and feare of death Oh that selfe conceited and proud iniquity would once stop its mouth for every mouth shall be stopped and all the world shall be subject to the judgement of God Acts 13. and 15. Rom. 4 ult What the Law of works could not do the election hath obtained Rom. 11. VI. Mark that from this first and maine free promise God hath conveyed all comforts of wisdome justification or Freedome Sanctification and Redemption on fallen man and no way else can or ought to be sought after It could never have entred into the heart of man to thinke of this way if God of his rich Grace had not first declared this rich mystery of his will in a free promise how could our first fallen Parents have thought of a Redeemer much lesse of the meanes of obtaining such a Redeemer at the hands of God This mystery was ordained in Gods eternal Council and providence before the foundacion of the world was laid to be revealed upon Adams fall his ways are unsearchable his wisdome mercy power and love is past finding out and doubtlesse our first parents and all their faithfull posterity could but with admiration say the Epitaph not seen nor ear heard neither hath entred into the heart of man the things that God â—ath prepared for them that love him 1 Coâ— 2. Of him and through him and to him are all things To him be glory for ever Amen Esa 43.25 Esa 48.9 10 11. Rom. 11. Jer. 31.33 Jer. 32.39 Ezek. 36.25.26 VII Christ was promised a Redeemer not only from the guilt and punishment of sin but to make us in himselfe Sons of God even new creatures VIII All outward comforts come by promise in Christ severall godly persons of late years have done well in composing Treatises of the promises IX It is to admiration That Jehovah the eternall God should seeke to enter into a covenant of Grace with fallen man with the slaves of the Devill with enemies and with children of wrath that he should enter into a free promise and Covenant with us to be our God and to make us to be his people See his kindnesse to the polluted infant in Ezek. 16. X. All things are made subject to Christ as the heir of all from the first day of Adams fail but Satan doth labour with all sedulity to withdraw mans Blind heart from the understanding of this doctrine and doth labour to suggest fond imaginations of idolatry superstition bodily exercises and Fables c. to corrupt it and by persecution to hinder it yea to abolish it This is a Doctrine of Faith which no naturall man can attain untill his mind and divine illumination be regenerate and made capable to comprehnd this hid mystery of God in Christ All precepts promises and threatnings are ordained to bring fallen man to obey the Son of God as mediator All the victory administrations of Christs Kingdome by the word seals censures c. are for this purpose till the mediatorian Kingdome be redelivered 1 Cor. 15. But all things are cheifly intended for the Elect 1 Cor. 14.32 11. The second not on Gen. 12.13 may be of use here 12. Thus from the first preaching of the Gospell we must observe why Christ is called Alpha and Omega the first and the last not only in causes and effects but also of all divine Revelation in the blessed scriptures all runs on him All the Promises Threatnings Commandements Examples Chastisements c. all drive us to Christ he also is Alpha and Omega in all the praises of the Church he is also the maine matter and marke of the holy Bible All things were created by him and for him and he is before all things and by him all things consist and hee is the head of the body the Church Col 1.18 In 3. Q. The seed of the woman Hence Children should be first taught to read Gen 3. with Luke 3. and Luke 4 together for two principall ends first To know how Jesus our Lord is of the blessed Virgin Mary of Eli and of Adam and Eve naturally and in this respect the Genealogie of men in Luke 3. are the glory of mankind being all Fathers to the Son of God after the flesh 2. The better to compare the sorrowfull combate of Adam being killed on his first day from the life of the soule to death in sin with the glorious combate and victory of our Lord the second Adam driving Satan to flight and the reason why the Son of God should take hold of mans nature is purposely handled by the Apostle in Ebr. 2. Ebr. 3. Ebr. 4. Ebr. 5. Great is the mystery of Godlinesse God manifested in the flesh It is most glorious to consider it and how it hath been diligently taught in every age from Gen. 3.15 and for the better knowing of this mystery the Law of Moses was made the Tabernacle and the frame of the world and well might David and Solomon say with admiration That God would dwell with man on earth also in his apparitions to the Saints before the Flood and to the Patriarchs and Prophets he spake with us marke this corporation speech in Hos 12.4 At Bethel and dwelt among us in his Tabernacle and Ordinances then in the Temple till the captivity then in the second Temple and then at last he became very man making our flesh his Tabernacle and dwelt among us Joh. 1.14 Cor. 6. but his speciall residence in us is in our hearts by Faith These things made singing affections in the Saints of old Ps 40. Ps 100. Ps 135. Ps 147. Ps 149. Ps 149.1 Chr. 16.1 King 8.2 Sam. 7. Joh. 17. Ex. 15. and any that duely consider this cannot but sing praises to the God of our Salvation In Q. 3. Of Adam in the Genealogie When the holy spirit bringeth Genealogies from the first man unto Jesus our Lord it may teach all men that the world was made and had a beginning so Moses Law taught Misgraim that is the Egyptians and others in his time and Ezra the Persians too before Aristotle and such Athean praters 1 Chron. 1.1 see Bro. in Manuscript In Q 4. and Answ He might govern Genesis sheweth how that by the word of Jehovah the Heavens were made all the setled Army of them by the spirit of his mouth and when man fell the word telleth That for the destroying of the workes of the Serpent hee would be made flesh and have a Tabernacle in our nature and so to be a second Adam to govern all things In which point the Patriarks faith is evidenced by the charge of Joseph to carry his bones with theirs unto the Land of Canaan where our Lords Resurrection should be a testimony of a new world see Bro. in Appo 1.108 The government of the world to come for so the Jewish Doctors did stile the dayes of Messiah is that meditorean Kingdome which the holy Prophet so magnifieth to endure through all ages and generations Ps 8. Ps 45. Ps 93. Ps
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
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
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
in the second Adam in whom we are c compleat And hitherto pertaine many of the Lords †Read Ezek 16. 36 Jer. 31. 32. 33. Esai 42.1 to 17. c. gracious promises and all the commandements exhortations motives examples prayers vowes covenant to be heavenly †Read Deut. 30.6 Jer. 32.38.39 to love the Lord and the word of his truth to walk before him in godly feare in all well pleasing and so all the Saints ever did as Adam Habel Henoch Noe c. also hitherto pertaine the * Reduce al dehortations as love not the World nor the things of the world 1. Joh. 2. set not your affections on the Earth Col. 3. and on the contrary â—educe the exhortations as seek the things above Eccl. 11. 12. dehortations threatnings curses and examples of sin and punishment in walking contrary IV. From this first preaching of the Gospell we must attentively minde this that Jehovah who was who is who will be still the same d doth rule all ages to one sum of salvation in Christ And to this faith he ever calleth his elect e by his word and Spirit from the communion of Devills and the wicked world to have communion with him and his Son Jesus Christ our Lord by way of Ordinances The reason that God hateth the wicked is God teaching this continually from the beginning yet the wicked rebell and joyne with Saâ—an 2 Cor. 4.4 V. * In all ages for teaching â—ead Psal 44. 79.1 Thes 3.2 Col. 1.24 c. for his S. observation beleiving and professing this glorious Doctrine of Christ f great disputations contentions sorrows tentations persecutions in body goods name and life come unto Michael Christ Jesus and his g Angells by Satan and his Angells yet Christ went through all conquering and so faith in him and in his word doth make us conquerors Many sweet promises belong to this head VI. The duty of all Christian beleivers is to be unfained in brotherly love h holding one another with a dear pure heart fervently and to resist the Divill and his members i and to have no fellowship with the workers nor with the works of wickednesse Behold severity through all generations when the Church walked contrary VII Because this Text of Gen. 3.15 is a promise of Christ that he should take humanity destroy Satans works therefore in it implicitely are the petitions of the Saints for all good concerning soule and body Intercessions as respecting the communion of Saints deprecations to be delivered and protected from all evill and holy imprecations against the seed of the Serpent Also hence issue the k praises and thanksgivings for receiving good for our selves or others both in respect of spirituall blessings and in that all l creatures of each days creation whether visible or invisible in Christ are servants and freinds to the elect Hence also proceede praises and thanksgivings for m deliverance and protection from Satan his seed and works QUest 7. Did God ordaine any publick worship to his name presently after the fall of our first Parents and after the promise Answ As God n taught our first Parents the Doctrine of faith so he taught them prayer and sacrificing and blessed the seventh day and sanctified it for a day of rest for study how God rested from Creation in the Redemption by Christ he being promised to be Heire of all o Sacrifice was used from the day of Adams Apostasie teaching of life coming by death Adam taught his Sons and his Sons Sons to the eighth successive Childe and those that offered in faith discerning the bloud of the covenant did please God had peace and reconciliation with God and were made heires of the righteousnesse that is by faith the Church in Adams family with Gods †The Ordinances were the preaching of the word of faith 2 Prayer 3. the Seale of the promise Ordinances is called p the presence of God The * Mr. Ainsworth on Gen. 4.14.16 Presence of God in holy Ordinances is most glorious and comfortable to which the faithfull in all ages of the Church resorted with holy feare exceeding joy praise and thanksgiving Psal 42. 