dy or fall asleep their Souls are with Christ in Heaven and the Souls of the Wicked they go into Chains of Darkness Torment Luk. 16.22 2◠and Misery The rich Man died and was buried and in Hell he lift up his Eyes being in Torment III. Sleep is not perpetual we sleep and wake again So tho the Body lie in the Grave yet Death is but a Sleep as it were the Man will awake and rise again IV. The going to sleep and sleeping of some Men greatly differs from others So the Death of the Saints greatly differs from the Death of the Wicked 1. In the Preparation the one makes to go to rest over what the other doth Some go to sleep before their Work is done So some die before their Work is done As no Saint dies before his Work is done So there is no wicked Person that dies but he dies or goes to sleep before his Work is done This is our Working-day when the Sun of our Life is set no more Work can be done The Time comes saith Christ when no Man can work All a Godly Man's Care is to be ready when Night comes to go to rest But the Wicked take little Thought about it 2. Some Men fall asleep in an hurry of Business and in great Distraction when others in a sweet Manner lay their Heads down upon their Pillows So some wicked Men die in great Distraction and under sad Horrour of Conscience when many a Godly Man dies in a sweet and heavenly Manner declaring to all he hath nothing to do but to die 3. Some Men dread the Thoughts of going to sleep for that it is dangerous in some Cases for some Persons to sleep So some wicked Men dread the Thoughts of Death like him who cryed out I am so sick I cannot live and so sinful that I am afraid to die But most Godly Men are delivered from the Fear of Death they go willingly to Bed Luk. 2.29 Now lettest thou thy Servant depart in Peace c. Saints are many times willing to go to rest because they are quite wearied out 1. Sin wearies them and even wares them out and makes them groan 2. The World wearies them and makes them willing to go to Bed Eccl. 5.12 3. The Devil the God of this World wearies them with his Temptations 4. Their bodily Weaknesses and disquieting Pains wearie them 5. The Absence of Christ also makes them willing to go home 4. Some Men fall asleep in a dangerous Place nay and sometimes in the midst of their Enemies So wicked Men die in a dangerous Place being far from God and out of the Covenant of Grace and besides are surrounded about with evil Angels who stand ready to devour their Souls But a godly Man falls asleep in Jesus O that 's a sweet Place to sleep in 1. He sleeps in the view of Jesus Christ knows his Grave and will preserve his Dust 2. He falls asleep in the Love of Jesus 3. He falls asleep in the Covenant of Jesus I am the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. 5. Some Mens Sleep is much more sweet and comfortable than others as we shewed before some Mens Sleep is very troublesom their Spirits are troubled So the Death of the Godly is sweet they have Peace and heavenly Joy being with Christ but the Death of the Wicked is troublesom their Spirits being in Torment whilst the Body lies in the Grave I might also shew you the great Difference there shall be in the awaking of the one and the other but that I will leave to its proper place V. A Man that is asleep taking his natural Rest may be easily awakened and called up by the Power of Man So the Body when it is dead can with infinitely more ease be raised up by the Power of God 't is but a Call from Heaven and we are awakened out of the Dust The Day is coming when all that are in the Grave shall hear his Voice and come forth c. John 5.28 Inferences WHat a blessed Condition are Believers in They are not only happy whilst they live but shall be blessed when they die their Bodies have not only quiet Rest but their Souls also rest in Peace and Quiet 2. It may stir up all Christless Souls to labour after an Interest in the Lord Jesus for if they are not in Christ whilst they live they are not like to fall asleep in Christ when they die 3. We may learn also from hence what little ground there is for a godly Man to be unwilling to die when his Work is done Are any unwilling to go to sleep at Night that have laboured hard all Day 4. Let us labour hard whilst the Day lasts whilst we have Health and Life that we may have done our Work and be ready to go to sleep Death a Departure Phil. 1.23 Having a desire to depart c. WE at Death leave one Place to go to another If godly we depart from our Place here on Earth and go to Heaven we depart from our Friends on Earth and go to our Friends in Heaven we depart from the Valley of Tears and go to the Mount of Joy we depart from an howling Wilderness to go to an heavenly Paradise Who would be unwilling to exchange a Sodom for a Sion an Egypt for a Canaan Misery for Glory Death a Rest Rev. 14.13 And I heard a Voice from Heaven saying unto me Write Blessed are the Dead which die in the Lord from henceforth Yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their Labours and their Works do follow them Parallels REst is a desirable Thing to a labouring Man Paul desired to die Death or to depart was greatly desirable in his Sight II. Rest is sweet and therefore desirable to a weary Man So will Death be to a poor weary Saint one that is weary of Sin weary of the World weary of the Temptations
not afraid ye Beasts of the Field for the Pastures of the Wilderness do spring c. See Psal 148.10 4. To things mute and altogether void of sense where by a Prosopopoeia a Person is attributed to them 2 Sam. 1.21 Ye Mountains of Gilboa let there be no Dew 2 Sam. 1.21 Ye Mouroains c. neither let there Rain be upon you nor Fields of Offerings because the Shield of Saul was cast away there upon which place Brentius says excellently This is Prosopopoeia very familiar with such as are full of Indignation For as such as are in a mad fit of Anger snatch up the next thing that comes to hand for a Weapon to annoy or assault their Adversary so to such as are oppressed with a weight of Grief whatsoever is obvious to them or in view seems to be the cause of their Misfortune yea such things as are insensible and contribute nothing to it So Job in his Affliction cursed the day of his Nativity and the night in which it was said a Man is born Wherein was the Day or Night guilty in nothing surely So the Mountains of Gilboa are cursed by David when yet they did no hurt For Saul might have tarried at home and acted righteously which would have hindered that Mischance But by this Prosopopoeia the Affection and Passion of him that grieves is denoted who would have all destroyed provided the thing he loves be safe Other Examples are 1 Kings 13.2 Psal 114.5 6. Psal 148.3 4 5 6 c. Jer. 47.6 Ezek. 13.11 in the Hebrew 21.16 36.1 4 8 c. Joel 2.21 Micah 6.2 Zech. 11.1 2. Hos 10.8 Luke 23.30 1 Cor. 15.55 c. Apostrophe to the Heavens and the Earth In Specie an Apostrophe is directed sometimes to the Heavens and the Earth Deut. 32.1 Esa 1.2 Jer. 2.12 13. 22.29 upon which Arias Montanus in libro Joseph Cap. 6. says Coeli aliquando testes adeo appellari solent c. The Heavens are wont sometimes to be appealed to as Witnesses by God because of their Integrity and Certainty For nothing transacted on Earth can be hid from the view of Heaven which by its daily Motion perlustrates all things Heaven lives feels hears and sees to God to whom all things live c. By the very Text and Parallel Phrases Deut. 30.19 Psalm 50.1 4. Rom. 8.20 22. it is evident that these Apostrophes were used for Conviction and Detestation of the Malice Stubbornness and Ingratitude of Men whose Duty it was to receive the gracious Invitations of a Merciful God and sincerely to obey him Jerome in his Commentary on Isa 1.2 says Quia per Moisen Testes vocaverat Dominus Coelum Terram c. Because the Lord by Moses called Heaven and Earth as Witnesses when he prescribed Israel his Law after their Prevarication * Deut. 32.1 he calls them again as Evidences that all the Elements may know that the Lord had just Cause to be angry and distribute Vengeance to the Infringers of his holy Commands the meaning is If Heaven and Earth were endued with Understanding and Reason they would certainly accuse this People for their Wickedness For they and all things contained in them carefully observe their appointed Station and do answer the end they were intended for But Man alone for whom all things were made becomes refractory and disobedient Prosop poeia from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Person and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to make o◠feign V. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prosopopoeia signifying the feigning of a Person is when an inanimate thing is introduced as speaking like a rational Person This Prosopopooeia we have treated of in the first Volumn Book 1. p. 92. among Metaphors but that differs from this Figure 1. With respect to Subject for that relates only to certain things inanimate which are not Persons whereas these concern Men also 2. With respect to the Predicate and Attributes For in that such Attributes of all kinds from animate things chiefly Men as are translated to inanimate things are treated of but in this what relates only to Speech and when mention is made in that of Speech attributed to inanimate Creatures there is regard had only to its Action or Act but in this there is respect to the formality of Speech or Words actually pronounced c. Some distinguish this Figure into Imperfect and Perfect the Imperfect they call that whereby the Speech of another is lightly and obliquely represented or when one gives a short Narrative or Exposition of what another person spoke The Perfect is when the proper Person is wholly laid aside and another Person or Thing is introduced as speaking or when the very formal words of the Person introduced are recited which from * De Repub. 3. Plato and Aristotle de Poetis is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Imitation In the Sacred Scripture either the true Person is introduced as speaking or an inanimate thing the first is done openly or covertly Openly as when the Verb of saying is premised and a clear Intimation given that another Person speaks Covertly when the Verb of saying is omitted in an Apert Prosopopoeia the Speech is uttered of the thing it self or else feigned and framed to signify another thing the former is either good and true or false and evil Examples of these in order 1. A good and true Speech is proposed by the sacred Writers whenever the Words of God himself and our Saviour Christ or of Angels and good Men are expressed Psalm 2.7 Psal 2.7 8 9. The Lord said unto me Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance and the utmost parts of the Earth for thy Possession Thou shalt break them with a Rod of Iron thou shalt break them in pieces like a Potters Vessel Psal 50.16 But unto the wicked God saith What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldst take my Covenant in thy Mouth Verse 17. Seeing thou hatest Instruction c. Isa 66.1 Thus saith the Lord the Heaven is my Throne and the Earth is my Footstool And so very frequently the Prophets introduce God himself speaking not only that their Speech may have the greater Authority by it but chiefly because as 2 Pet. 1.21 The Prophecy came not in old time by the Will of Man but holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 'T is therefore doubtful whether speaking accurately this kind of Speech belongs to this kind of Rhetorical Prosopopoeia because God is the real Author of the Scripture and immediately both spoke and writ it by the Prophets who were his Ministers and Amanuenses Men do not introduce God as speaking but God moves them by Inspiration to represent him see Heb. 1.1 As for the Speech of Angels and good Men we need not produce Examples Note the Scriptures are full of them in
Pet. 1.12 Gal. 4.1 Prov. 1.17 Eph. 4.14 2 Pet. 3.15 as well as the Apostle often warns us of 3. Because those who are well girt about with Truth are established Ones Deceivers are subtil and false Doctrine is of a bewitching Nature the wary and established Soul nevertheless is not soon overcome In vain is the Net spread in the sight of any Bird. Be no more tossed about with every Wind of Doctrine Children are most in danger of the Poyson 4. And as false Doctrine is of a corrupting nature so likewise is Hypocrisy hence compared to Leaven Luk. 12.1 As Sincerity leaveneth in a good sence so Hypocrisy is compared to Leaven in a bad sence from that sowering infusive and corrupting quality which is in it Directions about putting on the Girdle of Truth 1. Take heed of a counterfeit Girdle see that what you own and practise for Truth have the Stamp of God upon it 2. Take up nothing upon Trust Do not receive this or that because such and such Men believe so and practise so neither Men nor Ministers are your Rule but the Word of God 3. Put not this Girdle of Truth on in Notion only what will the knowledg of Truth signify in thy Head if the Loins of thy Mind are not girt with it 4. Take heed of being prejudiced against the Truth because of the Unworthiness of them who profess it 5. If thou hast not yet gotten the Girdle of Truth buy it now Prov. 23.23 as Solomon adviseth Buy the Truth and sell it not The Price of Truth may quickly rise high 6. Let Falshood go let thy Sins go let thy own Righteousness go in point of reliance or dependence upon it so as to trust in it for Justification and eternal Life 7. Come up to the Price of Truth do not cheapen it only but come up to the Price tho it cost thee a right Hand Lust of Profit or a right Eye Lust of Pleasure Thou must deny thy self Labour to know the Excellency of TRVTH 1. It is pure Psal 119.140 2. It will cleanse and purify thy Heart John 17.17 19. and cover all the Infirmities of thy Life as was hinted before 3. It will make you free Ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free John 8.32 4. It is strong Truth is too hard and strong for all its Opposers as the young Man said Great is the Strength of Truth There is no breaking of this Girdle 5. Consider what God's People have suffered before they would part with Truth what Torments and Tortures they have endured 7. There is no managing the spiritual War without the Girdle of Truth Marks of Sincerity First Negatively 1. He is not a perfect and sincere Christian whose Heart is not changed who is not renewed or who hath not a Principle of Divine Grace or spiritual Life in him 2. He is not a perfect and sincere Person that wants any essential part of a Christian as he is not a perfect natural Child that wants an Arm an Eye or a Leg. See Mat. 19.20 One thing thou lackest if thou wouldest be perfect or approve thy self sincere go thy way and sell what thou hast c. 3. He is not a sincere Person whose Heart is lifted up in him Hab. 2.4 4. He is not a sincere Man that is not upright in all his Dealings and Converse with Men if he want Moral Uprightness his Religion is good for nothing Secondly In the Affirmative 1. A sincere and upright Christian is known by the Way he goes in Prov. 16.17 Job 1 2 The High-way of the Vpright is to depart from Evil. 1. He escheweth all Evil the smallest as well as the greatest 2. He leaveth it willingly he hates it he doth not part with it as a Man parteth with his Friend but as a Man parteth with his most deadly and mortal Enemy 2. A sincere Person hath a right Faith and a good and well-enlightned Judgment Rotten Principles make rotten Christians 2 Tim. 3.8 There are some Men who are of corrupt Minds reprobate or of no Judgment concerning the Faith 3. He hath an holy and upright End he desires to live to God's Glory and to serve him in Sincerity Paul resolved Christ should be magnified in his Body whether it were by Life or by Death 4. He walks by a true and an exact Rule As many as walk according to this Rule Gal. 6. Peace on them and Mercy and upon the Israel of God 5. He labours to keep all God's Commandments Thus did David Psal 119.9 Luk. 1.6 who was a Man after God's own Heart and thus did Zachary and Elizabeth who walked in all the Commandments of the Lord blameless c. 6. He desires to be sanctified as well as to be saved to be made holy as well as to be made happy 7. He is as willing to do for God as to receive from God for the Work as well as the Wages 8. He strives as much against the Evils of his Heart as he does against the Evils of his Life 9. He is a Man always for God in bad Times as well as in good Times 10. He is the same in private as in publick he is at home what he seems to be abroad 11. He loves and prefers God and Christ above all Thus David Psal 73.25 and Paul Phil. 3.8 9. 12. He can go on in God's Ways and Services with abundance of content without respect to any outward Profit or Applause or being taken notice of by Men. His Satisfaction consisteth not in the approbation of Men but in the approbation and commendation of God His own Conscience gives Testimony and Evidence of the Sincerity of his Heatt Thus Paul 2 Cor. 11.12 This is our rejoycing 2 Cor. 11.12 the Testimony of our Conscience c. The Breast-plate of Righteousness Ephes 6.14 And having on the Breast-plate of Righteousness c. THere is a Moral Legal Evangelical Righteousness Now a Moral or Legal Righteousness will not save or defend the Saint or spiritual Souldier of Jesus Christ from his Enemy Mat. 5.20 Except your Righteousness exceed the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees ye can in no wise enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Paul valued not his own Righteousness that was of the Law All our Righteousness viz. that which flows not from Faith or from a renewed Principle of the Spirit is but as filthy Rags Therefore that cannot be the Righteousness here intended 2. Evangelical Righteousness is twofold 1. Imputed 2. Imparted First The Righteousness imputed is that which was wrought by Christ for the Believer in the days of his Flesh by his active and passive Obedience to the Law of God which is put upon the Soul by Faith called the Righteousness of God by Faith Phil 3.9 Secondly The Righteousness imparted is that which is wrought by Christ in the Soul it is a supernatural Work or a new Life planted in the Heart of every Believer
of their safe and first standing in Christ and of their Assurance of Heaven nothing is Therefore the Saints Hope is both sure and stedfast Tenthly That Relation which Believers stand in unto God is a sure Ground of Hope He is their Father and they are his dear Children he is their Husband they his Spouse Will a dear Father suffer his dear Children to perish and be torn in pieces if he hath Power to help them or the dear Husband his dear Wife The Love of God to his Saints exceeds the Love and Pity of either Father or Husband therefore Hope the Anchor of the Soul is both sure and stedfast Joh. â—0 27 28 29. Eleventhly The Power of God is a sure Ground of Hope My Sheep hear my Voice and follow me and I give to them eternal Life and they shall never perish neither shall any pluck them out of my Hand My Father that gave them me is greater than all and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand who are kept by the Power of God through Faith unto Salvation If the Power of God be sufficient to keep Believers from falling and to preserve them to his heavenly Kingdom then their Hope is both sure and stedfast Object But it is through Faith they stand and their Faith may fail Answ Christ as I shewed before hath prayed that their Faith fail not and besides Phil. 1.6 he is the Author Increaser and Finisher of it He that hath begun a good Work in you will perform it unto the Day of Christ John 3.6 1 Pet. 1 23. Twelfthly Regeneration is a sure Ground of Hope That which is born of the Flesh is Flesh that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit Being born again not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible c. Such as is the Seed such is the Product of it The Seed being immortal by which the Saints are regenerated sure this may be sure Ground of Hope that they shall not perish There is in them an holy and Divine Principle so that they cannot sin unto Death or lose eternal Life Let us now put all these together and then doubtless we shall conclude that the Saints Hope of Heaven is no Fancy but like an Anchor that is both sure and stedfast Inferences FIrst Examine your selves what Hope you have there is a false Hope as well as a true What is the Ground of thy Hope 1. Some Men ground their Hope of Heaven upon outward Prosperity This is the Worldlings Hope They conclude God loves them and will give Heaven to them because he hath given them so much of the Earth not remembring that God gives some Men their Portion in this Life Psal 17. Luke 16. Remember Son thou in thy Life time receivedst thy good Things c. 2. Some ground their Hopes of Heaven upon Civility and external Righteousness They live sober and honest Lives and are not guilty of any gross Sins This is the moral Man's Hope the Pharisee's the young Man 's in the Gospel the foolish Virgins had this Hope and yet lost Heaven 3. Some ground their Hopes of Heaven upon the Merits of their own Works This is the Papists Hope for tho they place some Hope in Christ yet they put Confidence in their own Works Now this is to cast Anchor on the Sands First That which merits must be our own but none of our good Works are our own They are our own subjective because wrought in us and they are ours in regard of the Benefit of them but in respect of the Original they are none of ours they are the Fruits of the Spirit 't is God hath wrought all our Works in us Secondly They must be compleat and perfect or not meritorious but the best Works performed by us are both impure and imperfect more Dross than Gold Thirdly That which merits must not be due upon any other account paying Debts is not meritorious Now there is nothing that we do or can do but it is due 't is a Debt we owe to God we owe him all we have are or can perform Therefore saith Christ When you have done all say you are unprofitable Servants Secondly It shews that the Hope of Believers is a glorious Hope the Apostle saith a blessed Hope that is the Stay or Anchor of the Soul c. Tit. 2.13 Thirdly All those that have not this precious Grace are at present in a hopeless Condition Quest How may a Man know whether he hath a true and well-grounded Hope 1. If thou hast a lively Hope thou art born again the new Birth entitles to a new Hope What Hope can a Man have of Heaven if he be not converted 1 Pet. 1.3 John 3.3 Vnless a Man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God 2. A true and well-grounded Hope is attended with a Train of other Graces Tribulation worketh Patience and Patience Experience and Experience Hope Rom. 5.3 4 5. and Hope maketh not ashamed why because the Love of God is shed abroad in our Hearts by the Holy-Ghost Those that have the Grace of Hope have the Graces of Faith and Love and all other Fruits of the Spirit more or less in them 3. Hope purifies the Heart He that hath this Hope in him purifieth himself 1 John 3.3 even as he is pure If thou hast an unsanctified Heart never boast of thy Hope it makes not only the Heart holy but the Life also 4. Hope of Salvation is grounded upon the Promises of God The Promises give Interest and upon Interest ariseth Hope therefore he that hath not took hold of God's Promise by Faith is destitute of Hope the Anchor of the Soul Psal 11â— 49 Remember thy Word unto thy Servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope 5. Hope keeps the Soul in a steady and sure expectation of the Good of Promises under Affliction and Sufferings a Saint is hereby stayed and quieted whilst he is exposed to the Loss of all other things for Christ's sake Heb. 10.34 They took patiently the spoiling of their Goods knowing in themselves they had in Heaven a better and more enduring Substance 6. True Hope makes a Christian very lively and valiant for Christ and his Truth It fills the Soul full of spiritual Activity it is called a lively Hope it makes him bold and not ashamed of the Cross c. Love compared to Death and the Grave and to Coals and Flames of Fire Cant. 8.6 Love is strong as Death Jealousy is as cruel as the Grave The Coals thereof are Coals of Fire which have a most vehement Flame Verse 7. Many Waters cannot quench Love neither can the Floods drown it c. THe Grace of Love which Christ hath infused into the Heart of his Spouse and all gracious Ones is compared by the Holy-Ghost in these Scriptures to three things which are of a mighty powerful and prevailing Nature against whom there is no standing First
