Mr. Henden seems to reprove Mr. Elmestone in his 33. pag. for calling Babylon by way of argument Zion and yet in his 29. pag. he calls Mount-Zion Babylon himself so that I may take up St. Pauls words Rom. 2.22 which saith Thou that abhorrest Idols dost thou commit sacriledge but I pass to the conclusion which is saith Mr. Henden If the Romish and Antichristian defection be not decyphered by these figures but the Jews only then it is altogether omitted in this book then must all from thence to the end of the Revelations be peculiar to the Jews Answ These figures do not decypher the defection of the Romish Babylon and yet both her defection and judgment was shewn unto John as in Revel 17. chap. 18. and also somewhat shewn as a consequence of it chap. 1.5 chap. 6. but these things would be too large to speak to in particular at present considering my time is short I may have time to open these things more at large hereafter but at present I say in a few words that both the vision of Daniel and also of the Revelations speaks more properly of the change of the Monarchical Governours and Governments of the World than the defection of a Church to wit the Church of Rome for the fourth kingdome upon earth which was the Roman kingdome was begun before the vision was shewn unto John yea before Christ suffered for he suffered under the Roman power and therefore he speaks not much of that and the defection of a Church or false worshippers and the people of God suffering under them is no strange thing and therefore not so observeable when we consider how frequent apostates and false worshippers are in this world and for a Church to change its government into states pollicy is no great thing to be noted in Scripture but the alteration of Monarchical Government and Governors is of great note in the Prophesie of Daniel and also in the book of the Revelations because they are the things that shew forth the government of the great King Jesus upon Earth whose Kingdome shall break in pieces all other Kingdomes when their Kingdom cometh into the hands of the eight who also is of the seventh the which I have shewn how it is although in differing phrases before the which time and things approacheth very near for we doutless live in the latter end of the fourth Kingdom viz. the Roman Kingdome in the time of the feet and toes which was partly Iron and partly Clay which holds not together in its mixture which is the Cause of the great stir and strivings in our Nations and other places in the World at this day Dan. 2.31 32. to the 45. But I leave this and the reasons cited by Mr. Henden to prove that the Sealed number were Gentiles and leave the serious Reader to peruse Revel 7.4 5 6 7 8. which will better inform them who the Sealed number is and thus I pass to the next thing considerable which is The best of Saints saith Mr. Henden are not yet come to that height of righteousness requirable in a Gospel order in point of love and mutual fellowship page 70. Answ I had thought that you had said before in page 2. that their spiritual union and charity and all moral Precepts did remain according to their primitive institution and were not corrupted by the Beast in all the times of apostacy and now to say that the sealed elect number had lost their righteousness in point of love mutual fellowship is to say that the sealed elect number that were not hurt as you say were so hurt as they had not only their outward order corrupted but were also so corrupted within that the notable and theological grace of love and mutual fellowship was so defaced as they not fit to meddle with outward Ordinances and if they were not fit to meddle with them how were they fit to meddle as I may say with God in that Ordinance of Prayer and Praying and how could such eat the Lords Supper which signifieth mutual love and fellowship the which Ordinance you say was practicable and to be practised in all the times of apostacy and would not their defection in that point as well disable them from being an elect number as well as from outward Ordinances when we consider all other graces without that grace of love is nothing when they had lost that grace of love or so defaced in it as not fit for the out-side of things I mean the outward Ordinances which you speak of how then could they be fit for God and spiritual worship I know not mend it when you write again and when you have done all that you can do to it there will appear in my judgment more confusion contradiction in it than good reason but I leave it at present and shall speak somewhat to your sixth Reason against constituting as you call it of Churches in our times which is A further reason of the unwarrantableness of Church constitutions in our times is the divisions rents amongst the godly page 72. Answ The divisions amongst the godly is acknowledged not to be their strength but weakness not their vertue but rather their vice yet notwithstanding it may be and is a time now for the gathering of Saints and constituting them into congregations in the order of the Gospel for so we understand the word Church to be a congregation for there was divisions in the primitive time amongst the Churches and also amongst the Apostles so as that St. Paul and Barnabas rent or divided one from another and also there was great contentions amongst the Corinthians and the Philipians and others Acts 15.39 1 Cor. 1. 1. Phil. 1.16 which was not their vertue as before said and there are a people in our dayes even in our Nation I may say and speak safely consisting of thousands that are one in the faith fellowship and order of the Gospel many more are coming onwards according to their several abilities in the knowledge of God although there be some that are weak amongst professors yet that may not hinder those that are strong and able to work in their building of a house for the Lord but I pass these things and come to the next and last Objection which is to prove a seperation without Church stating cited by Mr. Henden which is saith he This return from mystical Babylon is not fully accomplished at one time but is traced by distinct steps and degrees Answ You would have done well to have shewn the steps that is to say how many there be and what time they require to be trod that we may know when we be at the journeyes end surely its a long journey for you have been almost ten years already in your journey for now it s almost 1660. and the fullfiling of the time of the captivity ended as you say in the year 1650. was Israel so long coming out of