43. 84. 100. c. QUest 8. Who beleived this report concerning the second Adam and to whom was the arme of the Lord revealed Answ Adam and his Sons * Habel Seth Enos and the rest of the godly Fathers and their godly posterity to the Flood QUest 9. Who hated this Doctrine and persecuted this way of life in Christ Answ Kain was the first that began the †War of the Serpent against the q holy seed And this persecution by men that followed Kains wayes goes on to the end of the World QUest 10. Was there any apostasie from this faith and way of salvation afore the Flood Answ Christ the Light and Life shined in darknesse but he was not comprehended of the Sons of darknesse for beside the Doctrine and practise of bodily exercise in Kain there was r a great apostasie and that quickly of the Sons of the open Church who having a forme of godlinesse but denying the power thereof despised the Doctrine of regeneration greived the holy Spirit and corrupted the calling on the name of the Eternall And the cheife occasion of all this was by s ungodly marriages with Kains t worldly glorious house from all which issued u a confluence of all iniquity setting Light by Gods long suffering while the Ark was making committing all ungodly deeds and uttering hard and bitter speaches against the Heavens And so it is in all apostasies †Remember still that in all apostasies of the Church the faithfull cannot be visibly glorious QUest 11. What came to the faithfull that did first cleave to the faith which was once delivered to the Saints and that walked with God Answ Through x faith they obtained good †report with God God was not ashamed to be called their God and their Father they his Sons he accounted that the world was not worthy of them and therefore he prepared for them an Heavenly y City and Countrey for they had gracious promises of Gods favour through his covenant in Christ the true Noah who doth comfort us concerning our workes and concerning the sorrowes of our hands and concerning the earth which God hath cursed †wherefore they had preservation and deliverance from the severe destruction of the World by Waters Thus God was a rewarder of them that by faith did diligently seek him This doth teach us how precious faith is in the Son of God that should come into the World QUest 12. What came on the z co Ì„upters of the Faith the despisers and wantons and feasters and mockers and murderers the seed of the serpent that walked after their owne lusts Answ Kaine was cursed a and excommunicate and Christ did execute Judgement and bruised his posterity and the Apostates in his fearfull severity in the Flood washing their bodyes away
also made to once ungodly Abraham before his calling where now was free will merits works foreseen c. Read Esa 42.7.16 Esa 43 25. Psal 103. All is of free Grace In Q. 6 N 11. Nay it could not enter This made the Apostle to break forth into joy and praise because God doth to us not to the Angells that fell above all that we can aske or thinke Eph. 3.20.21 Christ saith I was sound of them that sought me not Es 65.1 and of this wonderful mercy did David and Aethan sing Psal 40. Psal 89. Psal 103. This is the great and wonderfull thing of Christs Law that David prayed that he might see with opened eyes Psal 119.18 and Paul for the Ephesians Eph. 1.18 Great and glorious is the mystery of Godlinesse that the Son of God should be manifested in the flesh for the effecting of all this to the elect Gen. 3-15 and Esa 57.15 is very pertinent yea all the blessed Scriptures are the Revelation of these glad tidings of the Gospell from Gen. 3.15 In Q. 6. N. 11. Till the Spirit of Christ The word is of no effect without the spirit neither doth the spirit ordinarily worke without the blessed meane never contrary to his own divine Revelation as God commanded the light to shine out of darknesse so he gives a command to his word to be a light and a Lamp in our dark hearts by the operation of his spirit and by this meanes he makes his exhortations covenants and promises to be effectuall means for the reconciling of our enemy cogitation The learning of Christs Law doth worke in us a new creation Eph. 4.20 21 22 23 24. The Law of Christ the true shepherd is a Doctrine of restoring and converting the soule Ps 19. Ps 23. of his own good will begat he us with the word of truth so sweet and precious is the Law of Christ In Q. 6. N. 3. The workes of the Devill from the First Adam we have his image and likenesse even corruption of corruption corrupt we are in blood in flesh in will this was the worke of the Serpent and that it might be destroyed the eternall word became flesh the second Adam that so from his infinite fullnesse wee might have grace for grace being made Sons in him by faith that speech is heavenly As we have the image of the earthly Adam so we shal bear the image of the heavenly Adam not only in the second but also in the first Resurrection The second Adam in both is a quickning spirit the begotten is like unto him that begetteth else no communion with God and Christ and God is only the God of such 1 Cor. 1.30.1 Cor 15.49.1 John 1.1 Ioh. 5.4 Parents are meanes to beget and with travaile to bring forth children after the image of the first sinfull Adam like the foale of a wilde Asse so they should with all holy care and diligence travell in birth again till the second Adam be formed in them if any man be in Christ the second Adam he is a new creature and partaker of the divine nature 2 Cor 5.17.1 Ioh. 4. 17.1 Pet. 1.22 Col. 3.10 and see how the old and new Adam are compared in Eph. 4.17 c. The scripture saith that the second Adam had not the spirit by measure but that all fullnesse pleased to dwell in him and that he was filled with the spirit of the Lord with the spirit of wisdome counsell strength understanding knowledge and of the feare of Jehovah and that of his fullnesse wee all have in some measure answerable grace Es 11 2. Es 42.6 7. Christ is the head of the body Regegeneration by the matter of holy doctrine and by the spirit was taught to Nicodemus to be from Christ the second Adam Ioh. 3. Hence many cases of conscience may arise in the mind If Christ have destroyed Sathans workes in us how is it that sin is of such force in us All this is answered in Rom. 7. and Rom. 8. and Rom. 12.3 Gal. 5.16 17 18. Es 42.3 Es 57.15 In Q. 6. N. 3. Of the corrupt nature This state is in no wise to be rested in be wee never so formall in Religion outwardly The unregenerate cannot please God his prayer is turned into sin his sacrifice is an abomination his wisdome is enmity against God The good workes of the Heathens yea of the Scribes and Pharisees though materially good were but splendida peccata their hearing of the word and showes of profession comes to no fruit as in the three former sorts of ground Mat. â—3 As in Kain a great heir Achitophel a private counsellor Herod a King Iscariot an Apostle Symon Magus a great Schollar c. c. Their execution of Lawes for civill policy through Christs over-ruling is turned to good for society of humane life and sometime a wall of defence for the Church as the Apostle Paul found Neroes authority long a defence against the Masters of traditions Our Natures are so corrupt that our spirits are most vile for hatred enmity and fretting against God and Christs Kingdome evermore in war as enemies beaâ—ing weapons against him Rom. 6 Beâ—t to anger God for Sathan the Prince of darknesse rules in the Children of disobedience Eph. 2. Col. 1. Rom. 1.1 Cor. 1. Jam. 4. Rom. 8 7. In Q 6. N. 3. In whom we are compleat If a man wade into the depth of all that is in the first old Adam he cannot be compleat whether Philosophy humane Traditions commandements and Doctrines but in Christ the second Adam are all measures of heighth depth length breadth yea and all treasures of Wisdome Knowledge Fortitude Justice Temperance Freindship Love Patience earning of Bowells c. And this we shall finde if we measure it with a golden reed Job 28.1 Cor. 2. and 3.2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. Esa 11. to 9. Eph. 4.21.22 c. 1 Job 3. 8 9 10. He enlightneth changeth and guardeth both heart and mind enlivens the conscience makes the memory retentive of good things sweetly turns draws the will mortifies the inordinacy of the passions rules the min all holy majesty neither to be dull in want nor wanton in fruition casteth down vain imaginations bringeth into captivity every thought commands the senses clears and settles the fantasie teacheth to order speech and silence subdueth the members of the body to be weapons and servants unto righteousnesse and holinesse Breifly he liveth he thinketh he speaketh he worketh all in us Of him and through him and for him are all things that God in him may be glorified This is the influence that cometh from the second Adam in his Ordinances publick and private to all the building of his mysticall body untill we all reach unto the unity of faith and the Knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ without whom we are void and without form darkness dead dry stakes 2 Cor. 4.
