and stories to the times after the great mysterie of godlinesse was manifested the holy Incarnation of God manifested in the flesh when their events are before it 2. The Apocalyps all of it is by allusion to the old enemies of the Low Jerusalem as the stories of Egypt Babel Tyrus c. are alluded unto that the heavenly Jerusalem should have many enemies in all quarters The Apocalyps expresseth new times states and governments in old terms so it openeth all the old Testament for us that all the old enemies fought against Christ and his Kingdome then as now Rome and Turk do against Christ and his holy City from heaven 3. Magog Meshech Tubal c. were Nations known in Ezekiels dayes and without mixture and their dwelling undoubted But now the Lord God hath made great confusion and scattering of all Nations by thâ— warres and commotions that have been in the world that those places are not known by such Princes and Nations 4. The very phrase of the holy Prophet concerning the Nations he describeth Magog Meshech Tubal Gomer Togarmah and the North-quarters that is the North quarters from Israel with the times do argue that it was of Israel that returned from Captivity from all the Countries of Ashurs and Babels dispersion not of the Romane And it cannot be said that the Jews now are in such a captivity as formerly unlesse it be the spirituall captivity to Sin Satan and Unbelief at all Nations are without the Gospel These Considerations would make one conceive that the Prophecie of Ezekiel chap. 38. and 39. must be before the ending of Gabriels Seventy Sevens People must be taught to distinguish between Gog and Magog spoken in propriety and of Gog and Magog taken mystically 5. If we regard the holy story well we shall find that most Prophesies of these things reach not much further than the first coming of Christ Balaam goes as far if not further as any Prophecie of the old Testament concerning Kingdomes and Countries and their affairs He prophefied of Kittim afflicting Heber the Jews or Hebrews and especially of Christ Jesus the chiefest of all Hebers sons and so all Christians as in the Caesors and Popes 6. Tremellius Mr. Forbes and many others expound Ezek. 38.39 to be of the Nations that were under the Kingdome of Seleucidae called the Kings of the North in Dan. 11. SECT 2. I Think it is to good purpose to examine some verses in Ezek 38. and 39. concerning Gog. Thus it is said chap. 38.16 1 And I will bring thee against my Land that the heathen may know me when I shall be sanctified in thee O Gog before their eyes The Lord God of Israel did not bring Gog and his armies unto the mountains of Israel to war onely but that the knowledge of God might be dispersed among the heathen by the dispersion and affliction of his people doubtlesse those wars had that effect doubtlesse it caused after a while much dispute in many points about Religion and the calling of the Gentiles now drawing on and for these dayes of affliction it is said many shall greatly search and knowledge shall increase Dan. 12. So then the persecution of the two witnesses by the Beast of the Pit caused much study in Christendome as it did warring with mysticall Gog. The warres among the Seleuâ—â—-lagida were many and great and many fearfull slaughters among them the which the Jews could foretell to the heathen by the Prophefles of Ezekiel Daniel and Zachariah Dan. 11. and 12. as by an historicall Prophecy and it is reported by divers writers that the Jews were skilfull in Prophecies and By Daniel they might have understanding to foretell many events about the Kings of the North and South yea and of many other great matters about the coming of Messias Mr. Bro. hath this in the Consent of Scripture Anno mundi 3910 that Sybil writ that which Virgil is thought to follow and Lactantius citeth may well be made by some witty men taught of a Jew or the spirits otherwise might well speak of those times what Daniel taught plainly These things of Gog would cause much knowledge of Jehovah the God of Israel for it is said the Heathen shall know the Lord God of Israel when these things should have their events above Gog and Magog Thubal Meshech and Togarmah c. There were great expectations in the world but especially of Israel by Daniels Prophecies which would cause great rumours among all sorts so we may well think that Jehovah the God of Israel brought those wars of Javan in the Land of Gog for this purpose that the heathen may know me saith Jehovah the ever-living God By these wars there was spread a report among the heathens what Laws Israel had better and more ancient than all the heathens and although the heathens captived the Jews * A wonderful providence of Chist yet their Law captived the heathens This rumour of the holy Scriptures stirred up Ptolomie Philadelphus King of Egypt to endeavour to have the old Testament translated for his Library which was done for him by seventy two learned Interpreters of the Jews And this their work to this day is called the Septuagint 1. Ezek. 38. ult Thus will I magnifie my self and sanctifie my self and I will be known among the Nations and they shall know that I am Jehovah Christ did make himself great over Gog by the bloody slaughters that he sent among his Camps but all these troubles of Gog among the people Israel were so ordered as is noted that the heathen might know Jehovah the Lord God of Israel therefore there was a further Providence of Christ to shew his power to be great over Gogs Kingdome in the lesâ—er Asia when in Antiochia the chief City of the Kingdome of the Seleucidae Kings of the North the saith of the Gospel of the Son of God so prevailed that the disciples of Christ were there first called Christians So the seven Churches of old Gogs kingdome doth further look to Ezekiel That these events may plainly shew they are an history to the Prophecy of Ezekiel and Christ in theire own language doth conquer them to his Kingdome and faith of the Gospel 3. Ezek. 39.23 And the heathen shall know ' that the house of Israel went into captivity foâ— thâ—â—r iniquity because they trespassed against me c. This Text will afford these meditations 1. It must be well observed that the knowledge of all the providences of Christ that befell Israel by Assuâ— and Babel came not to Israel as the heathens had foolish conceits of the people of God which made them have these Proverbs in scorn of Israel yea in scorn and deâ—sion of Iehovah the God of Israel that they wâ—re a Nation born to bondage and their holy Religion was a barbarous suâ—erstition c. 2. But now the heathens by the Septuagint and the Jews being so dispersed among them of Iavan in Gogs countrey and in Egypt The heathens by
Answer It shall Christ will raise up holy Teachers who shall by his great power cause the earth to be lightned with glory And the Temple and Testimony which the Beast of the Pit had shut up shall be further opened and the Lord the Almighty One shall reign The same Kingdomes that gave their power to the Beast shall regain and shall revive from their dead apostaticall condition and hate the Whore that loathsome Corporation of the King of Locusts make their Kingdomes our Lords and his Christs for they shall embrace the Gospel which shall shine among them This is called the marriage of the Lamb Apoc. 19. And verily as that whorish Polity hath been desolate and naked in respect of England Scotland and much of Germany c. so shall it be of France and Spain and others when Gods purposes are fulfilled QUest 9. What is the finall judgement given on the second beast with two horns like a Lamb who is the Beast of Empire revived and also with his Locusts is the false Prophet Answer It is said the Beast was caught and with him the false Prophet which worketh miracles before him by which he deceiveth them that receive the mark of the Beast and worship his image both were cast alive as Sodomites into the Lake burning with fire and Brimstone and shall be tormented with the Devils day and night for ever and ever Even so Amen Lord God omnipotent holy just and true are thy wayes and judgements O King of Saints QUest 10. What is the judgement on them that are seduced by the great glorious and Catholick Whore and were drunken with the cup of the Wine of her fornications that had the Mark of the Beast and did worship his image Answ They shall drink of the Cup of the wrath of God the wine mixed in the cup of his anger Psal 11.6 and 75.8 and shall be tormented for ever and ever without rest day or night in fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb Apoc. 14. This should be a most serious admonition for men to come out of mysticall Babylon mysticall Egypt to use no garments no prayers no laws of the Popes making QUe 11. What are we to think of all that go under the name of Papists that are under the Papacy Answ Fearfull judgement is pronounced on all those that worship the image of the Beast or have his Mark or print of his name in hand or forehead but sentence is not so passed on all that are of the Number of his name yet they are in great danger unlesse they obey the voice from heaven Come out of her my people O thrice blessed is that Kingdome O thrice blessed is that family O thrice blessed is that person that not onely hath gotten victory over the Beast and over his image and over his Mark but also and over the number of his name QUest 12. What is the end of all that know not God and which obey not to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ which will not be of the Corporation of the holy City Answ Everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power for so it is said without shall be dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters and the fearfull and unbelievers and the abominable and whosoever loveth and maketh a he Apoc. 21. and 22. QUest 13. What is the end of the godly that would not obey the Papacy and of all that sincerely walk with God Answ The Apostle John heard a voice from heaven saying Write blessed are they that die in the Lord even so saith the Spirit for they rest from their labours and their works follow with them Phil. 3.12 They shall not be unclothed but clothed upon in them mortality be swallowed up of life 2 Cor. 5.4 Luk. 20.35.36 And in the day of the all-joyfull resurrection our weak vile and corrupt bodies shall be raised up incorruptible and be fashioned and made like our Lords glorious body And the Saints that are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall have instead of death a sudden and unspeakable * changing in their bodies and shall together with them of the Resurrection be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the aire and to be ever with the Lord not to die any more but are equall unto the angels and shall shine like the Sun in the Kingdome of their Father Amen Even so come LORD JESUS Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the seventeenth Chapter QVest 1. and Ans Here and there two witnesses See Mr. White Way c. page 384. c. and Mr. Cade Justif l. chap. 4 and lib. 2. chap. 1. and many others Christ still raising up his witnesses was an argument that his cause should live till better times All the power of the Western world that Pope and Emperour and other horns of the Beast could make could not root out the Church nor the faith of the Primitive purity It did and shall increase in spite of fire and fagot prisons Massacres Index Expurgatorius c. the King of Locusts and his Locusts prevailed against the bodies of the Saints but not against their Testimony to the true faith of Christ Ibid. Prophesied misliked and cried out Here is a sore combate of Michaels servants called the patience of the Saints as with the Casars so now with the Tail of the Dragon the King of Locusts All the fight was for the salvation and power and Kingdome of God and his word and the authority of of Christ and his Testimony Apoc. 12.10 and this still is and must be intended for unto banishment spoiling of goods bonds and death Yea it shall be contended for till the seventh Trumpets sounding sheweth Christs reigning over the Kingdoms of the world in the glorious manifestation of his Ordinances Apoc. 11.15.19 Ibid. For divers hundreds of years In those dayes the Temple was shut and Christs Ordinances abandoned by the authority of the Beast with two horns like a Lamb so there is two kinds of authority and for this was the great strife Jehosaphat much reformed the State and took away the high places that had Groves but the other high places stood still for the peoples heart was not able to comply with purer worship 2 Chron. 20.33 So in our dayes our people are full of superstitions and hate faithfull teaching therefore pure Reformation shall not be yet nay now the the things not reformed by Queen Elizabeth and King James are a means of introducing moe things of Popish abominations Ibid. Of his 666. Apostaticall number Observe the Romane Catholick Church of Kings multitudes peoples Nations and kindreds and tongues rejoiced when the Beast of the Pit had killed the two witnesses and Martyrs of Iesus so they are the many that go the broad way and Christs witnesses sew that go the narrow way Papists ask where was your company
land doth shew from Daâ—â— 12. and Psalm 8. that the Lamb slain though he once were the afflicted Son of sorrowful Enosh yet that now he is â—â—â—lred above everyname and that to him all power in heaven and in earth was and is committed and that he rules all by Sea and Land and therefore little children and faithful evermore did Apoc. 6. 7. 12. 13 14. chap. and evermore shall say Hosanna to him that now is in the highest heavens The great Cry of Hosanna destroyed the Caesars Empire so it shall the Reviver of the Empire King Abaddon 5. His voice is as the voice of a Lion when he roareth he being the Lion of the Tribe of Judah hath made all the Beasts of the Pit to tremble and this teacheth what the Pope and Turk shall find Christ with his called chosen and faithful full of courage in teaching the Gospel shall take the prey and recover the spoil and the King of the Pit his Locusts and all his marked shall not be able to help themselves from his just judgements 6. The seven thunders from him uttered their voices of secret un-unspeakable wrath to the Enemies of the Church which the Phials in chap. 16. declare abundantly and the enemies shall not perceive it but go on in hardness impenitency as Pharoah did to their utter destruction 7. Christ hath in his hand the little book of the Holy Scriptures alwaies open for great consolation to the Church from which the Holy Angels of the Churches and other Witnesses do still prophesy to nations and Kings of their great Trespass in advancing the seven Mountain City All Abaddons power and his Locusts could never shut this book nor hinder prophesying This our native Countrey shewed in the days of King Henry the eight and Queen Mary and in times before See the story of the Saints Marbeck and Tindal c. c. 8. All this is mannaged with an oath to comfort and stablish the hoirs of promise that the Lord Christ the only Potentate 1 Tim 6. will put an end to all the troubles of the Church under the voice of the seventh Trumpet and last Wo and seventh Phial 9. It is of necessary consequence to observe some circumstances about the sad times of the fifth and sixth Trumpets because some say the Beast of the Pit King Abaddon did utterly root out the church of Christ and that no visible true church did appear when Anti-christ possessed all in outward shew 10. But this is impossible for the promise is that the gates of Hades death and destruction should not so prevail Matth. 16.8 and that promise also is firm as a Rock which saith that Christ must reign till he make his enemies his footstool 1 Cor. 15.25 Abaddon could not put â—he Son of God the Rock and his cause so under his feet for as iâ—â—aid Christ the great angel of the Covenant did ever shew that he â—uled as King in his Kingdome of mount Sion Apoc. 14. and had ever one foot on the Sea and the other on the Land and the fifth had sixth Trumpet to rule all things both by Land and Sea and that he had the little book of the holy Bible ever open in his hand which he still put into the hearts of his witnesses to prophesie though in sackeloth and full of troubles Apoc. 11. this book Christ still kept open in spight of all the new Antiochus devises 11. Therefore let this teach us with strong assurance that though the Papacy did so overspread yet that Christ had here and there two witnesses some godly ones that held the fundamentall truths when the Beast of the Pit had most darkned the surface of Christendome and they are also called the two Olive branches and the two Candle-sticks which Christ made still to abide before him that in every age his Saints might see the light of holy Doctrine 2. This likewise is for great consolation to the Saints that the Gospel of the Kingdome as it hath so it shall continue notwithstanding all the opposition that hath been and shall be in the world against it 3. Hence many are sharply to be reproved and rebuked that think and utter blasphemies that Christ did not reign and that he had no witnesses under the Papacy and that the Beast of the Pit had annihilated the Church of God And hence new upstarts vain men that wait for new apostles and new Râ—velations would dischurch the Reformed Churches and dischurch members thereof that have come according to the commandement out of mysticall Babylon And in great wickdednesse they cast off Magistracy and the ordinances of the publick ministery and the care of Religion in family c. and so themselves become very antichrists yea some in new England 1. Do abhor the baptising of the infants of godly parents 2. Account our Congregations antichristian 3. Make no regard â—o sanctifie the Lords day 4. Despise Magistâ—acy 5. Scorn our godly Teachers the Lord grant that such as do openly professe this abomination may never have a toleration among us but if the Lord please to be gracious to them to enlighten their minds by the word of truth then they will soon see how they are given to Satan and lying spirits 12. Remember that apostasie from the faith was foretold and that the brethren must be put in it that they might be carefull to be nourished up in the words of faith and in good Doctrine such holy brethren ever were and ever shall be because God from the beginning hath elected such to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and the belief of the truth 13. Can such a thought enter into our hearts that the Man of sinne hath destroyed Christs kingdome utterly that it should not have a being ever since the apostles dayes Let us mark what our Lord Jesus Christ hath said to his apostles I have chosen you and ordained you Iohn 15.16 that ye should go forth among the Nationâ— and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain Let us not therefore be deceived that Antichrist hath ever been able to root out the Kingdome of Christ although they killed some witnesses yet still Christ raised others to prophesie and the most holy faith is builded on Christ the rock the polity of the heavenly Jeâ—usalem is builded more sure then that the seed of the Serpent should ever be able to prevail so far as to destroy it utterly It is builded on the twelve found ations of the faith of the holy Patriarks and apostles Doctrine and this city is compassed with a wall of holy truth unvinâ—ible And what hath shaken Abaddons Kingdome but the prohesying of the two witnesses from the opened book that is in Christ his hand Thus much by way of Parenthesis to Apoc. 10. Now I will go on with the Trumpets and Phials SECT 7. The sixth Trumpet and second wo and sixth Pbiaâ— 1. THe sixth Trumpet sheweth how Christ raised up the Turk from
