If he commit iniquity I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the stripes of the children of men But my Mercy shall not depart from him as I tooke it from Saul whom I put away before thee and thine House and thy Kingdome shall be established for ever before thee And in the very next words to expresse the undoubted certainty hereof Thy Throne shall be established for ever 1 Chron 17. The same Covenant and the same reason is related but at Ver. 14. the Paraphrase shewes that the Kingdome of God is the Kings and the Kingship of the King is Gods I will settle him in mine House and in my Kingdome for ever and his Throne shall be established for evermore Notwithstanding all this for the three grand parts of the long time since neither Solomon nor David have had a man to sit upon the Thrones of Israel or Judah and yet without all doubt the Promise of God hath been fulfilled according to the former demonstrations expressed Psal 122. 5. where this Throne of the One God upon Earth is in the Plural number twice in one and the same Verse set downe Thrones For there doe sit the Thrones appointed for Mishpat i. Judgement the Thrones of the House of David 16. Now in the next place we shall find Solomon the Type whose Mother had had a former Husband not of the Seed of Abraham according to Nature in another condition and conditionall upon his good behaviour in the words of David a little before his death in the presence of the Princes of Israel unto this Solomon his sonne 1 Chron. 28. 1. God said unto me Thou shalt not build mine House because thou hast been a man of War and hast shed bloud Howbeit the Lord God of Israel chose me before all the House of my Father c. And of all my Sons he hath chosen Solomon my Son to sit upon the Throne of the Kingdome of the Lord over Israel And he said unto me He shall build mine House and my Courts for I have chosen him to be my Son and I will be his Father moreover I will establish his Kingdome for ever If he will be constant to doe my Commandements and my Judgements as at this day This Solomon failed and his Line hath been cut off and the Throne it selfe demolished So that apparently those that have stood to wit the Typified Thrones of Christian Kings must have been the Materiall Object of the Promise of GOD. 17. That Solomon was the Type of Christian Kings appeares by Davids Propheticall Praying Benediction of him Psal 72. With which Psalm men have dealt as some have used when they could not hinder the true Heire from a Possession which themselves aimed at to Entitle the Prince to it that they might worke their owne Ends while they seem to serve the King So here when men either did not or would not see the Power and Glory of Christian Princes to be the ultimate and typified intention thereof and finding that little of it but as to an unequall Type could be convertible with Solomon Donabitur ergo nè pereat They thinke to make it sure for their owne availe by Entitling Christ to it whereas it suits far lesse with Christ divided from the Riches and Honour of his Adopted Sons of the younger House the Kings of the Gentiles then it did to Solomon to whom they could not justifie it So far was Christ from the Treasures and Homage of the whole world that when he was to pay his Fathers Tribute unto Caesar he was faine to borrow it of a Fish that he was despised as but a poor Carpenters Son and confessed himselfe to be in a more indigent condition then the Birds and Foxes and was so far from dispensing the Mishpats or Judgements of the King or the Kings Son in the first Verse of the Psalme that having no externall Commission he refused being intreated to interpose his private Authority in a cause Herciscundae Haereditatis Luke 12. 14. Whereas indeed Christ with his Divine Miracles and bitter Passion was Typified in the great and strange Victories and Sufferings of David Davids younger Son preferred to the Crowne his Peace and Glory was the Type of Christs semblable Heires of the younger House of the Gentiles In Christ for the Kings of the Nations in the Kings of the Nations for Christ can every letter of that Psalm be justified and of none else And that Prophesie which cannot be terminated either in Solomon alone or with his naturall Successors who are extinct before the Sun or in Christ alone without the earthly Glory of those who hold his earthly Throne is to be understood of Christ in them is evinced Verse 17. Liphne Shemesh jinnon shemo His Name to wit of Christ or Anointed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 jinnon filiabitur shall be continued in the Succession of his Sons for so the word signifies for so long as the Sun shall have a face to shew Which they who will not admit cannot prove themselves to be Abrahams children 18. Christian Kings then who were Typified in Solomon ought to have a care of that which is every where attested to be that which honoured Solomon in the eyes of his Honourer to wit the Materiall Houses of GOD. Thus 2 Chron. 