Let the godly Christian Student diligently read the Scriptures We erre not knowing the Scriptures and then Josephus and Macchabees and other authors and with all observe the times the families or Nations and the places of their habitations and for the times of the new Testament mark allusions as hath and will be touched but so far as Propriety will reach for times and persons that must be still adhered unto CHAP. XXI Of the Jewes calling the 12 13 14. Chapters of Zachary that it cannot be applyed to the Jewes calling yet to come as many Ministers do too unadvisedly teach WEE are to consider many passages in Dan. 7 8 9 10 11 12. Chapters 1. That all the time of the Holy Angel Gabriels message of the Seventy Sevens the Jewes were called the holy people Michaels people Daniels people their Religion is called the truth Sion and the Temple is called the holy Mountaine Jerusalem the holy City and the only place of holy worship in the World Joh. 4. And the Son of God is called MICHAEL the great Prince before his blessed Incarnation and that he had over them a speciall regard during the date and lease of their prerogative of the Seventy Sevens 2. Therefore we are diligently to observe Zach. 12. that although those troubles were among them yet still Jerusalem was the holy City and that God had respect to them because the holy faith of the Gospell was among them and also among the Godly dispersed Jewes and the same holy faith was maintained by the many godly that exhorted one another but the most of them were of the meaner sort called the poor of the flock and for their sakes Jerusalem was a burdensome Stone to all the ungodly whither the Heathens or the lawlesse Apostates of Daniels people Dan. 11. And sometimes the better part that had some life of Religion were their Leaders and did governe them and they were as a Torch of fire in a sheafe to burne and devour the Enemies and Jerusalem was defended and as yet adhuc permaneat did abide in her own place and so it was to abide untill the ending of the Sâ—venty Sevens Zach. 12.6 3. And whereas Zachariah saith in Chap. 12.6 Jerusalaima adhuc permaneant Jerusalem is there and I think in all other places in the old Testament in the plurall teaching them celestial meditations as Psal 15.1 And that although the Saints of them the high Trinity should yet inhabite the Low-Jerusalem in much affliction they should notwithstanding account themselves but strangers Levit 25.23 and should rather look to the Jerusalem that is above the sight of true peace the Heavenly City as Abraham Jsaac and Iacob did to the Heavenly Countrey Eby 11. 4. This speach that Ierusalem should yet abide and be inhabited is consolatory both for the present State of the Church against the plottings of Sanballat c. and for that Daniel had shewed that Iavan in the fourth Beast should bring great affliction of trampling Daniels holy people and taking away the dayly sacrifice and altering the times of the the holy Feasts and the Law And that Antiochus should distresse the holy Mountaine Ierusalem and the Temple c. notwithstanding all these troubles Jerusalem should yet abide an holy City They were not yet to be cut off from their Olive Tree And Gods dealing for his people was a burdensome Stone and a Torch of fire to all the Hornes of the fourth Beast and all the Enemies to the ending of the Seventy Sevens 5 And Zach. 12. saith God would raise up noble worthies for them so God gave them sometimes valiant men to be for their comfort as the worthies of old in the reign of David Valiant in acting and suffering for the truthes sake that was only among them The Jewes were then the holy people and Ieâ—usalem the holy City and Sion the holy Mountaine though b So Babel going about to dash Ierusalems hope is bent to set his Throne above the highest in destroying his Temple but Gods vengeance was a burthen some stone to make the golden Head dust Esai 14. Jer. 50. Dan. 2. Antiâ—chus had greatly polluted the Temple And the godly the poor of the flock did observe these things and still did inhabite Ierusalem or still did so desire though driven into Mountaines and Dens and Caves of the Earth looking for the Kingdome of Heaven to appeare now drawing on towards the ending of the Seventy Sevens And for their sakes as is said God destroyed all Enemies that came against the holy City Ierusalem whither the Heathens or the Law-lesse Jewes that profaned the holy covenant Dan. 11. 6. And we must not slightly passe over this Epithet Ierusalem the Holy City It is so called at the beginning and ending of the Seventy Sevens likewise so called at the begining of our Lords Preaching and at his Resurrection Mat 4 27 marke it was so at that very time they had crucified MESSIAS their King the Lord of glory but after our Savidurs aâ—eension that title was never bestowed upon it For then the date of their prerogative was out and the Gentiles brought into equall Covenant But for the whole time of the Seventy Sevens as the Angel from Heaven had declared while the preferment of the circumcised Jew was in honour Christ had a speciall eye to them and the Low Jerusalem As when it was destroyed by the Chaldean the Lord bade his dispersed people to remember it in all Countries Ier. 51.50 and so Daniel did and 49000. though in the dust Psal 102. But after our Saviours ascention and sending the Spirit furnishing his holy Disciples with gifts to be Master-builders for the erecting the New Jerusalem there is not any word of intimation in all the Evanglists Acts Epistles or Apocalyps nay nor in any Prophet of the old Testament that they should remember the Low Ierusalem c. But more of this hereafter 7. Ierusalem the sight of peace the faithfull held and looked to hold in possession till our Lords dayes Esai 66. Psal 110. 95. would instruct them so to beleive as they did Observe well 1. King 11.13.32.36 2. King 21.4 Ier. 51.50 Dan. 9. Psal 102. And we must consider that although the Kings of North and South afflicted Israel and Ierusalem Dan. 11. and had a great hand in bruising the holy people yet Christ plagued those Kings and Kingdomes And although the Jewes in the times of the Macchabees were mutinous and became wicked and Law-lesse and brought much trouble to their own Brethren as also did the Remainders of the Selâ—ucidae the Herods and the Romans yet among all these Enemies of the faith Christ caused from his firy Throne Dan. 7. that Rivers of fire ran among them God had ever a speciall eye of regard to them for his promise sake Zach. 2.8 1. King 11.32 He shall have one Tribe for my Servant Davids sake and for Jerusalem the City which I have chosen out of all the
destruction of so many honest and â—â—lâ—thfull subjects and so it was told you to your face you know when Hest 7 shall voluntary giâ—ts and contributions of such drosse Statists corrupt the breasts of Princes to make and confirm the Decrees and Canons c. to undo their bâ—st subjects absit absit Es 10.1 Psal 94.20 Prov. 25.4.5 wherefore hearest thou mens words saying David seeketh thy hurt Now therefore I pray thee Let my Lord the King hear the words of his servant If Jehovah have stirred thee up against me let him accept an offâ—â—ing but if they be the children of men cuâ—sed be they before Jehovah for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord saying go serve other gods 1 Sam. 7.4 and 26. CHAP. XI Shewing why there were no more Prophets after Malachy to our Lords incarnation FOr the better understanding of the reason three things must be well observed 1. The times of Daniel concerning Christ and his Church and the exact time of our Lords death 2. Concerning the church of the Iews standing or falling in these times 3. Concerning concerning the enemies of the church in these three things the times will be coincident which must be diligently observed First touching Christ and the exact time of his death it must be remembred The Seventy years of Babels captivity ending Daniel hâ—d this message from heaven that the Lord God had sent an holy angel from heaven to Daniel with that heavenly Message of the Seventy Sevens of years wherein MESSIAH the King should finish trespasse-offerings and end sin-offerings and make reconciliation for iniquity and bring in everlasting righteousnesse and seal Vision and Prophesie and that MESSIAH the holy of holy should confirm the Testament for Iews and the Many and should end Sacrifice and offering by his most obedient sufferings and death giving himself a sweet smelling sacrifice of savour to God for our Redemption Dan. 9.24 c. This Prophesie foretold the year moneth day and hour of Messiah his death the angel Gabriel at the time of the eenng sacrifice or ninth hour came then to Daniel to tell him that at the Seventy Sevens the Messiah should suffer and his Prophesie was performed and fulfilled at the ninth hour of the day for then our Lord gave himself a Sacrifice for the sins of the Iews and the Many of all Nations and said all was finished when he yielded his holy soul into the hands of the heavenly Father 2. We must know that Daniel knew all the holy Doctrine of the angels Message but the time of fulfilling all visions and Prophesies for the exact time of Christs death No Prophet ever told that time but Daniel this must be advisedly condered Now when the Church of God had the time of Christs death exaxctly foretold which Kings Priests and Prophets and all godly did desire to see and hear This gave the faithfull abundant satisfaction 3. When Daniel had such glrious Prophesies of ch 2. and 7. and 8. and this blessed Revelation from heaven in chap. 9. for the rejoycing of the hearts of the people of God They forsook Bahel to go to Jerusalem though in the dust Psal â—02 14 This company that returned were precious feed for after times Psal 126. Haggai end Malachy shew that the messiah shall sâ—ddenly come to the second Temple before it be destoyed so they open Dan. 9.24 c. then 49000 with Zorobabel were perswaded to forsake Babel in hope of the coming of the Son of Man in the clouds of heaven and to have Kingdome power and glory over all Nations Jeremiah sheweth that the deliverance from Babel should be more glosious than that from Egypt Jer 30. and 31. and 32. and 33. excellent things are spoken for the returned from Babel but Daniel onely tells the time of the death of Christ 4. When David had thus declared the exact time then Haggai further conâ—ecrated the returned against their discouragements that the Temple Zorobabel built should be of greater glory than Salomons because the MESSIAH the desire of all Nations should come and fill it with his glorious presence by teaching in it doing miracles in it and in it give peace to all the Israel of God Likewise Zachariah commenteth much on Daniel that Zion and Jerusalem should rejoice because the King of Israel was coming but in a lowly manner as our Lord tol them the Kingdome of heaven did not come in him with great shews of outward observation and he told them of the undervaluing King MESSIAH how he was bought and sold as for a slave for thirty pieces of silver this expounds Daniel for the sufferings of Messias yet at that day he would be a fountain for sin and all uncleannesse unto all the godly families of Judah and Levi for the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all faithfull as Daniel sheweth Christ shall suffer so Zachariah sheweth the blessed shepherd shall be smitten and the flock shall be scattered these things shew the sufferings of Messias not for himself being just but for us 6. Daniel having shewed of Messiahs confirming the Covenant for Jews and the many of all Nations Malachy expoundeth this saying from the rising of the SUN unto the going down of the same the name of the Lord should be great among the Gentiles Also he sheweth of Messiah the mesenger of the covenant in whom they delighted and expected Also he sheweth of him the SUN righteousnesse shall appear with healing in his beams and prophesieth of John Elias the Baptist to be Christs Messenger to prepare the way for his coming and the Nation of the Jews were so taken with John Baptist that they thought he was the MESSIAH for that time had many thoughts and questions 7. Daniel foretold the destruction of the low Jerusalem as with the Flood of Noah in the next generation after the Seventy Sevens were ended at our Lords death Zachariah saith the same Zac. 14.12 that it should be very terrible Also he sheweth of the heavenly Jerusalem the new Jerusalem so Esai 2 1 2 3. Micah 4â—1 2 Esai 54. speaks of his glory Titus Vespasian destroyed the low Jerusalem forty years after our Lords ascension and the Lord Jesus gave them an assured token of the same Luke 21.20 The Church standing Secondly touching the Church of God especially the faithfull rejoiced to think of the determined time of the Seventy Sevens and did calculate the years since their return from Babel so that they could not misse to know the time of MESSIAH his coming And nothing was ever objected against our Lord or his apostles about the time Zac. 11.11 The poore of the flock still waited for the accomplishment of all things especially the godly families of the house of Nathan Salomons brother by Batâ—shebah that came of Zorababel All the god evermore waited for Christ their blessed hope Isa 25.9 now much more And as they did thus for his first coming so
from Sems Tents and by the Doctrine of Sems sons the Prophets and apostles all Doctrine is to be tried and not by the best Orthodox Churches Ibid. N. 2. The twelve foundations of the Wall The apostle Paul was graven on the Jasper first foundation so he should be the head of the Church not Peter The twelve Jewels had the names of the twelve apostles then where is Peter above the rest his Epistles are pearls and so are Pauls and the other apostles the Spirit of God spake in them and no one could be above another but each stood a foundation on the Rock Christ the eternall Son of God Ephes 2.20 There are stronger proofs or moe arguments to make St. Paul or Saint John head of the Church than any Papalyn can bring for Saint Peter vide Mr. Henry Ainsworth and Mr. Bernard Mr. Ainsworth against Locust Ainsworth Mr. Bernard Khemos against Rome page 130. CHAP. XIV With Questions Answers and Annotations shewing who have the Spirituall blessings of the Covenant and who the Curses QVest 1. and Answ Who were enemies that did rage and imagine vain things against the Christ of God the Rock upon whom the Church is builded despising the Counsel of God against themselves Answ The high Sacrificers the Pharisees Sadduces and Scribes Herod Pontius Pilate and the loathsome Romane infidels the Caesars and their people persecuting this faith first in crucifying the Lord of glory and after persecuting the Church for 300 years and it is remarkable as it is said in the Alpha of the word that the seed of the Serpent should persecute the seed of the woman so it is said in the Omega of the same that the Dragon the old Serpent the Devil and Satan doth persecute the seed of the woman that is Them that keep the Commandements of God and have the testimonie of Jesus Christ QUest 2. How doth the goodnesse of God reward the faith of the Saints in the holy and constant profession of his name Ans By faith they obtained good report with God and God is not ashamed of them to be called their God whence proceedeth sweet peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost who stirs them to and helps them in that most heavenly exercise of prayer whereby they have unspeakable consolation in all their tribulatin for that the Spirit of Christ doth inable them by patience to possesse their souls and work in them and seal unto their hearts an assured and lively hope of things not seen of eternall rest and a Crown of righteousnesse which the Lord will give unto them at that day and to all those that love his bright appearing QUest 3. What severity was executed on those that set themselves and took counsell together against the Lord his anointed the King of Mount Sion Answ The thrice holy the Lord God omnipotent which was which is and which will be sitting as a King on a Throne in the heaven of the Church and administring the government thereof to the end of the world by the Mediation of the Son eternall who being the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (a) The Jews and Romanes despising Christs Kingdome and sacrifice-hood were plagued greatly as Psal 2. 1 10. The seven Seals and four horses did plague the Empire did tear in pieces the Jews his own people spoken of afore and the Romane Empire for he riding as on a white horse of Justice and Power plagued the world by the horses and Arrows of his vengeance (b) Red horse bloudy Warre (c) Black horse Famine * Pale horse Pestilence and through the cry of the innocent blood of Martyrs a grave of destruction following the unclean infidels the Emperours and their people to the ruine of the Empire that all men cryed to the mountains to fall upon them and the hills to cover them and in the world to come endlesse misery and vengeance in the Lake of flaming fire QUest 4. Had the Church rest after 300 years Answ Yea for God raised up Constantinus a good Christian Emperour so that the Church had rest and did wonderfully increase but this peace was quickly interrupted by the tares of ambition schisme and heresies of Ecclesiastical Teachers QUest 5. Did Constantinus continue the Romane Empire Answ No he removed the Seat of his Empire to Constantinople so that Rome in Italy was little set by for many years and often burned by the Goths and Vandals and at last by them brought to an extream ruine Then the sixth head or polity of Rome was made dead QUest 6. Was there not an Apostasie from the faith of the Prophets and Apostles Doctrine after the Empire of Rome was made dead Answer 1. Yea for the Spirit spake evidently that there would be an apostasie or falling away The misterie of iniquity was working in the apostles dayes and quickned secretly still by divers means Doctrines of Devils and worship of Devils with sundry corruptions superstitions and heretical Doctrines were continually springing The Churches left their first love zeal watchfullnesse and diligence and when the Empire the with-holder was dead presently after multitudes of hereticks arose 2 Thes 2.6 which with covetousnesse and ambition of Bishops exceedingy furthered the appearance of King Abaddon and his Locusts out of their bottomlesse Pit 2. For the first second and third Centuries this was generally received of the faithfull Jew and Gentile that God was One in holy Trinity Apot. 7.9 10. and Vnity and salvation was ascribed to God and the Lamb Christs sole mediation And in the Confession of this faith all the Saints the Elders and people cast down their Crowns before Gods Throne and fell down before God and the Lamb with all joyfull acclamations of praise blessing honour glory and power for the mighty Creation and gracious Redemption 3. But after those three Centuries hereticks and false Teachers more corrupted the Doctrine of God and Christ and Saints and angels were glorified as Mediatours and prayed unto c. But the Lord God takes care as Apoc. 7. for his elect both of Jews and Gentiles that they might be kept safe the foundation of God remaineth sure and hath this Seal the Lord knoweth who are his Therefore he takes order for their sealing to be kept from the deceit of the perillous times that hastened and those that are sealed make a most holy solemn and glorious confession of the faith according to the Prophets and apostles Doctrine and by this Confession the sealed servants of God are known in all ages The rest of the seventh Chapter shews the gracious priviledges of the Saints 4. And Christ forewarned the backsliding of the Churches by the seven Trumpets and shewed much mercy for the fourth fifth and sixth Centuries by stirring up the Spirit of some Christian Emperours for summoning Bishops to Councels to represse their ambition contention schisme and heresies of the which the first four generall Councels were the most orthodox 5. Also in those Centuries
Country 3. The holy Spirit as is noted transfers the plague of the Papacy in dispelling its Ayre to the seventh Phial under it it shall be utterly dispersed though as yet it is still much in some places from all the Countries where the Beasts Kingdome hath been and yet is 4. As the firy Mountain of Abaddons Kingdome increased by degrees and in some Countries * Great Brittany was the last that fully yeilded to Romes politie and the first that cast it off Jer. 28. more and sooner then in others so it decreaseth in the same manner If this had been seriously marked some would not have not been may I say so peremptory and definitive for the Popes utter destruction in 1650. or 1655. we are not to talke what the Lord Christ can doe but rather to observe the course of his providence as it hath been exercised since Wickliffs dayes both concerning the enmity and wars of the holy seed and the seed of the Serpent I wish as Jeremiah said to Hananiah that the Lord would performe your words which you have propheseyed But it shall not be so 5. Rome Kittim Italy shall be a mark for Gods Judgements to the end it shall hold some strength in their iniquity to the end For the Church shall be troubled in one place or other with Dogs Murderers Fornicators There shall be persecution and vexation from the seed of the Serpent in one place or other more or lesse secret or open while the Church remaineth in this World notwithwanding all that is alledged for the glorious personall reigne of Christ here on Earth they mistake the Tropes used in the Prophets from the visible to he invisible Church here on Earth Sorcerers Lyars and other abominable Let us not flatter our selves the seed of the Serpent shall be to the end and all outward Enemies shall not be put though more and more weakned under the feet of Christ till the end The Heavenly Jerusalem hath been from the Apostles dayes and shall be to the end and the seed of the Serpent shall bruise to the end The holy Spirit doth shew us the Counsell of Christ that there is no age in which the vanity of this cursed World shall not be manifested Gen. 3. Eccl. 1. Such peace as many talk of under Christs personall raign is not for this World but for the World to come c. 6. There is no Phiall powred on the Turks tyranicall Kingdome for he was raised up only to be a scourge to the Apostasie of the Greek Churches in the Trumpets and of later yeares of the Papacy in the Phials But when the Kingdomes that gave their power to the Beast of the Pit and his Kingdome of Kittim doe revolt from him and embrace the Gospell in sincerity and purity then God will throw that Rod of the Turke into the fire Chap. XIX The dead Bones Ezekiel 37.11 12. c. must not be understood of the Jewes calling after our times but only of their returne from Babel THen said he unto me Son of man these bones are the whole House of Israel behold they say our bones are dryed and our hope is lost we are cut off for our parts Therefore Prophesie and say unto them thus saith the Lord God Behold O my people I will open your Graves and cause you to come out of your Graves and bring you into the Land of Israel and I will place you in your own Land 1. The coherence of this Scripture about the dead bones with the former Chapter is not to be understood of the Jewes calling at all after our times but must properly and only to be understood of their return from Babel the Land of the North and other Countries where they had been scattred by the Kings of Ashur and Babel 2. But before I go on I will premise some principall over-ruling providences of Christ which the holy story doth declare unto us 1 Concerning the progeny of Salomon being extinct 2. Concerning his Kingdome being overthrown 3. Concerning the Temple and City burnt and laid in an heap of dust and thus Christ in the indignation of his wrâ—th did loath both King and Preist 4. Concerning themselves in sad captivity 5. Concerning the Temples holy Vessells carryed captive 6. Concerning other grivous evils of scorne and derision and of other dayly dangers both corporall and spirituall Dan. 1. 3. Who is able to recount their sorrows and calamities Now being thus disconsolate It is no marvaile it caused them to say our bones are dryed up So the Apostle useth this same argument 2. Cor. 1.9 to his comfort so Esai 26.19 Hos 13.14 and our hope is lost we are cut off for our parts But now at last is pleased the Lord God to comfort them by an allusion to the Doctrine of the Resurrection that as surely as they beleived the Doctrine of the Resurrection so surely God could and would revive their dead State Now we are not to think that the Prophet doth comfort any but the present age then in Bondage and captivity and therefore he doth not prophâ—sie of the Jewes calling to inhabite Chanaan againe and build Jerusalâ—m againe now after our times as too many doc mis-interpret the Prophets meaning 3. They were so disconsolate under Babels Yoke that when Cyrus made that Proclamation of their returne Ezra 1. they thought they rather dreamed then that it was a truth of their deliverance granted Psal 126. Mâ—ny acts of un-beleif were in their hearts and in their speaches and so it is with us in afflictions Yet Christ was faithfull in his promises he cannot deny himselfe Some object that the Apostle then in Rom. 11. might well then have spared the Jewes in so deep a question as touching their calling Answ I dare not say so for the Apostle being a Prophet it was as authentike as if Esatas or Ezekiel had foretold it And by the same answer it may be questioned notwithstanding all the plausible speaches of some whether any Prophet of the old Testament did prophesie of the Jewes calling yet to come for the Apostle doth only by allusion cite Esaias and Ezekiel to shew that as the Lord God did formerly shew his power and mercy in their restauration from Babel so he would once againe call them to the faith after so long a time To the same effect the Apostle dealt in Act. 13.40 41. in citing Abakuks prophesie Abakuk propheseyed of the Chaldeans to arise But the Jewes then would no more beleive that Babel should overcome them then they beleived the Apostle Paul citing Abakuks words of Gods wrath by the Romans to make an end of them And so Saint Paul doth in like manner cite Dan. 11. in 2. Thess 2. concerning the man of sin the new Antiochus of Rome by allusion only 4. Whereas the present age of Ezekiels days was so disconsolate and lamented one would think the Prophet comforts them and doth not 〈◊〉 of men that should live two
Pelâ—g Regu Serug Nahor Gen. 9.10 and 11 chapters Terah he died 427 years after the flood the world then 2083 years old For he in no sort took on him the angels nature but he took on him the seed of Abraham Heb. 7. Abraham Isaac Jacob Judah Phares Hezron Aram Amminadab The rest of Gen. Exod. to the 12 ch of Job Naasson a Prince of Judah in the wilderness 430 years from the promise Gen. 12.2 3. to the coming from Egypt the world then 2513 years old It is evident our Lord sprang out of Judak Heb. 7.14 Naasson begat Salmon Boaz Obeb Jessai David Salomon Exod. Levit Numbers Deut. Ioshua Iudges Ruth 1. and 2 Samel and Psalms and 1 Kings to the 〈◊〉 chap and 1 Chron. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my Gospel 2 Tim. 2. The incarnation and the Resurrection are the Basis of all and should be better remembred and more taught The Cronology of the Judges and their oppressors The Judges and oppressors mentioned in the book of Judges all which were contemporary with Salomon Boaz Obed Iâ—ssâ—i Iudges Othoniel 40. Ehud 80. Shamgar 40. Deborah 40. Barak 40. Jael 40. Gideon 40. Abimelech 3. Tholah 23. Iaâ—r 22. Iephthâ—h 6. Ibsan 7. Elon 10. Abdon 8. Sampson 20. Eli 40  399 Oppressors Chusan 8. Eglon 18. Iabin 20. Midian 7. Ammon 18. Philâ—st 40.  111.  339  450 And after that he gaâ—â—â— unto them â—udges after a sort 450 years uâ—til Samuel the Prophet Act 13.20 Kings of Israel King of Iudah Ieroboam Nadab Baasa Elab Zâ—mâ—i Tibni Omâ—i Achab Achaziah brethren Ioram brethren Iâ—hu Ioâ—châ—z loash Ieâ—obâ—am Zachaâ—iah Shalâ—um Menachem Pâ—chaiah Peâ—ab Hosea David Salomon Râ—boâ—m Abiam Asa Iosaphat Ioram Aâ—haziah Athalâ—ah loash Amaziah Vzziah Joâ—ham Aâ—hâ—z Hezekiah Manasses Amon Jâ—sâ—â—s Jâ—hâ—jakim Iechâ—nias Zedekiah in his 11 yea the city Ierusalem was taken by Nâ—buchadnezzar it and the Temple burnt and that was 427 years from the foundation of it Babâ—l tyrannized full 50 years moe then the world as 3470 years old Saint Matthew follows Salâ—mons line to shew Christs Right to the Kingdome of Israel for Salâ—mons line failing in Jâ—chonias who made Sâ—lathiel his â—â—ir as next of riâ—hâ— 1 Kings And some of 2 Chr. ' ro Ecâ—l Canticles Kin. and the rest of Chr for the kings ' Judah and Israel Ionah Hosea Ioel â—mâ—s Esaias Micah Nahum Habbakuk â—zâ—phanâ—ah Jerem. Lam. Daniel Ezekiel Ohadiah Nathan Mattatha Mainan Mâ—lea Eliaâ—im Ionan Ioieph Iudah Symeon Levi Matthat Iâ—rim Eliezer Iose Eâ— Elmodam Cosam Adâ—i Melchi Neâ—i Salathiel Pedâ—jah Of these Fathers concerning the flesh Christ came who is God over all blessâ—d for ever Amen Zâ—robabel he was made Prince of Iâ—dah by Cyâ—uâ— Cyâ—us in the first yeare of his Reign over Judah made a Proclamation for the Jewes return from Captivity with Zorobabel from which Proclamation to the doath of our Lord and blessed Savior Jesus Christ are 70 Sevens or 409 years then the world was 3960. years old The Kingdome of Israel continued 327 years under 19. or 20 Kings most of them were stained with the sin of Ieroboam that caused Israel to sin their Royall descenâ—â— changed nine times The Kingdome of Ashur ended their apostâ—ticall Kingdome and carried the ten Tribes beyond Babel and so made them Lo-ammi noâ— people that is not Gods people but they were made Gods people by the preaching of the apostles of the Circumcision Rom. 9.1 Pet. 2.10 Then they looked on him whom they piâ—rced the last King of Israel was in the dayes of Hezekiah King of Iudah Pro. 28.2 Tibni stood in competition with Omri for the Kingdome of Israel but he was not sole King so he is not reckoned but if he be then there is 20. Kings ZOROBABEL Abihud Eliakâ—m Azor Sadoc Acbim Eliud Eleazaâ— Matthan Iacob Ioseph the husband of the blessed Virgin Mary St. Matthew followes these of Zorobabel to shew Christs right to the Kingdome of Israel Ezra Nehemiah Esther Haggai Zachar. Malachi Daniels Prophesies and the stories of the Bear Leopard and the fourth Beast their rising fall and afflictions of the Saints of them the high Trinity c. all are in the time of the Seventy-sevens at the ending of which the World was three thousand nine hundred and sixty yeares old Rhesa Joanna Juâ—ah Joseph Semâ—i Mattathias Maach Nagge Esly Nahum Amos Mattathias Joseph Janna Melchi Levi Matthat Eli Mary Jesus Christ the second Adam Oâ— these from Zâ—râ—baâ—el did the Lord Jesus Christ take humanity Luke 3. A little paines in observing the Geneology of Genesis and this of our Lord will be of great use you shall find them the Pillars of story both to Geography Chronology and to all Narrations through the whole Bible Labour to wade into the depth of our Lords Geneology there is not more use of the Stars of Heaven then there is of our Lords Ancestors who all shine like Stars in the holy Story Let no man think that his Geneology is condemned as Endlesse which the Spirit of endlesse Wisdome hath indited in his holy Volume But let all that hope for life know the Family of whom the Lord of life descended No Family in the World nor altogether match it therefore give glory to it The first fourteen Fathers of our Lord in Mat. 1. do abridge all the holy History from Gin 1â— to 1 King 1. The next fourteen do abridge all the Kings and Chronicles and all the Prophets except Aggi Zâ—chary Malachi Ezra Nehemah Esther and most of Daniel whose Chronology doth stop the mouth of the lying Heathen Chronologie The third fourteen doth abridge the last named Prophets with much of Daniel they make a Commentary for the honour of Zorobabels house for whom our Lord face on a fiery Throne to cast the Chaldeans Medo persians Macedonians and Sâ—leâ—co Lagidâ— into eternall flames that so Matthews last fourteen might have an heavenly glory to begin the new Testament for though their persons were base in the fight of the base World yet in the holy Angels account they were Kings of Heaven Dan 7.18 Japhets seven Sons and seven Nephews Gomer Magog Madai Javan Tubal Mesec Thiras Ashcanaz Riphath Togarmah Elishah Thaâ—shish Kittim Dodanim Chams Sons and Nephews Chush Sheba Havilah Sabbatha Regma Sabtecha Sheba Dedan Nimrod Milzraivn still translated Egypt Ludim Anamim Lehabiim Naphtuchim Pathrusim Castuchim Captorim Philistin Put. Chanaan Sidon Heth Iebusi Aemori Gargasi Hivi Arki Sini A vadi Zemari Hamatbi Sems Sons and Nephewes Elam Ashur Arphaxad Sela Heber Lud Vz Gether Aram Chul Mash Heber Peleg Regu Serug Nahor Terah Ioktan thirteen Sons Ioktans thirteen Sons Elmodad Shalaph Hazahmaneth Ierah Hadoram Vzal Diklah Obal Ahimael Sheba Ophir Hanilah Iohab It is thought the East and West Indians come of these of Ioktan because both of them as Learned say speak some Hebrew And the high God is doubtlesse laying a foundation of comfort