thousand years after it is not rationâ—◠〈…〉 to think most impertinent assertions As if a godly soul or a 〈…〉 under greivous pressures and afflictions at present should 〈…〉 for consolation must the Teacher then tell stories to 〈…〉 that neither they nor theirs for many genera 5. Again these in captivity were godly and faithfull and knew they were chastised for not regarding Gods * The Iews now are perswaded of no such thing although forewarned Heb. 10.25 26 27. covenant in Christ and therefore they did humble themselves and confesse their sins as Levit. 26. foretold and had gracious promises of return to Canaan and of building city and Temple and that the City should be builded on its own heap and that they should have a policy to buy and sell Ier. 32. and the Prophet Ieremiâ—h knew well enough that the godly in the state of Iudah were or would be much cast down in their spirits even as Ieremy himself was concerning their most grievous calamities as Ier. 32. * It was â—n that age of God people that needed this satisfaction and thereupon the Lord God did comfort him and all the godly of those dayes and did revive their hearts in divers passages even as he did by Ezekiel see Jer. 29.30 31 32 33. chapters 6. But the Jews now are not godly but grievous apostates for they hold Christ and his Gospel Kingdome and people anathema they are exceeding hard of heart and blaspheme our Christ look for Christ yet to come not one of 1â—00 is godly of them nor have been for many hundred years 7. A glorious calling of the Jews from Rom. 11. is not denied in all places where they are scattered and will not this be a wonderfull glory to them and us that they in all places where they are shall yield obedience to the Gospel This should suffice for more cannot be proved and when Christ came we Gentiles were received into their sheepfold Iohn 10 Other sheep I have c. but hereafter the contrary Rom. 11.11 To provoke them to follow them that was their glory this ours 8. So certainly this speech of Ezek. 37. was spoken for the present disconsolate age These were not yet cast off All Zac. z. was consolatory to the returned who were vexed by the Samaritans and others Ierusalem being as yet unwalled although the providence of Christ was as a wail of fire for them till it was walled nor cut off from their own people but they onely were as yet Gods people and that made Zachariah say * that the Lord will yet choose Sion and Ierusalem and that yet he would be jealous for Ierusalem and Sion This was to comfort them under many pressures being under the government of the Persians and under such like pressures they should be under Iavan whole and Iavan parted namely in much affliction therefore it was fit and convenient so to comfort them for the Lord doth alwayes speak sitly to his olive and so the Lord did yet choose them even after this for the time of the Seventy Sevens of years in which space of time they should be the peculiar holy people and Ierusalem should continue to be the holy City but after the Seventy Sevens of years were accomplished according to Dan. 9 they had not any peculiar priviledge nor ever shall We mâ—sâ— not regard that strange Doctrine that teacheth otherwise but what tends to that Sion in Hebrews 12. and in Apocalyps 14.1 and to that Jerusalem Hebrews 12. Gal. 4. Apoc. 3 and 21. in too many things we do hinder the conversion of the Jews in Judaizing with them They hope for the building of Ierusalem and daily pray for their return to Canaan and many of us thus Judaize with them in teaching their return thither to bâ— a glorious Church again 9. And whereas the people of God in Jeremiahs and Ezekiels dayes were much dejected in spirit for the sorrows which they felt by Babel the golden head as they had cause went weeping to Babel not clearly discerning Gods counsel yet at the end of the captivity the holy counsels of God were fully opened by Gabriel the holy angels glorious message from heaven to Daniel * This Text of Dan. 9.24 did comfort them for the losse of the Ark Jer. 3. and the shaking of the rest of the Ceremonies and because the Lord foresaw what he would once more do by the Romane polity therefore he gave to Daniel that glorious revelation that they should expect the MESSIAS the holy of holy to confirm the Covenant for the many by his death Dan. 9.24 That they need not mourn nor lament for destroying Salomons Progeny and Kingdome because the holy angel had told them of the MESSIAS their King greater than Salomon who was also of the house of David for it is said he shall be great and shall be called the Son of the most high and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdome there shall be no end Luc. 1.32 33. and hence we learn that Christs spirituall kingdome shall never be ended nor overthrown nor his heavenly progeny extinct who are Princes and Priests in all the earth Psal 145.16 and the Metropolis of his kingdome is the heavenly Sion and Jerusalem builded by the Gospel over all the four quarters of the world and this city 1500 mile square compassed about with a wall of precious truth invincible that no power of the enemie can scale it or make any breach in it and the foundations of the wall are twelve compounded of twelve precious Jewels The holy Doctrine of the Lambs twelve apostles that there can be no Satanicall pioneers to make any mynes to blow it up no if they be as deep in their counsels as Garnet and Faux of that hellish crue and the Temple within this holy city is so glorious that it secretly affrights all opposers more than that in the times of Psal 48. For the Lord God of hosts even the LAMB is the Temple who is also the Rock of defence of his Church 10. Now though all this be our glory under the new Testament yet the Doctrine of many is contrarie for in effect they teach the Jews to lament and mourn for earthly Canaan and for the low Ierusalem and Temple Teachers may as well follow their Thalmudicall fables as this doctrine and so they do in part for they look for a pompous Kingdome in Canaan and continue against Gods oath the line of Salomon Ier. 22. These things will be touched again as the argument calls for it 11. The Prophesie of Amos chap. 9. is expounded in Acts 15. by the holy Councel and it will confine all our expositions that we make upon Esaias Ezekiel and Zacharias for such a calling of the Jews as I have shewed The last of Amos expounded by the Apostles themselves I take it is a key to open
bewitching for there is nothing in it but will please an unregenerate and carnall heart The Papist will have people to believe the Church of Rome is the mother of all Churches and all must be subject to her and they have great shews and outward glory to perswade and false authority to compell men so to esteem her It is true at the first the Church in Rome was a famous Church a worthy daughter of the heavenly Jerusalem which is the mother of all true Churches and she was a noble off spring of the most high Sacrificer Rom. 16.17 but when she would not keep her place but caused scandala from the Apostles and Prophets doctrine and would be above her Father and her mother and all her sisters by playing the imperious whore in her Fathers house Lev. 21.9 then she lost her true glory and burning shall be her end But yet Papists will plead for their mother but we must not yield them motherhood in that sense as they would have it we may yield them by the authority of the Scriptures that Rome is called a Woman a Mother and set forth by outward ornanaments most glorious and dazelling to the carnall eye but yet further and that marres all she is called a Whore and mother of fornications I will transcribe the Scripture Apoc 17 4. And the Woman-Whore verse 1. was arrayed in purple and scarlet-colour and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filâ—hinesse of her fornication and upon her forehead a name written Mysterie Babylon the great the mother of fornications and abominations of the earth That chapter is against the seven-Mountain city which city when Saint John wrote reigned over the Kings of the earth Revel â—ation 17. ult Thus the Spirit spake to the seven Churches of Asia of Romes motherhood and it is best that all people take motherhood in that sense as the spirit taught the churches so it is charged upon us Apoc. 2. and 3. for if we do not better we had never been born The true mother of all the faithfull is not so manifest to be known but the mother of fornications and abominations is as apertly described by the Spirit that it is a wonder but that Gods counsell must stand Ap c. 13 8. how men should misse to know the one or the other But why do I say a wonder whereas the truth of the Gospel of Christ is called a Mysterie and so the falshood of the Kingdome of Satan in the Beast like a Lamb is called a Mysterie and so much the more it is a mysterie because in the false Church there is a deepnesse of Satan in mannaging his Kingdome that he doth in many things assimulate the true Church there is a notable instance of this in Prov 8. and 9. Prov. 8. Wisdome in the true Church standeth in the top of the high places by the way in the Places of the paths Jer. 7.2 and 17.19 she crieth at the gates at the entry of the city at the coming in at the doors O ye simple understand wisdome chap. 9. Who so is simple let him turn in hither as for him that wanteth understanding she saith to him Come eat of my bread and drink of the wine which I have mingled forsake the foolish and live and go in the way of understanding c. c. Prov. 9.13 A foolish woman is clamourous she is simple and knows nothing notwithstanding she sitteth at the door of her house on a seat in the high places of the city to call Passengers who go right on their way Who so is simple let him turn in hither and as for him that wanteth understanding she saith to him Stollen waters are sweet and bread eaten in secret is pleasant but he knoweth not that the dead are there and that her guests are in the depths of Hell Wisdome standeth in the high places of the city in the places of the paths So doth the foolish woman sit at the doore of her house on a Seat in the high places of the city the more is the pity that she hath such toleration the false Church will advance her self to be more eminent and too often she is so esteemed of all those that follow the Lusts of the flesh the Lusts of the eye and Pride of life Wisdome sweetly inviteth and cryeth to the sonnes of Men to hearken to sound wisdome and understanding The foolish woman will exceed for she will be clamorous consider the ten Tribes 1 Kings 15. they all protested they worshipped God that brought them out of the Land of Egypt when they worshipped the Devils of Dan and Bethel Will you behold another clamorous company of the foolish Woman Achabs and Jezabels Prophets And yet lift up your eyes that you may behold another company but they were learned Reconcilers and Moderatours of Baals and the Temples Religion therefore I may not call them fools for they were Priests Prophets Dreamers Diviners Inchanters Sorcerers Jeremiah 26. Jer. 7. They could buâ—n incense to Baal and yet come to worship in the Temple 8 9 10 11 and 27.9 And I should do them wrong if I should not remember another multitude of clamorous fools the worshippers of Diana Acts 19. read Apocalyps 13.12.13 14 15 16 17. Wisdome saith she will teach the simple understanding And so the foolish woman of the ten Tribes pretends to teach the simple understanding babbling against Judah that they had the truth Wisdome saith she hath bread and wine for those that do attend her The false company saith they want not pleasant bread and sweet waters for their guests The ten Tribes thought the Religion of Jeroboams Calves better sweeter and pleasanter than the Eternal wisdomes Religion of the Temple unto which they were so earnestly and Pathetically and comfortably invited in the nine former chapters of the Proverbs and by all the Prophets and were Proud Scornfull and stubborn Despisers of all the Prophets Admonitions But what came of all the guests that followed this clamorous foolish woman What became of Jerobams house of Baasaes of Omries of Jehues c. Thus as the Apostle speaketh in his dayes so it hath been ever and will be still That Satan transformeth himself into an Angel of light So it is not a strange thing that his Ministers can transform themselves as if they were the Ministers of Righteousnesse Thus we have a brief Compendium of the mysterie of godlinesse and of the mysterie of iniquity and nothing in the world can describe these two unto us but the Holy and Blessed Scriptures and to this day this hath been the Controversie between Christs two faithfull Witnesses in the Reformed Churches in their Teaching Writing Profession and Sufferings against the false Lamb and his worshippers Now in this case what should we do say unstable and carnall hearts we know not what course to take we are in a staggering condition truly
their properties Joh 1.14 Joh. 15.26 the Father from all eternity begetteth the Person of the Son the Son from all eternity is begotten of the Father the holy Spirit from all eternity proceedeth from them both These are incommunicable properties in the Persons the Fathers relative property is to beget and not to be begotten and therefore he is the first person in order so for our better conceiving we may say a Person in the God-head is a subsistence or a being considered in his relative property A 3. By their works to the Father is ascribed creation election predestination and adoption to the Son redemption to the holy Ghost sanctification Again the beginning of every action is given to the Father the dispensation to the Son the perfection and consummation to the holy Ghost these in some respects may be said to be communicable properties in the persons The reverend Mr. Richardson Mr. Yates and Mr. Antony Wotton c. Also it must be considered that every title attribute or property that in generall is spoken of the Deity is spoken of and attributed to each person as the Father is Jehovah so is the Son so is the holy Ghost Joh. 12.41 Act. 28.25 conferred with Esai 6.3 to 10. The Father the Son the holy Spirit be one co-essentiall and co-eternall infinite and unchangable c. And so in the attributes just holy good mercifull c. each person is so infinitely and unchangably c. Also in respect of the Creatures the attributes are communicable to each Person as the Son is called Father Esai 9. So it may be said of the holy Spirit who begetteth and reneweth us by the word of truth the Father is our teacher and so the Son and so the holy Spirit the Father sanctifieth the son sanctifieth the holy spirit sanctifieth Therefore it is very usefull to observe two things in the persons their co-operation and distinct manner of working the one is necessary in regard of this that they have the same essence and therefore cannot but co-worke in every thing the other is likewise as necessary because each person hath his distinct manner of subsisting All operation flowes from their essence co-operation from their unity in it and distinct manner from the distinct manner of their subsisting One essence one operation and Three being One must needes work inseparably and one being Three must needs worke in a distinct manner 6 Through faith we understand that the worlds were builded by the word of God that the things which are seen are not made of things which had appearance Ebr. 11. 6 It is the thrice holy Jehovah the Father the Son and their spirit all Three one infinite nature that hath created the heavens and the Earth and Seas and all things in them whether visible or invisible in a sweet dependency of order And He the Eternall Being gave them all their being with perfection of qualities that B was fit for each creature in its order and kinde 7 It is the same everlasting God that in his providence from the beginning to the ending doth in a most holy just wise and mercifull order preserve and govern all things with all their circumstances in the heavens earth seas C Therefore called an everlasting King But this King and D Kingdome is more specially to be understood of the son of God as Mediatour to whom the Father hath committed all authority and power Vt infra 8. The true God being thus glorious and a spirit infinite is therefore impossible to be perceived by our senses or comprehended in the short span of our understanding for hee is like to nothing in heaven earth or seas neither can all the wisest men of the world make any thing like to him but if any think so to do they dote and are follish and vain as Isui 40. and many more Chapters do speake and their images are no Gods E nor resemblances of him but works of errours and lyes They can do neither good nor evill those that make them are like unto them and so are all that put their trust in them And all that worship God by them are F haters of the eternall God and are hated and accursed of him 9 Here it is shewed that Gods worship is cheifly spiritual G and all outward worship otherwise then hee hath appointed is hatefull and abominable and uncomfortable as here and in other scriptures ceremonious and superstitious vanities and makers of images are reproved as bruitish senselesse and hopelesse 10 God being One and none other beside him the supream Governour whose is the Kingdome and power over all things he is only to be feared loved trusted in prayed unto and obeyed therefore he hath given us ten commandements with this entrance That he is Iehovah our H Elohim the Eternall the Mighty God our creator and Redeemer and he hath taught us to pray to him who is the everlasting father from whom all helpe comfort and defence cometh and is to be praysed and glorified in all his workes of goodnesse mercy wisdome justice c. 11 God being a most simple spiritual eternall and infinite Nature It followeth that he seeth at one instant and togegether past present and to come all things in heaven earth and seas There is nothing so invisible to our eyes in any place or so spirituall to our understanding but he seeth every particular Nothing is so secret as the imaginations of our thoughts yet God seeth them Many uses hence an understanding and beleeving heart will make for spirituall obedience and carefull watchfullnesse over his whole man Psal 139. all of it and 119 168. Job 31.4 1 Chron. 28.9 Men not understanding or not beleeving say in heart there is no God or like the wicked in Job chap. 22 and Psal 94. Who say Jehovah shall not see the God of Jacob will not regard But God doth both as the Psalme is notable Secondly Hence a world of outward Christians do shew themselves but Atheists Yea thirdly The godly not seriously and constantly considering this fail much in their sincerity for holy and just obedience 12. Another singular use is for afflictions When wee have any cause of fear wee may be preserved that this passion do not too much assaile us by meditating often wee may be throughly acquainted with I our God his titles properties and attributes both incommunicable and communicable Also of his works of creation redemption and Government in any evill felt or feared we may quickly turn and seek to god and so may not fear above measure as David saith K They that know thy name will trust in thee Psal 9.10 Againe When I was afraid I trusted in thee Psal 56.3 Remarkable also is this in Jehosaphat 2 Chron. 20.12 Also transcendent in those three noble confessors and Martyrs Dan 3.16.17.18 So in all temptations yea in death it selfe These things when they are well graffed and as nailes fastned in our soules will prepare us to contentednesse in all
145. c. And this Kingdome of Christ the second Adam is handled in 1 Cor. 15. Ebr. 2. Eph. 1.22 from Ps 8. Namely That the Son eternall should rule as the mediator of his Church till all things be restored but then his Kingdome shall be delivered up when the last enemies death Sathan are perfectly subdued and destroyed Then all the elect which have been called justified and adopted in Christ by the word of his kingdome by the work of his spirit shall be presented unto the father and all prophesying and all other new victory sweet helps of our edification in the body of Christ shall cease for then shall be the fullnesse Eph. 4.11.12.13 In Q 4. Heire of all David with great admiration doth handle this in Ps 8. He the second Adam upholds all by the word of his power and this he shewed in Noah when all beasts and Elements obeyed him at the flood and so at the destruction of Sodom Jehovah from Jehovah rained fire and brimstone Gen. 16. and so in the days of Joshuah 10.11 In like sort those noble and excellent descriptions of Christ his person and Office in the three fold Offices of Prophet Preist and King are wonderfull for all sorts of heavenly and terrible Doctrine in Psal 2. Psal 45. Psal 110. Esa 9. Dan. 7. Dan 9. Dan. 10. Daq 12. and that in Apot. 1. may well comprehend the summe of them all but all of them should first be minded as expounding Gen. 3.15 Eph. 1.22.23 Col. 1.14.15 the Epistle to the Ebr. all of it He is the blessed only potentate to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords 1 Tim 6. Apoc 19. Joh 3.35 The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hands wee must reverence the Heir and beleevingly obey him for Christ is appointed a Prince and a Saviour to give change of minde and forgivenesse of sins This was taught from the beginning that hee should be this horne of Salvation and of this Doctrine there have been prophets to declare it ever since the world began Luke 1.70 Act. 3.21 In Q. 4. From the day of mans fall All the time from the time of mans fall to the restoring of all things by the Messiah is called The World to come and it is subjected to the Messiah Ebr. 2.5 but the restitution of all things is first prophesied in Act. 3.21 In Q. and Answ 5. Satan brought man n. 1. Man was ever the object of Satans harred and as Christ was man of the seed of the deceived woman and appointed to combate with Sathan for mans Redemption so Christ was the object of Sathans most deadly hatred but such was the perfection of his obedience under his greatest enmity that hee spoiled principalities and powers even in his death on the crosse Col 2.15 and this comfort also belongs to all the persecuted Saints that this great Red Dragon is chained Apoc. 20. and shall shortly be utterly troden under our feet Rom. 16. In Q. 5. Christ the second Adam Christ destroyeth Sathans workes not only in us but from without us and this is â—n unchangeable truth in all those that are called according to Gods purpose Joh. 13.1 Christ is the restorer of all things in him wee have all things that appertaine to life and godlinesse he is the Corner stone that couples all the building and there is no other name under Heaven whereby we can be saved Act. 4 None but Christ as blessed Lambard said Him hath God the Father sealed Joh. 6.27 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to all the Israel of God and forgivenesse of sins And this is a sure rule from the beginning He that beleeveth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that beleeveth not the son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Joh. 3â—36 so then cursed was he that said Si illa illa colantur neque esse noxium si inter Gentilium aras Dei Ecclesiam quis transiens utraque vâ—nercâ—ur and little better are the Atheisticall moderators of our dayes 1631.1632.1633 1634.1635.1636.1637 In Q. 5. And Adoption And now little Children abide in him the second Adam that when he shall appear we may have boldnesse and not be ashamed before him at his coming 1 Joh. 2. By him wee have adoption Joh. 1.12 and his spirit doth enable us to cry Abba Father mark these scriptures Ebr. 4.14.15 16. Rom. 8.15 Eph. 2.18 Rom. 5.1 2. In Q 5. N. 11. Christ the second Adam Now Sathan the old Serpent spirituall weaknesses and the God of this world doth by Gods just judgement make war against us about super-celestiall things and wrastleth cunningly to hold us still in our most miserable estare of blindnesse imprisonment and bondage but by the power of the second Adam and by the word of his Grace we are set free and such as are blinde do receive their sight and by his grace we are made able to stand resist and overcome his Grace is in us and over us and the Apostle of the Gentiles salutes them all thus The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen Esa 42.6.7 Esa 49.9 Ephes 6.1 Ioh. 2 Rom 7. Esa 45. 24. In Q. 5. The life of holinesse In him was life and the life was the light of men Ioh 1. Ioh 8.12 The second Adam saith I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walke in darkenesse but shall have the light of life his Law restoreth the soule Psal 19 Ps 23. Ephes 2.1 Eph. 4.24 Col. 3.10.1 Coâ— 15.49 Esa 11 9.1 Ioh. 1. Ioh. 2 4. He is the true Shepherd and Bishop of our Soules In Q 5. N. 3. Christ the second Adam The appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ as it was promised hath brought life and immortality through the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. Marthas and our Lords conference was heavenly the shewes that she expected life and immortality through him Ioh. 11.21 and 1 Cor. 15.1 Thess 4. And Iohs faith for this point is worthy of all consideration Ioh 19. Ps 46.15 Ps 17.15 Sin reigns to death through the first Adam but grace reigns through Righteousnesse or freedome to eternall life through Christ the second Adam Râ—m 5. The comparisons of the first and second Adam are most sweet in Rom. 5. and 1 Cor. 15. Secondly Consider further how our Lord doth sustaine us in this our pilgrimage he is said to hold our soules in life in him wee live he is our life and the lenghth of our dayes he provides and gives meanes of life meat to eat and cloathes to put on he is our preserver in all places and at all times he speaks to diseases to come and to go and when hee pleaseth to withold his preservation wee languish and dye the Godly have the feeling and knowledge of all this they finde they have their life from Jesus as from