man preach any other Gospel unto you than that ye have received let him be accursed From which words we plainly see it is of a very dangerous consequence for any man to bring any other Gospel save the very same which was preached by Saint Paul and the Apostles and that Gospel was a Gospel containing all the Laws Statutes and Ordinances of King Jesus as hath been already proved therefore let every man take heed of perverting the Gospel either by adding or detracting or wresting any part thereof to their vain corrupt ends and so I pass to the ninth ground or reason of the point saying If it should be objected that this text speaks of some that would have brought the believers back again to be justified by the law I answer breefly and say that let it be what particular it will this we learn in general that the very same Gospel with the very same Laws Statutes and Ordinances which Saint Paul and the rest of the Apostles preached and practised is the very same that we must preach and practise or else be accursed Reas 9. It further appears that all Christ Laws Statutes and Ordinances are perpetuated and to remain because when Christ left the world he put his house in order and appointed to every man his work Mark 13.34 and blessed is that servant that when his Lord comes he finds so doing as he left him in chrage and thus Christ goeth before leading his people an example and they follow his steps and at last receive that blessed sentence These are virgins these are they that followed the Lamb whithersoever he goeth here are they that keep the commandements of God and the faith of Jesus right blessed are such dead that dye in the Lord for they rest from their labour and their works follow them And again they only are Christs friends that do whatsoever he commandeth such shall never be put to shame that have a respect to all his commands and again blessed and thrice happy are they that do all his commandements they shall have right to the tree of life and enter in thorow the gates into the City Amen Reas 10. and lastly because I am called upon to hasten and must be very breif I lay down this as a ground and reason to prove that all the Laws Statutes and Ordinances of Christ given forth in his last will and Testament is practicable and to be practised by the Lords People because as it is proved that they are commanded by Christ and confirmed given out as Laws Statutes to all men even every creature to the end of the world even so they all stand firm and undeniable without disanulling or adding thereunto unless the Lord Jesus have repealed or disanulled any one of them for Devils or men cannot disanul or repeal any one nay not the very least of them for he that gave them and commanded them to be observed is greater than all hath all power both in heaven earth given unto him therefore no men nor devils can disanul or add unto them the least jot or little Mat. 21.18 19. Rev. 22.18 John 17.2 Acts 3.22 23. This tenth reason why all Christs Ordinances are to continue practicabe and to be practised by the Lords people is because as devils and men cannot cancel or disanul any one of them neither hath Christ either cancelled his will or disanulled any of his Laws Statutes or Ordinances therefore they are perpetuated and to remain practicable and to be practised by the Lords people in all ages according to their several abilities untill the second and glorious coming of Jesus Christ and thus being in much hast I leave these few grounds and reasons to prove the continuance of all Christs Ordinances practicable and to be practised by the Lords People in all ages according to their several abilities and in the next place I come to the examination of the grounds and reasons which are cited by Mr. Henden to prove That some of Christs Laws and Statutes were to cease and are ceased and shall leave the serious reader to judge when I have impartially offered them to thy view without any lessening the strength of any one of them for although I am neccessitated to gather up the strength of his reason in as few words as may be yet I will not willingly miss any one thing that is material or hath weight in it cited by him to prove the cessation of Christs Ordinances and withal shall endeavour as much plainness of speech as that the weakest capacity of them that are Godly may understand it when they read it that I may not be as a Barbarion unto them the which I find to be the way most profitable unto Edification And first I shall begin with the first thing considerable which is that which he calls or lays down as a sure Maxim page 2. which is saith he Every thing hath its beginning and continuance from the word of God now whatsoever in Gospel times is fore declared and promised in Scripture for abiding did not fall but was upheld by the power of the Word thorow all the times of Apostacy as the Ordinance of Ministry Prayer Praises Baptisme and the Communion 1 Thes 5.16 17 18. Rev. 9.13 Chap. 11.1 Heb. 13.15 Isa 55.13 Chap. 65.5 Mat. 28.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.26 and also a sealed elect number with the spiritual union Rev. 7.4 5 6 7 8. Chap. 9.4 Chap. 11.1 Chap. 14.1 Likewise the being and profession of faith duties of charity with all morall precepts 1 Cor. 13.13 Mat. 16.18 Rev. 11.3 Mat. 5.17.18 Heb. 13.1 with whatsoever else is promised to continue but that which is not so perpetuated in the Word as Confirmation Ordination Church censures with the primitive order or Church stating was corrupted and turned to confusion by the great Antichrist it wanting the same word and promise to uphold its abiding For proof whereof viz. The cessation of these last mentioned Ordinances we will begin with Isa 56.5 Even unto them viz the Eunuch will I give in my house and within my walles a place and a name better then of that of sons and of daughters I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off It was a prophesie of the primitive Gospel Church the ingrafting the Gentiles there into as appears verse 2. by the salvation coming and the righteousness the Gospel Ministry then revealed also the stranger then joyning to God and the Eunuch the dry tree before then taking hold of the Covenant must allude to the Gentiles who in time past was dead and the place within the walles being interpreted from the Hebrew word J A D which signifieth Hand alluding to Church power now Why should not the place be said to be everlasting as well as the name especially being before both joyned together if the spirit had not seen the fail and interruption of the change thereof Answ In order to the clear answer of these things