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
name of the Fether of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Mat. 28.19 For there are Three which beare record in Heaven the Father the WORD and the holy Ghost and these three are one 1. Joh. ◠7 Yee worship yee know not what we know what we worship for salvation is of the Jewes but the houre cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shal worship the Father in Spirit and truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth Joh. 4.22.23.24 Jer. 10.1 Heare yee the word which Jehovah speaketh unto you O house of Israel 2. Thus saith Jehovah learne not the way of the Heathen and be not dismayed at the signes of the Heavens for the Heathens are dismayed at them 3. For the customes of the people are vaine for one cutteth a Tree out of the Forrest the worke of the hands of the workman with the ax 4. They deck it with Silver and Gold they fasten it with Nayles and with Hammers that it move not 5. They are upright as the Palm Tree but speak not they must needs be borne because they cannot go be not affraid of them for they cannot do evill neither is it in them to doe good 6. For as much as there is none like unto thee O Jehovah thou art great and thy name is great in power 7. Who would not feare thee O King of Nations for to thee doth it appertaine for as much as among all the wise men of the Nations and in all their Kingdomes there is none like unto thee .. 8. But they are altogether bruitish and foolish the stock is a Doctrine of vanities 9. Silver spread into Plates is brought from Tharshish and Gold from Vphaz the work of the Workman and the hands of the Founder blew and purple is their cloathing they are all the works of cunning men 10. But Jehovah is the true God he is the the living God and an everlasting King at his wrath the earth shall tremble and the Nations shall not be able to abide his indignation 11. Thus shall yee say unto them the Gods that have not made the Heavens and the Earth even they shall perish from the Earth and from under these Heavens God gives raine and he witholds raine Deut. 11.14 Amos. 4.7 Psal 147. Sing unto Jehovah who covereth the Heavens with clouds read Job 36. 37. 12. HE hath made the Earth by his power he hath established the world by his wisdome and hath stretched out the Heavens by his discretion 13. When he uttereth his voice there is a multitude of waters in the Heavens and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth he maketh lightnings with raine and bringeth the wind out of his Treasures 14. Every man is bruitish in his owne †Vaine man would be wise though man be borne a wild asse colt Job 11.12 knowledge every founder is confounded by the graven Image for his molten Image is but false-hood and there is no breath in them 15. They are Unity and the work of errours in the time of their visitation they shall perish 16. * The Lords portion is his people Jacob is the lot of his inheritance Deut. 32. how gracious is this reciprocation See the uses that the Saints should and have made of it Psal 73.16 119.57 Lam. 3. Christ is the portion of the faithfull and they are his portion The portion of Jacob is not like them he is the former of all things and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance Jehovah of Hosts is his name Jer. 23.23 Am I a God at hand saith Jehovah and not a God afarr off can any hide himselfe in secret places that I shal not see him saith Jehovah do not I fill Heaven and Earth saith Jehovah Psal 135.6 Whatsoever pleaseth Jehovah he doth in the Heavens and in the Earth in the Seas and in all deep places vid Dan. 4.34.35 Ephe. 1 11. QVestion 2. What may be learned from these Texts Answ These Scriptures teach us to know the most glorious God in his nature and properties in his works of Creation and providence Also the Unity of his essence and that there is a distinction in the unity of essence by which description wemay plainely see that he cannot be likened to any thing nor any thing made like to him Therefore all Idolls and Images of him are vanity and wicked and are to be abhorred and that he only is to be feared beleeved in worshipped c. And all this will more cleerely appeare by certain positions which may be gathered out of these Texts QVest 3. Which be they Answ 1. These Scriptures teach us that God is a Spirit most perfect and infinite and therefore impossible to be conceived of us as he is in himselfe and therefore we must content our selves with such a knowledge as he hath in his word revealed to us according to our capacity in his names and properties 1. His names are * It is good to observe how the attributes and titles are taken one for the other as Deut. 18.13 Mat. 5 48. So that Elohim Jehovah and Father are all one and so we shall finde in other Scriptures These names titles and properties do expound the proeme of the decalogue and the first commandement and the Proeme of the Lords prayer and the first petition Elohim Jehovah Adonaj Shaddaj Jah Tzur c. which signifie the Mighties the eternall being of himselfe and the giver of being to all things else the Stay of the World the All-sufficient the giver of life and breath the Rock c. these and others are abridgments of the Bible and the Bible a commentary on them 2. His properties some of them are incommunicable and some communicable the incommunicable are simplenesse or unmixednesse infinitenesse eternitie omnipotency unchangeablenesse immeasurablenesse c. no creature hath these 3. The properties communicable are being life goodnesse power wisdome justice holinesse truth mercy c. These he communicateth to his creatures yet they are but in a measure in them as qualities but in God essential in the creatures weak and imperfect but in him each of them is infinite in all perfection and by these things in the creatures which we see and perceive the invisible things of God are understood Some call these names and properties titles and attributes 4. These Scriptures affirme that there is one God and but one for there can be but one infinite and eternall being Creatour and Governour 5. The distinct persons in the God-head are from these Scriptures to be learned the Father the WORD and the holy Spirit Other Scriptures do further direct us how they are distinguished by their order properties an works 1. By their order the Father is the first person of himselfe the Son is the second person only of the Father he holy Ghost is the third person from them both 2. By
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
the incarnation and resurrection how it hath been followed or contemned from the beginning with plaine and civill carriage in Gods wayes and satanean in the contrary and how * the goodnesse and severity of God hath beene answerable This containeth * the summe And the story of four thousand years to Jerusalems fall by Rome hath no more And all should gladly hear of this all their life and see Christs bright face still to this summe The book of God is open and easie to be understood Prov. 8.9 Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of CHAPTER 3. Quest 3. N. 2. The true Religion If any should question what Religion Sem was of the Answer may be that he was Preist to Jehovah the most high God the maker and possessor of Heaven and Earth as also that it was the same to which the Sons of Japhet were perswaded by the blessing of tongues and by the ministry of the Sons of Sem Gen. 14. Act. 2. Apoc. 14.7 1 Thess 1.9 10. And so Sems blessing did containe the same faith that the blessing did which God gave to Abraham Gen. 12. Marke well the Doctrine to the seven Churches of Japhets house in all the Apocalyps and so in all the Epistles of the Apostle of the Gentiles and in the Epistles of the Apostles of the circumcision Again he was of the same Religion and holy faith of his Father Noah who inherited the righteousnesse that is by faith and who pronounced this â—lessing on Sem. Heb. 11. Quest 3. N. 4. That the Gentiles The greatest favour that God bestoweth on men in this world is to make them of his family true members of his Church Ezekiel remembreth this to the Apostate Prince of Tyâ—us chap. 28.13 14. The godly Jewes foreseeing the calling of the Gentiles by the promises and prophesies of Gen. 9. and 12. rejoyced in spirit that Christ should raigne over them Psal 67. and 97. 1 Rom. 15.12 Zach. 8. and 14.9 And the Gentiles seeing the performance were glad Act. 13.46 But for two thousand years Satan the strong man kept a large and great possession by metamorphosed Fables and Idolatries In Quest 3. N. 5. And to perswade Universall and free will to good in the state of unregeneracy is vain and vain glorious Doctrin Noah was not of this faith and the calling of the Families to the faith by the preaching of the Apostles argueth the falshood of such Tenents Observe the speech of Christ to the Apostle concerning his Ambassage Act. 26.18 not only illumination but a turning from the power of Satan in the will and affections is all done by the mighty worke of Christ in his own Ordinances The fashioning of the spirit is his prerogative Esa 11. Eph 1.19 20 21 2.1 2 3. c. and by his strengthning and preventing we stand to our dying day 1 Pet. 1.5 The spirit convinceth false opinions and teacheth the true doctrine Eph. 6.10.11 Rom. 7.8 Ezek 11.19 and 36.26 Phil. â— 13 That all iniquity may stop her mouth Thus it is sayd of all that have the Prerogative of Sons which are born not of blouds nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God Joh. 1.12 13. The house of Japheth needed much perswasion and beseeching to imbrace the word of reconciliation They had excellent naturall parts as their writings shew which made them despise the gospell The Grecians sought after wisdome 1 Cor. 1. Therefore God gave them a son of Sem an Apostle of exquisite parts and learning that he demonstrated all their wisdome to be foolishnesse and cast downe their high imaginations by the invincible weapons of the spirituall warfare N. 8. Q. 3. That scorners Let inferiours beware of Satans deceits in causing them to slight yea in heart their superiours though for their sins and infirmities And let Superiours give no occasion but be sober grave temperate sound in the faith in charity in patience c. Tit. 2. But it is not for infirmities that the children of the wicked one hate the godly but for the image of Christ that shines in them for they can bear with the same sins in their own yet the wicked are glad and insult to see the holy image of Christ stained by any blot of the Saints and this by Gods just judgment is a stumbling block to the wicked to harden them in their sinfull courses N. 8. Procure much evill Cham is cursed to his youngest Son Chanaan Gen. 9. Exod. 20 5. Also it is observable how the wrath of Christ hath followed Chams posterity that the Negroes are slaves in diverse countries to this day even servants of servants Quest 5. And Nimrod King Abaddon may fiâ—ly be compared to Nimrod both infamous cut-throat hunters both intruders into other mens possessions both abhorred Christs Kingdome of Justice and Peace Gen. 10.9 11 12. 2 Thes 2. My Son fear the Lord and the King and meddle not with them that are given to change for their destruction shall rise suddenly Prov. 24. This is also notable as in Nimrod so in Korah in Absolom in Sheba Ben-Bichrio in the unlawfull Kingdome of Ephraim and in the whole policy of the man of Sinne See in all the transgression and the punishment and beware what did it prove madnesse of counsell in them to change Melchisedecks Kingdome for Nimrods Kingdome so it is to change the true Melchisedeck for King Abaddon so they abhorred Christ the Lord of glory for the unclean infidells the Caesars John 19.15 N. 8 Over them King One ornament of Kings may here be remembred which Sems story doth show which is the antiquity of a kingdome and the fatherly government thereof that before Tyranny sprang in was Mr. Bro Treatise of Melchiz N. 8. Justice and Peace A worthy example for Princes so to rule by just Lawes uncontrolable then they shall rule men willingly subject for they have from Christ honour and authority above their Brethren so to governe But none can well rule that cannot well obey the sceptor of Christs Kingdom Psal 45. It is hard when he that cannot order his own life shall be made the Judge of anothers for the Kingdome of Christ is in righteousnesse and peace and joy in the holy Ghost The apostate families felt none of this Princes and subjects that seek not so to order and to be ordered in their policies shall finde the power of Christ crossing their purposes and plaguing their dominions N 8. Of Sems owne The Church is not visibly glorious at all times of sixty seven families there was but one family that held the faith and the Hebrew tongue and that was the line of Christ of Sems house so Israel in Egypt revolted often in the book of Iudges and under Jeroboams kingdome after in Iudah and after the returne from captivity and under the Papacy and now after reformation will not Apostacy be againe when that the Son of man shall scant finde faith on the earth at his second coming
Apostasie to Baal Peor c yet many of their hearts were false So it is with us at this day in our nation although God hath spoken to us by his Son have the blessed Scriptures which have in them a blessed comforting flaming light and brightnes and 70. years and more under Gods gracious husbandry yet how rebellious Oh mourn for the Corruption of our natures and see how the tradition of a false religion from fore-fathers prevailed and prevaileth with many afore the written word Our Teachers must earnestly press the reading of all the holy Scriptures but surely they do but coldly and seldome do it The Serpent and his seed are great enemies to the holy Scriptures and a surer note of a wicked man need not be sought after then the slighting and the scorning of the Scriptures Ibid As of the Canaanites And an Angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim and said I have made you to go up out of Egypt and have brought you unto the Land which I sware unto your fathers and I said I will never break my covenant with you And you shall make no league with the inhabitants of the Land you shall throw down their altars but you have not obeyed my voice Why have you done thus Wherefore I also said I will not drive them out from before you but they shall be as thornes in your sides and their Gods their religion shall be a snare unto you And it came to passe when the Angel of the Lord spake all these words unto the Children of Israel that the people lift up their voice and wept And they called the name of that place Bochim and they sacrificed there unto Jehovah Judges 2. observe all that chapter Quest 12. and Answ Joyful presence dwelling among them It is a joyful thing indeed and a glorious priviledge to have the Tabernacle reared that Christ may dwell among us and for us to tread in his Courts Look what any Father Husband or King is to a Kingdome and familie such is Christ to his After Christ had promised many blessings Levit. 26. as the basis of all he saith And I will set my Tabernacle among you and my soul shall not abhorre you and I will walk among you and will be your God and ye shall be my people And look these texts for meditation to see the glory of Christ in his Tabernacle as our Prophet Priest and King Exodus 20.24 25.22 29.42 43 30.6.36 Psalm 2. 1 Sam. 12.12 Psalm 45. 47. 48. 84. 95. 100. 145. 146 c. So when they were to come from Babel this is mentioned as the foundation of all comfort Ezek. 37.26 27. also we must mind what is to be done of us ye shall reverence my sanctuary and keep my sabbaths and never appear before Christ empty Exod. 23.15 Levit. 26.2 Now observe the same glorious mercies are related and applyed to us under the New Testament 2 Cor. 6.16 Apoc. 21.3 and their holy practise in their worships 2 Cor. 7.1.1 Cor. 11. 14. And their Alms-deeds every Lords day in their holy meetings 1 Cor. 16.1 2. as Deut. 16.16 17. Now of the uses of application how many how great how full of comfort and terrour First to instruct God would not have a Church or family in the world but because he would have holy worship Religion is the essence of a Church family or person 2. The world is not continued but for this 3. Great are the priviledges of the Church that Christ is among us by his ministery and ordinances for our Prophet Priest and King 4. What an heinous wickedness it is to interrupt or pull down holy things 5. They are cursed of God that do so Secondly to exhort 1. to study 2. to procure 3. to maintain 4. to be zealous for 5. to esteem above all and to be thankful for 6. to take up with content 7. to relish this glory Psalm 42. 63. 122. 132.8 To lay to heart to mourn for the absence and desolation of holy things Dan. 9. 10.2 3 Lament 1. 2. 3. Thirdly To reprove the wretchedness and deadness concerning these things Acts 18.17 c. Also we must ever observe that Moses Tabernacle was according to the Pattern of that which was in heaven They that enjoyed the peace of God in the earthy tabernacle had the same still in the heavenly as Psalm 15.1 2. And it is said our Lord with his own bloud went through the veil of his flesh into the most holy place the very heavens as the high Sacrificer went with bloud into the holy place made with hands This touched often and needful to be observed in all the Ceremonies of Moses else we shall have a veil over our hearts as Jewes and Papists who see not Christ the end of all these things that were to be abolished Ibid. 12. Quest and Answ Victories By faith they waxed valiant in Battel and turned to flight the Armies of the Alians Their faith saw the dâ—ies of Christ that he would overcome him that had the power of death the Devil the Prince of darkness the old Serpent Therefore by faith they overcame the Serpents seed All true souldiers should be doctors in divinity such will conquer with small loss as Israel under Josuah and the Elders surviving Josuah who delighted in the study of Moses Jos 1. 23.6 And Davids Captains by knowledge of Moses were mighty in Battail Heb. 11.34 Quest 13. and Answ N. I. Analek discomfited Amalek of Esau despised the faith as Esau his Father and became a fierce persecutor of the faith of Christ and his people which was the break-neek of that State Gods curse and the Churches War were never reversed nor appeased to the daies of Haman A warning to persecuting States especially to mystical Edom. The form of the pattent and promise that God gave to Abraham is for comfort to all the Israel of God for ever I will bless them that bless thee and curse them that curse thee as see in Numb 24. and Balaam foretels the like destruction to Kittim as to Amalek The same enmity the same war and the same curse shall follow the Serpents seed in perdition to the end N. II. a partition wall This was the vail and covering on all nations which Christ would abolish Esay 25. Dan. 9.24 c. Ephes 2.15 God hated the apostate families like Devils that he gave by Moses an hedge of Lawes to keep Israel from amity and communion with them And this was one special Law that certain Beasts fowls and fish prohibited to distinguish them in diet from heathen are called unclean So be all without the Gospel in their high learning Ro. 1.21 22. as Socrates Plato Tully Varro Plutarch and the civilest These things were continuall occasions of enmity between an Israelite and an Heathen Ephes 2.15 Hest 3.8 Ibid. N. II. Separated and made Aliens But being blessed in
7.9 10. Hebâ— 11.32 33 34. Psalm 22. 4 5. Psalm 49 It is said the godly shall enter into peace Esay 57.2 Then none of Gods family were in any Popish purgatory or in any popish Lymbecks the cursed heathenish dotages of Virgil and Ovid. The Pit-bread Locusts had Sun and aire much darkned when they knew not whether mans soul ascended or descended and whether the soul goeth to heaven or Gehenna to joy or torment marke diligently Ephes 1.12 13. for these words that we in whom ye c. Quest 3. and Answ The Kingdome of David The revolting from the house of David and the Religion of the Temple these two transgressions were the foundation of all other sins in the Church and State of the ten Tribes Hosea 10.10 They forsook the Tent Tabernacle or Temple of Jehovah and went to their own Tents and Gods and then followed murders slaughters oppressions c. c. Ibid. Jaroboam the man of sin Ephraim broken in judgement willingly walked after the commandment of Jeroboam Because Ephraim made and instituted many Altars to sin Altars shall be to him sin They had enough of their own counsells Psal 81. Ezek. 20.25 Christ will not be found neither do spiritual blessings come to us but in the spirits way the conduits of Christs own Ordinances they only work a transformation Rom. 12.1 2. Ephraim provoked Christ to anger most bitterly 1 Kings 12.28 and chap. 15. Hosea 8.11 2 Cor. 3 3. Gal. 3.5 Hosea 12. Mich. 6. uls Israel the harlot Aholah by breaking Wedlock moved Christ to jealousie and in time corrupted Judah by their counsels and made her Aholibah So Rome is called the great Harlot and the mother of Harlots that corrupted and seduced the Churches by her sorceries and made them harlots Ezek. 16.38 Apo. 17. As Jeroboam so the Pontificalitie is called the man of Sin that made all the world to sin 2 Thess 2. Apo. 17. Now the harlot and foolish woman the ten Tribes babbles loud and disputes smoothly and subtilly against Judah as if Wisdom and Truth were with them Prov. 9.13 14 15 16 17. so doth the woman-Whore of the seven Mountain City plead and write against all reformed Churches that have come out of Babel as the godly in the ten tribes forsook the Communion of the Calves of Dan and Bethel 2 Chron. 11.13 c. Ibid. and to worship his Devils They sacrificed to Devils not to God Deut. 32.17 Christ by Moses prevented the pretensed counsels of idolaters Jeroboam he pleaded he had not forsaken God but that he worshipped God that brought Israel from Egypt But the same spirit that spake by Moses calls his Calves Devils 1 Kings 22.28 2 Chron. 11.15 Quest 4. and answ Jeroboams house did and so Baasaes All that go to her return not again neither take they hold of the waies of life Pro. 2.19 For great toyl they took family after family to maintain the faction of Jeroboams iniquity But God swept them all away as dung till all was gone Prov. 5.9 10. 1 Kings 14.10 They perished in their waies and courses against the Kingdome of Christ as David foretold Psalm 2.12 Quest 5. and Answ Moved him to jealousie They fretted Christ their husband humanitus dictum and brake his heart with their whorish hearts and eyes Ezek. 6.9 and 16. all of it and so the twentieth and three and twentieth chapters Judah the harlot Aholibah she followed idols horses money wealth pride and their lovers she wearied her self with these lyes and vanities Ezek. 23. 24 Jer. 2.18 19 20. false religion and earthly confidence must go together But see sincerity needs none of those poor refuges Psalm 20. read Esay 2.6 7 8 9. 29.13 with chap. 30.1 2 3. and good Kings must not greatly multiply horses nor money nor bring their people back into Egypt Deut. 17. Princes are not wise nor learned that either lead not their people out of Rome-Egypt or that would reduce them thither Rome is called Sodom and Egypt for filthiness and cruelty Apo. 11. Ibid. With their vanities Dreams and Precepts of men a policy of Satan and the lying spirits his Angels to make men forget the Law of Jehovah and his sincere worship when the precepts of men were urged in or for Gods worship the Patrons of these things caused the holy Teachers to be prisoned in secret corners or they were forced to hide themselves in secret corners from the tyranny of such wise understanding prudent prophets and Seers such deep heads that were able to add to Gods word yea that would hide their counsels from Iehovah their breath and being They turned things up and down if one project took not they tryed another if not that then a third So Haman cast Pur not considering Iehovah saw them and that he would dash all in pieces like a potters vessel see the other pranks of these sleepers giddy blinde staggering and wonderful ignorant in the things of Christs Kingdome but expert in cogging and craft to polish and maintain mens precepts These evils came from the apostasie of Israel and from the plots and projects of Omri of him more anon Who would think such men to have been in the state of Judah Ibid. 5. Quest and answ The great High counsel c. Esa 5.19.23 8.18 28.14 29.19 20 21 30.8 9 10 11. 57.3 4. Psal 82. Amos 2.6 12. 5.10 11. Mich. 3.1 2. 7 5. Ezek. 8.11 and 11.2 Then said he unto me Son of man these are the men that devise wicked Counsel in this Citie c. So Christ and his Apostles and disciples were signs and wonders to the State of Israel so it was in after times Acts 13.40 41. and to this day The State of Judah shed much innocent blood in the daies of Manasleh which Christ would not pardon Quest 6. and Answ Testified to them They called for fruits from the husbandmen of the vineyard to the end of the Seavensy Seavens but when they had killed the heir the vineyard was let out to the Gentiles Esay 5. Neh 9.26 Jer. 7.25 Mat. 2â— 33.34 35 c. Ibid. Chariots and Horsemen of Israel The Ordinances of Christ are drawn along by holy prophets He tideth on prosperously with truth meekness and righteousness and terrour Psalm 45 3 4 5. And Christs Chariots and his horsemen were the strength of their State Psalm 20. yet David and the Godly Kings neglected not outward means 2 Sam. 8.4 They that endeavor for to deprive our Land of Godly and able Teachers are as treacherous to our Land as they that would endeavour to set on fire the Navy Royal. They that would not have a godly able teaching Ministery would have our Land to be as the State of the ten tribes 2 Chron. 15.3 Ibid. Samuels and Elias Samuels memory shall be blessed in the Church for ever for advancing holy learning by erecting schools of Prophets a worthy president for all godly Commonwealths They are possessed with
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