a common stock even for the body he is a second Adam to us that his life might be made manifest in our mortall flesh Ioh 7.20 Ps 30.2 Cor. 4.8 Jehovah i.e. Christ is thy life through Israel Deut. 30.20 not Moah nor Ammon nor Edom. In Q 5. N. 4 under curse All afflictions are comprehended in this and the like sayings First cursed is the earth for thy sake for in sorrow thou shalt eat of it Gen. 3 17. Secondly I will greatly multiply thy sorrow Gen. 3.16 Thirdly I will put enmity between the Serpent and the woman and thou Sathan shâ—lt bruise his foot-stoole Gen. 3.15 For the two former see how Christ doth for his chosens sake destroy Sathans workes in Ps 8. Ps 107. Ps 128. Ioh 5.23 Hos 2.18 1 Tim. 4. Tit. 1.15 1 Tim 2.14.15 The creatures are joyfull to be imployed for the churches uses Ps 65. Ps 67. Es 44.23 Hos 2.21.22 They are purified from the usurpation of the curse made usefull serviceable and sanctified by the Covenant and by the word of promise and by holy and humble prayer Ezâ—k 36.37 But many cases of conscience do often arise for these things in our hearts If Christ destroy Sathans workes how is it that there be so many afflictions restraints crosses c. in our persons labours and estates whereas in the meane time the wicked do commonly prosper All is answered in Iohs booke and in Ps 73. Ps 30 Ps 37. All the affliction of the godly is either for the tryall of Graces or for the purging of vices by Christ the curse is removed and afflictions are sanctified and by his discipline made wholesome medicines the counsells of God are unsearchable but what he doth is in wisdome love and righteousnesse and in that respect hee makes all to worke together for good to them that love God why then should wee dispute murmur distrust or judge hardly of our selves or of others that fear God or have an ill opinion of the Lord God every event is an Oracle Be dumbe therefore before the shearer the more we strugle the lesse we prevaile no wise Father doth greive his child willingly so God doth not afflict willingly Lam 3.31 but when need is 1 Pet. 1. Lay therefore thy face to the ground in a holy submission that so there may be hope Lam. 3.27 Esa 28 23. And as for that third saying That Sathan shall be at enmity with the woman and shall bruise consider Psal 129. Rom. 8.28.2 Thes 1. c. all these sums of afflictions must call to remembrance the sin of our first Parents in whom all have sinned Rom 5.12 In Q. 5. N. 4 Vanity and corruption All Ecclesiasts must here be considered which sheweth from a plentifull induction the variety of Gods Providences to finde the instability and passing away of all under the Sun that so we might be diligent all our life long to see how the soul may stand in judgement for the hope of eternall comfort Gods aim is to bring us to this saying nothing but Christ Ps 73. and to this not to love the world nor the things that are in the world 1 Ioh. 2.15 1 Cor. 7. 31. In Q. 5. N. 4 Service of the creatures The very creatures do joy both in the temporall and spirituall good of the Church as hath been touched above Luke 15.10 Ps 65. Ps 67. Es 43.23 Apoc. 5.11.12.13 Ps 24 Ps 91. The Angells the Stars the Heavens the Rivers the Seas the Earth with windes stormes tempests haile c. Ps 18. Iud. 5. Ps 11 All these are ordered for the good of Christ and his Church Ps 96. Psal 98. And Christs intercession doth mitigate the curse Gen. 8.21 Psal 128. I will once more breifly summe up these four heads The first old Adam was a figure but in a contrary way of the second Adam that was to come The first Adam by his sin was the corrupter of all things the second Adam the restorer of all things by his obedience procuring our Regeneration Justification the godly are a new creation old things are passed away all things through Christ are become new to them and hence that speech is glorious All things are yours wheâ—her the world life or death whether things present or things to come all condiâ—â—ons all events are yours all the Ordinances all the Officers both of Church and Common-weale are yours all the Angells are yours all the promises and precepts are yours Christ is yours God is yours yee are Christs and Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3. In Q. 6. N 1 The seed of Sathan This is the malignant Church But observe through all the holy story how the Son of God the second Adam hath whet his sword bent his bow and prepared his arrowes against them he hath both promised and sworne to the Church that hee will have war with him from generation to generation even untill Sathans head-plot is wholy broken Ps 7. both by giving them over to spirituall judgements and to outward plagues Thou hast troden all them that erre from thy statutes for their deceit is falshood thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like drosse Therefore I love thy testimonies Ps 119.116 Jer. 6.30 And in the promise to Abraham God doth curse them Gen. 12. and Lev. 26. The holy spirit doth also in detestation describe them by many infamous titles and comparisons Seed of the Serpent Gen. 3.15 Mal. 3. Angels of the Devill Sons of Belial c. these are the multitude that go the broad way to destruction as may be seene in the Apostacy of the old world and in the Apostacy of Nimrod and in the Apostacy of the ten Tribes by the perswasion of Jeroboam and of the two Tribes not long after so liwkeise it fell out in the Kingdome of the King of Locusts In Q. 6. Adopted Sons of God These are the Church militant yet great is their glory in the Covenant and in the promises that are made to them in Christ they have glorious Titles They are called the Sons of God the Angells of Christ the truest of the living God his spouse his portion which God hath created for his promise Es 43. This is that Kingdome of Christ that endureth to the end and that consumeth all other kingdoms that oppose the little flock that go the narrow way that leadeth unto life In Q. 6. N. 11. God made this promise God was the first teacher of the glad tidings of the Doctrine of faith to open the blind eyes and to turne men from darknesse to light and from the power of Sathan to God When Adam was become poor blind miserable and naked God was pleased to give his collyrion eye salve from the promise of Christ for that declaration of Redemption by the seed of the woman was denounced as a threatning to the Serpent but as it was spoken in the hearing of Adam and Eve it implyed a promise of Redemption to them from Sathans head-plot so the promise was
of faith in a pure conscience and this wee are to do by restipulation of Covenant X. As Abraham was blessed that is justified in beleeving the Gospel preached unto him so shall those that walke in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham who is the Father of us all that is of all such that so beleeve as he did XI The Doctrine of justification by faith in Christ is very ancient being taught Abraham afore Romes foundation was layd or Rhomulus or Rhemus or a Pharisee or Papist were borne XII God will blesse them that blesse this Doctrine of Christ to Abraham And he will curse them that curse and persecute this †Let the Anabaptist consider whether all godly parents ought not to curse their tenets in denying infants to be in the covenant in denying the seale to them doctrine of Christ and his people for it shall be sayd to all such Cast out the Servant and her Son c. Gal. 4. XIII This also may be observed as the families of the sons of Noah were cursed and out off from the Gospell and peace of God by the confusion of tongues at Babylon Christ would turne this to a blessing in tongues understood at Salem creating the fruit of the lips to be peace to the far off and to the the near Jew and Gentile so the Gospell the word of faith in our own Languages is a most deare blessing Accursed be the contrary endeavours of the mysticall Babylon against the Kingdome of Justice and Peace in the Jerusalem that is from heaven XIV Us Gentiles of the posterity of Japheth Zacharias and the blessed Virgin remember the promise with thanksgiving Luc. 1. have great cause to praise and blesse God the father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath performed this promise and hath blessed us with all spirituall blessings in heavenly things in Christ Moses and the Prophets call upon us for this duty and so our godly predecessors did Psalm 18.67 Rom. 15. Act. 13. AApoc 7 XV. As God doth curse him that obeyeth not this doctrine of Faith so they that teach a diverse or contrary way of justification then by faith in Christ are to be abhorred and accursed of all the Saints Moses the Psalmes Esayas and all the Prophets open this scripture of the Gospel of Christ to Abraham in many particulars this is a gemm to them all not only of the speciall blessings in us and for us but of the particular †The teâ—mes families nations Gemiles Heathens and in the New Testament Grecians tribes are very often to be taken in one sence nations that revolted from Sems blessed God how they should be called again to Sems God All Nations shall blesse him and be blessed in him Psal 73. Esa 11. and 66. Act. 2. QUest 3. Did God add any Sacraments or Seals to the word of his Covenant and promise Answ Besides the sacrifices the eternall God ordained Circumsion QUest 4 What did circumsion teach them Answ I. Jehovah made it a seal of his promise and covenant of blessednesse in Christ to be a God to Abraham and to his seed Therefore it was a seal of Gods Reconciliation Justification and adoption and God did thus keepe his covenant with them Of Gods reconciliation because God all sufficient doth condescend to enter into covenant with sinfull man Of Justification or remission of sins because it is a seale of the justification that is by faith God did justifie the circumcision by faith and all the policy of Israel did or should have professed the same God gave it for that same end Rom. 4. Of Adoption because God selected Abraham and his seed and preferred them above all Nations to be a chosen generation a royall Preist-hood an holy nation a purchased and peculiar people And therefore also God had sayd to Pharaoh Israel is my first borne Exod. 4. and 19. II. It is signified and sealed to them to fathers and their infant children their reconciliation with God by putting off the sinfull body of the flesh in which they were conceived and by consequent the putting on the new man So mortification and sanctification or regeneration is taught Moses and the Prophets ever drew them to the spirituall meaning and to rest in the outward worke and the faithfull did thus keep their covenant with God The Saints made excellent uses of this seal of faith for instruction and consolation of their owne soules as of their posterity as Moses Manoah Jonathan David Esaias c. Exod. 6.12 Deut. 30.6 Judg. 14.3 1 Sam. 14.6 and 17.36 Esa 6. And observe the Apostle Paul what he saith in Rom. 2.29 Col 2.12 III. It sealed to them both to Fathers and their infant children the blessed Estate of the immortality of the soule and the resurrection IV. It was a seale of entrance into the Church and policy of Israel which is called the kingdome of God to distinguish from the Apostate families For all Israel they and their children were by speciall priviledge federally holy Exod. 19.5.6 Deut. 7.8 1 Cor. 7.13 14 Matth 21. V. It was a seal to the deed of gift of the Land of Chanaan the Land of Rest or promise to Abraham and his naturall seed and proselytes And of all outward necessary comforts for this life both of provision and protection VI. It sealed to Abraham that he should be a Father not of the Jewes only but of many nations that when that deed of gift the Prerogative of it was out the Gentiles should be called to the faith fathers and children to be made disciples and so become Abrahams see and the kingdome of God This is so expounded in the Epistle to the Galatians and in Matth. 21.43 and 28.19 Acts 2. and 3. and 11.17 and 15. VII Thus we may see what a Catechism out of the promise and out of the seal of Circumcision the holy Prophet Abraham might teach his houshold as he did and as God testifies he would Now out of all this let this be noted that the promise concerning Christ to Abraham was not onely of temporal blessings to him and his posterity but also of spirituall and that chiefly And Circumcision sealed the same and no other doctrine but what the promise taught Let Rom. 15.8 be throughly studied of us They are vain talkers and deceivers of mindes that teach otherwise QUest 5. Furthermore To Whom did God instruct his Church in expectation of Christ Answ To Judah the fourth son of Jacob in these words Gen. 49.10 A Tribe shall not (a) Or fail to Iudah Shebet a tribe is in Moses 32 times as the learned observe and never a Scepter in him but a Tribe and so Tremellius depart from Judah nor a Lawgiver from between his feet till his Son shall come and to (b) Iehovah the hope of their Fathers that is Christ the hope of Israel Jer. 50 7. Acts 28.20 observe how Iacob left the faith to his posterity on his
death bed Let it be for example him shall the gathering of the peoples be QUest 6. What do ye observe out of this text Answ 1. This prophecie and promise doth look back to the promise to Abraham concerning the great mystery of godliness God manifested in the flesh for it is foretold that Christ should also come of Judah II. When other tribes should despise for the faith of Christ be scattered but Judah should hold the faith throw a succession of holy Scribes and Teachers of the Law and them chiefly of the holy line of Christ and his Tribe endure till Christ his Son came III. Whereas it is sayd the peoples shall be gathered to Christ the meaning is they shall be called to the faith and in his Name and Law shall the Nations trust This prophesie is expounded by Esaias Chap 11 10 and 66 19 20 John 11 51 53 c. QUest 7. Who had the knowledge of the Son of God in this state of time revealed and testified by the spirit in these exceeding great and precious promises and the seale of Circumcision Answ Abraham Jsaac Jacob and the twelve Patriarks and many of their Godly posterity in Egypt also Lot Job and others in divers places QUest 8. Who were they that disregarded (a) Heb. 11.26 reproached and despised the doctrine of life in Christ exhibited in these promises and the seal of Circumcision to Abraham and Judah Answ Nachor the brother of Abraham and many of his posterity many of the posterity of Abraham by Keturah the posterity of Lot Ismael (b) As Esau was profane and despised the covenant so his posterity they profanely left the seal of circumcision which was conferred on their Father Zerem 9.26 Esau and their posterities the Canaanites the Egyptians yea all the families that fell away in the revolt of Nimrod QUest 9. Was there not an Apostasie in the Church from the faith of Christ taught to Abraham Isaac Iacob and Iudah Answ A great apostasie for Israel in Egypt forsook the faith of their Godly ancestours and followed the idols and religion of Egypt Read Ezekiel 20. and 23. QUest 10. What was the hope and comfort of the faithfull for these times in cleaving to the faith Answ Through faith they obtained good report with God and confessed that they were pilgrims and strangers on the earth Heb. 11.13 Gen. 27. all of it and strove for the blessing of the heavenly inheritance Wherefore God was not ashamed of them to be called their God and filled their hearts with joy that by faith saw the dayes of Christ and provided for them the eternal recompense of reward in the heavenly City Luk. 20.35 36 37. and Countrey and Kingdom for he accounted them his children and worthy to enjoy that world and the better resurrection QUest 11. How was the wrath of God revealed from heaven against those that did mock curse and despise the faith of Christ and his people Answ VVars and broyls among (a) Gen. 14. four Kings against five Kings of divers countreys Ismael the son of the bondwomen cast out Esau given up to hardness of heart Sodom and Gomorrha burned with fire and brimston II. All apostate families were further separated from Christ and the Church of God from the dayes of Abraham by uncircumcision Gen. 34 14. Ephes 2.11 and in great reproach called uncircumcision of them which are called Circumcision QUest 12. How did Christ pour out his fury and his anger for the apostasie of Israel in Egypt Answ God gave up Israels babes to the sword of Pharaoh and to be drowned in the river Nilus Ezek. 20.7 8. Exod. 1. Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the fourth CHAPTER IN the first Quest and Answ note The Promise of Christ to Abraham is often renewed to him also it was given to Isaac and Jacob This is the foundation of that speech I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob this is my memoriall to all generations that is to all of their faith whether Jew or Gentile Exod. 3.15 Gal. 3.6 2. Also observe on Gen. 12.3 it is said And in thee shal all But in Gen. 22. 18 it is sayd And in thy seed shall all so the new Testament useth the same variety of Phrases for in Act. 3.25 it is sayd In thy seed shall alâ— but in Gal. 3.8 In thee shall all yet Saint Paul in chapter 16. expounds it at large and saith To Abraham and his seed were the promises made This is noted that we might confer scriptures that neither Jew nor Gentile might trust in Abraham or any of the saints but in that holy seed the Son of God that took humanity of Abraham 3. In Gen. 1 2.3 And I will blesse The Promises of God in Christ are the foundation of all comfort to the Church whether in his goodnesse to it or severity to the malignant company that curse and do all ill offices to the church Why did God do all that is spoken of in Psal 105. in every verse both to his church and to the children of the wicked one The reason is rendred in verse 42 He remembred his holy promise to Abraham his servant and the effects of that promise did not stand in force for Moses time alone but for one thousand generations as verse 8. and that is the intent of penning this Psalme Mich. chap. 7 remembreth his promise and expoundeth it with terror to the seed of the Serpent but with joy to the Saints for the pardon of sin withholding of anger shewing mercy and compassion and burying of sinns as in the sea and all this accompanied with another grace of subduing our iniquities all these expound the promise a godly soul doth as much desire to have sin subdued as pardoned so justifâ—cation mortification and sanctification are taught in the promise The blessed and beloved Virgin and Z charins do both comment on Micah Luke 1. and the Psalme 106. must be considered as Psal 105. 4. Minde further how this promise is pursued in Levit. 26. and Dan. 9.24 and Act 3. Gal 3 and 4. for the faith of this promise was taught both to the Jewes Acts 3. and to the Gentiles Gal. 3. and indeed all the Bible dilateth on that of Gen. 3.15 Gen. 12.3 and this of Gen. ‑ 12.3 is but an exposition of Gen. 3.15 5. yet further observe that as Jehovah the eternall Lord doth remember the promise to a thousand generations Ps 105.8 so likewise all the Israel of God that are of Abrahams faith are reciprocally to remember it as 1 Chron. 16.15.16 marke it well As God saith The promise is his memoriall so it should be our memoriall and especially we should remember it in the dayes of affliction for then wee most need so to do consider Exod. 3.15 for then Israel was in great affliction and Moses was sent to tell them that God was mindfull of his memoriall Consider Nehemiah 9.