c. QUest 3. What do you in general observe out of these portions of Scripture Answ These Scriptures are a confession of faith proceeding from the holy Spirits illumination and experience in the inner man agreeing with the doctrine of the promises wherein the faithful soul applyeth the doctrine of the corruption of nature and of justification and the fruits thereof unto special uses of information confession prayer and praise containing two parts what we are without Christ and what we are by Christ for he is the Mercy-seat Quest 4. What more specially may and is to be minded Answ I. It is necessary that each one Job 11.12 14.4 15.14.16 Gen. 6.5 8.21 Gen. 1.27 compared with 5.3 Psal 51.5 58.3 Esa 48.8 and circumcision enjoined in infancy sheweth the corruption of nature though in a visible Church-estate know and be perswaded of the truth of the doctrine of the uncleanness and filthiness of the corruption of nature taken from parents derived from the first Adam and that all actual sin proceedeth from this birth-sin as from a fountain 2. That the Son of God became a Second Adam to be to all that receive him and believe in him a fountain for sin and for uncleanness and to renew and create in us his glorious Image and to repair the lapses and decayes of the same The graces of which are from his fulness as a well of water springing up unto eternal life 3. The regenerate upon conscience of guiltiness can never be in quiet till with godly sorrow he do freely and ingenuously confess his sin which being done by the convincing power of the Spirit of Christ the soul which groans and sighs from the same Spirit earnestly longeth and prayeth for reconciliation and restoring to former favour peace and joy with God which is more sweet and satisfactory then all contentments in this World and on the contrary the withdrawing or withholding from the conscience his gracious Divine aspect nothing more dejecteth 4. No man can stand before God to be justified if God should judge him according to the Law 5. Here is shewed the blessedness of the saints touching justification and how them of the old Testament understood the doctrine that it consisted in transgression forgiven in sin covered iniquity not imputed speeches importing one and the same thing which grace is only procured by Christs redemption and satisfaction figured in the Gospel-Law And when the Lord God preaching his free promise of grace and peace in Christ Jesus by the words of reconciliation doth by his spirit unite a man to Christ then at that instant he receiveth and believeth in Christ as Mediator of his attonement justification and salvation and by this faith in Christ the saints in all ages had good report Heb. 11. 6. No man can fear God that is to say serve God as his Child unlesse he be set free that is justified from sin by faith and forgiveness Faith resting upon Christ and apprehending at least a possibility of forgiveness worketh love obedience reverence and godly fear Luke 7.47 (a) Ro. 5.1 Esa 26.3 4. Heb. 4 5-56 1.0.16 to 23. Psa 130. 62. S. Rom. 10.14 Also hope joy patience perfect or continual peace quiet waiting upon God and stirreth up to prayer with boldness and confidence 7. In coming unto God we must do it with an humble heart from an inner feeling of our sins and corruptions and a true desire to be eased or justified from thern not only for remission of guilt and punishment but mortification and sanctification For no man that stands upon his own righteousness or alloweth or is indulgent to himself in any sin secret or open of omiâ—sion or commission can be an humble and upright supplicant and petitioner to God nor can look for audience 8. The saints go only to Jehovah in prayer and onely to him for forgiveness and all kindes of mercies who hath set up his throne of grace onely in Christ Our Lord in his doctrine of prayer teaching us to pray confirmeth this Matthew chap. 6. Here is to be noted the glorious use of faith not onely for justification but how necessary it is for us in this our pilgrimage in all estates conditions and varieties of life that it settleth the heart and banisheth from the inner man heart-rending thoughtfulness that the minde will and affections are conserved from heaven in a flourishing green temperature the word of promise and the blessed Spirit that sealeth the promises do so water nourish and restore the soul that it is carryed above all wants and difficulties c. 10. Before we can have any comfort to be delivered from any danger by the seed of the Serpent or from any other affliction or for assistance consolation or direction in any thing for our selves or for the Church we must go to God by faith in Christ for forgiveness of sin 11. The inner feeling and apprehension of Justification Psal 103.1 2 3. Psal 32.1 2 3 c. Mortification and Sanctification doth greatly affect an holy soul with thankfulnesle and prayse and denyal of self-sufficiency c. deeply admiring the blessed Jehovah in those and in all other fruits comforts and effects of his favour c. c. Quest Go on to shew to what other famous Pillar the Spirit of endless wisdom hath fastened the holy and pleasant Chain of times which direct and draw unto Christ Answ To the building of Salomons Temple a figure of Christ the true Temple Quest How many years are from the Lamb of the Passover or since the comming from Egypt to the Temples foundation Answ Four hundred and fourscore years Quest What Scriptures are contained in those four hundred and eighty years Answ Exodus 12. to the end of that book Leviticus Numbers Deuterenomy Josua Judges Ruth two Books of Samuel the first of Kings to the 6. chap. and most of the first of Chronicles and the two first chapters of the second of Chronicles and very much of the book of Psalmes Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the sixth CHAPTER Qvest Answ David the sweet Psalmist David sung most sweetly of Christ and his Kingdome of his Person both of his divine and humane nature and offices and the benefits thereby He spake of Christs humiliation and exaltation This Patriark and prophet in holy Psalmes speaking by the Spirit of God 2 Sam. 23. Mat. 18. calleth Christ his Lord Psalm 110. the Son in whom they that trust are happy Psalm 2. Also after God had promised him Christ he called him David beloved Psalm 130.10 Mat. 3.17 c. Quest 2. and Answ Psalm 51 7. Purgeme with hyssop The High Sacrificer purged the unclean with hyssop he was to do the outward action and could do no more David did not believe the doctrine of bodily exercise So John Baptist saith I baptizâ—lyou with water but the Messias with the Holy Ghost So Daniel goeth to God in Christ who is the true
King And let such take heed that will not thus be Legalists that the Lord Jesus Christ the King do not send forth writs against them as out-laws that will not obey his commandements but be as untamed Heifers for he hath as we see many Marshals such as is sicknesses diseases c. to attend him to serve his processes from which there can be no escaping if once the decree come forth But do I say no escaping yea it may be upon godly humiliation not only escaping if not that yet abatemâ—nt of the chastisement or else all will be sanctified to us that all shall be for our good for he that is our King and Law giver is also our sacrifice of propitiâ—ation and reconciliation to all that judge themselves and confess their sins and forsake their iniquities for he is merciful and just in his promises to pardon them that by the assistance of his Spirit walk in his righteous Law All his providences are to humble and to bring us to the obedience of faith in him our holy Mediator and blessed are they that do his commandements Apoc 22.14 Ibid. N. 5. The Law of the Lord is a cnoverting Law The Law Ceremonial and Moral was a regenerating and converting Law by the spirit of Christ to them of the old Testament Although the Lord Jesus ending all the Ceremonial Law in his offering up of himself as a most perfect sin-offering and his bloud a perfect sprinkling is our compleat cleansing and justification yet still teacheth us the Moral law as his New Testament sheweth to obey God in him whom all the Israel of God must know that God the Father hath made him Lord and Christ as to be our Priest and Teacher so to be our King and Commander yea as to be any one of them so to be all of them to us And all this is to present us to God an holy people 1 Corinth 15. ult Colloss 1.28 John 17. The Law was not given by Christ with that terrour to be to us onely a Law of works as many understand works but it was a Gospel Law teaching of Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus and it was given in terrour to make men fear to despise the Son of God as Mediatour All the preaching of God to the Patriarks and by Moses and the Prophets was to bring man back again to God by preaching Jesus Christ the Mediatour from God and his mediation was ever manifested since the fall of our first parents And our Lords Apostles taught the same holy doctrine among all nations for the obedience of faith read Rom. 1.5 and 16.25.26 Nicodemus a Teacher in Israel should have known all these things Iohn 3. Quest 7. and Answ And should ye be utterly unpunished When the Church is afflicted then let the world look for a scourge for in the prosperity of the Church the world fares the better let the world blesse the Church it shall then have many outward comforts The world should now be wise to consider that to vex the Church of God to curse Abraham is the ready way to bring plagues on it self But it is said the whole world lies in wickednesse and so it will still be and we must expect it Quest 8. and Answ N. II. Overturned c. That speech of Ier. 22.29 O earth earth earth write Iechonias childeless