it is impossible for him who is a Man to be a Vine or a Door c. See Mr. Pool p. 107. Answ It is no less impossible for the Bread to be Christ's real Body Why might not the Vine as well as the Wine be by Transubstantiation converted into Christ's real Substance I think saith Mr. Pool the Mother as good as the Daughter And especially since Christ saith I am the Vine might not they have devised another Transubstantiation to make Christ's Words good But to proceed to shew how irrational and absurd their Notion is and what they hold as you heard that Christ's whole Body is present in every Crumb of the Bread c. and yet do affirm Christ's Body is entire and undivided and also believe it is really in Heaven in such a proportion or bigness as he had upon Earth Now then saith Mr. Pool according to their Doctrine the same Body of Christ is bigger than it self and longer than it self and which is worse Christ is divided from himself I know not what can be more impossible than to say That all Christ is at Rome and all at London and all in Heaven and yet not all in the Places between Object All this the Papists say may be done by God's Almighty Power Answ Then by the same Almighty Power it is possible for any other Man to be in so many places for it matters not that Christ should be invisible in so many places and another should be there visibly or that Christ is there in so little a Bulk and another must be in a greater And if this be so what Monsters follow from hence Can any devise greater Absurdities than they believe if in very deed they believe what they say and daily affirm Suppose now John to be by Divine Power at the same time at Rome at Paris and at London where ever John is alive it follows he must have power to move himself or else no living Creature Then John at Rome may walk towards London and the same John at London may walk towards Rome and so they may meet shall I say the one the other and you may be sure it will be a merry Meeting it were worth enquiring how long they will be ere they come together Then again at Rome all the Parts of John may be excessively hot and at London excessively cold and at Paris neither hot nor cold This is beyond all Romances that ever were devised Besides John may be sorely wounded at Rome and yet at London may sleep in a whole Skin John may be feasting at Rome and fasting at London in the same moment Object You talk at this rate because you measure God by your selves whereas He can do more than you or I can do Answ There are some things which it is no dishonour to God to say he cannot do them because they are either sinful so God cannot lie or absolutely impossible God himself cannot make a Man to be alive and dead at the same time God cannot make the Whole to be less than a Part of it He cannot make Three to be more than Threescore He cannot make a Son to beget his Father He cannot make the same Man to be born at several times as Papist Authors confess and therefore in like manner he cannot make the same Body to be in two several places for this is not one jot less impossible than the other But they must believe Christ may have Ten Thousand Bodies at one time or so many as there are Priests to consecrate the Bread and distinct Congregations to celebrate the Holy Supper Object These indeed are great Difficulties to humane Reason but Reason is not to be believed against Scripture Answ True but this is their hard Hap this Doctrine of theirs is against Scripture as well as Reason in as much as it is highly dishonourable to Christ whose Honour is the great Design of Scripture What a foul dishonour is it to him to subject him to the Will of every Mass-Priest who when he pleaseth can command him down into Bread And what a Dishonour is it That the very Body of Christ may be eaten by Rats â—um quest â— Art 3. or Worms and may be cast up by Vomit and the like as Aquinas affirms and that their Church in her Missals hath put this amongst other Directions That if Worms or Rats have eaten Christ's Body they must be burned and if any Man vomit it up it must be eaten again or burned or made a Relique And yet this is no more than their Doctrine will force them to own for if they will believe Christ's own Words in one place as well as in another he assureth us That whatsover without exception entreth into the Mouth Mat. 15.17 goeth into the Belly and is cast forth into the Draught Object What dishonour is this more to Christ than to have Fleas suck his Blood when he was upon Earth Answ Very great Dishonour For tho in the Days of his Flesh it was no dishonour to him as it was necessary for us that he suffered so many Indignities and died yet now being risen from the Dead he dieth no more And it must needs be a great Wrong Injury and Dishonour to him to be crucified again and to be brought back to those Reproaches which he long since left and all this to no purpose and without any Profit to us Again the Scripture approveth and useth this Argument that his Body cannot be in two places at one and the same time It is the Angels Argument He is not here Mat. 28.6 he is risen plainly implying that he could not be here and there too Or must we say the Argument used by the Angels of God is weak or deceitful that theirs may be strong and true Object Have we not many Examples in Holy Scripture See a Popish Book called The Fortraiture of the true Church p. 152. which shew that Christ may be in divers Places at one time Was he not in Heaven when he appeared to St. Paul Acts 9.23 Paul saith he was seen last of all of him and yet was he not then in Heaven Answ What Sight it was that Paul had of Christ is not declared however it is evident it was a Vision that he had of him for so he calleth it but that this proves the Body of Christ to be in two places at once doth not in the least appear Stephen also saw Christ and if it should be granted as some affirm that he saw his real glorified Body doth it follow the Body of Christ was then in two Places The Heavens might be opened and his Sight so strengthned that he might have a sight of the blessed Jesus whom Stephen said he saw standing on the right-hand of God Acts 7.56 Object The Papists say Christ's real Body is in the Eucharist invisibly and so the Angels might mean he was not there visibly when they said He is not here he is risen Answ To
never fell from their first Estate Christ is not to them a Redeemer for their Restoration but only a Head for their Confirmation But why Angels are called Sons of God will appear in the following Parallel Metaphor Parallel A Son is the Off-spring of the Father ANgels are the Off-spring of God Adam was called the Son of God by Creation so may the Angels because created by God II. A Son is greatly beloved by the Father II. Angels are greatly beloved of the Almighty III. Sons attend honour and wait upon their Father they are about his Table and at his Command III. Angels wait upon God they stand about his Throne and are always ready to obey his Command and seek his Glory IV. Sons are greatly dignified they are near to their Father and have great Power and Authority in the Family IV. Angels are greatly dignified they are very near to God Mat. 18.10 always beholding his Face and are mighty in power Mr. Caryl saith They are called Sons of God because of Power being called Principalities and Powers c. V. Sons serve their Father cheerfully willingly and readily they obey not as Slaves or Servants V. Angels serve God with abundance of Cheerfulness and Willingness they go about their Work with a Filial or Son-like Cheerfulness and Delight VI. Sons are like their Father they have some Resemblance of him in Nature and Qualifications VI. Angels have some essential Likeness to God God is a Spirit and incorporeal the Angels are Spirits in their Nature and incorporeal Tho the difference between God and them is as great as can be conceived in this respect God is the creating Spirit and they are created Spirits God is an infinite Spirit they finite Spirits Yet the Angels bear as the Learned observe some resemblance to God in their Essence as well as in their Qualification and may in this respect be called the Sons of God likewise VII And lastly Sons imitate their Father Do good to them that hate you saith Christ that you may be the Children of your Father which is in Heaven That is Imitate God as some Children do their Fathers carry it towards evil Men as God doth and this will be an Evidence that you are the Sons of God and he will honour you with the Title of his Sons VII Angels imitate God in Mercy in Love and Compassion as also in their good Works their Ways being all holy just and good pure and righteous and shewing much Kindness and Tenderness to the Children of Men. They doubtless are patient towards the froward and undeserving Mortals they are of most excellent Natures and Dispositions No Creatures do imitate God so plainly or fully as they do and from hence they may be called the Sons of God Inferences THis may teach us how to carry our selves towards God our Father We should labour to be like the Angels Our Saviour hath taught us to pray That the Will of God may be done on Earth as it is done in Heaven Mat. 6.10 We who are God's Sons on Earth should imitate the Sons of God in Heaven We should serve God as cheerfully and with the like Alacrity of Heart as the holy Angels and labour not only to imitate the Angels and be like them but also to imitate God himself for He hath set himself before us for our direct and immediate Example Mat. 5.44 And hereby God will not be ashamed to be called our God He will not grudg us the Honour and Title of Sons which as it appears by this is a most glorious Dignity and Privilege even such a one that is conferred upon the holy Angels of Heaven c. The Holy Angels compared to an Host or Army Gen. 32.1 Jacob went on his way and the Angels of God met him Verse 2. And when Jacob saw them he said This is God's Host And he called the Name of that Place Mahanaim that is two Hosts or Camps Luke 2.13 And suddenly there was with the Angel a Multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God c. ANgels so named of the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Angelos in Hebrew Maleac Messenger or Legate one sent or employed in any Work are in these Scriptures called God's Host or Army not that he needeth them to protect himself or suppress his Enemies being infinitely stronger than all the Armies he himself hath and then what is the Strength and Force of all the Armies of his Enemies Therefore when God is said to have Armies it is either to signify First That he hath all things at his Command and is full of Power Or secondly That altho he can do all things by himself yet he will use the Agency of his Creatures to effect his Purpose Metaphor Parallel AN Host or Army have a Prince or General who is the Head of them THe Lord's Host or Army of Angels have a Prince or General who is their Head and Leader viz. the Lord Jesus Christ who is câ—lled the Head of Principalities and Powers II. An Host or Army consists of many Companies amongst which there are divers Ranks and Orders and yet all in Subjection to their Prince and chief Leader II. Angels the Lord's Host consist of many Companies or Legions Mat. 26.53 Thinkest thou that I cannot pray to my Father and he shall send me more than twelve Legions of Angels Christ spake in the Roman Phrase who reckoned their Armies by Legions as we by Regiments Six thousand six hundred sixty six was the Number of a Legion then the Number of twelve Legions was Seventy nine thousand nine hundred ninety two a great Army But how many more no Man can say Christ pitched upon a great certain Number to shew saith Mr. Caryl he could have what Number he pleased if he did but call for them We are come saith the Apostle to an innumerable Company of Angels The Lord's Camp is very great The Chariots of the Lord are twenty thousand even many thousands of Angels Psal 68.17 We read of many Degrees or Orders of Angels which some account to be nine 1. Cherubims that is Angels of Knowledg as St. Hierom interprets the Word but others from Cherub a Figure or Image Others from Chi a Note of Similitude and a Chaldee Word which signifies Puerum Juvenem a Youth And so as a learned Writer observes they were usually represented in the shape of a young Man to shew them to be intellectual Creatures of a young Man to express their Vigor and Strength with Wings to declare their Agility and Swiftness These we read were placed at the East End of the Garden of Eden with a flaming Sword Gen. 3.24 Exod. 25. 1 Kings 1.6 Ezek 10. Psal 104.4 and their Figures were appointed to be placed over the Mercy-Seat in the Tabernacle and Temple 2. Seraphims the Angels or Zeal Their Name is from an Hebrew Word which signifies to burn or burning according to that of the Psalms He maketh his Ministers a Flame of
Fire 3. Thrones which are Royal Seats of Kings and Monarchs in their Magnificence and Glory 4. Dominions or Lordships Col. 1.16 5. Principalities connoting special and peculiar Jurisdiction 6. Powers such as have Right to execute Authority by God's appointment and not by his Permission only 7. Mighties 1 Thess 4.16 8. Archangels 9. Angels c. Others account but seven Orders of Angels and some but three The holy Scripture doth not fully open and unfold the Mystery of Angels to us in this respect therefore it is good for us as I said before not to be wise above what is written tho no doubt but there is a most excellent Order amongst them And probably there are different Ranks and Degrees of them and yet all are in subjection to our Lord Jesus Christ who is their Prince and Supreme Head whom they all reverence worship and adore III. An Host or Army is raised to make War and fight under the Banner of their Prince and Sovereign and many times do dreadful Execution and make great Desolation in the Earth III. The holy Angels God's mighty Host are employed to fight his Battels and at his Command to fall upon his Enemies when all Terms of Peace and Reconciliation are rejected and Sinners are grown incorrigible c. What fearful Execution and Desolation have they made in the World when they have had Commission from the Almighty Was it not this Host that came against Sodom and Gomorrah and the Cities about them Gen. 19 13 2 Kings 19 35. We will destroy this Place One of these Souldiers destroyed no less than an hundred fourscore and five thousand Men in the Camp of the Assyrians What cause have the Enemies of the Church to tremble when they consider what a mighty and powerful Army is raised and always in readiness at God's Command to fall upon them What is the Power of the proudest Monarch here below when compared to the Strength of the Lord's Host or Christ's heavenly Army IV. An Host or great Army sometimes breaks in upon a People that are secure utterly destroying and spoiling them on a sudden IV. The Angels of God come upon the wicked Enemies of Jesus Christ and his Church sometimes on a sudden in one Night was that great Host of the Assyrians destroyed Hab. 3.16 When he cometh up unto the People he will invade them with his Troops V. An Host or mighty Army hath many slaughtering Weapons if one doth not Execution another will V. So the Angels of God have many slaughtering Weapons or Ways to dedestroy sometimes by Famine Ezek. 9.2 sometimes by Plague sometimes by the Sword and sometimes make use of all these three together against a People that God resolves utterly to destroy VI. An Host or victorious Army sometimes meet with great Opposition and are fiercely engaged by stout and sturdy Enemies that will not quickly yield tho at last they are forced to fly being vanquished VI. The holy Angels of God are sometimes opposed by evil Angels who are fierce sturdy and cruel Enemies to them And there was War in Heaven Michael Rev. 12.7 and his Angels fought against the Dragon And the Dragon fought and his Angels and prevailed not c. Metaphor Disparity AN earthly Host or Army tho never so victorious at other times may yet meet with their Match nay be sometimes worsted THe Lord's Host was never worsted Tho the evil Angels are mighty in Power and have been oftentimes too hard for the Saints yet they are not able to stand before the holy Angels of God II. Souldiers of an earthly Host are mortal Men and may be put to the Sword or lose their Lives by the hands of their Enemies II. The Angels of God are immortal Spirits and cannot sustain the least Hurt or Wound much less be slain in any Wars they are engaged in against their Enemies Inferences WHat Comfort may this administer to the Godly May I not say with the Prophet Fear not for they that be with us are more than they that be with them 2 Kings 6.16 2. And as it affords Comfort to the Saints it may serve to terrify Sinners and such especially as are Persecutors of the Church of God How sad is their Condition considering who they make War against Can they stand before the terrible God God is their Enemy Christ is their Enemy and the Angels of Heaven are against them and their Enemies likewise 3. Bless God you that are in Covenant with him for the sake of these Helpers 4. This shews us also what great Glory is conferred upon the Lord Jesus Christ our blessed Mediator He is the Head and chief Leader of all the glorious Angels they are all at his Command and ready to engage in his Wars if he does but speak the Word they come with slaughtering Weapons in their hands Ezek. 9.2 to execute his Wrath and Displeasure upon the World The Holy Angels compared to the Faces of a Man of a Lion of an Ox and of an Eagle Ezek. 1.6.10 And every one had four Faces c. that is every one of the living Creatures or Angels which the Prophet saw in the Vision FOur particular Angels as some conceive which were chief over the rest of the whole Host of Angels Others upon better Reason rather understand it relates to the four Parts of the World East West North and South i. e. the Work of Angels laid out in all those Parts See Mr. Greenhill on Ezekiel pag. 85. Observ 1. God employeth glorious intelligent Creatures in his Service in the Ways and Workings of his Power and Providence in the World Observ 2. That Angels are in all Quarters of the Earth taking notice of Mens Works and Ways they perceive what is done in every Place by the Just and by the Vnjust The Consideration of which should make us carry our selves wisely and holily at all times and in all Places And every one had four Faces 1. The Face of a Man 2. The Face of a Lion 3. The Face of an Ox. 4. The Face of an Eagle In some Pictures saith Reverend Greenhill you may see several Faces so drawn that which way soever you look a several Face is presented So here before was the Face of a Man behind the Face of a Lion on the right side the Face of an Ox and on the left side the Face of an Eagle There is not a Face but is compared to the Face of some principal Creature Man is the chief of all the rest a Lion is the King of wild Beasts the Ox is the chief of the tame Ones and the Eagle is the chief of the Birds To these distinctly I. The Face of a Man Metaphor Parallel THe Face of a Man notes Understanding and the Excellency of Reason by which all human Actions are managed ANgels have great Knowledg and Understanding By their Likeness unto Man is laid before us the Rationality Knowledg and Understanding of Angels They
Angels are useful to the Saints We little think what great Good we receive by the Ministration of Angels See Watchers Inferences This should instruct us we should be like Angels in many respects 1. when God commands or calls upon us to do any Service or Duty how ready ought we to be to do it even say with Samuel Here am I speak Lord what thou commandest I will do it 2. It should teach us to be faithful to the Lord as the holy Angels are 3. To be patient under Burthens Reproaches and all the Oppositions we meet with 4. To be serviceable to God and to one another in the Places and Stations wherein God hath set us c. Angels in all they do seek the Glory of God and the Profit and great Good of the Saints let us in this imitate them III. The Face of an Eagle Metaphor Parallel I. An Eagle hath a mighty quick Sight her Eyes behold afar off from the Top of Rocks out of Clouds they are said to behold Fishes swimming in the Sea So strong is the Sight of an Eagle that she can a long time behold the Sun with open and stedfast Eyes I. Angels are quick-sighted they as you hear have Eyes before and behind as if they were all Eye which notes the Excellency of their Sight and Knowledg of things They soar aloft stand before God they are said to behold the Face of God Mat. 18.10 Their Angels always behold the Face of my Father which is in Heaven 2 Sam. 1.23 II. Eagles are swift in their Flight Naturalists tell us no Bird flies more swiftly than the Eagle II. Angels are swift Creatures their Agility Speed and Swiftness is extraordinary moving saith one like Lightning from one end of Heaven to the other compared therefore to a Flame of Fire Heb. 1.7 and said from hence also to have Wings with which they flie Isa 6. Their Quickness or Agility in Motion proceeds from their spiritual Nature which is not subject to Weariness they cannot be hindred by any corporeal Substance they can pass over and through all Impediments And besides this their Agility is much helped forward by their Promptitude and Readiness Propensity and Zeal to dispatch their Errand and Ministry upon which they are employed 'T is not here saith Ayston Timor but Amor addidit alas Their Swiftness is very necessary saith Clark 1. Because of the vast distance between Heaven and Earth betwixt which they often pass and repass 2. Because many of the Saints whose Necessity requires present Relief live far asunder 3. Because the Devils are swift to do Mischief therefore they are swift to defend succour and do us good III. Eagles are fresh and lively always Age and Sickness works not upon them as upon other Birds The Eagle in her Age saith a great Writer is useful Pliny saith they never die with Age nor Sickness but by Hunger her upper Bill groweth so much over the under that she cannot open her Mouth to take in Sustenance and so dies Her Age is said to be renewed by often changing of her Feathers III. Angels never grow old they are always strong and lively they know no Sickness their Service doth not wear them out The Cherubims before the Mercy-Seat which represented the Angels were without Beards to shew their Vigor Vivacity and Youthfulness Men soon decay their Strength and Activity many times on a sudden is gone Sin hath brought this upon us if Man had not sinned he had never decayed but retained an immortal Vivacity Angels sinned not and so retain their first Liveliness Inferences FIrst From hence we may infer that Angels are fit for publick and great Service They have four Faces a Man's a Lion's an Ox's and an Eagle's which shew they have all that is requisite to great Undertakings They have Wisdom to consult to contrive and manage the Affairs of the World prudentially they have the Strength of a Lion to execute they have the Willingness and Faithfulness of the Ox to rejoyce the Heart of the Commander and Patience to undergo the Difficulties of their Work and Usefulness of the Publick they are quick-sighted to discern and prevent the Designs of Enemies and speedily to dispatch much in a little time and that with cheerfulness This is meant by their four Faces which notes their Perfection and Fitness for Service in all Parts of the World in regard of which they are said to have one Face before and another behind and one on each side God sets forth their Serviceableness by these Creatures both rational and irrational they have the Shapes of Men Birds and Beasts Secondly That suitable Persons ought to be employed in publick and great Service God employs Angels in the Government of the World who are wise trusty strong and speedy and you know what Men God calls for in the State Exod. 18.21 viz. Such as fear God Men of Truth hating Covetousness and in the Church 1 Pet. 5. Bishops must not lord it over God's Clergy They are not Lords but Servants they ought not like Princes to dwell in stately Palaces in Pride and Idleness but daily to study and preach God's holy Word and labour in God's Harvest like as an Ox is faithful and laborious to his Owner not instead of Preaching and striving to build up God's House plot and contrive Ways to pull it down and instead of feeding undo and ruin such as are faithful in the Land Thirdly Angels are noble and glorious Creatures and yet disdain not to do Service to them that are far beneath themselves Man at first when in his Glory was but a little lower than the Angels but since he sinned he is degraded and fallen as low as Hell he hath a vile Body a defiled Conscience and a polluted Soul yet the Angels that are stiled Gods Holy Ones Elect Psal 8.5 that are of the Privy-Council of Heaven these blessed Creatures are not ashamed to serve and wait upon us tho we have the scent of the Earth and Hell about us and do often grieve and offend them with our Miscarriages yet they despise us not but cheerfully minister unto us What Pride is it then in Men that have Parts Places Honour Greatness Grace c. not to stoop to those that are their Inferiors They have not more Worth in them than an Angel and Angels condescend to serve us Rom. 12.16 therefore let us not mind high things but condescend to Men of low Estate and not be wise in our own Conceit Fourthly There is one thing more remarkable touching their Faces viz. the Faces were stretched upward so Montanus and others read it They looked up to him that sate upon the Throne which was Christ The Cherubim's Faces Exod. 25.20 21. were towards the Mercy-Seat Fifthly Observe all Creatures depend upon the Lord Jesus Christ These Angels have the Face of Men Lions Oxen Eagles and look up to him If there were nothing in it but this viz. Angels in