of Christ dyed not Zach. 1.5 6. Sabbaths while she lyeth desolate without them and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquitie because even for because they despised my judgements and because their soul abhorred my statutes (e) Though we be unfaithful in many acts of unbelief and break our covenant yet the Lord is faithful he cannot deny himself Tim. 2.13 though he cause grief yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies n = 44 44 And yet for all that when they be in their enemies land I will not cast them away neither will I abhor them to destroy them utterly and to break my Covenant with them for I am Jehovah their God 45. But I will for their sakes remember the Covenant (f) This covenant as the same with Iacob Isaas and Abraham ver 42. of their Ancestours whom I brought forth out of the Land of Egypt in the sight of the Heathen that I might be their God I am Jehovah Jer. 27. 1. In the beginning of the reign of Jehojakim the son of Josiah King of Judah came the word unto Jeremiah from Jehovah saying 2. Thus saith Jehovah to me make the bonds and yokes and put them upon thy neck 3. And send them to the King of Edom and to the King of Moab and to the King of the Ammonites and to the King of Tyrus and to the King of Zidon by the hand of the Messengers that come to Jerusalem unto Zedekiah King of Judah 4. And command them to say unto their Masters thus saith Jehovah of hosts the God of Israel thus shall you say unto your Masters 5. I have made the earth the man and the beast that are upon the ground by my great power and by my stretcht out arme and have given it unto Whom it seemed good unto me 6. And now have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the K. of Babylon my servant and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him 7. And all Nations shall serve him and his son and his sons son until the time of his land come and then many Nations and great Kings shall serve themselves of him 8. And it shall come to pass that the nation or Kingdome which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the King of Babylon that nation will I punish saith the Lord with the sword and with the famine and with the pestilence until I have consumed them by his hand 9. Therefore bearken not to your Prophets nor to your Diviners nor to your dreamers nor to your enchanters nor to your sorcerers which speak unto you saying ye shall not serve the King of Babel 10. For they prophesie a ly unto you to remove you far from your land and that I should drive you out and ye should perish 11. But the nations that bring their necks under the yoke of the King of Babylon and serve him those will I let remain still in their own land saith Jehovah and they shall till it and dwell therein Jer. 25.9 Behold I will send and take all the families of the North saith Jehovah and Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babel my servant and will bring them against this land and the inhabitants thereof and against all these nations round about and will utterly destroy them and make them an astonishment and an hissing and a perpetual desolation 10. Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride the sound of the milstones and the light of the candle 11. And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment and these nations shall serve the King of Babylon seaventy years 12. And it shall come to pass when Seavensy years are accomplished that I will punish the King of Babel and that nation saith Jehovah for their iniquitie and the land of the Chaldeans and I will make it a perpetual desolations 13. And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it even all that is written in this book which Jeremiah hath prophecied against all nations 14. For many nations and great Kings shall serve themselvs of them also and I will recompense them according to their deeds and according to the work of their hands 2 Chron. 36.14 Moreover all the chief of the Priests and the People transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathens and polluted the house of Jehovah which he had hallowed in Jerusalem 15. And Jehovah the God of their Fathers sent to them by his Messengers rising up betimes and sending them because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place 16. But they mocked the Messengers of God and despiâ—ed his Word and misused his Prophets until the wrath of Jehovah arose against his people till there was no remedie 17. Therefore he brought upon them the King of the Chaldees who slew their young men (a) Now the sword doth avenge the quarrel of the Covenant Levit. 26. What covenant of woâ—ks no such matter but the Covenant of grace in Christ They would not have Christ the Heir as King to reign over them by his word and holy ordinances therefore they were slain before his face by the chaldean Luc. 19.12 to 27. Grace despised brings the heaviest Plagues yea all plagues here and hereafter with the sword in the house of their sanctuary and had no compassion upon young men or maiden old men or him that stooped for age he gave them all into his hand 18. And all the vessels of the house of God great and small and the treasures of the house of Jehovah and the treasures of the King and of his Princes all these he brought to Babylon 19. And they burnt the house of God and brake down the wall of Jerusalem and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof 20. And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babel where they were servants to him and his Sons until the reign of the Kingdome of Persia 21. To fulfil the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths for as long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath to fulfil Seavensy years Jer. 29.10 Thus saith Jehovah that after the seaventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you and perform my good word toward you in causing you to return to this place 11. For I know the thoughts that I think towards you saith Jehovah thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you an expected end 12. (a) See how this is a commentary on Levit. 26.40 41 42. Also how Daniels prayer looks to Moses and Jeremiah and that God remembers his Covenant as is seen Dan. 9.24 c. Observe how promises quicken to prayer We should
be more studious and conversant in them than we are Our slightness will hinder much our consolation in sad houres read Ezek. 36 31 c. They must pray and did pray but the blood of the covenant brought them from Babel Zach. 9.11 Then shall ye call upon me and ye shall go and pray unto me and I will hearken unto you 13. And ye shall seek me and finde me when ye shall search for me with all your heart 14. And I will be found of you saith Jehovah and I will turn away your captivity I will gather you from all Nations and from all places whither I havedriven you saith Jehovah and I will bring you again unto the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive Pertinently it may be here remembred that the Son of God by his Spirit in the Prophet Esaias foretold above two hundred years how Cyrus King of Persia should conquer Babel send Judah home from captivity and give letters patents for re-edifying Jerusalem and the Temple Esay 44.24 Thus saith Jehovah thy Redeemer and he that formed thee from the womb I am Jehovah that maketh all things that stretcheth forth the heavens alone that spreadeth abroad the earth by my self 25. That frustrated the tokens of the lyars and maketh diviners madd that turneth wisemen backward and maketh their knowledge foolish 26. That confirmeth the word of his servant and performeth the counsel of his Messengers that saith to Jerusalem Thou shalt be inhabited and to the Cities of Judah ye shall be built and I will raise up the decayed places thereof 27. That saith to the deep be dry and I will dry up thy Rivers 28. That saith of Cyrus (b) Read more of Cyrus in Esay 45.1 2 3 4 13. whom God raised up by a strong hand to conguer Babel to return Israel home and to build the City Jerusalem He is my Shepheard and shall perform all my pleasure even saying to Jerusalem thou shalt be built and to the Temple thy foundation shall be laid This is the prophecy now follows the History 2 Chron 36.22 Now in the year of Cyrus (c) We must consider here that Cyrus Darius Dan 9.1 were fellows in goverment who joined their Forces against Babel as it is prophecied Esay 21. Go up against Babel O Elam besiege Babel O Media And marke here by conferring Dan. 9.25 Cyrus his proclamation is that going forth of the word of commandement of returning the people of building the Temple and city as when Daniel was in humble prayer then Cyrus was drawing his Letters Patents even at the same instant of time and the Angel Gabâ—iel is disparched from heaven with a joyful message to tell Daniel so Let us think of it upon humbling our selves surely some message is comming from heaven King of Persia that the word of Jehovah spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accompliâ—â—ed Jehovah stirred up the Spirit of Cyrus King of Persia that he made a proclamation throughout all his Kingdom and put it also in writing saying 23. Thus saith Cyrus King of Persia all the kingdomes of the earth hath Jehovah the God of Heaven given me and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem which is in Judah Who is there among you of all his people Jehovah his God be with him and let him go up QUest 2. What Collections do you take notice of in these Scriptures of Moses and the Prophets Answ For brevities sake I will name but few and those main principles out of the doctrine of Christ that Moses spake in Leviticus 1. Let this be observed of all that have their senses exercised in the word of righteousness to confer History with prophecy whether in promises and threatnings We shall see God to be Iehovah in all to be Being and to give being as to all his works so to his words whether they concern persons families Cities Churches or Kingdomes 2. VVhereas it is said that Iehovah spake to the Patriarks and to Moâ—es in all his five Books in most places we must conceive it spoken of the second person of the holy Trinity the Redeemer the Angel of the covenant to whom the heavenly Father hath committed all authority and power as Mediatour yea also this attribute of Jehovah throughout all the old Testament must be so understood some few places excepted wherein the first person or the third is also to be considered Examine this by Psalm 18.49 117. with Romans 15.9 10 11 Psalm 68.18 with Ephes 4.8 Psalm 97.7 with Heb. 1.6.1 Cor. 10 4.9 with Num. 21.6 Esa 6.9 10. with Iohn 12.41 Our Lords most heavenly speeches in the Apostle Johns Gospel will shew us the reason of all cha 5.17 and so forwards 3. Among all the corruptions from the first Adam that is in us note this that we hold Christ his Kingdom and Ordinances anathema this is expressed by Moses there is in us a contrariness to God (a) confer Lev. 26.15 with Zac. 11.8 These tearms abhorring loathing c. of the old Testament is in effect the same of the new the preaching of the Gospel to them savoured death unto death and so it doth in the daies of the New Testament Gods people must be diligent to mark phrases though different in words yet the same in force and value a despising his judgements abhorring loathing and hating him his word statutes and commandments mandements The New Testament speaks the same as the old when it saith the wisdom of the flesh causeth enmity against the Law of God by nature enemies in our minde by evil workers also haters of God fighters against God and such a stubborness is annexed that we are unreconcileable Much may be said of this in the sad effects thereof that men meeting with cross providences when his folly perverts his way his heart frets against Jehovah that is his breath and being and saying he is a hard master and that his waies are not equal yea alas what do the regenerate finde in themselves of murmuring fretting impatience distrust c. But the second Adam dissolves the works of the devil by his spirit in the administration of the Gospel of his Kingdom heals all in the elect Ezek. 36.25 26 27-37 Mich. 7.19 2 Cor. 5 11-15 chap. 10 4 5 6 c. 4. Whereas in Levit. 26. Moses saith from Christ sicknesses diseases sorrowes on the labours of our hands the teeth of wilde beasts pestilence famine sword captivity c. avenge the quarrel of his Covenant we must advisedly understand This is not meant of a covenant of works but the covenant of his Grace the lawes of which they have despised and abhorred and so in Deut. 5. 29 Jer. 34. all of it and many other places there is mention made of the covenant and it is but the renewing or dilating on that as is noted Exod. 24. which they violated For the whole covenant is Jehovah is our God in Christ and that we
vouch him so to be in love unto him and in love to our neighbour as it is said to love the Lord our God with all our heart minde soul and strength c. and our neighbour as our self and this is ratified by the bloud of the covenant Exod. 24. And they not obeying his Gospel-Law is as much as to say we will not have this man to reign over us therefore it is said those mine enemies and Israel were Christs own citizens Luke 19.27 that would not have me the Heir to reign over them bring them hither and slay them before me Luke 19 27. 1 Thess 2.16 4 5 6 7 8. Christ Jesus our Lord as eternal God to Moses and the Prophets and Christ Iesus our Lord as God-man in his New Testament in his own speeches and in his Apostles doctrine doth not differ and when our great Rabboni had reduced the ten commandments into two then he saith on these two commandements hang all the Law and the Prophets and so where it is often said Obey my voice Jer. 7.23 it must be understood of the obedience of faith receiving Christ and believing in him and obeying him John 3.36 which despised The wrath o the Lambe is great wrath Apoc. 1.16 brings the heaviest plagues as those eight and twentieth fold punishments Lev. 26. and thoses curses Deut. 28. Luke 23.28 29 30. and so Exod. 23.20 21. and Matth. 17.5 do explicate on the other in sense and meaning and John 6.27 must be brought to this undurstanding 5. The Law of the Lord is a converting Law it restores the soul that is it is the word of Christ by which and by which onely he doth by his Spirit work in the hearts of men to turn them from darkness to light from the power of Satan to God for it is the power of God to salvation restoring converting regenerating the soul to know believe fear and love Jehovah their God and to love their neighbour And the New Testaments doctrine and commandment is the same 1 John 3.24 4.21 Faith and Love is the Pattern of wholesome words or healing doctrine ever taught from the beginning This is the Vrim and Thummim which Christ puts in the heart of all them that the Father drawes unto him the Apostle alluding to the High Priests Garments phraseth the Brest plate of Faith and Love They that despise Christs Gospel that is his Law Esay 2.3 11.9 42.4 despise the doctrine of regeneration and such cannot mortifie their passions but will bite and devour one another Esay 11. much of it Gal. 5.15 as Cain did Abel See how and why their Story is cited 1 John 3. And by that we may see how easily reducible all that Epistle is to Genesis yea to all Moses and if this Epistle then all the New Testament QUest 3. What other Collections Answ The Scriptures of the Prophets shew 1. That Iehovah of hosts the God of Israel had made Nebucharetzar Monarch of all nations and that the Kingdome of Babel should keep them the State of Iudah in subjection Seavensy years And that Nebuchadnezzar was great by conquest and not by inheritance 2. That the Kings of the Kingdom of Babel for those seventy years should be in number three which are these the first is said to be Nebuchadnezzar the second is his son the third is his sons son Other Scriptures shew their names that Evil-Merodach was the Son and his Sons son was Bel-shazzar 3. We are to note that part of the third year of Jehojakim King of Iudah and more of the fourth is the first year of Nebuchadrezar as Dan. 1.1 and Jer. 25. compared do shew And in this first year of Nebuchadrezar King Jehojakim Daniel Hanariah Azariah Mishael and other Nobles were captived This is the first captivity But the King was sent home again 4 Here it may be convenient to remember that the heathen annalls and chronicles in many things are no true relations because they confound the Stories of Elams Arams Ashurs and Babels Monarchies For now Ashur was no Monarch but was under Babel Ashur had been a great Tree Ezekiah 31. But now Babel was the Tree Daniel 4. And Aram had been a Monarchy afore Ashur and Elam had been a Monarchy afore them all Gen. 14. But it may be Nimrod or Belus was the first hunter after tyrannical Monarchy QUest 4. Did all submit themselves to this Conqueror Nebuchadnezar that God had established and advanced over them Answ Jechonias King of Judah by the advice and counsel of Jeremiah submitted who though captived and many of the people yet they had many comforts following them to Babel 1. They were the basket of good figs whom God would greatly respect Ezekiel Mordecai and many godly went in this captivity 2. Although they were captived and wanted the glorious sanctuary and its publique ordinances yet (a) The bleâ—sed glory of Jehovah from his place in divers removings came to them Read Ezek. 9 10. 11. This might put them in minde of the utter removing of his vineyard from them to the Gentiles as the Lord told them near the ending of the seventy seavens Christ who is the truth of all the shadowes was to them a Sanctuary whom in spirit they worshipped (b) In the captivity Christ recompensed the loss of publique ordinances with most gracious providences Ezek. 11.16 and much of Danâ—el who was then a great favourite and would be as Ioseph and so his three cousins Dan. 3 Hanamah Misacl and Azâ—iab they would be great comforts to the brethren captived Many precious promises are to this company both of protection and return from captivity 3. They and their children should be chief in restoring religion at the return from captivity This company are the second captivity QUest 6. Who resisted Answ The Kings of Eâ—ypt Tyrus and others which brought upon them ruin and desolation Jehojakim returning home purposed rebellion which was to his destruction Zedekiah and his people would not hearken to the word of the Lord and to the perswasions of Jeremiah but believed false prophets and Zedekiah brake his Oath of subjection to the King of Babel and rebelled whom with his subjects God severely plagued by famine pestilence sword and captivity This company are the basket of vile and bad figs and the third captivity QUest 7. What more may be observed Answ Here we are diligently to minde What God did with those staves (c) Mark also the metaphor of cruel plough men Psal 129. rods axes sawes with which he did beat saw and hew his Church withal Each enemy did rage and smite a little while till God who is wounderful in counsel and excellent in working (d) Esay 10.7 c. Deut. 30. 2 3 4. c. Levit. 26.41 Mic 7.9 Psal 119.67.71 Esay 27.9 Hebr. 12.10 performed his not their intent work and purpose Then upon the (e) This duty in sincerity performd ever sped well God speaking peace to his
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
under the Sun is vain and the Kingdome of Christ is not of this world but the promise of the eternal Throne to David was spiritually to be taken and to his Scepter all must yield subjection that hope to stand in judgement when he calleth all to accompt for their works with every secret thing whether it be good or evil And Salomons case alone noble in the vanity of this world and the first and the last that had all this world at will might have taught Herod Pilate Caesars and Concision that the pomp of this world is not fit to breed poverty of spirit to breed mourning to breed meeknesse to breed hunger and thirst after righteousness to finde the Kingdom of heaven And that the King eternal invisible blesseth men only to his invisible Kingdome Ibid. Seeking by the outward work to be justified Opus operatum bodily exercise even this now at this day is the foolish conceit and practise of all the carnal Christians in the world Eccles 5.1 The coming unto God by faith in Christ as Habel they care not for as Kain In the story of Kain and Abel the carriage of all deceitfull hypocrites and true Worshippers is contained Outward religion may be the vessel of an incarnate Devil as well as of a sanctified soul it is as capable of hypocrisie of murder and uncleanness and all iniquitie as of sincerity c. as in Kain Iscariot and the Whore in the proverbs Prov. 7.14 whom the ten Tribes followed as an Ox to the slaughter and the whore in Apoc. 17. whom ten Kingdomes followed drunken with the wine of her Fornication The opinion of self-sufficiency and resting in outward performances brought many plagues to the whole house of Israel and to captivity as Psal 50 c. c. And at last scattered them as Kain into the four windes of the heaven and made their habitation desolate to this day And this doctrine of bodily exercise and mens â—â—aditions brought apostasie as a plague to the Christian Churches 1 Tim. 4.1 to 8. The warming our hearts with such sparks will make us ly down with cold comfort in darkness and sorrow For it is a forgetting of God and they have base barren and unworthy conceits of the Holy One of Israel that think he will comply with such idolatrous and easy devotions for they could not do less to an idol Pelagian heresies and bodily exercise will eare out all power of godliness the one is the doctrine of popery and the other is the religion of popery compare Col. 2 23. with câ—ap 3.1 2 3. and minde Esay 1. Psalm 50. Jer. 7. Ibid. and once more finally Dan. 9.27 shews by whom And this speech yet once more signifieth the removing of things shaking as made with hands that the things which shake not way remain Wherefore seeing we receive a Kingdome which cannot be shaken let us hold Grace by which we may serve God aright with reverence and godly fear for our God is a consuming sire Heb. 12. Hag. 2. Mark how this speech opens Dan 2.44 and chap. 7. Therefore Abaddons Kingdome is to be held anathâ—ma of all true Christians for building of ther which Christ hath shaken and adnulled But what care Princes for these things they will rather embrace the enchanting whore Apoc 17. than make the word of God their delight but Christ hath and will burn and shake their Kingdomes and Common Weals Ibid. David foretold them this David shewed his house could not be upright with God but would be thornes and must be burnt and that therefore they should expect a better King and Kingdom So the revolting and wavering Hebrews through misbelief concerning Christs Kingdome and Priesthood would prove to be but thornes and briars whose end was burning Psalm 22 40. 95. 2 Sam. 23. Observe Ethan all Psal 89. Heb. 6.8 10 29 30 31. Quest 14. and answ and made a decree for return as Jehovâ—h promised that a remnant should return so he performed For Israel hath not been forsaken nor Iudah of his God of Iehovah of hosts though their land was filled with fin against the Holy One of Israel Ier. 51.5 CHAP. IX With Questions Answers and Annotations for the time of the seventy Sevens in Dan. 9. Shewing how Redemption and the Covenant of grace was taught and opposed in this Space of time QUest What remaining Text doth yet continue the golden chain of times with which Gods eternall Counsel and riches of his glorious mystery in Christ was further revealed to the Elect Answer Dan. 9.24 25 26 27. This Scripture is a Text full of shining glory overshining all the Doctrine of the old Testament and an Abridgement of the new QUest 2. Repeat the Scripture with some more of that Chapter as a preparation to observe the Angels heavenly message the better Answer verse 1. In the first year of Darius the son of Achasuerosh of the seed of Madai in which he was made King over the Realm of the Chaldeans 2. In the first year of his Reign â— Daniel marked by books the number of the years whereof the word of Jehovah had been unto Jeremiah the Prophet for the accomplishing in the ruines of Jerusalem seventy years 3. And I turned my face to the Lord God and sought by Prayer and Supplication with Fasting with sackcloth and ashes 3. And I prayed unto the eternall my God and made my confession and said O Lord the great and dreadfull God keeping the Covenant and mercy to them that love him and to them that keep his commandements 5. We have sinned and we have committed iniquity and have done wickedly and have rebelled even by departing from thy Precepts and from thy judgements 6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy Servants the Prophets which spake in thy name to our Kings to our Princes and to our fathers and to all the people of the Land c c. 20. And as I was yet speaking and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and presenting my supplications before the eternall my God for the holy Mountain of my God 21. Even as I was yet speaking in prayer the man Gabriel whom I had seen afore in a vision came unto me flying with vehemency untill he touched me at the time of the Evening oblation 22. And he gave understanding and talked with me and said Daniel I am now come forth to give thee skill of understanding 23. At the beginninng of thy prayers came forth the word which I am come to tell thee because thou art greatly beloved Therefore conceive the word and perceive the clear vision 24. Seventy sevens of years are exactly accounted for thy people and for thy holy City to finish Trespasse-offerings and to end sin-offerings and to make reconciliation for iniquity and to bring righteousness everlasting and to seal vision and Prophet and to shew (a) Vi. M. Bro. translation of Daniel in English printed at Hanaw Ebr. Messiah CHRIST the Holy
of Holiest 25. Know then and understand from the outgoing of the word to restore and build Ierusalem unto (b) Ebr. Messiah so v. 26. CHRIST the King shall be seven sevens and sixty and two sevens In the other it shall be restored and builded Street and wall and troublous shall these times be 26. In that after the Sixty and two Sevens CHRIST shall †The sufferings of the Messias allusion often touched in the new Testament Acts 26.23 The angel sealeth Balaams Prophesic concerning Kittim Italy to be the crucifier of Christ Num. 24.24 hereby suffer but not for himself Thereupon the City and Holy Place shall he destroy and the Kings own people in the next generation and their end shall be with a Flood and at the end of the war shall be a finall judgement of utter desolations 27. But he shall confirm the covenant for the * Not for the Iews onely as Luc. 22.20 but for the many as Mat. 26 28. Rom. 5.15.1 Iohn 2 2. many the last Seven and half that seven shall bring to an end Sacrifice Offering Afterward by an Army of unclean lothsome infidels he shall make a desolation even untill utter destruction and finall judgement come flowing on the desolate QUest 3. What speciall Observations are in this Scripture Ans As the motions of the heavens declare the glory of God so the army like ordered times in Gods word is worthy of all admiration all serving Christ This Scripture doth shew the finishing of the golden chain of times of the old Testament in a pleasant Sabbaticall account The Seventy Sevens are from Daniels prayer for freedome from Babel untill the Son eternall the King of glory doth purchase an eternall freedome for all that believe the glorious Gospel 2. This Prophesie was given in the first year of Cyrus and Darius who overthrew Babels Kingdome and sent the Jews home that year with a most comfortable Proclamation of Subsidy over CXX Provinces and with commandement 〈◊〉 building Jerusalem and the Temple which with the wall and the Streets of the City were reedified within the Seven Sevens 3. This Scripture is a glorious revelation from heaven concerning Christ the King the Holy of Holy who by his just peaceable and spirituall government uncontrollable teaching and never ending Priesthood should finish trespasse offering and end sin offering and make reconciliation for iniquity and bring righteousnesse everlasting and seal that is confirm all the visions and Prophesies that he was the end that all aimed at himself being the true Prophet Sacrificer and King altar and Sacrifice so in himself ending all Abrahams Moses and the Temples Ceremonies both persons and things 4. Here is declared whither the benefit of all Christs sufferings tend that he suffered not for himself but for us the just for the unjust he was wounded for our transgressions and broken for our iniquities he gave himself for us an offering and a Sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour to God 5. Gods people for endeavouring to perform any worthy work for the advancement of the Gospel and the common weal must expect troubles and all oposition of slanders reproaches false accusations and whatsoever els the seed of the Serpent can possibly do the books of Ezra and Nehemiah shew this in re-edifying Jerusalem the wall and the Temple 6. Whereas the Angel told Daniel that he was sent to make him skilfull of understanding we must know that Daniel knew all but the time which bringeth a greater clearnesse to all therefore the appointed time the very year day and hour of fulfilling this prophesie is not a triviall or an uncertain thing but is that which the Angel calleth skill of understanding and therefore he doubleth a charge to the Prophet to understand and consider 7. This is remarkable as by the coming from Egypt recorded for the very day the day of the promise to Abraham may be certainly known which was the self same day 430 afore so the day of our Lord death being known which was answerable to the promise and Passeover this Prophesie also of the Seventy Sevens being exactly 490 years afore it may be known to agree in time with it Glorious is the wisdome of God herein to honour his feasts with most heavenly stories that promise and seal truth and figure might mèet together 8. This Oration of the Angel sheweth how long Sems Tents should hold their glory and be accounted holy and that at the end of the Seventy Sevens or 490 years The ending of the Seventy Sevens the time of reformation the heathen should have the Partition wall of ceremonies broken down and the hand writing of Ordinances * Epiâ—es 2.14 15.16 Col. 2.14 blotted out and the old enmity between Jew and Gentile †Isa 11. and 60.17 18. Epâ—â—â—s 2.15 abolished and be brought into equall covenant and that Christ the King would destroy his own Nation and demolish City and Temple with perpetuall devastions as with the Flood of Noah and make a new Jerusalem from heaven because all Nations could not depend on the City in Canaan read Isa 63 23. 9. Observe that the Romanes for killing of Christ are called like the unclean beasts in Leviticus unclean lothsome Infidels and Rome it self of all Cities in the world for that is specially cursed the Apocalips is a full declaration of this 10. Whereas the Angel saith Christ shall confirm the Covenant for the many and shall end Moses ceremonies and by his onely Sacrifice once offered bring in everlasting justification or freedome from sins guiltinesse and desert Popery is to be abhorred and accursed that doth revive Moses ceremonies the handwriting of Ordinances with repetition of Priest Altar and Sacrifice propitiatory And we in the Lords Supper do protest against Jews and Popery that CHRIST ended all by his death once performed through which he is to all the faithfull a most complete and perfect reconciliation for all iniquity QUest 4. Who gave heed to this word of Prophesie spoken by the holy Angel from heaven Answ The Forty nine thousand Ezra that left Babel for Jerusalem with the holy Prophets and Governours Zorobabel Nehemiah Haggai Zâ—hâ—riâ—h â—â—â—alachi and our Lords fathers and kindred fâ—om Zâ—â—bâ—â—leâ— Mat 1. Lukâ— 3. and the Maâ—â—habean martyrs and so many of Israel as had hope of salvation thought of Jeâ—â—â—â—â—â—m in all places 〈◊〉 they were scattered read Jeremiah Chap 51.50 QUest 5. Who also in the new Testament Answ Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth John the Baptist old Simeon and Anna the daughter of Phanuel and many in Israel and Jerusalem that waited for Christ the hope and consolation of Israel and Jews before the full ending of the Seventy Sevens came from all countries to Jerusalem looking for the Kingdome of heaven then to appear as Daniel foretold chap 2. and 7. and 9. And John Elias cried and our Lord and his disciples preached that The Kingdome of heaven was come Mat. 3.2 and 10.7 Luke 19.11 QUest