and that speech of Ezek. 21.27 Overturned overturned overturned must be diligently observed together the one for the ending of Salomons house the other for the Kingdom Although God overturned Salomons Kingdome and ended his progenie yet he failed not David of his truth and mercy promised but he raised up One even Christ our of his loines after he was dead and set him upon his throne and his throne shall stand for ever Luke 1.32.33 which opens Psalm 89. And Gods promise to David 2 Sam. 7. And concerning the refusal of Salomons house in Iechonias and the choosing of the house of Nathan mark the words of the blessed and beloved virgin Luke 1.51 He hath shewed strength with his arm and he hath scattered the proud in the imaginations of their heart he hath put down the mighty from their seats and exalted them of low degree Quest 10. and answ in a threefold Charge The mighty and great God saith Jer. 22. Words by his servant the prophet ending the succession of Salomon with greater proclamation to all the world than Davids oath at the first had brought it into honour The ending of Salomons house was one of the weightest matters in all the government of the world to shew that Christ his Kingdom is not of this world Mr. Bro. in Manus Quest 11. and answ and the Lion When the State of Iudah by being conversant with Lions became a Lioness and brought forth Lions that roared on the subjects then God brought upon them the Lion-Babel and other hunters who spread their nets from them Ezekiel 19. Ibid Kings of Gog in the North By Gog and Magog is meant the kings of the North the fourth Beast or the iron leg Ezek. 38. 39. Dan. 2. and 7. skilful ought we to be to discern the proper Gog and Magog from that spoken mystically Apoc. 20. Quest 12. and answ The four Beasts To the carnal and worldly minded the wicked Kingdomes of this world seem glorions powers as in the image to Nebuchadnezzar but to the spiritual minded they are as salvage Beasts that go to a fire unquenchable So the state of mystical Babylon is glorious in the world Apoc. 17.4 but their end shall be as Sodoms Apoc. 14.10 19.20 Quest 31. and answ The sure mercies of David That glorious Temple of Stone and all Moses Ceremonies and that golden Throne of Salomon and that store of gold and plenty of silver as stones strong Cities and Chariot Cities stately buildings fourty thousand stalls for Horses plenty of all provision royal furniture and all princely accommodations curious delights of eyes and ears c. were not the sure mercies and holy things of David For all was vanishing into vanity when Rehoboam shewed himself a fool both in matter of State and corrupting the Gospel 1 Kings 10. Eccles 2.19 The sure me cies are shewed to the circumcision and to the uncircumcision Esay 55.1 2 c. 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. 2 Cor. 4.18 Acts 13.34 35. c. And all the Epistle to the Hebrews Esay 57.15 66.1 2 Mat. 5. 6. 7. Hosea 1.7 Zâ—ch 4.6 And the true gold and clothing is from the true Salomon and the firm building is on Christ the Rock Apoc. 3.18 Mat. 7. That these things might be graffed and as nailes fastened in our hearts look further within the veile of these matters Salomons wives over-wrought him to suffer and by his charges to build idol places whereupon he saw he had occasioned Gods threatning for the renting and overthrow of his Kingdome and foreseeing the destruction of the Temple Citie and Kingdom he writeth his Gospel That all
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
language of Levit. 26. and Deut. 28 and 30 vain talkers must vent their Mateologisme Quest 12. and answer That know not God c. Many will not be Papists and yet are ignorant and love to be so superstitious ungodly and unrighteous in all their life they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord and such shall eat the smit of their own wayes Prov. 1. and 5.12 Answer without shall be dogs Without the Lord Jâ—sus Christ in his holy ordinances coth make a marvellous separation of the precious from the vile but at that day shall be the perfection Psam 1. Mat. 25. Also note all these sorts of sinners are not to be understood as commonly men apprehend them but they stand in opposition to the peace quietnesse holinesse zeal purity of worships truth grace and glory of the heavenly Jerusalem Shall be dogs The Concision were dogs and murderers Psalm 22 Phil. 3. and cast our Gal 4. they resisted the building of new Ierusalem maintaining bodily exercise opus operatum their idol and vanity this made their house and habitation desolate to this day And is not this written for our admonition Those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring hither and slay them before me Luc 19. 2 Thos 1.9 as it was observed at the beginning that CHRIST his Doctrine and servants were held anathema of the godlesse so it will ever be Ibid. And sorcerers Or poisening Sorcerers read Thankfull Remembrance page 193. Aâ—ias translates venefiei Apoc. 22.15 It is thought the Jesuites are such creatures the book of their State mysteries mentioned doth imply such things it must be taken also spiritually bewitching people by feined words c. to make them believe false Doctrine Gâ—l 3.1 All this the Locusts must do for we are sure that the holy Lord God doth not answer them by dreams nor by Vrim nor by Prophets so that the next course is to go to Eudor they know who will there readily attend them 1 Sam. 28.6 Ibid. And the fearfull And I say unto you my friends Be not asraid of them that kill the body and after that have no more that they can do Luk. 12. I I aâ— he that comforteth you Who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die and the Son of man who shall be made as grasse and forgettest Iâ—bovah the eternall being thy maker that hath stretched out the heavens and laid the foundation of the earth in the waters Isa 51. If Gods word bear Supremacy in our hearts and faith evidence to us things not seen we shall as men of another spirit and independent as those three noble martyrs and Confessors Dan. 3. and as Daniel himself chap. 6. as Moses Heb. 11. as Calch and Iosua c. c. Quest 13. and Answ Saying Write Observe still the blessâ— comforts of the written word and mark the command Write Apoc. 14.13 Psal 103.18 Ibid. For they rest from their labours Let him that hath an ear to hear let him hear what the spirit saith to the Churches Those that keep the commandements of God and the faith of Jesus Write it they shall have rest They shall have Rest that follow the true Lambs Religion let liars and cursed dogs bark never so much to the contrary let all that bear the name of Christian hate and accurse the fables of the heathenish Papacy of Purgatoty that men walk when they are dead and their vain Doctrine of prayer for the dead and their anniversaries and other ceremonies and superstitions numberlâ—sse as the Christian Disputations of Mr. Viret shew O ye all that are Gods Iesurum the Israel of God study the blessed Scriptures your inheritance cursed smokie Poperie and all deceitfull vain Doctrines will flee before the glorious light of the word Amen Amen A Postsrcipt BVl ye Beloved Remember the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our LORD IESUS CHRIST 2 Pet. 3.2 and Iudas Thaddaeus verse 17.1 Iohn 4.6 c. c. The holy spirit seeing and foreseeing that false Teachers were and continually would arise after the apostles times with fair speeches flattering and feigned words philosophy a shew of wisdome cogging and vain deceir spurious Epistles feigned revelations of the spiri and hâ—ocriticall lies and slanders and by bringing in fables superstitious voluntary humility will-worship mens Precepts Decrees Doctrines of Devils perverse things damnable heresies and rejection of Magistracy to cause divisions and offences to beguile men and to carry them for a spoil from the plainnesse and simplicity of the Apostles Doctrine and these evils were pursued by all deceit and violene of flesh and blood being driven on by the fury of spirtuall wickednesses principalities and powers the rulers of the darknesse of this world that did war against the Church about super-celestiall things therefore this warning and many others were given to regard the Prophets and Apostles Doctrine Thus the Holy Ghost did as is noted in the conclusion of the old Testament referre them that feared God to the Law of lively oracles given by the inspiration of the SON OF GOD the angel of the Covenant and by the ministery of Moses at Horeb Mal 4. Thus Christ was taught to day and so shall till the time of his coming 2 Cor. 11.26 Heb. 13.8 The Caesars persecuted the faithfull for The word of God and the Testimonie of JESUS Apoc. 6.9 ch 1.9 Keeping of the commandements of God and holding the testimony of JESUS Christ Apoc. 12.17 The Popes persecured the faithfull for Keeping of the Commandements of God and the faith of Iesus Apoc. 14.12 The Testimony of JESUS and for the word â—of God Apoc. chap. 20.4 THE THIRD PART CHAP. XVIII Of the seven Trumpets in Apocalyps 8 9 10 11. chapters In which the Popes Rising to his Antichristian Hierarchy is first described compared with the seaven Phials in chap. 16. under which the Antichristian Hierarchy doth fall and is consumed by degrees THE Seaven seals destroyed the Roman Empire and the seven Trumpets do forbid that Rome being overthrown as Jericho should be built again and as Hiel endeavoured to re-edify Jericho contrary to Gods will for which act God in Justice took away his eldest and youngest son So Princes that joined with the Pope to hate the Greek Empire that they might seâ— up Rome for which act the Lord in justice made it the means of their wo and great misery The comparison of the Phrases for the Trumpets in Apâ— 89 10 11. chapters with chap. 16. for the Phials is diligently to be marked for the understanding of the true scope of the Apocalyps The Phases concerning the Plagues for the ruine of the Papacy in the Phialls are wonderfully fitted to the former Phrases in the Trumpets by which the Popes rising was first described SECT 1. The first Trumpet and first Phiall .. UNder the first Trumpet Satan endeavouring to advance his project The Mystery of Iniquity then the