time By means of the Fruitfulness of that one spiritual Garden seven Gardens more were planted in Asia viz. Ephesus Smyrna Pergamus Thyatira Sardis Rev. 1.11 Philadelphia and Laodicea besides many others which we read of c. XI A Garden must be often watered or else it will soon fade and the Fruit thereof wither away and the choice Flowers will hang down their Heads XI God's Garden must be often watered by the Divine Rain or Dew of Heaven viz. the Word and Spirit of God My Doctrine shall drop as the Rain Deut. 32.1 2. And without these Waterings from above the Fruit of the Church will soon fail all our Growth and Greenness is continued by the means of the Word and Ordinances XII A Garden must have the Door carefully kept and look'd after lest Thieves and other Spoilers should get in and ruine it XII So the Door of the Church must be carefully kept by such as have the Charge of it viz. the Ministers or Pastors thereof or the Danger is great it behoveth them to take care who they let in Christ's Garden should be as a Garden enclosed and Fountain sealed to all Unbelievers But yet let them be never so careful some Decâ—ivers or Hypocrites will as in former Times creep in 't was so when the chief Gardener himself was upon the Earth there was a Judas among the twelve Apostles XIII The chief Owner of a Garden loves to take his Walks in it to see how the Plants and precious Fruits do flourish XIII So the Lord Jesus who is the Owner and only Proprietor of his Church loves to take his Walks in it Cant. 5.1 I am come into my Garden my Sister my Spouse He is said to walk in the midst of the seven Golden Candlesticks Let us get up early to the Vineyards Cant. 7 1â— let us see whether the Vine flourish whether the tender Grapes appear and the Pomegranates bud forth there will I give thee my Loves XIV In a Garden as it is found by Experience Worms do much hurt especially when they get to the Root of Plants or Flowers They may seem very green and flourishing when there are some devouring Worms gnawing at the Roots by which means in a little time they die are pulled up and cast away XIV So in the Church Sin which may be compared to a Worm or hurtful Vermine doth exceeding much Detriment A Christian seemeth very green amiable and fair to the Eye like some Plants full of Leaves but there is some cursed Worm some secret Lust that mars his Root and in time he withers and dies and is pluck'd up and cast away This may be a Caution to all to take heed XV. In a Garden whatsoever choice Flower the Owner of it seeeth is fully ripe if he hath a mind to it he crops it off and takes it to himself XV. So in the Church those Flowers or precious Saints Jesus Christ seeth are fully ripe for Heaven he crops off by Death and taketh them to himself A godly Man dies when he is ready and ripe for Death When a holy Man dies saith Mr. Caryl Caryl it is Harvest-time with him Tho in a natural Capacity he may be cut down whilst he is green or cropp'd in the Bud or Blossom yet in his spiritual Capacity he never dies before he is ripe God ripens his speedily when he intends to take them out of the World speedily XVI A Garden flourisheth best that hath the sweet warm and splendent Rays of the Sun shining upon it How sweet do the Flowers and precious Herbs smell when the Rain distills the South Wind blows and the Sun sweetly breaks forth upon it XVI So the Church never thrives nor flourisheth but when the Sun of Righteousness shineth in a gracious manner upon it when the Rain or spiritual Dew descends the South Wind of the Spirit bloweth and the Sun of Righteousness sweetly shineth what a fragrant Scent doth the Church of God and gracious Ones then send forth Hence Christ calleth for the South Wind to blow upon his Garden Cant. 4 1â— that the Spices thereof may flow forth XVII A Garden is attended with several Seasons Winter as well as Summer And tho in the Winter many Flowers seem decayed and their Glory gone yet a Winter's sharp Frosts and cold North Winds are as necessary as the Summer for the killing of the Weeds and Worms which otherwise would abound XVII The Church hath its Winter as well as its Spring and Summer-Season nay and the nipping Frosts and North Winds of Temptations and Afflictions are as profitable to the Saints as the Summer of Comfort Peace and Prosperity for God seeth need of the one as well as the other to destroy those Weeds of Corruption or indwelling Sin that is in our Hearts If need be 1 Pet. 1.6 ye are in Heaviness through manifold Temptations Disparity THere are divers Disparities Christ's Garden excelleth all other Gardens They are the Plantations of Men this is planted by Christ Their Fruit is temporal and fading this is spiritual and lasting They that plant other Gardens cannot make them grow but Christ can And many others might be minded which I here omit Inferences THis shews what a vast Difference there is between the Church and the World What is a howling and barren Wilderness to a choice and lovely Garden II. Bless God that this precious Garden is not spoiled and its Hedg of Divine Providence not removed nor pluck'd up III. Let us pray tho it be surrounded about at this day with cruel Enemies that it may never be moved taken and trodden down by Romish Wolves or other ravenous Beasts of Prey IV. Let the Adversary tremble whose evil Intent is fully discovered how they proceed in their Designs against God's Church Christ's spiritual Garden since it is so prized by him and his own proper Inheritance he alone being the Proprietor thereof How often doth he say My Garden my Vineyard It appears it is his 1. In that he bought the Ground with the Price of his precious Blood to make a Garden of it 2. He hath at his own Charge planted and sown it 3. He keeps it and waters it and watcheth over it Night and Day Isa 27 2 3 4. 'T is he only that gathereth the Fruit of it Wo therefore to them that adventure to crop and pull up and destroy any of its choice Flowers They that touch God's People Christ's Lillies touch the Apple of his Eye V. Let the Saints of Christ also learn from hence to be fruitful Christ hath been at great Cost and Pains in order thereunto And that you may be so 1. See that you are Plants of his own planting otherwise you will be pluck'd up 2. See that you are well-rooted such bring forth most Fruit. 3. Take heed of the Worm at the Root 4. Take heed whom ye chuse for Garden-Dressers and look to your Hedge or Wall of Church-Discipline You must know
your Bounds the Garden of Christ must not be opened into other Men's Fields Keep your Communion entire remember you are bounded by Christ's Laws and Institutions take heed you do not with Ephraim mix your selves with other People The Church compared to a Lilly Cant. 2.2 As the Lilly among the Thorns so is my Love among the Daughters CHrist calleth his Church his Love and compareth her to a Lilly among Thorns By Daughters are meant as some conceive other Churches who pretend themselves to be the Spouse of Christ Daughters saith the Learned Wendelin are either Nations Strangers to the Church of Christ which nevertheless are joined to us by the common Ligaments of Humanity and descend from the same Creator and therefore called Daughters or else such as profess their Names among the Citizens of Zion the Church of Christ But as the Church is compared to a Lilly so with the greatest Elegancy the Daughters are compared to Thorns Simile Parallel A Lilly is a very sweet Flower so fragrant that Naturalists tell us a Man's Senses will be easily turned with the Strength thereof SO there is nothing sweeter to Christ than the Church the Spouse Caâ—t 4.7 10 14. Thou art all fair my Love there is no Spot in thee The Smell of thy Ointment is better than all Spices Spikenard and Saffron Calamus and Cinamon with all Trees of Frankincense Myrrh and Aloes with the chief Spices The Church and faithful Children of God are unto Christ a sweet Savour And 't is said Noah built an Altar to the Lord and took of every clean Fowl Gen. 8.40 41. and offered Burnt-Offerings on the Altar and the Lord smelled a sweet Savour II. A Lilly is an exceeding white Flower nothing more pure nothing whiter saith the same Author than a Lilly II. So nothing is more fair and white or purer in Christ's Sight than the Church My Vndefiled is but one she is the only one of her Mother she is the choice one of her that bare her Thou art all fair my Love and there is no Spot in thee Hence said to be cloathed in fine Linnen clean and white Christ her blessed Bridegroom gave himself for her Eph. 5.25 26 27. that he might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of Water by the Word that he might present her to himself a glorious Church not having Spot or Wrinkle or any such thing but that she should be holy and without Blemish III. The Lilly is a very fruitful Flower Plin. lib. 21. cap. 5. one Root saith Pliny often yielding fifty Pods The Dew of Heaven the Heat of the Sun and Fatness of the Soil make it fruitful III. The Church is fruitful nothing more fruitful saith Wendelin The which being planted in the Field of one Jerusalem in the Days of old watered by the Apostolick Men with the Dew of the Word and Miracles the Sun of Righteousness shining upon it Mal. 4.2 and infusing of his Divine Heat into it In what part of the World See Vine in the space of a few Years hath it not taken Root In the former Age after the Roman Winters of the Alpine Snow had for some Ages depressed this Flower and reduced its Leaves to admirable Paucity insomuch that they were scarcely visible to the World and had circumscribed its Roots into a narrow Space how great and swift were the Increasings of it the Heavens which before seemed shut again bedewing of it Then that Word saith he we saw fulfilled which was promised in Times past to Israel Hos 14 4 5. I will be as the Dew unto Israel and he shall grow as the Lilly and cast forth his Roots as Lebanon His Branches shall spread and his Beauty shall be as the Olive-Tree and his Smell as Lebanon Germany England France Italy Spain Poland Hungary Denmark Sweden hath and what Country of Europe hath not within a few Years seen the Roots and Branches thereof spread and smelt its Odor The Popish Waves Flames and Axes could neither suffocate burn nor cut up the Flower Leaves nor Roots of this Lilly The Shadow of the Highest hath restrained the Flames his Spirit bound up or constrained the Waves his Right-hand with-held the Axes that grinning and grinding Dragon that the Beast and false Prophet could do nothing c. IV. The Lilly is a very tall Flower few Flowers as Pliny observes are higher than the Lilly IV. So the Church and People of God are the tallest or highest People in the World they dwell on high Isa 33. Christ's Spouse is secure in that most high and Heaven-threatning Rock Mat. 16.18 not to be overthrown by any of the Enemies battering Rams nor to be reached by any Power of the Dragon This is that chosen Generation 2 Pet. 2 9. royal Priesthood holy Nation peculiar People who are said to dwell on high And tho they now seem to creep low upon the Ground and wander as it were in Darkness yet dwelling in God they rest secure c. Mich. 4.1 2. and shall in due Time be exalted above the Hills and the highest Mountains of the Earth V. The Lilly is a Flower most gloriously adorned and lovely to look upon so that our Saviour saith Solomon in all his Glory was not adorned like one of these It is furnished with beauteous Accomplishments its Form is excellent with six Leaves curiously set and within are seven Grains and all within of the Colour of Gold hanging down their Head much of the Glory of the Lilly is inward V. The Church and Spouse of Christ is very glorious her Clothes are said to be wrought Gold Psal 45. She shall be brought to the King in Raiment of Needle-Work Hence said to be as fair as the Moon as clear as the Sun The Church with every sincere Soul is gloriously adorned furnished with beauteous Accomplishments 1. With the imputed Righteousness of Christ a transparent and sparkling Ornament 2. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit which may answer to the Leaves of the Lilly 3. The Graces of the Spirit which may answer to the Grains within the Lilly 2 Pet 1.5.6 7 8. which as St. Peter layeth them down are seven Yet notwithstanding all this Glory with which Christ's Spouse is adorned and beautified she is not proud but as taught by the seven Grains of the Lilly or Graces of the Spirit doth humbly hang down her Head Psal 45. Her chiefest Beauty is internal The King's Daughter is all glorious within VI. The Lilly is a Plant that as Naturalists tell us doth shoot up suddenly nay and that it doth grow very much in the Night VI. So God's Church when his Blessing is upon it thrives marvellously in a short time To make this appear consider in the Primitive Time when the Dew of Grace fell upon the Christian World what abundance of Lillies sprung up suddenly Three thousand converted by St. Peter at one Sermon Acts 2.40 VII The Lilly is among
Flock to rest at Noon c. Luke 12.32 Fear not little Flock it is your Father's good Pleasure to give you the Kingdom THe Church or Saints of God are compared unto a Flock of Sheep Metaphor Parallel SHeep are clean Beasts tame and gentle not wild as Tigers Lions Foxes or Wolves nor unclean as Dogs Swine c. SO the Saints of God are a People tamed as it were by God's Spirit from that natural Wildness and Perverseness made gentle willing to come into Christ's Fold cleansed from Impurity of Heart and Life II. Sheep are simple a harmless Sort of Creatures not crafty ravenous and devouring as those Sort of Beasts above-mentioned II. So the Saints of God are holy they are taught to be simple concerning Evil Mat. 10.16 Be ye saith Christ as innocent as Doves They seek the Hurt of no Man not like Romish Wolves who delight in nothing more than in Blood and Rapine shedding the Blood of those who do not wrong or injure them but desire to live peaceably in the Land III. Sheep are meek and patient under Sufferings Hence our Saviour is said to be led as a Lamb to the Slaughter Isa 53.7 and as a Sheep is dumb before the Shearer so opened he not his Mouth See Lamb. III. So the Saints and People of God are meek and patient under God's hand both when they suffer for their Sins or for the Trial of their Graces as appeareth in Job David Stephen c. Psal 39 9. I held my Peace I opened not my Mouth because Lord thou diddest it IV. Sheep as they are patient so they are profitable both in their Lives and by their Death There is scarcely any Creature that brings its Owner greater Incomes than Sheep they are good both for Food and Cloathing IV. The Saints are very profitable many ways the Benefit the World receives by them or for their Sakes is very great they are called the Light of the World and the Salt of the Earth now the Profit the World receives in both these respects is not little Had there been ten of those Sheep in Sodom God had not destroyed it besides the Angel told Lot he could do nothing till he was out of the City What a Blessing was Joseph to his Master whilst he abode in his House and Jacob to Laban They yield the World much Profit by the Doctrine they preach by the fervent Prayers they daily put up to Almighty God and their holy and good Examples Mat. 5.16 Let your Light so shine before Men that they may see your good Works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven V. Sheep are obedient and ready to follow their Shepherd whithersoever he goeth It is the Custom in some Countries for the Shepherd to go before the Sheep c To which our Saviour alludes John 10.27 V. So Believers and the Church of Christ are obedient to him Joh. 10.4 5. My Sheep saith he hear my Voice and they follow me and the Voice of a Stranger they will not follow Psal 73.24 Thou shalt guide me by thy Counsel saith the Psalmist Christ's Precepts are the Saints Directory and his Practice their Pattern for Imitation Hence Paul exhorteth the Corinthians to follow him as he followed Christ 1 Cor. 11.1 VI. Sheep are incident to many Diseases many of them are weak and feeble which a good Shepherd taketh pity of and endeavours to heal and strengthen them VI. So the Saints of God are subject to manifold Weaknesses Temptations and Afflictions which moved the Almighty to great Compassion and sorely to rebuke the Shepherds of Israel for their Cruelty and great Remisness towards his Flock The Diseased have ye not strengthned neither have ye healed that which was sick c. And therefore saith He would himself take the Work into his own hands I will bind up that which was broken and will strengthen that which was sick c VII A Flock of Sheep must not be over-driven lest they tire Jacob who was a skilful Shepherd knew this and therefore told Esau his Brother Gen. 33.13 that if the Flock were over-driven they would die VII So the Saints or Flock of Christ must not be over-driven they must be led gently along and God taketh care to lay no more upon them than they can bear No Temptation hath taken you 1 Cor. 10.13 but such as is common to Men but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able and will with the Temptation also make way to escape that ye may be able to bear it He will not lay upon us more than is right VIII Sheep are subject to go astray and to be lost in a Wilderness and upon that account need the Shepherd's Care to seek them and fetch them home to the Fold VIII So the Saints are subject to go astray from God and to wander from his Precepts viz. decline in their Zeal Faith and Affection to him and his Ways and to get wandering Thoughts after the World and sometimes they wander through the Neglect and Carelesness of the Under-Shepherds My Sheep Ezek. 34.6 Psal 119.176 saith the Lord wandered through all the Mountains and none did search or seek after them I have gone astray like a lost Sheep seek thy Servant c. IX Sheep must be led forth into green Pastures to be fed and a good Shepherd will take heed he puts them not into Fields or Meadows that are not proper for them for some Grounds will soon rot and spoil them IX So Christ's Flock must be fed in good Pastures viz. with sound and wholesom Truth good Doctrine Food that is fit and proper for them they must not have Chaff of Mens Traditions nor the corrupt Glosses of cloudy Doctors that lived in the dark Time of the Church It behoves Christ's Ministers to take heed they suffer not the Sheep under their Charge to suck in the Poyson of Error and Heresy for nothing rots and spoils Christians more than that The Spouse from hence enquireth of Christ Cant. 1.7 Where he feedeth his Flock that is Where his blessed Gospel was truly and constantly preached and his holy Ordinances duly administred lest she should turn aside by the Flocks of his Companions that is such as call themselves so Christ directs her to go forth by the Footsteps of the Flock and feed their Kids besides the Shepherds Tents That is to follow the Doctrine and Footsteps of the Primitive Church for that alone is our Rule in all God's holy Worship The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want Psal 23.1 2 He maketh me to lie down in green Pastures he leadeth me besides the still Waters X. Sheep have a shadowy Place to rest in when the Sun shines hot at Noon which is a great Refreshment to them where they chew their Cud and being saved from the Vehemency of the scorching Sun they with the greater Alacrity return to
Places might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God Hence God is said to love the Gates of Zion Psal 87.2 viz. the Place of his visible Worship more than all the Dwellings of Jacob. Can there be a greater Reproach to a Church or any thing more provoking to God than to have Prayer and other Branches of Publick Worship and Devotion wholly neglected among them X. All the Family yea every particular Person thereof ought to be called together and they diligently to obey that Call and come together at the Time of Devotion or when Prayer is solemnly performed therein X. So the whole Church I mean each Community of Christians yea every particular Member thereof ought to be called together and they diligently to obey that Call at all Times when Prayer or any other part of Church-Service Devotion and Worship is to be performed Heb 10.25 Not forsaking the assembling of your selves together as the manner of some is c. Acts 2.1 They were all with one accord in one Place XI Some Families are exceeding great consisting of many Persons especially if it be the Family of a Prince or noble Person XI The whole Family of Christ the great Prince of Heaven and Earth I mean the whole universal Church both Militant and Triumphant is exceeding great the one part of which is in Heaven and the other on Earth Eph. 3.15 16. For this Cause I bow my Knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole Family in Heaven and Earth is named c. Ephes 3.15 16. XII It is exceeding commendable and honourable for all that belong unto a Family to be truly and cordially affectionate one to another to be ready and willing to do all Offices of Love and Kindness so far as the Law of such a Relation doth require of each in their respective Places and Callings XII So the Lord Jesus the Head and Governor of his Church hath strictly commanded and doth exceedingly commend the Grace of Love in and among all his Family The Church is never more desirable or comely in this World than when the Love of each Member doth abound one towards another when Ministers love the People and the People heartily love them and when every one in the Station wherein God hath set him is ready and willing to do any Office of Love How amiable upon this account is the Church of God! Inferences THis shews that the Church of God are a choice and peculiar People such who have given up themselves in the Order and Fellowship of the Gospel walking together in Love as a holy religious and united Family according to the Order and Discipline Christ hath left in his Word having sweet Acquaintance and Intimacy one with another And now to conclude with this Head from the Whole we may infer I. That God's Church is most dear and precious in his Sight or a People that he hath most choice Love and Affections to and takes great Care of II. That the Church of God under the Gospel-Dispensation is not National Parochial c. III. That the Church of God are a People separated from the World in respect of the Worship Traditions and sinful Customs thereof c. Non-conformity to the World in these respects is an indispensible Duty Be not conformed to this World Rom. 12.2 Come out from amongst them and be ye separated saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing c. 2 Cor. 6.17 IV. That the true Church of God is a Number of sincere and godly Christians who have solemnly covenanted and given up themselves to walk in the true Order and Fellowship of the Gospel according to the exact Rule of God's Word amongst whom the Word of God is truly preached and the Sacraments are duely and in a right manner administred V. That God's Church hath many Enemies and yet in despite of them all shall abide and the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against her And tho for a time she may be low and under great Sufferings yet she shall arise to a great Degree of Glory in the latter Day THE Eighth HEAD OF Metaphors Allegories and Similes WITH Other Borrowed TERMS That respect MEN. I. Of Men in general II. Of the Godly or good Men. III. Of Sinners or wicked Men. Men compared to Earth Jer. 22.9 Hear O Earth Earth Earth Psal 33.5 Let all the Earth fear the Lord. Let all the Earth keep Silence Rev. 12. But the Earth helped the Woman BY Earth in these Scriptures we are to understand Men dwelling upon the Earth Earth Parallel THe Earth is far from Heaven there is a vast Difference between them ALl Men whilst they remain unconverted or abide in a State of Nature are said to be far from God tho not in respect of Place yet in respect of Condition Men being by reason of Sin in a State of Enmity Eph. 2.13 Ye that sometimes were afar off are now made nigh by the Blood of Christ II. The Earth is a heavy lumpish and gross Body II. So Man naturally is Earth-like a heavy and lumpish Piece being taken out of the Earth and the Off-spring of red Earth As is the earthy 1 Cor. 15.48 such are they that are earthy III. The Earth hath its great Dependency upon the Heavens did not the Rain from above water it and the Sun shine upon it how hard and barren would it soon be II. So Man hath all his Dependency upon God neither the spiritual Man nor the natural Man can subsist unless the Heavens send down Blessings upon them All humane as well as divine Growth and Fruitfulness comes from above IV. Earth turns and cleaves to Earth as its proper Center Tho a Piece of it may by force be lifted up or thrown upward yet by an innate Propensity to descend it naturally falls down again IV. So Man naturally cleaves to and takes delight in earthly Things He that is after the Flesh Rom. 8.5 minds the Things of the Flesh He that is not born anew born of the Spirit but is wholly an earthly Man the Earth is his proper Center tho sometimes his Heart may in an artificial way as it were be lifted upwards yet down he falls again to his own Center V. What a dark Dungeon would the Earthly Globe be did not the Heavens shine upon it V. So what a dark Dungeon is Man's Heart and in what Egyptian Darkness would all Men and Women be involved were it not for the Light of the God of Heaven his Word and blessed Spirit VI. Those Things that are fed and nourished by the Earth are Earth and we see go or return to Earth again VI. So the Body of Man which is fed from the Earth which was taken out of the Earth we daily see goeth to the Earth again and therefore Man may be called Earth Earth Earth Jer. 22.29 that was his Original Earth he was and Earth he is and to Earth he
shall return again VII The Sun every Spring by its powerful Influences causeth all earthly Plants and Flowers to come forth that seemed dead in Winter VII So the Lord Jesus will cause all these earthly Bodies of Men to rise up from the Dead at the last Day Joh. 5.28 All that are in the Graves shall hear his Voice c. Inferences THis may inform Mankind of their Original and may tend to keep them humble Why should any Mortals have such high towring Thoughts of themselves and vaunt in Pride and Haughtiness of Heart spotting trimming and decking themselves when alas their Bodies are nothing but Earth Lumps of Earth They dwell in Houses of Clay Job 4.19 and it is but a little while ere the Worms will feed upon them Tho now they seem like curious Vessels or refined Earth yet in a short space they will be part of the grossest and loathsomest Earth that Eyes can behold nothing but Filth and stinking Putrefaction Caryl on Job 7.5 p. 596 597 O then be not proud of your Bodies nor of your Beauty They who are now the fairest and goodliest to look upon may quickly have a broken and loathsom Skin A Disease or one Fit of Sickness may spoil all thy Beauty deface and blemish thy excellent Feature and if a Disease doth it not old Age will Time will draw Furrows in thy Face and make Wrinkles in thy Brow Strength and Beauty are no Matches for Time All Things were made in Time and Time will marr all Things So long as Generation continueth Corruption must The two Externals which Man is most subject to be proud of are Beauty and Apparel Cloaths are a Flag of Vanity and Pride sits upon the Skirts But remember how fine soever your Cloathing is this day God can put you on another Suit before tomorrow He can put you on such Cloathing as you shall have little cause to be proud of He can make you wear Worms and Clods of Dust And if we saith he consider it we have little reason to be proud of Cloaths for if we follow the best of them to their Original they will be found to be but a Cloathing of Worms and Clods of Dust What are Silks Sattens and Velvets but the Issue of Worms And what is your Gold and Silver what your Pearls and precious Stones Are they any thing if you will resolve them into their Principle but Clods of Earth They are indeed better concocted by the Heat of the Sun refined and polished by the Art of Man but if you search their Pedigree they are but Clods of Dust c. And if you be proud of such Cloathing God can cloath you with Worms not only of unrefined and unpolished but of putrified and filthy Dust Man compared to a Worm Job 25.6 How much less Man that is a Worm and the Son of Man a Worm A Worm is one of the meanest Creatures and the Word that is here used 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vermis parvus aut Caseo nascens signifieth properly and chiefly those Worms that breed in Flesh or Cheese or any other kind of Food when it is corrupted The Word is used Exod. 16.24 where it is said The Manna that was reserved contrary to the Command of God bred Worms such a Worm is Man God is so excellent and glorious that nothing can be found out that can set forth or illustrate his incomparable Being and Greatness To whom shall we liken him So there is nothing so low and base but Man in his fallen State is compared to it he is compared to Earth Dust the Grass of the Field to a Lie to Vanity it self and here to a Worm Metaphor Parallel A Worm hath its Original from the Earth SO Man is Earth as we shewed before his Original is from thence II. A Worm liveth upon the Earth and there it loves to be and make its Abode III. So Man in his natural State liveth upon the Earth and the things thereof Amos 2.7 he panteth after the Dust of the Earth his Mind Love and whole Desire is after earthly things III. A Worm is a Creature of little Worth and hath no Beauty in it what is more contemptible than a Worm III. So Man in his fallen State is of no Worth he hath made himself as light and empty as Vanity He was once of great Worth in God's esteem whilst he retained his Uprightness but now naturally there is no Excellency in him his Beauty is gone he is but a Lump of Sin and Pollution contemptible as a Worm IV. A Worm is a Creature that lies obnoxious to great Danger every Foot is ready to crush it IV. So Man is open to manifold Dangers from Sin Satan and the World many ways he is exposed to Ruine and to be undone for ever V. A small thing may spoil kill and destroy a Worm V. So a small thing may destroy and ruine Man First a little thing may take away his natural Life a Bit of Bread hath choaked some Men a Tile from a House may beat out his Brains a Spider and other small Creatures may presently destroy him What is Man's Life how small a thing will stop his Breath And then secondly a small thing as it may seem in his Sight may destroy his Soul A lascivious Lust Mat. 5.28 a wanton Look upon a Woman Jesting and idle Words nay the least Sin without Repentance will damn him for ever But remember this no Sin is small or little in it self tho there be more Venom in some Sins than in some others The least Sin is a Breach of the holy Law of God and the least Breach thereof layeth a Soul under the Curse of it Also Christ's Blood was shed to save us from lesser Sins as well as from the greater VI. A Worm is a Creature that is not able to make resistance that way to deliver it self from its Enemy VI. So what Resistance is a Man able to make in himself against Satan Is he not as a Worm in the sight of that cruel Enemy if God let him but once out against him Besides God is an Adversary to him whilst he remains in an unconverted State Psal 7.11 Mat. 5.25 and what Resistance can he make against the Almighty There is a far greater Disproportion between God and us than there is between us and a Worm VII A Worm is a Creature that is a Prey to the Fowls of Heaven they you know commonly feed upon them and catch them up at every Turn VII So Men are a Prey to Satan and evil Spirits Mat. 13.4 19. who are called Fowls of Heaven How often doth the Devil seize upon Sinners and carry them captive at his Will VIII Worms when they find the Ground to shake by Mens treading upon it many times make haste into their Holes and thereby save themselves VIII So some poor Sinners when they find their earthly Tabernacles begin to shake by Sickness or some approaching
