this Breast-plate upon them 1. In regard of the Design he hath to bring them into Union with himself and in marrying them to Jesus Christ which is that they might bring forth Fruit to God 2. They are regenerated by the Spirit that they might be holy A new Heart Ezek. 36.26 27. and a new Spirit will I put within you and cause you to walk in my Statutes and keep my Judgments and do them We are his Workmanship Eph. 2.10 created in Christ Jesus unto good Works which God hath ordained that we should walk in them 3. It is the Design of God in all his Ordinances The Word of God is both Seed to beget and Food to nourish Holiness begotten in the Heart Every part of it contributes to this Design abundantly The Preceptive part affords a perfect Rule of Holiness the Promises present us with admirable Encouragements to entice and allure us thereunto the Threatnings or minatory part of the Word are to deter and keep back from that which is contrary to it 4. It is the Design of God in all his Providences to make his People more holy The Afflictions he brings upon them are to refine and purify them This is the Fruit of all the taking away of your Sin See Refiner 5. Saints are called God's Witnesses they should from hence endeavour to shine forth in their Testimony for him What he speaks in his Word touching his Justice Holiness and utter Hatred of Sin and Ungodliness they ought not only with their Lips but also with their Lives bear witness unto Secondly In regard of Satan whose great Design is against the Holiness of the Saints How doth it behove them to walk with all Circumspection since they are continually besieged and assaulted by so strong an Enemy As God's great Design is to further and prompt to Holiness so Satan's great Design is to hinder and obstruct it And what should be our chief care to defend but that which our Adversaries Thoughts and Plots are most laid to assault and storm Thirdly Saints should labour to have this Breast-plate on viz. be holy in regard of the World Ye are the Light of the World Mat. 5.13 14. Let your good Works so shine before Men c. 1. If these Lights become Darkness or are darkned no marvel if Men stumble Wo unto the World because of Offences but rather wo to him by whom the Offence cometh Ye are the Salt of the Earth But if this Salt hath lost its Savour 't is no wonder if the World stink and be unsavoury 2. Wicked Men saith a worthy Minister know not the Principle by which you walk they cannot possibly discern the Excellency of that Way and Religion which you profess but they can discern and make some Judgment of your Conversations nay and their Eyes are upon you they watch to see your Failings Spots are soon espied in your Coats for tho they love not Holiness themselves yet they expect that those that profess themselves to be Saints should be holy How should this teach you to get on this Breast-plate 3. This may greatly work upon the Ungodly with whom you live and daily converse nay those that will not be won by the Word possibly may and many times have been won and converted this way 1 Pet. 3.1 2. 4. This will however convince them that you are the Servants of God and Heaven-born Souls it will silence them and stop their Mouths 1 Pet. 3.16 That whereas they speak evil of you they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good Conversation in Christ 5. This will leave the World without excuse in the Great Day Fourthly You should labour after Holiness in regard of the Gospel it self which you profess That will this way gain much Credit in the World Nothing brings Religion into greater Contempt or causeth it to be more slighted by the Ungodly than the loose carnal and unholy Lives of those who profess it Fifthly You ought to labour after a godly Life in regard of the sincere and holy Ministers of the Gospel and other faithful Saints and Souldiers of Christ What can comfort and delight their Souls more than the holy humble and fruitful Lives of Believers Psal 16.3 The Saints those excellent Ones were all David's Delight and Paul accounted them his Joy and Crown But if they are proud peevish covetous carnal and walk like other Gentiles what wounds and grieves them more This made David weep Jer. 9 1. yea Rivers of Water to run down his Eyes and Jeremiah to wish his Head were Water and his Eyes a Fountain of Tears that he might weep day and night Many walk saith Paul Phil. 3.18 19. of whom I have told you often and now tell you weeping They are Enemies to the Cross of Christ whose End is Destruction whose God is their Belly whose Glory is in their Shame who mind earthly things Sixthly Christians in regard of themselves ought to labour after Righteousness and true Holiness for this only will be the best Evidence to them of the Truth of Grace received and of their Interest in Jesus Christ What will all other Attainments and Privileges signify if they are not holy 1. By this means they will be able to hold up their Heads in the Day of Trial For our rejoycing is this 2 Cor. 1.12 the Testimony of our Conscience that in Simplicity and godly Sincerity not by fleshly Wisdom but by the Grace of God we have our Conversation in the World c. Isa 3.10 2. These are the Men it will go well with whatever comes Say unto the Righteous it shall go well with them c. 3. These shall have Peace in Christ tho they have Trouble in the World Peace whilst they live Psal 37.37 and Peace when they die Mark the perfect Man and behold the Vpright the End of that Man is Peace 4. These need not fear the Assaults of Satan they have Armor of Proof on a Breast-plate Rom. 8.1 that will preserve their Souls from Death There is therefore now no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit Seventhly Christians should labour to have on this Breast-plate of Righteousness in regard of the Excellency of it It is that which God himself is cloathed with it is that which makes Angels to shine gloriously in Heaven A Man is hereby capacitated to have Communion with God Psal 94 20 Shall the Throne of Iniquity have fellowship with thee c. Eighthly and lastly In regard of the Necessity of it For without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord. Quest How should we put on the Breast-plate of Righteousness Answ 1. In Heart we must be inwardly holy Holiness must begin there First make the Tree good c. 2. In Life Negative Holiness doth not only consist in the leaving all gross Sins but in abstaining from all appearance of Evil and to leave
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
born and incarnate by the strange and wonderful Power of the Holy-Ghost in the Womb of the Blessed Virgin yea in such a miraculous manner Luke 1.34 that when it was foretold her by the Angel she thought it impossible II. Isaac was mocked and basely abused by Ishmael the fleshly Seed So was Jesus Christ by the Jews who were the Children of the Bond-woman III. Isaac was led as a Lamb to the Slaughter So was Jesus Christ Tho in this there was a great Disparity the one was spared namely Isaac but Jesus Christ was sacrificed IV. Isaac was offered as it were and three days dead in his Father's Mind and Purpose yet died not but his Father received him as from the Dead So Jesus Christ offered but in respect of his Divinity died not and tho his Humanity lay dead hree days in the Heart of the Earth yet it revived again So both were saith Dr. Tayâ—or delivered from Death the third Day wherein the Apostle plainly makes him a Type Heb. 11.16 From whence he received him as in a Figure Type or Resemblance c. V. Isaac â—as the Learned observe was a Type of Christ in his Marriage 1. He married one of his own Kindred So the Spouse of Christ is of the same Flesh which he himself assumed 2. She was wooed by his Father's Servant So is the Spouse of Christ by his faithful Ministers 3. Rebekah resolved to forsake all her Friends and her Father's House to become Isaac's Wife So Believers forsake all in Affection and actually when called thereunto for the sake of Jesus Christ 4. She was deck'd with Jewels trimmed and rarely adorned when she came to meet Isaac So the Spouse the Lamb's Wife shall be richly deck'd and gloriously adorned to meet Jesus Christ when he comes in the Glory of the Father to receive her to himself Rev. 19.7 1 Thess 4. 5. She came to meet Isaac So shall the Saints meet Jesus Christ in the Air at the last Day Jacob a Type of Christ Parallels JAcob was a Supplanter as his Name signifies he supplanted Esau So Jesus Christ supplanted as Guild observes Sin and Satan c. II. Jacob was hated and persecuted by Esau So was Christ by Satan and his Emissaries In his great Afflictions he saw an Angel of God ascending and descending upon him So Christ after his Temptations in the Wilderness and also when he was in his bloody Agony was comforted by the Angels of God they administred unto him III. Jacob endured great Hardship for Rachel whom he dearly loved So Jesus Christ endured many Years Sorrow and Trouble for his Church whom he loved so dearly that he laid down his Life for her sake IV. Jacob was called a Prince with God he wrestled long and at last was comforted So Christ is a mighty Prince Heb. 5.7 and prevailed also being heard in that he feared Jacob's Ladder Gen. 28. a Type of Christ Parallels JAcob's Ladder which he saw in a Vision stood upon the Earth but the Top reached to Heaven So Christ albeit he was humbled in shape of sinful Flesh to the Earth as it were yet he was the Most High God reaching so to Heaven II. The Angels went up and down by it So we ascend up to God by Jesus Christ and God desâ—ends as it were by him also down to us III. The Lord stood above it and made Promises of Canaan to Jacob So God in Christ and through him hath made all Promises of Heaven and ratified them to us Gen. 28.19 IV. In the Place which was called the House of God and Gate of Heaven was the Ladder seen So in Christ's Church the true House of God we get a clear and full Sight of Christ Joseph a Type of Christ Parallels JOseph signifies Increasing he was the First-born of Rachel and Jacob's beloved Son So Christ in his human Nature in the Days of his Flâ—sh grew and increased in Strength and in Favour with God and Man and so also there shall be of his Kingdom and Glory in the World who is the Beloved of his Father Gen. 37 3â— II. Joseph was very beautiful and also excelled all his Brethren in true Vertue So Jesus Christ is more beautiful than the Children of Men he was full of Grace and Truth III. Joseph was a Man of great Wisdom able to expound deep Secrets c. In Jesus Christ are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg who is therefore called the Great Counsellor and is that blessed Lamb who hath prevailed to open the Books and loose the Seals thereof He hath the Spirit without measure and thereby opens all the deep Mysteries of God that lay hid from Ages and Generations c. Gen. 49.22 IV. He is called a fruitful Bough whose Branches run upon the Wall because out of him branched two Tribes Ephraim and Manasseh Therein saith Dr. Taylor he was a Type of Christ who is not only a fruitful Bough and called the Branch c. but also a Root from whom all the Tribes of God branch out and flourish And whereas those Trees are withered Christ shall see his Seed and prolong his Days and they shall abide to Eternity V. Joseph was a Type of Christ in his Actions 1. He was sent by his Father to visit his Brethren in the Wilderness who evilly treated him there So Jesus Christ came to visit his poor People who were wandering in the Wilderness of this World and when he came hither was evilly treated by his own Brethren the Jews who conspired to take away his Life like as Joseph's Brethren sought to deal by him 2. Joseph sed his Brethren and all his Father's House So Jesus Christ feeds the Church of God 3. Joseph being innocent yet suffered many hard Things So did Christ 4. He did all the Good he could for his Brethren who had ill deserved it from his hands So did Jesus Christ deal by poor Sinners who had abused him and still daily do 5. He taught his Brethren the great Duty of Brotherly Love See that ye fall not out by the way So Jesus Christ above all Lessons commends to us the new Commandment of Love c. VI. Joseph was a Type of Christ not only in the Actions of his Life and in respect of those Things he suffered and cruel Temptations he met with c. but also in his Advancement and great Preferment he by being abased was raised to Honour So was Jesus Christ Joseph was made a mighty Lord and was next to Pharaoh So is Christ advanced in Power and Glory next to God himself Every Man was to bow to Joseph Gen. 41.43 Phil. 2.10 Gen. 41.55 Acts 3.22 23. So every one is required to bow the Knee to Jesus Christ All were to go to Joseph they were to depend upon his Word Go to Joseph saith Pharaoh and what he saith to you do ye So God the Father hath given Christ a Name above every Name and whatsoever any Sinner
stead beyond any other thing to make us happy 2. A longing Desire after it There is always so much Desire of that we hope for that the thiâ—g hoped for is sometimes expressed by the Desire Prov. 13.12 Hope deferred maketh the Heart sick but when the Desire that is the thing hoped for cometh it is a â—ree of Life 3. Utmost and unwearied Endeavours to obtain it That which a Man makes his Hope he will make his Work and never ceaseth working till he hath attained it or is convinced there is no possibility of attaining it 4. To make Gold our Hope implieth much Trouble and Anxiety of Mind when once we see our Endeavours ineffectual and unsuccessful about the attaining of it If Hope deferred makes the Heart sick as was hinted before then when Hope dies or as Zophar speaks chap. 11.20 is as the giving up of the Ghost the Heart must needs die too 2. It is not Hope of Length of Days If I wait the Grave is my House c. But then 2. Positively it is a patient and well-grounded Expectation of the Accomplishment of what God hath promised Faith sees the Promise and beholds it tho afar off Abraham saw my Day saith Christ But then in comes Hope and keeps the Soul alive in a well-grounded expectation of the fulfilling and accomplishment of it See the Description of it where Faith is compared to an Helmet Why Hope is compared to an Anchor may appear by what followeth Metaphor Parallel AN Anchor is a good Stay and Security to a Ship in a Storm What would the Mariner do had he not an Anchor to cast out of the Ship when he is in danger of Rocks and Sands SO Hope in God through Christ is a most excellent Stay for the Soul of a Believer in a Day of Trouble and Persecution Heb. 10.34 They suffered joyfully the spoiling of their Goods knowing in themselves they had in Heaven a better and enduring Substance We are saved by Hope c. It stays the Soul as an Anchor does the Ship II. An Anchor takes hold of something which is out of sight II. So Hope the Anchor of the Soul takes hold of something which is not seen with carnal Eyes which is within the Vail c. III. An Anchor when it takes hold of a Rock or firm Ground fastens and stays a Ship more steadily preserving it from suffering Shipwrack III. So Hope the Anchor of the Soul taking hold of Christ who is called a Rock stays the Soul in a perilous Time most firm and steadily so that it is safe from spiritual Shipwrack IV. An Anchor would be of no use without the Cable to which it is fastened IV. So Hope without Faith is of no use nor can avail the Soul any thing in time of Need those two Graces always co-operate and work together for the help and succour of a Believer V. An Anchor that it may be of advantage to a Ship requires Skill rightly to cast it V. Hope the Anchor of the Soul must be rightly cast or else it will not profit a Saint any thing in the Day of Trouble It must be cast within the Vail Heb. 6. whither the Fore-runner is for us entred even Jesus c. Metaphor Disparity AN Anchor is cast down into the Sea River c. HOpe the Anchor of the Soul is cast upward the Saint's Hope is in Heaven II. An Anchor may let go its hold or be broke and so become useless to a Ship by which means the Ship may be lost II. Hope the Anchor of the Soul is both sure and stedfast hence it is said Hope maketh not ashamed If their Hope was not firm or were there any danger of its being lost or broke the Saints of God were in a sad Condition and they might turn away with their Faces ashamed If their Hope should fail them they would have no Refuge left If Hope holds all holds but it Hope be gone all is gone Neither is it to be thought that the Hope of holy Job Heman and others who in Trouble spake of their Hope being gone and perished from the Lord was indeed utterly lost and perished but that it was only so in their own Apprehension they being in great depths of Despondency and under sad Desertion of Spirit Like as the Church was when she said My God hath forsaken me my God hath forgotten me which God himself graciously answers It was not so nor could be so A Saint's standing in Christ is firm the Covenant is ordered in all things and sure But to confirm this glorious Truth and make it yet more clear and that I may leave no room for an Objection that Hope is both sure and stedfast c. Consider the many strong Bars that are cemented together as so many Bars of Iron hammered by the Spirit to the making of this blessed Anchor of the Soul both sure and stedfast First The Love of God is a sure Ground of the Saints Hope Jer. 31.3 Psal 89.30 31 32 33. I have loved thee with an everlasting Love c. If his Children forsake my Law and walk not in my Judgments if they break my Statutes and keep not my Commandments Then will I visit their Transgressions with the Rod and their Iniquity with Stripes Nevertheless my Loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my Faithfulness to fail My Covenant will I not break nor alter the thing which is gone out of my Lips Zeph. 3.17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty he will save he will rejoyce over thee with joy he will rest in his Love he will joy over thee with singing I am persuaded that neither Death nor Life Rom. 8.38 39. nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor Things present nor Things to come nor Height nor Depth nor any other Creature shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. If the Love of God be from everlasting to everlasting to them that fear him if he rests in his Love if he will not remove his Loving-kindness from them notwithstanding their Sins and Infirmities if nothing can separate them from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord then the Hope that Believers have in God is both sure and stedfast Secondly God hath chosen elected and predestinated Believers in Christ unto eternal Life For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate Rom. 8.29 30. to be conformed to the Image of his Son Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified The same Persons that are predestinated are called and the very same that are called are justified and the very same who are justified are or shall be glorified Therefore the Hope that Believers have is both sure and stedfast Thirdly Christ's Death is a sure Ground of Hope Who is be that
are not ignorant Creatures but ipsae Intelligentiae the most understanding Creatures in Heaven and Earth Greenhill The Woman of Tekoah said to David He was wise according to the Wisdom of an Angel of God to know all things that are upon the Earth That is he was very wise 2 Sam. 14.20 as Angels are to search out Understanding and discover things Therefore Jerom thinks they are called Cherubims from their much Knowledg Cherubims as it were Rabbies and Teachers of others And this Office some Angels have done Gabriel make this Man understand the Vision Dan. 8.16 I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy People in the latter Day Angels saith one are good Philosophers they know the Principles Causes Effects Life Motion and Death of natural things they are great Statists and know the Affairs of Kingdoms Dan. 10.13 saith Gabriel I remained with the Kings of Persia c. They are said to be full of Eyes before and behind because they see what is past and what is to come Besides they have much revealed to them by God by Christ nay and understand many things by the Church as concerning the Mysteries of the Gospel so Eph. 3.10 2 Pet. 1.12 Which things the Angels desire saith Peter to look into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Word notes bowing down to pry heedfully into a thing Cherubims were made looking down towards the Mercy-Seat so here Angels look into the things of Christ as it was there figured forth in whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg Col. 2.3 They have much experimental Knowledg arising from things done daily in the World and in the Church Angels love to be at the Congregation to meet the Saints they understand partly by their Essence and partly by Species communicated to their Understandings as to ours c. II. The Face of a Man hath much Awe and Majesty in it nothing as is observed by some Naturalists carries more Terror in it to sensitive Creatures than the Face of a Man II. Angels are very Majestical Creatures many have been greatly terrified and astonished at the sight of them How was Manoah's Wife Samson's Mother amazed at the sight of the Angel that appeared to her Judg. 13.6 Then the Woman told her Husband saying A Man of God came unto me and his Countenance was like the Countenance of an Angel of God very terrible c. III. The Face of a Man notes human Affections as Mr. Greenhill observes III. Angels are of a loving Countenance and most careful of Men they have most dear Affections to those they are sent to minister unto IV. The Face of a Man denotes Beauty How amiable and lovely are some Faces of mortal Creatures to look upon 'T is the Seat as I may say of human Beauty IV. Angels are very beautiful and lovely to behold tho they have saith Mr. Caryl no visible bodily Beauty yet their Beauty far exceeds the Beauty of Mortals See Morning-Stars II. The Face of a Lion A Lion is a Creature of great Strength Prov. 30.30 the strongest amongst Beasts as was said before he turneth not away for any What is stronger than a Lion Judg. 14.18 said the Interpreters of Samson's Riddle Angels are mighty in Strength Rev. 18 21. An Angel can hinder the blowing of the Wind stop the Mouths of Lions break Iron Chains open Prison Doors and make Bars and Doors of Brass to flie Hence they are called mighty Angels 2 Thess 1.7 Who can stand before the Angels of God! III. The Face of an Ox. I. An Ox accustomed to the Yoke is very tractable not stubborn kicking and flying like as untamed Heifers are Ephraim is an Heifer that is taught and loves to tread out the Corn. An Heifer taught delighting in her Work doth it willingly I. Psal 103.20 Angels do the Work of God willingly with much delight they hearken to the Voice of his Word they set about their Work with much Cheerfulness they are very obsequious to God's Commands If he saith Go smite Herod for his Pride Balaam for his Covetousness David for his vain Glory Senacherib for his Blasphemy and Sodom for its Uncleanness presently they go II. An Ox doth faithful Service Horses often deceive Persons in their Service and throw their Riders but Oxen either in plowing or carrying Burdens fail not nor deceive their Owners II. Angels are faithful in their Ministrations they fail not in the least Particular Rev. 22.8 9. The Angel would not let John worship him The Angel would not suffer Lot to linger in Sodom They never betrayed their Trust as some of the Saints have done III. An Ox is a very patient and laborious Creature They labour hard and carry heavy Burthens and yet tho never such hard Service be put upon them they quietly and with much patience bear it and never seem to complain III. Angels are patient in their Ministration tho they meet with much Opposition Dan. 10.3 The Prince of Persia saith Gabriel withstood me one and twenty days c. In the midst of all Opposition whether from Men or Devils and great Services they are not at all impatient tho their Work never end Rev. 4.8 yet they never complain IV. Oxen are very useful Creatures much Increase was brought in by them No Creature saith my Author is more useful to the Support of a Family Greenhill than the Ox for of old all the Plowing was done by Oxen. See 2 Kings 19.19 Job had Oxen plowing in the Field he had five hundred Yoke of Oxen Job 1.3 no mention being made of Horses There was a severe Law made against those that stole an Ox Exod. 22.1 David makes it one part of the Happiness of a Common-Wealth that the Oxen are strong to labour IV. Angels are very useful Creatures they are useful to God they continually go on his Errands execute his Judgments at the Command of his Mouth They were useful to Christ in the Days of his Flesh Luk. 2.9 10 11. they proclaimed the joyful Tidings of his Nativity had the charge of him in his Humiliation whilst his Conflict remained with the evil Angels they ministred to him in his Temptations and when he was in his bloody Agony they declared and made known his Resurrection He is not here he is risen Mat. 26.6 They witnessed to his Ascension and to his second Coming Ye Men of Galilee Acts 1.10 11. why stand ye gazing up into Heaven The same Jesus which is taken from you into Heaven shall so come as ye have seen him go into Heaven They shall come with him when he comes the second time without Sin unto Salvation He shall come in the Glory of his Father with all his holy Angels They shall attend him on the Throne of Judgment and as Officers execute his righteous Sentence viz. seize all condemned Sinners and cast them into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone c.