righteousness But they could not call JESUS the Lord but held him his Kingdome his doctrine and his disciples anathema as of old they did Esay 8.18 chap. 65.5 66.5 all John 9. N. 10. In the steps of the faith of our Father Abraham There are many that do not walk in the steps of the faith of Abraham as the Anabaptist that saith infants of believing parents are not in the covenant of God in Christ and so ought not to have the seal conferred on them therefore they do not administer the seal but scoff at it as Patience did in New England Now see Abrahams faith He did not only believe that the children that came of Israel were in the covenant of God in Christ but he believed the same touching the infants of the Gentiles therefore in testimony of his faith he circumcised his house the same day the covenant and promise was renewed to him Gen 17. And all the tribes to our Lords dayes did observe circumcision And the promise is sure to all the seed of whom Abraham is a Father not only to that seed that is circumcised but also to them of the Gentiles that are uncircumcised for he is said to be the Father of us all according to that which was spoken to him That he should be the father of many nations Therefore the Anabaptist is far from walking in the steps of the faith of Abraham and they run into sad uncomfortable errours First They deny God to be the God of infants having no right nor portion in the covenant Secondly If infants be not in the covenant of God in Christ they shal not be partakers of the better resurrection O ye parents consider it Thirdly They will not present them to Christ in his ordinances that he should teach them what is this but a dedication of their infants to Moloch to the divel to be devoured Whereas the godly parent hath great comfort that if the children of Idolatrous parents were born to God God so accounts in respect of his covenant Ezek. 16.20 how much more have godly parents comfort that their children are born to God Let the Apostles reasoning Rom. 4.16 17. to the end of the chapter be throughly minded and let Gods people observe providences whether many of the Anabaptists do not turn to Sadducism denying the resurrection or as vile opinions for it hath been observed not without cause that Anabaptistry is a cloke of all filthiness and our times have found it to be so Surely they that are of the faith of Abraham shall be blessed with faithfull Abraham For so it is said Many shall come from the East and from the West from the North and from the South and shall sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the kingdome of Heaven Mar 8. Luke 13. Rom. 4 13. and so they became the Israel of God Gal. 6.16 The promise of blessedness in Christ is in extent as large to all converted Gentiles and to their seed as to Abraham and his seed N. 11. The doctrine of Justification by faith Abraham believeth in him that justifieth the ungodly who counted his believing for his justification before he received circumcision that he might be the Father of the believing uncircumcised Gentiles so it is not heresie as the circumcised Pharisee then and the baptized Papist now would bear the world in hand What the Gospel not before Popery mark here two sayings Gal. 3.8 The Scripture foreseeing that God would justifie the Gentiles through faith preached before the Gospel to Abraham saying In thee shall all the Gentiles be blessed And from this promise he had the justification that it by faith and before circumcision Rom. 4. The other text is Heb. 4. For unto us the Gospel hath been preached as also unto them that is to the people of Israel that came out of Egypt Exod. 12. Minde the sayings of the new Testament illustrating for us the old covenant that we may see Antiquity gloriously triumphing over Popish cursed Noveltie Holy Luther and multitudes before him and others after him by preaching this everlasting Gospel have routed the armies of King Abaddon that he shall never make up his troups again N. 12. God will bless them that bless this doctrine Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper that love thee Psalm 122. they shall be as the bright Sun that love Christ Jude 5. Blesse Christ and Abraham that is all of his faith and thou shalt be blessed thou and thy posterity as Lot found that blessed Abraham and so the very Amorites Aner Escol and Mamre Gen. 14. and it is probable the Gibeonites might be of their posteritie being a remnant of the Amorites Under the term Amorite all the Chanaanites sometimes are understood How did Christ pity them in suffering Israel to make a league with them and for Sauls cruelty And they were the Nethinim that returned with Judah from captivity Jos 9 22. Ezra 8.20 Ibid. N. 12. Cuâ—se and persecute this doctrine Dost thou curse Wilt not bless the holy seed and the holy doctrine Read thy doom as he loved cursing so shall it come unto him as he delighted not in blessing so let it be far from him Psalm 109. Wilt not exercise bowels to the body of Christ the curse shall enter in thy bowels Doest not hear Let them be confounded and turned back that hate Sion let them be as the grass upon the house tops which withereth afore it grows up wherewith the reaper filleth not his hand nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosome Neither do they which go by say the blessing of Jehovah be you we bless you in the Name of Jehovah Psalm 129. Thou that hast spittle in thy mouth and an aking tooth against Christ and the sincerity of the faith hear what one of thine own prophets have said Num. 24.9 He couched he lay down as a Lion as a great Lyon who shall stir him up blessed is he that blesseth thee and cursed is he that curseth thee Mark how the promise to Abraham and Jacobs blessing was carried by tradition among the children of the East and how Balaam durst not but remember it to terrifie Balak in his Enterprize What saith Christ to Pharaoh Kill my childe and I will kill thy childe Israel is my first-born the heir of the world it thou afflict him I will slay thy son thy first born And consider Psalm 105. how it pursueth the promise and covenant to Abraham for Israel and against the seed of the Serpent And thus it must be considered for Israel all the time of the old Testament and for the Israel of God till the end of the world He that meddles against Israel meddles with a burdensome stone and putteth fire into a sheat to burn his house Psalm 2 10 11 12. Zach. 12.3.6 What gat Balak and the Princes of Midian and Balaam that sought to curse God cursed them and the false Prophet felt it So though the Balaks and Balaams of
glad it was rid of such a Tyrant and Apostate He poureth contempt upon Princes 10. His son Achaziah knew all this yet he feared not God but walked in the way that is the Religion and manneâ—s of apostate Israel 2 Kin. 8.27 11. His idolatrous mother was his Counsellour and because there were not States-men wise enough in Judah the counsâ—llours of Jeroboam man of sin his Religion must be sent for and so the secrets and mysteries of State in Iudah must be discovered Ah poore Iudah how sick and intangled was thy State â— Châ—on 22 3 4. can such with well to and procure the weal of Mount Sion Psal 122. Apoâ— 14.1 12. As the two fathers so the two bâ—ethren joyned in league for Achaziah joined with Iehoram King of Israel in battel against Hâ—zael of Aram who held still Ramoth-Gilead so Achaziah being not onely a very wicked man but as bad a States-man wasted also the strength of Iudah 13. Achaziah going to visit Joram being sick was slain by Jehu as he was of the house of Achab by the mother so he perished with it 2 Chr. 22.6 7. Complices in tyranny and idolatry complices in punishment Hosh 5 5. 14. Many idolatrous Princes and 40 young Gentlemen and Courtiers of the kindred of Achaziah going down from Iudah to comple-mentit with the children of the King and Queen of Israel there Iehu found them and slew them These apostate Princes of the faction of Ierobâ—am man of sin his Religion and it may be pensioners too that put their hands to kill the good Princes God met with them by Iebu 2 Chron. 22. Let this teach Courtiers the eye of Christ is in Kings Courts 15. Athaliah the wife of Iehoram daughter of Achab and it may be of Iezabel being Queen Regent six years in Iudah seeing her son Achaziah was slain by Iebu she seiseth like a cruell tyrant on the children of her son Achaziah and slew all but a yong infant of a year old O sick Iudah sick sick sick 2 Chron. 22 Isa 1.5 6 7. 16. She being Regent governed in an idolatrous and turbulent manner to the hearts grief of the honest Subjects for she being King cut off idolatry was banished the Gospel was restored and the Land was quiet 2 Châ—on 23.21 Christ poureth contempt upon Princes 17. The sons of Athaliah that wicked woman for the time of those six years had broken up the house of the Lord and had committed abominable and idolatrous sacriledge It should seem she had sons whom she tendred by some other man 2 Chron. 24.7 These evils and others yea and others which are not written Deut. 28 61 followed good Jehosaphats bad affinity with Achabs wicked house 18. Mark through all the holy story what pollution of blood from that Ammonean and Achabean breed ran in all the Royall descents to the Captivity That you be not mistaken you must observe that there were two Kings of Iudah and Israel reigning at one time of the same name Iehoram Also two Kings both called Achaziah and near of the same time Ioram and Iehoram are all one name and so in King Iehoash of Iudah and King Iehoash of Israel The Table of genealogie prefixed will help your observation Other State-affairs in the stories of other Kings reigns beginning with King Azariah alias Vzziah and so forwards compared with the prophets will afford many meditations I think it not amisse to touch a little from the story of Salomon for this matter of affinity In policy he might make affinity with Pharaoh a great Potentate to strengthen himself being a King of peace by this course he thought to maintain it for him and his successours but it proved otherwise Although Pharaohs daughter might prove a proselite and forget the Religion of her own people and her fathers house and cleave to the truth of Christ as it is thought she did to be a figure of the Gentiles calling to the true Salomon It might be a great mercy to her to be of the true Church and of the houshold of God But very like it it was done of Pharaoh but as a snare to work their own interests against Israel No trust to be had in idolatrous people for so of this affinity came no good to the Church of God 1. There was no succession of this proselyte-daughter 2. The State of Egypt maintained a Faction and fostered Traytors and enemies to Salomon and the State of all Israel as Ieâ—oboam that lifted up his hand against the King and Hadad the Edomite 1 Kin. 11. So Egypt nourished two factions in Salomons life-time against him 3. And Shishak King of Egypt might well be the brother of that daughter who five years after Salomons death invaded Iudah and warred against Rehoboam that apostate fool Eccl. 2.19 2 Chron. 12.13 and 13.17 Marriages do not alwayes unite houses and kingdomes as in the Seleuco-Pagidae Dan. 2 43. and 11. So France and Spain knock one against the other 16 36 Rome is called Egypt and it hath nourished traditours and proditours against Christian Princes of the Reformation This should make all Christian Reformed States to be very watchfull and diligent concerning any treaty with Abaddons Kingdome for he in allusion is compared with Ieroboam called the Man of sinne 2 Thes 2. and Romes polity is called Egypt in a mysterie Quest 9. and Ans and the nations sometimes they gadded and treated with Assur but that framed not sometime with Egypt that also failed Ier. 2.16 17 18. False worship taketh heart from a State This folly madnesse and sillinesse other Prophets reprove in Ephraim Esay 29. Hos 5. and 7. The whorish State her feet cannot abide in her house therefore she did wander Pâ—ov 7.11.12 Hos 9 2 Ezek. 16.33 c. and chap. 23.14.15 c. God plagued them by their lovers They pleased themselves in the children and manners of strangers Isa 2.6 wise States-men of old were carefull of this Iob 15 19. and the godly returned from Babel Ezra 4. Hezekiah was to blame Isa 39. Our nation changed their glory and loved Kâ—ttims Religion therefore God plagued and did trouble them with Italian Monsters Ier. 2.25 Deut. 28.43.44 Hos 7.9 It is to admonish 1 Cor. 10.11 and to make States wise and learned Psal 2. read Ezek. 16. and 23. for their Babylonian lovers and compare things for Rome is called Egypt and Babylon in a mysterie Vide Mr. Cade Instit Lib 1 pag. 128. and the Appendix Also insinuations for corruption of manners will make the sweet yoke of Christ burdensome and will work further change of our way as things go on uncomfortably at this time anno 1636. Ibid. Yea astonishing sorrows The Lamentations of Ieremiah and Psa 80 and 89 c. c. compared with the history shew astonishing sorrows with the causes and this was one chief cause for the sins of her Prophets and the iniquity of her Priests that shed the blood of the just They they the chief cause of
people 2 Chr. 20. Dan 7.1 Sam. 7. Psalm 84. Hest 4.16 humiliation of his people he alway heard their cry (f) He had ever respect to his glorious and great Name Exod. 34. Num. 14. Deut. 32. Ezek. 20. and this the Saints perpetually remember to God Psalm 74. 79 149. his promise and covenant is ever working and remembred his covenant in Christ breaking the head and head-plot of the seed of the Serpent in his unsearchable judgements (g) Consider Psalm 2. 110. through all stories at the word from Kain to all that follow his waies putting away all the wicked of the earth like dross treading and trampling them in the (h) Let this text of Esay 63. be cited no more impertinently not erronionsly Apoc. 19. teacheth to expound it Wine-press of his anger and fury and overthrowing Kingdome after Kingdome with great desolation as it is said Lo I begin to bring evil on the City whereupon my name is called and should ye be utterly unpunished Read Jer. 23. Esay 30. Very many more are the observations which these Scriptures of Moses and the Prophets will afford to the wild Olive branches but to the godly and deligent student they will be familiar QUest 8. Was not the Kingdome of Salomon restored after the captivity Answ 1. No They were told that they should never have an earthly Kingdome any more for God had sworn that Jechonias of Salomons posterity and of the direct line of the Royal descent should dy childless and that none of his seed nor of Jehojakim his father should bear rule any more in Judah Jer. 22. 36.30 2. Also God had told them in Babel that the 4 Kingdoms signified by the four mettals of the Image by the four beasts Dan. 2. 7. should over-rule their outward estate and that the Crown and Kingdom should be overturned overturned overturned and cast to the ground till he came to whom it belonged that is Christ the King QUest 9. If Salomons race was ended in Jechonias how was Gods promise fulfilled that Christ should come of David according to the flesh Ans David besides Salomon had a son of Bathsheba called Nathan and of him our Lord Jesus Christ linealy descended QUest 10. If Jechonias dyed childeless how is it said that he begate Salathiel 1 Chron. 3.17 and Mat. 1.12 Answ Salathiel was the Son of Jechonias by legal right of succession to the kingdom not son by nature and so Ezra teacheth 1 Chron. 3. That Jechonias being in (a) See how Tremelius translates 1 Chron 3.17 the term Assiâ— is not a proper name strait prison adopted Salathiel his heir And in the same manner the Evangelist Matthew handles our Lords case declaring that he was right heir to the kingdome of Israel QUest 11. Which are the Kingdoms signified by the four mettals and by the four Beasts Dan. 2. 7. Answ By the Head of Gold and the Lion is signified Babel the Brest and armes of silver and the Bear signifie the Medes and Persians the Belly and sides of Brass and the spotted Leopard the kingdom of Graecia the thighs and legs of iron and feet of iron and clay and the Beast with ten horns the kings of Gog in the north and the kings of the South QUest 12. What was the end of those wicked kingdomes that oppressed the Saints the holy Hebrews Answ The whole Image was beaten to dust and made as chaff before the winde the four Beasts were cast into the fire unquenchable before the Son of man came in the clouds QUest 13. What reasons may be rendred why God did abolish some of Moses Ceremonies and Salomons race and everthrew Temple City and kingdome Answ Israel which is after the flesh looked not to the sure mercies of David in the eternal throne and kingdome promised to them in Christ But that which was for their welfare became to them through misbelief an occasion of falling they stumbled at the Stumbling Stone and seeking by the outward work to be justifyed as Esay 1. 58.59 Psa 50. complains and made their Belly their God and minded outward and earthly things therefore God did shake all those poor rudiments by Babel read Jer. 3.16 52.13.17 c. and once more finally said he wouldâ— that they might be better perswaded to embrace the New Covenant that God had promised to make with them to look to Christ the end of the Law and to entertain his easie yoke and to enter into his rest to be more spiritually minded to look to him the true Salomon and to his Priesthood and kingdom QUest 14. How many years was it since the 19. of Nebuchadnezar or the third captivity to the end of the Captivity Answ Full 50 years then the golden head was made dust the Lion thrown in the fire Then Cyrus K. of Persia overthrew Babel The eighth Chapter of Dan. for the fufilling of it belongs to the time of the Seventy Sevens and likewise much of chap 2. and 7. and made a decree for the return of the people and building of the Citie and Temple in the first year of his Reign QUest 15. What Scriptures are contained in those 50. years Ans Part of the last chap of 2 Kings and part of the last chap. of 2 Chr. much of Jeremiah and much of Ezekiel so much as is noted to be after the 11. of Zedekiah or the burning of the Temple the 4 5 7 8. a chapters of Daniel the prophesie of Obadiah The Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the eighth CHAPTER QUest N. 4. Moses saith from Christ People should be taught this constantly that the Son of God to whom the Father hath committed all authority and power so as Mediatour he gave the Law And when we are careless or wilful and break the law and do not obey it then we dishonour the Son for this is the holy revealed will of the Lord that all men should honour the Son as they honour the father Exoa. 23. Mat. 17.5 So it is said of Servants they serve and obey Christ when they perform their duties in conscience to their masters the same is said of wives and children And so we must say of all relations divine and humane in all the Ten Words Mark Jeremy chap. 34. all of it That is a great Word which is spoken Obdience is better than Sacrifice This well understood will make to vaniâ—h the term Legalists and the vain doctrines that have been about keeping and walking in the Law of the Lord as though it were not made for the righteous to be a rule of life but we may not once to think to be justified by the doing of it for the Law is more spiritual then the best Christian in the world But we ought to be very careful that we walk in his holy covenant that our hearts by his spirit may comfort us that we are honest subjects of the Kingdome of so good and gracious a
Luke 17.20 and 19.11 and 23.51 Acts 2. John 1. they by Daniel looked the Kingdome of heaven should appear though most of them knew not in what manner through misunderstanding of the Scriptures Acts 13.27 Luke 24.21 Their false Teachers had greatly clouded all holy Doctrine Quest 6. and Answer That did hate and cruelly mock Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth since their peregrination In Egypt Ier 2 1.3 Ezek. 23.3 may Israel now say Ps 129 yea the Church may say this from the first to the last It began in blood and hath grown up by blood and shall end in blood as it was redeemed by blood Let the godly when they come to the Lords Supper think on this and ever prepare for trialls and take up the crosse Qu. 7. and Ans And to speak stout and wearisome words Apostasie from Gabriels holy Doctrine Dan. 8. and 9. and 11.12 chapters consider Judahs manners in profaness adultery perjury violence c. In brief for not remembring the Gospel-Law that Christ gave in Horeh for all Israel Mal. 4. These things shew that they shall cease to be of the holy City for this diligently read Haggai Zachariah and Malachi Ibid. Great oppugners of all Gabriels heavenly Message They were zealous Ministers of traditions mens precepts and bodily exercise they were serious in trifles and trifled in serious things The frame of spirit of all superstitious hypocrites Col. 2. They made false glosses on the holy Text and great enemies to the Gospel c. They are followed step by step of the Popish faction and their friends But those that love the shining glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ will abhor to be like such hypocrites that do all to be seen of men that care for nothing but pompous out-sides and bodily exercise opus ex ernum operatum yet mannaged with great shews of humility with great shew of wisdome and great shews of zeal and neglecting the body and defended by Pharisaicall and Locust-Scorpion cruelty and by cogging and dice-play Doctrine in all craftinesse Eph. 4. Such did and do hold Christ and his Doctrine Anathema It was ever so with the seed of the serpent ever since God spake Gen. 13.15 and so it will be to the end Mark what the Christ the angel of Gods presence said of old And if ye shall despise my statutes or if your soul abhor my judgements so that ye will not do all my commandements but that ye break my covenant Levit. 26.15 Deut. 7.10 and repayeth them that hate him Observe what Malachi saith that Christ will be refiners fire and Fullers sope to the three Shepherds whose soul abhorred Christ and their Doctrine which he was in Mat 5 6 and 7. chapters and chap. 23. and so he was to the Churches of Asia Apoc. 2 and 3. and in all other by his apostles and so to this day he is to all traditionists c. Quest 8. and Answer And thought upon his name to glorifie them The four beasts successively afflicted the people of God yet observe what is said for their consolation Dan 7.18 That although the beasts shall take away the earthly Kingdome of the Saints of the most high Ones the holy Trinity yet they shall possesse the Kingdome for ever yea for ever and ever The losse of the one is the enjoyment of the other So all that follow their faith are said to be partakers of their inheritance in light Col 1.12 Psal 36.5 with this note consider the former notes of the immortall State of the faithfull them in heaven and the family of heaven Ephes 1.10 and 3.15 Quest 9. and Answer hanged that Courtier and Favourite Haman Let fawning and flattering Courtiers that have a secret sting against the godly and wayes of holinesse remember this man their predecessour and likewise Doeg that mischievous and deceitfull tongue Achitophel that acute oracle of counsell Shebna the Treasurer a fautor of atheisme and all debauched courses Isa 22. and those Princes and Presidents that could find no quarrell against gracious Daniel but for the Law of his God And those Deputies that by plausible pretences lies and slanders did insinuate into the hearts of the Kings of Persia to damn the glorious Letters Patents of Cyrus King of Persia and those counsellours that were pensioners to hinder the Gospel Ezra 4. And those Courtiers that would have the King to put Jeremiah to death for preaching the word truly and at last put him into aâ—miry dungeon c. Now that you may see Christ rules in Princes Courts in the midst of his enemies he rooted out Doeg Psal 52. Achitophel seeing his projects took not hanged himself Shebna was banished and a godly officer substituted in his place And for those Princes and Presidents we see their sudden destruction Dan. 6. consider Ps 9 10. The sword famine and pestilence met with Jeremiahs accusers And as wrath came from the fierie Throne upon the Kings of Persia so it fell we may be sure on their creatures Dan. 7. Ibid. Had no right nor portion c. That speech of the truly Noble Nehemiah that famous godly and honourable Courtier is full of piercing terrour and a brave contestation to affront the stoutest stomacks that hinder the welfare of Sion And these Texts will further explain it Phil. 3.2.3 4 Eph. 2.10 11 12. Jer. 10.16 Apo. 12.14 15 19. if no porttion among that part of Gods family on earth then no portion with the other part of the family in the heavens Ibid. Ierusalems polity Nehemiah genealogized the people that none but of the true faith and posterity of Abraham might dwell in the holy City or have communion with them in holy things Neb. 9.2 so they were genealogized in the Lambs book of Life that are Citizens with the Saints in the Ierusalem that is above Apoc. 3.12 and chap. 7. and 21. Heb. 12.23 Psal 87. But the unclean in faith or life are shut out Neh. 6.63 64 65. Ezek. 13.9 Apoc. 20. and 12. Isa 4 3 Let every man know if he will enter into life he must shew his genealogic Iohn 3. 1. c. 1 Iohn 3. Tiâ— 3. Many Gentlemen glory much if they can derive their genealogie from Ancestors from or beyond the conquest of England by King William which it may be they and their Ancestours had little in them worthy of commendation But never think of any of these things in Gods Book especially of the Genealogle of our Lord Iesus Christ who became man to adopt us the sons of God If Nobility and Gentry could shew that they follow in regeneration the steps of faith and holinesse of the ancient Patriarks Prophets and Apostles then it were glorious whereas all their lineall succession is but vanity being inflamed with idolatrous and superstitious lasciviousnesse and following Cains ways What eared Isaiah Ezekiel Iohn Baptist Our Lord when the Iews boasted of Abraham that they came of him Isa 57.3 Ezek. 16.3 Iohn