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
8.44 Mat. 3. Christ saith to the unbelievers and hypocrites Ye are of your father the devil Men that hate Christ and his word and his servants their genealogie is from Satan and Cain 1 Iohn 3.12 and the faithfull theirs is from Abraham yea from God and Christ Gal. 3. 7.29 and chapter 4.31 Iohn 1.13 Let all Phil 3. be considered with this note Quest 10. and Answ N. 1. And tormenting sorrows Note some special God gave over into the hands of one another and into the hands of their Kings the Herods and the Cesaâ—s Ioseph Liber 13. chap. 19. c. Then Christ brake both his staves by which they were strengthened he brake the staffe of beauty bereaving them of the duty of his Ordinances and brake also the brother-hood of Judah and Ephraim And much of this came to passe when the tribe of Levi cared not for the sacrifice-hood and would be Kings contrary to Jacobs and Moses will Gen. 49. Deut. 33. Then they and others became Sadduces and killed 50000 Pharisees This is the fruit of hereticall Doctrine and mens Traditions The poore of the flock that waited on Christ and valued him above all observed these things Zac. 11. Ibid. For as they abhorred Christ As their fore-fathers moved Christ to jealousie by revolting to idols so they did by mens traditions and false Doctrine which is as bad as idolatry yea it is idolatry and vanity Deut. 32.21 compare with Rom. 10.19.1 John 5.21 Observe how the Apostle Paul citeth that Text of Moses They despised the eternall Son and his righteousnesse the new and living way Bodily exercise was not the living way and so they despised God the Father 2 John 9 but that brought upon them the day of violent fire and wrath to the utmost as it is said despisers wonder and perish Acts 31.41 Heb. 10.27 1 Thes 2.19 False Teachers and their deceived never prized nor admired Christ and his word read Phil. 3. Quest ibid. N. 2. with utter and finall desolations Your house that is the Temple shall be dosolate while the world standeth Mat. 23. Luc 13. And this came to passe about 40 years after our Lords ascension Not such a desolation and transâ—â—gration as was at Shiloh or at Jerusalem by Babel or as that three years half by Antiochus with restauration but utter desolations as experience for 1500 years The affliction from Egypt had a fore-told limitation so had Babels so that of Antiochus and Israels proper glory was limited Dan. 9.24 But how carnal Israels affliction is not limited and earthly Canaan and Jerusalem shall never have proper and peculiar glory Quest 11. and Answer They shall never be restored Let Ezk. 16.43 to the end of the chapter be well considered both for the captivity to Babel and the utter desolations by Rome as Ezekiel compares Iudahs state with Sodoms unrecoverable so our Lord both to Sodom and to Noahs flood Mat. 24. mark well Num. 33. ult Again note where the Apostle saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not have c. by a cosequent he meant Neither would he Temple City and Kingdome which were all figures till the time of setling Christ should be and was the building in which God would delight and therefore these shadows shall never be restored unlesse we say Sacrifice and offering shall Why do we not as Mr. Finch and Mr. Brightman c. make the Jews expect things seen and temporall No no they will rejoice to be of the holy City from heaevn and will never care to make a corporation in the Lowâ— Jerusalem Ibid. Then any countrey or Citie in the World Then they will believe the doctrine of their apostle Peter the Apostle of the circumcision as their Godly forefathers dispersed in Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia Bythinis and Chaldea and mind the heavenly inheritance that is uncorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not and the spiritual Temple 1 Peter 1. 2. and 2 Pet. 1.19 20 21. How sweetly doth the Apostle draw them from their carnal sense of Ezekiels prophesie under the terms of Canaan Citie and Temple So the apostle to the Hebrews draws them to the heavenly Government of Christ in the Jerusalem Celestial And that the Low Jerusalem all that hold of the policy of it now ended by the Son eternal were briars and thornes and near rejection cursing and the destruction of violent fire and wrath to the utmost compare 2 Sam 23.1 to 7. with Hebrews ch 6. 10. As their fore-fathers did so the children as Stephen laies that heavy crimination on them Ibid. The Lamb is the Temple Seeing the Lamb is the Temple and that he destroyed the material Temple and all the politie of it for if the Priest-hood be changed there must be of necessity a change of the Law old things are all passed Then surely it is abominable to have Priests Altars Sacrifices Candles Incense Copes Linnen Ephods Musick Distinction as of Mosaical daies and times as Rests Jubilees new Moones distinction of meats annointings c. in our Ecclesiasticall administrations yea or an Ecclesiastical politie answerable to Levi of a subservient Clergy under one universal high Priest on earth Christ our Statute-Maker hath forbidden all Levitical ceremonial worship Iohn 4. There is no Typical ceremonie left unto us in his New Testament but the two Seals of the covenant of the New Testament and Gods Worshipeâ—s must worship him in Spirit and truth Spirit is opposed to bodily exercise of our carnal hearts Truth is opposed to the shadows rites types and ceremonies by which Christ saith The hour was coming that the Father would refuse to be worshipped And the Son by whom the Father spake taught none such to be repeated much less others by man to be invenced They are tyrannical ecclesiasticks that force ceremonies Col. 2. Before Christs coming the Wisdom of God as the old covenant needed instituted many types and ceremonies but the fulness of time being come two signs seals and memorials Baptism and the Lords Supper were ordained Seeing the Lord God of hosts even the Lamb is the Temple and we all with open face see the shining of the Sun of righteousness all Moses Ceremonies and others of mans invention should be left It is else as if we were still under pupillage and now it is bondage from which Christ hath justified us that is made us free The servants of Christ in these things must not be the servants of men but still contend and fight the good fight for the utter abolishing what he hath abolished and what in his last Will and Testament he never bequeathed nor commanded Gal. 4. Greek Fathers began the Name Priest and high Priest to be fitted to their doctors But in the end the gangrene crept to haâ—m unspeakable that Satan by Turk and Pope ruled the world For the god-Pope the high Priest of the Papacy he made a Mosaical subservient Clergy He made another peculiar holy Citieâ— He made Priests and annointed them
hour of the death of Messias to end all Moseh's politie was a light to all the East as those Noble Sages who came from Persia as we may guesse knew by the prophecy of Daniel that the Son of man Matth. 2. the king of the Jewes should come in the clouds and in humiliation for our Redemption the image of four mettals and the four beasts being beaten to dust and cast into the fire Dan. 2. 7. That then a glorious heavenly kingdome should be erected over the world And we must advert the confluence of the Jews from every nation under heaven to Jerusalem Luk. 19.11 upon the ending of the Seavensy Seavens looking for the kingdom of heaven then to appear Daniels prophecies of the Seventy Sevens and the utter abolishing of those four kingdomes by the birth of our Lord gave them that knowledge 7. The prophecies of Cyrus to be a Conquerour of Babel and a restorer of the Church Esay 44. 45. 46.11 48.15 naming him long before he was born for the convincing instruction and comfort of Cyrus himself of Israel and of the Nations Noes families that Jehovah the God of Israel was the true God The Jewes having Synagogues among the heathens could tell of these things of Cyrus to them and by this means many might be won to the faith as it is said Esay 45.6.14 They should come to the East and VVest to the Politie of Israel and leave their idols The godly Jewes reading and believing their own Prophets might be as Prophets to the heathens and histories do shew that the Jewes were skilful in prophecy 8. The overthrow of Babel by Cyrus and Darius and upon that the first year of Cyrus a Proclamation over one hundred and twenty Provinces where Jewes were scattered of a general subsidie to send them home with Riches and Honour Ezra 1. The godly Jewes being among the heathen by these matters and others could and might well speak of comfort to many of them for salvation that they might still listen for the ending of the Seavensy Seavens when God would pitiâ— them in Christ for that liberality towards his people for their Brasse God gave them Gold for Iron Silver for Wood Brasse for Stones Iron and made their Officers Shalom Peace and their Exactors Tzedek Righteousnesse Esay 60. For their carnal Christ gave them spiritual things Observe whence is the Gold and best clothing Apocal. 3.18 one hundred and twenty Provinces paid a Subsidie for the relief of the people of God one hundred and twenty Jewes converted them to the faith Acts chap. 1.8.15 and 2.1 2 c. 9. Daniels continued advancement under Cyrus and Darius and by faith stopping the mouths of Lions Hebrews chap. 11.33 And Darius his proclamation unto all people Nations and Languages of the true God and of his everlasting Kingdom and gracious administration which proclamation was occasioned by Gods miraculous saving his servant from the Lions this would give them to consider of such a glorious martyrdome 10. The conspiracy of Haman From Estheâ—s daies all tribes are called Jews and it may be afore Ier. 44. and his Sonnes the last known off spring of Amalek against Gods a people dwelling in one hundred and twenty seven Provinces who by faith escaped the edge of the Sword Hebrews chap. 11.34 Letters of Commission going into all those Provinces to destroy them and again Letters of Commission sent by Post to contradict the former that the People of God should be delivered and to stand for their lives These things made the Nations and Languages better bethink themselves and to consider more of Israel so that many became Proselytes In those one hundred and twenty seven Provinces we are to think the Jewes had Synagogues in divers places in which they performed holy exercises of Religion and so also might make many Proselytes which gave further occasion to that (b) I know the proper Machiavil was but of late years but Satan their Master and such have been from the beginning Machiavilian Statist and Atheist Haman to plot against them and to accuse them to Ahasuerosh that is Darius Hystaspis Esth 4. There is a certain people scattered abread among the people in all the Provinces of thy Kingdome and their Lawes are divers from all people neither keep they the Kings Lawes Therefore it is not for the Kings profit to suffer them If it please the King let it be written that they may be destroyed and I will pay ten thousand Talents of Silver into the Kings treasuries c. All these things are remarkable that the Heathens might more willingly hearken to the Jewes and might very well say to them as Zachariah saith That ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the Nations even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew saying We will go with you for we have heard that God is with you Observe Zachariah chap. 8.20 21 22 23. But that was chiefly fulfilled in the Apostles How many did hang upon the skirt of one Apostle Saint Paul Not Ten but many a ten thousand in Asia and Arabia Achaia Macedon and Thessaly c. When he caused the Gospel of Christ to abound from Jerusalem round about unto Illyricum and also to Rome c. Read 〈◊〉 Corinth 11.28 Romans 15.19 Collos 1.6 11. The interchangeable Wars of the Kings of the North and South of the house of Japheth Dan. 11. caused the Jews to be more scattered into all quarters and where they came they had Synagogues in divers Cities as the new Testament sheweth and by the occasion of those Wars the Greek tongue began to be almost universal and familiar that the Apostles might more conveniently publish the Gospel and write the new Testament in Greek 12. Gods providence over-ruling Kingdomes and State-policie This 12. Observation is often noted by Mr. Bro. one of the Kings of the South Ptolomy Philadelphus commanded seventy two Interpeters learned men among the Jewes to translate the Old Testament into Greek This was a special Preparation and means of good to the apostate families of the Sonnes of Noah that they might be perswaded to embrace again the faith of Sems Tents Zachary 8. ut supra These things shew that Christ was great over Gog Ezek. 38.23 39.21 Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the tenth Chapter N. 3. Hananiah Azariah and Misael These noble Worthies that hated Babylons idolatry with burning zeal doth teach our Nobles to hate mysticall Babylons idolatry and superstitions that crucified Christ that pierced his hands and feet and would nail all feet and hands from walking in Gods wayes and working in his truth Ibid. who by faith escaped That glorious sentence for salvation The just shall live by faith which Habbakuk spake to comfort the Saints in the captivity of Babel and in all after times yea it was the stay of their heart ever since it was said Cursed is the earth for thy sake
of the seventy seavens and Ptolomy Epiphanes all that time of Javan in those Kings of North and South they were a Beast horned to gore the people of God and had Iron legs to trample under foot the pleasant Land that is the Land of Israel Immanuels Land But after Antiochus Epiphanes the Fourth Beast Daniel 7. failed much of the strength of his hornes Before and after Antiochus Epiphanes death Christ strengthened Iudah and Ephraim against Iavan Zac. 9.13 and the legs of the image Dan. 2. were day now as Iron partly strong and partly brittle and so continued till at last Kittim the Romans possessed all as hath been noted The Kings of the North the Seleucidae reigned two hundred seventy years the Kings of the South i. e. Egypt reigned two hundred ninety four years But we must understand the years of these Kings of North and South were contemporary So these stories of the Medes and Persians Javan whole and Javan parted will reach 430 of the Seventy Sevens and the other 60 years to our Lords death for the most part the Romanes ruled If the godly Reader will make use of Mr. Bro. Commentaries on Daniel the preface thereof will shew him the Kings of Persia and the Kings of Javan their number and succession and the number of their years and all these Kings are to be confined within the compasse of the Seventy Sevens all the stories both of the four beasts Dan. 7. and of the four mettalls of the image Dan. 2. Mr. Bro. is so large in his Expositions of Daniel that there is not need of inlargement at this time Also let the Reader mark his Consent of Scripture for the orderly disposing of the times Furthermore they should not have nor needed any moe Prophets for that they should be greatly scattered shortly after Malachies dayes and their State continuallly shaken for hundreds of years before the holy incarnation by the interchangeable warres and victories of the Kings of the North and South Mal. 4. therefore the Law of Moses was so strictly enjoined to them to remember it which would have preserved them from all those errors and apostasie they fell into Again the Hebrew tongue after the return from Babel ceased from common use even the returned spake a mixt language as Nehemiah sheweth so they should have no more Prophets for the Hebrew tongue And we are to mark the lively Providence touching the families of Scripture Babel the eldest wicked monument Mr. Bro. in his notes on Dan. 5. which was built to the great ruine of all the godly families by Nymrod the Nephew of oursed Cham to the great grief of SEM and Japheth whereupon Adams tongue was made 70. of one Which Babel ended the Jews language the first tongue that it was common in no Kingdome after that And the greek tongue shortly after Malachies dayes became to be the most common tongue in the world that the the apostles did use it and write the New Testament in it Furthermore for Jews that look for such Prophets they should consider that Jerusalem and the Temple should have utter The Rulers and people of the Jews did not know the meaning of their own Prophets Act. 13.27 All the Prophets and the Law propheprophesied untill Iohn Mat. 11.13 so our Lord and his apostles shall prophesie in his speeches and their writings untill our Lords second coming and finall desolations in the neaâ— generation after the Seventy Sevens and such Prophets were to be no longer than Israels Prerogative lasted which was at the ending of the Seventy Sevenâ— for it is said God hath in these last dayes spoken to us by his Son who hath told us all thing and sealed vision and Prophet for the old Testament and hath given by himself and by his apostles visions and prophesies for the new Jerusalem to the end of the world in his new Testament Therefore those that now look for new apostles Prophets and miracles do and will run into all vanity and errour as the Jews did that regarded not the cloâ—ing up of the Prophesie of Malachy and for us of Japhets families of the new Testament we are charged to remember the commandements and words of the holy apostles our Lord Jesus Christ which charge not being observed the Church fell into errours fables and Doctrines of Devils Thus I suppose we may see they needed no moe Prophets to foretell the exact time of Christs death John Baptist was a great Prophet but he pointed with the finger that Christ was come and the chief point of his Ministry was to prepare the peoples heart for Christ that in him they might be blessed and saved from the curse that was coming on the disobedient so old Simeon with Zachurias and Anna a Prophetesse did declare Christ was come of whom Daniel and all the Prophets spake and John-Elias the Baptist preached to all Israel saying the Kingdome of heaven is come as Daniel had foretold chap. 2. and 7 and 9. Briefly sum up the premises seeing the holy angel from heaven had told Daniel in the Seventy Sevens of the exact time of the death of the MESSIAH to end Sacrifices and offerings and of the four mettals in the image and of the four beasts and of the wicked Kingdomes that were taught by them and of all them to be destroyed by the birth of the Son of Man the MESSIAS that is Babel Medes and Persians Javan Whole and Javan parted and the afflictions by them on the stars of heaven the Jews and of the full date of Israels peculiar glory by the utter desolation of the City Jerusalem and the Temple and that Ezra Nehemiah Esther did comment on Daniel and that Haggai Zachariah and Malachy had reproved the sinnes of their present age and also had much enlarged and opened Daniel in many things to the dayes of the coming of the Son of Man Now no more Prophets needed Mal. 4. but onely to remember the Law of Moses the servant of the Lord which he commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel with the Statutes and judgements They should study it till the coming of CHRIST and the coming of his fore-runner Mat. 11.13 14. for it should be to them a most sure word Therefore they needed not the URIM and THUMMIM and School-master This conclusion of Malachy with his Speech of John-Elias doth intimate a cessation of such holy prophets for all was spoken that need to be spoken People should diligently be exhorted privately and publickly by them whose place it is in chief so to do to read the holy and blessed Scriptures diligently and for this above handled to read together * These 6 books were in the time of the Seventy Sevens Ezra * Nehemiah * Esther Haggai Zachary * and Malachy with Daniel these six last books do much comment on Daniel And the godly Reader would be exhorted to mark the chronologie of the holy Scriptures and the chief persons in the times Thus
the Supper of the Lord. QUest 4. Shew first what is considered jointly in these two Answ Both these are memorials signes and seals as strong as the worlds frame to repenting and believing Receivers of whatsoever Gods word hath revealed for their hope and comfort of life temporal spiritual and eternal They by the work of the Spirit represent and seal the whole doctrine of the covenant and promises made to our Fathers and also it must ever be remembred they are reciprocal and for restipulation as the covenant and being added to the covenant more firmly binding strenthning and comforting to faith obedience and thankfulness QUest 5. What do you conceive to be taught us in Baptism Answ Baptism is to teach and seal unto us 1. †1 Mat. 3. Acts 2.38 39 40 41 42.2 Acts 2.38 and 22.16.3 Gal. 3.26 27.4 Rom 6.5 Tit. 53.6 1 Cor. 15.29 Rom 6. Col. 2.12 and 3.3 To all which we must joyn the calling on the name of the Lord with good understanding Acts 22.16 1 Pet. 3.21 Concrning our entrance into the Church and politie of Christs Kingdome and the priviledges of the same to distinguish us from other polities 2. Concerning our justifiation 3. Our adoption 4. New birth or sanctification 5. Mortification 6. The resurrection QUest 6. What do you consider in the Supper of the Lord. Ans This should be written in all hearts that they onely be happy which in the Lords Supper protest the abundance of grace of free forgivenesse for justification to reign by Christ the second Adam 2. The Bread broken and without mixture the wine poured out and without mixture administred in the Primitive sincerity and plainnesse dispensed by a lawfull Pastour and taken with holy judgement and faith our souls feeding upon the eternall Son his incaâ—nation and Redemption is a Seal of mercy of faithfullnesse builded and established in the very heavens to stay us in Christ and in his holy Doctrine The authority of the Speaker promising covenanting and now sealing who made the world by his word must be looked unto 3. As our eyes judge of the frame of the world and our minds to what invisible use all was made subject to the second Adam So our eyes must judge of Bread and Wine and our minds that Christ our onely and most holy and perfect high Sacrificer offered himself a Sacrifice for us 4. When Sacrifice was to end at the Supper of the Lamb Christ Jesus our Lord the Son eternall whom we must hear to seal the end of Sacrificing gave for beasts flesh and blood which figured his Body and Blood Bread and VVine to be in Covenant-speech his body and Blood 5. As all faithfull of the old Testament kept with all Religious observance the Gospel Statutes and testimonies of circumcision the passeover and Jubilee c. to the death of our Lord Jesus Christ at his first coming so shall this precious ordinance yea and all the ordinances that it seals to continne to the judgement of the great day And the Saints must evermore celebrate and observe it with an eye to his second coming This should be a constant Meditation with the people of God (*) Read a little treatise intituled a fruitfull Sermon on Rom. 12. but man by nature of a stubborn disposition to divine revelation will not be charmed though the charmer charm never so wifely Here should be inserted concerning the offices and officers of Christ for the government of his churches and the ministration of the holy things thereof Much hath been written Pro and Con. but questionlesse that church politie that is according to the words and commandements of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ is best and will agree and stand with the polities of Christians yea of heathen common weals And nothing but Popish ambition tyranny coveteousnesse idlenesse doth resist Christs government of which if the territories of Princes were rightly possessed they would glory in it * both for safety of person and State Kings being just †Kings that set light by gody and just government shall find Christs providences to be iron and fire to their common-weals 2 Sam 23.7 and ruling in the fear of God need not fear losse by Christ for that his Kingdome is not of this world VVhat his Kingdome is and who his Subjects are he sheweth Mat. 5. John 18.37 QUest 7. Who believed the most sure word of Prophesie and the Record that God the Father witnessed of the Son Answer The apostles and disciples and many others afore our Lords death the 3000 converted at one Sermon and 2000 and many more added presently after and in succeeding times 144000 Jews and innumerable martyrs and confessours of all Nations and languages as the Acts the Epistles to the Churches and the Apocalips do shew †Now the Kingdome of Christ spokeng of in Daniel c. 2 7 is fully manifested when the image of four mettals and the four beasts became as chaffe before the wind and were consumed by rivers of fire and that the Son of Man was come and had ascended to the Ancient of dâ—â—es then to him was given Kingdome power and glory that all people Nations and tongues should serve him Thus Prophesie and history do sweetly agree QVest 8. Then by this that you have said it doth manifestly appear that all Nations which were of the families of the Sons of Noah had no other faith for salvation taught them but what was taught in Sâ—ms Tents and by the Sons of SEM Answ Most true it is for all that was taught to Eva to Sem to Abraham Isaac Jacob Judah Moses David Salomon Daniel and all the Prophets in the old Testament the same faith and none other as the new Testament sheweth Christ taught his Apostles and disciples who went from Jerusalem Sems tents to the uttermost parts of the earth by our Lords commandement with the gift of tongues to disciple all nations by preaching the word of truth the Gospel concerning the incarnation of the Son of God his sufferings death resurrection from death his ascention and shining glorious appearing at his second coming to judge the world That work they performed by the strength of God who confirmed their Doctrine with signes wonders and divers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost Then tongues nations and people of all Kingdomes departed from the power of darknesse by faith and obedience to the Kingdome of Christ giving honour and glory for ever to the king eternall holy invisible God onely wise 2. As Christ our salvation came of the Jews so the scriptures of the old and new Tâ—stament which reach the salvation came from them and because the saints from the dayes of the apostles have obtained the same like precious faith as Salem Sems tents had of old the state of the Church is termeâ— a Jâ—rusalem from Heaven and the names of the twelve Tribes upon the twelve Gates of this â—iâ—â—e do shew that all must be of their faith that enter
therein And the names of the Lambs twelve Aposties upon the twelve precious Jewels the same as the High sacrificer ware on his Brest the twelve foundations of the Wall teacheth and convinceth that all must be builded on their most holy doctrine that will be within the corporation of the Holy City The Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the thirteenth CHAPTER THe first Quest and Answ This is he that was promised Christ the hope of the promise made unto the Fathers Acts 26.6 Heb. 11. all Christ the hope of all the Israel of God Acts 28.20.1 Tim. 1.1 Observe the gloriousness of Christ in all the old revelation of him yet in manner of doctrine they had not perfection to see and feel the word of life 1 John 1. But we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us a minde to know him which is true and we are in him that is true in his Son Jesus Christ This same is very God and eternal life Babes keep your selves from Idols that is from all false doctrine 1 Joh. 5.20 21. Quest 2. N. 9. The Father doth love and honour the Son and hath committed all power into his hand as Gen. 3.15 for humbling himself and laying down his life for his sheep so do the Angels so do all the Saints John 10. Phil. 2. Apoc. 5. Christ is a great King and witnessed concerning it a good confession before Pontius Pilate John 18.37 He is Fore-leader and Commander over the House of Jacob even over all the Israel of God Iew and Gentile Luke 1.32 3â— Gal. 3.7 6.16 Esay 55 Christ will be received as King Prophet and Sacrificer in Sion the heavenly or he will fill all places with dead bodies Psa 2.8.9 110. Deuâ— 18.18 Heb. 3.1 Ephes 1.21 23. Mat. 28. Hebr. 〈◊〉 1. If Angels and Moses must be heard and disobedience was justly recompensed much more the Son eternal must be heard to whom Maseâ— was but a servant Heb. 2.1 2 3. N. 11. This word Him is spoken exclusively â—y divine dispensation he alone passeth all acts from God to man and from man to God 1 〈◊〉 3.23 5.11 12 13 he is the One Mediatour between God and man Hebr. 2.17 18. 1 Tim. 2.5 Observe evâ—lusive speeches although the terms onely and alone be not alwaies expressed for in divine revelation there is not from Gen. 3.15 to the end of the Apocalips the least hint of any other Name under heaven he is the Alpha and the Omega of all the holy and blessed Scriptures so the promise to Abraham is exclusive no blessedness but in Christ the holy seed of all holinesse and so expounded by two Apostles Paul and Peter to the Jewes and Galatians Acts 3. 25. Gal. 3. Ibid. Is no other Head of the Church Christs Supremacy he is Lord of our faith and binder of conscience by his Laws To the Church he is Prophet Sacrificer and King and the same to every particular person for his particular comfort and calling as his person is not divided so neither his offices he is not a sacrificer for any but also he is a prophet to teach and a King to govern he is a Prince and a Saviour to all the Israel of God If Christ is not thus received his Father is not honoured in Kingdomes families and persons For this eleventh observation ponder these Scriptures Ephes 1.22 Jam. 〈◊〉 1â— Ephes 4. 8 11 12 13. Mat. 23.8 Acts 2.36 5.31 Quest 3. What Seals hath Iehovah commonly to call them Seals is the best and aptest term and suiteth even to the capacity of the meanest to be soonest conceived Because in this as the Jewes proverbially say well of the holy Spirits familiarizing with us God speaks according to the language and dealings of the Sons of Adams it is used Rom. 4. as also the true sign or token Gen. 17. Ibid. the Lord of the house None may ordain a Seal but he that hath ordained the writings of the Covenant God only inspired the holy writings and he only can add seals to his covenant in them As none can make a true deed or lease and seal it but the true Landlord in whom the Propriety is Therefore all Popery is to be aâ—â—ursed that addeth writings and Seals The Apostle glorieth only in this What I received of the Lord that have I delivered unto you 1 Cor. 11. Thus he as Moses faithfull in the house of God Heb. 3. Quest 4. and Answ They are reciprocal Ever since the Gospel was taught Gen. 3.15 God made a covenant with the faithfull and their seed as with Adam and Habel understood it thus he walked in good works 1 Iohn 3.12 God renewed the covenant to Noah before and after the Floud and he was godly But the Terms of the covenant in open record is more fully declared in after ages Genesis 17. and there it is shewed there is a restipulation on our part concerning Gods promises commandments threatnings curses admonitions counsels good examples c. we ingage our selves in all when we apply the Seals Our Lord saith Go teach and baptizâ— and teach them to observe all things Mat. 28. So the Tenant binds himself when he subscribes or puts to his seal Quest 5. and answ Baptismis for to teach and seal Baptism is a Seal of ending circumcision and all Abraâ—ams and Moses ceremonies the same may be said of the Lords Supper 〈◊〉 supra much more it bindeth to abhor humane religious traditions and precepts And we should not care to be judged as culpable for the not observing of them Col. 2. A circumcised Israelite was bound to keep the whole Lawâ— and our baptism bindeth us to look only to Gods commandements what he hath commanded us Mat. 28.20 Quest 6. and Answ N. 2. without mixture The Wine not to be mixed with Drakes bloud nor water nor Bread or Wine to be mixed with poyson as the Papal Hostia was when they gave it to the Emperour Henry the seventh next Albertus A fine device of the seed of the Serpent to kill Princes and Nobles that stand in their way Any action feazible and consequent for the Throne of King Abaddon is and must be a Declamation on that Theame of theirs sides non observanda cum â—aereticis O ye Princes and Nobles beware of such Scorpions trust none of them that hate the sincerity of the Gospel lest you finde their doctrine of Transubstantiation too true when they are such cursed Sorcerers that can turn bread into poison pretending to give Christ our life they give death and sacrifice your precious lives upon their Altars They can and will give you a secret sting for they are Scorpions and Sorcerers Also the Bread and Wine neither to be adored nor conjured with crossings or any other fantastical Popish Devilish humane deviceâ— but in all plainess the holy seal of the Covenant to be administred in both kindes according to the primitive institution As King Josias said Keep the