their own Nature look up to Him it might convince us that all inferior Creatures do depend upon Him as well as those noble Ones But when they come in with the Faces of other Creatures looking up it is a clear Evidence that all depend upon Christ By him were all things created Col. 1.16 17. that are in Heaven and in Earth visible and invisible whether Thrones or Dominions Principalities or Powers All things were created by him and for him and by him all things consist Sixthly We are to learn from hence to be heavenly-minded with the holy Angels to look up The Holy Angels compared to the Wind and to Flaming-Fire Psal 104.4 Maketh his Angels Spirits and his Ministers a flaming Fire Heb. 1.7 And of the Angels he saith Who maketh his Angels Spirits and his Ministers a Flame of Fire SOme of the modern Jews deny there is any mention made of Angels in Psal 104.4 affirming that the Subject the Psalmist treats of are the Winds with Thunder and Lightning which God employs as his Messengers and Ministers to do his Will and Pleasure But that the Psalmist means the Angels is evident from the Design and Scope of the Words The Consent of the ancient Jews lies against the Sentiments of the modern both the old Translations either made or embraced by them expresly refer the Words unto Angels On Heb. 1. so Dr. Owen observes do the Seventy and so doth the Targum thus rendring the Place Who maketh his Messengers or Angels swift as Spirits and his Ministers strong or powerful as a flaming Fire The Supply of the Note of Similitude makes it evident that they understand the Text of Angels and not of Winds and of making Angels as Spirits and not of making Winds to be Angels or Messengers which is inconsistent with their Words The Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth usually denote the Angels themselves and no reason can be given why it should not do so in this place The Apostle puts it out of doubt positively saying And of the Angels he saith c. That the Apostle speaketh not here of the Nature and Essence of Angels but their Dignity Honour and Employment is evident upon which account saith our Reverend Author he preferreth the Lord Jesus Christ before them Observ God sendeth his Angels like the Winds or like a Flame of Fire Metaphor Parallel THe Wind is invisible who can see it ANgels are invisible Spirits we are daily attended upon by them but see them not II. The Wind blows at God's Command he is said to hold the Wind in his Fist II. Angels go at God's Command He hath them at his Beck Psal 103.20 III. The Wind is quick piercing and powerful in its Operation the Cause of many gracious Effects tho sometimes sent as a Judgment III. Angels are quick agil and powerful in their Working and many great and glorious Blessings Saints receive from their Ministration tho sometimes sent as a Scourge to Nations and particular Persons to execute God's Displeasure as on Sodom c. Flaming-Fire I. A flaming Fire is of a burning quality I. Seraphims signify Burning noting that mighty Zeal they are attended with in doing God's Will II. A flaming Fire is of a consuming destroying and devouring Nature II. So have the Angels of God been to many of God's implacable Enemies as hath been hinted III. A Flaming Fire is a good Defence in a howling Wilderness especially if it be round about such as dwell therein III. The Angels of God are a glorious Defence to the Church whilst in the Wilderness of this World where they are daily surrounded by wicked Men who are compared unto Beasts of Prey Psal 34.7 The Angels of God encamp round about them that fear him c. Inferences THis may comfort the Godly who dwell among blood-thirsty Enemies they are surrounded with a Flame of Fire viz. the holy Angels of God 2. Let ungodly Ones tremble can they stand before a flaming Fire and not be consumed God can soon send his Angels to destroy them 3. It should also stir up Believers to act with much Zeal and Fervency in the Work and Service of God The Angels for Zeal and Agility are like a Flame of Fire We should do the Will of God on Earth as the Angels of God do it in Heaven The Holy Angels compared to Horses 2 Kings 6.17 And Elisha prayed and said Lord I pray thee open his Eyes And the Lord opened the Eyes of the young Man and he saw and behold the Mountains were full of Horses and Chariots of Fire round about Elisha Zech. 1.8 I saw by night and behold a Man riding upon a red Horse and he stood among the Myrtle-Trees that were in the bottom and behind him were three red Horses speckled and white BY these Horses all Expositors understand the holy Angels of God are intended They are compared to Horses and Chariots of Fire also to Horses of divers Colours These things seem very dark and mysterious 1. We shall briefly however hint a few things why they may be compared to Horses II. Why to Horses and Chariots of Fire III. Why to red speckled and white Horses Metaphor Parallel A Horse is a strong and a very couragious and fearless Creature which God himself elegantly setteth forth Job 39. v. 19 to 24. Hast thou given the Horse his Strength hast thou cloathed his Neck with Thunder Canst thou make him afraid The Glory of his Nostrils is terrible He rejoyceth in his Strength He goeth on to meet the armed Man He mocketh at Fear and is not affrighted neither turneth he back from the Sword c. ANgels are mighty in Strength One of them saith an eminent Writer is stronger than all the World They are called mighty Angels or God's mighty Ones Angels of his Strength They are couragious and void of Fear their Necks may be said to be cloathed with Thunder they turn their Backs for none They fear not the glittering Spear nor the Shield Who is able to engage or encounter with one of the glorious Seraphims or Cherubims Are any of the Sons of the Mighty a Match for him What was Alexander or Julius Caesar or all the mighty Champions that ever were to the Angels of Heaven II. The Horse is a very useful Creature useful to carry Burthens and draw the Chariots of Princes useful to ride on useful for War c. II. Angels are exceeding useful See Oxen. They bear up the Saints they help support and carry them along in their Journey to their everlasting Home they carry their Souls into Abraham's Bosom The Beggar died and was carried by the Angels c. The Chariots and Horses of Fire that parted the two Worthies 2 Kings 2.11 12. those Princes of the Prophets and carried one of them to Heaven were the Blessed Angels of God II. They are compared to Horses and Chariots of Fire to shew how fierce agil and swift they are in their Motion and how
more safe and secure to dwell in and some Cities have two or three Walls to make them more impregnable II. The Church of God hath strong Walls about it We have a strong City Isa 26.1 Salvation will God appoint for Walls and Bulwarks The Church hath a threefold Wall about it First The Wall of God's Providence Hast not thou made a Hedg or Wall about him As the Mountains are round about Jerusalem Job 1. Psal 125.2 so the Lord is round about them that fear him c. Secondly The Protection of the holy Angels Psal 34.7 The Angels of the Lord encamp round about them that fear him c. Thirdly God in an extraordinary manner is as a Wall of Fire round about her Zech. 2.5 every one of his Attributes is a gracious Defence to the Church III. Some Cities are bravely scituated they are built upon a Hill III. The Church of God is famous upon this account Beautiful for Scituation Psal 48.2 the Joy of the whole Earth is Mount Zion on the sides of the North the City of the great King Mat. 16.18 Ye are as a City set upon a Hill IV. A City is built of many Materials and in it are many Buildings or Houses set in rare Uniformity curiously joined and compacted together IV. The Church of God is built up of many living Stones consisting of divers particular Societies or spiritual Houses Now therefore ye are no more Strangers and Foreigners Eph. 2.19 20 21 22. but Fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the Houshold of God And are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone In whom all the Building fitly framed together groweth to an holy Temple in the Lord c. In whom ye also are builded together for an Habitation of God through the Spirit Jerusalem is builded as a City that is compact together Psal 122.3 V. A City hath its particular Laws Institutions and Customs by which it is governed V. The Church of God also hath special Laws Institutions and Customs belonging to it by which it is in all things governed which are contained in the holy Scripture the great Charter and Statute-Book of the Church VI. A City hath a supreme Governor in it who rectifies all Disorders and Confusions that otherwise would be therein considering the Multitude of its Inhabitants VI. The Church of God is not without a good Government and a Supreme Magistrate viz. the Lord Jâ—sus Christ who is the chief Judg and Law-giver or Head of this spiritual Corporation VII A City hath besides the chief Governor and principal Magistrate divers inferior Officers for Administration of Justice and well governing thereof VII So the Church of God hath inferior Officers under Jesus Christ which the Citizens by the appointment of Christ are required to substitute and ordain to govern and keep all things in good Order And he gave some Apostles Ephes 4.8 9 10 11 12. and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers c. VIII A City hath some special Trade belonging to it by which its Inhabitants are enriched VIII The Church or City of God hath a spiritual Trade belonging to it which all the Citizens do and ought always to follow by which they are also greatly enriched IX Many Cities have Merchants in them who trade into remote parts of the World and fetch their Merchandize from afar IX The Saints or Citizens of Zion are all Merchants who trade daily to Heaven they fetch their blessed Merchandize from thence Phil. 3.20 Prov. 41. Our Conversation is in Heaven Hence the Church is by Solomon compared to Merchants Ships See Merchants Ships Saints have like other Merchants their Correspondent Jesus Christ who makes glorious Returns of all they venture or send to Heaven For every Duty rightly performed he makes Returns of Mercy for Tears of godly Sorrow he returns them the Oil of Joy Thou wilt saith holy David put my Tears into thy Bottle By which means the spiritual Citizens grow rich in Faith Hope Experience c. See the Parable of the Merchant-man Now touching the Trade Traffick or Merchandize of this City upon which its Wealth and Prosperity doth wholly depend take what follows First Their Trade is heavenly Wherefore holy Brethren Heb. 3.1 2 Partakers of the heavenly Calling consider the Apostle and High-Priest of our Profession Jesus Christ And as they are all Merchants and use one Trade so they all deal with one and the same Benefactor from whom they have quick Returns they fetch their Goods from afar Something touching the Excellency of the Trade of the City of God I shall hint in a few Particulâ—rs Secondly As touching her Commodities or the Merchandize which her Citizens deal in First Negatively 1. They are not prohibited Goods 2. They are not counterfeit Goods 3. They are not temporal and corruptible Goods Secondly Affirmatively and more directly they are 1. Soul enriching Commodities things that are of very great worth and value The Merchandize of Wisdom is better than the Merchandize of Silver Prov. 3.14 and the Gain thereof than fine Gold 2. They are needful things such things as we cannot be without Some things that Merchants of a City deal in and fetch from afar tho they are of great value yet we may very well subsist and live comfortably without them as Pearl and precious Stones c. But there is an absolute Necessity of all those things the Citizens of this City trade in and for 3. They are such Commodities as will make the Nations and Persons that buy them happy for ever and indeed there is no true Happiness without them Quest What is the Traffick of this City of God Answ The first thing that I shall mention is the Truth this she offers to Sale Buy the Truth and sell it not Prov. 23.23 The Church is called the Pillar and Ground of Truth 1 Tim. 3.15 Truth is only to be found in this City or in the Ware-Houses of the Citizens of Zion viz. the Word of God and the Hearts of Believers The second thing is a Soul-converting Gospel and blessed Ordinances The Law goeth forth of Zion and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem Mic. 2.4 The third thing they deal in are the Gifts and Soul-enriching Graces of the Spirit Hope Love Humility c. things of very great worth The fourth is Justification every true Sinner makes it his Business to get this precious Treasure The fifth thing is the Peace of God which passeth all Understanding one of the rarest Commodities in the World The sixth thing is Union and Communion with God 1 Joh. 1.3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ The seventh thing is Peace of Conscience Herein do I exercise my self Acts 24.16
tender and dear Wife is greatly troubled when her Husband seems to be offended and angry with her and strives to pacify him again and is never at Rest or Peace until she finds his Love towards her as formerly and all things right between them IX So a gracious Soul if Christ be offended and withdrawn from him is greatly cast down and grieved Cant. 5.6 Thou hiddest thy Face and I was troubled I opened to my Beloved but my Beloved had withdrawn himself and was gone My Soul failed when he spake I sought him but I could not find him I called him but he gave me no Answer Isa 63.15 64.9 Where is the sounding of thy Bowels and thy Mercy towards me are they restrained Be not wroth very sore O Lord neither remember our Iniquity for ever behold we beseech thee we are thy People X. The Wife by her Marriage with her Husband is delivered from Arrests for Debts no sooner is she married but her Husband is liable to that Danger it falls upon him he must see to satisfy and pay what she owed X. So in like manner no sooner is a Soul espoused or married to Christ but all his Debts to Law and Justice fall upon Christ and he pays all He stands between Wrath and us Justice and us He keeps off all Danger of Arrests and Fear of Imprisonment He hath Riches enough All is cleared the day the Soul closes in with him tho whole Mountains of Guilt were upon us before XI The Wife that is married to a Prince or mighty Potentate is thereby greatly exalted or raised to Honour becomes a Queen the same day the Marriage is consummated and hath the Attendance of his Servants XI So the Church being married to Christ the Lord Jesus the Prince of Heaven and Earth is raised to the greatest Honour imaginable she is made hereby a Princess and hence called a Queen On thy right-hand did stand the Queen Psal 45 9. in Gold of Ophir The Saints also have the Attendance of Christ's Servants the holy Angels They are sent forth to minister to them that are Heirs of eternal Life Heb. 1.14 XII The Wife that is married to a rich and godly Husband is thereby freed from much Care and Trouble for he provideth for her and manageth all her Concerns It is true altho every Husband is bound by the Law of that Relation to provide for his Wife and free her from Care as much as he can yet some are poor and unable to do it and hence the Wife is involved in as much Care and Trouble as he XII Christ frees his People from all inordinate and unnecessary Care 1 Pet. 5.7 Cast all your Care upon him for he careth for you He manageth all our Concerns in Heaven always appearing before God for us 1 Joh. 2.1 We have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous And he manageth all our Affairs on Earth in a way of Grace and Divine Providence Isa 27 12. works all our Works in us and for us He gives and loves saves and feeds us and will never leave us till he hath brought us to Heaven He became poor 2 Cor. 8.9 but we were no Losers thereby for by his Poverty we are made rich XIII A Wife brings forth Children and is many times very fruitful to her Husband and when she hath brought them forth takes care of them feeds and nurseth them XIII So the Church is fruitful to Christ bringing forth many Sons and Daughters to him whom she takes care of feeds and nurseth as the Mother does her Children For thus saith the Lord Behold Isa 66.12 13. I will extend Peace to her like a River and the Glory of the Gentiles like a flowing Stream Then shall ye suck ye shall be born upon her sides and dandled upon her Knees as one whom his Mother comforteth c. See Mother XIV A Wife hath the Privilege to know her Husbands Mind for many things which are kept secret from others are made known to the Wife XIV Psal 25.14 So the Secrets of the Lord are with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant Eye hath not seen 1 Cor. 2.9 10. nor Ear heard nor hath it entred into the Heart of Man to conceive the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him But God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit Metaphor Disparity A Wife may soon lose her Husband Death we see many times takes him away and she is thereby made a Widow and her Children fatherless BUt the Church cannot lose her Husband Christ dieth no more Rev. 1.18 he is immortal and therefore she can never be a Widow nor her Children fatherless I will not leave you comfortless Joh. 14.18 the word is Orphans He is an everlasting Husband Inferences STand and wonder Doth Christ espouse and take to Wife such a poor and contemptible Creature as Mankind What disproportion is there between a King and a Beggar between an Ant and an Angel a far greater disproportion there is between Jesus Christ and Sinners He is high and great but we are base and vile He is blessed and glorious we are wretched and miserable He is a mighty King King of Kings and we poor Slaves and Vassals yea the worst of Slaves Vassals and Slaves to Sin and Satan 2. From hence you may perceive the unspeakable Nearness there is between Christ and his People can there be a sweeter and more glorious Union than this If we consider the Properties of it it is a spiritual a real an operative an enriching an intimate an indissoluble Union to be Bone of his Bone and Flesh of his Flesh What can any Soul desire more What greater Happiness what more glorious saith one of the Ancients than this Union 3. What Doctrine can yield greater Comfort to Believers who are thus happily espoused and married to Jesus Christ We say such and such are well disposed of happily married O Soul how well art thou disposed of What! married to Christ to the Son of God to the King of Heaven and Earth 4. This may shew the Saints their Duty and put them in mind of their Covenant Soul thou hast vowed and canst not go back 5. And may he of use especially to all that stand related as Husband and Wife in the Church for Husbands to make Christ their Pattern in their Carriage and Deportment towards their Wives and likewise Wives to make the Church their Example in their Behaviour towards their Husbands as the Apostle giveth direction Eph. 5.21 ult 6. Lastly What Terror doth this speak to the Enemies of the Church If the Church be the Wife of Christ what will they do that so much abuse her and continually seek her Life Let them know He will appear in Wrath and Vengeance to save and deliver her and will tear them in pieces in a short time The Church compared to a Bush on
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
is the Love of Man And we may see what the intent of a Person is by his Looks many are in this respect Lion-like They have as Aristotle saith of the Natural Lion Clouds and Storms hanging about their Eye-Brows it was a threatning against the Jews in case of Disobedience that God would send against them A Nation of a fierce Countenance Deut. 28.50 which should not regard the Person of the old nor shew favour to the young VIII Lions are hungry and greedy Creatures VIII So are Wicked Men and Tyrants They have set their Eyes bowing down to the Earth Psal 17.11 12. like as a Lion that is greedy of his Prey Disparity THere are many excellent Qualities in a Lion which no way agree to Wicked Men and Tyrants which we shall leave to the Reader to find out upon which account God and Christ are compared in the Scripture to a Lion See pag. 40. 135. Book 2. of the first Volumn Inferences THo these Lions are very strong and powerful yet God is stronger than they and he is against them And he in a special manner desires saith Caryl Caryl on Job ch 4. p 65 66 67 68. to be dealing with these for they in the Pride of their Spirits think themselves a Match for God tho indeed their Strength is but Weakness and their Wisdom notwithstanding their Fox-like Craft but Foolishness yet in their own conceit they are stronger and wiser than God himself Hence like Pharaoh they send Defiance to Heaven and say Who is the Lord When God sees the Hearts of Men swoln to this height of insolent Madness he delights to shew himself Exo. 5.11 and graple with them that their Pride may come down What are all these Lions to the Lion of the Tribe of Judah if the Lord do but roar if the Lion of the Tribe of Judah do but come forth against these Lions they will run to hide themselves and call to the Rocks and Mountains to cover them c. God is said in the Holy Scripture to destroy these Lions by Degrees Rev. 6.15 16. he proceeds gradually against them First he stops the roaring of the Lions they shall not be able to make such a dreadful noise as heretofore their roaring may be stopt when their Voice is not tho they can speak yet they shall not yell Secondly In the second place He breaks the Voice of the Lions they shall only not roar but they shall not so much as speak either against the Lambs or against the Sheep or for themselves The Voice of the fierce Lion shall be taken away God is able to silence Lions and stop their Mouths not only from devouring and roaring but from speaking Thirdly When their Voice is taken away and their roaring yet their Teeth will remain and they will be biting and tearing still tho they have done roaring and yelling therefore at the third Stroak God breaks out their Teeth The Teeth of the young Lions are broken So the Psalmist prays Psal 58.6 Break their Teeth in their Mouths break out the great Teeth of the young Lions O Lord that is take away the Instrumenâ—s by which they oppress the means by which they tear and rend as Lions with their cruel Teeth Fourthly Christ deals further with these Lions he not only breaks their Teeth by which they used to hurt others but he takes away their Prey and their Meat they shall not have wherewith to live themselves they were wont to suck the Blood of the Slain and to eat the Flesh of the Poor but now the Lord will pluck away their Prey they themselves shall be starved or pinched with Hunger Lastly Not only shall their Meat be taken away but they themselves shall be scattered and dispersed this is the last step of their calamity Their Dens shall be broken up and their lurking places shall be opened they shall run from place to place from Nation to Nation this is the Judgment of the Lord upon Lions and the Portion of the cruel Enemies of our God Who hath not seen the Truth of all this in our days We have had Lions roaring Lions rending tearing Lions amongst us It was usual among the Heathen in their Persecutions to cry out Away with the Christians to the Lions this we have often seen in the Figure poor Christians sent to the Lions put under the Power of Men as cruel as bloody as Lions Many an one might say as David Psal 57.4 My Soul is among Lions When the Watchmen in the Prophet was asked Watch-man what of the Night he answered A Lion my Lord Isa 21.8 Our sorrowful Watch-men standing upon their Towers considering these sad times being asked What of the Day have answered We see a Lion a company of Lions tearing and rending in many parts of the Nation not Bodies and States only but Souls and Consciences God hath wonderfully delivered his Darling from the Lions his Daniels from the Lions Den. He hath already delivered so far that the Lions dare not roar as they were wont the Teeth of many of the young Lions are broken many of the old Lions are ready to perish for want of Prey and not a few of their Whelps are scattered abroad God hath raised up Sampsons to tear these Lions which roared upon us he hath stirred up Davids to smite these Lions and rescue the Prey out of their Teeth and tho many Lions are amongst us yet they dare not roar much less tear as they have done tho the Beasts be alive yet for the most part the Lions are dead they are Beasts still as base vile and bloody in their Natures as ever but their powerful Lion-like Strength is abated That glorious Prophecy is in some sence and in some part fulfilled at this day The Wolf dwells with the Lamb the Leopard lies down with the Kid and the Calf and the young Lion and the fatling together and a little Child may lead them they cannot they dare not hurt nor destroy in all our Mountain Isa 11.6 8. I am sure we may set our Seal to this Truth of Eliphaz we have seen Lions and fierce Lions old Lions and young Lions even the stout Lions Whelpâ— some scattered abroad some destroyed some consumed by the mighty Power of God Further It is here said in the Text That the old Lion shall perish for want of Prey It is a strange Expression Lions have the greatest Power to get Provision to satisfy their Hunger yea their Appetites and Humour yet these shall want these Lions who have all their life time preyed upon the States of other Men even these shall want Note hence the Justice of God Such as have made others want shall at last come to want themselves they shall perish for want of Prey they shall have nothing to eat When thou ceasest to spoil thou shalt be spoiled saith the Prophet And when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously they shall deal treacherously with thee