House of the Lord all the days of my Life c. XII A dear Child will strive to imitate his Father and walk in his Steps in all things that are just and right Thus Solomon was exhorted to follow the good Example of his Father David XII So a dear Saint takes care to follow God Be ye Followers of God Eph. 5.1 as dear Children Be ye holy for I am holy That is the Precept and a sincere Soul labours so to be it is his great desire to be like God and Christ as near as he can Be ye Followers of me as I am of Christ Jesus 1. A Saint strives to follow God and Christ in Love We are taught of God to love one another 2. In Humility What a Pattern hath God in Christ laid before us herein Mat 11.28 Phil. 2.5 6 Learn of me saith our Saviour for I am meek and lowly in Heart c. Let the same Mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus 3. In being merciful and kind to all Be ye merciful Mat. 5.45.48 as your Father that is in Heaven is merciful 3. In hating and abominating that which is evil God loaths Sin and so doth every sincere Christian 5. In Forgiveness they strive to be like God in this He is ready to pardon forgive and forget Injuries done to him and so ought his Children Eph. 4.34 And be ye kind one to another and tender-hearted forgiving one another as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you God forgiveth freely universally and for ever so must they Inferences LAbour to follow God as dear Children 1. Sincerely not in Hypocrisy not for Loaves 2. Speedily do not defer it I made haste saith David c. 3. In whatsoever he commands you 4. Diligently 5. Follow him through all Difficulties and Hardships as Caleb did c. and as Ruth followed Naomi 6. Follow him humbly 7. Follow him joyfully 8. Follow him when others leave him 9. Follow him constantly even to the end 10. And lastly follow none but him forsake all those that would lead you astray Christ's Sheep will not follow Strangers they will follow God and not Baal II. From hence every one may perceive whether they are God's Children yea or no. III. This shews also what great Dignity God hath conferred upon Believers Behold what manner of Love is this God hath bestowed upon us 1 Joh. 3.1 2 that we should be called the Sons of God If David thought it no small thing to be Son in Law to an earthly King what an Honour hath God conferred on us Rom. 8. IV. Saints may from hence read their Privileges If Children then Heirs Heirs of God and Joynt-Heirs with Christ. Saints compared to Heirs Rom. 8.17 If Children then Heirs c. Rev. 21.7 He that overcometh shall be Heir of all things Note The Saints of God are Heirs Heirs of God Heirs of all things c. Heirs Parallel THe First-born had a Princely Power and Dominion over their Brethren who bowed down before them they were next their Fathers in Honour THe Saints are made Kings to God are called Kings and Princes Isa 32.1 A King shall reign in Righteousness and Princes shall decree Judgment They shall have Dominion over the Mighty of the Earth in their Day They are next to Christ in Honour Rev. 3.21 and shall sit upon the Throne with him II. The First-born were Priests in their Father's Family till the Levites came in II. The Saints are Priests as well as Kings to God Rev. 1.6 1 Pet. 2.5 He hath made us Kings and Priests c. They are called an holy Priesthood to offer up a holy and acceptable Sacrifice unto God III. The First-born had the Inheritance the rest had but a Piece of Money And to this day we see that Men use to make their Inheritance over to the First-born and besides the Inheritance they had a double Portion of Goods III. The Saints have the eternal Inheritance made over to them the World hath but a small Allowance for all they have amounts to no more than Vanity God giveth himself and all he hath to Believers they have a double Portion an Hundred-fold in this Life and in the World to come Life everlasting IV. An Heir sometimes stays a great while before he comes to the full Possession of the Inheritance and until then he is under Tutors and Governors and differeth but little from a Servant IV. The Saints patiently wait a while being under Age before they come to the full Possession of the Inheritance purchased for them by Christ and until they come to full Age they are under Tutors and Governors who deal hardly with them and they seem not to differ from Servants V. The First-born had a peculiar Sort of Apparel whereby they were distinguished from others such was Esau's goodly Raiment which Rachel put upon Jacob. V. The Saints are cloathed with a goodly Raiment viz. the Righteousness of Christ Holiness is the Saints Livery whereby they are distinguished from the rest of the World VI. The First-Born had the Blessing annexed to them and unless they were supplanted as Esau was by Jacob they were blest of their Father especially when their Fathers were at the point of Death VI. The Saints are the Blessed of the Lord none can take either Birth-right or Blessing away from them they are blessed and shall be blessed The Lord Jesus blessed them at his Departure and that Blessing shall never depart from them Heirs Disparity AMong Men all a Man's Children are not Heirs nor can they fully possess the same Estate entirely to themselves as if but one had it BUt all the Saints are Heirs together they are all Joynt-heirs and yet every one hath all to himself They have all one and the same Father one and the same Christ one and the same Spirit the same Apparel the same Grace all one Faith Hope c. all the same Promises same Attendance viz. the holy Angels the same Crown Kingdom and Eternal Inheritance II. Heirs among Men have but a small Inheritance What is all this World Luther called all the Turkish Empire but a Crust God casts to a Dog II. But the Saints are Heirs of all Things Heirs of Heaven and Earth too Heirs of God And what is there more what can a Man ask or desire to have would he have more than all III. An Heir among Men is often deprived by Force or Craft of his Title and turned out of all III. But the Saints cannot by Force or Fraud be deprived of their Title to Eternal Life That it may be sure and firm to them it is made over to them by the Oath of God See Light in the First Volume Saints compared to Eagles Isa 40.31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their Strength they shall mount up with Wings as Eagles Psal 103.5 Who satisfieth thy Mouth with good Things so that thy Youth is renewed like the
had with good Wishes and formal Prayer by crying Lord have mercy upon us and Christ have mercy upon us c. And if he have but Time a little before he breaths out his last on a Death-Bed but to cry unto God after this manner it will be sufficient Tho God's Word saith The Soul that sinneth it shall die And Except a Man be born again Ezek 18. Joh. 3.3 Heb. 12. he cannot see the Kingdom of God And Without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord. It is only a holy Life that is attended with a happy Death 4. The fourth is one worldly-wise a Person much in request in these Days whose Counsel many are ready to follow What! saith he art thou such a Fool to expose thy self to such great Sorrow and Suffering for Heaven when thou mayest have it without half the Ado. Pity thy Wife and Children save thy self out of a Prison and hazard not thy Estate For my part I came into the World raw and I will not go out roasted I will be of that Religion that is in fashion and set up by the Supreme Law of the Nation Are you wiser than every Body You meddle with Things too high for you c. Christ saith Whosoever comes after me Mat. 16.24 25. and doth not deny himself and take up his Cross cannot be my Disciple and that his Saints in the World shall have Tribulation But this Man would fain make the Cross of Christ to cease Come Popery and what will by this Argument he must and will conform to it he will be of that Religion that is uppermost And thus he renders the Apostles and Primitive Christians and all the holy Martyrs Fools and Fanaticks nay worse Rebels because they did not conform to the Religion of their Superiors 5. The fifth Enemy is one Moralist a very honest Man but that Ignorance and Blindness of Mind hath got such Rule in him He saith It is sufficient and no more is required of us but to do as we would be done unto and pay every Man his own and that if a Man can but get out of the deep Ditch of Sensuality and fleshly Debauchery and lead a spotless Life towards Man he need not doubt of Heaven nor trouble himself about Faith in Christ and Regeneration Tho our Saviour expresly saith Except your Righteousness exceed the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees Mat. 5.20 ye shall in no wise enter into the Kingdom of God And Paul saith That he accounted his own Righteousness and all other external Privileges and Attainments that he once thought Gain to him but Dung for the Excellency of the Knowledg of Jesus Christ Phil. 3.8 9 10. 1 Cor. 2.1 2. and that he desired nothing more than to know Chtist and him crucified If a Man could be saved by his own Righteousness Christ came into the World and died in vain and the Law which was a perfect Rule of Righteousness had then been sufficient to bring Men to Heaven Besides how do we come to be delivered from the Curse Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the Book of the Law to do them 6. The sixth Adversary is Presumption a bold confident Fellow that cries Cast your self upon the Mercy of God in Christ the Lord Jesus died for Sinners trouble your Head no more you shall be saved Tho I am a Sinner and am now and then drunk and let flie an Oath sometimes before I am aware yet I doubt not but it will go well with me my Heart is good and Christ died for such as I am This Man sins because Grace hath abounded and forgets that Christ came to save Men from their Sins and not in their Sins and that that Faith that justifies Acts 15.9 1 Joh. 3.3 is attended with good Fruits and purifieth the Heart and Life of him that obtains it 7. The seventh Enemy is Vain-Glory If Satan cannot ensnare the Soul by any of the other Ways he strives to puff it up with Pride and Self-conceit Now Vain-Glory is a deadly Enemy therefore take heed of him It becomes Christians to be lowly-minded Learn of me saith Christ for I am meek and lowly in Heart Mat. 11.28 29. and ye shall find Rest to your Souls XI A Pilgrim is glad when he comes at last to his desired Place and forgets all his former Trouble and Afflictions which attended him in his Way XI So a Saint when he comes to Heaven or hath obtained the End of his Hope 1 Pet. 1.9 viz. the Salvation of his Soul greatly rejoyceth and forgets all the Sorrow and Trouble he met with in this World They shall return and come to Zion with Songs Isa 35.10 Isa 51.11 everlasting Joy shall be upon their Heads They shall obtain Joy and Gladness and Sorrow and Sighing shall flee away Inferences THis may serve to inform God's People what their State and Condition is and will be whilst they remain in this World This is not your Rest c. Mic. 2.10 Heb. 13.14 Here we have no continuing City but we seek one to come 2. Therefore it sharply reprehends those Christians that settle themselves as Inhabitants and Dwellers here below like other People Alas Sirs ye forget that ye are Strangers and Pilgrims and but Sojourners as it were for a Night Why do ye seek great Things for your selves and seem to be so much taken with the Pleasures and Profits of this Life Ye are not of this World Let such as regard no higher things Joh. 15.19 take their Fill here and delight themselves in their Portion for 't is all the Good they are ever like to have but let them remember those dismal Sayings of our blessed Saviour Wo unto you that are rich for ye have received your Consolation Luk. 6.24 25 26. wo unto you that are full for ye shall hunger wo unto you that laugh now for ye shall mourn and weep wo unto you that all Men speak well of c. Saints compared to Palm-Trees Psal 92.12 The Righteous shall flourish like a Palm-Tree c. Cant. 7.7 This thy Stature is like a Palm-Tree c. Verse 8. I said I will go up to the Palm-Tree c. THe Palm-Tree and Date-Tree is one and the same Tree called in Hebrew Thamar in Greek Phenix Why the Saints and People of God are compared to the Palm-Tree will appear in the following Parallel Metaphor Parallel THe Palm-Tree is an excellent Tree amiable to look upon it is very tall and all its Branches shoot upwards there are none grow out of the Side as in other Trees THe Righteous who are compared to a Palm-Tree are a choice and excellent People their Affections like Branches ascend they are set upon Things above they grow Heavenward Col. 3 1.2 They do not shoot out their Branches as I may say this way and that way to the World they grow high in Grace and in
setting forth the Worth and Fxcellency of them IV. So God in the Day to come when he hath made up all the Jewels he intends to make will reveal shew or make known his Saints to Angels and Men. Hence the Day of Christ's coming is called the Day of the Manifestation of the Sons of God They shall be mine saith God He will say in that Day These are mine these that you ungodly Ones abused hated and persecuted and thought not worthy to live but accounted the Off-scouring of all things behold now what rare and lovely Ones they are these are the Delight and Joy of my Heart whom I value as my choicest Treasure and I will spare them whilst you shall bear the Fierceness of my Wrath and Indignation for ever Then shall ye return and discern between the Righteous and the Wicked Mal. 3. ult between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not Disparity I. Other Jewels may be lost But God will lose none of his Jewels II. He that makes other Jewels may not be the proper Owner of them nor wear them for an Ornament himself But God who makes all his spiritual Jewels is the proper Owner of them This People have I formed for my self They are also made for his own Glory III. Other Jewels may be quite spoiled broke to pieces and become good for nothing the best and richest Jewels shall at last pass away and perish for ever But God's Jewels shall never be utterly spoiled for tho they may receive some Damage by Satan's Temptations and the Pollution of Sin yet God will perfect that which is wanting concerning them and make them at last so glorious that they shall be out of Danger and shall abide and shine in Beauty and Glory to Eternity Inferences FRom hence we may infer what horrid Iniquity the Enemies of God and his Church are guilty of and what a dreadful Account they have to give for endeavouring and with the greatest Rage and Malice and unwearied Attempts contriving all ways imaginable to spoil break in pieces and utterly destroy all God's choice and precious Jewels which he is as tender of as the Apple of his Eye what will they do in the Day of Vengeance 2. It speaks forth much Comfort to the Godly O how are they esteemed prized and valued by the Almighty they are his Jewels his special and peculiar Treasure 3. This may inform all Men what the Reason is God is so much concerned for the Good and Well-being of his own People and so often appears to vindicate their Innocency and defend them from the Rage and Cruelty of wicked Men. 5. Let us enquire whether we are God's Jewels or not 1. Are we regenerated Ones have we the Pearl of Faith Love Humility c. 2. Are we holy sincere and faithful in all things to God 3. Do we excell others Is there a real or only a seeming Worth and Excellency in us What do we more than others 4. Do we grow in Grace doth the Work of God go on upon our Hearts Are we more sit for Heaven to day than we were yesterday A Jewel in the hand of a Jeweller is every day nearer finishing The Righteous shall hold on his Way and he that hath clean hands shall grow stronger and stronger Saints compared to Kings Rev. 5.10 And hast made us unto God Kings and Priests c. THe Saints are in this Place and some others called Kings which is one of the highest Titles among Men. Parallels I. KIngs are usually highly descended or are Sons of Nobles So the Saints are all highly descended they are born from above born of God and so may be said to be the Off-spring of Heaven Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God! Behold 1 Joh. 3.1 2. now are we Sons of God c. II. Kings have great Attendants belonging to them So the Saints have most great and glorious Attendants belonging to them viz. the holy Angels No Kings or Monarchs on Earth are honoured like the Saints and Children of God in respect of the Excellency of their Retinue See Angels under the Sixth Head III. Kings have their Crowns and do reign or else expect to reign So the Saints have a Crown laid up for them 2 Tim. 4.18 Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which God the Righteous Judg shall give unto me at that day and not to me only but to all them also that love his Appearance Be thou faithful unto Death Rev. 2.10 Rev. 5.10 and I will give thee a Crown of Life And as they shall have a Crown so they shall reign upon the Earth as Kings IV. Kings are the principal Men on Earth far exceeding in Honour and Excellency all common People So the Saints are the chief and principal Ones or the most excellent in all the Earth it may be said of them as of Jabesh 1 Chron. 4.9 10. they are more honourable than their Brethren What base and ignoble Persons are the Wicked to those noble Souls The Ungodly be they never so high and great in Power and Sovereignty are compared to Things very base vile and contemptible as will hereafter be shewn The Righteous is more excellent than his Neighbour Prov. 12.26 V. Kings sometimes meet with great Trouble and Sorrow after they are anointed before they come to the quiet Enjoyment of their Crowns they have been severely persecuted and chased from one Place to another as King David particularly was So the Saints of God tho they are anointed with the Oil of Gladness and have an Assurance given them of the Crown of Glory meet with very great Trouble in this World being persecuted tormented afflicted and sometimes having no certain Dwelling-Place as is said of some of the ancient Worthies Heb. 11. Heb. 11.37 VI. Some Kings have possessed and reigned over many Kingdoms their Dominions have been very great The Saints are the Heirs of a Kingdom nayâ— all the Kingdoms under the whole Heavens shall be given to them Rev. 11.15 Dan. 9.27 The Kingdoms of this World shall become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ c. And the Kingdoms and Dominions and the Greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the People of the Saints of the Most High c. VII Kings have great and noble Minds they busy not themselves about mean Matters So the Saints have great and noble Spirits they converse about Things above being risen with Christ their Affections are not set upon Things below Col. 3 1 2 Phil 3.20 but seek those Things that are above where Christ is at the right-hand of God Our Conversation is in Heaven c. VIII Kings have many great and glorious Privileges and Prerogatives appertaining to them how are they honoured and congratulated by the People So have the Saints They shall sit down with Christ
we reade their Brightness and Glory was very great V. Christ's true Ministers are lively and very beautiful when the Spirit of the Lord is eminently upon them they shine gloriously in Grace and Holiness Act. 6.15 Stephen who was a glorious Preacher was said to shine like the Face of an Angel VI. Angels are very obedient to God they do his Commands and wait for his Word VI. The faithful Preachers of the Gospel are very ready to obey God's Commands tho they are thereby exposed to great Danger if God bid them go Rom. 1.15 they go VII Angels are swift in executing their Business hence said to have Wings VII The Ministers of the Gospel are swift in their Spiritual Motion they are said to fly in the midst of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach c. Rev. 14.6 VIII Angels have made known much of the Mind of God to the Sons of Men. VIII Christ's true Ministers daily make known the Mind and Will of God 't is one great part of their Work and Business IX Angels admire reverence and adore the glorious Majesty of God and therefore vail their Faces before him and give Glory to him Yea as Mr. Venning observes 't is their very Business to sing Hallelujahs to God Angels Worship is singing and praising of God they seek not themselves in serving God IX The Ministers of Christ and all true Christians admire and adore God and his glorious Majâ—sty and with self abhorrency vail their Faces as it were ascribing all Glory and Honour unto God Not unto us O Lord not unto us Psal 115.1 but to thy Name do we give Glory the Servants of God desire only to rejoice in God they know no other Name to Glory in but in the Name of the Lord and hence they sing his praise tho in Prison Act. 16. in all which they seek not themselves in any Service they do for God but the Honour and Glory of his Name only X. Angels do their Service to the Lord with joyfulness the Morning Stars 't is said sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for Joy X. So Christ's true and faithful Ministers and People take much delight in their Service their Minds run exceedingly upon their Work to do for God to spend and be spent for God and his People is the desire and delight of their Souls XI Angels are without wearisomness in their Work and Service they are as strong and as lively at the end as they are at the beginning XI So Christ's faithful Ministers and People by the help of God's Spirit labour and faint not 2 Cor. 4.16 For which cause we faint not c. They shall run and not be weary Josh 14.7 8 9 10 11. Caleb was as strong and as able to do Service for God at fourscore as he was at forty Years old XII Angels serve the Saints and watch over them and daily administer to them and tho glorious Creatures do not think it below them so to do XII So the true and faithful Preachers of God's Word serve the Churches Members and Saints of God and daily watch over them and minister unto them and tho possibly some of them may far excell in Parts and Wisdom yet they think not his Service below them XIII Angels are often sent to comfort the Saints when cast down as they ministred to Christ in his Bloody Agony XIII So are Gospel-Preachers sent and commanded to comfort the Feeble-minded and support the Weak they know how to comfort others with the same Comfort whereby they themselves are comforted of God 2 Cor. 1.4 Inferences THis may inform us what Glory and Dignity God hath conferred upon his Servants who labour in the Ministry they have a glorious Name and are greatly honoured by the Lord and therefore should be received with all due respect and esteemed very highly for their Works sake II. It shews us who are true Ministers of the Gospel III. It shews Christ's faithful Ministers how they should do their Work and behave themselves before the Lord. Ministers compared to Stars Rev. 1.20 The Mystery of the seven Stars which thou sawest in my Right-hand and the seven Golden Candlesticks The seven Stars are the seven Angels of the seven Churches and the seven Candlesticks are the seven Churches BY Stars in this place it appears the Ministers of God's Word are meant Metaphor Parallel NAturalists say the Sun communicates his Light to the Stars SO Christ imparts of his Spirit and saving Light and Knowledg to his faithful Ministers II. The Stars are placed by the Lord in the Heavens II. So the Ministers of the Gospel are placed by the Lord in the Church III. The Stars are a great Ornament and shine gloriously in the Heavens III. So faithful Ministers are a great Ornament to the Church in which they shine forth gloriously in Doctrine and Conversation IV. Stars differ one from another in Glory IV. So there are Diversities of Gifts of the Spirit in the Ministers of the Gospel some shine more than others in Parts and Piety V. Stars sometimes are obscured by Clouds and shine not V. So Ministers sometimes through Temptations are beclouded and shine not as at other times VI. Stars are a Guide unto Mariners VI. So the Ministers of the Gospel are Guides to spiritual Mariners VII A Star led the wise Men to Christ VII A true Minister's design in Preaching is to lead Men to Christ VIII Stars give light to Men only in the Night VIII So Christ's Ministers shine forth and give light to Sinners and others whilst the Night of this World doth last IX The Stars send down sweet Influences on the Earth Job 38.31 Canst thou bind the sweet Influences of Pleiades or the seven Stars IX So the faithful Ministers of the Gospel in a blessed manner influence by their heavenly Doctrine and Life the Souls of Men to whom they preach and daily converse with Inferences O What a Blessing are faithful Teachers to a People or Nation where they live Is it not a lovely thing to see the Gospel-Stars Pray that the Heavens may be clear and that these Stars may not disappear nor withdraw their shining Ministers compared to Labourers Luke 10.7 The Labourer is worthy of his Meat THe Lord Christ compares his faithful Servants that preach his Word to Labourers to such as externally work and labour with their hands Labourers Parallel Labourers usually are hired and then set to work We read of one that went to hire Labourers Mat. 20. c. SO Christ spiritually is said to hire Labourers and send them into his Vineyard he assures them of a glorious Reward when they have done their Work II. Some Men labour in the Field they are Harvest-Men II. Such Labourers are the Preachers of the Gospel The Harvest is great Mat. 9.37 and the Labourers are few c. They labour to make ready and gather in Christ's Wheat III. Some labour so hard