22. 8. The Word of God came unto me to wit David Thou hast shed bloud aboundantly c. Thou shalt not build an House unto my Name c. Bloud is as ill a Reformer as a Builder in Religion But behold a Son shall be borne unto thee he shall be a man of rest he shall build an House for my Name and he shall be my Son and I will be his Father and I will establish the Throne of his Kingdome over Israel for ever which certainly remaines at this day And not onely this but the perpetuity of the Priesthood and Temple with the Cathedrals or Priests Courts in the compasse thereof was sworne to in the same Oath of GOD. 19. But Acts 7. 46. where David found favour in the sight of God and yet it was Solomon who built him an House there is an Howbeit to wit That the most High dwelleth not in Temples made with hands as saith the Prophet Jer. 66. 1. Heaven is my Throne and Farth is my Footstoole What House will you build me Or what is the place of my rest Hath not mine hand made all these things Which words the gainsayers of these dayes whose I hope unwitting endeavours are but to make God forsworn catch at without considering them in themselves or comparing them with other Texts concerning Gods expectation and longing for a Temple Habitations indeed His Contentation and Delight therein His Inhabitancy and Propriety in these places of his Rest from men of rest expected if they would have their owne confirmed 20. In themselves the words concerning his Throne in Heaven can but import that when man hath done all that he can God hath of his owne making
11. 7 8 9 10. So Aaron was the Head of a distinct Order and over his Clergy Invested with the Name and Power of Elohim yet when he spake against Moses unto whom he was Angel that is as Saint Peter calls Inferior Magistrates Sent of him from whom he received his Commission though Moses had done against the Law of GOD in marrying an Ethiopian yet was Aaron faine to confesse his sin for censuring of the Marriage of his Prince and to beseech the Sinner Moses his Intercession to stand between him and the wrath of GOD Numb 12. For Moses was entrusted with the whole house of Israel Aaron but with one Tribe Verse 7. Thus the native and proper Angels when they usurped upon him who was their Elohim became that which still they are Devils 5. That Aaron had particular Commission from GOD for the exercise of Elohims Temporary and Judiciary Power is evident by multitudes of plain Texts and that Aarons Posterity were for ever to enjoy it by Aarons Patent Concerning which how the for Ever thereof is to be understood to wit of the Typified though it faile in the Type shall be justified in its own Chap. 8. place And that the name of Elohim is also communicated to the Priest appears Exod. 22. 28. so construed Acts 23. 5. Elohim lo-tekallel Nasi lotaor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are the words in Exodus Thou shalt not revile the word signifieth Blaspheme and it is known at whom Blasphemy pointeth to wit those who are Elohim or GODS those who fit in the place of GOD Invested with Divine Power for the Administration of Judgement which is the Prerogative of GOD. In the next words Thou shalt not curse the word signifieth to Vilifie in Deed Word or Thought Nasi him that is exalted into the highest place above whom under GOD there is no other So the meaning is Reviling of a Judge at the least as well Ecclesiastical as Civil is Blaspheming of God in whose stead he sitteth and bare Incivility towards him who Commandeth in Chiefe is as bad at the least as appeares by the order of the words 6. To this in the place above-cited Saint Paul hath relation it is written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thou shalt not Vilifie the chief Ruler of Acts 23. 5. thy People speaking it of the High Priest who in such cases was then the chief Judge of the Nation whence appears by the way that there appertaines a more honourable Portion of that Name to the Priest then unto many to whom also it is imparted though not so great as the Christian Solomon Constantine the Great once in humble modesty though afterwards understandingly he took more to himselfe did ascribe unto the Priestly Office 7. I Record it not that in my secret thoughts I would have it now passe into Example It is Registred by Saint Gregory the Great in an Epistle Greg. Mag. Lib. 2. Jud. 13. 6. 