it And thus I pass the sour Winds at present and come to speak somewhat briefly to the Angels which is saith Mr. Henden The Angels spoken of Revel 7.1 we conceive saith he to be evil Spirits working by their principal Ministers the four capital Patryarchs of the Christian World to wit the Bishop of Alexandria c. Answ Methinks it 's very strange Doctrine to be published or to be believed namely to say that evil Spirits should have power to hold the good Spirits and so the good Spirit or the Spirit of God to become as it were subordinate to the evil that God should put his Spirit into the hands of the Devil I have read in Acts 7.51 1 Thes 5.19 that wicked MEN may resist the counsel of God or Spirit of God against themselves and quench the workings of the Spirit of grace within themselves whereby they should be Sealed unto the day of Redemption But I never yet read that the Devil or wicked men could hinder the working of Gods Spirit in or amongst his Church and to think that God would give his good Spirit to be holden by and among wicked Spirits is very vain and rediculous for what concord hath Christ with Belial or what fellowship hath light with darkness or God with the Devil But peradventure some will say we cannot indeed readily believe that ever God gave his Spirit into the custody of evil Spirits to hold Therefore what Angels do you think they were and what were the Winds Answ The Angels I understand to be the Angels of the Lord who are Ministring Spirits sometimes to administer blessings but now sent forth by God to execute his Judgments upon the great Antichrist after the Man-child was caught up to God to his Throne for it followeth in the nick of time even when the Heaven is rowled together like a serouse Revel 6.14 15 16. to the great amazement that will be at the sign of the Son of man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory and at that time woe be to the inhabitants of the earth and sea Revel 12.12 because of the Devils being come down and then shall go forth the seven Angels to pour out their Vials upon the earth and at that time also shall the four Angels that held the four Winds execute their office at which time there shall fall grievous and noysome sores upon those that have received the mark of the Beast Revel 16.1 2 3. That both Sea and Land shall be infected and the Sun scorching with heat every green tree and the Sons of men also and by reason of the Winds being with-held the earth Sea and Rivers and Fountains of water together with the Sons of men shall be so scolded with the heat of the Sun that they shall be grievously perplexed and shall blaspheme the name of God because of the plagues Revel 16.9 and the execution of these things will be in the time of the Prophesie of the two witnesses Revel 11.6 compared with Zech. 5.1 2 3. with Revel 10.2 vers 10. chap. 11.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. the which if the Lord will I shall speak to more at large anon when I come to discover what the outward Court and holy City is and of its being trod under foot and who the woman is which travaileth and what the Man-child is and of his being taken up to God and to his Throne of the flight of the woman into the Wilderness and what Wilderness and the time how long these things with several other are so annexed together that they are unseperable and thus I pass saying that the Winds are to be understood according as the Scripture calls them namely the sour Winds of the EARTH and thus I come to the next thing considerable which is Of the outward Court and holy City Revel 11.1 2. in these words And there was given me a reed like unto a rod the Angel stood saying arise and measure the temple of God and the Altar and them that worship therein but the Court which is without the Temple leave out and measure it not for it is given unto the Gentiles and the holy City shall they tread under foot forty and two moneths and I will give power to my two witnesses and they shall Prophesie a thousand two hundred and threescore dayes cloathed in sackcloth Before I shall give you the exposition of the Text or unfold it unto you I shall shew what Mr. Henden saith is the meaning of the Text which is We maintain saith he the Temple to decypher the mystical union of the one hundred and forty four thousand Sealed or elected ones whereby they are built up a spiritual house and the Court without to be the externity of ecclesiastical order which was established by Christ in the primitive times page 38. Paragraph 1. Section 4. Answ I know not any one Text that seems to bear a face to such a thing as the Temple to decypher the mystical union of the one hundred forty and four thousand Sealed ones neither do I understand that the Sealed ones are or can be applyed to the faithful Gentiles without wresting and abusing the Text for the Text tels us plainly that they that are Sealed are the Tribes of the Children of Israel and reckoneth them according to their several Tribes as you may read Revel 7.4 5 6 7 8. in these words And I heard the number of them that were Sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the Tribes of the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL mark that of the Tribe of JVDAH were Sealed twelve thousand of the Tribe of RVBEN were Sealed twelve thousand of the Tribe of GAD were Sealed twelve thousand of the Tribe of ASER were Sealed twelve thousand of the Tribe of NEPTHALY were Sealed twelve thousand of the Tribe of MAN ASSES were Sealed twelve thousand of the Tribe of SIMEON were Sealed twelve thousand of the Tribe of LEVI were Sealed twelve thousand of the Tribe of ISSACHAR were Sealed twelve thousand of the Tribe of ZEBVLON were Sealed twelve thousand of the Tribe of JOSEPH were Sealed twelve thousand of the Tribe of BENJAMIN were Sealed twelve thousand the which amounts just to one hundred forty and four thousand there being twelve thousand of every Tribe Sealed for there is twelve Tribes and twelve times twelve thousand is one hundred forty and four thousand the which were all of the Tribes of the Children of Israel so that those that call them Gentiles wresteth the Scripture for the Scripture doth not only call them the Tribes of the Children of Israel vers 4. but also repeateth every Tribe severally so plain that it cannot without great abuse to the holy Spirit be evaded time would fail me to shew the particulars relating to this thing only thus it is evident by the Angel out of the East that these twelve Tribes are to be sealed in their fore-heads to that end that when the Angels go forth to execute