another Angel saying Babylon is fallen is fallen that Great City because she made all Nations drink of the Wine of the Wrath of her Fornication REV. 16.19 And great Babylon came in remembrance before God to give unto her the Cup of the Wine of the Fierceness of his Wrath. REV. 17.5 And upon her Forehead was a Name written MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS or Fornications AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH REV. 18.1 2. And after these things I saw another Angel come down from Heaven And he cry'd mightily with a strong Voice saying Babylon the Great is fallen is fallen and is become the Habitation of Devils and the Hold of every unclean Spirit and a Cage of every unclean and hateful Bird c. IN the handling of this great Subject it seems needful to give an Account of the various Opinions that have more or less prâ—sented themselves to the World about it which may be reduced to these four following Heads I. That it is Jerusalem and that for two Reasons 1. Because the Man of Sin or last Beast that is to head this Babylon is set forth by St. Paul to sit in the Temple of God shewing himself to be a God 2 Thess 2.4 Rev. 11.8 2. Because this City where the Beast reigns and shall slay the Witnesses is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt where our Lord was crucified II. That it is the Turkish Empire or Power of the Saracens which Mr. Mede somewhat touches and in a brief way most learnedly argues against in his third Book pag. 644 645. III. That it is indeed Rome the Seat of the fourth or last Empire but Rome in its Heathen State under the idolatrous and persecuting Emperors So the Rhemists would have it if there be a Necessity to fix upon Rome to be this Apocalyptical or Mystery Babylon For this Opinion the present Romanists have no better Advocate than Dr. Hammond who hath done very worthily at other Turns See his Annotations upon the 17th Chapter of the Apocalypse IV. That it is the present Power and Church of Rome who under pretence of the most high and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction doth influence and govern the Secular Power and State of Kingdoms Of this last Opinion were the ancient Waldenses who felt the bloody Power of Rome venting it self in most horrid and barbarous Cruelties against them and that for a long Series of Time as appears by our most Authentick Ancient and Modern Writers who give a very ample Account of the great Persecution of Christians for many hundred Years last past in all Parts of the Christian World where they have had Power To which Opinion of the Waldenses most of our modern Protestant Divines agree of which we shall mention only Cartwright Fulk the worthily admired and Learned Mede not forgetting famous Du Moulin of France as may be seen in their Works at large But because we will not take Things upon Trust nor refer the Reader to many Quotations which he may want Books and Time to satisfy himself about it appears needful that we remove the Objections with as much Brevity as possible before we state the Metaphor and run the Parallel Now that Babylon in all these New-Testament Texts cannot be fairly applied to Jerusalem the Turks and Saracens nor terminate in the Heathenish State of Rome we offer these following Considerations or Arguments I. It cannot be meant the City Jerusalem 1. Because Jerusalem did not reign over the Kings of the Earth in St. John's time when he saw this Vision and wrote the Revelation which this City Babylon is expresly said to do Rev. 17.18 And the Woman which thou sawest is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth Jerusalem having been not only under Captivity divers times before but were then entirely under the Power of the Roman Yoke as the whole History of the Gospel doth confirm and themselves did most plainly confess We have no King but Caesar John 19.15 2. Jerusalem was never in so high esteem with the Beast as to be capable to ride as Queen-Regent upon him as this Woman Whore or City is said to do And the Angel said unto me Wherefore didst thou marvel I will tell thee the Mystery of the Woman and the Beast that carrieth her which hath the seven Heads and ten Horns Rev. 17.7 Rev. 17.7 compared with Vers 3. So he carried me away in the Spirit into the Wilderness and I saw a Woman sit upon a Scarlet-coloured Beast full of Names of Blasphemy having seven Heads and ten Horns For by the Woman sitting and Beast carrying is undoubtedly signified Influence Power and Dominion which Jerusalem was far remote from not only under the Roman Monarchy but also under the three Kingdoms that went before it viz. the Babylonian Grecian and Persian as might be largely illustrated both out of Sacred and Humane History 3. Jerusalem did not sit upon many Waters which is interpreted to be People Nations and Tongues that is had not Command or Dominion over them as this Woman Rev. 17.15 Whore or City is said to have And he saith The Waters which thou sawest where the Whore sitteth are Peoples and Multitudes and Nations and Tongues The whole Land of Judea being under Tribute to the Roman Government at that time And it came to pass in those Days Luke 2.1 that there went out a Decree from Caesar Augustus that all the World should be taxed Verse 4. and particularly Galilee Nazareth Judea and the City of David called Bethlehem 4. Jerusalem was not capable to enchant and bewitch all the Nations round about her either by her Religion and Doctrine or by great Gifts and Rewards 1. Because the Roman Power kept her under and much in awe on the one hand not owning nor subscribing to her Religion 2. The Christian Doctrine and Religion block'd up her Way on the other hand that she could not extend her Influence to either neighbouring or remote Nations as this Woman Whore or City is said to do For thy Merchants were the great Men of the Earth for by thy Sorceries were all Nations deceived Rev. 18.23 5. Jerusalem tho she were guilty of much Blood from the beginning of her Excellency and Glory in Solomon's Time killing Prophets even all that were sent unto her murthered John Baptist and our Lord and Saviour as also the blessed Martyr St. Stephen yet in her could not be found that great Mass of Blood that was shed and Myriads of Christian Saints that have been barbarously murthered by Massacre and publick Martyrdom since they were ruined and destroyed by Titus Vespasian which we find positively charged upon this City Babylon Rev. 17.6 And I saw the Woman drunk with the Blood of Saints and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and I wondered with great Admiration as indeed well he might as shall be shewn Rev. 19 24. And in her was found the Blood of Prophets and of
learned Works makes out took their rise with Rome Papal upon the division or ruine of the Roman Empire in its Civil State the body of which Kingdoms may well be called many Waters viz. Peoples and Multitudes and Nations and Tongues or People of several Languages which were as well known to have been under the Usurpation and Jurisdiction of Rome Papal as their being so which doth fully answer to the very Letter of the Text The Waters which thou sawest whereon the Whore sitteth are Peoples Multitudes Nations Tongues 2. Her making all the European Merchants Rich that traffick by Sea Rev. 18.11 by the great expence of all Commodities which are swallowed up within her Territories and Dominions Which could never be effected unless she had Nations and Multitudes to contribute to her great Pride and Luxury 3. A third Instance is the numberless number of good Christians which she hath drawn in and murdered for no other cause than their fearing God and obeying his Laws by loving Jesus Christ and following his Example of which we have a large account in Fox's Acts and Monuments and other Histories Upon which we form this Argument Arg. If there be no Body of People professed Church or State in the Christian World under any single Denomination that sits upon commands or bears rule over Peoples Multitudes Nations and Tongues as Rome Papal or Church of Rome doth Then Rome Papal or the Church of Rome is this Babylon treated of But there is no Body of People professed Church or State under any single Denomination that sits upon commands or bears rule over Peoples Multitudes Nations and Tongues as Rome Papal or Church of Rome doth Ergo c. To the establishing this Argument let it be considered that the whole State of the Christian World consists of but these two parts as we shewed before viz. the Church of Rome considered as Head and Body and those that dissent from her and those are so inconsiderable whether the Waldenses Albigenses Hugonots or other parties of Protestants that no one party of them nay if we put them all together can be said to fit upon command or bear rule over Peoples Multitudes Nations and Tongues to answer the Text the Waldenses and Hugonots have been and still are a persecuted People the Lutherans never got up so high as to command many States or Kingdoms or places of many Languages Great Britain tho a Protestant State or Kingdom comes not near to fulfil the Text much less the seven Provinces that of late revolted from Spain So that if Rome Papal hath done so and no other People that dissent from her could ever yet do the like then this proves Rome Papal the Whore that sits upon many Waters c. VII Mystery Babylon or the great Whore is such a Woman such a City such a Whore that the Kings and great Men of the Earth have committed Fornication with See the Text Rev. 17.2 With whom the Kings of the Earth have committed Fornication i. e. Spiritual Fornication or Fornication in a Mystery after a mysterious manner 2 Chron. 21.11 Isa 16.26 29. Rev. 18.9 and 19.2 such as Jerusalem of old was charged with which was a following the same Idolatry that this Woman Babylon had set up and was devoted unto and so great was her Fornication Isa 19.2 that 't is said she did corrupt the Earth with it VII Rome Papal or Church of Rome is such a Woman such a City of Confusion such a Whore that the Kings of the Earth have committed Fornication with and that hath corrupted the Earth with her Fornications Fornications after a mysterious manner by following abominable Superstition and Idolatry 1. Hath she adored the Pope as her Lord God Universal Head and Bishop infallible acknowledged above all Laws so have the Kings and their misled People done 2. Hath she worshipped the Virgin Mary divers Angels and many departed Saints so have the Kings and their misguided People done 3. Hath she adored Images the Crucifix and Pictures of pretended Saints so have the Kings and their misguided People 4. Hath she foolishly debased her self with the Adoration of the Relicts of known and unknown Saints so have the Kings and their misguided People 5. Hath she grosly and superstitiously worshipped the true God in a false manner by crowding in an innumerous Train of Fopperies into his Worship and Service which he never ordained as Candlesticks Altars Vestments Spits Oyl Holy Water Beads and a World of such like Trumpery so have the Kings and their misguided People not only the Emperour of Germany Kings of France Spain Poland Portugal that are still under her Influence but the Kings of England and Scotland too before the Reformation got Ground Upon which we form this Argument Arg. If there be no Body of People in the Christian World pretending a Church-State that hath set up Idolatry to that Degree and with whom the Kings of the Earth have complied as Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath done Then Rome Papal or Church of Rome is the Mysterious Whore of Babylon treated of But there is no Body of People in the Christian World pretending to a Church-State that hath set up Idolatry to that Degree and with whom the Kings of the Earth have complyed as Rome Papal c. hath done Ergo c. To reinforce this Argument let any Man that will become an Advocate for the Church of Rome shew that any People called the Reformed who dissent from the Church of Rome are guilty of like Idolatry and that the Kings of the Earth have complyed with them in it as afore-mentioned and we will acquit this Argument but if this Character doth more fitly ageee to Rome than to the Reformed c. our Argument is good VIII Babylon is such a Woman City and Whore that hath not only had Kings committing Fornication with her but hath intoxicated the Minds of Multitudes and corrupted a great part of the World or common sort of People by wicked and false Doctrine And the Inhabitants of the Earth have been made drunk with the Wine of her Fornication Rev. 17.2 VIII Rome Papal or Church of Rome is such a Woman City and Whore that hath not only had the Kings of the Earth to commit Fornication with her in dancing after her Pipes in all her mysterious Allurements but hath intoxicated the Minds of the Multitude and corrupted a great part of the World or common sort of People by wicked and false Doctrine As first that a wicked Man should be appointed of God to be the Vicar of Christ as if God had no more regard to his own Name and the Good of his Church and Honour of his Son than to institute a Child of the Devil as every wicked Man is to be Vice-gerent to the most holy Jesus in the highest Transactions that relate to Heaven and the Souls of Men. Surely if God shut Judas out from his Bishoprick because of his
Rome Papal or Church of Rome doth not only sit upon a Scarlet-coloured and blasphemous Beast but she is beautified and adorned with great Pomp and outward Glory by which she commends her self to that part of the World that delights in her Gaudery being a Woman whose Worship is filled with detestable Doctrine which she holds forth to them with Pictures and Gallantry of all sorts 1. Look into the holy Patrimony of consecrated Saints there you find Riches and Honour tho not durable Riches and Righteousness 2. Look unto their Garbs and Vestments there you shall find Cardinals like splendid Princes Heads of Parties and Provinces in such Habiliments that for Riches might have become the highest Order of the Jewish Priesthood 3. Look into the Instruments and Mode of their Worship and there you shall find the Altar and Candlesticks the Vessels for Oil and Pots of Purification as if their Predecessors had been at Solomon's Temple and had brought a Pattern from thence and yet in this Gâ—lden Cup or framed Piece of Gallantry there is nothing to be found but foul and adulterated Wine most fitly to be called by the Angel Abomination and Filthiness and the Wine of Fornication Which we conclude with this Argument Arg. If no People in the Christian World hath such Riches and Splendor such Pomp and Gallantry in the Maintenance and Management of their Worship as Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath Then Rome Papal must be this gawdy Harlot or Whore of Babylon But there is no People in the Christian World that hath such Riches and Splendor such Pomp and Gallantry in the Maintenance and Management of Religious Worship as Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath Ergo Rome Papal or Church of Rome must be this Whore or well-favoured Harlot treated of The Argument is full and clear and so well fortified that we think it needs no Rere-guard to enforce it and therefore tho it be short and low of Stature we shall leave it amongst our Infantry and draw up our right and left Wings yet further to assault Babylon XII This Woman or City that is thus adorned with outward Pomp and Glory hath upon her Forehead a Name written MYSTERY Rev. 17.5 BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH Which may be true both in a Literal and Mystical Sense the Breeder of Misses Concubines and Whores to gratify the Sensual Appetites of her Letcherous Sons but chiefly in a Mystical Sense she Breeds and brings forth Spiritual Harlots viz. Unclean Communities XII Rome Papal or Church of Rome if she be not concerned here we will acquit her of being Mystery Babylon 1. Here is a Name written in Capital Letters and written so as to be read publickly too 'T is not written upon any part of the Woman that may be hid or covered with a Garment but on that part which is kept bare and is easiest to be seen her Forehead her publick visible and known Parts 2. Here is Babylon or Confusion a mixt Body that is far from that good and pure Order which in Words she pretends 3. Here is Mystery in the case and a great Mystery to a Wonderment even to the surprizing of every wise and thinking Man ver 6. 4. Here is a Mother a Mother of a very spurious Illegitimate and unclean Off-spring Harlots and Abominations many Abominations and great and reigning too Abominations of the Earth i. e. that large Part of the Earth where she is situate and doth reside A little unto each or these as the Time and Space we are limited to will allow A Name upon the Forehead if this were noâ— to be read and seen by most Christians and Professors it would not much concern the Christian World for whom it must be calculated for others that own not the Christian Religion are not in a Capacity to make a Judgment upon the Case for if this Book of the Revelations were not written for the Christian World it leaves us not any Certainty where the case is to be considered and the Matter to be judged Now if it be calculated for the Christian World then it must be upon such a People that is most publick and visible and apparent which agrees to none so fitly as to the Church of Rome which by their own Confession is the most potent and visible in the Christian World for where have the inconsiderable Hereticks so called whose Beings are in Corners such a Name as may be read or known by all or the principal part of the Christian World Now to clear these poor innocent so called Hereticks from being concerned in this Character we imagine at least it cannot refer to them 1. Because they have no Forehead so broad to bear the Inscription which we will engage to make good against any Romanist in the World 2. Because they are so plain and honest a People and their Principles so easily and well known that it is wild and ridiculous to call them Mystery Babylon there neither being any hellish depth nor confusion in what they profess as might be fully evinced by unquestionable Instances for what confusion or hidden thing can be in this that there is one God the Object of Worship one Holy Book called the Bible the Rule of Worship one blessed Kingdom Heaven or World to come the Reward of Worship and all that act Faith Hope and Charity upon these three great Fundamental Principles shall inherit that blessed Kingdom or World to come 3. Because they are so retired and private that had they a Forehead broad enough for the Inscription aforesaid yet they sit so low that Nations cannot easily read it and if we acquit the poor innocent Protestants who must we fix these Characters upon If all Dissenters from the Church of Rome be clear then it must unavoidably be fixed upon Rome her self if any demand for what Reason the Answer is First Because when the Protestants are exempted then there is none left to bear the Inscription but the Church of Rome 2. She hath a Forehead broad enough to bear Mystery and Confusion for there is not a greater hellish depth and Confusion to be found upon any People than upon the Church of Rome as will appear in its place 3. Because the Dissenters with respect to Appearance and the exercise of Power are very small and inconsiderable in comparison of that overgrown monstrous Body of the Church of Rome for to call the Dissenters great and the Church of Rome small is as congruous as to call the Ocean a little Spring and the smallest Brook the Ocean Secondly Babylon Confusion or a mixt Body is far from that pure Order which in Words Rome pretends unto and can by no means agree to the Protestants for they are so strict in their Discipline that they admit of no such mixture that deserves the Name of Confusion they will receive none into their Communion without much Caution and Satisfaction and when received keep them no
was denied him save the eating of the Tree of Knowledg of Good and Evil but by Sin and the Devil he was robbed and deceived of all and brought to utter Beggary and since God hath been pleased in a gracious manner through the Lord Jesus Christ to invest Believers with much Spiritual Riches and Righteousness again these Enemies strive to rob and deceive them of all the second time but to speak more particularly the things which they endeavour to deprive the Sons and Daughters off are these First Of their precious Time by telling them that 't is too soon too early to mind the Concernments of their Souls like as those in Haggai strove to deceive the People The time is not come c. 1. Sin and Satan perswade Men that time is not so swift nor uncertain but that they shall have Time and Days enough hereafter whereas on a sudden Times Hour-Glass is out and they are cut down in a moment 2. By stifling the Senses of poor Sinners insomuch that they cannot judg of their Time they are so taken with other Things Sensual Things that they know not what time of the Day it is they think 't is a long while to Night when alas their Sun is almost set 3. By hiding from Men the great Perils and Dangers of the Times they live in they are so blinded by these Thieves that they see not into what a Pit they are a falling 4. By persuading them that a great deal of work may be done in a very short time that the work of Repentance may be done upon a Sick-Bed or when old Age comes 5. And then at another while when they have spent much of their Days in Pleasure and Vanity this Enemy persuades them 't is now too late and the time of their Visitation is past c. Secondly These Thieves strive to rob Men of the Opportunity of time I mean those precious Sermons Seasons of Grace and Holy Sabbaths God is pleased to afford them by secret Craft these Enemies blind the Eyes of Men after such a manner that they prefer their Worldly Advantages and Profit in their Shops and Callings above the Riches and glorious Blessings of the Word and Ordinances of God they prefer Earth before Heaven Gold above Grace the good of the Body above the good of the Soul if the Enemy cannot keep Men from attending upon the Word then he endeavours to fill their Minds with other Things causing them to be so negligent in hearing of the Word preached that it profits them nothing or if they should hear with Attention yet this Adversary causes them to rest satisfyed with a bear hearing and thereby deceive their Souls Thirdly Sin and Satan rob or deprive Men of Union and Communion with God and of the true Grace of God by which this Union and Communion with God and Christ is attained persuading them common Grace is saving Grace and legal Conversion is Evangelical Conversion and outward Reformation true Regeneration c. Fourthly Sin and Satan rob Men of Peace not only of Peace with God but also of the true Peace of Conscience Fifthly They strive to rob Men of their precious and Immortal Souls Sixthly They rob and endeavour to rob and deceive Men of the Crown of Life Lastly In a Word these Enemies strive to rob and cheat Men and Women of all the saving benefit of Christ crucified endeavouring to make his blessed Death wholly ineffectual to their Souls II. Thieves many times take and lead poor Travellers out of the King's High-Way into some by-Place and then bind them Hand and Foot as well as take away their Treasure II. So Sin and Satan lead Sinners out of the true way of God into by and untroden Paths of Sin and Idolatry Isa 61.1 and in a barbarous manner bind them with cruel Bonds hence Christ is said to deliver them that were bound Acts 8.23 The Apostle Paul speaking to Simon the Sorcerer said I perceive thou art in the Gall of Bitterness and in the Bond of Iniquity There are three Bonds that these Spiritual Thieves bind Sinners with 1. The Bond of Ignorance 2. The Bond of Unbelief 3. The Bond of a hard Heart III. Thieves do not only bind such that they rob but many times murther them they do not only steal but kill also and that in a barbarous manner There are and have been some great and notorious Thieves Would you not look upon him to be a grand Thief that robs and craftily deceives a whole City a whole County nay a whole Kingdom III. So Sin and Satan do not only rob Men of all their Heavenly Treasure but also kill and murther their Souls Sin kills Spiritually and Sin kills Eternally Sin Rom. 7.11 taking occasion by the Commandment deceived me and by it slew me Sin has deceived and robbed the whole World at once What a Deceiver Sin is When our first Parents were beguiled all Mankind were beguiled and what Man that ever lived hath not actually been robbed by this Thief The best of Men have more or less been deceived by him 1. Sin is a great Thief if we consider the eminency of those it hath robbed 1. Sin deceived the Angels that fell who were most glorious Creatures in their first Estate 2. Sin robbed and deceived Adam who was so higly honoured and dignified by the Almighty c. 2. Sin is a bold Thief which appears in that it will adventure to steal and deceive at that very time when it is arraigned and its abominable Cheats laid open by the Ministers of the Gospel 3. Sin is an old Thief no sooner was the World created but presently we read of this Robber and how he cheated our first Parents O how many Ages how long a Time hath this Thief reigned in his Wickedness 4. Sin is a subtile Thief he robs and steals in the Day-time as well as in the Night and yet 't is hard to find him out he has many secret Corners to hide and lurk in nay he hath got the Art to change his Name when he is taken and charged with this or that Abomination 1. If you search for him by the Name of Pride he calls himself by the Name of Comliness and Decency 2. If you search for him under the Name of Covetousness he calls his Name Industry Thriftiness and Good-husbandry nay he is grown so crafty that some think 't is impossible to find him out under the last Appellation he doth not only change his Name but also prevails cunningly upon Men according as he finds their natural Inclination and Disposition some he deceives by the Pleasures of the World some by the Profits and Riches of the World and some he puffs up with Vain-Glory and the Honours of the World 3. Sin deceives by pretending Kindness and Friendship to the Children of Men Sin and Satan promise a future time and Days to repent they promise Heaven to the vilest Sinner promise Life whilst they thrust