thousand years after it is not rationâ—◠〈…〉 to think most impertinent assertions As if a godly soul or a 〈…〉 under greivous pressures and afflictions at present should 〈…〉 for consolation must the Teacher then tell stories to 〈…〉 that neither they nor theirs for many genera 5. Again these in captivity were godly and faithfull and knew they were chastised for not regarding Gods * The Iews now are perswaded of no such thing although forewarned Heb. 10.25 26 27. covenant in Christ and therefore they did humble themselves and confesse their sins as Levit. 26. foretold and had gracious promises of return to Canaan and of building city and Temple and that the City should be builded on its own heap and that they should have a policy to buy and sell Ier. 32. and the Prophet Ieremiâ—h knew well enough that the godly in the state of Iudah were or would be much cast down in their spirits even as Ieremy himself was concerning their most grievous calamities as Ier. 32. * It was â—n that age of God people that needed this satisfaction and thereupon the Lord God did comfort him and all the godly of those dayes and did revive their hearts in divers passages even as he did by Ezekiel see Jer. 29.30 31 32 33. chapters 6. But the Jews now are not godly but grievous apostates for they hold Christ and his Gospel Kingdome and people anathema they are exceeding hard of heart and blaspheme our Christ look for Christ yet to come not one of 1â—00 is godly of them nor have been for many hundred years 7. A glorious calling of the Jews from Rom. 11. is not denied in all places where they are scattered and will not this be a wonderfull glory to them and us that they in all places where they are shall yield obedience to the Gospel This should suffice for more cannot be proved and when Christ came we Gentiles were received into their sheepfold Iohn 10 Other sheep I have c. but hereafter the contrary Rom. 11.11 To provoke them to follow them that was their glory this ours 8. So certainly this speech of Ezek. 37. was spoken for the present disconsolate age These were not yet cast off All Zac. z. was consolatory to the returned who were vexed by the Samaritans and others Ierusalem being as yet unwalled although the providence of Christ was as a wail of fire for them till it was walled nor cut off from their own people but they onely were as yet Gods people and that made Zachariah say * that the Lord will yet choose Sion and Ierusalem and that yet he would be jealous for Ierusalem and Sion This was to comfort them under many pressures being under the government of the Persians and under such like pressures they should be under Iavan whole and Iavan parted namely in much affliction therefore it was fit and convenient so to comfort them for the Lord doth alwayes speak sitly to his olive and so the Lord did yet choose them even after this for the time of the Seventy Sevens of years in which space of time they should be the peculiar holy people and Ierusalem should continue to be the holy City but after the Seventy Sevens of years were accomplished according to Dan. 9 they had not any peculiar priviledge nor ever shall We mâ—sâ— not regard that strange Doctrine that teacheth otherwise but what tends to that Sion in Hebrews 12. and in Apocalyps 14.1 and to that Jerusalem Hebrews 12. Gal. 4. Apoc. 3 and 21. in too many things we do hinder the conversion of the Jews in Judaizing with them They hope for the building of Ierusalem and daily pray for their return to Canaan and many of us thus Judaize with them in teaching their return thither to bâ— a glorious Church again 9. And whereas the people of God in Jeremiahs and Ezekiels dayes were much dejected in spirit for the sorrows which they felt by Babel the golden head as they had cause went weeping to Babel not clearly discerning Gods counsel yet at the end of the captivity the holy counsels of God were fully opened by Gabriel the holy angels glorious message from heaven to Daniel * This Text of Dan. 9.24 did comfort them for the losse of the Ark Jer. 3. and the shaking of the rest of the Ceremonies and because the Lord foresaw what he would once more do by the Romane polity therefore he gave to Daniel that glorious revelation that they should expect the MESSIAS the holy of holy to confirm the Covenant for the many by his death Dan. 9.24 That they need not mourn nor lament for destroying Salomons Progeny and Kingdome because the holy angel had told them of the MESSIAS their King greater than Salomon who was also of the house of David for it is said he shall be great and shall be called the Son of the most high and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdome there shall be no end Luc. 1.32 33. and hence we learn that Christs spirituall kingdome shall never be ended nor overthrown nor his heavenly progeny extinct who are Princes and Priests in all the earth Psal 145.16 and the Metropolis of his kingdome is the heavenly Sion and Jerusalem builded by the Gospel over all the four quarters of the world and this city 1500 mile square compassed about with a wall of precious truth invincible that no power of the enemie can scale it or make any breach in it and the foundations of the wall are twelve compounded of twelve precious Jewels The holy Doctrine of the Lambs twelve apostles that there can be no Satanicall pioneers to make any mynes to blow it up no if they be as deep in their counsels as Garnet and Faux of that hellish crue and the Temple within this holy city is so glorious that it secretly affrights all opposers more than that in the times of Psal 48. For the Lord God of hosts even the LAMB is the Temple who is also the Rock of defence of his Church 10. Now though all this be our glory under the new Testament yet the Doctrine of many is contrarie for in effect they teach the Jews to lament and mourn for earthly Canaan and for the low Ierusalem and Temple Teachers may as well follow their Thalmudicall fables as this doctrine and so they do in part for they look for a pompous Kingdome in Canaan and continue against Gods oath the line of Salomon Ier. 22. These things will be touched again as the argument calls for it 11. The Prophesie of Amos chap. 9. is expounded in Acts 15. by the holy Councel and it will confine all our expositions that we make upon Esaias Ezekiel and Zacharias for such a calling of the Jews as I have shewed The last of Amos expounded by the Apostles themselves I take it is a key to open
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
Iohn 15.26 I will send the Comforter to you from the Father for our Covenant and Contract was so from eternity that in case I did perform the conditions of the Mediators Office I should have a joynt hand with my Father in the sending of the holy Spirit 10. He is called the Spirit of his mouth namely the Spirit of Iehovah Father and Son Psaâ— 33 6. 11. He is called the Finger of God in Luke 11.20 by which the humane nature of Christ did his Miracles 12. He is called the power of God Luke 1.35 The Angel said unto Mary The holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the most High shall over-shadow thee namely as it did over-shadow the confused Chaos in the Creation as Mr. â—rap speaketh 13. Peter calls the Holy Ghost God in Act. 53 4. These and such like blessed Attributes of the third person in Trinity are sufficient to convince any Iew Turk or Arrian that the holy Spirit is true God except such as God hath given up to the Spirit of slumber and to the hardnesse of their own hearts to perish in their own impenitency CHAP. LVII Of the Attributes of the Holy Ghost in relation to its opperations and effects in the various manner of his working 1. AS the Spirit of Aelohim in the beginning did move upon the face of the waters to the producing of the visible Creation Gen 1.1 so it moved also upon the water of Gods word to Adam and so to all the elect for the producing of the spirituall Creation For except a man be born of Water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God Iohn 3.5 And there are three that beare witnesse in the earth the spirit and the water and the blood and these three agree in one 1 Iohn 5.8 And so Moses Doctrine is compared to raine in Deut. 32.1 and so Tit. 3 5. 2. Saith God in Gen. 6.3 My Spirit shall not alwaies strive with man for that he is but flesh Hence take notice of the Spirits working or striving with men that are given to the flesh it doth often strive along time with such but if after some time they will not hearken then God saith it shall not alwaies strive but it shall at last give them up to their own hearts lusts to perish in their sins Noah â—a a preacher of righteousnesse to the old world for a hundred and twenty yeares and this long time the Apostle calls the long suffering of God 1 Pet. 3.19.20 2 Pet. 2.5 3. It is said in 1 Pet. 3.18 That Christ was quickned by the Spirit by which he went and preached to the Spirits that now are in prison that were disobedient in the daies of Noe hence two things are observable 1. That Christ was called Iehovah in Gen 6 3. 