the 15 vers of that fore mentioned 11. Chapter of the Revelations in these words And the seventh Angel sounded and there was a great voice in Heaven saying the KINGDOMES of this WORLD is BECOME the KINGDOMES OF OVR LORD AND OF HIS CHRIST AND HE SHALL RAIGN FOR EVER AND EVER and thus much briefly to the Measurement of the Temple and City and outward Court being cast out and the holy City being trod under foot and fourthly the time of the witnesses Prophesying the which will be just three years and a halfe which is proved in the precedent discourse also more of that a non And as for Mr. Hendens computation of time which is saith he A day being taken for a year the flight of the woman and the City being trod under foot and the two witnesses Prophesying in Sackcloath is to be understood one thousand two hundred and threescore years in which time the Church is only a sealed number dis-robed of the beauty of her exterior Order paragraph 4 page 65. And also he further saith that the time of the beginning of the suffering of the Church and the City being trod under foot was in the year 390. and to be fully expired in the year 1650. and applieth it to a little light broke forth in England about that time and that you may see the SVM of this spoken by him although in more words at large read in his book page 10. compared with paragraph the fourth To which I answer briefly in particulars and First if the forty and two months and the one thousand two hundred and threescore daies with the TIME and TIMES and halfe a TIME all which is acknowledged to be one and the same Time for the Latitude thereof be expired and ended in the year 1950. then upon that account the Woman is come out of the Wilderness already and hath been almost for ten years since upon Mr. Hendens computation or calculation of time and if so I hope Mr. Henden will admit that the Woman may practise all the Ordinances as they were delivered or if not when shall she if it be answered that she is not to practise them till the Winds of the Spirit breath upon them again and if this be the time then is also as clear that the spirit is entered into them again from Mr. Hendens own opinion for these two Prophets saith Mr. Henden were to Prophesie a thousand two hundred and threescore years in Sackcloath which time was expired or ended as he saith in the year 1650 and we find that when they had accomplished their Prophesies which was accomplished at the time aforesaid then they were slain and lay dead but three daies and a halfe the which upon Mr. Hendens account is but three years and a halfe at the end of which time the Spirit of life was to enter into them again Rev. 11.11 which was above six years since Sir look about you its time for you to up and be doing or to cast up your account a new but more to these things anon when I come to shew my opinion upon the travelling Woman and Man-child and Witnesse as before said but I fear I shall be much straitned for time Secondly It cannot be as Mr. Henden saith that the Winds of the Spirit is to be with-holden these forty and two months or 1260. daies so as that there shall not be that visible demonstration of the spirit as in the Primitive time for it is clear that the two witnesses in the time of their Prophesie in Sackcloath shall have as great power and visible demonstration as ever was known upon earth that they have power read Rev. 11.5 6. in these words If any wan will hurt them sire proceedeth out of their mouth and devoureth their enimies and if any man will hurt them they must in this manner be killed these have power to shut Heaven that it raine not in the dayes of their Prophesie and have power over waters to turn them into blood Rev. 16.3 4. and to smite the Earth with all plagues as often as they will For the Angels that hold the four Winds the seven Angels are imployed as ministering Spirits both to desend them from the malice of the Beast so as he cannot hurt or interrupt them all the time of their Prophesie and also to pour out their Vyals and with-hold the Winds and smite the earth with curses so often as they please and that they did also exercise their power in the time of their prophesie is clear from vers 11. where it is said that They tormented the Earth so then they had power and did also exercise it which confutes what Mr. Henden saith And thirdly whereas Mr. Henden saith in his page 65. that the true Church is only a Sealed number dis-robed of the beauty of her exteriour order I answer say it seems strange to me that the sealed number which Mr. Henden before said was not hurt and yet saith now that she were dis-robed of her beauty in outward order and if this be not hurt I know not what is hurt because God did ever delight in outward Order where there was inward grace he being a God of Order in all the Churches of his Saints Fourthly It yet wants a proof that ever the Woman lost any one of her robes if she be to be understood a Gentile Church as Mr. Henden saith she is for she had them on when Saint John saw her in his vision and I do not read of any ever saw her without them after she had put them on unless Mr. Henden did but I suppose he did not and so I shall leave this particular and pass to the next particular which is from the text Mat. 24 cited by M. Henden and I shall not take notice of every circumstance of things but the ground of the matter wherein we differ which is saith he The marks of the false Churches are four as first the visibility in their stative order loe here or loe there The second the phrase here and there notes a manifest place of rest or sitting down Thirdly the variety here and there which must Scatter whereas the true is uniform Fourthly The visible loe or model is first and then Christ is brought into it loe here is Christ as if the Spirit of life and divine primitive power were in it the Wilderness is to be understood a Metaphorical Wilderness and secret Chambers which figures out our lesser stated bodies and so forth page 50 51 52. In order to the answer of these things I shall not take notice of every objection or contradiction but shall plainly and briefly cite the text and open it and then leave the reader to judge whether it speak of gathered or false constituted Churches as Mr. Henden saith when it speaks of the Wilderness or desart or secret Chamber or whether it be to be understood litterally of a Material face Christ in a desart or in a