longer than they appear to walk strictly and holily according to the Principles upon which they first received them and as for their Officers they are soon summed up being no more than Bishops or Elders and Deacons But the Roman Church may be called Babylon or the City of Confusion very reasonably because she so fitly answers literal Babylon of old that was her Type and from whence she derives her Name 1. In setting up another way for Men to go to Heaven by than what God hath ordained and appointed viz. a Tower of their own making 2. In having so many Languages amongst them which is like the Confusion of Babel 3. In bearing the Glory and Sway over the Kingdoms and Countries of the chiefest part of the World therefore called the Lady of Kingdoms which is no way applicable to the poor Dissenters 4. In plucking up or razing out the true Worship of God which was setled at Jerusalem and setting up Idolatry in the room of it 5. In Captivating God's People who were carried away into literal Babylon 6. In their Doctrines Principles and Modes of Worship which is such a jumble mixture and heap of Things that may go for Confusion it self 7. In their Orders Diversity and long Muster-Roll of Officers that are so numerous as well as unscriptural that if Mixture and Confusion may be thought to be any where 't is to be found in this Church where you have Popes Cardinals Arch-Bishops Abbots Provincials Heads of Fraternities Priests Monks Fryers Followers of Dominick St. Francis Jansenius Augustine Caphucins c. and what not All which is many times more like to be Babylon Mixture or Confusion than the Dissenters from the Romish Church Thirdly For Mystery which is in the Description it no where agrees to them whom they call Hereticks but agrees very well to the Church of Rome in four Things 1. In calling themselves the Church of God and yet are the Synagogue of Satan that 's a Mystery 2. In calling themselves the pure Spouse of Christ and yet an abominable Whore that 's a Mystery 3. In pretending to be the Mother of Peace Purity and Charity and yet the Breeder Bringer forth and Cherisher of Division Falshood most bloody Butcheries and barbarous Cruelties this is a Mystery 4. In being Queen Regent riding upon the Beast in State and yet being that good Woman that fled into the Wilderness and abides there in a suffering Condition all the time of the Beast's Reign this is a Mystery See our fourth Argument One Proof of their Church is visibility yet it is evident the true Church for the space of 260 Years was to be in the Wilderness or in an obscure Condition c. Fourthly Mother of Harlots and Abominations better agrees to the Church of Rome than to Protestants 'T is against the Principles of Protestants to allow Fornication or Adultery in Persons of any Rank whatsoever maintaining constantly that Marriage is honourable but Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judg whereas Rome gives publick toleration to notorious Whoredoms and the most shameless and unnatural Beastialities as the whole World knows Fifthly For Mother of Harlots in a Spiritual Sense she is owned by all her Children to be the Mother-Church And 1. Therefore Protestants are exhorted to return into the Bosom of their Mother 2. All polluted and National Churches in the European Kingdoms sprang from her as the Churches of France Spain Portugal c. 3. All Corruption in Doctrine and Discipline may call her Mother that is to say the false Titles and Errours following viz. Universal Supream Infallible Head Holy Father the Pope His Holiness in the Abstract Our Lord God the Pope unerring Church Priestly Absolution Selling of Pardons Indulgences Dispensations adoring the Crucifix worshipping of Images foolish Crossings Anointings and Sprinkling with Holy Water the adoration of the Mass and many such things which from the beginning was not so 4. For Personal Vices from whence come horrid Oaths and Blasphemies most astonishing Perjury and subtile Equivocations and Hypocrisies all manner of Uncleannesses Lying and Adulteries Covenant-breaking and Bloody-mindedness is this allowed and practised by the Protestants No No they are the Brats and Off-spring of this lewd and filthy Mother who indulgeth those abominable pernicious Practices for which she is rightly called Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth Which we conclude with this Argument Arg. If this Name Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth doth not so fully and fitly agree to the Protestants nor any other People as it doth to Rome Papal or Church of Rome Then Rome Papal or Church of Rome and not the Protestants c. is Mystery Babylon the Mother of Harlots But this Name Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth doth not so fully and fitly agree to the Protestants c. as it doth to Rome Papal or Church of Rome Ergo Rome Papal and not the Protestants is Mystery Babylon the Mother of Harlots XIII This Mystery Babylon Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth is very drunken Company for she not only makes others drunk with the Wine of her Fornication and commits Adultery her self but she is a Beastly drunken Whore that makes her self drunk after the worst manner of Drunkenness which is to be drunk with Blood the best Blood the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus Christ Rev. 17.6 And I saw a Woman drunk with the Blood of the Saints and the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and I wondred with great Admiration XIII Rome Papal or Church of Rome if she be guilty here it is enough to make not only good Men but even Angels wonder to see a Woman pretending to be nobly descended the Daughter to the great King of Heaven the Spouse of the Lamb the Mother of all Peace Purity Holiness Innocency Charity and Chastity I say to see a Woman by Profession such a drunken beastly Strumpet in Works and Actions and if Rome Papal or Church of Rome be guilty in this point she is the unhappiest Church in the World for she then gives cause to every good Man in the World to abhor her and indeed she hath very good luck if she scape this Charge for if she be Mystery Babylon the Mother of false Churches and Abominations of the Earth there is no avoiding but she must be this drunken Strumpet But because it is never safe judging a Cause before Trial and Examination of Witnesses we will 1. Consider what it is to be drunk 2. What things do necessarily contribute to it 3. The true and proper Signs of it 4. Whether such things can be fixed upon Rome Papal or Church of Rome And then conclude this Head 1. To be Drunk is an excessive taking in of such Things as disorder Nature in its Course and Operations This we take to be a general Definition of it including the
so doth Heaven like Paradise with Divine and Sacred Pleasures IV. Adam in Paradise knew no Sorrow he had Joy without Sadness Strength without Weakness Health without Sickness Light without Darkness Life without Death for Death had nothing to do with him whilst he stood in his Innocency So in Heaven the Godly are delivered from every mixture of Evil Rev. 21 4. God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes and there shall be no more Death neither Sorrow nor Crying neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are past away Here is Joy without Sadness Strength without Weakness Health without Sickness Light without Darkness Life without Death V. Adam in Paradise before tempted by the Devil knew no Sin he was free absolutely free from the least stain he had not so much as an evil Thought he was created in the Image of God being perfectly Righteous So in Heaven the Saints shall be free from Sin perfectly free not only free from the Guilt Filth Power and Punishment of it but also from the Act of it they shall not be troubled with one evil Thought more they are without Fault before the Throne of God and the Lamb. VI. Adam in Paradise enjoyed the sweet and blessed Presence of God he convers'd and had glorious Acquaintance and Communion with him God and Man lived then in perfect Peace and Friendship there was no Breach because no Sin and so God's Face was not hid from him So in Heaven all the Godly enjoy the sweet and Soul-ravishing Presence of God and of Jesus Christ Joh. 12.26 Joh. 14.3 1 Thess 4.17 1 Joh. 3.2 Where I am there shall my Servant be And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to my self that where I am ye may be also so shall we ever be with the Lord. Saints there have the Fruition of God and of Christ for we shall see him as he is and this is the highest glory Man can be raised to we shall not only see God and the Lamb but be filled with the Joy and Delight of God and Jesus Christ Heaven from hence is called the Joy of the Lord if the perfect enjoyment and participation of the glorious Trinity or fulness of it so far as it is capable of Communication can delight and fill the Soul with Joy and Happiness the Godly in Heaven shall have it God's Face will never be hid from his Children any more there will be no more a Breach between the Soul and its Saviour VII Adam in Paradise had the Tree of Life and Liberty before he sinned to eat of the Tree of Life So in this Paradise of God we read of the Tree of Life which as some understand Rev. 2.7 is Jesus Christ And to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God which doubtless signifies the glorious participation of the Life Fulness and transcendent Sweetness of the Lord Jesus and of the continuance of the Life of the Saints in its full Strength Vigour and Glory to Eternity VIII Adam in Paradise had great knowledg both of God and the Nature of all Creatures God brought all the Creatures to Adam to see what he would call them and whatsoever Adam called each living Soul Gen. 2.19 that was the Name thereof the naming of the Creatures saith Ainsworth was a sign of Soveraignty it also manifested Adam's Wisdom in naming things presently according to their Natures as the Hebrew Names by which he called them do declare So the Saints in Heaven shall be perfect in Knowledg they shall know as they are known they shall know all the Patriarchs Prophets Apostles and all the Saints that ever lived by Name which we may gather by that Knowledg Peter James and John had of Moses and Elias in the transfiguration of Christ in the Mount which was a Figure of Heaven Disparity ADam's Pleasure and Delight in Paradise was much of it Earthly But the Saints Pleasure and Delight in the Celestial Paradise will be Heavenly II. Adam in Paradise was troubled with a tempting Devil But the Saints in the Celestial Paradise shall not be troubled any more with a tempting Devil for he shall be shut up in Chains of Eternal Darkness to be tormented for ever III. Adam soon lost his earthly Paradise by Sin and was turned out of all But those who are accounted worthy to obtain this Heavenly Paradise shall never lose it nor be turned out of it but continue in it for ever and ever even to the days of Eternity Heaven a Crown of Life 2 Tim. 4.8 Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness Rev. 2.10 And I will give thee a Crown of Life James 1.12 He shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him THE Reward of the Godly in Heaven is called a Crown a Crown of Life a Crown of Righteousness c. Parallels A Crown denotes any beautiful pleasing Ornament or profitable thing hence a Crown is put for to adorn and bless with good Things and so to make joyful Prov. 4.9 17.6 Psal 8.5 103.4 The Saints in Heaven shall be beautiful and very glorious they shall sparkle and shine forth like the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father plentifully enjoy and possess true Blessedness II. A Crown is a sign of a Kingdom and Dominion saith Ainsworth The glorified Saints in Heaven shall possess a Kingdom and shall be as Kings and Princes for ever and ever Hearken my beloved Brethren hath not God chosen the poor of this World rich in Faith Jam. 2.5 and Heirs of the or that Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him III. A Crown denotes also Victory Christ warring against his Enemies and overcoming them hath on his Head many Crowns or Diadems So the Saints being Crowned signifieth that perfect Conquest they have through Christ obtained over Sin Satan Death and Hell c. IV. A Crown signifieth Glory Honour and external Grandure The glorified Saints shall be honoured and appear in eternal Grandure as Kings who have their Crowns on their Heads V. As there is nothing more rich glorious desireable nor esteemed among Men above a Crown or Kingdom So the Holy Spirit in setting forth the Reward and everlasting Glory of the Saints in Heaven compares it to these things But alas there is no earthly thing how splendant and glorious soever can sufficiently set out the state of the Saints after Death or the Glory of Heaven For Pleasure 't is called Paradise for Riches and Honour 't is called a Crown and a Kingdom A Crown of Life denoting that Saints in laying down their Lives for Christ shall not be at all losers thereby but only exchange it for a better a short momentary Life for an everlasting Life a Life of Joy for a Life of Sorrow a Life of perfect
to live and dye in Sin and so to be cast both Body and Soul into Hell Fire O! what an alarm may those two Scriptures among many sound in the Ears of Wicked and Ungodly Men Be not deceived neither Fornicators nor Idolaters nor Adulterers not Effeminate nor Abusers of themselves with Mankind nor Thieves nor Covetous nor Drunkards nor Raylers nor Extortioners shall inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6.9 10. But whither then must they go See Rev. 21.8 But the Fearful and Vnbelieving and the Abominable and Murderers and Whoremongers and Sorcerers and Idolaters and all Lyers shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone which is the second Death Hell utter Darkness Mat. 8.12 Shall be cast into utter Darkness Jude v. 13. To whom is reserved the blackness of Darkness for ever AS the Torment and Misery of the Ungodly is set forth by a Furnace of Fire so 't is also by Darkness utter Darkness and blackness of Darkness as the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth Parallels GOD sometimes hath brought Darkness upon a People as a great Judgment for Sin and Rebellion against him So God in just Judgment will cast the Wicked into Darkness into a burning Furnace of Fire but such Fire as shall give no Light therefore called utter Darkness II. Where there is Darkness either by want of Light or want of Sight to see the Light there cannot be any comfortable Enjoyment of any visible Object that might afford them Satisfaction and Content as it doth those that enjoy the Light So to be cast into Darkness nay utter Darkness not only such Darkness that is a deprivation of Light or occasioned by want of Sight but a Darkness of Terror and Torment reserved for Wicked and Ungâ—dly Men called the blackness of Darkness For as the Glory of Heaven shall abound beyond all comparison with glorious Light called the Inheritance of the Saints in Light Col. 1. So the Horrors and Terrors of Hell will consist in that abounding Darkness beyond all comparison III. As to be shut up in Spiritual Darkness is a separation from God as to his Presence in a way of Grace So to be shut up in the thickness and blackness of the darkness of Hell is an eternal separation from God and the enjoyment of him for ever when once he shall say Depart from me there is a separation from all Joy and Happiness Ye cursed there is a black and direful Excommunication into Fire there is the Extremity of pain everlasting there is the Perpetuity of the Punishment prepared for the Devil and his Angels there are the Infernal tormenting and tormented Company And to encrease the horror and amazement of the Damned this Fire shall only torment them not give them any Light but they shall be cast out into utter Darkness where shall be weeping and gnashing of Teeth Disparity WHen God brings Darkness upon a Land as he did upon Egypt as an Judgment it hath been but for a while a certain time and after there hath been Light again but those that shall be cast out in the Darkness of the Pit of Hell shall never see Light more neither Spiritual Natural nor Artificial As there will be no need of the Sun nor Stars in Heaven So the Damned shall not have any Benefit thereby whatever their Needs and Necessities are II. Men may be in Darkness spiritually and they may be enlightned and saved through Grace but to be cast out into the dark and dismal Gulf of Hell it totally and everlastingly deprives of any use of Means for enlightning any more for ever Gospel-Light shines not at all in that dark and dismal Region because they hated the Light thereof in this World they must now be cast out into utter Darkness in the World to come III. Men may be in Darkness and yet enjoy many other Comforts tho they be deprived of Light But the Damned in Hell are not only in black and thick Darkness but are also deprived of any other Comfort As they see nothing but Darkness so they hear nothing but dismal Screeches and amazing dreadful Crys and gnashing of Teeth IV. Men may be naturally Blind or shut up in a dark Dungeon and yet may have much of the Presence of God with them But the Damned that are in the blackness of Darkness that is the Darkness of Hell shall utterly be deprived of the comfortable Presence of God As they said to God depart from us So are they separated with a Depart ye from me ye cursed into everlasting Fire or into the blackness of Darkness for ever Inferences HOw might this awaken Sinners and be a means to turn them from Spiritual Darkness to Light and from Satan the Prince of Darkness to God Oh! that these closing direful and amazing Lines might turn many to Righteousness to believe repent and obey the Gospel before the Lord Jesus come in flaming Fire rendring Vengeance upon all that know not God nor obey the Gospel II. How just will the Condemnation of such rebellious Sinners be who will neither be drawn by the tenders of Mercy and Salvation to Jesus Christ and of an enjoyment of Heaven through him nor be deterred from their sinful Course by all the threatned Judgments nay tho it extend to Hell it self to the Fire of Hell to the blackness of Darkness for ever Oh! were there not Eternity written upon the Gate of the broad way that leads to Destruction the Damned might have some hope tho it were not till hundreds of thousands of Millions of Years were expired But O Sinners when once this dark dismal Dungeon hath shut its Mouth upon you and you come with the Devil and his Angels to lie therein you can never come out more never see Light more never have ease from intollerable Torment more no Father Husband Wife c. can come to light so much as a Candle or dip the tip of a Finger in Water to cool your Tongue III. Let the Redeemed of the Lord rejoyce and magnify the God of their Salvation who hath given them good hope through Grace that they are delivered from Wrath to come by being called out of Spiritual Darkness into Christ's marvellous Light and by him have escaped that dreadful Doom of being cast out into utter Darkness Moses's Vail removed OR A TREATISE OF TYPES Adam a Type of Christ Rom. 5.14 Death reigned from Adam to Moses even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's Transgression who is the Figure of him that was to come Parallels ADam had no Father but God So Christ likewise had no Father but God They were both in an especial manner called the Sons of God the one by Creation the other by eternal Generation II. Adam was made Heir of the World Chriâ—â— is Heir of all Things not only of this World but of that which is to come III. Adam was a common or publick Person representing all his Seed or natural Off
my Fathers Kingdom Here the first word Drink is properly understood but the latter Metaphorically denoting their partaking together of the Joys of Heaven Joh. 1.10 The World was made by him and the World knew him not The former World notes the whole Universe the latter Vnbelievers c. see Joh. 2.23 24. and Joh. 4.31 32 34. Rom. 2.26 28 29. Rom. 3.21 27. Rom. 7.23 Rom. 9.6 They are not all Israel which are of Israel that is all who are born of Israel according to the Flesh are not true spiritual Israelites Rom. 12.13 14. where there is an Antanaclasis in the Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 11.24 the first breaking is taken properly the second breaking Metaphorically for the Passion of Christ as Luk. 22.19 See Isa 38.13 c. and 1 Cor. 15.28 Mat. 5.19 Matth. 5.19 Whosoever shall break one of these least Commandments shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven the first least expresses the sense of the Pharisees who esteemed some of the Precepts of Christ amongst the least the second least alluding to the former signifies the same with none or not at all viz. He shall be none in the Kingdom or he shall not enter there at all Mat. 18.1 Matth. 18.1 The Disciples say unto Jesus Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven V. 4. Christ answers Whosoever shall humble himself as this little Child the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven The first word greatest in the sense of the Disciples signifies him that hath Preheminence over others the second greatest alluding to the former denotes a Participation of the Kingdom of God without respect to inferiours the sense is whosoever humbles himself shall injoy his part in the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 19.16 Matth. 19.16 The Young Man saith unto Christ Good Master c. Ver. 17. Christ answers Why callest thou me good there is none good but one that is God The first good denotes any Goodness communicated to the Creature by the Lord such as may be found in a meer Man for such the Young Man judged Christ to have the latter good alluding to the first expresses the Essential Goodness of God who is the Fountain and Original of all the Good in the Creature The sense therefore of the words of Christ is Either call me not good or believe me to be the true God and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God-Man See Joh. 4.31 Joh. 6.28 Acts 26.28 Sometimes there happens an Ellipsis in this Figure the latter being understood by the former as Joel 2.13 Rend your Hearts and not your Garments here is a double Proposition 1. Rend your Hearts 2. Rend not your Garments the first is Metaphorical the other Proper CHAP. IV. Of the Figures of a Sentence in Logism WHat these are we have before defined They are distingush'd thus 1. Such as are in Logism or in a Sentence without Collocution or talking together 2. Such as are in Dialogism or by way of Dialogue or mutual Conference There are five of the first sort viz. I. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Exclamation is a pathetical Figure Exclamation ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to exclaim whereby the Speaker expresses the Passion or vehement Ardor of his Mind by various Interjections expressed or understood to move the Affections and Minds of those he speaks to O! Alas Behold are Signs of it this Figure is made in Scripture 1. In way of Admiration Psal 84.1 How amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts Psal 133.1 Behold how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in Vnity Rom. 11.33 O the depths of the Riches and of the Wisdom and of the Knowledg of God! How unsearchable are his Judgments and his Ways past finding out see Psal 8.1 144.15 2. In a way of Wishing or Praying 1 Chron. 11.17 O that one would give me Drink of the Water of the Well of Bethlehem which is at the Gate Psal 14.7 O that the Salvation of Israel were come out of Sion See Psal 42.2 Isa 64.1 Rom. 7.24 O wretched Man that I am who shall deliver me from the Body of this Death See Gal. 5.12 Job 6.8 Psal 55.6 3. In Praise Mat. 15.28 O Woman great is thy Faith Mat. 25.21 23. Well done good and faithful Servant 4. In a way of Sorrow and Complaint Psal 22.1 Mat. 27.46 My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Isa 6.5 Wo is me for I am undone 5. In way of Commiseration or Pity Josh 7.7 Alas O Lord God wherefore at all hast thou brought this People over Jordan to deliver us into the hand of the Amorite to destroy us Ezek. 9.8 Ah Lord God wilt thou destroy all the Residue of Israel in thy pouring out thy Fury upon Jerusalem Luke 13.34 Lam. 1.1 6. In a way of Indignation Detestation and Reproof Isa 1.4 Wo to the sinful Nation a People laden with Iniquity a Seed of Evil-doers c Ezek. 16.23 Wo wo to thee saith the Lord God c. See Mat. 11.21 17.17 Luke 24.25 Jer. 44.4 Acts 13.10 O full of all Subtilty and Mischief thou Child of the Devil thou Enemy of all Righteousness wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord Acts 7.51 Rom. 9.20 7. In a way of Joy and Exultation as Psal 57.7 135.21 Blessed be the Lord out of Sion which dwelleth at Jerusalem Hallelujah that is praise ye the Lord See 1 Cor. 15.55 8. In a way of Obsecration or Beseeching Psal 118.25 Save now I beseech thee O Lord O Lord I beseech thee send now Prosperity Rev. 22.20 9. In a way of Reprehension Gal. 3.1 O foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you c. See Acts 7.51 52 c. 10. In a way of Derision Mat. 15.29 Of Fear 1 Tim. 6.11 c. Epiphonema 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Acclamation and is wont to be subjoyned to an Exclamation as a certain species of it It is a little Clause or apt Sentence added after the thing is expounded From 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 acclamo to cry out exhibiting a certain Emphasis and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 briefly and concisely as Psal 2.12 Psal 3.8 Mat. 22.14 Luke 10.30 Acts 19.20 Mat. 19.27 Mark 7.37 c. II. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Epanorthosis Correction or Amending is the Reinforcement of the Clause last uttered by what follows or a re-calling of what one said to correct it From 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—orrigo to correct It is stated in a threefold manner 1. When that which was said is wholly disown'd and corrected by a more apt more proper and significant Expression as Mark 9.24 when the Father of the Child that was possest with a dumb Spirit said Lord I believe but recollecting himself and confessing his Infirmity immediately subjoyns help thou mine Vnbelief Joh. 12.27 John 12.27 Christ prays to be saved from Death Father save me from this hour yet immediately correcting that Prayer which shews the