2. That the Spâ—rit by which Naah preached to the disobedient world is here called by Peter The Spirit of Christ 4. In Esa 6.10 They rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit which did strive with them for their conversion by the preaching of his Prophets Therefore was he turned to be their enemy and he fought against them as he threatned to do if they did not obey his voice Exod. 23.21 and he did also fulfill it in Psal 78.40 c. and 1 Thes 5.19 5. God saith thus to his Elect I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my Statutes and yee shall keep my Judgments and do them Ezek. 36.27 This is the operation of Gods Spirit in the Elect at one time or other while they attend upon him in his Ordinances for the walking in his Statutes and the keeping or doing of his Judgments doth imply the obedience of faith to all his statutes in their spirituall sense and meaning as in Ezek. 11.19 20. and Ezek. 36.27 and in Rom 2.26 Yea the Spirit doth by its operations work upon baptized Infants that belong to Gods Election by vertue of the Covenant which is the word of promise for their Regeneration and knitting to Christ if they dye before they come to knowledge by the outward hearing of the word as Esa 59 21. 6. It is said in Esa 11.2 That the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon the root that shall proceed out of the stem of Jesse and the Prophet doth repeat some heads of those endowments of the Spirit whereby the humane nature of the Messias should be furnished But the said heads are expressed in such large and copious words that it implies he should be furnished with the whole Spirit and with all the gifts and graces of that Spirit and from thence it is said in Reve 1.4 that he hath the seven Spirits of God that is to say the whole Spirit and all the graces of the Spirit and this Endowment of his is often repeated as in Revel 3 1. Revel 4.5 and Revel 5 6. 7. It is said in 1 Cor. 1â— 4 That there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit And in verse 8. to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdome and to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit And in verse 13. by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body 8. It is said because yee are sonnes God hath sent forth the Spirit of his son into your hearts which hath this operation it inables you to cry Abba father Gal. 4.6 and in this Text the holy Trinity is also expressed 9. Sundry operations are ascribed to the Spirit in Rom. 8. 1. in verse 5. They that are after the spirit do mind the things of the spirit 2. In verse 6. The wisdome of the spirit is life and peace 3. In verse 11. If the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you c. he shall also quicken your mortall bodies by his spirit 4. In verse 13. If ye mortifie the deeds of the flesh by the spirit ye shall live 5. In verse 14. As many as are led by the spirit are the sâ—ns of God 6. In verse 15. Ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby ye cry Abba Father 7. In verse 16. The same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God 8. In verse 26. The spirit helpeth our infirmities for we know not what to pray as we ought but the spirit it self maketh request for us with fight and groans that cannot be expressed 9. In verse 27. The spirit maketh request for the Saints according to the will of God These sundry operations of the Spirit are expressed in this eigth chapter 10. Sundry operations of the spirit are in Gal. 5. 1. In verse 16. Walk in the spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flâ—sh 2. In verse 17. For the Spirit lusteth against the flesh 3. In verse 18. If ye be led by the spirit ye are not under the law 4. In verse 12. The fruit of the spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentlenesse goodnesse saith meeknesse
The Doctrine of LIFE OR OF MANS REDEMTION BY The Seed of Eve the Seed of Abraham the Seed of David c. as it was taught in severall Periods of Time from Gen. 3.15 till Christ came in the Flesh to fulfill all Typicall Prefigurations of him by his Death WHEREIN ALSO Sundry other Fundamentall Points are discussed and cleared from some common mistakes As Daniels Chronologie of SEVENTY SEVENS which is cleared from the uncertainty which too many Expositors have unadvisedly cast upon it And about the Jewes calling that it must not be understood of any Return to Canaan or of their Restauration to a perspicuous Common wealth any more but of the calling of a Remnant of them to the Faith in the Countries where they live dispersed And with the true nature of our LORDS SUFFERINGS with sundry other such like Points as may be seen in the TABLE Propounded by way of Question and Answer with Annotations thereunto annexed Divided into three Parts By Edward Holyoke of New-England Come and see John 1.46 LONDON Printed by T. R. for Nath. Ekins and are to be sold at his Shop at the Gun in St. Pauls Church-yard 1658. To his Beloved and much Honoured Brother John Bridges of Hackney Esquire and to his dearly Beloved Sister his wife and to their Religious and well deserving Sons Colonel John Bridges Captain Robert Bridges Major William Bridges Matthew Bridges Brook Bridges and Francis Bridges Esquires peace be multipliâ—â—â— BEloved and much honoured Brother though the Lord Jesus to whom all things are made subject hath separated us by the great Deep yet I have you oft in remembrance and cannot forget our alliance and indeered love and acquaintance that hath been between us from our childhood both in the Country and in the City of London You have a great Family and like to have through the Lords blessing a numerous posterity and my desire is to shew that I have some interest in them being also my bone and my flesh as Laban said to Jacob and I suppose you will be well pleased if I endeavour in any thing to further them in the knowledge of the Son of God This I now present unto you and them was done many years ago for the most part as I think you may remember and then I made some marginal notes to attend upon the several answers to the several questions that are propounded in the two first parts some things I have since added concerning the Covenant of God in Christ made with our Fathers in Gen 3.15 and Gen. 9. and Gen 12.1 2 3. and in Gen. 17. This I did because of the errors that get quickning in these times and for the same cause I have affixed divers other weighty and profitable points in the third part of this Treatise I hope the whole will be a means to shew that the Covenant of God in Christ is one and the same in all ages though the outward administration differ and that the Covenant to Israel of old was not onely in the carnal and fleshly promise and covenant but also in the spiritual promise and Covenant even the same that is now made with us in the new Testament of the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God Dear Brother and Nephews you have known my manner of life studies and endeavours and I blesse the Lord I have had comfortable experience of that course of study which I have followed I mean chiefly of the book called the Consent of Scripture And let me speak as I think If men would use that course of study together with the blessed Scriptures it would settle in us and in our posterity the true knowledge of religion and the certainty of everlasting salvation The whole Scripture and all learning should be contrived unto Christ as Gods servant did in the Consent of Scripture and so Stephen did he drew all the holy story to Christ in Acts 7. and so the Apostle Paul he drew all the Law to Christ as Rom. 10 doth make it evident being conferred with Deut. 30. Some in New England have seen this frame of mine and have desired that it might be made more common by printing and indeed I cannot write so many Copies as to communicate it to you and to that generation except it be by Printing It may be you will marvel I dare be so bold as to Print it in this evil time but indeed I dare not but do it and I believe this labour of mine will talk with many sorts of spirits and I hope that Gods people will judge the best of this my undertaking other things I have if the Lords providence please so to order it that must be made more publick because I have a great desire thereby to provoke others to the diligent study of the blessed Scriptures Dear Brother and much honoured Nephews as Salus populi is the care of Magistracy so the edification of the Churches ought to be the painfull care of godly Teachers and we ought to know that Families are little Churches and Common-weals and the Seminaries of greater Corporations that Parents are intrusted with children and servants it is not a small honour that Christ hath conferred this trust on them and verily if Families be neglected the Churches will fail Let us with all godly industry make this promise good to our selves and posterity in Isa 59.21 As for me this is my Covenant with them saith Jehovah my spirit that is upon thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed saith Jehovah from henceforth and for ever and that this promise and covenant may be conferred on you and on your posterities for ever is the affectionate prayer of Your assured and ever loving brother In the surest bonds Ed. Holyoke Some DIRECTIONS TO THE GODLY READER For the Reading of the Holy SCRIPTURES LEt me be bold as having obtained mercy of the Lord to give some advice to godly Families 1. Let children be brought up constantly to read all the five books of Moses knowing it was the Son of God the Angel of his presence the Angel of the covenant that gave Moses the lively Oracles for his Israel Omit not one chapter and that which some think not so usefull read somewhat the more carefully believing the Apostles Doctrine 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. 2. Read the 12. first Chapters of Gen. often and after every book of Moses read the Epistles to the Romanes and to the Hebrews or one of them sometimes the one sometimes the other because it is said the Scriptures of the Prophets is the faith of the Nations Rom. 1 2 3. and 16.25 26. c. c. 3. Know that Moses is the Text and that the holy history of the Prophets is an Exposition of Moses and when children or any young man though a Scholar is well versed in Moses and the Prophets they will more