75. of his far from Papal pride to the Emperour Mauritius Constantine having received scandalous Accusations against some of his Bishops called all together and sent them to judge amongst themselves the Accused Ite inter vos causas vestras discutite quia dignum non est ut nos judicemus Deos c. Go and amongst your selves judge those things for it is not fitting that we should judge those whom GOD hath twice in the one 22. Chapter of Exodus called Elohim choosing for that time to depart from his own just Power rather then to hazard into Contempt their sacred Order 8. If this be indeed too much yet bring with you the worst of your thoughts against the late Prelates of this Church and with those thoughts consider of the Answer of Saint Paul now under our hands which Oh be it not the worse thought of I expresse by the Spirit of that holy Bishop and Martyr Saint Cyprian who for Opposing the Bishop of Rome was by him Excommunicated and so dyed for ought that to me appears When Saint Paul saith he might have bearded the High Priest and that most justly with his Injustice and Tyranny for cruelly putting to death the most Just One and might have taken the more liberty in that it was not so much his own as his Masters cause when he might have replyed that he was no High Priest yet for the manners due to the Spritelesse Trunk of his Priesthood Quando pâ—tuerit constanter exerere adversùs eos qui Dominum Crucifixissent qui jam Deum Christum Templum Sacerdotium perdidissent Et quamvis spoliâ—tis Sacerdotiotumbram tamen ipsam inanem Sacerdotalis nominis cogitans dixerit nesciebam Fratres c. Contra Pontificem nihil dixit sed Innocentiam suam purgans c. Ep. 96. ad Pupianum that was he returned not but Nesciebam Fratres I wist not Brethren that he was the High Priest for it is written Thou shalt not Blaspheme those who are Elohim nor Dedignifie him that is the Chief Prince of thy Nation which the High Priest was at that time So saith the same Father in the same Epistle our Saviour likewise himself when he was wronged by the High Priest who sate but in Moses his Chair was content with the bare Purgation of his own Innocency without Retribution of any Calumny Before this against his enemies who continually laid snares for his life and set traps in his way Mat. 23. 3. he chargeth all the People as well as his Disciples All things whatsoever leaving no excuse for disobedience they who sit in Moses Chair shall bid you observe observe and do them but do not after their works And Luke 17. 14. when he saw the Lepers that petitioned him for his help he said unto them Goe shew your selves unto the Priests and as they went they were cleansed Which certainly is not the Religion of these dayes 9. But to proceed That the King by the Spirit of GOD is honoured with the name of Elohim none can deny That he is not the Supreme on Earth who is endowed with this Title none can justifie That none on Earth hath it against him and that all on Earth that have any Temporal share thereof if they have any must have it from or under him shall be more fully proved Chap. 11. Par. 11. That this Stile is not given to the King by reason of required Sanctity in him which is the effect of GODS Likenesse not of his Image by which Dominion comes is evident by the Spirit of GOD his applying of it to Heathen Kings enemies to the Church of GOD as well as Moses who not as Moses but as King in Jesurun had this high Privilege 10. Moses was Israels Law-giver Numb 21. 18. So were all the Kings of Judah Gen. 49. 10. Moses in all Civil cases for the Priest was to judge between things Holy and Unholy Bloud and Bloud Deut. 17. 8. accordingly Zech. 3. 7. was the Ordinary Supreme and Judge of the Judges to reserve Cases
and to receive Appeals in whom was the final determination of all Controversies arising from the Judicial Law So were all the Kings of Judah with whom GOD reckoned for the Oppressions and Injustice done by others as throughout the sacred story appears Moses as he had the Power to lead the People in and in times of Peace to judge them at home so had he the Power of the Militia to goe out before them or to send them to Battel and as of imposing Taxes so the Power of Life and Death was in his hands So had Joshua Josh 1. 16. All that thou commandest we will doe and whither thou sendest us we will goe as we obeyed Moses in all things so will we obey thee whosoever will not obey thy Words in all that thou commandest him Let him dye the death And this had Saul and all the Kings of Judah this Name of Elohims Ordinary Power belonging indifferently to them all as to all lawfull Kings though Heathen Idolaters So Psal 135. 5. Our Lord is above all Elohim and for example particularly names afterwards Pharaoh Sehon and Hogh who by consequence had the Power of the Name for it is injurious to him to think that GOD can deal deceitfully as man doth 11. I deny not here that this Name may be ascribed to Elohims Inferior Vid. Cap. 11. Par. 6. c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Judges his Privy Councel yea and to those who are employed as Actors of the Kings Councels so long as they goe along with the Kings Authority and continue under his Command But as shall be proved He judgeth in the secret chamber of Elohim or the Kings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not out of the 82. Psalm the ordinary mistake of men otherwise then they are assumed into the Kerev the secret Closet or Privy Councel of him that is their earthly Elohim according to that of the first Verse of the Psalm where the word Kerev so signifieth As also Psal 110. 