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
a Saviour but also as a Sovereign not only as a Priest to die and appease the Wrath of God for us but also as a Prince to rule and reign in us 14. What Obedience therefore flows from thy Faith Dost thou boldly and visibly profess Jesus Christ following him whithersoever he goeth not closing in with one of his Precepts only but obeying all of them from thy Heart which thou art convinced of and knowest to be thy Duty Then shall I not be ashamed Psal 119.6 Rom. 5.1 when I have respect to all thy Commandments 15. What Peace hath Faith brought to thy Soul Being justified by Faith we have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ Secondly From what hath been noted we may infer There is an absolute Necessity of Faith 1. In respect of Gospel-Revelation Without Faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 2. There is no Salvation without it Rom. 3.26 Thou must be beholden to another for a Righteousness because thou hast broken the Law that pronounceth the Curse against thee thou hast none of thy own that will be accepted in the sight of God He that believeth not shall be damned Vnless ye believe that I am He Joh. 8.22 ye shall die in your Sins 3. There is a Necessity of Faith because all Boasting is excluded Rom. 3.27 God's design in our Salvation is wholly to exalt his own Free-Grace It is of Christ's procurement and thou must go unto him for it or go without it Thirdly If Faith be much more precious than Gold then labour for it above Gold be not contented with a little of it but wisely provide your selves with good Store Grow in Faith get a strong Faith Quest Will not a small or weak Faith save us as well as a strong Answ Yea if it be of the right kind tho never so small the Person that hath it is as fully justified as he that hath the greatest degree nd measure of it Yet it concerns thee to get a strong Faith for these Reasons following 1. Because thou mayest meet with strong Assaults and Temptations from Satan and thou hast no way to resist him but by the Shield of Faith and it may be a little Faith will not be sufficient to withstand those Exercises and Assaults thou mayest meet with 2. Because God expects much Faith of those he hath afforded much Means unto I looked it should bring forth Grapes Isa 5.4 God looks for Fruit answerable to the Cost and Charge he hath been at with a People or a particular Person 3. Because God may bring you into such a condition that you may have nothing else to live upon Hab. 3.17 The Fig-Tree shall not blossom neither Fruit be in the Vines c. That is a Time for the Saints to live by Faith and if their Faith be small what will they do then 4. Because as thy Faith is more or less so will thy inward Peace and Joy be in Christ Jesus He that hath but a small degree of Faith is often at the foot of the Hill and under doubtings and becloudings in his own Spirit 5. Because such as have but little Faith will find the Way to Heaven harder and more difficult than they who have much of it or are strong in Faith Weak Folks are hard put to it to get up a high Hill 6. Because it is a strong Faith that glorifies God most as it appears in respect of Abraham Rom. 4.19 20. He being not weak in Faith considered not his own Body being dead He staggered not through Vnbelief but was strong in Faith giving Glory to God Quest But what is the Cause that some Christians are so weak in Faith Answ 1. Some are but just brought forth lately converted they are like new-born Babes Can you expect a Child in the Cradle should be as strong as such as are twenty or thirty Years old 2. Perhaps some have but little Faith because they want the Means of it which others have It may be they have more Law preached to them than Gospel more Terror from Sinai than Joy from Mount Zion 3. Again some may be weak in Faith because they pore more upon their own inward Corruptions than they meditate on Christ's Righteousness more on their own Emptiness than on Christ's Fulness They see their Debts but have not their Eyes upon their Surety who hath discharged and blotted all out 4. Others may have little Faith because they do not improve that which they have they are not industrious Traders they do not labour after and cry to God for more Faith The way to grow rich is to be diligent Lord encrease our Faith 5. Some have no more Faith because they give way to Temptations and let their inward Corruptions too much prevail Weeds will hinder the Growth of precious Flowers Self-Love worldly Pleasure Pride and Passion choak and obstruct its Growth Faith is a tender Herb. 6. Perhaps Christians have no more because they mind not those precious Grounds and Encouragements which God in Mercy hath offered for the encrease strengthning and growing of Faith Quest How may I know a weak Faith from a strong Answ 1. A weak Christian one weak in Faith looks more within than without grounds more on the good Desires and Heavenlinesses of his Affection than the Covenant and Promise of God Joh. 14.19 Now a strong Christian looks to Christ Because I live ye shall live also 'T is not because my Affections live my Obedience lives or I have Life in Obedience or performance of external Duties but because Christ lives By whom I live Gal. 2.20 2. A weak Christian consults more the Power of the Enemy than he doth the Strength of God Christ and the holy Spirit and is much acted by Sence in respect of Means how this or that should be done Psal 78.19 Can God furnish a Table in the Wilderness But a strong Saint believes in Hope against Hope a strong Faith takes up in the Power Grace and Sufficiency of God The Lord is on my side Psal 56.4 I will not fear what Man can do unto me 3. A weak Faith grows weaker and weaker and ready to let go its hold at every discouragement If a Corruption or Temptation prevails all his Hope of Heaven is almost gone presently Thus it was with Peter Help Lord I perish But strong Faith is rather strengthned thereby as appears in the Woman of Canaan You may judg of a strong Faith by its Power over the Enemy I have written unto you 1 Joh. 2.14 young Men because you are strong and the Word of God abideth in you and you have overcome the Wicked One 4. A weak Faith is much for doing that so he may have Peace and Comfort within What must I do c. And as his Obedience to God is kept up Acts 16.30 so is his Comfort not but that great Peace is to them that keep the Law and that are found
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
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
2 Pet. 2.2 3 which greatly tend to the spoiling of God's Vineyard And then the Church is greatly annoyed also by the wild Boar as David shews The Boar of the Wood doth waste it and the wild Beasts of the Field devour it Psal 80.13 By which are meant the cruel Enemies the Church met with in those Days like as in these latter Times she hath the Pope who may fitly be compared to a wild Boar and the bloody Papists to ravenous Beasts Beasts of Prey such as continually delight in Blood and Rapine and to tear the Lambs out of Christ's Fold or destroy the precious Bunches of the tender Grapes VIII A Vineyard is continually watched over lest any thing should annoy or hurt it VIII So God is said to watch over his People In that day sing unto her Isa 27.2 3 A Vineyard of red Wine I the Lord do keep it every moment lest any hurt it I will keep it night and day IX Many that are idle are call'd into a Vineyard to work IX So God calls Men into his spiritual Vineyard to labour therein with the Promise of Reward See Mat. 20. Mat. 20.2 to 8. The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Man that is an Housholder which went out early in the morning to hire Labourers into his Vineyard and when he had agreed with the Labourers for a Penny a day he sent them into the Vineyard And he went out and saw others standing idle in the Market-place X. He that is employed to plant and dress a Vineyard or is a faithful Labourer therein is allowed to eat of the Fruit thereof besides his Reward at night X. So those whom God employs as Planters and Vine-dressers in his spiritual Vineyard ought to eat of the Fruit thereof viz. have a sufficient Maintenance allowed them Who planteth a Vineyard 1 Cor. 9.7 14. and eateth not of the Fruit thereof or who feedeth a Flock and eateth not of the Milk of the Flock even so the Lord hath ordained that they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel XI It is expected by the Owner of a Vineyard that after much Cost and Pains is bestowed upon it it should bring forth much Fruit. XI So after God hath bestowed much Pains and Cost with a People as he did with Israel Isa 5.4 What could have been done more to my Vineyard than I have done in it he expects Fruit And he looked it should bring forth Grapes and it brought forth wild Grapes XII A Vineyard having had great Labour and Cost bestowed upon it and not yielding Fruit answerable to the Charge greatly grieves and troubles the Owner causing him to lay it desolate and care no more for it XII So when a People have had much Cost and Pains bestowed upon them by the Lord and yet they remain barren and unfruitful walking like Men and bringing forth sour Grapes Grapes of Sodom rather than good Fruit He is greatly offended and grieved thereat and many times dealeth by that People Church or Nation as he threatned to deal by Israel of old I will take away the Hedge thereof Isa 5.3 4 5 6 7 8 9. and it shall be eaten up and break down the Wall thereof and it shall be trodden down And I will lay it waste it shall not be pruned nor digged but there shall come up Bryars and Thorns I will cause the Rain to rain upon it no more c. Therefore I say unto you Mat. 21.43 The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a Nation bringing forth the Fruits thereof Which of all Judgments is the most severe God deliver his Church in England from so sore a Stroke Inferences THis may teach the Church and People of God to take heed they answer the Pains and Cost God hath been at with them It is not a little Jam. 3.18 Rom. 5.17 but much Fruit that God expects from us and not only Grapes but good Grapes sweet Grapes viz. Fruits of Righteousness II. And let all the Plants in this spiritual Vineyard see to it Mat. 15.13 that they are Plants of God's own planting for if they are not they shall be plucked up III. And let those that his own Right-hand hath planted see also that they be well rooted 1. A Tree not well rooted bears but little Fruit. 2. A Tree not well rooted is subject to be shaken and blown down 3. A Tree not well rooted is in danger of being pluck'd up 1. Labour to be rooted in all the Essentials of true Religion 2. And in all the Principles of Instituted Worship 3. And in all the Graces of the holy Spirit in Faith Love c. Eph. 3.17 IV. It may also be of use to encourage and comfort the Church of God whilst it remains fruitful to him How safe and secure is that Vineyard that God hath so gloriously walled in on every side In vain are all the Strivings and Strength of bloody Rome if God openeth not the Door for them they can never prevail against us 5. It also may be for Reproof to loose and slothful Professors O what Danger do their Sins expose God's Church to The Church compared to a Virgin 2 Cor. 11.2 I have espoused you to one Husband that I may present you as a chast Virgin to Christ A Chast Virgin This Simile alludes to the legal Type of the High-Priest who might marry none but a Virgin Lev. 21.14 Note The Church or a gracious Soul is by the Apostle compared to an espoused Virgin I have espoused you i. e. I have been an Instrument or Spokesman in the hand of my blessed Lord and Master herein Simile Parallel A Virgin is a Person that is not defiled one that hath been kept pure from Fornication and Uncleanness THe Church of God and every sincere Christian is kept pure from Idolatry viz. the inordinate Love of this World and all Antichristian Worship Rev. 14.4 Hence the Forty four thousand upon Mount Sion are said to be Virgins those are they which were not defiled with Women that is with the Mother of Harlots mystical Babylon nor with any of her Daughters for they are Virgins that is true and chaste to Christ II. A chast Virgin that is espoused to an Husband is greatly beloved by him II. So the Church and each sincere Christian is dearly beloved by the Lord who is said to rejoyce over his People Isa 63.4 5 as a young Man rejoyceth over his Bride III. A Virgin espoused to an Husband longeth for the Wedding-day III. So the Church longeth for the Return of the Bridegroom Cant. 8.14 Rev. 19.7 8 when Christ will take her to himself The Marriage of the Lamb is come c. IV. A Virgin espoused greatly prizeth every kind Token of Love from her Friend and delights to hear from him IV. So all sincere Souls wonderfully prize every precious Token of Christ's special Favour to them Let him kiss me
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
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
Word 1 Pet. 3.1 4. If Saints are the Salt of the Earth and Interest of Nations it shews the Folly of those wicked Men that strive to root them up and turn them out of the World 5. Lastly It may caution all that profess the Gospel against Apostacy Remember Lot 's Wife She for not being savoury or for looking back Luk. 17 32 Gen. 19.26 was turned into a Pillar of Salt nay and into a standing Pillar c. May not one Reason of it be this viz. To shew that that very Example of God's Severity upon her might serve or be sufficient to season all Christians to the end of the World against Apostacy or looking back Saints compared to Merchants Mat. 13.45 46. Again the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Merchant-Man seeking goodly Pearls who when he had found one Pearl of great Price c. Simile Parallel A Merchant is a great Dealer in the Things of the World A True Christian is a great Dealer in the Things of Heaven his Affections are set upon those Things that are above Col. 3 1. where Christ fitteth at the Right-hand of God II. The best and greatest Merchants trade and deal in the richest and choicest Things on Earth viz. Jewels Pearls c. II. The true Christian desireth and seeketh after the Riches of Grace and Riches of Glory called Pearls which are of the greatest Value and Worth in which he may be most happy He seeketh for Pearls but he fixeth most upon the Pearl of greatest Price Jesus Christ Mat. 13.46 III. Merchants in their first Trading are not so skilful in their Merchandize as they are afterwards when by commercing with other Merchants they have found out the true Worth of their Merchandize and the manner of their Dealings III. So the true Christian when he is first concerned in the Matters of Christianity is not so skilful as afterward when he hath by Christian Converse found out the Worth of spiritual Things and the Deceitfulness of Satan the World and his own Heart together with the Faithfulness of God IV. Merchants are most careful of their Concerns when they have met with some Loss then they begin to fear they shall be undone if such Losses encrease upon them IV. Christians are most careful in their spiritual and eternal Concernments when they have met with some spiritual Losses and are attended with a holy Fear lest eternal Ruine should follow V. Merchants that deal in precious Stones are very careful lest they should be deceived with counterfeit Stones which are very like the true Ones V. The true Christian is very careful lest he should he deceived in his Spiritualities viz. have a false Faith a false Repentance and a false Obedience and counterfeit Grace which may be very like the true VI. Merchants trade to Foreign Parts or Countries their chief Concerns come from thence whereby they grow rich VI. True Christians have their chief Concerns from Heaven whereby they grow spiritually rich Heaven is called a far Country Luke 19. VII Merchants have Correspondents in those Countries to which they trade who receive their Merchandize which they send and make Returns of more gainful Things VII The true Christian hath his Correspondent in Heaven who manageth all his Concerns viz. Jesus Christ the Righteous He is their Advocate and Intercessor he appears in Heaven for them Heb. 9.24 He receives their Duties and makes Returns of Mercy He will receive their Tears of Godly Sorrow and return the Oil of Joy Thou puttest my Tears into thy Bottle c. VIII Merchants are strongly engaged by the Profitableness of their Trade to follow it very close O how diligent are Merchants when they find Riches come in apace upon them VIII So should it be with true Christians the Gainfulness of Godliness should engage them to follow the heavenly Trade more closely because it hath the Promise of the Life that now is 1 Tim. 4.8 and that which is to come for Time and Eternity is little enough to make up the Revenues of a godly Life what Time cannot do Eternity shall IX Merchants are diligent in attending the Exchange where they have an account of their Foreign Affairs and also an Opportunity to trade further either in selling or buying and they that are negligent in this Matter do give just cause of Suspicion that they will soon fail and cease to be Merchants IX True Christians do make Conscience and exercise a godly Care in attending the Meetings of the Saints in their solemn Worshipping of God whereby they get Understanding and Knowledge of their Affairs in Heaven as managed by Jesus Christ And there they have the Opportunity to put off spiritual Duties Heb. 10.25 and receive heavenly Blessings And such as do neglect this Practice may justly be suspected that in a little time they will cease to be Christians X. Merchants are very careful in keeping their Accompts they are often in their Compting-Houses They who are wise will be sure their Books are well kept and that their Accompts are in good Order that so they may see a good End of their Affairs and enjoy Comfort in the Management thereof X. True Christians are and ought to be very careful in keeping up their Closet and secret Communion with God by private Prayer and Self-Examination that so they may give their Account up to God with Joy and not with Grief and may also enjoy divine Consolation in the faithful Performance of the Duties of Christianity Saints compared to Pilgrims Heb. 11.13 They confessed that they were Strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth 1 Pet. 2.11 I beseech you as Strangers and Pilgrims to abstain from fleshly Lusts that war against the Spirit Note The Saints of God are in these Scriptures compared to Strangers and Pilgrims Simile Parallel A Pilgrim is one that travelleth from one Place to another and is far from home THe Saints of God are spiritual Travellers they are far from their Father's House Heaven is their everlasting Home and thither they are going All the holy Patriarchs and Prophets confessed they were Pilgrims on the Earth Jacob said The Days of the Years of my Pilgrimage rather than the Days of my Life Gen. 47 9. because of the Uncertainty of his Abode here and in respect of his removing from Place to Place II. A Pilgrim that sets out in a long Journey takes care to free himself of all manner of Weights and unnecessary Burthens and whatsoever else may tend to weary or unfit him for his Journey II. So the spiritual Pilgrim when he first sets out in the Ways of God lays aside every Weight Heb. 12.1 and the Sin that doth so easily beset him It greatly behoves him so to do for one Sin carried in the Bosom or the inordinate Love to any Thing or Person of this World will prove of dreadful consequence to him The young Man in the Gospel had gone a great way seemed to be a very zealous
together saith the Husband-man till Harvest VIII Wheat hath a considerable Time to ripen it must have the former and latter Rain but when it is ripe it is severed from the Tares and gathered into the Barn VIII So the People of God are not so soon as they spring up in Grace ripe for God's Garner but they need some Time before they are fit for cutting down by Death The former and latter Rain of the Spirit must fall upon them they ripen gradually And when the Harvest comes to wit the End of the World Mat. 13.41 42. then the Saints shall be severed from the Wicked the Good come from the Bad the Holy from the Vile like as Wheat is severed from the Tares and those that appear pure Grain shall be gathered into God's Garner i. e. his blessed Kingdom and the Wicked like Tares shall be bound in Bundles and cast into Hell to be burned in unquenchable Fire IX Wheat when it is sown dies and rises again it rises Wheat and the same Wheat tho it rises more glorious than it seemed to be when sown IX So the Saints of God die like good Seed are sown in the Earth and shall rise again 1 Cor. 15. the same Body shall rise again as every Seed hath his own Body so shall every Saint in the Day of the Resurrection have his own Body tho his Body shall rise more glorious than it was before The Apostle saith That which thou sowest thou sowest not that Body that shall be because it is sown a natural Body 1 Cor. 15.38 42 43. it is raised a spiritual it is sown in Corruption but is raised in Incorruption it is sown in Dishonour and raised in Glory it is sown in Weakness it is raised in Power X. Wheat is threshed by the Husband-man to sever the Corn from the Straw and Chaff X. So God to sever the Chaff of corrupt and drossy Professors from the pure Grain viz. sincere Saints leaves the Wicked as it were to thresh his People God's People are often under the Flail of Persecution Inferences THis may serve to reprove the bloody Persecutors of God's People who would fain pluck up the Saints as Tares but let them take heed If God would not have many Tares pluck'd up lest some of the Wheat be pluck'd up with them what will become of them who instead of plucking the wicked Tares that perhaps deserve the greatest Severity as being guilty of innocent Blood connive at such and let them alone having much Favour for them and set themselves wholly against God's faithful and innocent People What unwearied Endeavours have been used to destroy and root out the Godly 2. It may be a Caution to all to take heed how they persecute Men for Conscience sake for who can infallibly know such as fear not God nor belong to him from such as are his People and do in Truth fear Him They had better let many Tares many Hereticks alone than through Ignorance destroy one godly and sincere Person 3. It may also be for Trial Are you Wheat or Tares Do you bring Glory to God and Profit to your Neighbours Do you faithfully like holy Job adhere to the Lord and cleave to him altho he should please to lay you under slaying Dispensations Do you endure patiently under the Cross abide the Trial of cold winterly Blasts of Persecution Wheat you hear will endure sharp Frosts The honest-hearted Professor brings forth Fruit with Patience Mat. 13. 4. Lastly It affords Comfort to the Godly for tho they appear as dead and withered or are under many seeming Decays yet they shall revive again like Corn. And altho they like Seed or Grain are laid in the Earth and turn to Corruption yet they shall have a blessed Resurrection at the last Day and be raised in Power and Glory and in Incorruption Death doth the Body of a godly Man no Injury Except a Seed of Corn fall to the Ground it abideth alone but if it die it bringeth forth much Fruit. Saints compared to Light Mat. 5.14 Ye are the Light of the World a City that is set on a Hill cannot be hid IN this Metaphor the Lord Jesus commends unto us an holy Duty viz. to shine before others in a holy Life and Doctrine Saints should be like John Baptist burning and shining Lights 1. Light is taken properly 2. Metaphorically 1. Properly for that noble Quality that enlightens the World Lux claritas splendor in corpore luminoso vel extra à corpore luminoso exiens quae Lumen dicitur God said Let there be Light and there was Light c. 2. Metaphorically it is put for several Things See the First Volume Book 3. p. 1 2. Ye are the Light of the World c. Joh. 1.9 Mat. 4.2 Principally Christ himself is the Light of the World the great Light that gives Light to the other Luminaries The Saints receive Light from Christ as the Moon receives her Light from the Sun and thereby gives Light to the World in the Night The Saints are but small Lights hence called Stars who give but little Light in comparison of the Sun or they are rather as Candles which God hath lighted and set up Metaphor Parallel LIght discovers and makes manifest the Nature of Things to Men it hath a directive Quality in it Men thereby know which way to go it directs Travellers in their Way SO the Saints of God by their holy Life and Doctrine reveal and make manifest not only the Works of Darkness but also the Excellency of Christ Grace and Divine Things to Men nay Eph. 3.10 the holy Angels are said to know many Things by the Church The Saints by their holy Lives and Doctrines teach and dlrect others how to live how to behave themselves towards God and towards Men. II. Light shines forth and is visible to all every one that hath Eyes may see the Light A Candle should not be lighted and put under a Bushel but on a Candlestick that it may give Light to all that are in the House II. So the Saints should let their good Works appear to all 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 Tho the Saints should do nothing through Vain-Glory i. e. to be seen of Men yet their good Works and holy Walkings should be so done that others should see it III. It is a great Mercy and Blessing to see the Light Light is sweet c. Light drives back or expells Darkness III. So 't is a great Blessing to enjoy the Company of God's People to dwell among such whose Conversations shine for such godly ones drive back or scatter Wickedness As Solomon saith Prov. 20.26 A wise and godly King scattereth the Wicked and bringeth the Wheel over them So every wise and godly Christian does what in him lies to to the like What Darkness did Martin Luther