Buy the truth buâ— sell it not c. and redeem the time for the dayes are evil I doubt not he that will be constant will say it is as profitable an hour as ever he spent 3 I take it for granted that he that will hearken to this counsell must be godly disposed and full of courage for Christ our Lord doth give to his servants not the spirit of fear and slothfullnesse but of courage of love and of a sound judgement I confesse that Gods people had need be backed with heavenly strength in this degenerating time to meditate in the Law of God day and night But a good heart must mind what Christ said to Joshua chap. 1. and he had as much businesse in his hand as any man that now liveth Oh that I could perswade young men to trace me in all these directions I know the Lord would then blesse them 4 I have heard of a godly man in London that did read over the â—ibâ—e twelve times in one year and that made him so prompt as he was in the holy Scriptures and yet he was diligent in his calling and died wealthy he pleased not himself in much steep and shunned unnecessary pratling discourses and vain frothy company he was of a sober and stayed conversation his name was Mr. Roger Cotton a Woollen Draper in Canning street But alas there are but few at this day that do search into Gods word the wealthy and principal of state remit that work over unto others as a base work for themselves to regard but God doth greatly chastise the world for this neglect and Hosea from God doth thus complain of the people of Israel I have written to him the great things of my Law but they were counted as a strange thing Hosea 8. read chap. 4. 5. I pray the beloved Reader to consider that these dayes are dayes of triall of shaking and winnowing both of the outward and inner man and that Satan is a great Malignant both of godly parents and their children and that he labours to plunder them of an able godly and learned Ministery and of the Sabbath and of the seals of the Covenant yea of the Covenant it self as touching their infants and Satan would not have children catechised by forms which was yet the prctise of the Apostles times Heb. 6.1 2 3. that so they might be a prey to every foul spirit but the Lord our God will rebuke Satan and all his instruments 6. Consider there hath been ever and in these dayes is an aptnesse to depart from the Gospel of Christ but that neither we nor our posterity should apostate publick and private ordinances must with all godly care be attended All cannot be Angels of Churches and the Angels of Churches receive gifts and graces from Christ for the good of the Church It was an holy wish in Moses to say I would all the Lords people were Prophets and that he would put his spirit upon them and who is but would so wish but yet ever since the world began Christ in his administrations never did it nor ever will therefore they that despise ordinances it is of Satan and also for men to think they are above the holy Scriptures and need them not and that therefore they look for new Apostles this is also most certainly of Satan the old liar and deceiver 7. Let all such at neglect the Ordinances of Christ and the blessed Scriptures pretend never so much illuminations and Revelations of the Spirit and new light c. all such vanity is but Ignis faâ—â—â—s thus even thus did the old Serpent deal with our first Parents but Christ that restoreth all things saith to his disciples and children To the Law Isa 8.28 19.20 and to the testimony and if men speak not according to it there is no morning light in them it is also said Psal 138. â— The Lord hath magnified his word above all his name and also hath said in his new Testament Search the Scriptures John 5. c. c. They are not worthy the new name by which God hath called his chosen I mean the Christian name that set light by the word of Christ and a godly learned teaching Ministery 8. They that look for new Apostles and are not content with the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles Christ never prayed for such he prayed for them that believe in him through their word and preaching John 17. that makes the Spirit of Christ he foresaw this evil to admonish us to be mindfull of the words and commandements of the Apostles and he that knoweth God heareth the Apostles and they know not God that do not hear their doctrine and the apostle Paul saith That he with the other were the last Apostles 2 Pet. 3.2.1 John 4.6 1 Cor. 4.9 Judas Thaddeus 17. 9. Their faith is not worth a rush that neglect or reject the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles Ephes 2.20 the holy doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ with which he inspired and sent his apostles to preach to all nations is most pure glorious and full of all consolation and they filled the world with the fruit of their doctrine which hath remained to this day and shall to the end by a faithfull succession of an holy ministery 1 Cor 11 26. Brethren beloved you know who saith What singular thing do ye An unbeliever and a misbeliever will provide meat drink and cloathing and lay uâ— what they can for their children and will give wages to their â—â—â—â—â—â—ts and it is well so to do but what singular thing do yeâ— do that which none of theâ— will do let your children which Christ hath trusted you with and which you have born to him let Satanical spirits blaterate what they will be precious to you 2 Iohn 4. Ezek. 23.37 Deur 6.6 7. train them up in the blessed Scriptures that you and they may be blessed as those two blessed and godly Matrons the mother and grandmother of Timothy and also be carefull of your servants that they may blesse God for you when God shall visit their hearts and know this ye godly Parents and Masters * An acute aphorism of that Râ—man of God Mr. John Trap Ye are really what ye are relatively 10. You see what leaven is laid by the marked of the Beast the Papist and by the Anabaptist and the wretched Gorton c. c. If the honour of the word of God the blessed Scriptures be glorious with you if the glory of the Churches of Christ be of any value with you if the glory and comfort of the Covenant of God in Christ be of account with you teach your children unweariedly the sweet Scriptures that they may be delivered from the vanities and idols of these inchanters 11. But above all Popery is to be taken heed of and indeed the Dialogue was and is chiefly intended against it It is the greatest mysterie of iniquitie in the world and the most
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
God hath forbidden it and plagued the transgression in the old and new Testament 2 Cor. 6 and 7.1 Apoc 3.14 See Ezraes sadnesse chap. 9.14 the affinity of Loegria with Gallia hath brought heavy wrath In Q 6. N. 7. Praises and thanksgivings He is thy Praise and he is thy God that hath done for thee thâ—se great and terrible things which thine eyes have seen Deut. 10 For the duty of praise Psal 95. and 96. and 100. and 103 and 108 and for all kinds of blessings spirituall and corporeall and the assured hope of eternall let us delight in this duty of praise and thanksgiving In Q. 6. N. 7. Of each dayes creation All the Hosts of the Heavens and Earth worship him if he give but a watch-word to any of his creatures to any of his hosts they rebell not against his word his word runs very swiftly in them Ps 136. and 91. c see this in all the stories of the word and especially when the saints offer up strong cryes to Jehovah of Hosts a terrour to the seed of the serpent who engage all the armies of Heaven and Earth and seas against them 1 Sam. 7. See much of Ps 18.6 7 8 c. In Q. 6. N. 7. For deliverance Psal 136.23.24 Apoc. 15. and 19. All the plagues of Pharoah shew this His plagues were from Iehovah Eâ—â—him from each dayes creation in Geâ— 1. The thankfull remembrance of Gods mercy to our blessed England is worthy of happy memory Eph. 3.20.21 In 7. Quest and Answ Christ who is Alpha and Omega the first and the last is the first and the last teacher of his own religion and worship Man not precisely cleaving to divine revelation is an idolatrous superstitious and selfe-willed foole although hee will make great shew of wisdome and humility In Q 7. I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified This holy Doctrine is breathed constantly in all the holy scriptures from the beginning Sacrifice was a seal of justification or freedome from guilt of sin and punishment that is by faith Sacrifice was still taught with the Doctrine God made a covenant with man fallen by sacrifice and when they sacrificed they prayed Gen. 12.8 1 Sam. 7.9 Yea Habel Gen. 4. Eb 11. consider Ps 20. all of it and Gen. 15. God promised Abraham beleeved and to strenghen his faith sacrifice was added and it is say God made a covenant with Abraham the same day From the time of mans fall beasts were killed for sacrifice and it kindled first with fire from Heaven The tame quiet and mild kinde as Ox Sheep and Goat and birds not devouring as Turtle and Pigeon and other little birds no beasts of prey nor birds of prey but such as feed upon seed are fit for sacrifice These shewed that the second Adam by his combating with Satan through his constant patience and holy obedience unto death should procure our justification or freedome from Satans power Also such manner of sacrifices taught us mortification following Christ and profession of a quiet and harmlesse life For no Tyrants can sacrifice to God but just quiet and