were many worthy fathers who by teaching and writing with great constancy resisted Satan in his undermining of the faith Onely one thing they did not so discern Satans project and enterprise the mystery of iniquity the spirituall Supremacy one of the greatest heresies most of them being so corrupted with desire of priority and superiority QVest 7. What other things might be a means of the furtherance of the mysterie of iniquity Answ The open or visible Church by certain steps insensibly not all at once corrupted and schismed from the syncerity and plainnesse of Doctrine of the written word and the gifts of the offices of Christs ministerie and the ministration of the Seals of the new Testament and censures and followed and mannaged their own decrees orders additions inventions and heathenish superstitious ceremonies and traditions with wordly wisdome pomp ambition hypocrisie self-willed humility faction covetousnesse envy and cruelty extream corruption in manners 2 Tim. 3 1. c. And even thus it was in all apostasies of the Church since Moses wrote Adde also to these that the Teachers and Pastours rejected the fountains of Hebrew and Greek from which all things proceeded a great decay of all right proficiency in all Divine and humane studies (:) Read and consider these things as sin and the punishment of sinne the desolation of holy things never come but as effects of great sins and a fore-runner of mighty plagues Esa 5. So Mat. 21. QUest 8. How was Christs severity manifested on the Churches for their idolatry and apostasie from the Commandements and words of the apostles Doctrine not hearing what the Spirit spake to the Churches Ans 1. Christ the Lamb slain cast fire on the earthly apostate world despising his Person and Mediation plaguing it by the ambition heresie spirituall whoredome c. of the falling and wandring starres and the badnesse and negligence of Emperours but especially of Apolluon King of the Pit that did exalt himself and his Catholick Locusts against them all to be Pests and Tempests of hail * Vid. Mr. Cade Lib. 2.73 74. fire and blood a Mountain full of fierie bloody bitter poysoning and unutterable miseries to all States and Churches These things were in the four Trumpets yet as Preparations to the fifth Trumpet and first wo in which all these evils were coincident and compleat Of the which fifth Trumpet and first woe the Pontificality and its Corporation is an explication 2. Idolatry and other sinnes increasing in all hardened impenitency the King of Mount Sion plagued the Christian world by four messengers of his wrath let loose from Euphrates that is the people of the Eastern Countries which troubled lesser Asia and also much of Europe with horrible vastations and at last possessed great part But least that the Popish and Turkish Factions should wholly drown the world with raging impetuous innundations of outward and Spirituall calamities the angel of the Covenant descended cloathed with a cloud and a Rainbow about his head his face as the Sunne his feet as pillars of fire and in his hand the little Book of Scripture opened and standing on the earth and sea roareth like a lion thundereth and sweareth secret bitter and inevitable destructions to the Enemies Also God tormented the King of Locusts Sodomitical-Egyptian Corporation by the two Prophets in their teaching praying and martyrdome and by their resurrection which caused a great Earth quake in the Papacy that a tenth part of the King of Locusts politie fell This is under the sixt Trumpet and second Woe 3. Christ the Rock and Lion of the Tribe of Judah doth grinde to powder and also tear in pieces mystical Babylons politie by Kings and Princes that in the later times should fall from the Papacy and they and their People following the Lamb. And also maketh a further earthquake in Star-Wormwoods Kingdome by greater voices of godly Teachers and Witnesses that with the eternal Gospel fly through the heaven of the Church preaching terrour to the Corrupters of the faith and the eternal blessed reward to the Saints This is under the seventh Trumpet and third Wo. 4. Thus God hath once revealed all unto the end in Seales and Trumpets by sevens to teach the profane world of the resurrection The rest of the Apocalyps repeateth again and again in sundry varieties as briefly is touched these matters of Empire and Papacy and affliction of the Church by them and the overthrow of the King of Locusts and all his corporation of mystical Babylon Deprivation of all their spiritual and corporall merchandise and temporall destruction with all shame horrour and lamentation and their eternall sorrow in the world to come and lastly the glorious joy and comfort of the saints being revived from their dead State under mystical Sodoms polity to be of the corporation of the Holy and Beloved City Each blessing is here begun and shall be perfected when the Lord Jesus shall shew himself from heaven in that day of his bright appearing Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the fourteenth Chapter QUest 1. and Answ The High Sacrificers the Pharisees Isâ—ael which is after the flesh despised Christ and his Rest and fell after the same example of disobedience and unbelief or misbelieving disobedience as their Fathers both in the Wildernesse and in the revolt of the ten Tribes and of Judah also and would not receive the word of exhortation Heb. 3. 4.10 12 13. chapters Ibid. That the Seed of the Serpent All that persecute the faith are the seed of the Serpent from Kain to Caesars and Popes But the gates of Hades could not prevail because Christ had the keys of death and Hâ—des Here observe that the Apocalyps in two sorts draweth all the Law unto it It sheweth Christ from all the Law and Prophets and the curse of mystical Babylon from all the old cursed since the Serpent deceived Eva. Jehovah from Gen. 2. 3. Exod. 3. 6. is expoundâ—d in Apocalyps i. e. Who was Who is Who Will be and this draweth to the last acts looking to the first Counsels that all may be seen to depend upon One God The Apocalyps setteth forth the last acts Therefore they that expect new Revelations besides that which was leâ—t us by the Lord Jesus the Son of God in the writings of his Prophets and Apostles shall never be settled in a sound judgement in the Gospel and those that pretend they have new Revelations in such thoughts they are of them that add to the word of God but let such tâ—emble at the curse Apoc 2â— 18 19. Such shall bear this blame that they are an adulterous generation they would adulterate the faith Mat. 12.39 Quest 2. and Answ by saitâ—â— they ebtained good report with God Heb. 11.1 2. conferred with chap. 12.1 2. and Rom. 1.5 16.26 Gal. 3.8 9. Apoc. 14.12 21.3 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. As many as received him to them he gave prerogative to be the Sons
of God to them that believe in his name John 1.12 chap. 5.24 is fit for this answer both of the commendation of faith and the blessed fruit of believing eternal life and rest Ibid. heavenly exercise of prayer Who shal stand before the son of man at that day of his bright appearing even such that watch their hearts that pray much watch therefore pray continually that you may he counted worthy to escape all these things that shal come to pass Luk. 21.36 Ibid. Of eternal Rest c. As all the faithful of the old Testament in their blessed spirits had an immortal life with God in the heavenly Tabernacle in the boâ—omâ— of Abraham the happy part of Hades in Paradise and were the heavenly family so all since that have died in the faith are In heaven and also of that blessed family We are taught to pray Our father which aâ—t in heaven therefore as our affections should â—e heavenly so heaven is our Countrey And therefore aâ— they of old were not to mourn immoderately being the sons of Jehovah their God Deut. 14.1 2. neither are we to sorrow as men without hope of the better resurrection 1 Thess 4 Behold what love the Father hath given us that we should be called the Sons of God 1 John 3.1 This adoption is from the Son of God who died and rose again to give us hope who is Lord of quick and dead Rom. 14 9. Quest 3 and answ Sitting as King on a Throne Observe the fourth and fifth chapter of the Apocalyps is to be considered as a Platform of the divine Majesties administration through the stories of the Church and the enemies thereof we shall finde mention made of the Throne of God and the twenty four Elders and the four lively wights under the Dracon Caesars and Dracon Papacy and after that the King of Mount Sion beginneth to consume the Kingdome of Abaddon with the breath of his lips and to shine in glory to the comfort of his people Apoc. 11.16 14.3 19.4 The Rainbow about the throne Apoc. 4. is an â—â—lusion to Gen. 9. and Ezek. 1. and is to be remembred through all the stories of the troubles of the Church also minde that in all the Apocalyps the Church is tearmed commonly heaven to shew that its Polytenmâ— conversation trading dealing should be heavenly and also that the State of Abaddous Kingdome is called the earth and the bottomless-pit as indeed it tends to these two Quest 4. and answ The cares of ambition Schismes and Heresies of Ecclesiastical Teachers Note that Church-men and for the most part Bishops were the beginners of Schisms and founders of heresies and then with open and full mouth like dogs Enemies of the heavenly Icrusalems peace and glory Apoc. 21. they cryed heresie heresie schism schism faction faction sedition sedition anarchy anarchy of all that would not obey theiâ— constitutions c. so of old it was The Leaders of my people have caused them to erre who destroy the way of their paths Esay 3. So the Scribes and Pharisees made constitutions and canons c. and then all were questioned and hereticks that questioned their traditions John 9. Acts 24.14 28.22 Maâ— 15. They cannot be truly called Schismaâ—icks and Hereâ—icks that cleave to the Words and commandements of the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour but they that do depart from the puritie and sincerity of the Apostles doctrine Romans 16.17 Mark what is said of your own selves and St. Paul spake to Bishops shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw disciples after them Acts 〈◊〉 so such although Bishops were Schismaticks factious sedâ—ious and heretical persons and it was they that brought all to anarchy and Princes became subject to King Abaddon that lawless man of sin And let Princes take heed of such Spirits that still speak lies through hypocrisie The Prelates of our native Countrey for most part have been exceeding culpable in urging their Canons and inventions and for setting the hearts of Q. Elizabeth K. James and K. Charâ—s against faithful Teachers Quest 6. and answ Yea for the Spirit spake evidently 1 Tim. 4. Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils speaking lies through hypocrisie having their consciences seated as with an hot iron Teaching not to marry and to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth It hath been observed before for the old Testament and so it must be for the New that the Government of Christ for essentials is the same The plot of his counsels expressing it self in an uniform manner Men of old time apostating and pleading against the Gospel were given over to Devils and false Prophets So men despising the healing doctrine in the Words and commandements of the Apostles were given over to lying Spirits and strong delusions of â—lse Teachers Mr White Way of the true Church page 385. hath this speech cited out of Egesippus That the Church continued a Virgin undefiled as long as the Apostles lived but when that generation was passed the conspiracy of wicked heresie through the seducement of those which taught other doctrine took beginning Consider the like speech Iud. 2 6 7. and so long as the flames in Smithfield and other cruelties of King Abaddon and his Locusts were fresh in memory so long Orthodox Bishops and zealous Protestants and no peace with Rome and our good Laws were executed against the Locusts and other Babylonish trayterous sectaries of the man of sin but now against Christ and his ambassadours and servants how were the godly of late disgraced at the assizes c. and now the Catholick Roman church is a true church of Christ c c. The first love and works are best Apoc. 2. and we hope and pray Christ will make his Scriptures good upon us which are written Hosea 2.6.7 Ezâ—k 20.32 33. c. c. Ibid. N. 11. For the mighty Creation Aâ—oc 4. Setteth forth Gods glory in the Creation and affordeth meditation against Heathenâ— Romes Gods They worshipped Stars and Juno in the aire Aeolus in the winde Neptune in the Sea Pan in their sheep c. c. These were their Divâ—s and Divas He gods and Shee gods c. And this was the the cause of the wars against the heaven of the Church Apoc 12. whether Jupiter Apollo c. and the heathens oracles or the eternal Son and his Gospel were to be followed and the same war was with the tail of the Dragon for their refined idolatry Ibid. and gracious redemption Apoc. 5. Gives Meditation for Christs Mediation by whom all is restored who is the Head of all Principalitie and Power as all Creatures acknowledge joying that they shall be for the service of Christ for being turned to service of idols they groan in Gods esteem as corrupted
This is against the Divos and Divas of the New Empire of Holinesse in title They had and have Patrons and Patâ—onesses of Countries Cities Houses Cattels Trades c. as the old heathen As the covenant of God in Christ was the same in the old and New Testament onely the outward administration changed so the idolatry is the same onely the names and administration changed putting a new face on things But the Lord Jesus Christ is the head and all things are put under his feet Psal 8. and he ruleth all for the comfort of his redeemed All things were created by Him and for Him See for one trade or handicraft of great use in the world what is said Esa 54.16 17. and as the Smith may be an enemy yet he is further incouraged by Counsellors and men of State who sit and conspire against the Lord and his People the Saints by slanders and lies and false suggestions c. But Christ over rules the trade and Counsel of the Smith Vul-kain was the God of Smiths to thâ— Heathens a Clement a titulary Saint to the Papists The Jews from heathens had Citic-gods Ier. 2. so Vigilins was the tutelary Saint of the valley of Trent Hist Council Trent lib. 2. But when the Saints held the faith sincere see their holy protestation Psal 46. 48. 127. and well they might so protest upon the promise Exo. 34.23 24. And who hath been the Redeemer and Protector of England not tabulous St. George from the people of that cursed Kingdom of the Beast in all those treasons and invasions of theirs specially in eighty eight and one thousand six hundred and five The eternal God hath been our refuge his everlasting arms have been under us he hath been the Shield of our help and the Sword of our glory But we may now sear the Scripture of Deuteronomy 31.16 17. c. will be fulfilled in our nation and that we nor our children shall see such seventy six years of the Gospel with such protection peace plenty riches honour victory and all prosperity as leâ—emy 13.11 ah our glory is departing N. 4. The Spirit of some Christian Emperours but in after times Princes had not that love to the truth for Emperoâ—rs strife was with the Popes for authority little or nothing for Divinity And so alass to this day men would never search Gods word the wealthy and Principal of State but remit that over unto others as a base work for themselves to regard whereby God then and now doth cast of the world and hence it was that subjects in Parliament ever stood greatly for their own liberties but for the sincerity liberty and power of Christs ordinances they never so contended wherefore he chastised them and will still in causing their Liberties to be infringed and their Land-markes to be removed N. 5. The spirituall supremacy Heresin pestileâ—issimam vid. Mr. Cade justif lib. 1.53 The mystery of iniquity did not simply consist in Superiority But the B. B. and D. D. not holding sincerity to the Head and Foundation Christ Iesus inventing each his opinions and superstitions drawing disciples after them And they would be angry c. if they were not believed and obeyed because that they did was not without a shew of wisdome and Holinesse Col. 2.16 18 23 and this went on by degrees from age to age till all iniquitiâ— was perfected in the Pontificalitie Cade Iustif lib. 2.57 lib. 1.31 Corruptions began even from the Apostles times But the Papal authoâ—ity chiefly corrupted and darkned the glory and honour of Christs kingnome in all things It corrupteth the written word the Seals of the covenant the Ministery of Christs ordination and the Censures c. Therefore the warning of the Spirit must prevail with Gods people to remember the commandments and words of the Apostles that is their doctrine the Pattern of wholesome words All learned in things controverted concerning the Worship of God or any doctrine should have recourse to the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles for definitive sentence not to Fathers and Councils nay not to the best reformed churches Therefore of old it was said To the-Law and to the Yeslimony Esay 8. and also it is said He that knâ—wâ—th God heareth us 1 John 4. But man born a wild asse-colt would be self-wise And we naturally bear in us an onimious minde to Gods revelation ever since our first parents hearkned to Satan Gen. 3. Oh cursed corrupted nature that is now more ready to follow man or devil then the Son of God Christ Iesus the second Adam Christ is wonderfull tender of his own ordinances he is nice touchy and jealous this maketh our corruption fret vex and fling and to hate Christ Exod. 20. thinking him to be too curious as Kain Gen. 4. because his own commanded or dinances is our rule and him to be worshipped in them with-all the minde all the soul all the strength all the understanding even all our all 's And an honest heart will say as the Saints have said Thy 〈◊〉 dis very pure therefore thy Servant lâ—veth it a gain I hate vain inventions but thy law do I love Psalm 119. An holy soul is as scrupulous as jealous as nice as Gods is It is impossible but he should be so in the regenerate part and he will not speak in thought that Gods commandements are burdensome but unbelievers and superstitious hypocrites and masters of traditions in a raging and fretting mood they are so alwaies called Christs ordinances bands and cords Psalm 2. Quest 7. and Answ With worldly wisdom pomp ambition c. Mr. White way to the true Church pa. 140. Mr. Cade justif lib. 2.256 257 c. Wretched and unlearned Scholars turned all the doctrine of God to ambition and tyranny superstition and heresie Politicians to profanenesse In those daies and after the sweet influences of comforting aires and windes of wholesome doctrine was with held and did weakly breath in the church and shortly turned to hellish smoke out of the pit Apoc. 9. But the sealed of God in all ages Christ took care of Then was fulfilled that which was prophecied The time will come when they will not suffer wholesome doctrine or healing doctrine but having sore ears after their own lusts shall beap to themselves teachers and shall turn their cars from the truth and shall be given unto sables 2 Tim 4. Acts 20.30 Then they became naked of holy truths Apoc. 16.15 The second Adam and his doctrine is the garment with which our inner man is bravely clothed Romans 13.14 Ephestans 4.20 21. Apocalyps 3.18 Ezekiel 16. Quest 8 and answ Nâ—t Christ the Lamb slain cast fire on the earth the seven Trumpers sound the mischiefs that wicked apostate Rome should cause consider Psalm 110 for their robellion against the true Mâ—lchâ—zedecks kingdome and sacrifice-hood Iude 11. Ibid. as preparations to the first Trumpet The mystery of iniquity was working from the Apostles times and men successively
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
Answ By what he is and by what he doth 1. He is called like Jeroboam (a) As God taught Adam to give names to expresse natures Gen. 2. so God in these names teacheth Princes and People what they shall finde in the Beast that was and is not and yet is A man of sin called the Son of Perdition like Ishcariot a new Antiochus an adversary and in the estimation of his corporation a God called also the Wicked and Lawless add hitherto the other names and titles of the Father of the Papacy an apostate Star Wormwood Angel of the Pit King of Locusts Abaddon Apolluon i. e. destroyer false Prophet Beast of the Pit Beast like a Lamb Healer of the wounded Head Tayl of the Dragon Antichrist Pope (b) The common name which we and Papists give the Pope unawares is to be marked how Christ over-ruleth our tongues for Pope and Daemon are all one as learned have observed or Daemon 2. His actions are he causeth an Apostacy or Rebellion from the faith and when that apostacy came to the height he set him and his corporation above all authority of the Magistrate And in the Church or Temple of God would do those things which are proper unto God forgiveth sins maketh new articles of faith (c) Vid. Mr. White way to the true Church Epistle to the Reader and Mr. Junius on the Apoc. 13.12 13 c. maketh his Decrees to be obeyed and followed as yea before and above the very Scriptures (d) He dispenseth with Gods Law of God and Lord of faith and conscience c. and saith of himself I am a God on Earth and that all the Kingdomes of the World are his and giveth them to whom he will Now all this iniquity is administred in a mystery by the effectual working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders in all force of deceit and violence Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the fifteenth Chapter QUest 1. The man of sin or the Pontificality The Corporation of Popes is termed as one man Mark such Corporation speeches Moses speaketh to all Israel as to one man so all the wicked from Kain to the wicked Jews are but one corporation yea to the end of the World Mat. 23.35 So the four Beasts are tearmed four Kings that is four Kingdomes Daniel chap. 7. So the ten horns of the Roman Beast are ten Kings that is Kingdomes that gave their power to the Beast And all the godly from the beginning of the world to the ending are one corporation in Christ Ephesians 1.10 Quest 3. N. 3. with the keys of the Dragon and his own authority Keys argue deputation of office as Esay 22. Matth. 16. Apoc. 1. And we may see what deputation to office Satan gave the Beast like a Lamb Apoc. 13.11 12 13 c. So here note King Abaddon is Satans Lieutenant to destroy Hebrews and Greeks Jewes and Gentiles by advancing and urging his Keyes to the rejecting not only the holy doctrine of Christ in the old and new Testament but those two languages of Hebrew and Greek and making a Scripture of his base Latine and urging it upon the Church Therefore he ought to be esteemed of Jew and Gentile not only Abaddon but Apolluon Ibid. Smoke of herestes to corrupt the earth Apolluons apostatical kingdome did corrupt the earth and the seven thunders of Gods judgments of the Lord God omnipotent attend to corrupt it as in the seven Vials as God did corrupt the corrupters Gen. 6. Ibid. and the Scriptures by which light c. the lawless man of sin and his Locusts by their strong violent and usurped authoritie and false doctrines set up a Religron more after Homer Ovid Virgiâ— and Plutarch then after the Prophets and Apostles such a fearful darkness they brought upon all the doctrine of Christ that to this day our nation in many places is full of heathenish customes and traditions N. 4. His false litigious rules of faith even their own learned men that were at â—rent could not understand the meaning of some points and wrote one against another like the old Babylonian builders Things were so crastily set downe of purpose like the oracles of Apollo vid. the Hist Coun. Trent page 229. edition 1620. read Mr. Cade Justif pag. 281. and 282. Quest 4. N. 1. Out of the smoke of the pitthe Popes Clergy ariseth Thus view them Devouring Locusts Stiâ—ging Seâ—rpions Arâ—â—â— horses Râ—nâ—â—ng Li ns Crowned usuâ—pers Croaking frogs Spirits of Devils All noisome creatures vermine not to be suffered in any wise or godly polity they are the creatures of a Destroyer These attributes shew their conditions Warm weather of policy puts quickning in the Locusts and then they will devour and if you look not to them betime they will prove stinging Scorpions then barded horses then rending lions then crowned usurpers if they find not their party strong enough then they creep like frogs into other Kings Courts to excite to war and then Spirits of Devils to walk over Land and Sea to destroy all them that oppose them they are the stigmaticall sworn slaves of Satan and Abaddoon O ye Princes and Nobles and Gentry and Commonalty our fathers found them so vid. the reigns of King Iohn Henry 2. and Henry 3. c. N. 2. Poysoning and terrifying Doctrine Singultu cruentato the Scorpions sting mens hearts that death was desired rather than life Apoc. 9. 6. Vid. Mr. Cadâ— his worthy labours Iustif lib 1.128 lib. 2.88 89. and the Appendix li. 1 3. So we may observe how the Histories of our forefathers do comment on the Aâ—ocalips Also observe these stinging Scorpions in their Doctrin of Purgatorie especially on mens death beds pilgrimage and anathemaes and treasons c. And how no man must dare to question any thing vid. the book of the Spanish Inquisition N 4. They wear Crowns like gold Note not onely King Abaddon wears a Crown but it is said his Locusts have Crowns like Gold each Locust dethronizeth and uncrowneth godly Princes in his heart A sharp Winter of policy will and must make the Scorpion-Locusts flee to the hedges to hide themselves or else we shall all grieve it is good to remember the two noble Henries of France Let our Nobles Gentry and Commons all our blessed Nation advisedly think of businesses for t posterity The Spirits of Devils are traversing the earth and Seas as much as Becket Petrus de â—uâ—ibus and the Arch-Priest under Henâ—y the fourth Gardiner Bonner Raviliac c. c. Ibid. N 4. Hating Gods Oâ—dinance of Magistracy Obedience to Princes the Doctrine of Sems Tents and the sons of S m Rom. 13.1 Pet. The contrary is the Doctrine of Apolluons Tents and his Locusts and their deceived who make but a mock of Princes and Governours as it was foretold of such Likewise these silt by dreamers defile the slâ—sh despise dominion and speak evill of Dignities Jude 8. N. 5. By good
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