namely Mans Mortality A DISCOURSE Touching the Mortality of the Soul IN order to the clearing up of this Subject of Dicourse I shall lay down this Position which is That man by sin made himself wholly mortal So that when God shall take away his breath which is from the time of death till the time of Resurrection he is no more then what he was before God breathed into him the breath of life which was but dust and also to dust he doth return and the word Soul is used for illustration sake and very large in its acceptation in Scripture sometimes to be understood one thing sometimes another that no man living can say of any one thing this is the soul and this is not but the whole individual man is taken for the soul and where there is spoken of soul and body there is no more difference than there is between Spirit and breath only it is spoken by way of illustration and the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth signifie several things as the Mind Will Soul Delight Pleasure Affection Disposition Phantasie Life Breath Wind Blast Wrath Anger Memory Thought Stomack Courage Advice Opinion Heart Witt Stoutness Willingness Promptness or Readiness of Mind also Sleep and also Man these many significations and more is derived from the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which we read in our Translation Soul But leaving these things I shall come suddenly to the Reasons and then answer some Objections but first see some Scriptures which proveth that Man is wholly mortal and first see the words of the Wise man Eccles 3.19 20. in these words For what befalleth the sons of men befalleth Beasts even one thing befalleth them as the one dyeth so dyeth the other yea they have all one breath so that man hath no preheminence above a beast for all is vanity all go to one place all are of the dust and return to dust again Agreeable to the Word of the Lord Gen. 3. Dust thou art and to dust thou shalt return and this is also further amplified by John 4.7 8 9 10 11 12. in these words For there is hope of a tree if he be cut down that it will sprout again and the tender branches thereof will not cease though the root thereof wax old in the ground and the stock thereof die in the earth yet thorow the descent of water it will bud and bring forth branches like a plant but man dyeth and wasteth away ye man giveth up the Ghost and where is he as the waters fall from the Sea and the floods decay and dry up so man lyeth down for we must needs die and be as water spilt upon the ground that cannot be gathered neither doth God respect the person of any man yet he hath used a means that his banished shall not be for ever expelled from him From whence we may see that the estate of man is compared to the floods that are dryed up that is become as it were nothing and is so to remain until the resurrection for by sin and death we are banished from the Lord yet he hath used a means namely to bring us forth again at the Resurrection that his banished should not be for ever kept from him but if the righteous go to heaven so soon as they die how are they banished from him and become as water spilt upon the ground For what man is he that liveth and shall not see death Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave Selah Psal 89.48 2 Sam. 14.14 No he cannot deliver his soul from the hand of the grave when God sets his heart to look upon man as you may see Job 34.14 15. in these words If he set his heart upon man if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath all flesh shall perish together and man shall again return unto dust From these words we see all flesh is to perish and man is flesh yea the whole man for that which is born of flesh is flesh now the soul of man is born of flesh and if it be not spirit it must die and the Apostle saith that the first man meaning the whole man was earth earthy and as is the earthy so are they that are earthy howbeit it was not first that which was spiritual but that which was natural and then that which was spiritual speaking there of the man Adam and the man Christ affirming that the first Adam was an earthly natural man and the second Adam viz. Christ was a heavenly spiritual man so then the first man thorow his sin made himself mortal even the whole man there is a multitude of Scriptures that proveth this thing but time being very pretious with me I cannot at this time set them in order before thee but shall pass to some few Reasons to prove man wholly mortal and the first is Reas 1. First because Christ dyed soul and body to purchase our souls and bodies from the grave and if Christs soul dyed it was really to that end that our souls might not lie in the grave and if we had dyed only in body then Christ had dyed only in body but the whole man being mortal and returned to dust Christ also poured out his soul to death and made his soul an offering for sin as saith the Prophet Isa 53.10 When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed mark that he shall prolong his dayes and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand 12. Because he hath poured out his soul to death and he was numbred with the strangers and he bore the sins of many c. From hence we see that Christs SOVL dyed that ours might live again and not be left in the grave which proveth that our souls are mortal and die and so I pass to the second reason to prove That the whole man is mortal which is Reas 2. Secondly because if mans body be mortal and that die and his soul immortal that live then man hath two lives two distinct Beings which is not for if there be two distinct lives and two distinct Beings then Adam was two distinct Creatures and then it cannot be said that as by the offence of ONE Judgment came upon all men to condemnation for Adam upon that account was TWO distinct beings having two distinct lives but man having but one life the whole man must be mortal or the whole man immortal and that the whole man is mortal the Scriptures and our experience doth witness Reas 3. Again Thirdly Because otherwise Christ had done Lazarus wrong by raising him from the dead for if his Soul had been in Heaven four dayes and then Christ fetched it from thence it was so far from an act of love to him whom Christ so well loved that it was great prejudice and also I strange that Lazarus did not mention one tittle of the glory of Heaven if he had been