2.1 being quickned and made alive by Jesus Christ that so there may be a fit Resemblance or Similitude between the Stones and the Foundation See Foundation in the First Volume pag. 242. and Christ the Corner-Stone p. 246 247. The Saints God's Iewels Mal. 3.17 They shall be mine in that Day when I make up my Jewels THe Saints are in this Place called Jewels they are God's choice Jewels There is nothing so excellent in the Eyes of Men but God's People are as amiable in his Sight and why he calls them his Jewels is opened in the following Parallel Metaphor Parallel JEwels are rare and excellent Things made by the hands of curious Workmen they are made of precious Stones set in Gold and Silver THe Saints are to God most choice and excellent Ones Psal 45. The King's Daughter is all glorious within These Jewels are made up of a Complication of all the precious Graces of the Holy Spirit II. Some Jewels are long in making they are not made near so soon as some others are They carry on their Work gradually every Day 's Work adds to their Beauty and Richness yet having begun they resolve to go forward and never cease till they have finished them and made them up quite fit for the Cabinet II. So some of the Saints are not so soon made up and fitted for Heaven as others are God carries on the Work of Grace gradually All Persons as soon as ever they are converted are not made fit for Heaven but they must go from one degree of Grace to another Yet God hath promised to perfect the Work he hath begun he will never cease until he hath made up the Jewels he hath begun to make He that hath begun a good Work in you Phil. 1.6 will perform it to the Day of Christ III. Jewels are a most rare and excellent Ornament nothing richer and are therefore worn only by rich and noble Persons in which they take great delight III. So Believers are the Glory of Christ Whether any do enquire of Titus 2 Cor. 8.23 he is my Partner and Fellow-helper concerning you or our Brethren be enquired of they are the Messengers of the Churches and the Glory of Christ Which agrees with that in Isa 62.3 Thou shalt also be a Crown of Glory in the hand of the Lord Isa 62.3 and a Royal Diadem in the hand of thy God and hence called Hephzibah The Lord delighteth in thee No Prince esteems more of his Crown Jewels and Royal Diadem than God doth of his People The High-Priest under the Law was to have the Names of the Children of Israel engraven on the Breast-plate See Exod. 28. And thou shalt make the Breastplate of Judgment the Work of cunning Workmen c. And thou shalt emboss in it Embossments of Stones four Rows The first a Row of Sardius Exod 28.6 7 8 9. a Topaz and a Smaragd the second Row a Chalcedony a Saphire and Sardonyx and the third Row an Hyacinth a Chrysophrase and an Amethyst and the fourth Row a Chrysolite a Beryl and a Jasper And they shall be set in Gold in their Imbossements and the Stones shall be with the Names of the Sons of Israel c. Also in the Ephod there was two Beryl-Stones and on them was engraven the Names of the Children of Israel Now the High-Priest was a Type of Christ and his having the Names of the Children of Israel engraven with precious Stones upon the Ephod which was upon his Shoulders and upon the Breast-plate signifies not only Christ's bearing his Saints upon his Shoulders as it were and upon his Heart but also what an Ornament Christ looks upon his Saints to be unto him for those precious Stones were a wonderful Ornament to the Priest both on his Shoulders and Breast Take Mr. Ainsworth's Annotations on the 11th Verse The Engraver Stone-cutter or Jeweller thus engraving in precious Stone and that like a Signet the Names of the Children of Israel signified the firm and perpetual Love Memorial Esteem and Sustentation of the Church And to this the Spouse alludes Cant. 8.6 Set me as a Signet upon thy Heart as a Signet on thy Arm c. IV. A Man takes great care of and exceedingly values his rich and choice Jewels he will not lose one of them if he can possibly keep them IV. So God takes great care of his Saints esteems of them as his chiefest Treasure and will not lose one of them All that the Father hath given me have I kept and none of them are lost c. That God highly prizes esteems and takes great care of his People doth appear many ways 1. By the Price he paid for them He gave up that precious and invaluable Jewel of his Heart viz. the Lord Jesus to be broken in pieces that so he might thereby make unto himself many thousand choice and precious Jewels 2. By the great Pains he hath used in forming and fashioning them for himself We are his Workmanship c. 3. By his making of such a firm and sure Covenant with Christ in their behalf that none of them might be lost 4. By the Charge he gives to the Wicked not to hurt them 2 Chron. 16.21 22. He suffered no Man to do them Wrong yea he reproved Kings for their Sakes saying Touch not mine Anointed and do my Prophets no harm 5. By his declaring that they that touch them touch the Apple of his Eye He pities them as a Father pities his Children 6. By his bestowing so many precious Graces and good Gifts upon them to make them shine and gloriously set forth their Lustre 7. By executing Wrath and Displeasure upon their Enemies 8. By his defending saving and preserving them in the midst of so many great and imminent Dangers 9. In hiding them in a secret and secure Place out of the reach of Adversaries 10. Lastly by providing such a glorious Place for them after Death that they may be with him for ever V. Jewels are subject to many Casualties whilst they are making and are often marr'd or receive much Detriment which without much Labour and Cost is not repaired and made good again V. So God's Jewels are subject to sustain great Detriment and are often much marr'd whilst he is about making of them up by Sin and Satan and through their own Carelesness which is not soon nor easily repaired Tho God graciously by his Word and Spirit renews his Work again upon their Souls as in the Case of David Peter and divers others VI. When a Man hath quite made up his Jewels he puts them into a rich Cabinet VI. So when God hath quite made up his spiritual Jewels he puts them into Heaven that is the rich and glorious Cabinet which he hath provided for all his choice and goodly Jewels VII A Person that hath many rich and choice Jewels shews them as he sees occasion to his Friends and also to others declaring his Right to them and
that the Saints are so subject to be overtaken with spiritual Drouziness Answ 1. From the Weakness and Dulness of the Flesh The Spirit indeed is willing but the Flesh is weak 2. By being slothful negligent and out of Employment when we grow indifferent and careless and neglect our Work neglect Prayer Reading and Hearing God's Word Prov. 19.15 no marvel if we soon fall asleep Slothfulness casteth into a deep Sleep 3. By being amongst sleepy Folks This is apt to make a wakeful Person in a little time drowsy and subject to nod too a sleepy Family a sleepy Church a sleepy Ministry usually hath bad effects upon this account upon a Spiritual Christian therefore prize a Soul-awakening Ministry 4. By means of long watching Whilst the Bridegroom tarried they all slumbered and slept 5. A black dark and gloomy Day is subject to cause one to grow drowsy as most men can experience 6. By an Apprehension 't is a long while to day time enough saith the Sluggard to arise Men think of living long and that it will be a great while before the Lord comes c. Wicked Men Fools Psal 14.1 The Fool hath said in his Heart There is no God Eccles 10.3 Yea also when he that is a Fool walketh by the way his Wisdom faileth him and he saith to every one that he is a Fool. Job 5.2 3. For Wrath killeth the foolish Man and Envy slayeth the silly One Job 30.8 They were Children of Fools yea Children of base Men they were viler than the Earth Luke 12. Thou Fool this Night thy Soul shall be required of thee SIN is Folly great Folly and Sinners are Fools how often in the Proverbs are ungodly Men tho accounted very worldly-wise called Fools simple Ones Men of no Vnderstanding Simile Parallel A Fool is one that knows not what is good what is best for him he is a Man of no Understanding SO wicked Men know not what is good and right in it self they know not what is good for themselves they are Men of no Understanding they cry Who will shew us any Good That is Psal 4.6 saith Mr. Caryl any good Cheer Plenty of Corn and Wine They esteem Gold and Silver and other outward good Things before Pardon Peace of Conscience and the Favour of God and are therefore Fools II. A Fool or Idiot will hurt wrong or abuse himself Perhaps you have heard of the Gentleman's Fool who happened to be in Company with a Carpenter and the Carpenter making himself merry with him hid his Hat But it so fell out as the Matter is related the Carpenter some time after chanced to fall asleep with his Head upon a Block which the Fool observing he took an Ax and chopp'd off his Head and hid it amongst the Chips and then went laughing away but being asked wherefore he laughed O saith he I have cut off the Carpenter's Head and have hid it amongst the Chips and I wonder how he will do to find it when he awakes But for this he was committed to Prison and when he was brought to his Trial the Judg was informed that he was a natural Fool but that he might be convinced it was true he ordered a Knife to be given to him and accordingly it was then said the Judg to the poor Idiot Cut your self with that Knife and he poor Soul did so immediately by which the Judg knew he was indeed a Fool and so acquitted him II. Wicked Men hurt themselves Nothing wrongs or wounds a Man more than Sin hence called a Dart Sting c. Yet so void are all ungodly Men of Understanding that they consent to Sin yield to Sin run as it were this Spear into their own Bowels wound themselves to the very Heart and yet say Are not we in Sport Can there be any greater Folly or a more palpable Sign of a Fool than for a Man to whip lash scourge and do thus unto himself When Satan tempts Men to sin he doth as it were put a Knife into their hands and then bids them cut and slash themselves with it and yet no sooner doth Satan thus tempt and entice them but they presently consent to him until they have wounded themselves from the Crown of their Heads to the Soles of their Feet What Man but a Fool would run into the Hornets Nests or after this lamentable manner wound himself Sinners are such Fools that they play with the Asp and delight to be at the Mouth of the Cockatrice-Den Sin in the holy Scriptures is compared to both these cruel Serpents and hence the Poyson of Asps is said to be under their Tongues Who but Fools or mad Men Psal 140.3 Rom. 3.13 will sport and play with such venemous Serpents or drink down deadly Poyson when told again and again what it is and what the Effects of it will be and yet they will do it Prov. 23.31 32. Look not upon the Wine when it is red when it giveth its Colour in the Cup when it moveth it self aright That is whatever Allurements there are to Sin take heed of it At last it biteth like a Serpent and stingeth like an Adder III. Is not that Man a Fool who will harbor a Thief in his House and tho he be told of it and that he is in danger of losing all his Goods and having his Throat cut by him he being a bloody Murtherer yet laughs at it and loves his Enemy and hugs him in his Bosom and resolves to eat and drink with him and lodg him in his chiefest Room and yet is informed this Thief never spared any Man that shewed him Favour III. Wicked Men harbor Sin and deceitful Lusts in their Souls which is the bloodiest Thief and Murtherer that ever was that spares none nor ever did who entertained it or took delight therein It hath slain and utterly undone Thousands and Ten Thousands yea many Millions yet they hug this cursed Traitor and let him lodg in their Hearts and lie in their Bosoms and shew him all the Favour and Kindness imaginable and do they not from hence appear to be the greatest Fools in Nature IV. Is not that Man a Fool that striveth with one that is infinitely stronger than himself or thinks a Thorn Hedg can stand before a consuming Fire or supposes a Potsheard can prevail against the Potter IV. Wicked Men strive with the great God and do they not in this shew themselves to be Fools Have they an Arm like God Job 40.9 can they thunder with a Voice like him yet they continually resist him and fight against him They that go on in their evil Ways make War with the Almighty and Dread-Sovereign of Heaven and Earth Wo unto him that striveth with his Maker Let the Potsheard strive with the Potshards of the Earth Isa 45.9 Do you not see this day how Man sorry Man sets himself against God! they are resolved to see what they can do they will not yet lay
down the Cudgels they set their Wisdom against God's Wisdom and try if they can counter-work him in the Ways of his Providences Now what a folly is this God is as a consuming Fire and Man is as Stubble fully dry See what Jehovah himself saith upon this account Who would set the Bryars and Thorns against me in Battel I would go through them Isa 27.4 I would burn them together Now is not he that takes up Arms against such an Enemy that commands Heaven and Earth a Fool He whom all the Forces of Earth and Hell are not able to withstand who at a Word of his Mouth makes Frogs invade Pharaoh and Stars to fight against Sisera who makes the Hills and Mountains quake and tremble before him c. He is wise in Heart and mighty in Strength Job 9.4 who ever hardned their Heart against him and prospered V. Is not he a Fool that hath not Wisdom enough to direct himself But then what will you say of him that will not follow the Counsel and Direction of the Wise Tho he is told the Way that he is in will bring him into a Lion's Den or if he step one Step further he will fall into a Furnace of Fire yet resolveth to go on notwithstanding he confesseth he hath no ground to question the Truth of that which is in Faithfulness told him V. Wicked Men have not Wisdom enough to direct themselves but that which adds to their Folly is this They will not take the Counsel of the wise God nor the Direction of his faithful Ministers Tho they are told day by day that if they proceed and go on in the Ways they are in viz. swear lie whore be drunk c. they must perish and be damned for ever and that they know not but the next time they commit any of those Sins they may fall into the Lake that burneth with Fire and Brimstone yet they will go on and continue in their Sins contemning all Advice and Counsel tho they have not the least ground to question the Truth of what is declared to them since the Word of God saith positively Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish And that the Vnrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God neither Fornicators nor Idolaters nor Adulterers nor Effeminate c. nor Thieves nor Covetous nor Drunkards nor Revilers nor Extortioners And now tho they know they are guilty of some of these or the like Sins yet they resolve to live in them and therefore are Fools VI. Is not he a Fool that is not able to judg of the Nature of Things or of Times or Occasions and from hence is angry with every thing that sutes not with his Nature or foolish Humor He will be angry with the Sun if it shine hotter than he would have it and with the Winds if they blow harder than he would have them he likes not the Winter nor would have it ever rain VI. Wicked Men are such Fools that they know not the Nature of Things Times nor Occasions He is offended with those Ways of God that cross his sinful Appetite he would fain have God yield to him and order Things that suit his filthy Lusts If the Word forbid all Sin and would if it might kindle upon his Heart and Conscience burn up and destroy all his Lusts presently he cries out 'T is too hot and therefore strives to put it out In a word he would be saved in a way of Sin i. e. have his Wounds healed and yet the Sting let alone in the Flesh he would be well but take no Physick would go to Heaven but never walk in the way to it he would not be naked and yet will put on no Clothes c. and therefore a Fool. To vex and be angry at the Troubles that fall upon us or at the Hand of God which sends them is a high Point of Folly VII A Fool will take Brass Counters for Gold and be pleased with Bugles more than with Diamonds When an Heir saith Mr. Caryl is impleaded for an Ideot Caryl on Job c. 5. p. 182. the Judg commands an Apple or a Counter with a Piece of Gold to be set before him to try which he will take and if he take the Apple or the Counter and leave the Gold he is then cast for a Fool and unable to manage his Estate for he knows not the Value of Things or how to make a true Election VI. Wicked Men are thus foolish and more for when Bugles and Diamonds Counters and Gold are set before them they leave the Diamonds and the Gold and please themselves with those Toyes and Baubles when which is infinitely more sottish Heaven and Hell Life and Death are set before them they chuse Hell rather than Heaven and Death rather than Life they take the mean transitory trifling Things of this World before the Favour of God the Pardon of Sin a Part in Jesus Christ and an Inheritance amongst the Saints in Light they prefer a Moment's time of sinful Ease and Pleasure before an Eternity of Joy and Glory in Heaven they prefer the Creature above the Creator they labour more for the present Good of their Bodies than for the eternal Good of their Souls which are ten thousand times of greater Worth And do not these things demonstrate fully that they are Fools VIII Is not he a Fool that feeds on Husks Gravel and Ashes and yet thinks he feeds on the best Food he lives among Swine and feeds as they feed and yet is contented VIII Wicked Men are said in the holy Scriptures to feed on Husks Gravel Isa 45.20 and Ashes by which is meant the Pleasures Profits and Honours of this World for what is it that they feed upon or take delight in but these Things Take away their outward Enjoyments or the Comforts of this World and their Hearts like Nabal's will die within them or like a Man that pines away for want of Food for alas they have nothing else to support their Spirits And whilst they feed upon these things they conclude they feed upon the best Food and enjoy the chiefest Good yet they never have a real Taste of the Love of God in Christ nor do they know how good the Lord is nor will they make Trial tho they are invited to come and buy and eat that which is good and let their Souls delight themselves in Fatness The Prodigal would fain have filled his Belly with Husks that the Swine eat Luk. 15.16 wicked Men being intended by the Swine in that Place but no Man gave to him IX Is not he a Fool that thinks 't is time enough to sow when he should reap When he should gather in his Harvest he begins to sow his Seed or when he sows Tares thinks to reap Wheat That Work that would take up the whole Time of his Life he thinks may be done on a Death-Bed or in an Hour or two at the end of
their Hearts lest instead of good Wheat they should at last prove evil Tares 2. It also reproves those Magistrates who in a blind Zeal persecute Men for Religion and Conscience sake pretending they do it to destroy the Tares viz. Hereticks c. whereas they know not but that those they persecute may be good and faithful Christians Besides 't is a Work that belongs not to them God would have both tho one Sort may be very vile and impudent Hereticks Schismaticks c. to live together to the end of the World Wicked Men compared to Chaff Psal 1.4 The Vngodly are not so but are like the Chaff which the Wind driveth away Mat. 3.12 But he will burn up the Chaff with unquenchable Fire Wicked Men are compared to Chaff Simile Parallel CHaff before it is separated from the Wheat cleaves close to it and the Wheat must be trod or threshed before the one can be separated from the other SO some wicked Men I mean Hypocrites seem to cleave close to the Saints and to be in perfect Union or Oneness with them And the Godly must be trod upon or threshed with the Flail of Persecution before they as sacred Wheat can be separated from the Chaff viz. counterfeit Christians II. Chaff is of little worth or value to the Wheat Jer. 23.28 What is the Chaff to the Wheat 'T is a low mean and contemptible thing one Bushel of Wheat is worth many Bushels of Chaff II. So wicked Men and Hypocrites are of little worth and value in the sight of God he esteems one true Christian worth thousands and ten thousands of Hypocrites I give Egypt for thy Ransom Isa 43.3 Ethiopia and Seba for thee Since thou wert precious in my sight thou hast been honourable c. III. Chaff is light and airy 't is no ponderous Thing and therefore the Wind carries it away with a Blast III. So the Wicked whatever shew they make of Religion and Piety they are light as Chaff they are not weighty nor ponderous their Lightness and Levity is discovered by their Words and Behavior and when the Blast and Tempest of Persecution comes it drives them away from the seeming Zeal and Religion they pretend to and at last the Wind of God's Wrath will drive them into the lowest Hell there to be burned with unquenchable Fire Inferences THis shews what a great difference there is between the Godly and the Ungodly also what the woful Condition of Hypocrites is and what will be in the End Wicked Men compared to Thorns Numb 33.55 They shall be Pricks in your Eyes and Thorns in your Sides c. Josh 23.13 But they shall be as Snares and Traps unto you and Scourges in your Sides and Thorns in your Eyes c. Cant. 2.2 As a Lilly among Thorns Nah. 1.10 For whilst they are folden together as Thorns c. THorns as Glassius and others observe in these Places of holy Sripture signify wicked mischievous Men. Numb 33.55 Simile Parallel THorns came in with the Curse Cursed is the Ground for thy sake Gen. 3.18 Thorns also and Thistles shall it bring forth unto thee c. Had not Adam sinned we should not have been troubled with Thorns SO wicked Men came in with the Fall and as the Fruit of the Curse Had not Adam sinned the World had never been troubled with these Briars and Thorns but ever since the Curse for Adam's Sin the World hath been full of these Thorns II. A Thorn is no tender Tree but contrary-wise sturdy hard knotty and full of Knobs and Pricks dangerous to meddle or have to do with II. Clopham So the Wicked these Sons of Belial Belegnol without Yoke that is such as will not come under the Yoke of Obedience or Beli Gnalah not ascending because their Males prospered not These Thorns wicked Men 2 Sam. 23.6 are hard-hearted knotty-conditioned full of pricking and stinging Words and Works What can he expect that meddles with a Thorn or Briar but to be scratch'd prick'd and wounded in his so doing So that Man that has to do with some wicked Men shall be scratch'd or prick'd in his good Name and Estate one way or other III. Thorns are Trees of little worth low and base Things hurtful to Fields Gardens and Vineyards c. III. So wicked Men are of little worth and value in God's sight they are of a base Spirit and Principle Lovers of Pleasure more than Lovers of God preferring Earth above Heaven Prov. 10.20 The Heart of the Wicked is little worth And as they are unprofitable and little worth in themselves so they are offensive and prejudicial to God's Garden they hinder the Growth of the Saints as much as in them lies wounding the Lilly that groweth among them See Lilly among Thorns IV. Thorns nevertheless do serve sometimes to make a Hedg to keep out wild Beasts from breaking into a Field or Vineyard IV. So some of these wicked Ones God now and then makes use of to be a Hedg to his People to keep out a more bloody and cruel Adversary Rev. 12 The Earth helped the Woman that is Wicked Men Men of the Earth stood up for and sided in with the Church and People of God and so proved as a Wall of Defence or Hedg to them Besides God makes use of them sometimes as a Hedg to stop his People in their evil Courses by suffering these Sons of Belial to afflict them I will hedg up her Way with Thorns Hos 2.6 V. Thorns and Briars when they are grown to any height are oft-times by the Owner cut down and cast into the Fire V. So the Wicked and Ungodly when they are grown to a great height of Wickedness provoking God against themselves are cut down and cast into Hell That which beareth Briars and Thorns is near unto Cursing whose end is to be burnt He 8.6.8 VI. Thorns and Briars are not able to stand before a devouring and consuming Fire VI. So the Wicked are not able to stand before the dreadful and angry God For while they be folden together as Thorns Nah. 1.10 and whilst they are drunken as Drunkards they shall be destroyed as Stubble fully dry Isa 27.4 Who would saith God set the Briars and Thorns against me in Battel I would go through them I would burn them together Inferences IS it not a strange and marvellous thing that God's People are no more scratch'd and prick'd with these troublesom Thorns considering what a Multitude of them are amongst us 2. It may caution all true Christians how they meddle with these pricking Thorns 3. It shews the Folly of the Wicked who strive with the Almighty and set themselves in Battel against Him who is a consuming Fire and they but Thorns and Briars or like Stubble fully dry Wicked Men compared to Mountains Isa 41.15 Thou shalt thresh the Mountains and beat thm small c. Isa 2.14 Vpon all high Mountains that are lifted up