arose that spake and wrote perverse things wherefore the reformed are too blame in two respects 1. In yielding too much to the Papalines to prove points from the Ancients for that doth not saâ—issâ—â— them and there is no end with them 2. To urge against their Brethren that desire sincerity the opinions and practise of the Fathers in doctrine church-politie or ceremony The Apostles being Prophets and foreseeing evils gave this precept To remember their words 2 Pet. 3.2 And it is safest so to do This must be often pressed thought upon by all that love our Lord Iesus Christ with incorruption of spirit It was said plainly Beware lest any man carry you for a spoil through the traditions of men according to the rudiments of the world Augustine was of mind that Councils and Bishops ought not to be objected for trial of controversies but the holy Scriptures August Cont. Max. Wherefore give the controversie about altars no quiet no not for an hour for the truth of the Gospel else will not continne with crifice to officiate upon his altar Mordecai was sure to overthrow Haman God had sworn and said that be would have war with Amalek til he was rooted out O yee servants of the Lord contend by meek writings by fervent prayer and bold confession for the maintenance of the faith once given to the saints for Christ hath sworn and said Romes apostate politic should be perishing to the end Exod. 17. Num. 24.2 Thess 2. Apoc. 10. 17. â—lâ—ars are a main prop for Abaddons Kingdome and it is a complying with it and therefore some learned men have done amiss in pleading for that innovation Ibid. and fiâ—st wo Whereas Christ pronounceth Wo Wo Wo to the apostate churches it sheweth the ignorance and vanity of a childish belly-god spirit of many that say it was a good world in the daies of Popery of such good neighbourhood plenty and prosperity and cheapnesse of things Thus of old apostates pleaded against Christ and his Prophet Ieremiah ch 44. But his answer will stop all mouthes but the obstinate in superstition profanesse and mans inventions lyea such are ignorant of our own chronicles that so speak Quest 8. and answ N. 2. which troubled lesser Asia The seven churches of Asia and others falling from the faith Christ removed their Candlesticks by the Turk which shall be further touched in the comparison of the seven Trumpets and seven Vials Ibid. and by their resurrection The two Prophets that were killed by the beast stand upon their feet that is other godly of their spirit Christ raised for the good of the Church as the Spirit of Alias rested on Elisha N 4. Thus God hath once revealed The eleven former chapters of the Apocalyps revealeth the State of the church to the end of the world and the rest of the Apocalyps goeth over the same things with sweet variety Ibid. Eath blessing is here begâ—n and shall be perfected all the saints that are in this vale of tears do sit in the heavenly places and have chambers in the Jerusalem that is from heaven And here God wipeth all tears from our eyes And when they change this life they fully possesse that of which they had an earnest as the godly of gold were in the heavenly Tabernacle Psalm 15.1 The heavenly Father hath but one family yet two Tabernacles or two dwelling places the one in heaven the other on the earth When any of his Servants hath done so much service or factorage Polytâ—uman Phil. 3.20 as he thinks fit then he calls for him home from that part of the family on earth to the other in the heavens to possesse the joy of his Lord. Here an entrance is given us into the everlasting kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1. here we pass from death to life John 5. It is said we are in the second Adam renewed after the image of God that created us and as here we bear his image so shall we bear it in the heavens and there be fully satisfyed with it Psalm 17.1 Cor. 15.49 and further the Scripture saith he that hath prepared us for immortall glory after our earthly house of tabernacle is taken down is God who hath also given unto us the earnest of the Spirit Another Scripture saith He hath made us meet to be partakers of the inhertiance of the Saints in light 2 Cor. 5.1 2. Col. 1. We are made meet in this life for that blessed possession Christians trained up in the word of Christ must hold anathema the Ovidian and Vâ—rgilian doctrine of the Popish purgatory c. Beware left there be any man catry you for a spoil through Phylosophy and vain deceit Col. 2. CHAP. XV. Questions Answers and Annotations Proving that Rome in Gods just Judgement is the place that he hath given unto the power of Satan for the setting up the mystery of iniquity QUest 1. and Answ What place by Gods unsearchable judgement was permitted to Satan for the setting up of the Mystery of Iniquity Answ Rome in Italy for after those ruins it was brought unto it began in process of time to be in credit again Then Satan used all signes and lying wonders to advance there the Throne of the Beast the man of sin or the Pontificalitie (a) As most churches so Rome in special was broken off by mis belief and for not continuing in Gods goodness as they were forewarned Rom. 11. And when the Pontificalitie was set up by the decree of God then nations from East to West obeyed and Worship the Pope and the image of the Imperial State as of old time they did the profane Emperours Whereas if it had not been for the Pontificality Rome and its Empire should never have been revived but left a most filthy lodging of Oxen and Hogs (b) Stâ—uchus against Vallo Lib. 1. in the beginning Even this do the Roman Catholicks themselves confesse And so there the wounded Head was revived by the Pontificality QUest 2. But Rome totidem literis is not named in the holy Scriptures to be the Mother of Whoredomes and abominations How do you know that all these evils were thence to arise Answ By divers notes and marks 1. It is evident that the fixt Head of the Roman State and Power the Politie of Roman Caesars crucified our Lord. 2. By the Locusts and their King the Angel of the bottomless-pit which can agree to no politick corporation in the world but to the Pope and his spiritualty QUest 3. and Answ How is the King of Locusts described Answ 1. It is shewed that the King of Locusts was a star in the heaven of the Church but did opostate and became not a Messenger of the Church of Christ but the Angel of the Pit 2. The keyes which formerly he had being an Angel and a Star were for the honour of CHRISTS Kingdome but apostating his keyes are the keys of the bottomless pit 3. When he used the
that sheweth the Pontificality revived the wounded head of the Caesarian Pontifex Quest 13 and Answer what is meant by the ten horns of the spotted beast Ten Tribes followed Ieroboam the Man of Sin Ten Kingdomes followed King Abaddon the Man of Sinne Ten Tribes rebelled against the Kingdome of David and the Religion of the Temple Ten Kingdomes under the Papacy despised the Kingdome of the Son of David and the holy Temple in the heavenly Jerusalem Steuchus a mysticall Babylonian recordeth the Kingdomes of Europe that gave their power to the Beast 1. Spain and Portugall 2. Hungaria 3. Great Brittany 4. Denmark 5. Râ—ssia 6. Croatia and Dalmatia 7. Arragon 8 â—ohenna 9. Suevia and Nornegia 10. Dacia These paid Tribute to the Pope Quest 14. and answ By mystiall allusions to Countries and Cities to Sodome for filthinesse no sin so vile but it reigns in an Apostate Church so it reigns in Abolah and Aholibab Ezek. 23. are said to do worse than the heathens before them to transcend in excesse of impieties Sodom and Gomorrba The apostate State of King Abaddon became the mother of Harlots and all abominations of the earth Christ his holy Gospel is cords and bands post and rail to mans corrupt nature but that taken away men do degenerate into all profanesse Ibid. That our Lord was crucified As long as we protest in the Symbolon of our faith that the eternal Son the Lord of glory was crucified by Pontius Pilate Rome must be held accursedâ— The Pontificality doth not take away the curse but continues it because it revived the wounded head and doth as it did persecuring Christ in his witnesses Them that keep the Commandements of God and the faith of JESUS CHRIST Ibid. called Sodome and Egypt The former be stamps of the latter it is said I am Iehovah thy God which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the house of bondage This is a Preface to all the Commandements so the same must be a reason to all the Israel of God to walk with God for bringing us out of Rome-Egypt out of that house of cruell bondage Look what cause Lot had to be thankfull for saving him from Sodoms destruction such cause have we for being delivered from Rome-Sodome and what cause of thankfulinesse and praise Israel had for deliverance from Egypt and Babylon such have we for that great and marvellous deliverance from Rome-Egypt and Rome Babilon All those Psalms of praise wherein deliverance from Egypt is mentioned must be sang of us for Rome-Egypt and the holy Spirit teacheth us so to do Apoc 15.3 19.1 All the faithfull under the new Testament are the Israel of God Gal. 6 Note this by the way if we under the new Testament are under a Covenant of grace then was Israel of old under a Covenant of grace for we fing their songs Observe the note in chap. and page infra Again consider is Rome called Egypt What shame should cover those apostate mouths and faces that say there is little or no difference and an easie reconciliation may be made between the faith of the Church of England and the Romane What an apostaticall slander is that to our Vine and vine-dressers that our God brought forth of mysticall Egypt yea to our Princes and Parliament in all their Statutes that they made against the people of that cursed religion when as manifest a difference God hath made as of old he did between old Egypt and Israel Exod. 8.22 23. and 10 23. c. as the RR FF D.D. D. Jewel D. Abbot D. Fulk D. Carlton D. Reynolds D. â—â—hitakers Mr. Perkins and all our worthies have demonstrated See also Mr. white way to the true Church who wrote most whitely the Epistle dedicatory and the Epistle to the Render But very like none of all these neither Princes nor Parliaments Books of Controversies Teachers and Laws understood what is Popery properly so called as Bishop Lawa saith in a book of his But for all their plotting the old enmity shall never be reconciled while light and darknesse continue God hath put the enmity Gen. 3.15 What will ye reconcile the Kingdome of Christ and the Kingdome of Abaddon of Satans darknesse goodly dayes men thou thinkest saith God that I am like to thee Psal 50. These umpires forsooth will make Christ yeeld something yea any thing on his part and the false Lamb must yeeld something on his part and so our Atheisticall hearts think a good end is made There was a time when our Laud said No peace with Rome What a spirit of slumber and giddinesse hath covered our Seers Christ was angry of old for these sins of his sons and of his daughters halting between two opinions And thirdly is Rome called Egypt then the Magistrate must not bring the people of Israel back to Egypt nor go to Egypt for horses or any help Deut. 17. Accursed be their project that by fair speeches and plausible pretenses but indeed speaking lies through hypocrisie do insinuare to corrupt the breasts of Princes to reduce their people into Rome-Egypts bondage Judah is blamed for these projects Isa 30. 31. Most of the stories of old Egypt and Babylon must mind us of their allusions Note two things 1. Israel doted on the Egyptians and Babylonians their lovers traversing projects with them Jer. 2. Ezeck 16. But Christ befooled their doings that these nations were their plague and ruine 2. A deal of profanenesse oppression and much wickednesse they brought from Babel as Ezra Nehemiah and Zachary do shew Let all true English hearts that love Christ and his Gospel and their native Countrey greatly humble their souls and pray that the Ephah of wickednesse Zac. 5.6 may be carried unto its own place into the Land of mysticall Babylon O heavens be astonied at our 2 evils Ah Lord God what iniquity do we find in thee what iniquity is in thy ordinances thy commandements thy Gospel thy true Christian servants all which now are reputed vile mean and as anathema but thou hast not been to us in these a wildernesse or a Land of darknesse but a God of glory riches honour plenty victory and protection from those accursed of that cursed Religion of the breaden God O unthankfull Nation Let our souls weep in secret Quest 15. N. 1. Antichrist And what if the title Antichrist â—e not totidem literis attributed to the Pontificality yet if the other titles are to be applied to it then this is truly predicated of that Corporation must not he be the Antichrist can we think a worse to come for persecuting them that held the testimony of JESUS and for cleaving to the word of God Apocalips chap. 13.12 Ibid. N. 2. I am a God on earth Like the proud Prince of Tyrus Ezek. 28 2. But that Tyrian God was not a God but a man in the hand of him that killed him The holy Spirit hath phrases from Tyrus its destruction to shew how the Lord
God will render the mysticall Tyrian god his strength his glory and his Gammadims and all that love his merchandise a thrice execrable terrour and make them die the death of the unbaptised and settle glory in the true Church the Land of the living Jehovah of hosts hath purposed and let us believe it to stain the pride of all glory read Ezâ—k 26. 27. 28. Isa 23.9 Apoc 18. Consider like revolutions and how the former be stamps of the latter Ungodly Princes and men of place have proud thoughts and think themselves some Deity This comes from the old Adam to whom Satan said Ye shall be as gods Gen. 3. CHAP. XVI With Questions Answers and Annotations Proving that the mystery of iniquity begun to get head from Constantines time QUest 1. and Answ How long was it before the mysterie of iniquity came to the full Answer 1. From Constantines time Ecclesiasticall Teachers were never quiet but still aspired after Supremacy and drew Princes to their factions till 600 years after Christ then about that time Boniface the third Pope of Rome obtained by the help of the murderer Phocas to be called universall Bishop And this universall Supremacy did so increase untill the tenth Century that then Satan was let loose every where and few Martyrs and Confessours were found to hold the Testimonie of Christ sincerely and constantly The Locusts and their King Abaddon had so obscured Sun and air the office of Christ * The holy Bible tho aire to see Christ and Law by which we see him and prevailed in the world by all deceiveablenesse of unrighteousnesse among them that perish because they received not the love of the truth in the holy and blessed Scriptures 2. Note that the Pontificiality continued in that heighth of Supremacy to about the 13th and 14th and 15th Century All which time it was and is still upheld by Rebellion treasonable and cruel practises unsatiable Covetousnesse and ambition and by speaking lies through hypocrisie and by strong delusions in false Doctrine concerning the holy Scriptures Latine-service the attained Supremacy images perjury covenant-breaking urging unlawfull oaths and killing of Kings giving Dispenlations for incestuous marriages dissolving one to contract another and all for Popish interests to shore up their tottering Babylon c. And also their Index Expurgatorius corrupting all good ancient authours and their own Modern yea sleighting with great contempt the worthy (a) M. cade Justiâ— â—ib 1 p 48. Mr. White way c. 323. all that 47. digression ancient fathers calling them Hereticks lyars orroneous instead of the great things of Gods Law they obtruded their lying Legends c. Mind also their detestation of the thoughts of any Reformation either of Doctrine and manners c. c. c. 3. Oh the abominations of that apostate Church Oh the intricate and investigable paths the flatteries (b) But her steps are not as her lips Prov. 5.3 4 5. Rom. 16.18 smoothnesse and fairnesse of speech pleasurable delights of eyes and ears c. clamourous and impudent subtilties lies and slanders formall pretences of palliated holinesse and outward strength and glory of that great whore enchanting and merchandising the Kings of the earth and the Nations all which that Church yet mannaged with a secret Scorpion-like stinging terrour in their Legates and Emissaries Bulls and Breves c. 4. What pen can delineate the miseries of the Christian-world when and after the polity of Apolluon became a perfect mountain of fire and that specially appeared in the deepnesse of Satan when he drew all the West for 200 years into those calamitous and superstitious Warres the 11. and 12. Centuries for the Low Jerusalem that all the force of the Kings and Princes of the West was weakened to be under the Pontificality In those dayes was the Jerusalem from heaven the holy and beloved City of Christians besieged as if old Gog and Magog were alive and still the Papacy will fight against it till Michael the mighty angel of the Covenant our Lord JESUS CHRIST utter the seven Thunders of his power under the * They shall feel unawares the power of Christ the seventh Trumpet as Jericho felt the seventh day the seven Trumpets seventh Trumpet and the seventh Phiall against Abaddons Kingdome to give the enemie a finall destruction QUest 2. What is that you call the mysterie of iniquity Answer It is the spirituall Supremacy of the Pontificalitie that the Sea and Church of Rome onely with the Head thereof is the oracle of the world and of infallible judgement and cannot erre and that therefore all States and Churches as children must be subject to him the Head and to her as Mother †As old Babylon said I shall be a Lady for ever so mysticall Babylon saith she sits as Queen Their wisdome and their knowledge perverted them Isa 47. Apoc. 13. Queen and Mistris And this is the faith of its Corporation which also hath through the transformation of Satan into an angel of light some points of truth conjoyned but exceedingly defiled and over clouded with worldly decrees and humane devices heresies and blasphemies which in conclusion contradict and overthrow the truths they hold and renders their polity execrable to the Saints and their King the holy one of Israel QUest 3. Who were followers of the King of the Pit-darknesse and Pit-bred Locusts that revived the Empire Answer Kings and peoples and multitudes and Nations and kindreds and tongues small and great rich and poore bond and free who wondered at the glorious rising and standing of this new kind of Govenour and government This Corporation of the Papacie the Locusts and other mysticall Babylonians fitly enough call the Romane Catholick Church But the First and the Last the faithfull and true Witnesse teacheth to call it the Kingdome of the Beast The annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the sixteenth Chapter QVest 1. and Answer N. 1. Vntill the tenth Century 1000 years there were Churches and many godly that did reign with and live the life of Christ Apoc. 10.6 But the tenth Centurie reckoning from the Apostle Iohns death Rome the cause of fall to all and then the State of the Church or a great part was a dead State being wonderfully estranged from the testimony of JESUS and the word of God the onely mean of the first Resurrection Ibid. N. 1. Among them that perish Those in the Book of life and the sealed of God the Locusts did not hurt but others turning their ears from the truth were given unto Fables 2 Tim. 4. This Spirituall judgement was on Israel Isa 29 9. A gainsaying people shall be hardened and given up to their own hearts lusts Rom. 10.11 Psal 81. N. 2. Vnsatiable Coveteousnesse Unsatiable covetousnesse and ambition introduced many corruptions in Doctrine as it was foretold the love of money the root of all evil and makes men erre from the faith and a godly life 1