Mountains or the like and to this agreeth the Prophets that saith The glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together for he shall come in the clouds and every eye shall see him and they that pierced him and all the kindred shall waile because of him So in short I understand it is the personal coming of the Lord Jesus which is spoken of in that Text Mat 24. and not any spiritual coming for the same Jesus even the same blessed man which did once ascend in like manner shall again descend as I have proved in the former part of this Treatise intituled Truth and Innocency and thus much briefly of the coming of the Lord Jesus like lightening which lightening is to be seen from one end of Heaven to the other even from the East unto the West which light all men that have their natural eye-sight do see at once even so shall the personal appearance of Jesus Christ be that all men shall see his glory together when he shall appear in the Clouds of Heaven with all his holy Angels with him and this I am very confident was the mind of Christ in that place and thus I pass to speak somewhat to the Carkass and Eagles being gathered unto it which is Fourthly the fourth and last thing sheweth the taking up of the Saints to meet Jesus Christ the Carkass being understood Christ and the Eagles the Saints it s only a simily shewing that as the Eagles suddenly gather themselves tegether to the place where a Carkass is even so the Saints shall suddenly be gathered together to the place where Christ is agreeing with 1 Thes 4 14 15 16. and Mat. 24.40 the which I have before spoken of more at large therefore shall leave it at present with the Reader and pass all the other things very briefly because I find the things already spoken to is the whole grounds or master-pieces of your Book and those things that I shall now speak to I shall take them as they lie in order in your book and the first thing that I observe and shall speak to is Of the new pouring out of the Spirit and a new marriage after the former Page 5. Answ I find there was a Marriage between God and old Israel which is a Metaphor to wit the enjoyment of the inheritance and the marriage bed as I may so call it the presence of the Lord in Types dwelling amongst them in that holy Land or glorious Mountain Jerusalem which was a Type of the heavenly Jerusalem and the Tabernacle of God to be with men when they shall injoy the marriage bed to wit being present with Christ knowing him as we are known by him the which while we live in this Body we do not for we are absent from the Lord 2 Cor. 5.6 And that there shall be a marriage and a marriage Supper I grant but it s after Christ is come the second time read Luke 12.35 36 37. compared with Revel 19.7 8 9. with more that might be said but as to the first marriage spoken of by you which was say you in the primitime times in the first breathing of the Spirit I cannot see nor believe nor I am certain you cannot prove it for the Church of Corinth had as great breathings of the Spirit as any had coming behind in no gift and yet were in that time but in a Virgin estate and condition as you may read 2 Cor. 11.2 in these words But I am jealous over you with godly jealousie for I have espoused you to one Husband that I may present you as a chaste VIRGINE to Christ From whence we may see that the primitive Church who lived under the breathings of the Spirit and had excellent gifts of working of Miracles and yet were but in a Virgine condition and so shall the Church be at the very time of the second coming of the Lord Jesus until he is come read Mat. 25.1 to the 11. And as to your cited text Mat. 22.1 2 3. it is a Parrable and it s also clear that the whole time of the preaching of the Gospel is the time of the inviting the Ghests and the Parrable holds not if all the Ghests be not invited before the day of the marriage supper and I am sure that all the Ghests are not yet invited nor born I could speak at large unto it but I study brevity and so shall pass to the next thing which is The Churches was in Babylon as appears saith Mr. Henden by her being called out Revel 18.4 it being a strange Land from the native Canon of a Gospel word where they were strangers under other Lords page 8. Answ I have read that the Israel of old was in Babel in Chaldea from whence they were to depart but I never yet read that the Elect Sealed Number were subject to other Lords in respect of order that is to say they submitted not to the Babylonish order neither was their order become Babel read Dan. 3. It 's true that the Jews had several Ordinances which were to be performed only at Jerusalem and hence it came to pass that they practised them not in Babylon and therefore they were far from being Babellish but the Gospel Ordinances are limitted to no one place more than other insomuch if there were a Church in Rome they might practise all Christs Ordinances if they could enjoy their Liberty so to do although it be the seat of the Pope and yet not be blamed but commended of by the Lord as was the Church of PARGAMVS Rev. 2.12 who lived where Satans seat was and yet did hold fast their profession even so it 's like there may be some in the City called Babylon Revel 18.4 which may own and practise the Truth although unknown to the Pope at the very time when the Lord will destroy it and so he may call them out as once he did call Lot out of Sodom but to suppose that God owns a People to be his People which are Babel in their order is but vain when we rightly understand how zealous God ever was of his order never admitting of his own people to mix it with the confused order of men or Babel for those that are partakers of her sins which they were not which were called out Revel 18.4 shall be partaker of her plagues but if Babels order were sin and the Church order which was in Babel was established then the Church must be partakers of her sins and so of her plagues which was not and so I pass this also and come to the next thing which is You may find all your new stated Churches saith Mr. Henden of a different Mettal from the true how near soever to the primitive they seem to be in the outward shell and yet in reallity do ground upon another foundation upon Believers not possessed with such a power sent down from heaven page 14. Answ They differ not in their Mettal