the Knife into the very Throat Sin is compos'd of nought but subtile Wiles It fawns and flatters and betrays by Smiles 'T is like the Panther or the Crocodil It seems to love and Promises no Ill. It hides it Sting seems harmless as the Dove It hugs the Soul it hates when 't vows tru'st love It plays the Tyrant most by gilded Pills It secretly ensnares the Soul it kills Sins Promises they all deceitful be Does promise Wealth but pay us Poverty Does promise Honour but doth pay us Shame And quite bereaves a Man of his Good-Name Does promise Pleasure but doth pay us Sorrow Does promise Life to day pays Death to Morrow No Thief so vile nor treacherous as Sin Whom Fools do hug and take much Pleasure in 5. That Sin is a crafty Thief and Robber doth appear further if we consider what Fools and meer Babes it makes of worldly-wise-Men 1. It deceives them of Treasure of an eâ—imable Value for meer Toys and Trifles it cheats them of most blessed Pearls for sorry Pebbles they like Idiots take Brass Counters before Guinies and yellow Gold 2. It makes them believe strange things contrary to reason As first that tho they sow Tares yet they shall reap Wheat nay tho they sow not at all yet they shall have a great Crop at Harvest furthermore that that work may be done when they are Old and ready to drop into the Grave which is so hard and difficult that all the Days of their Life and the greatest of their Strength is too little to accomplish and that 't is time enough to sow their Seed when they should with others be a gathering in their Harvest Lastly it makes such Fools of Men as to consent to set the Knife to their own Breast and be willing to let out their own Hearts Blood IV. Bloody Thieves and Murderers are a great Terrour to honest Men and they will avoid them if possible and provide themselves with suitable Weapons to withstand and vanquish them IV. Sin is such a bloody Thief and Murderer that all Godly Men dread it and endeavour to avoid it as much as possibly they can and not only so but also take unto themselves the whole Armour of God Eph. 6 that so they may be able to subdue and overcome it Inferences IF Sin be a Thief a bloody and treacherous Thief and Robber what Folly are these Men and Women guilty of who are so ready and willing at every turn to entertain it as a Guest in their Houses nay and shall lie in the chiefest Room of their Hearts 2. It shews the Folly of these Men also who hide their Sin and desire nothing more than to have their beloved Lusts spared Who would hide and plead for a cursed Murderer or suffer a bloody and venemous Serpent to lie in their Bosomes 3. It shews the Folly of such that play and make a sport at Sin Fools make a mock at Sin 4. Take heed you are not beguiled and robbed by it 5. When you are hard put to it call for help Cry out Thieves Thieves Pray for the help of the Spirit 6. Be sure watch against it you are ready to have a watchful Eye over a Thief nay over one who is buâ— suspected so to be 7. Keep the Door shut against Sin And Lastly Be not so foolish as to believe Sin and Satans Promises Sin a Debt Mat. 6.12 Forgive us our Debts SIn is called a Debt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Debita in these Words Sins and Debts are used promiscuously as Luk. 11.4 compared with this in Mat. 6.10 Luk. 13.4 Luke was learned in the Greek and wrote 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sins whereas Matthew hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Debts Canin in loc N. T. Page 86 87. Now when Sins are called Debts or said to be forgiven it 's a Metaphor from pecuniary Debts as the Debtor was said luere when he paid his Money and it is generally used of any that are obnoxious to Punishment so the Grecians say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines poenas debere so the Hebrew Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used both for Debts and Guilt Dan. 1.10 Ezek. 18.7 as also for Sin Exod. 32. and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is applyed to a Sinner James 2.20 is also frequently used of Punishment as Mat. 5.21 22. In Sin there is the obliquity and dissonancy from the Law of God and this is not called a Debt for we do not owe this to God but the contrary Obedience and Holiness in Sin there is Guilt and Obligation unto Eternal Punishment and this is called a Debt c. Metaphor Parallel DEbts are variously taken and may be contracted divers manner of ways 1. A Man may rob his Neighbour of his Good-Name defame and wickedly wrong him that way and thereby make himself guilty and become a Sinner against him and is as much bound to make him satisfaction as if he had been his Debtor by getting away much of his Goods c. SO Man by Sin hath taken away or robbed God Almighty of his Glory Adam gave more credit and rather hearkened to the Devil than to God and what a reproach was this as I may so say to his Maker Satan shall be believed when God shall not when a Man will not believe trust nor give credit to what his Neighbour faith tho never so just and upright what a Reproach and Contempt doth he cast upon him So what greater wrong could Man do to God the most just and holy One of Heaven and Earth as not to regard his Word believe nor give credit to him but rather side with and yield to his cruel Enemy that studied Revenge and to bring him into Reproach And thus Man became a Sinner and made himself guilty being a Debtor to God and bound to make satisfaction or suffer for Sin if this wrong cannot be made up or the Debt paid II. Man brake a Holy and Righteous Law and thereby made himself notoriously guilty and obnoxious to the Penalty annexed and Guilt that lies upon him is commonly called a Debt he is a Debtor to the Law as well as a Criminal II. Sinners have broke the holy and righteous Law of God and by this means are become miserably guilty and palpable Debtors both to the Law and Justice the Law is broke and Justice requireth Satisfaction the Penalty is Death A heavy Debt such a Debt is Sin he hath violated a just Law and how will he make a Compensation III. Some Debts in a common acceptation are a great Sum many Pounds thousands of Pounds III. Sin is a very great Debt every ungodly Man may be said to owe many thousands tho never so Rich and Mighty in the account of Men. So Mat. 18.24 where our Sins are not only compared to a Debt but to a Debt of a vast Sum ten thousand Talents which according to computation amounts to 1500000 l. and according to others 1875000 l. IV. Some Debts are
Leprosy c. BY the Plague of the Leprosy all Expositors agree was represented the hateful Nature of Sin Note Sin may fitly be compared to the Plague to the Plague of the Leprosy c. Parallels THe Leprosy proceedeth from poysoned and corrupted Humors in the Body So Sin is nothing else but the poysonous and corrupt Humors of the Soul II. The Plague of the Leprosy spreads over every part of the Body So Sin hath spread it self over the whole Lump of Mankind and over every Faculty of the Soul III. No Disease is more stinking and hateful to Men than the Leprosy So nothing is more abominable and detestable in the sight of God and sincere Christians than Sin IV. No Disease is more contagious and infectious than the Leprosy the Plague of the Pestilence saith a Divine is not so infectious as the Plague of the Leprosy Dr. Taylor it infecteth Houses Walls Vessels Garments c. So nothing is so infectious as Sin See Sin a Wound V. The Plague of the Leprosy separated the infected Person from the Fellowship of all Men whatever they were if incurable altho Kings they were utterly and for ever exclâ—ded the Host as Vzziah neither were they admitted to come into the Temple to join in holy Things So Sin unrepented of 2 Kings 15.5 separateth from God and Christ and from the Fellowship of the Saints it shuts Souls out of the Church nay out of Heaven it self VI. No Disease is more painful and mortal or more incurable therefore they were enjoined to put on mournful Apparel and Garments it was so rarely and seldom cured that most carried it to their Graves So Sin is very painful and tormenting as we before have shewed VII The Symptoms of the Leprosy agree with the Symptoms and Effects of Sin 1. There is a Dâ—bility and Weakness of all Parts in them that have this Disease because the Spirits are exhausted So Sin makes feeble weakens and debilitates the Powers of the Soul Hence Jacob when he blessed Reuben cries out As weak and unstable as Water because of his Sin Saints have weak Hands and feeble Knees oft times hereby 2. There is in a Leper a Tumor and Swelling in the Flesh So Sin swells a Man up in Pride Vain-glory and Self-conceitedness 3. There is in them saith my Author a burning Thirst through the adust and burnt Blood by Melancholy whereof it ariseth So Sin causeth an Inflammation and Burning of Anger of Lust and vehement Thirst after the World Preferment Pleasures Riches c. See Poyson 4. There is in them filthy putrid Matter breaking forth in a most loathsom manner So such as are greatly infected with the Plague of Sin cast forth nothing but horrid Pollution Hence wicked Men are likened to the troubled Sea that casts forth miâ—y Dirt. 5. They have a hoarse and weak Voice So Sinners cannot pray or if they do John 9. they cannot be heard God hears not Sinners 6. They have a stinking Breath and Mouth and therefore they must cover their Lips lest by their Breath they should infect others So Sinners have a filthy Breath Their Mouths are full of unclean and adulterous Speeches belching forth nothing but vile and abominable Oaths Cursings and slanderous Accusations against the Godly and sometimes also against one another but these seldom cover their Lips Inferences WHat an horrid Disease and Plague of Plagues is Sin Every Man hath a running Plague-Sore upon him Who is it that is not a Leper from the Womb We were all born with this Plague we brought it into the World with us Every Man as he is in himself may cry out Vnclean unclean Sin hath spread it self over us like a Leprosy II. Wicked Men are miserable whoever they are if not cured of this Plague Sin renders a Man more hateful to God than an ugly Toad is to us III. It may caution Saints to shun the Company of a vile Sinner and dread Sin and flie from it as from the Plague Nothing that Sinners touch but they defile infect and taint it till they are cleansed whether earthly or heavenly Things all Creature-Comforts and Actions are unclean to them hereby The very Plowing of the Wicked is Sin Prov. 20.4 Tit. 1.13 yea the Sacraments Prayers or Alms all is polluted so long as they are unconverted Vnto them that are defiled nothing is pure c. IV. A wicked Man can converse with no Man but as a Leper he infects him by his ill Example he endangers the Lives and Souls of Men. V. It may teach the Saints to bless God and admire his Grace who hath delivered them from the Contagion of Sin Joh. 5.14 But art thou made whole sin no more VI. None but the High-Priest pronounced a Person clean from the Leprosy so none but Christ can discern our Uncleanness and pronounce us clean and wholly free from the Plague of Sin O What is Sin it is a Leprosie When Scripture so compares it may not I Call it a Plague a Wound a loathsome Sore That doth corrupt and spread the Soul all ' ore Like to an Ulcer or infectious Biles Which the whole Man most wofully defiles O how do Men fly from the Pestilence And shall not we learn Wisdom now from thence Sin is a Plague that kills eternally All sorts of Men unless they swiftly fly To Jesus Christ no Med'cine will do good Nor heal the Soul but this Physicians Blood Sin compared to Poyson Rom. 3.13 The Poyson of Asps is under their Tongues POyson of Asps denotes 1. Sometimes great Punishments Job 6.4 20.16 He shall suck the Poyson of Asps c. 2. Sometimes corrupt Doctrine and Heresies wherewith Men poyson themselves and Followers Deut. 32.33 Their Wine is the Poyson of Dragons i. e. their Doctrine So Ainsworth Rev. 17.2 With the Wine of her Fornication Which intends Venom and Poyson of the Devil the old Dragon or the detestable Superstition and Idolatry of Antichrist and Church of Rome 3. It signifies the cruel Malice and Rage of Men. Note Sin is the Venom or Poyson of the Serpent or the old Dragon Parallels POyson inflames heats and as it were sets the Body on fire So Sin inflames heats and sets as it were a Man's Spirit on fire What a Heat doth the Devil put some Men in by stirring up their Wrath Rage and Malice against their Neighbours II. Poyson causeth a great and extreme Thirst Gross or dreggish Liquor will not quench the fiery Thirst of Poyson Caryl it drinks saith one nothing but pure Spirits So Sin stirs up an insatiable Desire or Thirst after Revenge as also after the Pleasures Profits and Honours of this World which nothing can allay but the Water of Life which Jesus Christ gives John 4.14 III. Poyson gets quickly saith one to the Spirit 't is subtil and spiritful Plutarch and in a very little time will corrupt the whole Mass of Blood c. So Sin in a little time
were upon Ephraim Answ 1. One was Strangers had devoured his Strength Their Support and chief Stay that which should uphold comfort and succour them was gone Wicked Men were let in upon them and such who sought to spoil them of their Rights Liberties and Estates or spiritually Sin prevailâ—d strange Lusts had devoured their Strength Hos 2.5 Ephraim was fallen in love with other Lovers his Affection was set upon Strangers Saints should keep their Hearts close to Christ or else the Love of the World will soon steal away their Strength and make them decay in Godliness The Whoredom of Ephraim was doubtless one of those gray Hairs he had upon him 2. The Pride of Ephraim was another gray Hair The Pride of Israel doth testify to his Face and therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their Iniquity Hos 5.5 3. Their Goodness was as the Mâ—rning-Cloud and as the early Dew it passed away Hos 6.4 Which might be another of his gray Hairs By their Goodness doubtless is meant their Goodness and Kindness to God and one towards another They were false-hearted unconstant and fickle like a Morning-Cloud their Words were empty Sounds like Clouds withouâ— Water they dealt treacherously with God and deceitfully with their Brethren 4. They were like a silly Dove without a Heart they let their dearest Enjoiments go like as a silly Dove parts with her Young and did not like the Hen strive to preserve them This might be another of his gray Hairs A Dove is easily caught with a Net so was Ephraim easily ensnared by his Enemies A Dove will keep her Nest tho you take it away and thereby take her captive O how unwilling are some Men to part with their Lusts They will not leave their Sins or Company tho it prove their Ruine They are like the silly Dove 5. The great Things of God's Law were accounted strange Things to Ephraim tho God himself wrote them yet he liked them not but rather derided at them that owned and subjected to them This was another gray Hair Hos 7.8 6. Ephraim was as a Cake not turned he was not through for God he stood halting between two Opinions did not know what Religion to be of Or he was so perverse that tho he lay under heavy Judgments and was ready to be burned on the Coals yet he sought not to prevent the Danger Hâ—s 7.14 and escape the Fire he cried not to God in his Affliction And this was another of his gray Hairs 7. Ephraim was as an empty Vine he brought forth Fruit to himself God received but little from Ephraim all his Labor and Doing was for himself to enrich himself and lay up for himself he cared not for the Interest of God An empty Vine He had Juyce and Sap enough to bring forth Fruit to himself but was barren towards God They cannot spare Time nor have they leisure to wait upon his Service They can't spare Money to further the Interest of Godliness tho they can give two three four or five hundred nay a thousand Pounds to such a Son or such a Daughter and maintain them bravely when some of Christ's Ministers want Bread They love alas their Sons and Daughters more than Christ They are empty Vines they bring forth Fruit to themselves O what a base Spirit and Principle are some Professors of They are like Ephraim And this was another of his gray Hairs Hos 12.1 8. He was broken in Judgment he fed on the Wind and followed after the East Wind He pursued after Vanity and the empty Things of this World And that was another of his gray Hairs Many more I might mention they were indeed thick upon him he was become very gray in Wickedness Inference LEt us take heed we have not gray Hairs upon us and know it not Is not England and the Church of God in England grown here of late gray-headed O what Signs and Symptoms of Ruine are there upon us I will leave you to find them out Where is that Love and Zeal that was once Is not the World got into the very Hearts of Professors Do they not follow after the Wind and pursue the East Wind Are they not like an empty Vine Doth not every one mind his own carnal Interest Have not Strangers devoured our Strength Are we not become like a silly Dove without an Heart Is not Whoredom and Superstition amongst us Doth not our Pride testify against us And is not our Goodness like the Morning-Cloud Where is that Love and Bowels which should be in us towards one another Are not some of the Things yea the great Things of God's Law accounted by us as strange Things Search further and more gray Hairs will appear Are we not divided and broken in Judgment Can a Nation divided against it self long stand Are there not many faithful Ministers snatch'd away in a short time Is not this the Fore-runner of some dismal Calamity Have not we had many fearful Signs in the Heavens And are not the Evening-Wolves come out of their Holes Besides all this let every Soul search and see what gray Hairs he hath upon himself Metaphors Similes AND Other Borrowed TERMS CONCERNING The Devil or Evil Angels The Devil called the God of this World 2 Cor. 4.4 In whom the God of this World hath blinded the Minds of them which believe not THE Devil here is called a God not that he is a God either by Nature or hath this name conferred upon him by the Almighty in respect of his Office but rather he is called so in respect of wicked Men who serve and obey him as their God and in whom he rules and works effectually as in his own People and Subjects Properly there is but one God tho there are many who are called Gods yet they are not Gods by Nature I am God and none else Vnto us there is but one God one eternal immense Isa 45.22 infinite and incomprehensible Majesty And this God is either considered Essentially God is a Spirit Joh. 4.24 or else Personally viz. the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit There are three that bear Witness in Heaven c. and these three are one Improperly 1. Idols are called Gods 2. The Ark 1 Sam. 4.7 3. Magistrates I have made the a God to Pharaoh Thou shalt not revile the Gods Exod. 7.1 Exod. 22.28 the Chaldee saith Rab that is a Master the Hebrew Elohim God as Mr. Ainsworth observeth upon the place is attributed to Judges and Magistrates I said ye are Gods these are Gods by Office 4. Satan Psal 82.6 as in this Text who would be look'd upon and worshipped as a God he is properly an Angel once an Angel of Light God created him and before he fell he was a good Angel as other Angels are who kept their first Estate he is called a God but there is one Word that confines his Power and Soveraignty and greatly degrades him limits him
in the Morning when they awake from Sleep nay more than all they shall enjoy the glorious Presence of Jesus Christ himself But the Ungodly when they awake shall be in the midst of Devils and damned Spirits they must be their Companions for ever 5. The Godly shall when they awake have glorious Attendants in the Day of the Resurrection viz. the holy Angels of Heaven But the Wicked shall have no other Attendants than the black Retinue of the Bottomless-Pit 6. The Godly when they awake are led into the King's Palace to be married to the Bridegroom of their Souls and to receive every one of them a Crown of Glory But the Ungodly awake as condemned Malefactors to be led to the Place of Execution 7. In a word the Godly shall awake with â—ongs of Joy in their Mouths but the Wicked shall awake with Tears and dismal Cries The one to receive the Sentence Come ye Blessed of my Father the other to receive the Sentence Go ye cursed c. Some awake to everlasting Life Dan. 12.2 and some to Shame and everlasting Contempt The Resurrection-Day a Man's Reaping-Day Psal 126.5 They that sow in Tears shall reap in Joy Gal. 6.4 In due Season we shall reap if we faint not The Resurrection-Day is a Man's Reaping-Day Parallels MEN sow before they reap So Men in this World may be said to sow either they sow to the Flesh or to the Spirit and in the Resurrection-Day they shall reap II. That which Men sow that also they reap they do not sow Beans and reap Barley nor sow Tares and reap Wheat So the very same that all Men in a spiritual Sense sow Gal. 6. they shall reap They that sow to the Flesh shall of the Flesh reap Corruption and they that sow to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap Life everlasting III. According to the Quantity that every Man sows so they reap He that sows sparingly or but a little Seed must expect to reap sparingly or have but a small Crop So they who do much Service for God or scatter liberally abroad to his People in this World shall receive much from the Hands of God at the End of the World and he that doth but little for God tho he doth it in Sincerity must expect to reap accordingly in that Day He that improves two Talents shall receive the Improvement of two and he that improves five the Improvements of five There will be Degrees of Glory no doubt in the Day of the Resurrection But this I say He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly 2 Cor. 9.6 and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully There is one Glory of the Sun and another Glory of the Moon and another Glory of the Stars 1 Cor. 15.41 42. for one Star differeth from another in Glory So also is the Resurrection of the Dead c. And They that be wise shall shine as the Brightness of the Firmament Dan. 12.3 and they that turn many to Righteousness as the Stars for ever more IV. A Man 's reaping Time is his rejoicing Time With what Joy and Gladness doth the Husband-man gather in the Fruits of the Earth So the Saints spiritual reaping-Day will be their rejoycing-Day He that sows in Tears shall reap in Joy V. When the reaping-Time is come a Man gathers in the Fruit or Harvest of divers Sorts of Seed c. So in the Day of the Resurrection the Godly shall reap or gather in the Comfort and Increase of divers Sorts of Seed by them sown They shall then reap the Fruit of all the good Sermons they have heard and reap the last Fruit of all the spiritual Prayers they have made the Fruit of all the Tears of Godly Contrition they have shed and all the Sighs and Groans they have uttered They shall reap the Fruit of all the good Thoughts they have had and of all the good Words they have spoken and all the good Works they have done as also the Fruit of all the Evil which for Christ's sake they have undergone Obj. Is not a Saint's dying-Day his reaping-Day Answ A Saint at Death gathers the first ripe Fruits as it were but his Harvest is not till the last Day The Resurrection-Day the Saints Marriage-Day Rev. 9.7 The Marriage of the Lamb is come and his Wife hath made her self ready THE Resurrection-Day is the Saints Marriage-Day this is their espousal-Day For I have espoused you to one Husband that I may present you a chast Virgin to Christ 2 Cor. 11.12 But that will be the Day of the Solemnization of their Marriage-Union with Jesus Christ Parallels THere is or ought to be a most endeared Love in those Parties who intend to marry one another Nay they before the Marriage-Day mutually give up themselves one to the other sometimes in a solemn Manner before Witnesses they are espoused So the Soul of a Believer is spiritually united to Jesus Christ whilst in this World A Saint loves Christ dearly and Christ a Saint Nay and in Baptism in a most solemn and sacred Manner before many Witnesses the Soul is publickly espoused to the Lord Jesus and in the Day of the Resurrection shall be the Solemnization of the sacred Marriage II. The Marriage-Day is much longed for by those who in hearty Affection are espoused to one another So the Godly long for that Day when the spiritual Marriage shall be consummated between Christ and them III. The Bride in the Marriage-Day is usually richly adorned if a Princess or a Person of a noble and honourable Descent she is excellently clad and adorned with rare and costly Jewels that the Bridegroom may take the more Delight in her So the Church and consequently every Godly Christian shall in the Day of the Resurrection be most richly cloathed with Robes of Immortality Rev. 19.7 The Marriage of the Lamb is come and his Wife hath made her self ready Psal 45.13 14. and to her was granted she should be arrayed in fine Linen clean and white c. The King's Daughter is all glorious within her Cloathing is of wrought Gold she shall be brought to the King in Raiment of Needle-work c. Some by these white and glorious Robes understand the imputed Righteousness of Jesus Christ Others the Righteousness of Sanctification Some others conclude they are both intended and not only so but also those heavenly Robes with which the Bodies of the Saints shall be clothed in the Day of the Resurrection which none are able to describe however all conclude the Church in that Day shall shine forth so in Glory and Beauty that Men and Angels shall admire her No Bride ever appeared in such Splendor or so richly clothed and adorned as the Bride the Lamb's Wife shall when the Marriage of the Lamb is come IV. In a Marriage-Day the Bride and Bridegroom have a full and perfect enjoyment of each other and there is nothing in the World wherin there is