Tim. 6. another Scripture saith and through covetousnesse shall false Teachers with feigned words make merchandise of you 2 Pet. 2. And the souls of men was one kind of the vendible things in Rome-Babylons politic Apoc. 18.13 and here must be remembred their Pharisaicall Coâ—ban â—obbing all Churches N. 11. Images Old Babylon was a Land of graven Images and were mad upon their idols Jer. 50.33 Dan. 3. so mysticall Babylon Papists although plogued by the Turks warres would not repent of their idolatry Apoc. 9.20 as Israel Ezek. 16.26 Ibid. And killing of Kings For â—illing of Kings of whom they are jealous see a book of the State mysteries of the Jesuites that is translated out of French and dedicated to Sr. Tho. Penistone Knight and Baronet by Peter Gosselyn printed by G. E. for Nicholas Bourn Qui cum Iesu itis non itis cum Iesuitis the indoctrinated Iscariots of the world Ibid. Any Reformation See the history of Councell of Trent page 553. and all our godly mens labours by teaching and writing that all the reformed Churches may truly say of mysticall Babylon as the Saints said of old Babylon We would have healed Babylon but she is not healed forsake her and let us every one go into his own Countrey for her judgement reacheth unto heaven Jer. 51.9 All the godly writings and endeavours of the Reformed Churches shall rise up in judgement against them N. 3. Subâ—llties and lies See Sir Edwin Sands relations of his travels he shews their sleights in reports c. all histories and experience of Reformed Churches shew their plots and devises But Jethroes Speech doth comfort the Church Exod. 18.11 Subtle Hypocrites and Inventers of false Religion Christ will defeat all their counsels Job 5.12 13. read Mr. Cade of Popish policies lib. 1. p. 6. lib. 2. page 159. Ibid. N. 3. Great Whore Because of the multitude of the whoredomes of the well-favoured Harlot the mistresse of witchcrafts that selleth the Nations through her whoredomes and the familles through her witchcrafts The two Sisters followed the idolatryes of Ninive Neh. 3 4. 2 Kings 16. Ezek. 23.5 so did the Nations the glorious well-favoured Whore through her enchantments Apoc. 17.1 2 3 4 5. c. And the same plagues that came on the former shall come on this latter 2 Pet. 2.1 2. N. 4. a perfect Mountain of fire Where King Abaddons Locustâ— and subjects be maintained it will make that Kingdome a burning Aeâ—na The King of Locusts and his Locusts the great incendiaries of the World and all is to minister advancement to Popish interests They excite Princes against Princes yea Turks against Princes of Christendom and Princes against subjects c. Ibid. N. 4. Drew all the West for two hundred years Wo and alass it is to think of those miseries when presently after Apoc. 20.7 the tenth Century Satan was let loose That age was an unhappy age even as the Locust Genthrard spake and the Locust Bellarmine saith Never age more unlearned or unhappy Cited by Dr. Vsher in answer to a Jesuit pa. 7 Mr. Cade lib. 1. pa. 40. Ibid. 4. For the Low Jerusalem Christ had told that Jerusalem should be desolate so long as the Gentiles calling continueth even to the worlds end Marth 24 Luke 21. as he caused Moses to foretell Deut. 28.63 Num. 33.56 But the Pontificality the false Prophet to weaken Princes who would be deceived and not excell in Gods word as they most of all might do He caused them to go from England France c. men women and children to recover the cursed Land Compare the apostasie of Nimrod and the man of Sin in Israel with the apostasie of mysticall Nimrod the man of sin in the Christian Church and the miseries thereupon depending Far from Justice and Peace 2 Chron 15.3 4 5 6. How do men of power that are crafty and plausible draw men away from the Gospel of Christ Ibid. As of old God and Magog By God and Magog Apoc. 20. is meant all oppressours of the faithful Christians whether Turk or Pope â—s Michael our Prince captain of the Lords host calmed old Gâ—gs waves Daniel 12. So he will mysticall God and Magog Apocalyps chap. 10. 20. Quest 2 and answ It is the spiritual Supremacy The Locusts say such as submit not to the Popes supremacy do renounce Christianity Mr. Cade Justif lib. 1. pag. 98 If Satan had not mightily possessed mens hearts Rome the only place plainly cursed should not rule Religion But the rejected of God must strive where God warneth to do otherwise Mr. Bro. in Sinai Sight The Romists seeking to have Rome a peculiar Citieâ— do revive the shadow of the old Covenant for now we are not tyed to no one Mountain much less to Ahaddons City of seven Mountains John 4.21 And the name Catholick used of old in the Church destroyeth that opinion Catholica quâ—esse potest quae Romana diciâ—u And seeing the partition Wall is broken down between Jews and us why make they another partition between us and them Rome for this and all of that Synagogue are to be hâ—ld accursed till our Lord cometh for it is accursed And some of our Divines do little better than Judaize about the Jewes possessing Canaan and Jerusalem Ibid. Some points of truth conjoined The Whores cup of Fornications was gui'ded with some truths but filled with the waters and wine of Sodome and doctrines of Devils A Mystery By thy Witchcrafts were deceived all nations cauterized consciences speak lies through hypocrisie Apoc 18.23.1 Tim. 4. Ibid. Heresies and blasphemies And I saw a Woman sit upon a scarlet colâ—urâ—d Beast full of Names of blasphemy Their translations Psalters Rosaries c. shew this The Lord hath rebuked such Satans and still will Quest 3. and Answ Kings and Peoples and Multitudes c. Here you may behold a Roman Catholick here is their universality multitude unitie outward glory c. let them boast but rather let them tremble and consider Apoc. 13.8 17.8 They whose Names are not written in the Lambs book of life from the foundation of the world followed the beast Their Diets Councels Parliaments Synods c. were to inslave themselves to serve a Beast and blasphemous Whore a Witch c. God shall send them strong delusions to believe lies 2 Thess 2. Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the earth Serve Jehovah kiss the Son the Heir of heaven Psalm 2. Mat. 21.38 Hebr. 1.2 O ye Princes study your Kingdomes Principalities and your common-Weals O ye Nobles and Judges study to advance the Gospel the glory of any Nation that embraceth it and that walketh after it Oh be perswaded it is a good light and easie yoke 2 Chron. 12.8 ye are the chief Bishops from God and Pastors oh do not ye by negligence or transaction of your power to the unworthy cause the Lords flock to be scattered CHAP. XVII With Questions Answers and Annotations Concerning the
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
Christ giving the world over to slavery and befottednesse in former times Rejoice over her thou heaven and ye holy Apostles and Prophets for God hath avenged ye on her read attentively Psal 81. and in all this book of the Apocalips compare old things with new Quest 6. And chiefty through this Abaddon States miss much the mark that think to overthrow the Kingdome of Abaddon if liberties and not the quarrell of the Gospel be not syncerely intended Let the King of Swedens doings advise them And consider Zac. 4.6 chiefly so must the Temple be built and Fathers and Councels Doctors and School men are not the sword of Christs mouth much lesse a dumb base idle and proud ministery those and these humane helps we have used long enough Ibid. Shall be perishing to the end As those four beasts Daâ—â—y perished by the time of our Lords first coming so the Romane Beast made of those four shall by his second A greater curse cannot be to terrisie us in partaking with them For what State will seek to uphold the Kingdome of the Beast King Abaddon must sink with it as a great milstone that Christ casteth into the sea and let each State whose Kingdome is the Lords and his Christs take heed how they tamper in leagues and Treaties with any of the horns that yet uphold and give their power to the Beast and mark events Christ hath and will preserve his Common-Weals that rule for him that in truth defend his faith as D. Cariton in his thankfull remembrance hath evidenced to our ingratefull and forgetfull Nation Will we not yet mind that theam of theirs nulla fides observanda baereticis yea it is more than a theam it is one of their Papall Laws a Canon in the Couneel of Constance Sess 19. Will not we believe a man to be bald till we see his brains vide Cade Justif lib. 2. 80 81. c. and the apdendix Ques salvos suscitaâ— ques destruit dementet Just with God that they that will not know his holy faith should not know reason The children of Noph and Tahpanbes have broken thine head contrary to Gen. 3.15 Jer. 2. Isa 9.13 and 30.4 The harlot Aholibah doted on the Egyptian and Babylonian worships which were her ruine they sent for the brave Gallants of Babel clothed inred attire a type of Scarlet Cardinals of mysticall Babylon Ezek. 23 14 15. Hos 9.2 and 10.6 c. c. Dear Queen Elizabeth would not suffer Jerolamus Martinengo to come over into England for any Treaty Hist Council of Trent 440. but now Treaties and Locusts are either sent for or suffered to swarm Alasse what means it that an ambasâ—adour should be sent to the seven Mountain City of mysticall Babylon What have we to do to drink the waters of Tyber Jer. 2.18 1636 Ezek. 23.16 in King Edwards dayes the State sent for P. Martyr and Martin Buâ—er and for many years countenanced men of their Spirit but now c. The syncerity of the Gospel is the sure Basis of all prosperity to a State and notwithstanding all this Elias and Elisha and Samâ—el c. will be the Chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof False Religion and oppression is the earthquake of a State as Mr. Cade most affectionately sheweth in the Appendix Quest 7. and Answ That gave their power to the beast The Kings that did traffick with the Pope continually for his confirmation they felt Christs anger for it for he would have them know that by him Kings reign that all power in heaven and earth is his that the most high ruleth over the Kingdomes of men as the proud King of old Babel who was made a beast did confesse to warn the Beast of mysticall Babylon of his blasphemous arrogancy Prev 8. Mat 28.18 Dan. 4. Rom. 1â— 1 i.e. Kingdomes that will not stick to Gods covenant shall find this Scripture made good on them 2 Chron. 12.8 Ibid. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords The Lamb shall overcome and revenge the blood of his servants Apoc. 19. Five beads were fallen for Gods peoples sake when John wrote and the sixth head was wounded to death for persecuting the faith so shall the seventh Head feel the curse of the living God Ibid. That will judge the great Whore God shall judge them and his Prophets and their enemies shall judge them and the righteous men shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses and blood is in their hands Ezek. 16.38 and 23.45 Ibid. That hold of every foul spirit Whom do these foul spirits conscience-cauterised hypocrites seduce on whom do these Vultures kites and ravens seise on surely on none but those men and women that have sore and itching ears and cannot abide sound Teaching and have no love to the truth and laden with sins and led away with divers lusts lusts of the eyes of flesh and pride of life 1 Tim 6.10 2 Tim. 3 6 7. and 4. and 3 4.1 John 2.16 Apoc. 18.2 This verse of Apoc. 18.2 may be an allusion to Isa 13.21.22 as old Babylon was troubled Zim Jim and Ohim so mysticall Babylonians in our Land in these dayes of darknesse have been troubled with spirits and hobgoblins and night-terrours c. But blessed be the father of mercies the God of all consolation for the Gospel of his Son which hath scattered these evils from us Ibid. For he sitteth as on a white cloud with a sicle in his hand and on a white hoâ—se Let the Saints remember with joy how Christ the King rode on a cloud in bringing Israel out of old Egypt so now in bringing us his Isael out of Rome Egyâ—t Gird thy sword upon thy thigh O most mighty Psal 45. in Apoc. 6.2 Christ rode as on a white horse in his instruments the angels invisibly men visibly against the Casars till he had wounded to death that head of the Romane State so now against the reviver of the wounded head he rode on a white horse Apocal. 19.11 as against old Egypt Hab 3.8 Jehovah shall reign for ever and ever Moses and all faithfull so sing Exod. 15. Apoc. 15. At the figure of the †The holy spirit alludeth to the stories of the old enemies Apocalyps 18. c. sheweth the great fall of mysticall Babylon from old stories Oh that our brethren would be conversant in the holy Scriptures the Romane polity killing men for the Prophets and Apostles Doctrine is as guilty as if it had killed them and all holy in the same faith All the righteous blood shed from Habel the righteous to this day shall be required of them and it should admonish our Nobles Gentry ministery and Commonalty to take heed how they comply with that bloody whorish Church lest they acquire the guiltinesse of its massacres treasons Gun-powder plot c. consider Job 9.4 to help the Reader to compare the Apâ—calyps with old stories somewhat I will mention for these present expressions The old world Gen. 6.11 12 13.
corrupted the earth by apostasie and God would corrupt that is destroy it so the Lord will corrupt the policy of the man of Sin Apoc. 11.18 God plagued Sodom Gen. 19. Rome is called Sodom and God will destroy it Apoc. 11.8 We know how God plagued Egypt Rome is called Egypt Apoc. 11.8 and many of the plagues of Egypt are and shall be on Rome-Egypt Apoc. 16. Sichoâ— the King of the Amorites would not suffer Israel to buy and sell bread nor drink so the Popish policy Apoc. 13.16 but God destroyed the one and will the other Edom Isa 63. with Apocal. 19.15 Tyrus Ezek. 27. 30 31 32. with Apoc. 18.15 16 17 18 19. Niniveb 3 4 17. Apoc. 17.4 and for Ninivebs Locusts Apoc. 9. Apostate Jerusalem Jeremiah 25.10 Apoc. 18 22 23. Of the four beasts in Dan. 7. spoken of afore in applying them to the Romane beast All the Apocalyps almost every Sentence is taken from the Prophets expressing old rerms for new States and places and times but that would be too long a work here to describe it is done other where Quest 8. and Answ The same Kingdomes that gave their power A man even bymans wit might marvell why Princes would suffer such a deceiver as Apolluon to stand one year his Doctrine being against all light of the blessed Scriptures each Prince being able to cast him from his Territories Gods wayes are unsearchable God hath chosen a few onely and none can come to Christ unlesse the heavenly Father draw him but the things revealed belong to us and our children Ibid. They shall embrace the Gospel The holy City shall be yet more glorious The streets of the City are pure gold as clear as glasse then shall the Saints walk chearfully when Gods commandements and the faith of Christ are purged from the filthy scum of mans inventions Our Lord Christ the Teacher appointed of the Father and his apostles in their Doctrine were like Refiners fire and fullers sope to the Rabbies of traditlons and bodily exercise Mat. 5. and 6. and 7. and 156 and 23. but they were not able to abide it but as Cain persecuted with intestine hatred so Christ in his martyrs and his angels in the Reformed Churches hath been and will be as refiners fire and fullers sope to the King of Locusts and his Locusts Doctrine he will purge his floor of the fulsome stuffe and the chaffe of the decitfull hypocrites Ibid. And verily as that whorish polity hath been As Israel in Egypt under Pharaoh so the cause of the Gospel seemed unrecoverable under the Egyptiacall Kingdome of the Man of Sin but the sayings of God are true he is Jehovah performer of promise as Israel felt for old Egypt Exod. 6.3 so we have felt for Rome-Egypt and as we have seen the loving kindnesse of God so shall others Rome-Egypt shall be more and more desolate Queâ—â— 9. and answ With his Locusts is the faise Pro phet The Pontificality is a Beast of Empire in its power and it with its Clergy is the false Prophet a Corporoation speech false Prophet that is the body of false Prophets Ibid. Cast alive as sodomites The common-weal of King Abaddon is called Sodome and his Catholick company and Church faith of her self she is a Queen Apoc. 18. yet she is but the Queen of Sodome and Babylon all the Kings and Princes that are of that polity let them fear the punishment of Sodome unlesse they repent and make their common-weals our Lords and his Christs Quest 10. and answ Without rest day and night God gave men over that loved not the truth to believe lies that they might be damned Terrour it is said without Rest and then what lies and witcherafts do they teach and believe of Masses Trentalls Requiems Dirges Libera me 's c. No rest to them that follow the Beast Ibid. To use no garments Their Cannons and prayers and apparrell are all bent to a blind drift and not fittest to have been used in our tongue the whole frame is out of order Mr. Bro. in Apoc. 94. and 156. Quest 11. and answ But sentence is not so passed c. We judge well of many of our forefathers that they are Saints in heaven for they made divers good Laws against Devilish Popery and were still complaining of Popish enormities and many in their last Wills would not bequeath any thing to maintain Popish Masses c. c. and in their judgement and affection were much against Popery and did come very far out of that polity yet through fear went under the name of Papists and the number of his name and durst not through the diligent tyranny of the Scorpion-Locusts openly confesse the truth as there are now such in Spain and Italy c. that hate Popery yet go under the name of the Beast and the God that multiplieth to pardon the God of all mercies no doubt did and doth passe by the weaknesse of his servants in those dayes and places of darknesse but that is no comfort to Papists that are in Reformed Churches for they in obstinacy still worship the Image of the Beast and have his mark both in hand and forehead Ibid. Come out of her my people They must not be of worldly glorious mysticall Babylons part that will condemn her but absolute free from her We must be as in a wildernesse as Israel from Egypt and as on an high mountain in the Spirit as John and Ezekiel afore Christ will shew us the glory of his own ordinances and the great Whore and her abominations and till we be ashamed of all the wickednesse that we have received from the man of sin we cannot so clearly see the form and fashion of heavenly things Ezek 43.10 11. Forty nine thousand were perswaded to leave old Babylon in hope of Christ his first coming so they that hope of comfort at Christ his second coming must come out of all mysticall Babylons polity R. R. B. Jewell and other Worthies of Christ in our State Def. Apol. chap. 22. Divis 1. But in departing from the Papacy Godly Teachers must not think of a new Constitution of Churches but of Reformation part off all additions from the holy Scriptures from offices in the Church and officers seals and censures and the open profane from seals and the Primitiye apostolick purity will appear if we otherwise do we shall not avoid the ungodlinesse of Anabaptistrie and other pratlers that do dischurch Churches and Members Ibid. O thrice blessed The Lord JESUS faith Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophâ—cie of the Apocalyps and keep those things which are written therein Apoc. 1. and 22.7 Again Blessed are they that do his commandements that they may have â—ight to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the City Apoc. 22. 14 Mark the phrase Blessed are they that do his commandements what is this a covenant of works is not this the same
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
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
nation kinred tongue and people of the Papacy shall submit to the Everlasting Gospel to fear God and to give him glory and to worship him that made the heaven and the earth and the fountains of water and upon this mysticall Babylon shall fall more and more by faithfull Angels one after another Apoc. 14. But this will not be of Kingdomès together all at once casting off â—baddons Kingdome but it will be successive one Country and Kingdome after another 2. Now the seventh Phiall is much like the seventh Trumpet one will explaine the other But this we are diligently to observe that in the fifth Trumpet it is mentioned that the Ayre is darkned as well as the Sun the Ayre is such a medium that by it we see the light of the Sun the blessed and holy Law of Christ his lively Oracles is the Ayre by which as the onely Instrument we see the Son of God This Ayre was darkned by the cursed smoke of Heresies from the pit of darknesse blaspheming the purity of the Hebrew and Greeke Testaments hindring by all possible meanes Translations into our owne Languages and forbidding the Study of the Scriptures urging their unsound Translations as authentick * Especial Gen. 3.15 corrupting most Satanically the holy Rolls not fearing an eternall Pillory obtruding also idle and erroneous and hereticall expositions wicked Decretalls golden Legens Apocrypha Books their Rosaries Missals Ladies Psalter transcendently blasphemous Heathenish customes c. c. By all which the Beasts marked knew What and Who King Abaddon was these declared him to them By these they saw and beleived him to be their God their most holy Father that he had power to forgive sin and had power to send them into Purgatory and to recall them c. c. There was a kind of invisible spirituall power that wâ—nt from him to all his marked How did they reverence him and submit themselves to him in his Cardinals Nuncioes Preists Jesuites even all his Seminaries and Locusts of every kind 3. Now the wrath of Christ in the seventh Phial is powred on all this smoke this pontifician Ayre all these were dispelled by the light from Christs Throne set up in the reformed Churches by the Angels that he sent holy spirits invisibly his Christan servants visibly They by learning Hebrew and Greek and teaching in the Scholes of the Prophets And by the helpe of the blessed Spirit of Christ the great Rabboni and Doctor of his Church did by sound and learned Translations and Orthodox expositions and by many excellent and worthy endeavours both by teaching and writing the Enemy being Judges and by the practise of noble Arts and Sciences especially Printing and by couragious Parliaments in the dayes of King Hen. the eighth and King Ed. the sixth and Queen El. and King James and King Charles and by Diets in Germany c. make such Voices Thundrings and Lightnings in the Popish Ayre Yea the Lord Jesus hath so ordered in his providence that some learned in the Popish Kingdome have been a means to overthrow iâ— as Aâ—ias Mont. that it did dispell the foggs and smoke that Apolluou and his Locusts had formerly raised and as the Angel Jehovah at the giving of the Law of his Gospell did by his voice with Thunder and Earth quake dispell the Idolatry of old Egypt from his Israel so now against Rome-Egypt he did thunder and send forth lightning by zealous Luther Tuelancton and diverse Martyrs in Germany c. and by painfull Tindall c. and by Martyrs in England Germaney France Scotland c. And after this by faithfull prophesying and Orthodox writings of many worthies of the Lord in England Scotland Geneva c. but yet something is still to be reformed for the be-smoked Ayre is not fully cleared amongst the best reformed in some points 4. In Abaddons Kingdome that shall yet be by the just providence of Christ a further terrible Earth-quake of his Government that it shall be greatly divided the Cities of the Nations shal more and more fal from it which will also be a cause of more wars and commotions and such fiercenesse of wrath shall come on the Papacy as there did on the Chanaanites by haile Jos 10. and such alteration of policy shall be in the King of Locusts Kingdome as if Islands and Mountaines were not found and such alteration and breaking as of the b Gen. 6. the Earth is corrupted and I will corrupt them saith Christ Jehovah old world corrupted and Chanaanites destroyed that the Isralites might dwell in their sted and the Kingdomes of the world shall become our Lords and his Christs and he shall reign for ever and ever 5 Then the twenty four Elders which sate before God on their-seats shall fall on their faces and worship God saying We give thee thanks O Lord God Almighty which art and wast and art to come because thou hast taken to thee thy great power hast reigned and the Nations were angry and thy wrath is come the time of the dead that they should be judged and that thou should give reward unto thy Servants the Prophets and to the Saints and them that feare thy name both small and great and shouldst corrupt them that corrupt the Earth And the Temple of God was * The apostate and wicked Kings of Judah shut the Temple so did both godly 2. Cor. 6.16 opened in Heaven and there were seen in his Temple the Arke of his Testament and there were Lightnings and Voices and Thundrings and an Earth-quake and great haile Apoc. 11. the Man of sin by burning and distroying the holy Temples of Christ Teachers and godly Congregations 1. Cor. 6.15 19. Ch. 3.16.17 6. Thus great Babylon shall heare the voice of the seventh Trumpet as Jerico did and feele the seventh Phial of Gods wrath in the Lords due season when Nations opprest by them shall learne skilfully to sing Hallelujâ—th and with understanding shall praise the Lord the Lord must for vaine is the helpe of man consume that bad King Abaddon of Kittim Italy in the end at his glorious appearing as those Beasts in Daniel by the first comming of Christ into the World were wholly consumed for whom God sate on a firy Throne so the Beast compounded of those foure shall not wholly perish untill the second coming of Christ for whom a white Throne of Justice is openly revailed by sentence thence the false Prophet Pope and the Beast of his Authority shall ay feele Gods wrath untill they be both â—ast with the Dragon into eternall fire Amen SECT IX Consider these things advisedly about the Phials 1. THe seven Phials doe distinguish the manner of Christs dispensation not the time as it is apparant 1. Because these Phials are not yet powred out in all the Kingdomes that gave their power to the Beast as not on Spaine c. 2. All these Phialls have been and are now in further execution in our Native
confer History to prophesie and that is one of the surest ways of understanding the Holy Scriptures if we â—â—n rightly attaine unto it 3. For now we are not to expect new Revelations to tell the Church which man is of the House of David and what of the Family of Nathan or which man is of the House of Levi and of the Family of Shimei But if we will understand Zach. 1â— of the Iewes calling yet to come we must expect new Revelations and some that have a propheticall Spirit to tell the Church which man is of which Family and Tribe But the truth is this distinction of Families must be as evidently manifested by their geneologies at the time of the Jewes calling by the preaching of the Gospell as it was to Zachariah when he prophesyed that the House of David and Family of Nathan and the House of Levi and the Family of Shimei should mourne that so the Saints then may be comforted in that prophesâ—y that it was fulfilled by themand to them 4. For unlesse they be genealogized how shall they know that the Prophet spake true for the consolation of their named particular Families And there will be further reason of this distinction they of Judah and Lâ—vi being the noblest Familes and so should be perspicuous and exemplary to all the Jewes for they are so spoken of that they should go before the rest in holy Worships Either the Iewes have now evident demonstration in their genealogies for these Families or else a Prophet must arise to shew them these Families but the former they deny they say that none knowes his Tribe much lesse of which cheif Family Then a Prophet must arise to shew them which is of David and which is of Levi that the particular promise to those Families may be applyed to them and then they in speciall only are to regard it 5. Againe it may be the Families of Nathan and Shimei may be ignorant or carelesse to performe that worship but if a Prophet declare to them which is of which Family and call upon them it might be a comfortable invitation to performe the worship fore told that the blessing promised might be made good to them Zac. 13.1 And as I conceive this distinction of Families must be as evident for the performance as it was in the dayes of the prophesie 6. Distinction was kept carefully in some Families all the time of the Seventy Sevens Pâ— Chr. 24. And the wisedome of God saw it was very needfull it should be so our Lords genealogie was undoubtedly known though much in private records and so Zacarias Iuc 1. of the course of Abia Levi the eighth course and Paul of Benjamin by Father and Mother and Barnabas a Lâ—vite But these distinctions of Families 〈◊〉 Tribes could not be so kept after the desolation of Jerusalem by the Romans who lcatâ—ed them into the soure winds of the Heaven for 1600. yeares together the wisdome of God therefore saw it was most needfull to confound all their Tribe genealogies and themselves now say that none knoweth certainly of which Family and of which Tribe any of them be and if any of them shall affirme otherwise yet by Apostolicall canons we must not believe them 7. And some moderne Doctors of theirs that follow their Fore-Fathers steps in denying the Lord Jesus Christ write thus Mr. Broi â—col 37. in the days of Messias the King when his Kingdome shall be setled and all Israel gathered unto him all they shall be genealogiced according to their Families Thus if we will not stick to propriety we must run to Jewish Fables and endlesse genealogies and look with them for new Revelations and so not cleave fully to the words and commandments of the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour 8. There is also a like necessity of genealogies if we refer Ezeâ— 37. to the Iewes calling yet to come that they might know which is of Judah and which is of Ephraim But what hath been above written must serve for this also SECT II. Also it is objected and much pleaded for from Zac. 14.10.11 c. that Ierusalem in Chanaan shall he restored that the Iewes shall have a Kingdome there and all Nations must flock to them c. 1. ANsw We dare not understand Zac. 14.10 c. literally for if an Angell from Heaven should preach that our posterity must keep a worship anniversary at Ierusalem namely there to keep the Feast of Tabernacles he must be held anathema for it is plain ludaisme and not a genuine interpretation of the Prophets meaning and contradicteth the most sure word that bath been given by any holy Angel to Daniel Chap. 9. That Seventy Sevens are exactly accounted for Ierusalem to be an holy City and that in the next generation following the ending of them the City and holy Place should have finall and utter desolations which hath been verified for these fifteen hundred yeares and more 2. This of Zac. 14. hath the same analogie of faith with Esai 6â— from month to month and from Sabbath to Sabbath shall all flesh come to worship before Iehovah at a Jerusalem and Mal. 1. expounds Daâ— 9. Esai 66. Zach. 14. From the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name and a pure offering for my name shall be great among the Heathen saith Jehâ—wah of Hosts And the Lords conference with the woman of Samaria is pertinent Job 4. And the Apostle Paul sheweth that after our Lord and blessed Mediaâ—our had given himselfe a Ransome for all and that Testimony in due time as Dan. 9. had fore-told then saith the Apostle it is the will of the Lord that men pray every where lifting up pure hands 1. Tim. 2. 3. Must the Teachers of England teach their Auditors that they must keep an anniversary worship namely the Feast of Tabernacles in Low-Iorusalem in Chanaan or else that such greivous judgements both privative and positive as are there threatned will come upon the Nation Zac. 14.17.18 Or must I teach these things to my Children and must my Children teach their Children so and theirs the after Generation as all are bound to doe if it be understood in a literall sence Ps 48. as some have intimated for Jerusalem in Chanaan but I dare not receive this Doctrine and therefore I say to mine take heed what you heare and I am assured that time will shew that such as expound otherwise about the Jewes calling have run into many absurdities CHAP. XXIV Gog and Magog in Ezek. 38. 39. must be taken properly but Gog and Magog in Apoc. 20. must be taken in a mystical sence SECT I. 1. THE consent of Moses and the Prophets and of the New Testament is wonderfull in places times and Families but few minde such studies and that makes many write and speake at randome drawing prophesies