come upon them partly by the Pride abominable Lust and Extravagancy of their Parents and partly by their own Idleness Lust and Prodigality Even so the spiritual Want and Poverty of Men was in part brought upon them by the Sins of our first Parents and partly by their own actual Sins This is the State of unregenerate Persons they are all even thus poor and miserable And happy are they who see this to be their Condition Mat. 5.3 Blessed are the Poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Those who see their own Wants Poverty and Misery shall out of the Fulness of Jesus Christ be supplied with whatsoever they need for tho Man naturally be so poor that he hath nothing can do nothing and hath no earthly Friend or Brother that can do any thing for him and besides he owes ten thousand Talents and is worth no regard nor pity yet the eternal God hath found out a Way for the manifestation of his own glorious Grace and Bounty to enrich him and make him happy for ever 2 Cor. 8.9 He that was rich became poor that we through his Poverty might be made rich Disparity POor Men are full of Complaints they commonly bewail their Poverty and would gladly have all their Wants supplied and be made rich if they knew but which way it might be done But wicked Men tho they are poor so poor and miserable as hath been shewn yet they are contented being wofully blinded by the Devil c. So that tho they are daily told how they may be made rich yet they slight all Advice and Counsel and stubbornly refuse the Riches of Grace and Glory The Heart of a wicked Man compared to a Rock Jer. 23.29 And like a Hammer that breaks the Rock in pieces Ezek. 11.19 And I will take away the stony Heart c. Luke 8.6 And some fell upon a Rock c. Zech. 7.12 They made their Hearts as an Adamant-Stone NOte The Hearts of Sinners are like Rocks or wicked Men have stony and rocky Hearts Parallels A Rock is a barren and fruitless Place what will grow upon a Rock So the Hearts of wicked Men are barren and unfruitful to God they bring forth no spiritual Fruit to him II. Rain cannot enter nor soak into a Rock but as it falls so it glides off and runs away So the spiritual Rain of Heaven viz. God's Word tho it falls never so powerfully upon ungodly Men it will not enter into their Hearts My Word hath no place in you saith Christ c. Good Doctrine and heavenly Counsel glides off of these spiritual Rocks like Rain from a Rock or high Mountain III. Rocks and Stones are naturally rough and unfit for use until they are hewed and squared c. So the Hearts of wicked Men are naturally rough and unfit for any spiritual use until they are hewed by the Ax and Hammer of the Word Hos 6.5 I have hewed them by the Prophets IV. A little thing will not break a hard Stone or a flinty Rock c. So a little Matter will not break a stony or rocky-hearted Sinner God strikes often and strikes hard gives many a Blow upon their Hearts by his Word and by his Spirit and sometimes by Afflictions before their Hearts will yield or break in pieces V. He that will break a Rock in pieces or hew Stones to make them fit for use must have a meet and convenient Instrument So God makes use of a right and fit Instrument to break in pieces the hard and rocky Hearts of ungodly Men viz. his blessed Word in the hand of the Spirit Is not my Word like a Hammer Jer. 23.29 that breaks the Rock in pieces VI. A Man many times employs Workmen to break a Rock and hew Stones So God employs his Ministers as Work-men in his hand to break these spiritual Rocks and hew these rough and ragged Stones to make them fit to lay in his spiritual Building I have hewed them by the Prophets Hos 6.5 VII Seed that falls upon a Rock or stony Place tho it doth spring up it soon withereth away if the Fowls of Heaven do not pick it up So the Word of God if it be sown upon stony and rocky-hearted Sinners tho it may seem to spring up yet it soon withers for want of Root They believe for a while Luk. 8.13 but in time of Temptation fall away Inferences NO marvel Ministers Work is so hard and laborious they are God's Stone-cutters or Rock-hewers nay and it fares worse with them than with other Work-men that work in Stone-Pits or hew Stones they labour all Day and go home at Night and come again in the Morning and find their Work as they left it But God's Workmen hew and take pains and leave their People and come again and find them worse than before their Hearts many times growing more hard and obdurate c. II. Let not Ministers notwithstanding all this be discouraged for they know not but at last God may set a Word home that may do the Business and make the hard-hearted Sinner tremble and cry out as they did Acts 2.36 Men and Brethren what shall we do Quest But some may say From whence doth it arise or what is the Cause of this spiritual Hardness that is in the Hearts of Men. Answ 1. Naturally the Sinner's Heart is hard and like a Rock we all brought a flinty and churlish Nature into the World with us such is the Effect of original Sin 2. There is also an acquired Hardness Pharaoh hardned his own Heart and the Prophet saith Zech. 7.12 They have made their Hearts as an Adamant-Stone 3. There is a judiciary Hardness of Heart which is inflicted by God as a Judg. Men harden their own Hearts against God and God at length resolves they shall be hard indeed and therefore he withdraws the common Influences of his Grace from them and deprives them of all gracious means of softning And when all these three meet together in a Man Isa 48.4 he is irrecovâ—rably hard and sinful His Neck is an Iron Sinew and his Brow brass 4. A Man is hardned in his Sin gradually and as he grows harder and harder so nearer and nearer to eternal Ruine 1. He takes leave to meditate on Sin he rolls it up and down in his Thoughts as it were a hard Heart lets vain Thoughts dwell in it 2. He takes some Tastes of the Pleasure and Delight of Sin it seems to him as a sweet Morsel under his Tongue and this is a Sign of a further degree of Hardness 3. The third Step is Custom in sinning it argues great Boldness to venture often 4. And then in the next place he defends and maintains his Sin he has got some Plea or Argument for it he is an Advocate for Sin 5. He is angry with them and secretly hates them in his Heart that reprove him for his Sin or advise him against such
are they feed who will reward them in due Time II. It may also caution them to be very careful that they feed Christ's Flock with no other Food than what is of Christ's providing III. It may inform all the Flocks and Sheep of Christ over whom the Holy-Ghost hath appointed Shepherds or Overseers 1. To prize their faithful Ministers observe their Doctrine and eye their holy and heavenly Conversation 2. To walk as Sheep 3. To keep close to their Fold Ministers compared to Ambassadors 2 Cor. 5.20 We are Ambassadors for Christ c. Eph. 6.20 For which I am an Ambassador in Bonds c. THe Words Ambassador Legate or Messenger are synonimous Terms properly such as are commissionated or deputed betwixt distant Parties to transact Affairs of Moment The Term is applied to the Ministers of the Gospel and it sets forth 1. The Dignity 2. The Duty of Ministers Note Faithful Ministers are Christ's Ambassadors c. Ambassador Parallel AMbassadors are authorized and sent abroad by Princes about the great Affairs of their Kingdoms MInisters are authorized empowered and sent by the Lord Jesus the Prince of the Kings of the Earth on the great Affairs of his Glory and Man's Good II. Ambassadors usually are Persons of Eminency 't is an Office that a Prince will not confer upon any of his Subjects but on such as are of great Esteem in his Court such as are fitly qualified for that great Trust confided in them in a word great Honour and Dignity is conferred upon them II. Faithful Ministers of Christ such as are Ministers indeed are eminent Persons such as are great Favourites to the Court of Heaven What higher Dignity doth Christ confer upon any of his Saints here below They also are Men fitly qualified for this great Employment and what their Qualifications are and must be you may see in 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 1. viz. Blameless as the Stewards of God 1 Tim. 3. 1 to 7. Tit. 1.7 8 9. not self-willed not soon angry not given to Wine no Striker not given to filthy Lucre a Lover of Hospitality a Lover of good Men sober just holy temperate holding forth the faithful Word able by sound Doctrine to stop the Mouths of Gainsayers c. not a Brawler not Covetous one that rules well his own House III. The Dignity of Ambassadors appears in the Greatness of their Prince from whom they come they have usually respect according to the Rank and Quality of their Master III. Now true faithful Ministers are sent as Ambassadors from the great God who is King of Heaven and Earth By whom Kings reign and Princes decree Judgment With him is terrible Majesty he rules and reigns over all and who can say unto them What doest thou IV. An Ambassador appears according to the Dignity of the Person whom he represents and whose place he supplies IV. True and faithful Ministers represent the Person of Jesus Christ O! and what Honour is this They are employed in his stead they are his Deputies He is the chief Ambassador called therefore the Messenger of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 from him they receive their Authority V. The Excellency of the Message Ambassadors are sent about shews further the Dignity of the Officers Now there are three sorts of Ambassies in the World Gurnal 1. Ambassies of Peace 2. Ambassies of Marriage 3. State-Ambassies which respect Trade and Commerce c. V. Ministers come with a threefold Ambassy 1. Of Peace 2. Of Marriage 3. Of heavenly Commerce and Trade c. 1. An Ambassador is welcom when he comes from a Prince about Peace and that especially 1. Christ's Ministers are welcom when they come with an Ambassy of Peace and needs they must be so if we consider these Things following 1. When he comes from one that is formidable mighty in Power and whose Armies are irresistible now to a poor weak and naked People how welcom is his Approach 1. These Ambassadors come from that great God that is dreadful in Power that if he speak but in his Wrath the Earth trembles whose Armies are also ready who offers not Peace because he cannot make War or stands in need of our Friendship but meerly from his great Love wherewith he hath loved us c. What can Sinners do to withstand his Power Doth he fear their Hostility Can they shoot their Arrows as high as Heaven If they strike at him he makes their Swords turn into their own Bowels O how gladly should these Ambassadors be received Who would not tremble to think of this God! 2. An Ambassador is welcom when he is sent to a People that have felt already the Impression of his Power and are pining under the bleeding Miseries of his Anger 2. So a Minister of Christ is welcom to poor Sinners who find the Arrows of divine Vengeance sticking in their very Hearts and the Curse of God cleaveth to every Faculty of their Souls who lie bleeding under his heavy Anger 3. An Ambassador is welcom when the Terms he offers are honourable and easy not like the Peace that Nahash offered to the Men of Jabesh-Gilead viz. That they should have every one his right Eye thrust out and lay it as a Reproach to Israel 3. Now the Ministers of the Gospel offer honourable and easy Terms God might require the perfect keeping of the whole Law he might demand Satisfaction for all the Wrongs and Injuries we have done to his Justice but they offer Terms of Peace and Pardon upon the Acknowledgment of Sin and laying down our Arms and to hold no League or secret Friendship with Sin or Satan any longer to take hold of Christ and plead the Atonement of his Blood Believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved 4. An Ambassador is welcom when he offers Peace from a Prince that is real to his Word and gives good security for the performance of what he promises 4. Now God doth by his faithful Ministers give the greatest assurance imaginable of the performance of whatsoever he offers to poor Sinners He hath past his Word nay more 't is upon Oaâ—h Heb. 6. 2. Ambassadors sometimes offer an Alliance by Marriage between one State and another 2. And this is one great part of a Minister's Ambassy he is sent to let Sinners know what good Will the God of Heaven and Earth bears to them and that he is desirous to bestow his own dear Son the Heir of all Things in Marriage upon them what Favour and Grace is this Can Sinners be so sottish foolish and ungrateful as not readily to receive and embrace this Offer 3. Sometimes as we minded before Ambassadors come with an Ambassy for Trade that there may be an open Trade and Commerce between such and such Princes and States c. 3. The Ministers of the Gospel come with Ambassies for Commerce God is willing in Christ's Name to trade with Man again For no sooner had Adam sinned but a War was commenced and all Trade
Church of God and help them by their Counsel and Prayers at all times and not to weaken but strengthen their Hands and protect them from the Scorn Reproach and Oppression of the Enemy as much as lieth in them c. XIII When a Prince finds his Ambassadors cannot succeed in their Business but that all Terms of Peace are rejected he calls them home and then bloody Wars commonly follow XIII So when God sees that the Messenger and Message he sends by his faithful Ministers is slighted and that Sinners remain obstinate after long patience he calls home his Ministers perhaps takes them away by Death and resolves to treat with that People or State no more but contrary-wise to let out his Wrath upon them And thus it fared with Israel of old The Lord God of their Fathers sent to them by his Messengers rising early and sending them c. 2 Chron. 36.15 16. But they mocked the Messengers of God and despised his Word and misused his Prophets until the Wrath of the Lord arose against his People till there was no Remedy Inferences THis shews what great Dignity God hath conferred upon his faithful Ministers and this Title should procure an honourable Esteem of them in the Hearts of all Persons to whom they are sent And this is more necessary to the good Success of their Message than is generally thought tho 't is evident what Ministers speak upon this Subject is misconstrued as if they herein rather sought themselves than to befriend the Gospel or advance the Honour of their Master Men are ready to interpret it as a Fruit of their Pride and an Affectation they have of some outward Grandure and worldly Pomp which they design to gain by such a magnificent Title The Apostle himself was sensible of this and yet would not desist to magnify his Office 1 Cor. 4.5 and therefore saith he Let Men so account of us as Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God and that they should judg nothing before the Time Object But some may say If God will use Ambassadors to treat with Sinners why doth be not use Angels c. 2 Cor. 4.7 Answ 1. The Apostle answers this We have this Treasure in earthen Vessels that the Excellency of the Power may be of God and not of us 2. Ministers being Men have the Advantage many ways above Angels for this Work 1. They are more concerned themselves in the Message they bring than Angels are What greater Argument for a Man's Care than his own Interest 2. They have a more deep Sense arising in their Hearts upon the account of the Temptations they are subject to c. 3. The Sufferings which Ministers meet with for the Gospel's sake are of great advantage to their Brethren had Angels been the Ambassadors they could not have sealed to the Truth of their Doctrine with their Blood they cannot die c. 4. Besides the Presence of Angels might terrify and afrighten us their Glory is so great c. II. This shews that Ministers have a special Commission How shall they preach except they are sent Rom. 10. They must have a lawful Call to this Office as Ambassadors have III. Let poor Sinners from hence be persuaded to hearken to them and carefully receive the Message Ministers bring from the great God and accept of Terms of Peace and close in with Jesus Christ IV. It shews the wonderful Love of God and the great Care he hath of Men's Souls V. It shews what an intolerable Affront is offered to the Majesty of Heaven by those that abuse or deride the Ministers of the Gospel and much greater by them that persecute and imprison them for delivering their Message Paul was an Ambassador in Bonds c. VI. It shews the Weight and Importance of the Preachers Message it is not a slight or sleeveless Errand they come about Deut. 30.15 Joh. 3.36 Mark 16.15 16. I set before you this day Life and Death Hear and your Souls shall live He that believeth not the Wrath of God abideth on him Go into all the World and preach the Gospel to every Creature He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned Ministers compared to Rulers Heb. 13.7 Remember them which have the Rule over you who have spoken unto you the Word of God c. MInisters of the Gospel are Rulers or Governors c. Rulers Parallel RUlers are Men in high Place endued with Power and Authority over others 't is a Name of Dignity SO Ministers are the chief of God's People such as have great Power committed to them as the Deputies and Ambassadors of Christ II. Rulers or Governors have a Law by which they ought to rule and govern in all things II. So Ministers are to rule the House and Church of God by the Rule of God's Word III. 'T is an evil thing and justly reprovable in Rulers to exceed the Limits and Bounds of the Law by which they are to rule and govern or to carry things according to their own Wills and Lusts not regarding the fundamental Laws of the Land where they live III. So 't is an abominable Evil in Ministers to rule according to their own Wills violating the Law of God Ministers may exceed their due Bounds and be arbitrary and tyrannize over the People in things spiritual as well as Civil Rulers or Magistrates in things temporal IV. Rulers in some places are chosen by the People whom they govern 't is the People's Privilege to chuse their Magistrates IV. So Ministers ought to be chosen by the Church 't is the Privilege of the People to chuse their own Pastors and other Officers according to the Qualifications laid down by the Spirit of God 1 Tim. 3.1 2 3. Acts 6.3 Wherefore Brethren look ye out among your selves c. V. Rulers ought to be wise Men Men fearing God See Jethro's Counsel to Moses Exod. 18.21 Thou shalt provide out of all the People able Men such as fear God Men of Truth hating Covetousness 2 Sam. 23.4 c. The God of Israel said the Rock of Israel spake unto me He that ruleth over Men must be just ruling in the Fear of God What a sore Rebuke doth God give covetous Rulers by the Prophet Ezek. 22.27 Her Princes in the midst thereof are like Wolves ravening the Prey to shed Blood and to destroy to get dishonest Gain V. So Ministers ought to be Men wise holy and of a blameless Conversation such as are given to Hospitality 1 Tim. 3.2 3. and not greedy of filthy Lucre. 'T is an odious thing to see a Minister covetous who is required to open the Nature of and preach against that Sin as well as all others and ought to live accordingly How can he preach against that Sin he is guilty of himself or if he doth what good effect can he think it will have upon other Mens Hearts when
Saints and of all that were slain upon the Earth that is since the Destruction of Jerusalem 6. And lastly Not to multiply more upon this Head tho Jerusalem was fearfully destroyed as the History of Josephus shews yet shall she rise again be built upon her own Heap be replenished with her own Children which this City Babylon under Consideration shall never be after this Catastrophe which John saw visionally coming upon it And a mighty Angel took up a Stone like a great Mill-stone Rev. 18.21 and cast it into the Sea saying Thus with violence shall that great City Babylon be thrown down and shall be found no more at all II. It cannot be the Turks and Saracens for two Reasons offered by the Learned Mead lib. 3. p. 643. 1. Because tho they did arise to great Power in the World yet they had not their Seat in that great City which in St. John's Time reigned over the Kings of the Earth which this Babylon is expresly said to have Rev. 17.18 2. That they did not rise by Apostacy from the Christian Religion which this Babylon with her Head the Man of Sin did for as this worthy Author saith the Turk whatever he be could be no Apostate because he was of a Nation that never was Christian To which we shall add something for the clearing of this Head that we may discharge that Debt we owe to God to the Church and the World 3. It cannot be the Turks because they are not strangely and wonderfully mysterious which this Babylon is said to be And upon her Forehead was a Name written MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS Rev. 17.5 AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH And the Angel said unto me Wherefore didst thou marvel I will tell thee the Mystery of the Woman Verse 7. and the Beast which carrieth her which hath the seven Heads and ten Horns What special Mystery hath shewed it self to the World from the Turks and Saracens more than from other common Empires or Kingdoms that is matter of Admiration to the wisest of Men Is it matter of Wonder that the Turks do own but one true and most high God Is it matter of Wonder that they do own Jesus Christ to be a Prophet and a good Man Is it matter of highest Wonder that they prefer Mahomet above Jesus Is it matter of Wonder that they appear true to their Contracts in Matters of Civil Commerce Is it matter of highest Wonder for them to endeavour to keep what Dominion they have and to enlarge it to make Slaves and Prizes of those profest Enemies they take Prisoners We say in none of these things is there any high Mystery or matter of greatest Wonder being Things common to all Places and Kingdoms invested with Power For 1. Did not the great King of Literal Babylon own the only true God yet still held the Church in Captivity 2. Did not Israel own the same and yet kept their Idols after their Revolt from Judah 3. Did not Judah prefer Moses above and before Christ and at that time when Christ was personally amongst them working most stupendous Miracles which did evince his Divine Mission Nay did they not prefer a common and notorious Villain before the blessed Lord of Glory when they desired a Murtherer to be freed and pressed hard to have the good and blessed Jesus the Saviour of the World killed And did not this wise Apostle know this to be true in Fact and to equal nay out-do any thing that the Turks or Saracens ever did or can be accused of And if St. John was transported with astonishing Wonder at Matters much less than he had seen before doth it not give good reason to suspect him of Weakness and Defect that he should suffer himself to be surprized with the greatest Wonder at far less Things than he had seen and known before Certainly therefore we must conclude there was something more of Mystery in John's Vision than what hath been shewed to the World by the Great Turk or any other Power and indeed undoubtedly the greatest Mystery that ever the World was acquainted with For the Characters of Babylon must either be singular that is such as none have besides or else they must be transcendent to go far beyond what others had in a lesser degree Otherwise John might have kept the Description of Babylon to himself there being no clear Distinctions to render the wisest and most discerning Men able to make a Judgment upon her The Mystery then that is written upon this Woman Babylon seems clearly to lie in these Particulars following First That she doth transact the most horrid Wickednesses that ever the World was or is like to be acquainted with Secondly That under this monstrous Guilt she is prodigiously confident and without all regret or show of Shame and most impudently boasts of the highest Sanctity and Holiness in the World viz. That she is totally pure infallibly certain and cannot err c. That this indeed is a Mystery to be wondred at let it be considered 1. That a Shepherd should be a Wolf and devour that Flock which he pretends to be an Overseer or Pastor of 2. That a professed Servant of Jesus Christ and the meanest of Saints should exalt himself above his Master and not above his Master only but above the God of his Master and all other deputed Gods that are Vicegerents to the King of Heaven by slighting and trampling upon the Holy Scriptures and Laws both of God and Princes dispensing with the Breach of them indulging the highest Violation thereof and setting up his own Inventions Traditions and Decrees above them insomuch that there is a thousand times less danger in their esteem in respect of Excommunications and Corporal Punishments in this World or of Damnation in the World to come in breaking and violating the Laws of God and Princes than there is in the Violation or Breach of the Inventions Traditions and Decrees of Mystery Babylon and her Head 3. That one sitting in the Temple of God pretending himself as a poor Apostle Vicar and Successor of Christ nay as the Successor of a poor Fisherman should wear the highest Ensigns of Imperial Dignity 4. That he should be so lordly and prodigiously insolent who was commanded to the greatest Humility and Abasement as to tread upon the Necks of Emperors kick off the Crowns of great Princes and make Kings his Foot-Pages 5. That he should pretend highly yea most highly to God Christ Religion and Holiness and yet espouse to himself as the Darlings of his Bosom not only the chiefest Sons of Belial but all that will decline Sanctity and Religion and embody themselves with those First-born Sons of Wickedness that are of the highest Magnitude and engage themselves in such monstrous and butcherly Practices that humane Nature as such could never act in the butchering of brute Beasts 6. That the Spouse of this prodigious Monster should in Profession own God Jesus
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
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