Israelites Sixthly The number Sealed from amongst them was the same not hurt by the Locust Chap. 9.4 The same standing on Mount-Zion which duly pondered with all circumstances can be reduced to no time or condition but that of the elect in Babylon if the Romish and Antichristian defection be not decyphered to these figures and but the Jews only then it is altogether omitted in this Book Answ The assertion is denyed and hath already been disproved and all men that have their eyes in their head I mean all those that have not the eyes of their understanding out may see it for as I have already proved the Spirit of God doth not only call those that are Sealed the Tribes of the children of Israel but names every Tribe distinctyl Revel 7.4 5 6 7. and when you write again I pray you cite one Text written between the Alpha of Genesis and the Omega of the Revelations to prove plainly that when God speaks of the TRIBES of the Children of Israel and names every Tribe distinctly that he then means Gentiles and then I will believe it As for the Sealed number spoken of Revel 14. are the same number and people and whereas it s said that they were Virgins its clear at that time Israel is to be in a Virgins condition and at that time or straight after it they shall be marryed unto Christ by their being put into the possession of the covenant or the thing covenanted which is to be made after those dayes saith Jeremiah 31. relating to the last dayes even till the appearance of Jesus when they shall say loe this is our God Isa 25. Rom. 1.1 but that they are called Virgins read Jer. 31.4 21. Isa 62.5 Hosea and many Texts might be given to prove the House of Israel as it is considered in the latter dayes to be in a Virgin condition I mean Israel the ten Tribes and not Judah Secondly The Scriptures is very full in shewing that they are called a people redeemed from among men where they have been scattered and made to serve their enemies Isa 35.10 chap. 51.11 chap. 62.12 with many more which might be added Thirdly as for their following the Lamb whithersoever he goeth it is spoken in reference to the juncture of time in which the Beast or great Antichrist is to raign who striveth to have them believe and follow him but they refuse and will own none but Christ to be their King their minds running after him they having before been informed of his glory by the two Prophets and also seen a glimps of it in the glorious signs of his coming in the Clouds of Heaven with power and great glory and so they are said to follow him And as for the order of the words following I could speak largely to it if I had time but if I should speak of the things in particular contained in this book with their attendance it would take up a large time the which necessitates me but just to mention it as it were and to leave it and so I pass the assertion and come to the reasons to prove the Sealed number Gentiles cited by you which is First Because the book of the Revelation was not sent to the Jews to the Gentiles Answ Suppose it were so that all the seven Churches of Asia were Gentiles which I think Mr. Henden will not affirm although some of them might be and were Gentiles yet this makes not at all as I humbly conceive to prove that the Ministry contained in the vision seen by John did not appertain to the Jews neither do I say that it did wholly appertain to the Jews so as not to include some things also which related to or concerned the Gentile Church but if it were only spoken of the glory and goodness of God unto the Jews yet it would have spoken much comfort and joy unto the Gentile Churches in their tribulation because their blessing and rich promises are bound up as I may say amongst the promises of Israels redemption and glory the which is proved at large in the Scripture but at present I shall only cite these two places Isa 60.2 Rom. 11.12 13 14 15. Secondly I understand that John to whom the vision was shewn unto was a Jew as I think none will deny and I suppose that the vision was to comfort him in his persecuted banished condition and unless Johns nature was estranged from Pauls and the rest of the faithful Jews it was a thing of no small comfort to him in his tribulation to be shewn the glory of his brethren after the flesh the Jews shortly to be conferred upon them And Thirdly it was the way of God of old to comfort his servants the Propets in their persecution and captivity in that way and indeed nothing will comfort a godly Prophet or Minister more than that thing namely for them to see the prosperity and glory of the godly to approach more especially if they be related unto them in the flesh Rom. 9.1 2 3. and that it was the way of God to comfort his Prophets that way see Ezek. 40.1 2 3 4 5 6. Dan. 7.1 2 13. And so I pass this and come to the second which is Reas 2. The main body of the vision was after the dayes of John Revel 4.1 saith Mr. Henden Answ In this reason as I think you want an interpreter to explain your mind that is to say whether the accomplishing of the body of the vision were after Johns dayes or whether the greatest part of the vision signified by your word body was shewn or revealed to some other person after Johns dayes and if it was shewn unto another person after Johns dayes when you write again cite a Text of Scripture to signifie the person and Secondly resolve by Scripture when Johns dayes ended because the Text saith that he was to prophesie again before many people and Nations and Languages and Kings Revel 10.11 I would not be looked upon as one that made it his practise to ask curious questions because you may as well ask me when the dayes of some other of the Apostles ended and demand me to resolve it by the Scripture which could not very well be done only by good reason drawn from Scripture But I desire to hear your judgment about the end of Johns dayes because it was a question amongst Christs own Disciples John 21.23 Secondly because that the Text saith expresly of John that he should prophesie again as before said and the accomplishment of that prophesie is yet to be fullfiled the which I have spoken of before and shall again if the Lord will when I come to speak somewhat of the two Witnesses But as in answer of the two Reasons I say there is not so much as the colour of a Reason in it to prove as I conceive that those Israelites were to be understood Gentiles The four Angels saith Mr. Henden stood upon all quarters of the Earth and the with-holding