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
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
wonder at the great respect and love that my Sovereign Lord doth manifest to me hi hand-maid that he should afford such his amiable society I doe perceiv your most ardent and indeared love to me above any of your honorable weomen your kind and fervent desire towards me though most unworthy hath fired my heart towards your sacred Majesty I am your Servant and at your Graces command and so ever will be to perform all loyall and dutifull observance I would I were able to expresse the fervency of my heart unto my Sovereign Lord and seeing it hath pleased the King so royally to manifest himselfe I hope I may present and importune my foâ—mer humble request unto my Lord my gracious Sovereign for the building of a Chappell for my maids and my Houshold Servants and Attendants it shall not be so much for my selfe as for them whom I humbly confesse are not worthy to come into the confines of Jerusalem your holy City 1 Chr. 8.11 much lesse into the Palaces of Zion the City of David your Father your love is so great unto me which if I should distrust I should most highly offend For I know you hate Atheisme and as it is an abomination unto you it greives my heart that I have no place of devotion to resort unto when all the Ladies of Israel may resort unto your Temple and I and my maids sit moping at home all amort as they worship their God so would I serve my God the God of my Father And shee gave the King a gentle stroke on the breast and said my noble consort my Sovereign my â—oyall Lord I know I have your heart I know you love me and what shall or can be wanting from a loving heart c. c. And the King being ravished with her love and with such words sweeter then honey softer then oyl and all subtle flatteries and after some discourse the King was captivated with her dalliance and snared with her devilish devices and her hands were as bands she perswaded him shee enticed him and forced him to yeild that shee had his license to build a Temple on Mount Olivet to Chemosh the Devil the idol the abomination of Moab Now the Queen and her Attendants followed their businesses with diligence they slacked no time Masons and Carpenters are sent for to hew Stone and to square and saw Timber and so an high place was builded on the Mount of coâ—ruption which did give a most vile affront to CHRISTS holy Templâ— for they could over-look all Jerusalem from Mount Olivet When King Salomon was thus caught by this Lady of Moab then all the other strange wives might thus prattle and they plyed their businesses diligently and used all their agents men and woemen as there ever are in Kings Courts too many time servers and hypocrites for such projects and negotiations And things went so ill in the State that not one of his thousand Wives and Concubines would disswade the King if halfe the World were a Church a Troop or squadron of a thousand of such creatures if suffered would overturn all these were so pampered with pride ease wantonnesse and fulnesse of bread that no holy Doctrine could take with them but rather the Jedidiah the precious servant of the Lord was taken and snared and corrupted by their pleasing and insinuating incantations Those thousand wretches could not spend so little each of them with their Maids and Attendants as seven hundred or eight hundred pounds per annum and some of them would consume more like the Locusts Apoc. 9. fruges consumere nati And the charges in Building thir Temples was great All these expenses might amount unto eight hundred thousand pounds per annum if not to a million an excessive charge which very likely the subjects stumbled at and after Salomons death craved ease of taxations of Rechoboam They would not take it ill to build stronge Cities and Chariot-Cities and Store-Cities c. that charge was for the profit of the Common-Weal But to be at such rates excises and taxations for the maintenance of such a number of base creatures the subject was not able to bear and craved release of such oppressions Common-Weals should have a diligent inspection that rates and taxations collected for the common profit be not imployed by men to private interests to make great purchases to maintain themselves wives and children and flattring Attendants in pride idlenesse and luxury Such coveteousnesse selfe-love and loving of pleasures more then lovâ—rs of God will breed perilous times and undoe all The Son of God to whom the Father hath committed all authority and power who is King in Sion and the onely Potentate King of Kings and Lord of Lords he knows how as we have seen to put fire into Subjects hearts to destroy oppressours Anâ— let Rulers and Governours consider all the Chariot-cities â—enced Cities and Store cities which Salomon had repaired fortified and furnished with all provisions and ammunitions in the ten Tribes and in part of Benjamin all this fell to Jeroboom in one day 1 King 9. Thiâ— was a punishment to the Kingdome for Salomons transgression in toleration of false Religions and bad opinions And observe also the story of Gideon He was a man of no great estimation and authority in the Tribe of Manasseh or among the thousands of Israel his was the meanest yet when the Son of God would advance him to do his work he made him Generall of Israels Common Weal and he by the Sword of Christ and his own Sword avenged the quarrell of Gods Covenant against the seed of the Serpent in many exploits upon which the people were so affected that they would have conferred on him and his posterity the Government of the State which he modestly and religiously denyed but his wicked opinion of will worship in making an Ephod to worship God by was the ruine of his house the cause of much trouble to the whole Common-Weal Jud. 6.15 8.27 ch 9. Wherefore let all States be admonished concerning toleration of wicked opinions in pretence of conscience especially of the papisticall opinions which draweth to the second death we must remember the whoredoms of the seven-Mountain City is a mistery and Christ hath said Mysticall Babylon shall fall and be cast as a mil-stone into the Sea and what State soever seeks by toleration to uphold it must sink with it undoubredly We have the providence of Christ fresh before our eyes how he hath resisted all cunning plots and wit of man to bring in Popery the toleration of Popery is a countermanding of Christs project for it is said the Kingdomes of the world shall be our Lord Gods and his Christs and he shall reign for ever Toleration of Popery doth uphold the King of Locusts Kingdome and the Lord JESUS saith he that gathereth not with me scattereth CHRIST saith come out of her my people and toleration hinders their coming The reverend Master Perkins
in his reformed Catholike declareth the impossibility of reconciliation and which was written of purpose against such intendments and many others have testified against such State-abominations Yea Christian reformed States and Common-Weals that have departed from Abaddons Kingdome should be well advised what treaties they make with the King of Locusts Subjects But by no means to yeild them while such aid of men or ammunition not to receive from them any help It is best that the reformed look to their own Common-Weals States and polities Let the holy stories of Asa and Jebosaphats Kingdome with Achabs House be our instruction as also the holy Scriptures that shew us the mis-carriage of a maziah King of Judoh 2 Châ—on 25. 18. 19. and 1 King 22. confer also Esai 30. c. c. Let all Princes and Common Weals take heed of idolatrous and wicked weomen there are wealthy politike and of high countenance Such have caused much greif and trouble to the Church of God and the Republick a common mische if in most places from Gen. 6. even to this day But godly gracious woemen that have in them the power of godlinesse to love the word of God in the holy Scriptures of the Prophers and Apostles and to love the holy publick assemblies of Christ Jesus and be sober discreet temperate mercifull meek humble chast and be keepers at home to train up their dear children in godly wayes and to have a speciall care that servants doe not corrupt their children they have been an occasion of much evill in children also to be carefull in overseeing and guiding the affairs of the house especially in the husbands absence c. Such are a Crown of glory to their husbands the Common-Weal Town and Family I will transcribe a speach out of Iosephus pertinent to this conference of Tirzana the Lady of Moab which will also manifest the wickednesse of these apostating and perilous times Iosephus Lib. 4. chap. 6. When Moses the faithfull servant of the Angel of the Covenant the Son of God was zealous against the Apostasie of Israel especially of the Tribe of Simeon for joyning themselves to Baal-Pebor and seperating themselves to that Shame then Zimri to make a mutiny most audaciously uttered this speach to Moses Moses saith Zimri use thine owne Laws whereunto by long use thou hast added strength and confirmation which hadst not thou done oft times ere this hadst thou suffred punishment and learnt to thine own misery that the Hebrews were not to be deluded for my selfe thou shalt never tie me to thy tyrannicall decrees for hitherto hast thou endeavoured nought else but under pretext of Law and Religion to bring us into servitude and subjection and thy selfe by thy subtle and sinister means to honor and soveraignty taking from us the pleasures and liberties of our lives things that belong to free men and such as appertaine or live not under any mans government For this should be worse then an Egyptian thraldome to punish every man by thy Laws according to thine own pleasure whereas thou thy selfe art more worthy to be punished in that thou disannullest that thing that is approved by all mens consent and desirest that thy decrees should be of more force then all the resolutions of all other mortal men whatsoever But I as touching that which I doe in that I suppose it to be wel done am not affraid to confesse in this Assembly namely That I have taken a stranger to wife thou hearest mine actions from mine own mouth as from a free and resolute man neither doe I desire that they should be hidden I likewise sacrifice to the Gods contrary to our custome because I suppose it to be both just and necessary that from many I seek the truth and not depending as it were upon a tyrany or living there under to build my faith upon one onely for no man shall please me that will have more interest in my actions then my selfe Dear and beloved Reader this expresseth the uncleane and vile spirit of Satan in these evill dayes CHAP. XXXII Breif considerations about Sheol Gehenna and especially about Hades as it relates to the Article of the Creed he descended into Hell BEloved Reader there hath been in some places not a little stir about the sufferings of our Lord which doubtlesse were marvellous great even greater then can well be expressed But yet unlesse a man will say as some say that he suffred the very Essentiall Torments of Hell they will account such little better then Heretiques The very first occasion of his assertion was as I conceive from the mis-understanding of the holy Article of the Creed commonly called the Apostles Creed which speaks thus in the originall Greek K 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine descendi ad infeâ—os in English he descendâ—d into Hell But this Latine and English Translation doe come much short of the large sence and meaning oâ— the originall Greek I meane the said Translations do not fully expresse the large elegant meaning of the Greek word Hades as it ought to be understood and therefore from this barren and bad Translation sundry erroneous Expositions have been broached by sundry Authors which hath filled most Churches with much trouble 1. The controversy between Doctor Bilson and Master Broughton was this Whither the holy soul of our Lord Christ went at his death hence to Hell or hence to Heaven Doctor Bilson after much sweat and labor for his journey to Hell at last concludes thus in his Sermons p. 219. we have no warrant in the word of God so to fasten Christs soul unto Hell for the time of his death but that it might be in paradise before it descended to Hell 2. On the other hand there are some learned men not all and some Churches not all that expound this Article of Christs suffering the essentiall Torments of Hell in his soul in the Garden and on the Crosse Now that we may attaine to a true understanding of the Article we may do well to consider the Termes Sheol Gehenna and Hades 1. The word Sheol is onely Hebrew and it hath severall exceptions of which see Ains in Gen. 37.35 in Ps 16.10 and in sundry other Authors also 2. As for the terme Gehenna t is a dialect from the Hebrew and 〈◊〉 signifies properly and only the place of Torment for in all the New Testament it is ever taken in that sence in Mat. 5. Maâ— 9. Luk. 12.5 c. 3. As for Hades It is very needfull that light may shine in our pathes to consider well in what sence it is used in the New Testament and in what sence it must be taken in the Creed It is noted by Mr. Bro and Mr. Robert Wilmos and by some others also that Hades hath these three principall significations 1. It signifies death to the person or destruction to things 2. It signifies the grave to the dead body 3. It signifies the world un-seen namely the world of
from heaven to comfort him and it is most evident that Christ was not forsaken for the holy Angel did not come from heaven to the Lord Jesus without a commission from the heavenly Father to whom the humanity prayed and therefore in the closure of his meritorious sufferings his heart rejoyced and his tongue was glad and being full of faith and comfort he said Father into thy hands I commend my spirit and then he sent out his Spirit from his Body 10. Again if some shall say the wrath of God as some understand wrath killed Christ We should be well advised what passeth the doore of our lips for Christ our holy Mediatour said I have power to lay down my life Jâ—â— 10.17.18 and have power to take it again This commission or commandement have I received from my Father also he said As the Father knoweth me so know I the Father and lay down my life for the sheep therefore doth my Father love me because I lay down my life that I may take it again Joh 15. As the Father hath loved me so have I loved you continue ye in my love If ye keep my commandements ye shall abide in my love even as I have kept my Fathers commandements and abide in his love John 16. Ye shall be scattered every man to his own and shall leave me alone and yet I am not alone because the Father is with me These Scriptures and others are prevalent to make one think and believe that he was not under the wrath and curse of God in any respect or consideration as some understand wrath not for one minute of an hour for surely the Son of God our Lord Jesus Christ was a most willing Mediatour and Redeemer for us to God our Father he gave himself a voluntary and free will offering to our heavenly Father for us and therefore no force did separate his soul from his body but he did that act by his own power as the formality of his Sacrifice 11. Many Ministers have some expressions about our Lords Sufferings which many godly and learned Divines have testified are not warrantable for what are we dust and ashes to speak of God and our Redeemer and Mediatour words not comely but we all should consider that aâ— Moses spake nothing of his own mind nor Christ in the flesh nor his Apostles from him but what he taught to Moses and the Prophets So we should all speak from his holy Scriptures sound Doctrines wholesome Doctrines plain and pregnant speech sound and uncondemnable 12. The assertion that our Lord suffered hell-torments in this life in his soul or body appeareth not true by any Scripture True modesty would look to Scripture phrases in handling our Redemption The ill translation of the Article and the bad interpretation of it but especially the mistaking of the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath filled the Church of Christ with much trouble and the smoke of the Pit which hath troubled many mens eyes hath also been a great occasion thereof but now the smoke is much vanished blessed be God 13. Beloved Reader we desire to reverence his word by whom the world was made his word is of sufficient authority with us and to that we through the strength of Christ will cleave as to our life therein is these words And the Bread that I will give is my flâ—sh namely that I will give in sacrifice for the life of the world Joh 6. And this is at large expounded Heb. 9 But Christ being come an high Priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle not made with hands I mean not of this building neither by the blood of goats nor calves but by his own blood he entered once into the holy place having obtained eternall redemption for us And it is also sald that without shedding blood is no remission and this is further amplified How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God And for this cause he is the Mediatour of the new Testament that by the means of death this is not the second death for the Redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which were called might receive the promise of the eternall inheritance Chap. 10. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering the body of IESUS Christ once for al He. 10. And so he doth most sweetly and confortably speak in verse 19. 20 21. and in deed all that Epistle doth open Ioh. 6. most heavenly 14 Againe if Orthodox Churches yea the most Orthodox are so infallible that our faith must be resolved in part into their commentaries expositions c. how cometh it to passe that some do differ in Church discipline from so many reformed Churches both from Geneva Zurick Scotland Low Countries c. that they neither scotize it with the Scot nor Genevate it with the zealous Towne of Geneva they fall it may be under reproof in not agreeing with but discording the judgement and practise of the best and reformed and Othodox Churches in discipline And they had need to shew very good reasons of their so dissenting or they are to blame or else some may say came the word of God out from them or came it unto them only yea and may not others say so too of the best Orthodox Churches came the word of God out from or came it unto them only that men must be judged by them But the Holy Ghost hath charged us in his cause be not the Servants of men 1. Cor. 7. 15. The Pontificians said that our fore Fathers had the word of God from them and therefore they did by Egyptian Bondage tye our Ancestors to their Doctrines and Councils and at last to the Pontifician chaire and caused all Christs Witnesses to mourne in Sack-cloah that would not obey their constitutions But the Lord our God hath delivered us from that house of cruell bondage of mysticall Egypt And Christ saith his Magistrates must not bring his people back againe to Egypt Deut. 17. 16. We are of Japhets posterity And it is said God perswade Japheth to dwell in the Tents of Sem. So that we must know Japheth our Father and his faithfull posterity had their faith from Sems Tents and not from the Tent of the seaven Mountaine City of King Abaddons Kingdome And this holy faith was taught to Japheths posterity by the Sons of Sem the Prophets and Apostles The Apostles and Disciples taught this faith from the Scriptures of the Prophets at the commandment of the everlasting God to the Romans Corinthians and Galatheans Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians and the other Churches of Asia round about from Ierusalem to Illiricum and also to Dalmatia Croatia and doubtlesse to Spaine Rom. 15. And also to great Brittany as ancient Histories and as Master Speeds chronicle declareth Therefore it
and maketh the shadows flee away and with commandement of shewing the Kingdome of heaven to all Nations c. c. Thus the SUNS labours have glorious stories through all ages till Christ shewed a new world and a new Ierusalem from heaven by the preaching of the holy disciples who went forth by the Lords Comandement and turned the familes of Noe from darknesse to light from the power of Satan to God that they might receive forgivenesse of sins and an inheritance among them which are sanctified by the faith which is in Christ Jesus From these various expressions of the holy Chronologic we may see the marks which the holy Spirit aims at in the ages and generations of the Bible These are the joints to which the holy Chronicle is fastened fit for Christians to know concerning the Son of God that was to come into the world to be a Second Adam That by these as a part of the holy revelation of the Spirit of God we might be made wise unto salvation through the faith which in is Christ Iesus For the Testimony of IESUS is the Spirit of Prophecy It would be wished that people were somewhat educated in that course of study of a book called the Consent of Scripture That study I suppose would more stablish us in sound principles of Christian Doctrine against light and vain errours and bad opinions then many books of saâ— greater volumes much more might be said the Lord blesse endeavours and make our hearts upright with him THE books of Chronicles reach from Adams to Babels captivity and to Cyrus first thence Daniel reacheth to our Lords death and the fall of Ierusalem thence the Apocalyps holdeth on to the fall of the world the confusion of this narration is a cursed piece of work Seven times Daniel speaketh of the Chaldeans seven times of the Medo-Persians seven times of Javan whole seven times of Iavan parted Daniel comforteth the holy Iews and no other Nation afflicted for Religion by the Kings of the East and before the incarnation shewing that as every one of his predictions shall fall out in their times and they of Antiochus in exact foretold number of dayes so the exact number of dayes should be most surely kept for our Redemption and the three years and half for our Lords preaching when he must begin even when he began to be thirty and at the first of those 30. open records of Kittim Italies power Numb 24. should shew that the image Dan. 2. was broken in pieces Now the Holy Ghost in the New Testament keepeth Daniel clear that the captivity to Babel began with his captivity that Saint Matthew sheweth that Iechonias was begotten a little before the captivity to Babel at the second captivity he was 18. years old So where the image is made chaffe and the tree cut but not at the root and the Beasts cast into the fire Iohn Baptist from matters past doth teach the Iews how they rejecting MESSIAS Christ shall be used the ax shall be put to the root of the tree and the chaffe shall be burnt in fire unquenched Upon stories past this standeth plain if Daniels stories had been yet to come the grace of the speech had been lost but Iohn speaking of punishments foretold and felt pierceth more the wise hearer that the Iews shall feel what he foretold So where after the four Beasts are consumed One like unto the SON of Man cometh into the world and again ascendeth our great God and Saviour naming himself the SON of Man and Rock Deut. 32. upon which the Iews stood in the boisterous sea whence the four beasts came forth teacheth us that those four Beasts were consumed speaking to the whole consent of the Jews So Saint Stephens pleading upon the Angel Gabriels words and having the Angels face sheweth that the whole Nation agreed in time from the return from captivity or beginning of the Seventy Sevens as they could not choose And whereas the acts of Antiochus the vile are much in Daniel chap. 7. and 8. and 12. and concluded in chap. 11. with mention of resurrection to glory for his afflicted the Macchabees company and of resurrection to shame for Gods enemies as the Iews in the third of Macchabees and in Josephus note well and as Chrysostome noted from them so Saint Paul before all noted the same speaking of tormented in Antiochus manner that they would not be delivered because they looked for the better resurrection Heb. 11. Moreover while the affliction of the Iews were in visions that described not their Nation plainly that they were the tendered of God and so they were without danger they were penned in Chaldee spread over the East out when the speeches plainly name the afflicters and the Iews the afflicted then they are written in Adams tongue lost but in Schools and not spoken in the world And this sheweth that the Iews are the onely afflicted in Daniel and that he hath not one syllable of the Romanes afflicting the Iews before the Birth of our Lord nor one word to bring them within his pictures But the Apocalyps plainly distinguisheth them from Daniels Kingdomes a Woman that is a State settled and a Beast coming out of the Sea made of all the four that are in Daniel Thus Daniel is a Bridge from the Chronicles to the Apocalyps and the breaker of this bridge cuteth off all passage from the old Testament to the new and worketh a Babylonian confusion missing in the Nations Countries or Times Daniel pictureth East Kingdomes onely he maketh stories agree to the proportion of a mans image head arms and breast belly and sides and two legs our notes would make but one leg and six times longer than the proportion of a mans body would suffer Daniel bringeth an Angel to comment upon his Visions applying them to stories which Greeks explain But none can apply our notes to fit stories CHAP. XLV An Advertisement to the Reader to take heed of embracing the evil tenents of two men especially that have lately put forth irreligious opinions about the Chronology of the Book of God namely Mr. Sarson and Mr. Parker they deny the certainty of Chronologie from the first promise to the death of Christ 1. AS for Mr. Sarson let him take heed he be not degenerated into a Sarrason by bringing upon the holy Bible a Leprosie of Chronologic that it should be of no greater authority than Machomer's Alcoran 2. Mr. Parker saith there is not truth nor certainty in the holy Angel Gabriels Seventy Sevens when they should begin or end his words in his book of the Visions and Prophesies of Daniel page 51 are these Mr. Broughton and his followers denying the truth of heathen Chronologie constitute the years without ground D.R. on the other side and that worthily allowing and maintaing the heathen Chronologie and finding no way how to accommodate those years untoiâ— affirmeth that no certain time is meant but an uncertain and undetermined duration in