Wickedness tho an Apostle he is not so far changed since to be fond of a wicked Pope as to make him immediate Deputy to Christ and to impose a Wolf as Shepherd upon the Universal Church 2. Who saith That he is an infallible Judg to determine Articles of Faith and impose them upon great Penalties so that as a Lord he hath Dominion over Mens Faith and Souls too which the Apostles disclaimed 3. Who saith The Church cannot err tho God and the World knows there are not such great Errors in Principles nor such villanous Enormities cursed Actions cruel and immoral Practices in the World besides which the poor Multitude believes and kill others that oppose it and venture Body and Soul upon it 4. That says that a Priest tho he be a treacherous Villain a Contriver of Murther an abominable Adulterer hath Power to absolve his equal and Fellow-Sinner from all his Offences if he come to Confession tho the pretended Penitent keep his old Habit of Wickedness still contrary to what God and Jesus Christ say That the Dauber with untempered Mortar and the Daubed the Layer of the Pillow under sinful Elbows and the Leaner thereon the blind Leader as well as the blind Follower shall all fall together 5. That saith There is a Purgatory that is no part of Heaven or Hell and that Men may be redeemed thence for Money Tho God saith The Redemption of Mens Souls is precious and ceaseth for ever after the Offering of the Body of Jesus once for all that Redemption is not with corruptible Things as Silver and Gold but with the precious Blood of Christ as a Lamb slain without spot 6. That saith That the Hands and Mouth of a filthy unclean Priest can make not only the Bread and Wine sacred but turn both into the real Body and Blood of the Son of God make whole Christ of a pitiful Wafer-Cake that after it is eaten turns to Corruption and before it is earen is a fit Feast for Rats and Mice not only contrary to Reason but the full Verdict of all our Senses 7. That saith That no Person how good and pious soever he be can be saved out of the Pale of their polluted ungodly and devilish Church tho the Scripture plainly affirms That in every Nation he that fears God and worketh Righteousness is accepted with him 8. That says 'T is no Sin to lie swear and forswear to kill slay and murther such as they call Hereticks tho never so good if it be for the Cause of the Church with a thousand Things of the like Import which the People do verily believe And as they dare not gainsay upon their Salvation so will they embrace and use all Opportunities to fight and make Wars overcome Cities and lay waste Countries and Kingdoms to kill and slay by Massacre and all manner of murthering ways all Ranks and Degrees of Men that oppose the horrid Principles and Practices of those cursed Children Nay they will go boldly to their own Death when convict and condemned for Villanies and deny that to day that they were convicted of but yesterday and tho never so notoriously guilty yet will take it upon their Death and Salvation that they are as innocent as the Child unborn What can this be tho they drink it down for most sweet and pleasant Wine but an Infusion of the rankest and most deadly Poyson that the lowest Celler of the Bottomless Pit can afford the very Wine of Fornications and the most dangerous Drunkenness and Intoxication in the World Which is attended with this Aggravation that the best prepared Medicines of the wisest Physician will not recover them for Babylon having made the Multitude drunk with this sort of poysoned Wine how rare is it to have any come to themselves to their right Mind again And to shut up this Head take this Argument Argument If no People in the Christian World hath made the Multitude or common Sort of People drunk corrupted and intoxicated their Minds by wicked Lies and false Doctrine such as before-mentioned as Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath done Then Rome Papal or Church of Rome is this Babylon treated of But no People in the Christian World hath made the Multitude or common Sort of People drunk corrupted and intoxicated their Minds by wicked Lies and false Doctrine such as before-mentioned as Rome hath done Ergo Rome Papal or Church of Rome is this Babylon treated of IX Mystery Babylon is such ill Company as to let Kings be dishonestly familiar with her and make the lower and ruder Sort of her Associates drunk She is said to sit drunk upon a Scarlet-colour'd Beast and this Beast is full of the Names of Blasphemy Rev. 17.3 And I saw a Woman sit upon a Scarlet-coloured Beast full of the Names of Blasphemy c. So that the Woman and the Beast are distinct the Woman the Church the Beast the Secular Power or Civil State This appears evident from divers Considerations arising 1. From other Prophecies relating to the same Thing 2. From the Letter of the Text. 3. From Arguments in Reason 4. From the Confession of the Woman Babylon or the Whore her self Dan. 2. 1. From many Prophecies the latter part of the Image is partly Iron and partly Clay two States really distinct that could never so incorporate as to become one 2. From the Letter of the Text I saw a Woman sit upon a Scarlet-coloured Beast Rev. 17.3 full of the Names of Blasphemy The Colours of the Royal and Imperial Vestments the Angel in the next Words declares distinct and the Apostle in the Vision beheld them distinct 3. They appear to be distinct from Arguments in Reason For 1. The Beast is in the Masculine the Whore in the Feminine Gender Ver. 11 2 4 6 16. compared 2. The Whore else did sit and ride upon her self an high Absurdity 3. The Horns being of the Beast shall hate the Whore if not distinct the Whore must hate her self even to Ruine and Desolation which is nonsensical 4. The Beast shall abide tho in Captivity after the Whore is thrown down or destroyed 4. From the plain Confession of the Woman or Whore her self who saith I sit a Queen I am no Widow Ergo she hath a Head or Husband which is the Beast little Horn or Man of Sin that Paul declared should rise after the removal of the then present Power which did lett which the Primitive Fathers as Tertullian Cyprian Jerome and others understood to be the Imperial Power in its pure civil iron or unmixed State IX Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath not only been ill Company to the Kings and great Men of the Earth in drawing them into her Idolâ—try Abuse of God his blessed Son the Christian Religion and blessed Books of the Old and New Testament but she hath made the lower and ruder Sort of People drunk too And 't is no Wonder she thinks she may do any thing
before this Division was but low and small being confined to his Episcopal Power over the Church till by his Arts he had got up gradually to the Regal Seat and Power of the Temporal Sword which he managed with so much Craft and Policy that afterwards he enlarged his Dominions but is very rightfully in his Infancy stiled a little Prince Power or Horn arising up amongst or after the rest which began presently after the Death of Julian about the Year 365 in which Time was a most fearful Earthquake the like never known before betokening the Decay of the Fourth Kingdom in its Civil State or Power by a Division or falling of Nations who set themselves against the Power of Rome and harrassed wasted and destroyed the Provinces thereof for near forty five Years together See Mede lib. 3. p. 659. III. This little Horn after his Rise to Temporal Power plucks up three of the ten Horns by the Roots Dan. 7.8 Before whom there were three of the first Horns pluck'd up by the Roots III. The Papal Power having gained the Temporal Sword tho but a little Horn at his beginning did practise and prosper so that betwixt the Year 365 and the Year 456 or soon after when Rome was sack'd by Gensericus he gained such Enlargements that he came to possess about three parts of ten of the former or old Roman Dominions according to the Rules or Measure of the Compass as we find in Mr. Mede lib. 3. p. 658. and famous Du-Moulin ubi suprà Upon which three Characters of the little Horn we frame this short Argument If the Pope of Rome did arise to Temporal Power upon the weakning of the Caesarean Dominion which before did hinder him in his aspiring Usurpation was but little in his first Rise and Appearance did enlarge and grow to a Possession of about a third part of the old Roman Dominion Then the Pope of Rome is the little Horn the Wicked Power and vile Person set forth by the Prophet Daniel But the Antecedent is true Ergo so is the Consequent IV. This little Horn hath Eyes like the Eyes of a Man c. IV. The Pope of Rome hath Eyes like the Eyes of a Man the Resemblance of a humane Look but a Heart like the Dragon out of which foul Mouth he utters presumptuous Things His Predecessors had Eyes like a Leopard a Bear a Lion a Dragon but this hath Eyes like a Man In which there are three things to be noted 1. He looks higher 2. Sees further and 3. Is more enticing than those that went before him 1. He looks higher that is makes a pretence of Piety and Design for Heaven 2. Sees further that Deceit Flattery and Policy will do more than Strength 3. Is more enticing to Kings and People than the Eyes of a Leopard Lion or Dragon or the former Powers in their Heathen State V. This little Horn hath a Mouth speaking great or presumptuous Things above the rate of ordinary Men. Dan. 7.8 V. The Pope of Rome hath a Mouth speaking great or presumptuous Things above the ordinary rate of Men. This is evident in many respects of which we shall give you but a few Instances out of many 1. That he is the highest Deputy of God above all the Kings of the Earth 2. That he is infallible and cannot err which is an incommunicable Attribute of the Most High 3. That he is universal Head and Bishop of the Catholick Church 4 He assumes the Attributes of his Holiness and holy Father such an Oracle that has Right or Power to give Laws to the World to which all ought to subscribe and yield obedience and none ought to dispute Greater and more loftily can no Man speak unless he will say I am the Supreme Being and there is no God in Heaven or Earth above my self which would be so highly ridiculous that every Ideot would be able to detect it VI. The little Horn had his Looks more stout than his Fellows Dan. 7.20 Whose Looks were more stout c. VI. The Pope of Rome has Looks more stout than the Horns that have been contemporary with him which appears in three things 1. In his terrible Bulls that he makes to roar and stare most dreadfully 2. In his Power and Acts of deposing Princes 3. In asserting himself to be God's Vicegerent against whom no Person upon any Cause or Pretence whatsoever ought to lift up Hand or Tongue upon the Penalty of a total Ruine in this World and an eternal Ruine in the World to come VII The little Horn makes War with the Saints Dan. 7.21 I beheld and the same Horn made War with the Saints and prevailed against them and that for a long Time even to the wearing out of the poor Saints of the Most High Verse 25. VII The Pope of Rome hath made War with the Saints and prevailed against them and that to their Ruine as to Liberty Estate and even Life it self as the true Witnesses of Christ have most sadly experienced in many Countries in divers by-past Ages even for such a Series of Time that may be properly called a wearing out of the Saints of the Most High for his Cruelty ended not in a Month or a Year but hath lasted for many hundred Years So that for Length of Time Numbers of Countries and Multitude of Persons there is no Power that ever reigned hath out-done or equalized this vile and bloody Monster upon which we frame this Argument If the Pope of Rome may be more fitly said to have Eyes like the Eyes of a Man a Mouth speaking presumptuous Things and Looks more stout than his Fellows to have made War with the Saints to have prevailed against them and wore them out more than any other Power that ever yet reigned Then he is the little Horn or vile Person under Consideration But the former is true Ergo so is the latter VIII The little Horn is diverse from the rest of the Horns Dan. 7.24 And he shall be diverse from the first and shall subdue three Kings VIII The Pope of Rome is diverse from the rest of the Potentates in these four respects 1. The Manner of his Rise 2. His Pretensions to Power 3. In his progress to his Height of Dignity 4. In his Management of the Power he has usurped 1. He was small or little in his Rise but an ordinary Bishop before he came to be a Temporal Prince 2. He pretends not to hold his Kingdom by Inheritance or Gift of the People as other Kings do but by a special and Divine Patent 3. In his progress to the Height of his Dignity by leaving his fixed Station as Pastor of a Church and by Deceit Treason and Violation of all Laws mounts the Throne of Imperial Grandure 4. He rules by a supreme Ecclesiastical Power as well as Temporal pretends to the Keys of Heaven as well as the Sword of Justice on Earth shewing himself to be the Beast that hath two Horns
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
God waits upon them and strives with them to bring them over to the Knowledg of the Truth is the Time of Light and when God takes away the Means of Grace and the Gospel from a Kingdom Nation or particular Soul that is a Time of Darkness and then it may be said the Day is gone and Night is come upon them III. 'T is Day when the Sun rises and Night when the Sun sets So 't is the Sinner's Day whilst the Gospel-Sun shines and the Means of Grace are continued to them but Night then when the Ministration of the Gospel is taken away and no more Means of Grace afforded to them IV. The Day is Man's working Time Labourers in the Field when the Day is ended go home they can work no longer So whilst God affords the Gospel and Means of Grace Sinners should like faithful Labourers work hard work out their own Salvation labour for the Meat that perisheth not for when that is gone no Man can work then the Things of their Peace will be hid from their Eyes like as it fell out with Jerusalem V. The Day brings great Light with it which makes great Discoveries of Persons and Things whilst the Night lasts Men cannot see what is near them neither the Good they may receive nor the Evil they should refuse and escape from but the Day discovers all and makes every thing manifest So the Gospel-Day brings Light and the Light thereof discovers the Evil that is in the Hearts Works and Lives of Men by this Light they see their Sins and the Danger they are in thereby and also the Way to be delivered from them Christ is the Way which the Day-Light makes manifest In the Night of Popery Men lost the blessed Path to Peace and Way of Life and ran to the Merits of their own Ways and to Popish Pardons and what not but the Day of the Gospel in England hath discovered their Mistake and shewed them the plain Way to Heaven c. Ecclâ—s 11.7 VI. The Day is comfortable 't is a pleasant thing for the Eyes to see the Sun So are the Means of Grace and the Day of Gospel-Light O how sweet and pleasant a thing it is to see this Day wherein the Word of God is powerfully and plainly preached amongst us VII The Day sometimes is over-cast and the Light darkned So the Gospel-Day is sometimes as a Judgment upon a People or particular Soul darkned and Clouds seem to cover the glorious Heavens even as at this Time O what thick and black Clouds seem to arise VIII Some Days prove stormy and high Winds arise So sometimes the Day of Gospel-Grace proves stormy and high Winds of Persecution arise upon a People nay not only Winds of Persecution but also strange Whirl-winds of Delusions abound in it which make it very perilous IX A Day hath its Morning its Noon and its Evening So hath the Day of Gospel-Grace in a Nation and to a particular Soul who improves it not God threatned his People of old Mich. 3.6 That the Sun should go down over the Prophets and the Day should he dark over them X. The Day suits not with some Men they are for the Night they are said to rebel against the Light they hate the Light the Night is for them such are the Thief and Adulterer Pov. 7.9 The Whorish Woman waits for the Twilight even for the black and dark Night So many Sinners love not the Day of Gospel-Light they are for the Night of Ignorance and Error They had rather have Popery come or any Thing come than to have the Gospel or the powerful Preaching thereof it suits best with their carnal Hearts they love that Religion that indulges them in their brutish Lusts XI There are many ways to know when the Day draws towards an end and Night approaches As 1. When the Heat of the Sun abates 2. When the Shadows grow long or are stretched forth 3. When the Harvest-Men begin to go home apace 4. When the Evening-Wolves begin to lurk out of their Holes Now when these Signs are upon a People in a spiritual sence their State is bad they may fear Night approaches upon them 1. When the Gospel in its powerful Preaching abates in its Heat and blessed Influences upon Mens Hearts so that but a few are warmed and effectually wrought upon by it 2. When Religion is more in Shew than in Substance when the Shadow is long and the Substance little Men being more zealous for the Form than concerned for the Power of it 3. When many powerful or painful Ministers and Labourers are called home 4. When the Romish Wolves who have lain long in their Holes and dark Caverns or lurking Places begin to come boldly abroad and impudently shew themselves 't is a Sign of Evening-Tide and that the Day is near expiring Is not this thy State O England The Means of Grace compared to the Summer Jer. 8.20 The Summer is ended c. By Summer is doubtless meant that Time that God allows Men to gather in and lay up spiritual Good for their precious Souls The Time of Gospel-Light or Means of Grace is compared to the Summer Parallels THe Summer is the chief Time of the Year that Season which generally all Men prize long for and rejoyce in So the Time of Gospel-Grace and Gospel-Light is the chiefest and choicest Season in the World The Time of the Gospel the Dispensation of the Gospel was the Time which the Prophets and many good and righteous Men of old longed for and which all sincere godly Persons do prize and rejoyce in II. Summer is the Season that ripens the Fruits of the Earth were it not for the Heat and Influence of Summer what would become of the Husband-man's Labour So the Means of Grace or Ministration of the Gospel ripens the good Seed which is sown in the godly Man's Heart nay it maketh all fit and ready for the Harvest and for cutting down It ripens the godly Man for Heaven and the ungodly Man for Hell The Word is either a Savour of Life unto Life or else the Savour of Death unto Death it either softens or hardens It hath the same Effects upon Mens Hearts that the Sun hath in the hottest Time of Summer upon that which it sends forth its Influence upon III. The Summer is the poor Man's working Time 't is the Season in which he is to provide himself for Winter with such things he wants The Day of Gospel-Grace is the Saints Summer 't is the Time in which he works hard gathers in and lays up for his immortal Soul He learns of the Ant who provides her Meat in Summer c. Prov. 6. IV. In Summer every thing looks green the Herbs Grass Plants Trees and all the Fruits of the Earth are in their Beauty and greatest Glory So in the Day of Gospel-Grace whilst God affords Means of much Light and Knowledg when Seasons Sabbaths Sermons and Ordinances in a
Gentleness Goodness Meekness Temperance Pardon of Sin Communion with God Joy in the Holy-Ghost c. Now he ought to know all these Things the true from the counterfeit And next unto the Graces of the Spirit and the other excellent and rare Things he deals in there are the Ordinances of the Gospel the Nature and Usefulness of which he ought also to understand and not to be deceived about them lest he take the Traditions of Men for Christ's Institutions IV. A Man who sets up a Trade ought also to know who he is to deal or trade with So ought every Christian and that is God through the Mediator Jesus Christ for without him there is no trading to Heaven 'T is by him we believe in God by him we come to the Father Christ is a Saint's only Correspondent he receives all our Prayers and Duties and makes Returns of Mercies V. A Man who begins a Trade ought to be well instructed and to know every particular Art and Mystery in it Some Trades or Professions are hard to learn they are full of Mystery and very intricate and if they understand them not or are not Crafts-masters therein they will never live comfortably of them as Experience commonly sheweth So every Christian ought to learn the Mystery of Godliness this heavenly Calling is not easily learned there is no Trade that is more mysterious than the Trade or Art of Godliness as we shall fully evince and make appear 1. By plain Texts of Scripture 2. By Arguments and Demonstrations drawn there-from As to the First see these Scriptures 1 Cor. 2.7 But we speak the Wisdom of God in a Mystery even the hidden Wisdom c. Compared with Rom. 16.25 Eph. 1.9 3.3 4. Col. 1.26 1 Tim. 3.16 Without Controversy great is the Mystery of Godliness God manifest in the Flesh c. Godliness is twofold 1. The Doctrinal Part. 2. The Practical Part. A Mystery is a Thing hidden hard to find out that which few understand Godliness a Mystery which lies not open to the Sight and Apprehension of Men. Many Arts used amongst Men are full of Mystery If a Man go into a Chymist's Shop possibly he may see there several Extractions of Minerals but he may not know how he extracted those Spirits nor doth he understand the Nature and Operation of them that is a Mystery There are divers other curious Arts and Devices very hard to learn they are so mysterious but all come short of these heavenly Mysteries The Mysteries of Godliness are exceeding great 1. These Things are hidden Things from the Eyes of Men. See Mat. 11.25 The Gospel is read daily every Man hath the History of it in his House but alas very few understand it 't is a Mystery 't is not known but by such only who feel its Power and blessed Effects and Operations of it upon their Hearts 2. The Gospel and great Things of Christianity and Godliness are the rare Contrivance of God's eternal Wisdom 1 Cor. 8.1 and therefore full of Mystery If any Man thinks he knows any thing he knoweth nothing as he ought to know These things are not easily found out 3. The History of the Gospel and Principles of Christianity and Godliness could not be known without Revelation had not God afforded us the written Word what should we John 20.31 Rom. 16.25 26. or could we have known of these Mysteries What do the Heathen know of them that have not the Holy Scripture Doth the Light within discover the Incarnation Birth Life Death Resurrection Ascension and Intercession of Jesus Christ Doth that teach the Mystery of Faith and Regeneration 'T is true some have affirmed that they should have known all Things the Gospel reveals if they had never had the written Word But how false that is appears to all and they themselves have been silenced by putting one Question to them John 20 30. which is this 'T is said in John 20. Many other Signs did Jesus in the presence of his Disciples which are not written c. Now let them shew us what those other Signs were But alas they can tell us nothing but what the Scripture relates neither had we or they known them but by the Record thereof That which we have the History of and yet cannot understand or make our own unless the Spirit of God opens and explains it to us is a great Mystery But we cannot understand the Mystery of Religion and Godliness without the Spirit 's Teaching and Explanation Ergo c. As the History must be revealed by the written Word so the Mystery must be revealed by the Spirit For what Man knoweth the Things of a Man save the Spirit of a Man 1 Cor. 2.11 which is in him even so the Things of God knoweth no Man but the Spirit of God 4. That which needs or requires several Gradations and Mediums to open and explain it from time to time is a great Mystery But the Gospel or Mystery of Godliness requires such several Gradations and Mediums to open it unto the Children of Men. 1. God under the Law revealed these Things by divers Sacrifices Washings and other Rites whilst Persons remained in their Non-age 2. It requires the Use of divers earthly Similitudes to open and explain it to the Understanding of Men. God is compared to a Father to an Husband-man to a Judg to a Creditor to a Portion to an Housholder c. Christ to a Lamb to Light to an Husband to a Vine to a Shepherd c. The Spirit is compared to the Wind to Oil to Water and Grace to Seed to Gold tried in the Fire c. The Mysteries of Religion and Godliness are so hard to understand in their own Nature that God condescends to open them to us by earthly Things In this God shews what Children we are and how difficult 't is for us to understand these Things And tho they are thus explained yet how little is it that we are able to understand of them Now that which the Children of Men are not able fully to take in or comprehend tho God makes use of the best Mediums he in his Wisdom sees good to make use of is a great Mystery But the Children of Men are able to take in but little of the Mysteries of the Gospel notwithstanding these gracious Mediums God is pleased to make use of Ergo c. 5. That which the Children of Men are not able to take in or receive the knowledg of at once but when God fees necessary to discover by degrees by little and little notwithstanding all those proper and fit Mediums he condescends to make use of is a great Mystery But the Mysteries of the Gospel and Godliness God sees the Children of Men notwithstanding all those Mediums he is pleased to make use of cannot take in or receive at once but that there is need for him to open and discover them by degrees by little and little Ergo 't is
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
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