2. Jehovah shall send the Rod of thy strength out of Sion Rede be-kerev Dominare in Interiori Rule thou in the Secretie of thine Enemies to wit of those Kings whom GOD himself shall destroy who will not embrace the Doctrine which should come forth of Sion and raise up such as should doe it in all Nations 12. That none upon earth can partake of this Power of Elohim but such as are endowed with it from the Spirit of GODS Prince the Spirit of GOD endeavoured to make plain for all succeeding Generations from the Vid. Exo. 18 25. Insuper Deut. 1. 13 14 15 16 c. first Recorded Commission that ever was granted in this kind Num. 11. 17. when the Solemnity was of substituting of Assistents for Moses I will come downe said GOD and talk with thee and will take of the Spirit which is upon Thee and put it upon Them And his Witnesse was the Cloud from whence evident Testimony was afterwards called a Cloud of Witnesse that it is thy Spirit and Power not immediately mine by which they are separated from the common Inferiority of other men that they might ever own and never disobey thee from whom they have all the Power they have and from Thee will I look for an Account of any thing that they shal do under Thee 13. And thus was Joshua inaugurated for Moses his Successor though he was accomplished with the private Spirit of GOD before hand Numb 27. 18. And the Lord said unto Moses petitioning that after him the People might not be left to their casual selves as sheep without a Shepheard Take unto thee Joshua in whom is the Spirit and put thine hands upon him and give him of thy Glory that all the Congregation of Israel may obey him And he shall stand before Eleazar the Priest and he shall aske counsel for him by the judgment of Vrim before the Lord at his Word they shall goe out and at his Word they shall come in both he and all the Children of Israel with him 14. In after times the Spirit of this Power was conveighed by the holy Oyle which published them upon whom it was powred for the Lords Commissioners unto all men Consecrating the Anointeds Person to Inviolability and Sacring from prophane Rust and Worms their Swords Scepters and Crosier Staves And so that the Father was Anointed for his First-born for ever and the Children were reputed the Lords Anointed though the Ceremony was not renewed upon them otherwise then upon failing of Succession by Primogeniture Thus was Solomon afresh Anointed and Joash after Athaliah's Usurpation and the slaughter of his Brethren Thus the Lord Christ for his Kingship and Priest-hood was not otherwise solemnly Anointed though by way of Eminency he hath that Name above his Fellowes as being Anointed in the Persons of all those who are Anointed for and under him then as before in his Predecessors in both his Offices and as at this day he is in his Successors or present Substitutes 15. And his merits have obtained a new Additament of Honour to them annexing to that of Elohim this his name of Christ or Anointed they being now to be esteemed the Lords Christs as he the Lord Christ By whom onely publikely and visibly he administreth his Powers for the Externall Government of the world himself being Sitten down at the right hand of Majesty in the Heavens where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He must Reign as King and Sit as Bishop of Soules untill he hath put down all his Enemies under his feet who will not have him thus to Reign over them And their Proscription Jude 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unto Destruction was Legibly written out of old and their Crime in the generall described to be their denying GOD to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the onely Proprietary Original and Fountain of Dominion and the establishment and Lordship thereof to be Christ Jesus 16. In describing the particular Violations is quoted the Vindication of GOD against the first of all Recorded Rebellions against his Regal and Sacerdotal Powers in Moses and Aaron Numb 16. And Saint Jude plainly tels us That they who despise Dominions Verse 8. and speake evill of Dignities 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verse 11. have already perished in the gain-sayings of Korah So sure makes of their Destruction as if they who were then in their like condemned were also executed in Korah 17. But now to survay this now Lasting Crime and it s for Everlasting Judgement The Sons of Reuben in hope it seems to regaine their Birth-right and Korah with his Complices grieved to see Aaron overlook them combine together against those whom GOD had set over them to Make the People as all Innovators use they pretend their Liberty that the might bring them to Servitude To this End are provided to Dispute the Case and to incense the Multitude 250. Captains famous Assembly men Korah undertakes Moses and Aaron he pretends against Arbitrary Government saying You take too