Mountain of fire of most grievous calamities to all Christendome What an incendiary was he 1. Against Constantines Kingdome in exciting the Turk to invade it 2. In the Wars for the Low Jerusalem after the Tenth Century 3. By intestine Garboyls among themselves still to uphold Popish interests 4. By cruel dealing against any that contested their enormities as will be said more in the sixt Trumpet The name of the King and Beast of the Pit is Abaddon and Apolluon a destroying and beast-like Prince As his Name is so is he And his Locusts are filled with his spirit of all deceit hypocrisie and cruelty See more of this in them and their King in their Dialogue The Pontificality or Corporation of Popes whose Kingdome was so glorious and whose Throne so radiant that all the world wondered Apoc. 13.3 4. at the beams thereof and thence he like the Sun did rule the day of that State so that his Creatures and Parasites say he is as the Sun And from this throne he sent his Decretals and the power of his counsels and the fulminations of his excommunications c. into all his Kingdome to the terrour and amazement of all opposers our native Countrey is a sufficient commentary of this A very Leviathan Iob 41. A Dragon as Pharoah of old in his Waters Ezek. 29. and acted by the old Red Dracon This is the first Wo. In like sort in the Phials that glorious earthly Throne Kingdome and Supremacy is made vile and much darkned for more godly Teachers in pouring out the fifth Phial have polluted the Pride of all the glory of that mystical Tyrian god and brought into Contempt in some places all the honourable of that earthly State Ezek. 28.2 6 7 8 9. Christ the mighty Angel roared like a Lion in his faithful witnesses Apoc. 10.3 19.14 They discovered Abaddons and his Locusts hidden abominations and blasphemous impieties that some well-minded and couragious Princes have taken from him his usuâ—ped authoritie and yet in spirituals they have and do still tamper with him in temporals as Venice and others and now his Throne is much ecclypsed that it shines not in many places his mandates are slighted his excommunications are of no terrour c. And now the King of Locusts in some kingdomes is experimentally known to be Apolluon an apostate Star the grand impostor of Christendome the man of sin that made all the World to sin He and his Locusts got land by begging for monasteries and got other unclean cages for unclean birds of every wing Locusts of all professions by these he had a great Kingdome and his Throne of Government was set up in every nation all which together made his great Polis or large Common-weal So that now under the fifth Phial the Throne and kingdome of the Beast is darkned by contempt and pillane of land in some of the kingdomes that had given their power to the Beast and all the other kingdomes will do the same as England hath done of late in the extirpation of the Tail of that episcopal Hierarchy But yet in all this mercy of glorious light and reformation the Beasts marked are transported with implacable â—ury and envy for so it is said They gnawed their tongues for sorrow and blasphemed the God of heaven for their pains and sores of State and repented not of their works of their idolatry murthers sorceries fornications and thefts c. deifying the Pontificality and teaching his Decrees to be infallible This is often laid to the charge of the Papalines they repented not like old Babel of whom it is said We would have cured Babel but she is not cured Jer. 51. This argues great obduration of heart like Pharoah like Iericho like the Chantanites c. their state is compared with and alluded to these old Enemies of the Gospel Therefore they shall not repent till they be all destroyed as the other were It is hard yea impossible for men to repent which will not learn from the word of God how their case standeth and they have so blasphemed the holy and blessed Scriptures and corrupted them as far as in them lieth putting she for he to bring the virgin Mary into Christ his honour to destroy the Bible and the world Gâ—â— 3.15 making Peter the Rock of the Church c. thus they have most reproachfully corrupted the blessed Seriptures and cannot minde them in sincerity because the Lord Jesus hath in his just judgement blinded their eyes stopped their ears hardened their heart for their utter confusion SECT VI 1. I think it will be pertinent to touch a little the tenth chapter of the Apocalyps before I go to the sixth and seventh Trumpet for it is most comfortable for the Church to observe it against the evils that came and are yet upon the Church by the Beast of the Pit and by the Turkish desolating forces under the fiâ—th sixth and seventh Trumpet and under the first second and third Wo and under the fifth and sixth and seventh Phials yea all the Phials do expound this tenth chapter 2. This chapter sets forth a glorious description of the mighty Angel of the Covenant the Lamb the King of Mount Sion that although king Abâ—ddon came out of Pit-darknesse with his Locusts to darken all knowledge of Christ and his Word yet here it is for the joy and comfort of all the godly that our mighty Redeemer is come from heaven and is described full of glory And this description of Christ is from Moses Esaias Daniel Ezekiel Mat â—7 and Apoc. 1. 1. He is clothed with a cloud and his feet as Pillars of fire this remembers the conduct of Israel from Egypt to assure us of the same mercy of Redemption from Rome Egypt what old Egypt found and felt Rome Eggpt shall feel the like 2. The Rain bow rememâ—reth Gen. 9. and Esay 54. Ezek. 1 that in all stormes flouds and inundations of Pope Dracons Tyranny Apoc. 12. 13. the Rainbow doth assure us that God will remember his covenant for his church and that the Waters of trouble the rod of the wicked shall not ever be upon the Lot of the righteous Psalm 124. and 125. 3. His face is as the sun-shining in his strength Dan 10. Mat. 17. Apoc. 1. his eyes in every place behold the evil and the good Christ is greater than Moses Moses face did shine but not as the sun For Christs glory darkned his yet not his but Christ which he put on him for when he came to Christ he put off his vail If we pursue the tenour of the Law that Christ gave to Moses our faces shallâ— shine as Mâ—ses through Christs brightnesse upon us if we delight to study the holy Bible And his face so shining doth assure us that he will utterly dispell the Popish frogs and that in the Lords due season the whole earth shall be filled with his glory Apoc. 18. 4. One foor on the Sea and another on the
Tradition in reference to the last mentioned short Oâ—seâ—vations 1. Although the Church was taught by Tradition for 2513 years From the creation to Israels coming from Egypt is 2513 years yet the written word was no other Doctrine thâ—n was formerly taught by Tradition for all Genesis and much of Exodus was first delivered by Tradition till Moses wrote Genesis 2. The Eplstles to the Romans and Galatians open Gen. 12. 15. So John 1. and 1 John 3.8 open Gen. 3.15 So the Apostles Doctrine and writings are answerable to Gods Doctrine by Tradition for those 2513 years Ezek. 28. 3. That which Moses received by Tradition since Adam or by inspiration or both till he was 80 years old was no other than Christ gave him on Mount Sinâ—i which he wrote when he was shepherd to Israel 40 years So it is said by faith Abel offered by faith Araham when he was tried offered Isaac and by faith Moses kept the Paâ—leover and this holy faith hath commendation for all the godly of the old Testament Heb. 11. And the same faith we of Japhets house are exhorted to follow that Christ may be to our consolation to day as he was to them yesterday 4. And for that 2513 years wherein Religion was taught by Tradition Gods providence so ordered the affairs of his Church that while the families that hoped in Christ were few there were as is noted rate prophets long-lived and of great authority who although the Gospel was not written for ought we know till Moses times were most able to strengthen the faithfull of their times 5. The men that continued the Gospel by infallible Tradition from the creation to the giving of the Law are the first ten Fathers afore the flood Nine of them living together were a noble consistory to uphold the faith so shaken by the Apostasie of their own children and the wicked families of Cain 6. Then after the flood there were nine Fathers also of the holy line that lived together worthy Pillars against Niâ—rods revoâ—t these nine were Noah Sem Arphaxad Selah Eber Peleg Regu Serug Naho and so Sem Arphaxad Selaâ— Eber might and did instruct Abraham Sem Selah Eber and Abraham might and did teach Isaac Abraham Isaac and Eber taught Jacob Isaac and Jacob the twelve Patriarchs who left many godly that lived to Moses Moses Parents were godly Heb. 11. There was but 64 years between Josephs death and Moses birth 7. More briefly thus Adam taught the Gospel to Mathuselah and godly Lamech they two to Noah and Sem Sem taught Isaac Abraham and Isaac taught Jacob and Isaac and Jacob the twelve Patriarchs and they in Egypt held Religion sound while they lived and Joseph lived after Jacobs death 50 years and Levi 70 years after and there was 42 years between Levies death and Moses birth 8. The wisdome of God is admirable in the long life of the few families of the old holy men to preserve the faith by Tradition that Sem who lived with godly Lamech and Machuselah who saw Adam taught the Gospel to Isaac These four men Adam Lamech Sem Isaac could reckon years above 2000 but when mens ages were divers times shortened and at lâ—st brought to 70 years Psal 90. and when the Church of God consisted of many families and that the purity of Religion was forgotten and neglected after the death of the said Patriarchs of the most in Egypt for Israel in Egypt fell to the idols and Religion of Egypt then God commanded Moses in the wildernesse to write the word of faith and ever after it was the Standard and Cannon of faith and manners as all the Prophets after and our Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles kept themselves to the written word and to this all the Israel of God is enjoined To the Law and to the Testimony saith Esaias Starch the Sâ—â—iptuâ—es saith the Lord Jesus Let the word of Christ dwell richly in you in all wisdome saith the Apostle of the Gentiles c. c This word of Christ is the holy Scripture and it teacheth us wisdome to salvation 2 Tim. 3. we are exhorted to give heed to the old Prophesie 2. Pet. 1. and thrice blessed are they that with an honest and good heart so do 9. All the Patriarchs were Bishops for their families 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 using all care to teach theirs from their Fathers speech what Sem i. e. Melchizedeck learned of Mathuselah taught of Adam of the holy Trinity and how our Lord should come of Judah the King of glory the eternall the framer of the world of that poor shepherd to be man to have his Tabernacle in us to look through the windows within our wall and also how Christ by death should vanquish him that had the power of death they did know that he should come down from heaven and did feed upon his flesh and blood comforted in sorrow by this hope they would not misse to catechise their sons in this point as Joseph gave 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to feed his brethren Gen. 47 12. so all godly gave 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to feed their families souls In one word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 never used afore but in Josephs story with the Septuagint Our Lord his gracious tongue calleth us to the Patriarchs story Luke 12.42 compared with Gen. 47.12 to look to the Kingdome of heaven not to the earth which God hath cursed so Mr. Br. in Lords Fam. Luke 12 42. 10. Observe a little more concerning Tradition in those 26. Collections above that we should consider that the Spirit of Christ in the holy Prophets by Tradition and in the Law written by Moses is like it self one and the same Doctrine and all for the glorifying of Christ as it is said The spirit of Prophesie is the Testimonie of Jesus He is the mark of all Apoc. 19. Let us consider briefly for the new Testament therein also God took the same course though not for so long a time by Tradition I conceive it is a good instruction for us to strengthen us against the false Positions of Romane Catholicks concerning their unwritten verities for we shall easily perceive God to be without shadow of change whether by Tradition or writing 1. The Birth Life and Death the Doctrine and Miracles of our Lord Jesus Christ were by Tradition till the four Evangelists had written them but when written then it was the rule of our faith John 20.30 31. 2. The teaching of the Corinâ—hians the Institution of the Supper of the Lord was a Tradition 1 Cor. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. The Doctrine of the Resurrection of the dead to them was by Tradition 1 Cor. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 1 Cor. 15. was the same Doctrine he taught them 4. The Apostles teaching of the Man of sin that Son of Perdition was a Tradition to the Thessalonians 2 Thes 2.5 15. 5. Painfullnesse and diligence in a mans calling was a Tradition 2
Who is able to utter the comfort of these Scriptures 4. God in Christ was the Shepherd of Israel and they are called the sheep of his pasture and in all places where he put his name there he fed his flock first at Shiloh 350 years seven Jubilees and after in 〈◊〉 to the end of the Seventy Sevens in both places three times a year most solemnly they did enter the Courts of Iehovah there they ascended his presence with great joy praise and thanksgiving c. The godly did so (a) 2 Chr. 29. and 30 35. and when they did not serve the Lord with gladnesse of heart see what was threatned and performed Deut. 28 47. c. all were exhorted so to do also they had other smaller Sabbatical Convocations in their Synagogues the Tents of the Shepherds where also Christ fed them and where God manifested himself it was called the presence of God and the gate of heaven where alwayes the ladder stood as the godly Shunamite found and many thousand even among the ten Tribes 2 Kings 4. Thus the Common-weal of Israel was the Kingdome of God above 1400 years 5. I will shew some Scriptures where the Saints felt the comfort of the promises when they did meet with Christ in the greater and lesser Assemblies Psalm 65.4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest to come to thee that he may dwell in thy Courts we shall be satisfied with the goodnesse of thy house of thy holy Temple So Psal 36. Let the godly heart meditate on Psal 42 an 63. and 81. and 84. and 100 c. and in Psal 122. In all their holy assemblies they testified â—heir faith in he incarnation and redemption by the Son of God The twelve Tribes came to bear witnesse by their faith to that holy Testimony of the Son of God in expectation of him the Testimony to be manifested in due time 1 Tim. 2.6 and the twelve Tribes instantly serving God day and night did hope of immortality in the Resurrection of the Son of God the second Adam the Lord from heaven Acts 26.6 7. 1 Pet. 1.2 3 4 5. 6. A little more for the smaller Sabbaticall Assemblies Psalm 111. It is is said I will praise the Lord with my whole heart in the Assembly of the upright and in the congregation The Hebrew word as the learned say signifieth lesser Assembles and in Psalm 74. it is spoken in a mournfull manner that heathens making inrodes into the Land of Israel burnt up all the Synagogues of God in the Land which sheweth the great benefit Gods people found in the exercises there performed Now the new Testament is plentifull for these Sabbaticall Convocations how the dispersed of Israel practised in all nations This hath been plentifully shewed of late in a book entituled A Discourse touching the Jews Synagogues that there is no necessity to insist more upon this Argument SECT II. Now I will speak promiscuously upon what hath been observed with reference to the errours of the concision 1. ALthough the Law of the passe over came foure hundred and thirty yeares after the Promise yet that was not another Covenant but a further exposition and confirmation of the former promises The Concision mistooke the meaning of the Law and regarded not the promises teaching of Christ but thought after the Law was given by Moses to be saved by bodily exercise whereas the Law truly understood was but an expansion or dilatation of the promises 2. And they might have learned the same from their fore-Fathers even the pattern of the holy faith and love that is in Christ Jesus For Abraham when he called upon God he called upon him by an Altar and Sacrifice as it is said Abraham built an Altar and called on the name of Jehovah the †The same holy saith was taught to the Gentiles at the commandment of the everlasting God and not Gentiles worship the same everlasting God as Abraham did Rom. 1. 16.20 everlasting God so Jacob although Joseph had sent for him with all necessary accommidations for the journey to Egypt yet he durst not or rather would not proceed till he had sought God by the intercession of Christ Gen. 46.1 2 3. To teach us what we should doe in all our journies and undertakings so it is said when they sacrificed call upon me in the time of trouble and I will hear thee and thou shalt glorifie me Psal 50 See Psal 20.3 And so Samuel by faith in Christs sacrifice had good report and put to flight the armies of the Aliens And thus also did David and Salomon and all the Prophets and all the faithfull 3. And Malachi by Christs command concludes all the old Testament to Israel to regard the holy Law that he gave in Horeb and to look for no more Prophets till John Elias the Baptist but study the statutes and judgements of the Law and cleave to it that Fathers and Children might be blessed Mal. 4. 4. And thus the Concision should have understood all for Moses wrote not a new Covenant for Abraham received circumcision as a seal of the justification that is by faith and so all Israel should have professed the same in faith as our Lord tells them that circumcision was of the Fathers not so much of Moses Joh. 7.22 5. It is true circumcision did further oblige Abraham to keep the way of the Lord and his charge which was comprehended in commandments statutes and laws and those Lawes c. with many others that Christ ordained Moses wrote as hath been at large before noted 6. And what did this way and charge of the Lord tend unto even surely this repentance towards God and faith in the Son of God our Mediatour and love to the holy Seed Which way and charge was taught ever since the promise Gen. 3.15 even the Breast-plate of wholesome words Faith and Love And all Moses and the Prophets and Apostles doe still bring their Doctrine to these two heads Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus 7. This is in Habell how he made the like holy uses of the Sacrifices as 1. Pet. 4.1 2. Tit. 2.14 he did bear on his Breast Faith and Love as he was a beleiver so he ceased from sin being purified to be of Christs peculiar people and was zealous of good works as it is said his works were good Habel by all this we see was gathered into Christ the Head Eph 1.10 8. The promise saith to Abraham that in the holy Seed Christ we are blessed what is this blessing but cheifly in spiriturall things in Christ Jesus Eph. 1. Him to be our Peace-Offering Sin-Offering Trespasse-Offering Whole burnt-Offering to be our Washing cleansing hissop c. And in the yeares of Râ—st and Jubilee to be our freedome or justification from the bondage and servitude of sin as deaths death and Satan and to be our fore-goer into the mansions of the Heavenly Paradise Luk. 23 c. c. Now
calling c. Ephes 1. 3. this is a mercy past evpression that God should make a covenant with such as we are this is the radix of all and therefore it is said 1. That they were his peculiar treasure 2. A Kingdome of Priests 3. And holy Nation 4. God placed his Tabernacle among them and 5. called them the Kingdome of God and the joyfull shout of so just good and mercifull a King was among them Who can but shout with all exultation if we did but understand our own comfort These things and other Scriptures shew they were under a covenant of grace if we be they were for their spirituall priviledges and promises are now conferred on us 2 Cor. 6.16 Apot. 21.3 Ephes 2. and 3.1 Pet. 2. conferred with Exod. 29.45 Leviâ— 25 23. and 26.12 Dâ—ut 7.6 7 8. now as Israel was Gods peculiar treasure so the Gentiles called to the faith are T it 2.14 this well considered will make the Doctrine of Anabaptistrie to be abhorred of us touching our infants 6. If reformed churches can make it good that they are under a corenant of grace and we may truly say it blessed be the name of the Lord then they were and we could not be so but because their priviledges are transacted to the wild olives and we are graffed into their olive tree we received from them all our glory all our spirituall things for Christ our salvation and all his holy Doctrine is of and from them I will collect some brief heads of Doctrine which were taught believed and professed in the common Weal of Israel 1. They had the Doctrine of the Trinity and Unity Deut. 6.4 2. They had the Doctrine of election and rejection Psalm 65. Exod. 9.16 and 33.19 3. They had the Doctrine of the great mysterie of godlinesse God manifested in the flesh to be a second Adam and to be a sin-offering and to rise from death the third day Gen. 3.15 and 12 3. Gen. 49. and they went three times a year according to the Testimony to Israel to testifie their faith in this this was the main 4. They were taught that the Father the Word and the Spirit one infinite nature created the world Psalm 33.6 Provâ—â— 5. They were taught that the Father had committed all power to the Son for governing the church and the world Psal 2. and 8. and 110. Gen. 19.24 Exod 23.20 21 22. all expound Gen 3.15 6. They were taught justification by faith in Christ Gen 4 and 15 Heb. 11. 7. They were taught Sanctification Be ye holy for I am holy Levit. 19 2. 8. Under Moses Polity they had hope and rest in Christ Psal 130. Ephes 2. Jer. 6.16 and 50.7 Mat. 11.29 Christ complained they had forgotten him their resting place he was the rest of the Saints evermore Jer. 50 6 7. the Apostle saith the Gentiles were without hope but Israel had hope in Christ both for remission of sinnes and eternall glory Eph. 2.12 Ezra 10.2 9. The spirituall graces of Circumcision and the Passeover were required and so practised Deut. 10.16 and 30.6 Exod. 12. Heb. 11.28 1 Sam. 1.7.36 10. The heavenly inheritance was taught them Levit 25.23 11. They were taught to account themselves strangers and sojourners in this cursed world Levit. 25 23. and so David taught his generation 1 Chron. 29 and so believed himself Psal 39. 12. They had hope in the Resurrection Job 19. Psal 49. Exod. 3.6 Mat. 22 32. 13. They had the holy Spirit to lead them in all holy wayes 2 Cor 4. to write the Law in their hearts to seal to them all holy Doctrine of the word whether promises threatnings commandements all good examples c. One may make a large volume of this Subject I think this question may be asked what one new doctrine is taught in the new Testament that the Saints of the old Testament knew not when grievous crimination of heresie by the Councel were laid to the Apostles charge he protesteth he taught no new principles Acts 14.15 16 17. and 26.7 now if the common-Wealth of Israel had all this holy doctrine they must needs be under a covenant of grace CHAP. XXXI A Prosopopeia on Solomomons fall by the Temptations of his idolatrous wives to the ruine of his Kingdome and posterity in granting them the liberty of conscience for the practice of their idolatrous Rites framed by way of Dialogue between King Solomon and Tirzana the Queen TIâ—zana being a Princesse of the house of Moab and being called for did enter into the presence of King Solomon and after some dalliance with her and after she had fitted his humour by giving him all the best content she could she took the opportunity and said my Lord King Solomon I have an humble Request to make unto your gracious Majesty I pray you say me not nay K. What is that my sweet Tiâ—zana Q. My most gracious Lord and Soveraign I have been some years with you though you have often spoken to me to be a Proselite to the Religion of Israels common-weal yet I cannot bring my heart unto it you well know that my education was not in the way manner of Israel and my affection is not toward it it is not so pleasing to me for I cannot forget my fathers house nor forsake his Religion In this case I shall blemish my father and my mother brethren and sisters and people in case I should apostatise from our ancient Religion and in my opinion far the better we have more zeal in ours and many moe pleasures to give man and woman content than is in your profession your Religion is very crosse to mans nature and is urged with great terrour and strictnesse your Religion reproves thoughts words and most mens actions no Religion under heaven doth so as yours and that makes so few to embrace it Yea many of Israel have formerly been more addicted unto ours and the worships of neighbours Nations than to this of Israel and they will not follow it but by compulsion of Governors whereas religious worships should be freely exercised according to every mans conscience when if your subjects should be left unto you well know which way the ride will run it is a pitifull thing that man of a noble and free spirit should be so tyred with hard injunctions and heavy burdens as with bands cords and fetters and it may be that reformation that your noble Father indeavoured and your selfe have prosecuted would not and will not be so convenient as due liberty which would be a more noble design than rigid reformation And if Antiquity make things reverend then our Religion is more ancient or if not more yet as equall for Antiquity for ought I can learne I am but a poor Historian being a woman but I am able to prove the Religion of our God Chemosh to be above four hundred and fifty years old This I can attest and prove by your own Records and you had yours