confirm it again when Israel came out of Babylon nor after the Book of the Law was lost and found again in the dayes of Josia no more need we any Sign to confirm that which is already confirmed and also we know that John did no Miracle and yet was an approved Administrator Again whereas Mr. Henden said that he was a legal Minister and a Minister of condemnation which had no visible demonstration from the spirit viz. Miracle The answer was then Mr. Henden was a legal one and a Minister of condemnation because he professeth himself to be a Minister and yet never work a Miracle that ever I heard of there was much time spent upon a kind of running discourse to little edification for that which I would have had done in order to the legal managing of the discourse was that there should have been one question stated at a time and that managed but when one began he spoke of several things and so confounded one with another and cleared it not as it should be I could repeat what was said about the four Winds and what was said by Captain Tucker as to the grounding of faith upon the obscure and dark Prophesies which was well minded although not well weighed by our Antagonist and as I think as little understood I have found it a sure maxime that the greatest confidence amongst men hath the least reason to warrant it which is sad And whereas Hebrews 12. was brought together with Galatians 4. to prove the Church to be called Mount-Zion neither of the places proveth it the Apostle to the Galatians tels us that it is the Covenant which is called Jerusalem which is from above and from the Hebrews we learn also that it is the Covenant or the thing Covenanted and whereas he saith that we are come to Mount-Zion he also saith that we are come to an innumerable company of Angels and to God the Judge of all things and the Spirits of just men made perfect so that we are come to one as well as to another and to neither of them but by faith in the Covenant for while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord for we walk by faith and not by sight And Paul doth not say to the Galatians that ye are Mount-Zion or Jerusalem but Jerusalem which is from above is the Mother of us all so then it was the Church which was called Jerusalem but Jerusalem from above was the Churches Mother mark a difference between the Children and the Mother and secondly the Author to the Hebrews doth not call the Church of the Hebrews Mount-Zion but tels them that they were come to Mount-Zion viz. the Covenant of Mount-Zion and the Heavenly Jerusalem but I shall leave these things at present and pass to the Answer of some Objections usually urged against the perpetuation of Christs Ordinances or the constant practising of them and the first that I shall speak to is Object 1. There was a time when God did appear in his Ordinances which shewed there was the power of the Spirit went along with them as Peter in his Ministry in converting three thousand souls at one Sermon saith Mr. John Henden but now we see not the same effects therefore the cause ceaseth God hath left them and they are become as a dead carkass without a soul Answ It is very true there was a time when there was such need of a visible demonstration of Gods Spirit to go along with his Ordinances to bear witness to the sons of men that they were the Ordinances that were approved of by the Lord that they might be a pattern or platform for all men to walk in to the Worlds end and hence it was that when God gave to Moses and the rest of the Children of Israel the pattern of the administration of the Law he gave it with the visible demonstration of his own presence with thundrings and lightenings and the Mountain smoaking with a visible maifestation of Gods glory with and upon Moses so that his face did so shine with the Glory of God when he came from the Mount that the Children of Israel could not stedfastly behold him by reason of the brightness of the Glory of God shining upon him this was his appearance when he came down with the Tables of the Law written by God so gloriously did God appear in the giving forth of it but afterwards all that the Children of Israel were to do was to have the words of the Law read to them and they to do it or keep it and not to say who shall ascend up into Heaven for some visible demonstration but the Law is nigh thee in thy mouth and in thy heart that thou maist do it saith Moses Deut. 30.10 11 12. even so saith St. Paul Rom. 10.6 7. The righteousness of faith speaks on this wise say not in thy heart who shall ascend up into Heaven to fetch Christ down from above c. but what saith it the word is nigh thee even in thy mouth and in thy heart So that true faith giveth heed to Gods word and looks not for miracles for so saith Christ blessed is he that hath not seen and yet believed for a sinful and an adulterous generation seek a sign but none shall be given unto them c. Secondly If no Ordinance may be an approved Ordinance of God but such an one as hath a visible manifestation according to Mr. Hendens sense as aforesaid then he himself never met together so as God did approve of it because we find that when the Disciples met together the house spoke where they were assembled Thirdly his Ordinance of preaching hath not the Spirit with it because instead of converting three thousand at one Sermon I suppose he never converted three hundred in his life nor scarce half half so many and as for the Ordinance of Prayer I never heard any of those that usually hear Mr. Henden say that he hath prayed till the place hath spoke where he was praying as it did when the Disciples were a Praying Acts 4.31 and as for the Ordinance of Preaching and praying and the like Mr. Henden saith he owns to continue in all ages uncorrupted and they had once as great a visible manifestation as any Ordinance that I know of and yet there is no more appearance in a visible manifestation in them now than there is in any other Ordinance which Mr. Henden cryeth down and I may fitly say to Mr. Henden as Christ said to the Scribes and Pharisies which did much dote upon signs and miracles that the Kingdome of Heaven cometh not with Observations as gadding after miracles saying loe here or loe there for the Kingdome of God is within you that is as if he should have said it consists more in inward glory than outward glory or manifestation for the Kings daughter is all glorious within and the proper work of the Spirit is within as Christ