argue to them the birth of some noble and famous light even that Star of Iacob that should * Num. 24 â—id wonderfully expounded in 2 Cor. 10 4.5 unwall all the sons of Seth that was now come into the world and whither shotld they direct their journey and steer their course but thither the star guided them and that was to Iudea It should seem by the good hand of God that Daniel * As the Apostâ—e Paul did in Caesars Court Phil. 1.13 and 4.22 celebrating the cause of Christ by the angels seventy sevens at the City Susan where was the Royall Palace of the Kings of Persia Let these godl Authors be consulted with about those things Mr. Rollock Du Plessis Beroald Mr. Bro. Mr. wolphius and many others there were some that did expect continually the compleating of the seventy Sevens of which this celebrious Comet appearing gave them an undoubted hint For we are not to doubt but the seventy Sevens was a glorious Prophesie to lighten all the East And the Evangelist Luke ch 3.1 2 3. doth shew that he bringing in the Emperours annals into the Churches stories and John Elias Ministery to settle the stories of the times do make a sweet concent of all these things But to make things yet more plain it is said Luke 19. That the Nation of the Jews did expect * This scripture was spoken but few daies before our Lords death and resurrection the Kingdome of heaven should immediately appear according to the Prophesies of Dan. 2. and 7. and 9. no Prophesy shewed the time as Daniel and all falls our fit'ly according to the worlds expectation especially the Church of God 1. Mr. P. objecteth in page 52. If the restauration of the city Dan. 9.25 is of the materiall Jerusalem after Nebuchadnezzars captivity it must begin the first of Cyrus from which time seventy weeks of years will fully expire long before the birth of Christ Answ It is most true the seventy Sevens do begin at Cyrus first year of the reign of his monarchy In this Mr. P. saith true but to say they end long before the birth of Christ is a most manifest untruth for it is said they end at his confirmation of the Testament for the Many by his sufferings and death in the last Seven He must be born the Son of man before he could suffer death to redeem the sons of men I will stir no more in this for it is too too bad and that which hath been said will I hope make this assertion to vanish I am perswaded all the godly Churches in christendome hold MES-SIAS Yea Papists vide Cornelius a Lapide he hath many excellent passages on Dan. 9. but yet none but what the learned and godly reformed have and had yea more compleatly before him in Gabriels message to be the Son of God our Redeemer Scotland Heydelberg Geneva so doth and our dear native countrey by divers learned Expositers and in our Bible notes I think above eighty years since it is said In this last week of the seventy shall Christ come and preach and suffer death And a little after speaking of Christ confirming the covenant the note saith by preaching of the Gospel he confirmed his promise first to the Jews and after to the Gentiles And that Christ by his death and resurrection caused sacrifice and oblation to cease Are not we to mourn and lament that our ministers should thus deal to take us off from holding to the Messias the Rock of salvation as it was taught to Daniel by the holy Angel from heaven The Angel spake matter of salvation plain and fortified by Scripture and it is fortified also by learned Expositions recoived in all Orthodox churches but by Mr. P. is added much impertinent and false matter I will briefly recapitulate some things and let the people of God study the holy Scriptures and judge 1. The angel continueth the holy chronicle to the death of Christ Vide Mr. Bro. Advertis pag. Mr. P. breaketh it off altogether concerning that 2. The Angel nameth the Redeemer of the world Messias Mr. P. doth utterly deny that and will have Zisca the Bohemian to be his Messias 3. The Angell saith Messias shall confirm the convenant for many that is for the elect of all Nations both Jews and Gentiles Mr. P. telleth us of a covenant that Antichrist shall make with his antichristians and their favourites page 62. and 63. 4. The Angel prescribed for our Lord his preaching three years and an half and that is the compasse of the Evangelist Marks Gospel and of the Evangelist Iohn as it hath been noted by old and later writers by four Paschata's that is by four Passeovers which he kept after his Baptisme to his last Supper which proveth that publick administration of his office to be three years and an half or the half seven See Dr. Lightfoots harmony All this Mr. P. disgraceth 5. The Angel taught how long Ierusalem should be an holy City for use of sacrifice and how long Israel onely should be Cods holy people and peculiar treasure namely from the time of Daniels prayer seventy Sevens were exactly accounted for his people and the holy City But Mr. P. taketh from the Church which God hath gathered from the Gentiles these meditations c. c 6. Some ancient principall Rabbines confesse that by Messias Christ the Redemer is meant Mr. Bro. on Dani. Christians that dare put forth books to deny this against the honour of Christian name should think that here they do not well and Christians should loath such Treatises even as the godly converted did their books at Ephesus and account them and make them anathema as the Prophesies of Achab and Zedekias Much more might be said of Mr. P. Expositions of Dan 9. and of all his book It is said by the great Rabâ—oni the Lord Christ We be to the world because of offences and Mr. P. must yea he will lay it to heart yea it is marvell that the godly Teachers of new England did not question him for it in some of their Synods they have not convented a Synod for a greater matter than the agitation which that Book called for and I hope some godly and more learned men will consider of that book especially about Dan. 9. and by the fire of sound judgement consume it as hay stubble and rotten wood and Gods day shall declare it that that work is worthy of no better an end 1 Col. 3. CHAP. XLIX A Conclusion of the point of Chronologie 1. IT hath been observed that the holy Spirit of endlesse wisdome and foresight hath perfectly made up the holy Chronologie of the old Testament and that the seventy Sevens doth that by ending the Chain of Jubilees and all the ceremonies in the death of Messias 2. The first coming of Christ was most needfull to be known for the assured comfort of Jew and Gentile Little did Mr. P. consider the
state of time that the holy spirit did testifie in the Prophets for the coming of Mesas and his sufferings and glory that should follow in his Resurrection ascension and sending gifts to convert the Nations 1 Pet. 1.11 by his death to confirm the promises made to the faithfull and to be the truth of all the types which were all sponsorious of a better hope but of the time of his second coming there was not that need to know For it is said But of the times and seasons brethren ye have no need that I write unto you for your selves know perfectly that the day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night 1 Thes 5. 3. Of the Chronologie of the New Testament the spirit of Christ hath not disposed an orderly processe of times neither historically nor prophetically from his death There is no time cast in the Apocalyps For God would not begin to accompt the times after the death of Christ but he must have gone through with it else it had been a fault in art but that he would not because of the end of the world he would conceal that no man nor angel knoweth it the Son in respect of his humanity is said not to know the time who yet giveth the Apocalyps to Iohn but nothing is unknown to his Godhead who is the first and the last The thousand years are spoken of for the loosing of Satan Apoc. 20. but the history is not cast by course of time the thousand years begin we may best suppose from the writing of the Apocalyps 4. But behold the wisdome of God To teach us in whom we have rest that most graciously ordered times most exactly till the death of Christ in a most pleasant Sabbatick * accompt tres-remarkable from JESUS the son of Nun to our IESUS that saveth us from our sins Thus he did that the whole Nation of the Jews should not misse but by willfull and despitefull swarving to receive him the true Messias Heb. 2. 1. 6. and 10. to leave all the ceremonies and to look to him the end and scope of all and this time was it often noted and needfull often to be noted wherein the Gentiles should begin to be brought to Sâ—ms Tents and thence to learn salvation 5. When all this was done there needed no times to teach us ceremonially of Christ to come for his government and offices are perpetuall and shall never be abolished as Levies Priesthood till he re deliver up the Mediatorian Kingdome to the Father and till that time we all should joyfully look in watching when the Bridecrome will come 6. The Gencalogie and Chronologie served to the promised Lands glory The non-continuance of genealogies after the apostles times shall be to-ched else to the people of Israels glory to the Tabernacles glory to Ierusalems glory to the Temples glory and to Salomons Kingdomes glory for the glory of all these ended when the Chronologie and Genealogie ended for all the time of the old Testament they had that heavenly and glorious use 2. Blessed be the name of the Lord God for ever and ever for wisdome and strength are his and he it is that hath altered times places and persons to the glory of the unchangeable Priesthood and never ending Kingdome of his dear Son our Lord Iesus Christ to whom be glory and praise everlasting Amen CHAP. L. Being a Caveat to beware of such Satanicall spirits that prattle about the expectation of new Apostles and new Revelations 1. AS is said for the Chronologie and Genealogie of the the old Testament that the infallible use of them did cease after the new Testament was written so we may say for the other holy Doctrine of Christ that we need not to regard the vanity of wretched men in expectation of new Apostles and new Revelations but studiously to cleave to what is left and ordained to us in the holy writings of the Prophets Evangelists and Apostles 2. As our Lord and Saviour said He that will not hear and believe Moses and the Prophets will neither hear nor believe if one should rise from the dead so truly we may say he that will not hear and believe the holy Evangelists and the holy Apostles writings who wrote of the doctrine life death and resurrection of Christ is as far from holy faith as ever any Sadducie was for Christ is risen from the dead and after his Resurrection gave commandement what his Apostles should preach unto the Nations and we see what it was they taught by the four Evangelists by the book of the Acts by their Epistles and by the Son of God in his Apocalyps 3. And that we might not be deceived by the ungodly 1 Cor. 4s to look for new Apostles mark what the apostle Paul saith plainly that himself and Earnabas and other Apostles then living were the last apostles 4. Wherefore the apostles seeing the Churches began to be troubled with false apostles and with grievous and gangrenating errours and herefies and foretold of worse and more perillous times that men would not endure sound and wholesome doctrine but having sore ears should after their own lusts get them an heap of Teachers and should turn their ears from the truth and should be given unto fables therefore they gave warning as is seen in all their writings and have thus charged us from Christ That we be mindfull of the words which were spoken before by the holy Prophets and of the commandement of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour 2 Pet. 3.2 and Iudas Thaddeus saith thus in his Epistle But beloved remember the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ And the Apostle John saith He that knoweth God heareth us he that is not of God beareth nos us hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of errour 1 John 4. 5. The faithfull obeyed this charge and commandement for many years after the apostles for the apostles had said what they had taught to the faithfull then living should be communicated to other faithfull for the instruction of others for above an 100 years after their dayes we have not writings of the Ancients they kept themselves to the holy Scriptures of the Prophets and apostles 6. And when the Ancients of the Primitive Churches began to write much about the second Century and after it is manifest they adhered to the holy Scriptures and commended them much to the people and some of the Ancients did so admire and advance the holy Scriptures that they adored the sufficiency of them for Doctrine of faith and manners 7. This is most clear for it is said the faithfull martyrs for 300 years suffered for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Apoc. 6.9 and so the two witnesses suffered under the Beast of the Pit King Abaddon For the keeping of the commandemâ—nts of God and the saith of JESVS Apoc. 14.12 sofar off they were
from expecting new apostles and new revelations but hearkened to the apostles directions Col. 2.18 19 c. 8. Doubtlesse divine revelation in the Prophets and Apostles writings is a mercy beyond comparison no tongue is able to expresse the goodnesse of God in this his grace to the Church so the Saints ever have thought Psal 103.7 and 147.2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. 9. And let us beware of Satanicall spirits that prattle about the expectation of new apostles Apoc. 22.18 19. and new revelations for else we shall fall into the curse of the Lord Iesus who wrote his Apocalyps to the Churches where his appostles had laid the foundation of the holy faith and all Churches then and now we are admonished to hearken to that which Christ the Lord spake to the Churches All the apostles as it is thought but Iohn were departed this life when the Apocalyps was written 10. And let such take heed of illuminations new light as they speak yea to take heed of lying wonders of visible lights and sights and strange audible voices Iannes and Iambres heardened Pharaohs heart by such Satanical delusions And under the new Testament Satan and his instruments do and will do so to deceive Men and women so bewitched are hardened in pride stubbornnesse and curiosity c. that the holy Scriptures are but of mean estimation with such and prayer and praising of God and the seals of the covenant and an able and faithfull ministery yea godly magistracy these inestimable mercies are of no repute with them and Family exercises are deserted of them as things of bondage but the godly soul ever hath and shall find that the cleaving to the Prophets and apostles writings will be a most sure foundation for truth of Doctrine and for a godly righteous and temperate life and of joyfull hope when our eyes are closed in the dust 11. Without question those that expect new apostles and new revelations Satan hath new Revelations for even our first Parents because they stuck not fast to the revelation of Gods will but hearkned to new revelations from that counterfeit angel of light Satan they were deceived and still Satan doth labour to bewitch mens minds with corrupt and bad opinions and with vile courses of life 2 Tim. 3. I. 109. being not content with the Scriptures of the Prophets and apostles which are not scaled but made known to us by Messias coming who hath in them told us all things needfull to be known Therefore it is said concerning this very thing He that is unjust let him he unjust still and be that is filthy let him be filthy still and he that is righteous let him be righteous still and he that is holy let him be holy still 12. I will conclude this to the godly Reader with that of the apostle Peter Ye therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastnesse but grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ to him be glory both now and ever Amen CHAP. LI. The Exposition of the times mentioned in in the Apocalyps 1. THere is mention made in chap. 11. of 42. moneths and 1260. dayes those shew the rage and cruel persecution of the Beast of the Pit against the two witnesses 2. In chap. 12. There it is told 1260 dayes and of a time times and half a time which are spoken of the Dragons cruelty in the Caesars 3. In chap. 13. There is also mention made of 41 moneths which is to be understood both of the Tyranny of the Caesars the sixth head that was wounded to death and of the Tyranny of the Beast like a Lamb that healed the wounded head of the Government of the Empire 4. By these times so variously expressed in divers chapters Beroald and M. Broughton ancient and later Expositours shew that by them is meant the quality of State not length of years namely that the Church should be afflicted with the afflictions of Christ who was persecuted three years and half by the seed of the old Serpent 5. The like analogie is from Isa 49. and 61. Luk. 4. and 2 Cor. 6. As by the acceptable year of the Lord is meant the Iubilee year in which Messias Christ our Lord was given for a covenant and laid down his life for our justification redemption and ending all Moses ceremonies But now all time of the Gospel to the end of the world is the accepted time and the day of salvation and the acceptable year of the Lord. The like force is in 1 Cor. 5. That all in the Church must keep the feast of Christ our Passeover who was sacrificed for us with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth to the end of all Ordinances that is till the Son of man come to deliver up the Mediatorian Kingdome 1 Cor. 11.26 The time of Tyranny under the Caesars was three hundred years yet by Metonomia meaning the argument of persecution from our Lords time it is called three years and half the matter sheweth twice in chap. 11. and twice in chap. 12. and once in chap. 13. that proper time cannot be meant and the same is to be understood of the persecution of the Beast of the Pit They who think to get any certainty from these numbers deceive themselves and their Readers The allusion is most heavenly calling Christ still unto mind Our Lord preached 42 moneths or 3 years and an half or dayes 1260 or a time two times and an half so that these numbers in the Apocalyps mean no certain time but the manners from a like time is meant The persecuting Pharisees and Sadduces were revived and continued by the Caesars and Popes The Caesars Persecution as is noted lasted 300 years and the persecution of the false Lamb lasteth yet and will till the Lord cast him and his deceived into the Lake of fire and brimstone 7. The seven Seals the seven Trumpets and the seven phials are not distinguished in time in the Apocalyps none of these are or properly can be referred to any exact time 8. I will add a little more in briefe of the times of the New Testament which will give some light to all that may read the Histories of the Church Mr. Patrick Symson of the History of the Church will much help the Reader The ten Persecutions lasted three hundred yeares by the Infidell Roman Emperours the sixth head of the Roman Beast from Nero to Constantine that time was an age of violence Thence to Phocas who murthered his Master the Emperour Manritius who confirmed the Papacy to Boniface the Third about the year six hundred and six and then Mahomet rose about that time or somewhat after This time of three hundred yeares was an age of fraudulence by Hereticks Arius Pelagius Donatus Marcion Nestorius c. they were confronted by Fathers Athanasius Hillary Basil Nazianzen Clâ—ysostome Augustine
c. The times following were also times of violence and fraud in Pope and Turk Popish superstition still increasing exceedingly till by the two Witnesses it was resisted by Waldenses Wickliff Hus Jerom of Prague and Luther c. and Mahometisme greatly prevailed to the removing of the Candlesticks of the Churches of Asia as it was threatned against them Apoc. 2. 3. and evills in the Churches of the East prevailed by the strength deceit and falschood of the Papacy till that the Turk possessed Constantines Empire and City The Kingdome of Christ our Lord and Saviour under the new Testament was first impugned in the time of the Caesars and in the growing on of the mystery of iniquity Then this Propheticall Office and at last his Priestly Office was striven against which was almost desperately corrupted in the height of the mystery of iniquity in the tenth Century This last was first contested against by Waldenses Wickliffe and Luther c. Then his Propheticall Office was upheld by the faithfull in cleaving to the Divine Oracles of the holy Scriptures and at this day this is the greatest contestation And his Kingly Office hath been but in few places executed for Christian States do not consider as they should the benefits thereof that will redound unto them by true Ecclesiasticall Discipline and much opposition there hath been and is about it But as Christian Governours and Teachers have embraced the two former they will also the other rejoycing to defend onâ—ly Christs Ordinances and hate to maintain any thing of the Beasts marks that they may make good that Scripture of the Apostle of us Gentiles 1 Tim 6.13 I give thee charge in the sight of God who quickneth all things and before Christ Jesus who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good profession 14. That thou keep this Commandement without spot unrebukable untill the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ 15. which in his times he shall shew who is the blessed and only POTENTATE the King of Kings and Lord of Lords 16. Who onely hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see to whom be honor and power everlasting Amen CHAP. LII Of the Attributes or Titles of God Essentially considered AELohim Almighties or Almighty Powers but in Greek the Apostles do alwaies render it singularly Theos God Aelohah Omnipotent or Almighty Job 12.4 Ael Puissant or mighty Gen. 14 18. Jehovah Being of himself and giving being to all things Elion The most High Elionin A Plurall Shaddai Almighty or All-sufficient Gen. 17.1 Adonai My Staies my Pillars Gen. 15.2 Job 28.28 Ehieth I am or I will be Ex. 3.14 Jah In notation much like Jehovah Yzur The Rock the seventy translate it Theos and sometimes Ctistes Goel Redeemer Ghosai Plurall sig my Makers Job 35.10 Abba Father The Power Matth. 26.64 The Feare Gen. 31.57 Psal 76.12 Name Theos God Curios Lord. Creator Master Mal. 1.6 Eph. 6. Eternall God Gen. 21.33 Sabbaoth When he warreth against the wicked he is called Jehovah Sabbaoth the Lord of Hosts or when he performeth great intendments for his Church From these Attributes sundry Vses may be gathered 1. From the Attribute or Title Aeloim 1. Aelohim is a form plurall to teach the mystery of the Trinity which is most necessary to be well marked or else that form were dangerous I say it were dangerous if necessity did not require us to be thereby taught the knowledge of the Divine persons 2. But sometimes it is joyned with a word singular as in Gen. 1.1 Aelohim He created because there is but one Godhead but the plurall form of speaking when it is joyned with a word singular doth necessarily call upon us to know the mystery of the Trinity in the unity of the Godhead 3. This plurall Attribute Aelohim though it be commonly joyned with a word singular for the reason aforesaid yet it is sometimes also joyned with a word plurall as Aelohim He went 1 Chron. 17.21 and so Aelohim They went 2 Sam. 7.23 and so in Jos 24.23 He is holy Gods and in Jer. 10 10. He is living Gods but in Gen. 20.13 it is also joyned with a word plurall They Gods caused me to wonder and in Gen. 35.7 They Gods were revealed to him The Wisdome of God thought these Expressions to be necessary for our instruction in the mystery of the Trinity and in the Unity of the Godhead or else it had been dangerous for Idolatry so to declare himselfe to us 2. Hence we may learn that though sometimes words of the plurall Number be joyned with the plurall Attribute Aelohim yet God did no way intend thereby to teach to worship a plurality of Gods as the ignorant and negligent in the Scriptures are ready to understand it because he hath taken good order to cleer it from that errtour by other Scriptures especially to such as are diligent in the study of the blessed Scriptures he hath cleered his Attribute Aelohim from being taken for many Gods because he hath often put this Attribute into the form singular as by Eloah in Job 12.4 and sometimes by a shorter form El The Mighty in Gen. 14.18 And secondly by joyning it often to a word singular and thirdly by limiting this plurall Attribute Aelohim onely to three persons or Existences in the unity of the Godhead as in Psal 33. 6. By the word of Jehovah the Heavens were made and all the Hosts of them by the spirit of his mouth And saith Ains in Gen. 1.1 The ancient Hebrew Doctors have left Records of this mystery Though at this day that Nation doth not understand it Come and see saith Rab. Ben Iochai The mystery of the word Aelohim There are three degrees and every degree by it selfe alone that is distinct And yet notwithstanding saith he They are all One and are not divided one from another And saith Ains in Numb 15.25 Rabbi Menâ—â—hem on these two Phrases Vnto the Lord and Before the Lord saith from their former ancient Rabbins This it meant of him and his Judgment Hale and no Judgment Hale had lesse then three by which it appeareth that the mystery of the Trinity in the Godhead was formerly believed by the Jewes though now they do oppose the same And the Lord Duplessie in his Truenesse of Religion page 74.75.76.78 doth prove that the ancient Hebrew Doctors held the Trinity But blessed be God our New Testament doth tell us most cleerly 1. That the Father is the Creator Eph. 3.9 2. That the Son is the Creator Eph. 1.8.10 Col. 1 16. 3. That the holy Spirit is the Creator Gen. 1.2 Psal 33.6 Psal 104. 30. And hence it is that Salomon would have young men to make it their care to Remember their Creator in the daies of their health Eccles 12.1 4. Hence we may learn that God is Almighty for the protection of those that feare him and that trust in his gracious promises and he is Almighty to ruinate his Churches
Popes rising to his Antichristian Hierarchy is first described compare with the seven Phials in chapter 16. under which the Antichristian Hierarchy doth fall is consumed by degrees p 261 Vnlearned Schollers that affected Superiority in the severall Centuries after Constantines time turned all to ambition and heresie and polititians to prophanesse p 262 There shall be persecution from the seed of the Serpent in one place or other as long as the Church remaineth in this world notwithstanding all that is alledged for Christs glorious personal reign here on earth p 266 None of the Phials is poured on the Turks Tyranicall Kingdome p 267 Chap. 19. The dead bones in Ezek 47. must not be understood of the Jewes câ—ling after our Times But onely of their return from Babel p 2â—7 The calling of the Jewes yet to come shall be in all places of their dispersion â—269 The Jewes do hope for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and do pray daily for their return to Canaan and many Christians do Judaize with them in teaching their return thither and to be a glorious Church there again p 269 Chap. 20. Of the two sticks in Ezek. 37. in confutation of them that say It is not yet fulfilled that Ephraim was joyâ—ed to Judah in the return from Babylon p 271 178 Also some observations on Zach. 2. Zach 8. Zach 9 10 11. chapters p 271 Chap 21. Of the Jewes calling that Zach 12 13 14. chapters cannot be applied to the Jewes calling yet to come as many Ministers dâ— too unadvisedly teach p 284 Chap 22. Expounding Zach 12.10 11 12 13 14. verses The subservient Typicall Covenants of works after some time was made such an Idol of Justification by the Jewes that it made them despise Messias the King and his justification p 288 Chap 23. Expounding Zach 12.19 11 12 13 14. with Zach 14.10.11 c. p 291 Chap 24. Gog and Magog in Ezek 38. Ezek 29. must be taken properly but God and Magog in Apoc. 20. must be taken in a mysticall sense p 294 179 Corporation-speeches must be marked for the right accommodation of the true sense of the blessed Scriptures p 298 Chap. 25. Some Observations on Jeremiâ—h 30 31 32 33 chapters p 299 Chap. 26. That the Covenant of grace made with Israel in Dan. 29. is the same that God made with Israel in Exod 20 and the one is no more a Covenant of works than the other p 301 Chap. 27. Short Collections out of Genesis Job and some part of Exodus shewing that the Gospel was taught among the faithfull before Moses wrote the same 304 alias misprinted 296 The Sabbath was a sign of Sanctification to them by the death of Christ p 304 alias 297 296 In Moses and the Prophets holy Convocations are called the presence of God p 298 alias 305 p 36 Chap. 28. Of Divine Tradition p 302 From the Creation till Israels coming from Egypt or from the promise of Christ in Gen. 3.15 till the Passeover in Egypt is 2513 years in which space of time the Church had not the written word but was taught by Tradition Chap. 29. Being an answer to them that say that the polity of Christ given to Moses was not a Covenant of grace p 306 Chap. 30. Shewing that Israel under Moses Law were under a covenant of grace p 313 Finis operis intends all that live under the visible Church as once all the world had a being under the Church in Adams dayes and under Sem none are excluded from being under the Covenant of grace to outward apprehension though finis operantis is for the elect as Moses speech shews in Deuth 29.29 p. 314 Divers brief Arguments to prove the Jews under Moses Law were under a covenant of grace p. 315 Chap. 31. A Prosopopeia of Solomons fall by granting liberty of conscience to his idolatrous Wives p. 316 Chap. 32. Brief Considerations about Sheol Gehenna and especially about Hades as it relates to the Article of the Creed he descended into hell p 328 Chap. 33. Of the phrase of Abrahams Bosome p 335 Faithful Factors need not fear to be called home from forreign parts so when the good servants were called to give an account for their trading by the Talents they feared not p 336 Comforts to the godly against the fear of death p 336 337 Chap. 34. Some propositions and expostulations concerning the true nature of Christs sufferings p 338 Job doth tell us that it is not good to defend Gods cause with an Error pretending Religion p 339 The second Adam had power over his affections more then ever the first Adam had in his Innocency for he had power to trouble himself with grief and sorrow which Adam in innocency had not p 340 Christ in his sufferings was not under Gods vindicative wrath for one minute of an hour p 840 341 The assertion That our Lord suffered Hell torments in this life in his soul or in his body appeareth not true by any Scripture p 341 In Heb 9 14 15. Christ offered himself by his eternall Spirit c. That by means of death for Redemption c. This death cannot be expounded of the second death because it is compared with the bodily death of such as do thereby confirm their Testaments p 341 A just reproof of them that affirm That Christ in his sufferings did combate hand to hand with his angry Father p 343 Chap 35. Observations upon that distinction which some make between a locall and a poenall Hell which Poenall Hell some say Christ suffered p. 345 Some say Christ suffered a poenall Hell out of a locall Hell they say Locall Hell is but a circumstance they may as well say That the glorious place of heaven is but a circumstance and so in this sense all created things in respect of God are but circumstances p 345 Our old English Saxon word Hell doth not answer to Hades but to Gehenna Hell which our Ecclesiasticks must cleer p 346 Christ underwent a poenall Hades in this world but not a poenall Gehenna p 346 Chap 36. Observations on the second death which some say Christ suffered p 347 When Christ was in his sad Agony in the Garden there was an Angel from heaven to strengthen him which doth evidence that he was not then under the second death for if he had then it had been impossible for an Angel or for all the Angels in heaven to strengthen him p 348 If Christ had suffered the second death which is indeed the Effect of the Essentiall wrath of God he could not have said My God my my God why dost thou leave me And Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit c. p 348 When did our Lord suffer the second death was it before his bodily death We know by divine Revelation that the second death is after the first or else if we by our wit and learning will affirm the contrary we shall destroy Gods order p 348 The Doctrine