but in the wildernesse when ye came out of Egypt King Then said King Salomon what my Tirzana doth all your speach tend unto Queen I humbly crave your Graces favour to finish my speach I remember I have heard my Father and Grand-father speake what plenty of peace and prosperity our God Chemosh hath given us nay what victories we have had against our mighty enemies the Giants called Emims and as it was your God that conquered the Chanaanites for you so it was our God Chemosh that conquered the tall great and terrible Giants the Emims for us Yea which I am loath to utter our God Chemosh hath given our Fathers power over Israel for twenty years together Oh should not we then have a most devout opinion of our Religion But why should I your hand-maid thus be bold to speake to your royall and sacred Majesty your great favour and respect unto me hath quickned my spirit and then with an humble deportment of body with her face to the ground she said the intent of all my speach is that it would please my Sovereign Lord the King to grant my small request I humbly beseech that I may have leave to build a Chappell on Mount Oliver to worship our famous and reverend Numen Chemosh the God of my Fathers King What is this I heare from you my Dear Did your speach drive at this Oh I may not doe this Jehovah our most holy Lord God whom we worship in his holy Temple is the true everlasting God and he can command nothing but what is good and perfectly good so that we need not add any thing and he forbids nothing but what is evil which we must not dis-annull and he is the Sovereign Lord of Heaven and Earth and it is most requisite that man should subject himselfe to the most high who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and God above all Gods and therefore all the Children of men must be subject to his Laws and whosoever harden himselfe against him by disobedience shall never prosper and whereas you talk of strictnesse c. you are to know man by nature is borne a wild asse colt and there is no câ—ming of corrupt nature but by a strict course of holy Laws which to a regenerate and godly soul is an easy Yoke and to which he is willingly subject yea man by nature is sometime so refractory that he will not be brought unto God but by affliction yea neither Law nor affliction profits till the Lord himselfe deal with the heart such perversnesse is in man It is most true that man is addicted to his own vain heart Pro. 4. vid. the Margin and accounts the Law of our God most vile and is altogether contrary to God and would run to all licentiousnesse if there were not holy and just Laws and good government Gods ordinance to keep men within bounds 2. And whereas you talke that man is of a noble and free Spirit you are deceived in your apprehensions he is of a most ignoble Spirit ready to fall into all vile opinions and to all sin and wickednesse and to follow all tentations to evill as for his freedome of spirit he is free indeed to all evil as an horse rushing into the battell and not one spark of that celestiall fire is in him to any good till God put it in him and maintain it when he hath so infused it Mans mind will and affections are all corrupt and in himselfe no healing can be found How mercifull then was our God that he from whom we fell would give us a holy Law to be a medicine and healing Doctrine to restore the soul as his mercy and goodnesse is unspeakable in giving us his word for our need which is better known to God then our selves called for such blessed Heavenly Revelation as is declared in our most holy and most righteous Law which Moses received of God for us And we and all men must obey this Law and be reformed by it if we will have any comfort or protection in this world or hope in another 3. Whereas you talke of due liberty my beloved Tirzena I would have thee to consider all the reformation we can possibly attaine unto by the carefull industry of my royall authority and of our Preists and Prophets and Scholes will not come to that purity and exactnesse that the Lord our God requires Many imperfections in omissions and commissions will appeare continually through the lusts of corrupted nature that war in our souls by reason of the darknesse of the understanding and the untractablenesse of the will and the affections And none that have a feeling of the most holy Lord God and of his truth in the heart but find this thus And therefore to give the least liberty to thy opinion is such a designe that will provoke to anger our gracious and mighty Lord God and if I give liberty to thy opinion why not to the abomination of Moloch of the Children of Ammon and to the opinion of Ashtaroth the abomination of the Zidonians And so in the end to root out the holy faith of the Son of God our great high Preist Melchizedek and then that you desire will prove an evill impetuos to the downe fall of truth and godlinesse and hardly ever be reclaimable yea let me inforce this further that there cannot be any liberty granted in any respect to false worships and ungodly opinions such liberty will bring us and our posterity to miserable bondage as our Fathers felt in the Wildernesse and in the times of the Judges And if we that now live and our posterity doe not keep close to that reformation which is now setled in Israels Common-Weal Jehovah our God who is a jealous God will destroy this glorious Temple that we have built to his name and shake this Kingdome by many greivous calamities and at last weed us out of this good Land that he hath given to us and to our Fathers therefore you speak most unworthily to call our Reformation rigid And whereas you talke of pleasures c. you must know the pleasures of sin are but for a time which wast before we can enjoy them And all such lusts and pleasures doe but war against our souls as for the fewnesse of them that follow our God the Lord of Heaven and Earth it should put you to a stand whether the most doe not goe the broad way to destruction 4. I will inform you a little more because you boast of Antiquity in your Opinion and Religion you are deceived for our holy faith is as old as the first man and woman that was created yours is but of late from a God newly come up and indeed no true God Our God created the Heaven and the Earth and from him is our Religion and He destroyed the World by waters for profaning the name of the Lord by false worshipâ— and it was our God that cursed the Nations with strange Languages
in Sheol or in Hades Answer 1. I have foâ—merly shewed that Nephesh which we translate soul in Psal 16. must be understood of his vitall soul and not of his rationall soul But suppose it were meant of his rationall soul yet it is not to be scoffed at that he should blesse God for not leaving his soul in Hades heaven till his body saw corruption Câ—ristopher Carlile in his Descent shews in page 47 48. That souls in joy have an earnest affection to be united to their dead bodies that so they may both together partake of the same glory and Weams in his Portraiture Pag. 33.34 speaks just to the same effect Objection 3. Some object that many Creeds have left out this Article and thence they conclude that it is but a suppositious Article Answ 1. * Is it not strange that any should be so far blinded as to think that the pen man of the Creed should speak of the crucifying death and buriall of the Lords body and yet should omit to record the immortall state of his holy and precious soul when he sent out his Spirit into the hands of his heavenly Father sâ—eing there were so many Sadduces living in those ancient dayes that denied the immortality of the rationall sou 2. Some reasons may also be rendered why some Creeds might after a while leave it our 1. when the immortall state of the soul was generally believed and not doubted of it might be left out 2. When other tongues could not find a fit word that could attain to the large sense and elegancy of the Greek word Hades then the learned seeing it might be mis understood might in wisdome rather choose to leave it out 3. When the mysterie of iniquity did so increase that Christendome was darkned by the smoke of the Pit as hath been touched from Apoc. 9. and that learning was grown so weak that most did not know whether the soul of man did ascend or descend or whither the godly soul went after death I say when the holy doctrine was so exceedingly darkned aâ— it was in the 10 11 12 13 14 and 15 Centuries and that the Article of descending to hell was so corruptly expounded then also some learned of latter times might leave it our as they did in former times for the former Reason These things I thought necessary to advise the Reader of because not many though some have written of this Subject I thought it my duty therefore to adde these Considerations for the benefit of the godly and studious Reader and I hope that my endeavour will not be in vain in the Lord. CHAP. XXXIII Of the Phrase of Abrahams Bosome THis Phrase The Bosome of Abraham did arise and was made familiar as I suppose by the faithfull Hebrew Rabbins before our Lords dayes upon this Consideration 1. The Covenant of God in Christ was made with Abraham and his Seed that in his Seed all nations should be blessed and thereupon such as desired to be partakers of that blessednesse must be of Abrahams faith and must testifie their desire by receiving Circumcision the Seal of that Covenant and then they were also received into his house or into his Church and so they were as it were nourished in Abrahams Bosome where they were nourished by Gods Ordinances and so Abraham was very hospital to all but especially to them that were of the houshold of his faith he received and nourished such not onely with temporall but with spiritual food he taught them the way of God in Christ and instructed them in the true meaning of his Commandements Statutes and Laws all which Abraham observed and kept and he is commended of God therefore in Gen. 26.5 and long before this God said of Abraham I know him that he will command his sons and his house after him that they shall keep the way of the Lord that is the true Religion faith and obedience prescribed for men to walk in as in Gen. 18 19. compared with Acts 18.25 26. Deut. 8.6 and 10 12. and therefore all the faithfull of his house might at their death expect to be made partakers with him of the heavenly City which God had prepared for them and therefore when they died they might still be said to be in Abrahams Bosome for all the faithfull whether they continue alive in this world or depart this life in the faith of Abraham are called Abrahams children and therefore when they die their spirits go to Paradise to Abrahams Bosome In like sort the faithfull being yet abiding here in this valley of tears are said to sit in heavenly places and to eat and drink with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdome of God Mat. 8. and in this respect all the godly whether living or dying are called Abrahams children cherished as it were in his Bosome family and Church both militant and triumphant 2. The holy Patriarch Abraham was so highly honoured of God that he is called the father of the faithfull and the heir of the world Rom. 4 12.13 16. so then his house was the Bosome of the Church into which he received all that professed the true faith for almost 2000 years and in this respect the eternall and blessed estate of the faithfull might well be called the Bosome of Abraham 3. That Parable of the rich man in Hades in torments and of Lazarus Soul that was carried by the Angels into Abrahams Bosome in Luke 16.19 c. Was spoken to the unbelieving Jews and Pharisees and Saâ—duces especially to such as were contemners of Abrahams faith and cared not for the dayes of the Son of Man and therefore they were not glad to see his day as their Father Abraham did and was glad but instead thereof they despised and disdained such as were godly Eleazars whose hope and help Christ is and that he will send his Angels at their death to carrie their souls into the happie part of Hades to Abrahams Bosome where note that Lazarus and Eleazar Faithfull factors in far countries for their Masters need not fear to be called home so the great Lord and housholder when the servonts are called to give account of their trading by the Talents they received we know what the Lrd will say to them that can give a good account Maâ— 25. are but one name though differing in Dialect 3. That Parable of the rich man in Hades in torments and of Lazarus Soul that was carried by the Angels into Abrahams Bosome in Luke 16.19 c. Was spoken to the unbelieving Jews and Pharisees and Saâ—duces especially to such as were contemners of Abrahams faith and cared not for the dayes of the Son of Man and therefore they were not glad to see his day as their Father Abraham did and was glad but instead thereof they despised and disdained such as were godly Eleazars whose hope and help Christ is and that he will send his Angels at their death to carrie their souls into the happie part of Hades
to Abrahams Bosome where note that Lazarus and Eleazar Faithfull factors in far countries for their Masters need not fear to be called home so the great Lord and housholder when the servonts are called to give account of their trading by the Talents they received we know what the Lrd will say to them that can give a good account Maâ— 25. are but one name though differing in Dialect 3. That Parable of the rich man in Hades in torments and of Lazarus Soul that was carried by the Angels into Abrahams Bosome in Luke 16.19 c. Was spoken to the unbelieving Jews and Pharisees and Saâ—duces especially to such as were contemners of Abrahams faith and cared not for the dayes of the Son of Man and therefore they were not glad to see his day as their Father Abraham did and was glad but instead thereof they despised and disdained such as were godly Eleazars whose hope and help Christ is and that he will send his Angels at their death to carrie their souls into the happie part of Hades to Abrahams Bosome where note that Lazarus and Eleazar Faithfull factors in far countries for their Masters need not fear to be called home so the great Lord and housholder when the servonts are called to give account of their trading by the Talents they received we know what the Lrd will say to them that can give a good account Maâ— 25. are but one name though differing in Dialect 4. Let me yet give the godly Reader one lift more to the placing of their souls in Abrahams Bosome when they come to die Remember that the Lord God our heavenly Father The Lord God our heavenly Father hath but one Familie part of it is in the heavens and part of it in the earth and when any one of his servants have finished their factorage Phil. 3.20 their Politeuma among that part of the Familie on earth then he sends for them home to the other part of the Familie that is in heaven all the faithfull for the dayes of the old Testament are so called And so the Apostle Paul finishing his course he went to receive his Crown in the Kingdome of the Father So Peter the Apostle 1 Pet. 1 2.3 4. 2 Pet. 1. therefore let us strive for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus that when we think or speak of death or are near to the approaching to it we may be without much disturbance in mind or heart as Abraham Isaac Jacob David c. Delight in the stories of the faithfull that ye may be more transformed This made the Saints to say Why should I fear in the evil day when our iniquities shall compasse us about and trip up our heels unto death for God will redeem us from the power of the grave for he shall receive us to himself to Abrahams Bosome Psal 49. Christ the second Adam the Lord from heaven hath destroyed death and him that had the power of death he hath opened the gates of death and himself hath passed through them to deliver the children of God from the guilt and bondage of sinne and from the fear of death unto which we are subject Christ our life is our justification for he hath freed us from the sting of sinne by his precious death and Sacrifice The Law the strength of sin Gen. 2.17 and 3.19 and although the curse of the Law is the strength of sinne yet he hath fulfilled the Law for us and so became a most perfect Mediatour for us For such an high Sacrificer and Mediatour it became us to have who was holy harmlesse undefiled separate from sinners and made higher than the heavens Again death is but an harbenger to bring us to Christ it is said that death is ours it s our servant for our good Again it is said that Christ is our life and therefore death must needs be our advantage 2 Cor. 3.12 Phil. 1.21 and therefore we should not be troubled at that which is so advantagious to us we cannot live holily righteously and comfortably unlesse we live above the fear of death 1 Cor. 15 34.58 2 Cor. 5 15. to be well instructed in this point is a point of great wisdome Moses prized it at a high rate when he prayed Teach us to number our dayes that we may apply our heartes to wisdome namely to be prepared for death and Salomon doth exhort us saying Remember thy Creatour in the dayes of thy youth before the evil dayes come upon thee Ezech. 12. This wisdome is to be valued above gold and silver and the most precious Jewels of the earth but it is wonderfull how averse our hearts are by nature from the practise of this heavenly wisdome we commonly put off the thought of our death untill the Lord bring upon us bruising miseries and then we begin to think of God and Christ and of death as it is said Destruction and Death say we have heard of the fame of this wisdome with our ears and when men come to the doores of death then is this wisdome of some fame with men then they send for a godly Minister or for a godly neighbour whose person it may be they hated in the time of their health and abhorred his teaching with their godly counsels Death was a terror indeed to Aristotâ—e though a wise and great Philosopher and to all such Job doth call it the King of terrours that speech of Bildad in Job 18. doth import that God is a just God to whom all souls must ascend to have their judgement and so in 2 Cor. 5. knowing the terror of the Lord c This made that most miserable Cardinal to say that he had rather lose his part in Paradise then his part in Paris But let all the godly be still mindful that though they depart from their Families hereon earth yet they shall still continue to be of Gods family they go from brethren and sisters here to brethren and sisters there and above all remember the dying or rather the living words of the Lord Jesus the night before his death Job 13.14 15 16 and 17 chapters Oh the ineffable love and care of our blessed Mediatour for his apostles and for all his faithfull servants to the end of the world CHAP. XXXIV Some Propositions and Expostulations concerning the true nature of Christs Sufferings 1. BEloved Reader we are yet further pressed and orthodox Churches are called up as Troopers against us about the true nature of Christs sufferings we acknowledge that the very remembrance of them is reverend and doth joy us not annoy us I know we shall not fight but treat for they may perceive that we have otthodox Churches with us and as learned Leaders though perhaps not so many That is not much materiall for the book of God must lie between them and us and they and we must search the holy pages that so by them we both may be composed 2. It is to be lamented