or Believer wants the Father commands them to go to Jesus and to hear him in every thing that he shall say unto them This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Mat. 3. hear ye him Moses a Type of Christ MOses was a Type of Christ in his Person 1. He was of mean Parents and Birth So was Christ in respect of his Flesh or human Nature of a poor decayed and driâ—d Stock being born of a poor Virgin 2. Moses was no sooner born but he was exposed to the Wrath of Pharaoh King of Egypt who sought to put him to death So Christ in his Infancy was sought by King Herod to be slain but both by God's extraordinary Providence were delivered 3. Moses was of a meek and sweet disposition above all that dwelt upon the Earth yet full of Zeal and Indignation against Sin So Christ was a Pattern of Meekness and Humility Learn of me c. Mat. 11.28 29. II. Moses in his Office and Function was a Type of Christ 1. He was appointed by God and sent to deliver Israel out of Pharaoh's cruel Bondage So Jesus Christ was appointed and sent to deliver all the Israel of God from the cruel Bondage of Satan and heavy Oppression and Burthen of Sin 2. Moses was sent to lead Israel towarâ—s Canaan So Jesus Christ leads us to Heaven the Anti-type of Canaan But in this there is a Disparity Moses led Israel but unto the Sight of the promised Land but Jesus Christ leads us quite into Heaven or the Land of Promise 3. Moses was learned in all the Learning of Egypt Christ was learned to admiration his Enemies cried out From whence hath he all this Learning 4. Moses gave the Law having first received it from the hand of God So Jesus Christ hath given us the Law of the Gospel as he received it from his Father 5. Moses was Mediator of the First Covenant and as so considered was both King Priest and Prophet Jesus Christ is Mediator of the Second Covenant and as so also both King Priest and Prophet 6. Moses wrought many mighty Miracles in Egypt at the Red Sea and in the Wilderness to confirm the Law and to shew Israel that he was really sent of God So Jesus Christ wrought many strange and wonderful Miracles by Sea and Land in Towns and Deserts to manifest his Glory to shew he was sâ—nt of God and to confirm his Doctrine 7. Moses instituted the Passeover So Christ the true Moses instituted the Supper III. Moses in his Faithfulness was a Type of Christ he was faithful as a Servant he did all things exactly according to the Pattern shewed him in the Mount Heb. 3.5 So Christ in all things was faithful as a Son IV. Moses being to deliver the Law fasted forty Days and forty Nights in the Mountain alone Christ being to preach the Gospel fasted so long in the Wilderness V. He was a Type of Christ in many particular Actions of his Life 1. Moses married an Ethiopian a Stranger a Black So Christ espoused the Gentiles who were Strangers to God and by reason of Sin as black as Hell could make them 2. Moses sweetned the bitter Waters of Marah by a Tree cast into it So Christ sweetens all our Afflictions by the means of his Cross 3. Moses led Israel through the Red Sea Christ leads his Church through a Sea of Tribulation 4. As Moses was transfigured on Mount Sinai and seem'd so glorious that the Children of Israel could not behold his Face So Jesus Christ also was transfigured in Mount Tabor so as his Disciples were amazed and wist not what they said Joshua a Type of Christ Parallels JOshua or Jesus he was a Saviour as his Name signifies he saved Israel from temporal and external Enemies and Calamities So Christ saves us from all spiritual and internal Enemies and Miseries as well as he will from all external II. Joshua led Israel quite into Canaan not only unto the sight of it but into it So Christ leads us as we said before into Heaven What Moses could not do Joshua did do upon this account So what the Law could not do being weak through the Flesh Christ our Joshua hath done III. Joshua was a mighty Conqueror So is Christ Joshua overcame and utterly destroyed many Kings that so he might give Israel the peaceable Possession of the Land of Canaan So Jâ—sus Christ overcame and totally vanquished divers mighty Kings and Enemies of our Souls that so he might give us a certain Assurance of the eternal Inheritance viz. 1. Satan the great King of the Bottomless-Pit 2. Sin who like a cruel and merciless King and Tyrant reigned over all the Children of Men. 3. Death the King of Terrors c. IV. All the good Promises God made to Israel were fulfilled by the hands of Joshua So all the gracious Promises of God to his Elect were fulfilled in and by Jesus Christ V. Joshua saved Rahab's House that had the red Cord hung out at the Window So Jesus Christ saves all poor penitent Sinners that express Faith in his Blood VI. He accepâ—ed also the Gibeonites who humbly entreated Peace of him So doth Christ all sincere Converts who wisely seek to him for Mercy Sampson a Type of Christ Parallels SAmpson's Nativity was foretold by an Angel of God So was the Conception and Nativity of Jesus Christ foretold by an Angel 2. Sampson was sanctified from the Womb So was Christ much more II. Sampson in respect of his great Strength as some conceive was a Type of Christ III. He conquered a stout Lion in the Desert hand to hand as it were So Christ overcame the roaring Lion the Devil in the Wilderness and made him flie IV. He slew many of God's Enemies by his Death So Jesus Christ by Death overcame Sin Satan Hell and the Grave David a Type of Christ Dr. Taylor AS all the Kings of Israel were express Types of Jesus Christ the Head of his Kingdom and of all the People of God c. So were there two of them that were more manifest Figures of him than all the rest I mean David and Solomon of both which we shall enquire wherein the Resemblance consisteth David was so special a Type of the Lord Jesus as scarce is any thing noted of Christ but some Shadow of it might be observed in David some of which we shall briefly touch upon in the following Parallels Parallels Isa 11.1 I. For his Person David the Son of Jesse Christ the true Rod out of the Stock of Jesse Both of obscure and low Parentage both out of dry and despicable Roots II David was a King of Israel and had his Kingdom raised out of Humility Christ is a King King of Saints and King of Nations and yet at first his Kingdom was small and rose by degrees much after the manner as David's did whose Kingdom was the Figure of it III. David was a Man after God's own Heart
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
see Corruption XIII The Fire which consumed the Burnt-Offering came down from Heaven signifying that that Wrath which seized on Jesus Christ in the Garden and on the Cross came from Heaven or that it was God's Wrath due to us for our Sins that consumed him Or as others it may be on better reason give it that that which moved Christ to suffer for Mankind was wholly his heavenly sacred and divine Love XIV This Fire was to be continually upon the Altar signifying the Unchangeableness of Christ's Love to his Elect and recâ—nt Virtue of his Death and Merits The Burnt-Offering of Fowls Levit. 1.14 a Type of Christ THe Fowls that were appointed for Burnt-Offerings were to be Turtles or Pigeons signifying the Meekness and Innocency of Christ II. The Neck of the Fowl was to be pinched with the Nail that the Blood might go out but not that the Head should be pluck'd off from the Body signifying how Christ should die and shed his Blood yet thereby his Deity as the Head or principal Part should not be divided from his Humanity nor yet by his Death should he who is our Head Joh. 14. be taken from his Church but should rise again and be with them by his Spirit forever III. The Blood thereof was strained or pressed out at the side of the Altar before it was pluck'd and laid upon the Altar to be burned signifying thereby the straining or pressing out of Christ's Blood in his grievous Agony in the Garden before he was taken Luke 24.44 and stripp'd to be crucified c. The Daily Sacrifice a Type of Christ THe Daily Sacrifice was a Lamb So our Saviour not daily but once for all was offered unto the Father himself as a Lamb without spot II. It was slain in the Morning and in the Evening to shew that Christ was a Lamb slain from the Morning of the Creation or in the Decree of God from the Foundation of the World tho not actually till the Evening of the World or latter Days III. It was to be offered up with fine Flower beaten Oil and Wine to shew that Christ by his Death and Oblation becomes not only a Redemption for us but also spiritual Food Gladness and cheering Comfort IV. Where this Sacrifice was offered Exod. 24.42 the Lord promised and appointed to speak unto Israel and shew himself signifying that in Christ and through his Death and Bloodshed the new Appointment or Covenant of his Grace and Manifestation of his Love and Favour is established to his Church and faithful People The Sin-Offering a Type of Christ THe Blood of the Sin-Offering was to be poured out shewing how the Blood of Jesus Christ our true Sin-Offering should be poured forth II. The Priest saith the Lord shall dip his Finger in the Blood of the Beast and sprinkle thereof seven times before the Lord shadowing the Perfection of that Expiation and Satisfaction for Sin which Christ should make in the virtue quality and perpetuity thereof the Number of Seven being the Number of Perfection Heb 9.29 III. The Priest shall bring in the Blood of the Bullock into the Tabernacle of the Congregation shewing thereby how Christ should enter into Heaven by his own Blood Heb. 9 1â— having obtained eternal Redemption for us IV. The Priest was to take some of the Blood Mark 16.15 Mat. 28. and put it upon the four Horns of the Altar signifying thereby that the preaching Remission of Sins by the Atonement of Christ's Blood should be proclaimed to the four Corners of the Earth V. The Bodies of those Beasts whose Blood was brought into the Sanctuary by the High-Priest was burnt without the Host or Camp signifying that Christ should suffer without the Gate teaching us also to go forth into a publick Profession Heb. 13.11 12. and bear his Reproach VI. The Priest was to eat the Sin-Offering in the holy Place whose Blood was not brought into the Tabernacle of the Congregation signifying that Jesus Christ doth not only reconcile us to God but also feed and nourish the Souls of all his Royal Priesthood unto eternal Life VII The Priest shall make Atonement still this is repeated always signifying that 't is Christ our High-Priest and his Sacrifice only that makes a real Atonement and Reconciliation for our Sins The Meat-Offering Lev. 2. what it was a Type of THe Meat-Offerings as Ainsworth observes were nine and all of them came to the Altar 1. The poor Man's Meat-Offâ—ring Lev. 5.11 2. The Jealousy-Offering Numb 5.15 3. The Meat Offering of Initiation which every Priest offered when he first entred into his Service Levit. 8.26 28. 4. The Meat-Offering which the High-Priest offered every day Lev. 6.20 5. The Meat-Offering of fine Flower 6. The Meat-Offering baked on a Plate 7. In a Frying-Pan 8. In an Oven 9. Wafers 1. The Minchah or Meat-Offering saith he was primarily a Figure of Christ's Oblation Eph. 5.2 who gave himself for us an Oblation and Sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling Savâ—ur Sacrifice and Oblation Minchah thou wouldest not but a Body hast thou prepared me c. Above Heb. 10.5 8 9 10. when he said Sacrifice and Oblation and Burnt-Offerings for Sin thou wouldest not c. Then said he Lo I come to do thy Will O God c. by which Will we are sanctified through the Offering of Christ once for all So that in the Oblation of Christ's Body this Legal Service was accomplished and ended 2. It figured saith he the Persons of Christians who through him are cleansed and sanctified to be pure Oblations unto God 3. It figured saith he the Fruits of Grace and good Works that Christians are to perform both towards God and Men. 1. Towards God Let the lifting up of my Hands saith David Psal 141.2 be as the Evening Minchah or Oblation So when God told the Jews I will not accept a Minchah or Meat-Offering at your Hands he addeth For from the rising of the Sun Mal. 1.10 11. even to the going down of the same my Name shall be great among the Gentiles and in every Place Incense shall be offâ—red unto my Name and a pure Meat-Offering Which is fulfilled when Men pray every where lifting up holy Hands c. 2. Towards Men see Heb. 13.16 Phil. 4.18 4. All the Meat Offerings were of Wheaten Flower except the Jealousy-Offering and the waved Sheaf yea and ought to be of fine Flower signifying the Purity and Perfection of Christ as also that we should offer our best Things to the Lord. Eph. 5 2. Rom. 12.1 5. Oil and Incense was put thereon The Oil saith he signified the Graces and Comforts of the Holy-Ghost and the Incense or Frankincense shewed how acceptable Saints and their Services are unto the Lord. 6. It must be brought to the Priest and he shall bring it to the Altar shadowing that 't is by Christ and his Oblation that we and our Works and Duties are
accepted of God 7. That which was burnt thereof was a Memorial and sweet Savour before the Lord signifying that the Death of Christ and his Merits should be an eternal Memorial before his Father to be merciful unto us 8. It must be without Leaven to shew that Christ was without Sin and that we must worship God in Sincerity 2 Cor. 5.9 without Malicâ— in our Hearts and without Hypocrisy 9. All Meat-Offerings were to be seasoned with Salt signifying thereby that as Salt seasoneth and keâ—peth from Corruption so Christ seasoneth us and all our Services and makes them acceptable to God and that his Grace preserveth us from spiritual Corruption 10. The Priest and his Sons shall eat saith the Lord of the Meat-Offering in the holy Place without Leaven Thus saith Ainsworth the Meat-Offering signified the Maintenance and Livelihood of God's Ministers This is to be understood of the Meat-Offering alone but the Meat and Drink-Offerings added to other Sacrifices were not to be eaten but burnt and poured all upon the Altar c. before the Lord which figured forth saith he the Graces and good Works whereby we honour Christ and relieve his poor Saints as also our Communion with Christ and his People in his House and blessed Participation of his Death 11. It must have no Honey in it tho Honey be sweet and contrary to the Nature of sour Leaven yet being much eaten it breedeth Loathsomness and is not good but turneth to Choler c. Both these were forbidden in this Sacrifice viz. both Leaven and Honey to signify the Perfection of Christ and the excellent State of Believers in him as they are sincere and without guile before the Throne of God and the Lamb. Besides it may signify that there is enough in Christ alone without the Sweets of carnal Delights to satisfy a gracious Heart The Peace-Offering and what it was a Type of Levit. 3. IN many things this Offering was alike with the Rites of the Burnt or Sin-Offering and much of the same Signification and therefore we shall only speak to it wherein it differed from them His Oblation or his Korban which the Greeks translate Gift and so Korban is by the Evangelist expounded Mark 7.11 Peace-Offering or Pay-Offering So Ainsworth Hebr. a Sacrifice of Payments or of Pacification c. whereby Men paid unto God Confession and Thanks for their Peace and Prosperity Thy Vows are upon me O God Psal 56.13 I will pay Confessions unto thee These Sacrifices were of sundry sorts either for Confession or Thanksgivings Levit. 7.11 12. 1. The Peace-Offering was to be eaten the same day which might signify how it behoveth us to hasten and not delay to come to Christ and keep God's Commandments or Psal 119.60 Heb. 3.12 13. as Ainsworth hath it with speed whilst it is called to day to be Partakers of Christ eating his Flesh by Faith and every day to be thankful to God for all his Mercies If any of the Peace-Offering be eaten at all on the third Day it shall not saith the Lord be accepted neither shall it be imputed to him that offereth it it shall be an Abomination and the Soul that eateth it shall bear his Iniquity Which may shew us what a dangerous thing it is to defer or put off a hearty closing in with Christ to an after-Time c. On the third Day what remained was to be burnt which Ainsworth saith chiefly signified Châ—ist's rising from the Dead on the third Day to abolish all Legal Offerings 2. The Peace-Offerings were to be eaten with Cakes of leavened Bread and yet with Bread unleavened The Bread brought with the Sacrifice of Confession as you have it in Maim Treatise of Offering was thus prepared He took twenty Tenths or Bottles of fine Flower and made of them ten Bottles leavened and ten unleavened the ten that were leavened he made of them ten Cakes and the ten that were unleavened he made of them thirty Cakes equally of every sort viz ten Cakes baked in the Oven ten Cakes hastily fried c. And the Priest took one of all four Cakes one of every sort c. Leaven as it figured Corruption of Nature Hypocrisy or Malice as 't is noted by Ainsworth was usually forbidden in all Sacrifices but yet Leaven in the Sacrifice of Thanksgiving or Confession was accepted which might hold forth God's gracious acceptance of us in Christ being sincere signified by the unleavened Cakes notwithstanding our manyfold Câ—rruptions and Infirmities figured by the leavened Cakes Or as that learned Author notes to signify how careful we should be to prepare our selves Leaven being used sometimes in a good sence denoting Grace See Ainsworth on Levit 7.13 and also to teach us to temper our Joys with Sorrow and Afflictionâ— in this Life as the Prophet's Heart saith he was leavened Psal 73.21 2. If any unclean Person saith the Lord eat of the Flesh of the Peace-Offering he shall be cut off from his People Levit. 7.20 signifying the fearful Destruction and Punishment that attends all carnal Professors who dare adventure to rely upon or partake of Christ 1 Cor. 11. and yet lead an unclean and wicked Life 4. The Offerer shall bring the Sacrifice with his own hand teaching us that every one is to have a particular Faith in God for himself in order to his being accepted in Jesus Christ and to be himself truly thankful unto God 5. The Heave-Offering was so called because it was separated from the rest and heaved up towards Heaven and after given to the Lord signifying all our Acknowledgments Ainsworth that all good things come down from God and to shew that all our Ways should tend Heaven-wards according to that of the Prophet They shall dwell on high and of Paul Isa 33. Phil. 3. Guild Our Conversation is in Heaven c. Others understand it signified Christ's being lifted up upon the Cross The Solemn Yearly Sacrifice of the Bullock and He-Goat a Type of Christ Levit. 16. OF the two He-Goats it was by Lot that the one was taken and the other escaped c. The Manner saith Ainsworth was thus They had two Lots the one had written upon it For Jehovah and on the other For a Scape-Goat Now God by these Lots shewed which of the two he would have die figuring clearly unto them how that Jesus Christ the lively Anti-type of them was to die by God's Decree or according to the determinate Counsel of his own Will Acts 4. that we might escape eternal Damnation thereby II. He on whom the Lot fell was made a Sin-Offering for the People to signify that Christ should by God's Decree become an Offering or Sacrifice for our Sins III. The Blood of the He-Goat as also the Blood of the Bullock was brought into the Vail and was sprinkled upon the Mercy-Seat on the East Side which was towards the People So are the Merits of the Blood of Jesus brought within
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
is said That Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ In which place Grace is opposed to the Curse of the Law and Truth to the Ceremonies Shadows and prefigured Types thereof The Definition of the thing as thus A typical sense is when things hidden or unknown whether present or to come especially when the Transactions recorded in the Old Testament prefigure the Transactions in the New are exprest by External Actions or Prophetical Visions The Division of Types follows Article II. Of the Division of Types HEre we shall wave the wranglings of Criticks who spent many words to confute each other and give the best account we can of the real Division of Types which may be reduced to two sorts 1. Prophetical Types 2. Historical Types of which in Order Article III. Of Prophetical Types and Typical and Symbolical Actions PRophetical Types are such whereby the Prophets who were divinely inspired by External Symbols figured or signified things present or to come in their Speeches or Writings either by way of Warning Admonition or Prophecy This must be considered 1. with respect to Actions 2. Visions 1. Prophetical Actions are typical when some thing mystical and hidden is adumbrated or shadowed by those things which the Prophets by Divine Command acted as for Instance Esa 20.2 Esa 20.2 The Prophet goes out naked that is without his Prophetical Garments to prefigure the fatal Destruction of the Egyptians and Ethiopians Jer. 13.1 Jer. 13.1 c. and the following Verses the Prophet by Divine Command gets himself a linen Girdle puts it upon his Loins hides it in a Rock by Euphrates afterwards takes it from thence but 't is putrified or marr'd or rotten By which Type the Blessings God gave the People their Ingratitude and Wickedness and the Destruction that was to come upon them are prefigured as by the Context appears Chap. 16.2 5. There is a Command to abstain from Matrimony Procreation of Children mourning Feasts for the Dead By which Type God denounces most woful Calamities which were to come upon his People for their Sins See Chap. 18.2 3 c. ver 6 11. And 19.12 13. 27.2 51.63 Ezek. 2.8 c. The Prophet eats the Volumn Book or Roll reached to him to witness the Gift of Prophecy divinely inspir'd into him which afterwards he was strenuously to exercise against the Rebellious People See Chap. 4.2 13.3 24.3 16 to 22. where you have Instances relating to this Head Hos 1.2 Hosea 1.2 and the following Verses gives the Names of Wife of Whoredoms and Children of Whoredoms to a lawful Wife and lawfully begotten Children by which Type he denotes and taxes the spiritual Idolatry of the People of Israel See Tarnovius Exercit. Bib. largely upon the place The like Symbolical Action we read Chap. 3. to this we may also reduce the typical Action of the Prophet which is described 1 Kings 20.35 We may add likewise to these that Action of Christ when he cursed the barren Fig-tree which presently withered For that Curse was not produced from any rash or unseasonable Malice or a desire of Revenge but by it our Saviour would typically shew 1. The Destruction that was to come upon the People of Israel considered as such obstinate Persons who by no Admonitions or Threats would suffer themselves to be amended or reformed See the Parable Luke 13.6 7. 2. The power of Faith whose Analogy or deep Mystery Christ himself expounds To this Head we may also refer the Action of the Prophet Agabus in Acts 21.10 c. who took Paul's Girdle and bound his own Hands and his Feet to intimate Paul's Captivity at Jerusalem c. Article IV. Of Prophetical and Typical Visions THese may be thus distinguished viz. such as were shewn to Men sleeping or waking To Men asleep their Dreams have been sent from Heaven In these there is a twofold difference some are mere or naked Sights or Views 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which without Figures and the mystery of Types represent deep things and future Events such was the Dream of Joseph Mat. 1.20 2.13 of the Wise Men Mat. 2.12 But these concern not this Head some are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or such Dreams which are hidden or involved in Figures and Types these Dreams came sometimes to Believers sometimes to Vnbelievers To the former Class belongs First The Dream of the Patriarch Jacob Gen. 28.12 And he dreamed and behold Gen. 28.12 of Jacob 's Ladder a Ladder set upon the Earth and the top of it reached to Heaven and behold the Angels of God ascending and descending upon it Verse 13. And behold the Lord stood above it and said I am the Lord c. Certain Interpreters by reason of the Antitype refer this Viâ—ion to the Patriarch Jacob himself making the Ladder to signify the Journy of Jacob the ascending Angels his Keepers when he travell'd and the descending Angels when he return'd they say that God stood on the top of the Ladder since he is the Moderator or Governour of the whole Affair because by his Providence Jacob is taken from his Parents led in his Journy entertained by his Father-in-Law Laban and led back again This Interpretation they say is made by God himself ver 15. But Christ is a more sure Interpreter who Joh. 1.51 makes himself the Antitype of that Vision Verily verily I say unto you hereafter ye shall see Heaven opened and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man That is from day to day ye shall more and more understand that I am he who is prefigured in that Vision of Jacob's Ladder That Vision holds forth 1. The Personal Union of two Natures in the Messiah which is prefigured by the Ladder standing upon the Earth whose top reached Heaven denoting the Union of the Divine and Humane Nature by the Symbol of the Ladder touching Heaven and Earth 2. The Fruits Benefits or Blessings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the incarnate Word or the Word made Flesh expressed by the Ladder's touching Heaven because through Christ the Ascension or Entrance into Heaven is open to all Believers Joh. 3.14 15 16. and by him only Acts 4.12 As the Patriarch saw but one Ladder so the going up and coming down of the Angels denotes that they were no longer to be hurtful to Mankind but most friendly See Luke 2.9 13. For they come down as Ministring Spirits for the help of the Saints Heb. 1.14 and go up again carrying their Souls into Abraham's Bosom Luk. 16.22 Here is also a Blessing annext by the Lord ver 14. And all the Families of the Earth shall be blessed in thee that is in thy Seed This is that Blessing which comes upon us through Christ Eph. 1.3 Gal. 3.8 9. 3. Here is the principal End for which the Land of Canaan was delivered into the Possession of the Posterity of Abraham and Jacob viz. That there may be a certain Seat or Habitation for that
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