Scripture Christ and his Apostles the Lie Dan. 12.2 John 5.28 Ergo. The Scripture saith that those that sleep in the Dust of the Earth shall awake Christ saith all that are in the Grave shall hear his Voice and come forth and we have shewed the Apostles do affirm that the Dead shall be raised c. 12. If that which sleepeth in the Dust shall rise then the Body shall rise again for 't is the Body that sleepeth in the Dust But that which sleeps in the Dust shall be raised Ergo. 1 Cor. 15. Obj. 'T is not the same Body Thou sowest not that Body that shall be c. Answ If the same numerical Body rise not it will not be a Resurrection but a new Creation therefore that which the Apostle there intends is the Manner of the Resurrection i. e. how the Saints shall be raised 'T is not the same in respect of Weakness and Frailty It is sown a natural Body and shall be raised a spiritual Body 't is sown in Corruption and shall be raised in Incorruption 't is sown in Weakness and shall be raised in Power Which Thing a Grain of Corn that is sown teaches Quest Why shall the same Body of the Dead be raised Answ Because the same Body of Christ was raised that suffered 2. Because the same Body that suffered for Christ shall be glorified with Christ 3. Because the same Body that sinned shall be punished if not the same Body that sinned it might reflect upon the Justice and Goodness of God to punish an innocent Body Besides those Scriptures must be fullfilled which assert the Resurrection of the Body Inferences FRom hence we may infer that here is a World to come 2. That Death is not the last end of Man 3. Prepare for the Resurrection Day think of it when thou liest down and risest up in the Morning Thy lying down to sleep is a Figure of thy lying down in the Grave and thy awaking out of Sleep in the Morning is a Figure of the Resurrection 4. Think of the Resurrection in the Spring when thou seest the Flowers of the Earth bud forth and spring up for that is a Figure also of the Resurrection Of the Iudgment-Day The Iudgment-Day compared to an Assize 2 Cor. 5.10 For we must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ Rev. 20.11 And I saw a great white Throne and him that sate on it c. AFter the Resurrection comes the Judgement the eternal Judgment Note The Judgment-day may fitly be compared to an Assize or general Goal-Delivery Parallels THere is a Judge appointed by the King or supream Power of the Nation or Kingdom where an Assize is to be held who receives his Commission and acts by the Authority thereof Jesus Christ is appointed to be the Judge of Quick and Dead by the Father King of Heaven and Earth The Father judgeth no Man but hath committed all Power to the Son John 5.22 II. The Judge likely comes to the Bench or Judgment-seat with the Sound of Trumpets Christ will come to the Judgment-Seat with the Sound of a Trumpet 1 Cor. 15.52 The Trumpet shall sound and the Dead shall be raised incorruptible III. There is a known Law or Laws in a Kingdom by which the Judge heareth and determines all Causes So there is a known Law or Laws by which Jesus Christ will judg and determine all Causes in the great Day viz. the Law of Moses the Law of Nature and the Law of Christ called the Book of the Gospel The Books shall be opened Rev. 20. IV. The Judge hath many honourable Persons that sit on the Bench with him So Jesus Christ will havâ— all the Saints sit with him on the Throne of Judgment who shall assent and consent to whatsoever he shall do in thâ—t Day Hence 't is said Rev. 3. the Saints shall judge the World He that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my Throne even as I also overcame and am sate down with my Father in his Throne V. A Judge at Assizes after he hath read his Commission and given his Charge calls for the Prisoners So Jesus Christ will orderly proceed and câ—ll before him all Nations all the ungodly that ever lived on the Earth shall be arraigned by him being brought before his Judgment-Seat VI. A Judg having arraigned the Prisoner calls in the Witnesses and then suffers every Man to speak what he hath to say for himself So Jesus Christ will call in Witnesses and indeed every Man's Conscience shall be more than ten thousand Witnesses against him Rom. 2.14 15 16. and all Mouths shall be stopt and every ungodly Man shall be found guilty before Christ VII A Judg after he hath found Men guilty and cast them for their Lives passeth the Sentance So Jesus Christ at the last day having found Sinners guilty of all the horrid Crimes they shall be charged with will pass the fearful Sentence Go ye cursed Mat. 25. VIII A Judg after the Sentence is past orders the manner time and place of Execution So Jesus Christ will at the last day after the Sentence of Condemnation order the Execution of the Wicked and appoint them the place where and the time how long they shall suffer the place will be Hell the time will be for ever and ever See more in the First Volumn Christ the Judg of all Of Heaven The Celestial Paradise Luk. 23.43 Verily I say unto thee This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise 2 Cor. 12.2 He was taken up into Paradise Rev. 2.7 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God c. PAradise is taken in the Holy Scripture in a twofold Sense 1. For the Garden of Eden this is Earthly Paradise 2. For Heaven the Seat or Place of Glory this is Celestial Paradise Now the Earthly Paradise being a Figure of Heaven I shall in the opening of this run the Parallel principally with respect to the Garden of Eden and the State of Adam in Innocency c. Parallels PAradise or the Garden of Eden was a place of Pleasure So Heaven is a place of Pleasure II. Paradise was a place created of God and appointed for Man whilst he stood in the State of Innocency So Heaven is created of God and appointed for all those who obtain through Christ perfect Righteousness their Primitive Glory and Innocency III. Adam in Paradise had all Delight Joy and Pleasure his Heart could desire he wanted nothing to make his Life sweet and pleasant to him So the Saints in Heaven have the fullest Joy Pleasure and Satisfaction imaginable there is nothing wanting they can desire to please and delight them Thou wilt shew me the Path of Life Psal 16.11 Psal 36.8 in thy Presence is fulness of Joy and at thy right-hand Pleasures for evermore They drink of the Rivers of God's Pleasures A River abounds with Water
so doth Heaven like Paradise with Divine and Sacred Pleasures IV. Adam in Paradise knew no Sorrow he had Joy without Sadness Strength without Weakness Health without Sickness Light without Darkness Life without Death for Death had nothing to do with him whilst he stood in his Innocency So in Heaven the Godly are delivered from every mixture of Evil Rev. 21 4. God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes and there shall be no more Death neither Sorrow nor Crying neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are past away Here is Joy without Sadness Strength without Weakness Health without Sickness Light without Darkness Life without Death V. Adam in Paradise before tempted by the Devil knew no Sin he was free absolutely free from the least stain he had not so much as an evil Thought he was created in the Image of God being perfectly Righteous So in Heaven the Saints shall be free from Sin perfectly free not only free from the Guilt Filth Power and Punishment of it but also from the Act of it they shall not be troubled with one evil Thought more they are without Fault before the Throne of God and the Lamb. VI. Adam in Paradise enjoyed the sweet and blessed Presence of God he convers'd and had glorious Acquaintance and Communion with him God and Man lived then in perfect Peace and Friendship there was no Breach because no Sin and so God's Face was not hid from him So in Heaven all the Godly enjoy the sweet and Soul-ravishing Presence of God and of Jesus Christ Joh. 12.26 Joh. 14.3 1 Thess 4.17 1 Joh. 3.2 Where I am there shall my Servant be And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to my self that where I am ye may be also so shall we ever be with the Lord. Saints there have the Fruition of God and of Christ for we shall see him as he is and this is the highest glory Man can be raised to we shall not only see God and the Lamb but be filled with the Joy and Delight of God and Jesus Christ Heaven from hence is called the Joy of the Lord if the perfect enjoyment and participation of the glorious Trinity or fulness of it so far as it is capable of Communication can delight and fill the Soul with Joy and Happiness the Godly in Heaven shall have it God's Face will never be hid from his Children any more there will be no more a Breach between the Soul and its Saviour VII Adam in Paradise had the Tree of Life and Liberty before he sinned to eat of the Tree of Life So in this Paradise of God we read of the Tree of Life which as some understand Rev. 2.7 is Jesus Christ And to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God which doubtless signifies the glorious participation of the Life Fulness and transcendent Sweetness of the Lord Jesus and of the continuance of the Life of the Saints in its full Strength Vigour and Glory to Eternity VIII Adam in Paradise had great knowledg both of God and the Nature of all Creatures God brought all the Creatures to Adam to see what he would call them and whatsoever Adam called each living Soul Gen. 2.19 that was the Name thereof the naming of the Creatures saith Ainsworth was a sign of Soveraignty it also manifested Adam's Wisdom in naming things presently according to their Natures as the Hebrew Names by which he called them do declare So the Saints in Heaven shall be perfect in Knowledg they shall know as they are known they shall know all the Patriarchs Prophets Apostles and all the Saints that ever lived by Name which we may gather by that Knowledg Peter James and John had of Moses and Elias in the transfiguration of Christ in the Mount which was a Figure of Heaven Disparity ADam's Pleasure and Delight in Paradise was much of it Earthly But the Saints Pleasure and Delight in the Celestial Paradise will be Heavenly II. Adam in Paradise was troubled with a tempting Devil But the Saints in the Celestial Paradise shall not be troubled any more with a tempting Devil for he shall be shut up in Chains of Eternal Darkness to be tormented for ever III. Adam soon lost his earthly Paradise by Sin and was turned out of all But those who are accounted worthy to obtain this Heavenly Paradise shall never lose it nor be turned out of it but continue in it for ever and ever even to the days of Eternity Heaven a Crown of Life 2 Tim. 4.8 Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness Rev. 2.10 And I will give thee a Crown of Life James 1.12 He shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him THE Reward of the Godly in Heaven is called a Crown a Crown of Life a Crown of Righteousness c. Parallels A Crown denotes any beautiful pleasing Ornament or profitable thing hence a Crown is put for to adorn and bless with good Things and so to make joyful Prov. 4.9 17.6 Psal 8.5 103.4 The Saints in Heaven shall be beautiful and very glorious they shall sparkle and shine forth like the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father plentifully enjoy and possess true Blessedness II. A Crown is a sign of a Kingdom and Dominion saith Ainsworth The glorified Saints in Heaven shall possess a Kingdom and shall be as Kings and Princes for ever and ever Hearken my beloved Brethren hath not God chosen the poor of this World rich in Faith Jam. 2.5 and Heirs of the or that Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him III. A Crown denotes also Victory Christ warring against his Enemies and overcoming them hath on his Head many Crowns or Diadems So the Saints being Crowned signifieth that perfect Conquest they have through Christ obtained over Sin Satan Death and Hell c. IV. A Crown signifieth Glory Honour and external Grandure The glorified Saints shall be honoured and appear in eternal Grandure as Kings who have their Crowns on their Heads V. As there is nothing more rich glorious desireable nor esteemed among Men above a Crown or Kingdom So the Holy Spirit in setting forth the Reward and everlasting Glory of the Saints in Heaven compares it to these things But alas there is no earthly thing how splendant and glorious soever can sufficiently set out the state of the Saints after Death or the Glory of Heaven For Pleasure 't is called Paradise for Riches and Honour 't is called a Crown and a Kingdom A Crown of Life denoting that Saints in laying down their Lives for Christ shall not be at all losers thereby but only exchange it for a better a short momentary Life for an everlasting Life a Life of Joy for a Life of Sorrow a Life of perfect
spring hence his Sin is charged upon his whole Posterity By Adam 's Sin were many made Sinners c. Christ the secâ—nd Adam Rom. 5.12 14. is a common or publick Person representing all his true Seed or spiritual Off-spring So that as Adam's in was imputed to all his Children Verse 19. so is Christ's Righteousness imputed to all his Children through Faith The first Adam merited Death for his Seed the second Adam merited Life for his Seed Noah a Type of Christ Parallels NOah was a Saviour nay in a good sence the Saviour of the World for it was through him and by his Means and Righteousness there was a Seed preserved from the Floâ—d c. Christ is a Saviour the great Saviour the only Saviour of the World hence called Jesus II. Noah was a Preacher of Righteousness and invited Sinners to Repentance Christ was a Preacher of Righteousness and came on purpose to call Sinners to Repentance Noah's Ministry was despised by the Ungodly so was the Preaching and Ministry of Jesus Christ by the unbelieving Jews and others Those that refused and rebelled against Noah and his Ministry were destroyed by Water and those that refuse and rebell against Christ shall be destroyed by Fire III. Noah built an Ark So Christ builds his Church 2. Noah built the Ark according to the Commandment of God So Christ in building his Church did every thing according to the Commandment received from his Father 3. Noah took many Trees to build the Ark So Christ takes many Believers called Trees of Righteousness to build his Church IV. Some clean and some unclean Beasts were received into Noah's Ark So some holy and sanctified Persons and some unsanctified Ones are received into Christ's Church tho not by Christ's Appointment V. All that were not received into the Ark perished So all who get not spiritually by Faith into Jesus Christ or are not true Members of the visible or invisible Church shall be damned and perish eternally VI. Noah's Ark was toss'd upen the rough Waves and yet was preserved So the Church of Christ is toss'd upon the rough Waves of a tempestuous World and yet preserved VII Noah was the great Repairer of the World from him descended all the Inhabitants of the Earth Christ is the great and glorious Repairer of the World and from him proceed all the Inhabitants of Heaven VIII Noah sent a Dove out of the Ark to see whether or no the Waters were abated who returned with an Olive-Branch in her Mouth So Christ sends forth the Spirit called a Dove or in the likeness of a Dove who brings Tidings to believing Souls that the Wrath of God is appeased c. Melchisedeck a Type of Christ Heb. 7.3 Made like unto the Son of God c. Parallels THe Notation of his Name Melchisedeck signifieth King of Righteousness Christ Jesus is the only King of Righteousness II. In his Office he was a Type of Christ 1. He was King of Salem King of Peace Isa 9.6 So Christ was called the Prince of Peace not only a peaceable Prince but Prince of Peace one that commands Peace at his Pleasure in the World in the Church and in the Souls of Men. 2. Christ is not only Prince of the World but peculiarly Prince of Salem Prince of Jerusalem viz. the true Church of God 3. Melchisedeck was not only a King but also a Priest yea a Priest of the Most High God So Christ is both King and Priest III. Melchisedeck was a Type of Christ in his Original Without Father without Mother without Descent Heb 7.3 having neither Beginning of Days nor End of Life That is there is no mention of these things concerning him in the holy Scripture we have not his Genealogy or Story of his Life tho none doubt but he had both Father and Mother and Descent c. But God on purpose would have all these concealed that he might be a more express Type of Christ who was truly without Father in respect of his Manhood or human Nature and without Mother Isa 53. in respect of his Godhead And who can declare his Generation c. IV. Melchisedeck blessed Abraham and doubtless the lesser is blessed of the greater he was a most eminent and renowned Person Some do conclude he was the Patriarch Shem who was without beginning of days in respâ—ct of the World after the Flood and without end of days in respect of the World before the Flood but since God hath concealed who he was let us be satisfied But in this doubtless he was a Type of Christ who is greater than all that went before him great in Power Office and Sovereignty and is sent to bless his People 't is he alone that blesseth all the true Seed and Heirs of Promise V. Melchisedeck was a Priest not after the Order of Aaron he was not anointed with material Oil nor received his Priesthood from any other but only so declared by the Mouth of God His Priesthood passed not to other Men for as he received it from none so he passed it not to any other nor did any as we read of succeed him So Christ received his Priesthood from none but God himself and was not anointed with material Oil but with the Oil of Gladness only And as he received his Priesthood from none so he passeth it not to any other He hath none that can succeed him but abideth a Priest for ever in his own Person in Heaven Abraham a Type of Christ Parallels ABram and Abraham signify an high Father and a Father of a Multitude So is Christ an high and heavenly Father called the everlasting Father Father of all the Faithful c. II. To Abraham and to his Seed was the Promise made So to Christ and to his true Seed is the Promise made Guild Heb. 9.13 III. Abraham was King Priest and Prophet in his own Family So is Jesus Christ in his Church IV. Abraham put Hagar and Ishmael out of his House Gal. 4. So Jesus Christ cast out the Legal Covenant and fleshly Seed out of his Church Hagar being a Figure of the one and Ishmael of the other V. Abraham is called the Heir of the World Jesus Christ is so most properly and truly Rom. 4.13 Isaac a Type of Christ Parallels ISaac was the Son of Abraham the Father of the Faithful a promised Seed long before he was born and so strange was his Birth that tho he was born by the Stâ—ength of Nature yâ—t of Sarah's dead Womb Gen. 18.12 when it ceased to be with her as with other Child-bearing Women insomuch that when the Angel foretold it to her she thought it impossible So Jesus Christ is often called the Son of Abraham yet the only begotten Son of God by Nature who is the Father of all that are taught and can say in truth Our Father c. the only true promised Seed who was long prophesied of and expected by all Believers
Beauty and Perfection in Christ is all fulness of Light Beauty and Perfection 2. There use was to receive by them answer from God in difficult Cases when the Priest consulted with him the Oracle by Vrim gave certain Direction So Christ is the most perfect Rule and Direction shadowed by that Heb. 1.1 2. As God spake then by Vrim to the Priest so now by his own Son Those who would have their Doubts resolved must go to the Vrim go to Christ and to his Ordinances c. But to return back and speak a little further to the Robe of the Ephod and Bonnet on the Skirts of the Ephod Exod. 28.31 were fastned the Pomegranets of blew Silk and Purple and Scarlet round about this Fruit had a most pleasant smell sweet in it self and sweetning other things and is full of precious Juice and Liquor 2. Bells of Gold between them round about a Golden Bell and a Pomegranate c. this Vesture or Garment might signify the Righteousness of Christ's Human Nature and by the sweet Pomgranates the most excellent savour of his Righteousness and Obedience in the Nostrils of God the Father in the behalf of Man which also in a Spiritual Sense was full of precious Juice and Virtue to qualify and abate the raging heat of God's Wrath as the Juice of Pomgranates doth allay the burning heat of an Ague or Feaver as also they might signify what a sweet savour Christ's Righteousness doth cast upon us when wrapped as it were therein who by Nature are in a stinking and loathsome Condition 2. As to the golden Bells they might figure forth the blessed sound of the Gospel or as some understand Christ's visible owning of us now in Heaven and our publick owning of him on Earth which must be Sincere we must not only make a sound but also have good Fruit we must not onâ—y have a Word for God but a Work for God a Bell a Pomegranate a Word and a Work 6. The High Priest must be heard when he goeth into the Sanctuary signifying saith Dr. Taylor the Power of Christ our High Priest's perpetual Intercession being entered into the true Sanctuary viz. Heaven it self for us As touching the Miter or Bonnet upon the Priest's Head made of blew Silk and fine Linnen like to an half Coronet beautified with a Golden Plate on which was written Holiness to the Lord. 1. The Miter might not only signify God's covering and protecting our Head the Lord Jesus and us in him but also his Kingly Dignity 2. The Golden Plate in which was written Holiness to the Lord figured forth in a most conspicuous manner that most divine and perfect Holiness of the Lord our Righteousness the Holiness of his Person the Holiness of his Nature the Holiness of all his Actions and Passions his Holiness who is the Cause Stream and Original of all our Holiness that is accepted of God Fourthly The Priest was a Type of Christ in the Execution of his Office 1. The Priest must kill the Sacrifices and none but he signifying Jesus Christ's voâ—untary Action Joh. 10.18 in laying down his Life for us none could take it away from him he was as well the Priest as the Sacrifice 2. The Priest offered the Blood of the Sacrifices to God and sprinkled it on the Alter no Man might offer his â—wn Sacrifice but he must bring it to the Priest Lev. 7.4 figuring there was no coming to God but by Christ who offered up his own Blood to atone for our Sins no other can offer any Sacrifice to take away Sin but him alone 3. The Priest prepared the Body of the Sacrifice fley'd it divided it into several parts Lev. 1.6 washed the Intrails put Fire unto the Burnt-Offerings consumed the Fat cast the Filth and Dung into the plâ—ce of Ashes c. signifying that Christ alone did the whole work of our Redemption he suffered the heat of God's Wrath and Justice he puts away all our Filth and covers it in his own Grave and washeth us in the Fountain of his own Blood c. 4. The Priest was to teach the People The Priest's Lips must preserve Knowledg Mal. 2.7 and thou shalt seek the Law at his Mouth this figured forth Christ in his Prophetical Office who is the great Doctor and Teacher of God's Mind and Will to the Children of Men 't is he who hath the Tongue of the Lâ—arned so that never Man spake like him Psal 45.2 it is he who hath the Words of everlasting Life 5. The Priests were to preserve the Oyl for Lights and the Incense Luk. 24.50 and for the daily Meat-Offering and the anointing Oyl c. signifying that Jesus Christ is the Preserver of all Grace in and for his Church he only watcheth for the safety of his People he preserves the light of Grace and good Works in us and the Oyl of Gladness from decaying in our Lamps and Vessels There were some Actions more peculiar to the High Priest 1. He must daily dress the holy Lamps and Lights Morning and Evening Lev. 24.2 3. before the Lord to preserve the Lights from going out So Christ preserves the Light of his Word and Gospel from being put out tho Men and Devils with all their Might have endeavoured to do it 2. He must weekâ—y make the Shew-Bread and set it before the Lord continually and Exod. 25.30 more expresly every Sabbath he must set on the Table twelve Loaves according to the number of the Tribes of Israel and take the old away c. In this he was a Type of Christ who sets himself continually in the Ministry of the Word as the Substance and Anti-type of the Shew-Bread before the Children of Men especially to feed and strengthen his own Children nay anâ— brings forth fresh Food new Bread for them every Sabbath 3. He must yearly and that in the day of Expiation go into the Holy of Holies Exod. 30.10 Lev. 16.2 to make an Atonement for himself for his House and for all the People but not without Blood signifyiâ—g that Christ by one alone Sacrifice of himsâ—lf hath opened the Sanctuary of Hâ—aven and by his Ascension hath made entrance into it on our behalf and there appears beâ—ore God once for all to make Intercession for us The Priest went alone without any Attendants Heb. 10.12 19 So Christ hath trod the Wine-Press alone no Competitor no Companion hâ—th he in this work and now pleads alone as our own and only Mediator by virtue of his own Blood at the Father's right Hand There is one that is but one Mediator between God and Man c. 4. The High Priest continually was to decide the highest Controversies he must judg between the clâ—an and the unclean he must put the one out and receive the other into the Congregation signifying that Christ only Christ alone is the Supream judg of all Controversies 't is his Word only that can