would have lightned all the Scripture Of Olympick vanity more below The 26. Levit. running still in Phrase upon Sevens in the punishments cometh at last to the captivity for ten Sevens of years and foretelleth such a confession of sins as Daniel maketh and how God will remember his Covenant which Gabriel there mentioneth Moses and the Prophets shall be vilely disjointed through quite if here we hold not the plain propriety of time 5. These former parts of time be no lesse clear in Scripture than the stars in the Skie that in the Seventh year the Land was parted that * That is 42 years six sevens Israel held it in quietnesse that Chusan held it the whole Seventh Seven That in the Iubilee Othoniel turneth them into their possession The golden Candlesticks with seven branches bowls 22. as the Hebrew letters knops half so many flowers thrice three all 42 commended not Bezaleets wisdome more and obedience to the prescript then we are bound to mark how the holy volumes record the Hebrew stories to fall out in times according to their ceremonies Thence the seventh Iubilee reacheth to †A kindler 〈◊〉 the golden candle-sticks land an erector and Rector of the Schools of the Prophets Samuels happy times Thence to the captivity of Babels seventy Sevens Moses did closely allude unto that space Now the Seventy years of captivity Moses and Ezra compareth with the Sabbath Levit. 26. 2 Chron. 36. 6. The Prophecy of Dan. 9.24 surmounteth all easie for memorie and celestiall for Meditation It had not been so harmonious to have chains of the time hitherto most certainly fixed if hence we should un clasp the links of it But we have the chains of times fastening hitherto-more closely than the Finnes of the Leviathan stick one to another Iob 41. All the works of God have perfection and so is the time from the Creation to the Redemption Mr. Bro. ex manus CHAP. XLIV A fourth expression of the holy Chronologie from the Creation to the Redemption THE golden chain of times are evident which draw from the apostasy of our first Parents unto our Lords Resurrection which when they are all known do bring unto Christ and we shall find much comfort and edification if we often think upon them for they are a greater ornament to the Scriptures than any chains of the finest gold or of the most rare or polished Jewels to the neck The first is from the beginning of time since Satans fierie tongue did set the wheel of the whole Creation on flame that nothing but the flood of waters nor that could quench it The second is from the Flood to the death of Terah Arahams father the authour of idolatry in Christ his Line and thereby causing to cease the royall accompting of the Churches annals by the ages of the Fathers Gen. 11. Jos 23. The next beginneth upon his death with a new promise of CHRIST making Abraham heir of the world not through the Justification of the Law of Circumcision but through the justification of faith in the promise of blessednesse in Christ to the Families Gen. 12. This Chain draweth along to the Lamb that is the Law of the Passeover Exod 12. The fourth chain is from the Lamb to the Temple the allurement of the Nations unto the worship of him that made the Temples of the heavens From the lamb to the Temple 480. Salomons 37. and year of division all 518. who in fullnesse of time would come to make humane nature his Temple to dwell with the children of men And further this chain teacheth to Salomons death his idolatry as Terah was worthy to have this chain ended for which his Kingdome was parted and Ieroboam did set up calves for God which doing is called the sinne of Israel These summes with the year of the Division of the ten Tribes from Iudah are years 518. The fifth chain is from that apostasie of Israel to the burning of the Temple that space is 390 years Iudah now is onely Gods Kingdome In that time is contained the books of the Kings Ezek. 4. and 2 Chron and most of the Prophets as the table before will shew Here must be considered Ierusalems ruine by Babel the flames of the Temple and the ending of Salomons race and Kingdome the breaking of the golden candlestick yea the Ark the speciall signe of Christs presence which had the two Tables of the Covenant was no more as Ierem. 3. They lost it at Shiloh but found it again in the woody field of Kiâ—iath Iaharim Psal 132. All Moses curtains Babel carried away for a spoil and all that Hyram the King and Proselyte procured and Hyram the artificer made c. all these goodly things left the Temple and shewed Christ his severity * Christ by Babel shook his own ceremonies by Moses and ended them by Rome that is the meaning of that speech in Aggei Yet once more I will shake never to have any setting yet some in their writings will re-edifie the low Jerusalem c. But as Israel had a first and second Temple so Jerusalem was twice builded by David Salomon and Nehemiah and twice razed now no other Jerusalem ever shall be but that which is from heaven and no materiall Temple ever shall be for the Lord God of Hosts even the Lamb is the Temple in the heavenly Jerusalem Thus in part he did shake these similitudes of heavenly things that they might look to the sure mercies and holy things promised in CHRIST unto David Acts 13.34 The sixth sheweth the earthly glory of this worlds Monarks with their abasement and sudden destruction all this is seen in the golden head Babels Kingdome which Christ made as chaffe before the wind Now the Jews had seen the end of Salomons progeny the fall of his Kingdome their hope the burning of the Temple their glory and the fall of Babel the glory of Nations by Cyrus and Darius Salomon foresaw all this and said all is vanity Eccl. 1 The seventh is from Cyrus Proclamation of bringing back the people of God from Babels yoke to the eternall freedome the Lord Jesus Christ purchased This time is the glorious and shining Prophecy of the Seventy Sevens Dan 9. This chain began with Cyrus of Sem and Darius of Japhet both which Princes proclaimed the God of heaven the God of Israel over an hundred and twenty Nations who gave Israel a liberall subsidie to comfort them in returning to Sion who by that faith in that joyfull Prophecy left great Babel for Jerusalem yet in her dust Psal 102. And this year the faith of Gods elect stopped the mouth of Lions c. And this chain endeth most comfortably by the death of Messias the Holy of Holy which endeth all Sacrrifice and offering in the low Jerusalem and it endeth the peculiar Prerogative of Israel and it bringeth the Gentiles into equall covenant and breaketh down the Partition wall and blotteth out the hand writing of Ordinances
Ieremy in Lam. 3.35.38 doth twice over complain to Elionin against the wicked high States of Iudah whom they felt and should feele in his judgments to be higher and mightier than they 4. The Saints of Zorobabels house are called the Saints of the most High in Dan. 7.18 and they are comforted with this Attribute in Chaldy against the foure persecuting Empires there expressed which ended with the parted Greek monarchy namely that though they should by their tyraany be deprived of the possession of an Earthly Kingdome yet they should still be the Saints of Elionin the most High and shall hold a Kingdome for ever yea for ever and ever This Chaldy term in the plurall is put for the singular as Aben Ezra noteth and we may be sure that it was so spoken to note out of the Trinity of persons in the unity of the Godhead and in this place it was fit to be plurall because it hath relation to the distinct vision of the Son and of the Father and upon the same account Thrones are also plurall in verse 9. 5. Therefore such as are Saints must pay their Vowes to God most high Psal 50 14. as Abraham did in Gen. 14.22 and the most High in Luke 6.35 is called Our Father which is in Heaven in Matth 5.45 4. From the Attribute Shaddai the Almighty or the All-sufficient 1. Hence we may learn that it is good for us in all our temptations to rest or stay our Soules upon his promises for if we be qualified with faith and grace according to his Covenant as Abraham was in Gen. 17. 1. we may be sure he will be Ael Shaddai the Almighty or All-sufficient to performe his promises and threatnings though they seem never so unlikely to naturall reason as in performing his promise to Abraham by making Sarahs dead Womb to conceive and bring forth and in performing his threatnings on the wicked though in their reason they do often thing themselves compassed about with Rocks of security yet God saith that Shod destruction shall come from Shaddai the Almighty Isa 13.6 5. From the Attribute Adonai which is plurall and importeth my Pillars or stayes 1. Hence we may learn to rest and depend upon him for the certaine fulfilling of his promises if we be but rightly qualified according to the conditions required of us in his Covenant of Grace Abraham said in Gen. 15.2 Adoni Jehonith what wilt thou give me seeing I go childless or seeing I am going out of the world childless for I have no hope in nature of a child but yet notwithstanding I do call thee Adonai the Pillar and stay of my weak saith in that gracious promise now propounded in verse 6 Feare not Abraham I am thy shield and thy reward shall be exceeding great namely The Messiah shall be born from thy loynes Abraham replyeth in verse 2. Adonai Jehonith what will thou give me seeing I go childless And so those sweet promises before given in Gen. 12.3 and Gen. 15.15 of the Messiah shall be frustrate but yet I call thee Adonai Jehonith as still making thee my pillars and staies and the giver of being to thy promises and therefore I do by my interrogation expect a further answer to stay my faith upon 2. Job in chap. 28.28 is thus translated by Bro. Mark The Feare of Adanai is wisdome and to eschew evill is understanding His Marginall Note is this Adonai is used first in Gen. 15.2 of Abraham and is plurall for note of Trinity and signifies My stayes 6. From the Attribute Ehieth I am or I will be 1. Hence we may learn to establish our faith in Gods unchangeable promises for the good of his Church and of his threatnings for the destruction of their Enemies 2. This is also observable that when his promises are confirmed with his oath or confirmed by signs as his promise of Canaan was to Abrah posterity then God applies his name Ehieth to it as in Ex. 3.14 I am that I am or I will be that I will be so in Rev. 1.4 God is called he that is and that was and that will be in which word the name Ehieth is opened and also the name Jehovah and it is applicable to the certainty both of his promises of support to his faithfull ones under their persecutors and also to his threatnings of their enemies destruction and the same Title is given to God in Rev. 16.5 chiefly to assure the godly of those times of the certain destruction of their antichristian adversaries This Title is also given to Jesus Christ in Heb. 13.8 Jesus Christ yesterday and to day and the same for ever because of the certain effects of his Mediators Office 7. From the Attribute Jah Breathing in Exod. 15.2 1. Hence we may learn that in Jah we live and move and have our breath and being 2. Hence we may learn that Jah doth take away the breath and being of his Churches enemies when it pleaseth him and therefore in Exod. 15.2 Israel in their Song of triumph did praise God that had given breath and being to them in the midst of the Red-sea and that had taken away the breath and being of Pharoah and all his Host in the Red-sea 2. This Attribue do the Saints give in Revel 19.1.3.46 to Christ their being for their deliverance or preservation from the prevailing power of Antichrist saying Halalu-jah 3. Isa in chap. 16.4 doth exhort to faith and confidence in this Iah saying Trust in the Lord for ever for in Jah Jehovah is the Rock of Ages 4. His Title Iah in Psal 68.4 is there used in that exhortation to praise God for his mercies by his name Iah 5. This Title Halalu jah is in Psal 104.35 where the consuming of sinners is mentioned alluding therein to the destruction of the Sodomites and of Pharaoh and his Host in the Red-sea as in Psal 105.44.45 6. This title Halalu-jab is also used in Revel 19. where the destruction of Antechrist is foretold 8. From the Attribute Tzur the Rock it is first used in Deut. 32.4.18.30.37 and in 2 Sam. 22. and in 2 Sam. 22.2.32 1. Hence we may learn that no Rock is like this Rock and therefore if we have right unto him by the Covenant of grace we may depend upon him in all straits and temptations for protection and preservation for this Rock is Christ as it is expounded in 1 Cor. 10.4 and and so the Rock in Matth. 16.18 is not Peter but Christ for Peter said in verse 10. Thou art Christ Christs answer is Vpon this Rock I will build my Church land the gates of Hades shall not overcome it Mr. Bro. saith that the tearm Rock in commendations of a person must ever be taken for God and therefore saith he He that takes it for Peter doth make him a God and saith he it is used for Christ onely in the usuall name of God 2. The tearm Rock in Psal 31.5 is by the seventy translated Ctistes which is translated
from the dead by the power of God in his Resurrection and of this begetting or raising up his son the apostle also speaks in Acts 13.30.31 34. This two-fold raising of Christ spoken of in Acts 13. ought to be well marked because it will then clear the citation of Psalm 2.7 to be alledged onely for the proof of Gods begetting his son by his extrinsecall installment into the Mediatours office when he began to be 30 years of age even as Daniel was not united to the extrinsecall execution of his Kingly office untill he was extrinsecally anointed and so Christ his raising or begetting into the extrinsecall execution of his Mediatours office is also spoken of in Deut. 18.15.18 Luke 1.6 9. Ier. 23.5 Acts 2.30 Acts 22.26 Hence then it follows that the humane nature as it was taken into personall union with the divine is called Gods son Luke 1.35 and 22. as it was glorified by his extrinsecall anointing to the publick execution of the Mediatours office he is also called Gods son this day have I begotten thee Psalm 2.7 and in this sense must Paul be understood in Heh 1.5 Vnto which of the angels did he ever say Thou art my son this day have I begotten thee by my visible anointing thee into the Mediaatours office and then God also gave this publick testimony of him This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased Mat. 3.17 and this day have I glorified thee or begotten thee to be a High Priest Heb. 5.5 and the reason why all is made subject to man in Ps 8. is because God would Tabernacle in our nature as it is well observed by Mr. Bro. in Melchizedech 8. The Genealogie of Christs humane nature in Luk. 3.23 is first drawn up to Adam and then in v. 38. He in his humane nature and not Adam as many mistake is called the Son of God according Luke 1.35 10. Christs humane nature namely as it is considered in personall Union with his Divine nature is called a child borne and a Son given to the Church of Beleivers in Es 9.6 7. unto us a child is born unto us a Son is given the Government shall be upon his shoulders and his name shall be called wonderfull councellor the mighty God the Father of Eternity the Prince of peace and of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end upon the throne of David and upon his Kingdome to order it and establish it with judgement and Justice from henceforth even for ever The zeale of Jehovah of Hostes will performe this 11. Christ is called the Son of man in Dan. 7.13 Lo in the cloudes of Heaven came one like a Son of Man Afterward he went to the ancient of Dayes When our Lord continually tearmeth himselfe the Son of man in the foure Evangelists he doth saith Bro on this verse most graciously call us to weigh this Text. 12. He is called the word that was made flesh and dwelt among us or that did tabernacle in our nature Joh. 1.14 13. He is called a man in a Virgin for thus saith Aguâ— in Prov. 30.19 Three things are too wonderfull for me yea four that I know not the way of an eagle in the air the way of a serpent on a rock the way of a ship in the middest of the sea and the way of Geber a man in a virgin for the Hebrew word for virgin doth alwayes signifie a virgin that never knew man 14. Christ in his humane nature personally united to his divine is called Immanuel in Es 7.14 Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel this doth Matthew shew to be fulfilled by the birth of Christ Mat. 1.23 and the Angel said unto Mary That holy thing that shall be born of thee shall be called the son of God Luke 1.35 and hence it is said that in the fullnesse of time God sent forth his son made of a woman Gal. 4. 15. The holy Law in the old Testament doth often give terms to God from mans body and afflictions This saith Bro. was so done to prepare the faithfull of those times to believe the sons incarnation So in Gen. 18.1 c. he that appeared unto Abraham with two angels is called both a man verse 2.22 and Jehovah and Abraham took him for both saith Estwick contra Biddle page 4 24. he is called Jehovah verse 1.13 14 17 20 26 32. and in verse 33. Jehovah went his way when he left communing with Abraham but he appeared to Abraham in the figure of a man he walked and talked and did eat c. this was a praesudium to his future incarnation and for this and the like apparitions our Saviour saith Abraham saw my day my coming in the flesh and rejoyced John 8.56 CHAP. LV. Of the Attributes of the Mediatours Office ANgel Servant Messias in Greek Christ or the anointed Jesus A Saviour a Redeemer a Captain a King Priest and Prophet Palmoni Arch-angel David Salomon Bishop Apostle High Priest Advocate Shepherd 1. Christ is called an Angel in relation to his Office of Mediatourship 1. The Title angel doth signifie one sent on a message and so God sent forth his son to be made man of a woman Gal 4 4. but God could not as his supream send him forth because the second Person thought it no robbery to be equal with God therefore in that he was sent forth it argues that it was done by his voluntary condescention according to the articles of a mutuall Covenant 2. Christ is called the angel or messenger of the covenant which God made with fallen man long before he came in the flesh Mal. 3.1 3. He did often appear to our Fathers in a most excellent shape even as an angel for their direction in matters of faith and for their protection from evill if they did obey his voice Exod. 23.20 21. 4. Hence it is that Jacob said the angel which redemed me out of all adversity blesse the lads Gen 48.16 5. Christ is called the angel of Jehovah in Exod. 3.2 The angel of Jehovah appeared unto Moses in a flame of fire out of the middest of a bramble bush and this angel in verse 6. calleth himself the God of Abraham and by this it is evident that the God which did so often appear unto Abraham was Christ 6. In all their afflictions he was afflicted and the angel of his presence saved them Es 63.9 It is said in Hos 12.3 4. that Jacob had power with God and had power over the angel and prevailed he wept and prayed unto him he found him in Bethel and there he spake with us but in Gen. 32.34 from whence this of Hosea is taken he is called a man for men that are excellent in form and in qualities are often called angels hence it is evident that it was Christ that did appear both to Abraham and to Jacob in a most excellent humane shape fairer than the sons
Heb. 9. and 10 or give enterance into the heavens but the blood of Christ did Col. 1.20 and in this faith all the faithfull from the beginning of the world died and went to the heavenly City and countrey and inheritance Heb. 11. and Col. 11.12 And all the faithfull evermore knew this our blessed Mediatour to be Jehovah our justifications Jer. 23.6 No. 4. Suffered not for himself but for us Zachariah saith they shall mourn and be in bitternesse when they consider this as they did in Mark 16.10 Acts 14. and 2.37 which is an history to the Prophesie of Zac. 12. And so should we consider and do This Text of Daniel is a fit Meditation for preparation when we come to the Supper of the Lord. N. 6. Therefore the appointed time As in Moses the Law had an expresse day and hour for their sacrifices even from the beginning so it was no lesse needfull to have from God an expresse warrant when sacrifice should be ended specially seeing all the world was bound to regard sacrificing at Jerusalem so long as it was to continue if they hoped for Gods favour And also to know most exactly when the Jews Prerogative did end and the partition-wall should be broken down Ibid. Is not a triviall or an uncertain thing Talk no more so exceeding proudly let not arrogancy come out of your mouth for Jehovah is a God of knowledge and by him actions are weighed and times pre-ordained and determined 1 Sam. 2.3 Acts 17.26 N. 8. Ceremonies broken down Christ shook the things made with hands and settled the polity of his Kingdome in the heavenly Jerusalem Dan. 2. 7. Hag. 2. Apoc. 21. Heb. 12.27 There is the Throne of the Son of David Apoc. 4. 5. 22. 1. Luke 1.31.32 33. Ibid. Perpetuall devastations In the Vision of Ezek. 1. although terror of fierie desolations and captivity for seventy years yet there was a Rainbow in the vision to shew that God in wrath remembreth mercy for there was a return but for the desolations by the Romane Infidels in Daniels and Zachariahs Prophesies and our Lords speaketh Mat. 24. no Rainbow mentioned and consider the phrase of spâ—ing out Levit. 18. 28. Num. 31. ult after the chana anites were spued out the â—ever returned so it hath the Jews who shall never return and to be in such a condition as we are taught now adayes Heare O ye people O all ye Ibid. As with the Flood of Noah The men of the old world resisted the holy Ghost the Flood destroyed them and so the Jews resisted and a flood of miseries hath ever followed upon them to this day Acts 7.51 The Apostle remembreth Noahs and Sodoms story to the Circumcision and so doth Judas Thaddeus v. 14 15. of the judgement of the old world when the Lord came with thousands of his holy ones to plague the old world faith was scant found on the earth so in the overturuning of the Kingdome of Iudah and so at our Lords first coming the Church was in a sad condition of ignorance and heresies by the means of the wicked Shepherds Zac. 11. And before our Lords second coming there will be another apostacy after a Reformation when faith will be scant found on the earth Luke 18. for it is said the ending of the world shall be like the ending of the old world Mat. 24. The times shall exceedingly degenerate into outward shews of bodily exercise and into atheisticall scoffing and security Mat. 25.3 1 Thes 5.1.2 3. 2 Pet. 3. and so it was afore the desolation of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar 2 Chron. 36. And upon that generall defection the Lord Iesus will appear in the clouds with his mighty angels Christ will not come in a glorious time of Reformation but in a time of generall defection No. 10 And we in the Lords Supper do protest c. The Bread and Wine in the Lords Supper is a Seal of ending Moses polity given by the Creatours wisdome and authority The end of Moses Ceremonies could hardly be taught the Jews So God by an angel of light and glory gave them words for that to reckon ever since they came from Babel how for they were year by year to the Redemption by our Lord and to the end of the shadows that must flee away and be cancelled Cant. 2. Col. 2.14 And therefore let all Gods people mark diligently that the ending of Moses Ceremonies required as certain a warrant as their beginning had even for the very last day And so stand the angels words clear in their own simplicity for ending of them And the Authority of the Lords Supper standeth upon that when Bread is given for the bodies of Sacrifices and Wine for their blood All soundly learned and of stayed judgement will refuse all colour of learning that contradicteth In the words of an honest man spoken in like sort as the angel spake to Daniel none would doubt what should be the true meaning The more to blame are we who pervert the words of the living God to make Questions thereupon to set light by the Rock of our salvation as though one thing might be spoken and another thing meant Mr. Broughton Sedeâ— Olam 18. assert 2. upon Dan. 9. Ibid. No. 10. Death once performed the Epistle to the Hebrews by Christs fore-sight was written of purpose to teach this and convince the contrary As Popery is full of Paganisme So it is of Judaisme Quest 4. and Answer The forty nine Thousand Who are thus described in Daniel Michaels people The Saints of them The high Trinity The stars of heaven Dan. 8. The holy people Daniels holy people The Army of heaven Their Religion the truth and the holy Covenant The Temple called the Sanctuary and the holy And chap. 7.25 mark that verse Glorious holy mountain These terms cannot belong to the State of the Jews of these last dayes Heb. 1.1 for these 1580 years for these are proper and peculiar phrases to them of the old Testament when as yet the partition Wall was not broken down and the Gentiles were not as yet brought within the Covenant when not as yet the vessel was let down from heaven Acts 10. therefore onely the Jews State for the time of the Seventy Sevens is the afflicted in Daniel chap. 2 and 7.8 10 and 11 12. by the image and four beasts All these terms are in the Prophesie of Daniel Ibid. Left Babel for Jerusalem the hope of the SON OF MAN who should come with the clouds of heaven and have Kingdome power and glory over all Nations and for ever perswaded them to leave Babel Dan. 7. Ezra 1. Jerusalem the beauty of holinesse ever loved and longed for and laboured for by the Saints Quest 5. and Answ And Jews before the ending of the Seventy Sevens the glorious Prophesies of Isaiah of Amos of Dan. 2 7 and 9. c. c. of the Kingdome of Christ made all the Nation of the Jews to expect it as