decide the Case who is clean and who unclean who is to be put out and who to be taken into his Church The Tabernacle and what it was the Type of THe Tabernacle in some respect according to the Learned was a Type of Christ's Human Nature 1. It was exceeding glorious within all the inward parts thereof were overlaid with pure Gold This might signify how the Human Nature of the Son of God was covered with the Diety that being the true Tabernacle that God hath pitched and not Man Saint John saith The Word dwelt or tabernacled amongst us speaking of his being in our Flesh or taking upon him our Nature it being conceived by the Holy Ghost and not erected by Man 2. The Tabernacle was the place where God met with his People now God meets with his People in Christ 't is in and through him we come to know or have the true Revelation of his Will and enjoy his gracious Presence c. Those who would be accepted with God and worship him aright must wait at the door of this Spiritual Tabernacle Others understand by the Tabernacle the Church or Mystical Body of Christ wherein God graciously dwells and hath promised also to meet his People 1. It was moveable signifying the troublesome State of God's People whilst they pass through the Wilderness of this World 2. The Tabernacle had three places 1. The outward Court wherein stood the brazen Altar 2. The Holy Place 3. The Holiest of all In the first it typifies forth the visible or outward Form of the Church in respect of the external Exercise of Religion and Worship hither the common People may come The second typified out the Spiritual State or more close and holy Fellowship of the Church which none have admittance into but sincere and sanctified Persons who feed upon the Spiritual and true Shew-Bread Jesus Christ The third typified Heaven it self or the Church of God triumphant where Christ is set down in Glory at the Father's right hand to intercede for us 3. The Entry to the Holiest of all was by the Holy Place and to the Holy place was by the outer Court c. So our Entry into Heaven is by being Members of the visible Church through Faith and a good Conscience He that would enter into the Holiest of all must first be Holy and he that would come into a State of true Holiness and Communion with God and his People must learn to know where the Candlestick and true Shew-Bread stands which is the visible Church 4. You read of the fixed Pillars of the Holy Place they might signify the Holy Apostles of Jesus â—hrist and his faithful Ministers who help to support the Spiritual Structure the Church as Pillars do support a House c. 5. The divers Ornaments and Instruments thereof might signify the diversity of Spiritual Gifts and Graces in the Gospel-Church the Tabernacle was exceeding glorious within and all the inward parts thereof were overlaid with pure Gold Exod. 35. Psal 45. So inwardly the Church of God is very beautiful the King's Daughter is all glorious within 6. The several covâ—rings thereof typified the Lord's sure and safe Protection of his Church by his own immediate Power and gracious ministration of Angels 7. Gold within and Skins without might signify tho the Church is glorious within yet outwardly to the sight and view of carnal Men she hath no Beauty but is look'd upon as contemptible 8. The Tabernacle and all the Instruments thereof yea the very Ash-Pans and Snuffers of the Candlestiâ—k must be made according to the Pattern shewed in the Mount which figured forth Exod. 25.40 that the Church of God and all the exercise of Worship that is therein whether Doctrâ—ne or Discipline must be exactly according to the express written Word nothing must be aâ—ded to nor diminished from no Alterations one way or other must be made 9. The voluntary Oblation of the People to build the Tabernacle signifies how willing Christians should be to contribute of their outward Substance to uphold God's Church and the publick Worship thereof 10. The glorious Door of the Tabernacle might be a Figure of Christ who saith I am the Door Joh. 10.7 't is by him we enter into the Kingdom of Grace and Glory The Veil of the Holiest Exod. 26.31 and what it figured forth IT was glorious of Embroidered Work this saith Guild signified the Body of Christ filled with the fulness of God Heb. 7.26 or beautified with all the most excellent and Heavenly Graces of the Spirit Joh. 1.51 II. It was replenished and wrought full of Cherubims noting thereby that serviceable and ready attendance of the Angels on Christ's Natural and Mystical Body III. It was born up by glorious and costly Pillars overlaid with Gold on Sockets of Silver to shew that the Humanity of Christ especially in his Sufferings should be born up by his Deity which his Manhood overveiled IV. By the Veil only there was entry into the Holiest place of all So by the Veil that is to say the Flâ—sh of Christ wâ—ich was rent as it were upon the Cross a new and living way is made for us to the Father Heb. 10.20 The Ark a Type of Christ THe Ark was an assurance of God's Presence amongst his People So Christ is the Cause and Assurance that God in a gracious way is present with us II. Where the Ark was there it was lawful to offer Sacrifice and no where else which might shew that our acceptance in God's Sight is through Jesus Christ If Christ dwell not in our Hearts by Faith if we have not the Ark with us Christ with us God will not accept of our Prayers nor Service III. In the Ark was the Pot of Manna to shew that in Christ is the Life Comfort and Spiritual Nourishment for our Souls IV. The Ark had a Crown of Gold round about it signifying the Majesty of Christ's Kingdom or his Regal Power V. The two Tables were in the Ark the Ark kept them which might signify Christ's keeping the Law perfectly for us and deliver us thereby from the Curse of it VI. When the Ark was set in the Temple of Dagon Dagon fell down and broke to pieces So when Christ and his Truth are set up in a Man's Heart or a Nation Sin and Idolatry will go down VII Where the Ark was there was the Glory of God and when that departed the Glory of God departed So where Christ's blessed Truth and Gospel is there is the Glory of God but when Christ leaves a People takes away his Gospel the Glory of God goes from that People Some run a Parallel between the Church and the Ark others between the Publick Worship of God and it But in my Judgment it more clearly was a Type of Christ which may comprehend much of what they say in respect of other things The Mercy-Seat Exod. 25.17 a Type of Christ IT was called the Mercy-Seat or as
the Holiest of all viz. Heaven it self Heb. 9.23 before the Throne of Mercy pleading for us Levit. 16.16 IV. The Priest was to make an Atonement for the Holy-Place because of the Uncleanness of the Children of Israel And so he shall do saith the Text for the Tabernacle of the Congregation c. This shewed the horrible Nature of Sin For tho the People never came into the Holy-Pâ—ace much less into the Most Holy Place yet such was the Power of their Iniquities that the holy Altar Ark and Sanctuary it self was defiled in the Sight of God and could not be cleansed without Blood So our Sins do defile God's Church and his most holy Ordinances therein performed so that neither we nor any of our best Services can meet with acceptance but by the means of Christ's Blood and Merits V. No Man was to be in the Tabernacle when the High-Priest went in to make Atonement only the High-Priest himself c. plainly signifying that Jesus Christ our High-Priest hath no Partner with him in working our Salvation He his own self bare our Sins in his Body on the Tree 1 Pet. 2.24 c. VI. The Altar of Incense was sprinkled with the Blood of the kill'd Goat shadowing that Christ through the shedding of his own Blood should be consecrated our Intercessor and by the Means and Merits thereof our Prayers should be accepted Heb. 8.6 VII The High-Priest was to cast off his glorious Garments when he made this Atonement Verse 4. Phil. 2. signifying that Christ should be abased and lay aside as it were his glorious Robes or vaâ—l his Deity and appear in the Form of a Servant that so he might finish the Work of our Redemption VIII The Day of Atonement shall saith the Text be a Sabbath for ever shadowing thereby that through the Atonement and Expiation of Christ he hath obtained everlasting Rest for us and that in his Death all typical Sacrifices should end IX Once only in a Year this Atonement was made to shew that not often but once for ever without repetition Christ should make a perfect Atonement for us by his own Blood Heb. 9.24 and thereby enter into the highest Heavens to appear in the presence of God for us The Scape-Goat a Type of Christ Levit. 10.20 c. THe Scape-Goat called in Hebrew Azazel that is the Goat gone away c. was so called because he escaped alive representing Christ Jesus alive in his Divine Nature tho put to death in his Humane Nature or alive after he rose again from the Dead II. He was presented alive that by him Reconciliation might be made and this after the other Goat was sacrificed signifying acccording to the Learned two Things 1. The Resurrection of Christ 2. Our rising with him from the Death of Sin to a Life of Grace by the operation of the Spirit c. III. Aaron shall put or lay both his Hands upon the Head of the live-Goat and confess over him all the Iniquities of the Children of Israel Levit. 16.21 c. and he shall bear them c. Figuring thereby how Christ should bear all our Sins viz. the Punishment due to them The Lord hath laid on him the Iniquities of us all Isa 53. IV. And so the He-Goat was sent into the Wilderness or Land not inhabited which the Greek calleth Abaton wayless or inaccessible figuring the utter abolishing of our Sins by Jesus Christ both from the Face of God that so they may not appear before him against us to condemn us or be imputed or charged upon us nor have any Dominion or Power over us They were to confess upon the Head of the Goat all their Iniquities signifying if we would have our Sins câ—rried away and for ever to be forgot we must confess them c. By this saith Ainsworth it appeareth that as the killed Goat figured Christ killed or put to death for our Sins so this living Goat figured him also who bore our Griefs Isa 53.4 5 6. and carried our Sorrows c. And because Christ was not only to die for our Offences but also to rise again for our Justification and because these two Things could not fitly be shadowed by one Beast which the Priest having killed could not make alive again therefore God appointed two that in the slain Beast Christ's Death and in the live Beast his Life and Victory might be shadowed See the like Mystery in the two Birds for the cleansing the Leper The Sacrifice of the Red Heifer Numb 19. a Type of Christ THe Colour of this Beast was red As other Sacrifices of Beasts prefigured Christ so this saith Ainsworth in special figured him Red signified his human Nature and Participation of our Afflictions and the Bloodiness of his Agony and grievous Passion II. She must be without blemish and upon whom never Yoak came This signified the perfect Holiness of Christ who never bore the Yoak of Sinfulness nor was subject to the Laws or Precepâ—s of Man III. The Heifer was burned without the Host and her Blood sprinkled seven times before the Tabernacle of the Congregation which signified Christ's Suffering without the Gates of Jerusalem Heb. 13.11 12. Circumcision what it was a Type of CIrcumcision was the cutting off the Foreskin of the Flesh signifying the cutting off the Lusts of the Heart and Life or parting with the Corruption of Nature Col. 2.11 which rebells against the Spirit II. Circumcision puts the Body to pain Gen. 43.25 So those who come under the Circumcision of the Heart are sensible of much spiritual Pain upon the account of Sin III. As that Part cut off was never set to the Body again but was taken quite away So in this spiritual Circumcision Sin must not be parted with for a time only but must be cast off for ever IV. The Circumcised Person was admitted into the Church and Family of God So he that is spiritually circumcised becomes a fit Person for Baptism and so to be admitted into the Church of God V. Such who were not circumcised were not to be admitted to the Privileges of the Church and outward Worship of God So the Uncircumcised in Heart and Life ought not to be admitted unto the spiritual Privileges of the Gospel and Communion of the Saints VI. The uncircumcised Person was looked upon by God's People as an hateful Person see with what contempt David beheld Goliah upon this account 1 Sam. 17. This uncircumcised Philistine c. So those who are not circumcised in Heart are hateful to God VII Circumcision was a Sign of the Righteousness of Faith So the spiritual Circumcision of the Heart i. e. putting away the Body of Sin c. is a Sign of the Truth of Grace and of an Interest in the Righteousness of Christ Jesus The Rock which was smitten out of which came Water Exod. 17. was a Type of Christ 1 Cor. 10.4 And that Rock was Christ viz. a
reading of which we are carefully to heed the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Circumstances of every Text and the Speaker that the Fallacy of Composition and Division may be avoided Jer. 26.17 18 19. Jer. 26.17 c. the Elders of Judea are introduced as speaking for Jeremiah but if any will attribute to them Ver. 20 21 22 23. he goes against their words and the scope of the Prophetical Text For these Verses have a coherence with the last and continue the historical Relation of the Execution of the Sentence and the deliverance of Jeremiah by a Just Judgment from the lawless Violence of the King the Example of which is contained in those four Verses on the contrary the words of Paul Act. 19.4 5. are to be joyned together to prevent Error 2. A false and evil Speech is proposed when the Devil and wicked Men are introduc'd as speaking Psal 3.2 Many there be which say of my Soul There is no help for him in his God Psal 12.4 Who have said With our Tongue will we prevail our Lips are our own Who is Lord over us Isa 14.13 For thou hast said in thy Heart I will ascend into Heaven I will exalt my Throne above the Stars of God c. Mat. 23.16 Wo unto you ye blind Guides which say Whosoever shall swear by the Temple it is nothing but whosoever shall swear by the Gold of the Temple he is a Debter c. Of this kind of Speech we will give some useful Observations 1. An Historical Narration altho most true yet all things therein said are not believed to Observ 1 be true For when a Canonical Writer treats of a thing and speaks of what is falsely or foolishly done or said by another he does not approve of it but only relates it The things in Scripture are of two sorts some are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by way of narrative or recital and some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by way of Assertion and Approbation things related of the latter kind are always true but not of the former Here likewise we must distinguish between the History it self and the Speech introduced by him that speaks the first is always true the latter not c. 2. When the wicked or false Speech of another is related a true Sentence Observ 2 or Word of the holy Spirit is intermix'd as 1 Kings 21.10 the words of Jezebel writing to the Citizens of Jezreel are thus related Set two Men Sons of Belial before him to bear witness against him c. the words Sons of Belial are not Jezebel 's who would fain destroy Naboth by a colour and pretext of Right and Justice but they are the words of the holy Spirit which Exegetically and according to Truth describe those suborn'd Wretches that would testify against the innocent as Ver. 13 c. Isa 28.15 Because ye have said We have made a Covenant with Death and with Hell are we at Agreement when the overflowing Scourge shall pass through it shall not come unto us R. Kimhi in Loc. for we have made Lies our Refuge and under Falshood have we hid our selves It was not they that called it Lies and Falshood but the Prophet so intitles their Hope The words of the false Prophets are hereby to be understood who lyingly advised them to hope well Isa 30.10 Which say to the Seers see not and unto the Prophets prophesy not unto us right things speak unto us smooth things prophesy Deceits It is not those Unbelievers but the holy Spirit that calls those Visions which they sought for Delusions for such indeed they were Pag. 360. Vsitatum est quod ingeniosi Homines c. c. Brentius upon Isa 44. thus speaks of this Scripture-way of Expression and brings more Examples 'T is usual for ingenious Men to paint out Impiety of words in colours and obtrude it upon Men as true Piety But the holy Spirit acknowleges not nor owns such things as are framed and pretended to cloak and excuse Impiety but sees because there is nothing invisible to him into the most private recesses of the Mind and judges according to what he finds in the very secrets of the Heart Deut. 29.19 the wicked blesses himself in his Heart saying I shall have Peace tho I walk in the stubbornness of my Heart to add Drunkenness to Thirst Who would be so impudent as publickly to say that his ways are wicked and that he would persevere in them See Psal 14.1 Isa 28.15 44.17 Jer. 18.12 the holy Spirit recites the words of the wicked not the words of their Mouths but the words of their Hearts For the ungodly do not call their own Ways evil but in regard they are really so the Spirit so calls them as his own Sentence Observ 3 3. Yet all things which the Devil and wicked Men are said to speak are not in themselves evil and false altho pronounced with a fallacious and fraudulent Intention this may be seen in the words of unclean Spirits Mar. 1.24 I know thee who thou art the holy One of God See Luke 4.34 Acts 16.16 17. In the words of Caiphas the Jewish High-Priest Gregor Lib. 23. Moral cap 3. John 11.49 50 c. Whatsoever is related in Scripture may be reduced to these four ways viz. When good Things are well spoken When evil Things are ill spoken When good Things are ill spoken When evil Things are well spoken 1. Good Things are well spoken when righteous and holy Things are well preached as Mat. 3.2 Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand 2. Evil Things are ill spoken when a perverse or wicked Action is perswaded to as Job 2.9 Curse God and die 3. Good Things are ill spoken when something is not pronounced with a right Mind and Understanding as Joh. 9.28 the Pharisâ—es say to the blind Man that had his Sight restored Thou art his Disciple which was true but they spoke it maliciously and by way of Contempt Joh. 11.49 50. It is expedient for us that one Man should die for the People that the whole Nation perish not This was good yea the greatest Good in the World but he spoke it out of spite to Christ and a greediness to destroy him without any respect to the Grace of Redemption of which he was ignorant 4. Evil Things are said well when by the Mouth of the Speaker Vice is expressed so as to condemn and confute it 3. Speeches prudently feigned and composed to signify another thing are to be read in Scripture Parables especially the Writings of the Evangelists which shall be treated of at large in this Work in the Chapter of Parables to which we refer you To this belongs when a Speech is attributed to persons to be a sign of the very state of Things Isaiah 3.6 and is figured as the thing signified by that Speech as is intimated Isa 3.6 When a Man shall take hold of his Brother of the House of his Father saying
are as goads by which Men are prick'd forward to their Duty as Oxen are prick'd forward to go on or labour And as Nails which keep Men within the bounds of Duty as Planks are fixt when they are nail'd through fastened by the Masters of Assemblies he speaks Metaphorically of Divine Preaching as 1 Cor. 3.6 Jam. 1.21 For the Masters of Assemblies are such as founded or instituted Colledges or such as in the publick Assemblies of the Church taught the Word of God as the Prophets and Priests in the Old Testament did which are given from one Shepherd that is God the only Pastor of his People Psal 23.1 that is the supream Governour and Protector He alone is the Author of his written Word speaking immediately by his Prophets c. More especially and by way of brief Analogy Citations of the Old Test in the New we will make some Observations of the Quotations of the Old Testament quoted in the New 1. Quoad formam internam with respect to the internal Form which is the sense of Scripture Oracles 2. The external Form which is the Manner or Character of speaking and the Mode or Way of Allegation 1. The internal or inward Form with respect to which the Allegation is made either according to the sense intended by the Holy Spirit or its Analogical Accommodation 1. The Sense intended by the Holy Spirit is either literal or typical and mystical In an immediate literal Sense there are frequent Quotations which concern Christ of whom the Prophets prophesied 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 word for word as Esa 7.14 Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and thou shalt call his Name Emanuel which in the proper and proximate sense is cited with respect to Christ Mat. 1.23 compare also Deut. 18.15 with Act. 3.22 Psal 2.7 with Act. 13.33 Heb. 1.5 5.5 Psal 8.2 with Mat. 21.16 Psal 22.18 with Mat. 27.35 John 19.24 Psal 40.6 7 8. with Heb. 10.5 c. and Psal 45.6 7 with Heb. 1.8 9 and Psal 68.18 with Eph. 4.8 and Psal 69.9 with Rom. 15.3 and Psal 102.25 with Heb. 1.10 and Psal 110.1 with Mat. 22.24 45. Mark 12.36 Luke 20.42 43 44. Acts 2.34 35. 1 Cor. 15.25 Heb. 1.13 Psal 110.4 Heb. 5.6 and 7.17 Psal 110.22 with Mat. 21.42 Mark 12.10 Acts 4.11 1. Pet. 2.7 So Esa 11.10 with Rom. 15.12 and Isa 28.16 with 1 Pet. 2.6 and Isa 42.1 c. with Mat. 12.17 c. and Isa 45.23 with Rom. 14.11 and Esa 61.1 with Luke 4.18 21. and Amos 9.11 with Acts 15.15 16. Mic. 5.2 with Mat. 2.6 and Zech. 9.9 with Mat. 21.5 John 12.14 15. and Zech. 11.12 with Mat. 27.9 and Zech. 12.10 with John 19.37 and Zech. 13.7 with Mat. 25.31 Mal. 3.1 with Mat. 11.10 Mark 1.2 c. Junius and Tremellius Tarnovius and Rivet refer to this place Hos 11.1 Out of Egypt have I called my Son which Mat. 2.15 is cited and applied to Christ 2. There are Citations in a mediate and typical Sense out of the Old Testament respecting Christ and his Mystical Body the Church As Exod. 12.46 about the Paschal Lamb applied to Christ John 19.26 the Brazen Serpent Numb 21.8 9. with John 3.14 15. Jonas Chap. 2.1 11. with Mat. 12.39 Adam and Eve Gen. 2.23 24. with Eph. 5.31 32 c. To this Head also may be reduced those Allegations which are Expositions of an Allegorical Speech as in Phil. Sacr. p. 375. An Analogical Accommodation which Cajetan called a transumptive sense is when the words of the Old Testament are used in the New and accommodated to the Event and for Conveniency or Similitude are attributed to a Person or some certain thing extending it beyond the scope the first holy Writer as Mat. 13.35 the saying Psal 78.2 I will open my Mouth in a Parable I will utter dark Sayings of old is analogically said to be fulfilled in Christ For as God the Father by the Prophets opened the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven to his People at all times so Christ who was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the hypostatical Word of the Father thought meet to express himself in Parables Yet in the 78 Psalm true Examples are given but Christ uses feigned Narrations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 both which agree in this that they are called Parables that is Similitudes viz. such as are brought in by Christ and recited by the Psalmist on purpose to admonish the People by those Examples of what they were to expect from God by their Perseverance in or Apostacy from the Faith See 1 Cor. 10.6 11 c. The words Esa 53.4 viz. He hath born our Griefs or Infirmities and carried our Sorrows or Diseases are cited Mat. 8.17 Now if you respect the Person or adequate Subject of whom the Prophet speaks the Allegation or Citation is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the word or literally to be understood but if you will have respect to the thing of which Matthew treats it must be only by way of Analogy and Accommodation For here there is an account given of Christ with respect to his healing divers Diseases in which he is said to accomplish what was foretold by the Prophetical Oracle and in a literal sense to bear our Spiritual Infirmities in his Passion and Death as it is expounded 1 Pet. 2.24 25. More Citations you may find Deut. 30.11 with Rom. 10.6 in the description of the Righteousness of Faith see also Esa 43.19 compared with Rev. 21.5 Mat. 2.17 18. with Jer. 31.15 Mat. 13.14 with Esa 6.9 Mat. 15.8 with Esa 29.13 Luke 23.30 Rev. 6.16 with Hos 8.10 Acts 13.40 41. with Habak 1.5 Rom. 9.27 28. with Esa 10.22 Rom. 9.29 with Isa 1.9 1 Cor. 1.19 20. with Isa 29.14 33.18 Rev. 1.7 with Zech. 12.10 Rev. 11.4 with Zech. 4.14 c. 2. As to the exernal Form As to the external Form or the kind of speaking or the manner of Citation the following things are observable 1. The frequent Quotation of the Septuagint or the ancient Greek Translation of the Old Testament of which as Hierom notes * In quest Heb. super Gen. To. 4. fol. 102. Hoc generaliter observandum quod ubicunque sancti Apostoli aut Apostolici viri loquantur ad Populos his plerumque Testimoniis abutuntur quae per Translationem Septuagint Interpretum jam fuerant in Gentibus divulgatae that is This is to be generally noted that wheresoever the holy Apostles or Apostolical Men spoke to the People they did for the most part use these Testimonies which that is the Translation of the Seventy Interpreters were now published to the Gentiles And that even in those things where there is a manifest difference between that Translation and the Original Hebrew Text as Luke 3.36 wherein the Genealogy of Christ the Name Cainan is put in which is not in the Original Hebrew but in the version of the Seventy of which more hereafter The words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