patient folke 1 Tim. 2.8 And the keeping of the fire once kindled taught them not to quench the spirit That speech of Apoc. 13. must here be minded Christ was the Lambe slaine from the foundacion of the world slaine in the decree of the blessed Trinity and in the Church by types of the Lords owne appointment In Q 7. The presence of God Holy convocations together with Gods Ordinances was so called in after times called also the Courts of God there is Gods residence there he keeps Court and glorious is it to consider Exod. 20 24. and chap. 29.43.44.2 Cor. 6. For it is sayd There will I meet with thee There we sit at his fâ—et as his disciples to heare his words at the posts of wisdome wee must attend Prov. 9. There is the beauty of holinesse his own commanded worships There is the provision of the heavenly housholder there the blessed shepheard feeds the flock of his fold Oh see the comforts that an holy soule doth there finde Psal 23. and 36. and 40. and 42. and 65. and 84. and 95. and 100. and 132. c. The Saints as Habell have blessed communion with God their exceeding joy there the Saints the Israel of God rejoyce in his Makers the children of Sion rejoyce in their King Jehovah their God is with them the joyful shout of a King is among them There the holy voluntaries the army of Heaven assemble and compass their commander and blessed and holy is the communion that the Saints have there one with another and especially it shineth when there is none unclean and profane of their company Infinite are the uses of application how that we in all things must remember That holinesse becomes his house and presence for ever What preparations longings and attention to meet such a King such a Father such a Bridegroome c. insuch holy Ordinances and before men to shew forth the virtues of him that hath called them that as their King is holy so they to be holy in all manner of conversation Solemn assemblies without mixture of mens in ventions is a deare blessing it is an Eden the very Garden of God Ezek 28. Cant. 4 3. In 8. Quest and Answ Habel Now faith is the expectation of that which is hoped and the tryer our of things which are not seen for by it the Elders were well reported of By faith Habel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice then Kaine by which he obtained witnesse that he was righteous i. e. jâ—stified that is freed from sins guilt and desert God testifying of his offerings and by it he being dead yet speaketh Ebâ— 11.4 So Habels faith did speak to the revolting Hebrewes how and from whom they must expect justification and salvation In 9. Quest and Answ Began the war Where as it is sayd the seed of the serpent shall bruise it sheweth they should be of great power outward glory and temporall felicity as from Kaine through all the holy stories Psal 44. and 73. and 79. Job 12 and 22. Apoc. 13. c. c. In Q 9. The holy seed Habel for love to Christ was the first that was accounted as a sheep for the slaughter that was killed for the word of God and faith testimony of Jesus Christ Hence the Proverb begins to take place The just is an abomination to the wicked Observe hence that the wicked are one corporation from Kain to the end of the world and all the godly from Habel to the end of the of the world are another corporation in Christ And therfore what persecution Kain did to Habel wicked men are now guilty of Psal 66.6 Hos 12.4 Mat. 23.35 for they would have done the same to our Lord to the Prophets as Kain did to Habel if they had then lived And ungodly men have do and will
stamps of the later Hench prophesied of the destruction of the Apostates of the old world saying Behold the Lord cometh with thousands of his holy ones to give Iudgement upon all men and to rebuke all the ungodly among them of all their wicked deeds which they have ungodly committed and of all their cruell speakings which wicked sinners have spoken against him Iudas Thaddaeus v. 14.15 St. Peter shews they were mockers 2 Pet. 3. and Job 21. and 22. sheweth how they despised the Gospell Thaddaeus and Peter by allusion shew the end of all false Teachers and their deceived that follow their pernicious wayes So when the state of Iudah became mockers judgement was at hand 2 Chron. 36. read Matth. 24. Luke 17. for the sins of the old world the fooles make a mock of sin Prov. 14.9 Be not mockers least your bonds encrease Scoffers shall eat the fruit of their owne wayes Esa 3. Prov. 3. Scoffers made a wonder of the Prophets and perished 2 Pet. 3.4 and so in after times Habbak 1.5 Act. 13.41 1 Pet 4.4.4 Esa 8.18 In Q. 11. Excommunicate He that hath the Censures of the church deservedly executed on him is in dreadfull condition little better then a fugitive or a vagabond but it was the great Anathema maranatha that was given Kain and his posterity as Henoch told them He commeth Kain did not love the Lord Jesus Christ and his holy doctrine Kain hated Habel because his own works were evill and his brothers good Such Kains were in after-times Es 38.20 and the Pharisees were such and so now all those are such that follow their doctrines of mens traditions and bodily exerecise c. Woe be to them that follow the wayes of Kain Thad 11. Woe be to the wicked it shall be ill with him c. Esa 3.11 Job 11.20 Pro. 14.32 In Q. 12. The Spirit of Christ Whereas Moses saith The spirit of Iehovah Gen. 6. Peter citing that story saith The spirit of Christ Gen 6. 1 Pet. 3.18.19 so for Jehovah in Exod. Levit. Numb Deut. Saint Paul saith Christ 1 Cor. 10. VVe must marke diligently such expositions of the scripture even from Christ himself Luke 24.45 This made the Apostle to say The holy scriptures will make us wise to salvation through the faith which is in Christ Iesus 2 Tim. 3. CHAP. III. Hath diverse Questions and Answers with Annotations How Redemption was taught from the Flood till the Promise to ABRAHAM And the Seed of SHEM is explained QUest 1. How and to whom was the Councill of God in Christ revealed after the Flood Answ The old Testament writes Shem the new Testament writes Sem Luke 3.36 To Shem the Son of Noah QUest 2 What is the Scripture Answ Gen. 9.26 Blessed be Jehovah the †God was not ashamed to be called the God of Shem for he had prepared him a Son after the flesh who after the spirit of holinesse is the son of God and God blessed for ever Rom. 1. 9. God of Sem and Chanaan shall be his Servant God perswade Japheth to dwell in the Tents of Sem and Chanaan shall be his servant QUest 3 What observe you out of this Text Answ I. He that was called the seed of the woman is now called the God of Sem. Christ Jesus our Lord came of Sem according to the flesh Luc. 3. II. That Jehovah Sems God was the only blessed and true God none like him nor any beside him Therefore the Religion of the God of Sem was A the true religion and for this cause in Israel Sems faithfull posterity it was graciously exclaimed that blessed are the people whose God is Jehovah Psal 33. and Psal 144. III. That unto this blessing in Sems tents Sems own families Japhets and Chams were to have regard IV. It is prophesied that when the Prerogative of Sems tents was out the other families of the sons of Noah should be perswaded to imbrace the faith and so be brought into equall covenant as it is sayd B That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs and of the same body and joynt partakers of his promise in Christ by the Gospel Eph. 3.6 V It is the mighty work of the spirit to make a man know c to perswade the heart by beleeving to obey the mystery of Christ All the wisdome of the wise and prudent of this world is not sufficient till God draw teach and perswade us to the Kingdome of his son VI. Parents should in all fervency pray unto God for their posterity that they may be wrought upon and perswaded to obey the gospel and such faithfull prayers shall not be lost VII In Noahs story we may see the example of godly children that honour their Parents though they are old Prov. 10.12.23 14.9 11.12 13. 12.16 17.6 18.3 22.10 23.22 with all tendernesse caring for covering and pittying their infirmities and weaknesses Love covers a multitude of sins therefore Sem and Japheth had a most joyfull blessing pronounced on them the fruit of which themselves and their posterity did finde VIII That scorners of Gods truth and his servants though they have infirmities are cursed being the seed of the Serpent and hence also note wicked men procure much evill to their posterity both in their example and for Gods judgements IX As long as Sems godly house * Consider what God did for Salem and Sion while they knew him and advanced his name and religion in his Tabernacle Psal 76.1 2 3 4. held the faith of Christ sincere then Chams and Chanaans posterities were servants but when they walked contrary to Christ he in fury walked contrary to them So if wee hold Sems God to be our God and be constant in the faith of Sems Tents to which we were allured and perswaded by the Apostles and disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ the God and Son of Sem God will assuredly make that servant of servants and all that cursed policy of that mysticall Nimrod to be a †This is a point as evident as the clearest sun at noone that the subduing of ours and gods enemies is a benefit tyed to our constancy in true religion see the thankfull remembrance of D. Carlton p. 236. servant of servants * Marke this question the corruption of mans nature was so great after the apostacy of our first parents that they were under the power of satans darknesse unrecoverable in respect of man But presently the Lord God taught them the way of life to bring them back again to him their soveraigne good Gen. 3.15 and by holy prophets continued the same doctrine both before and after the Floud Gen. 26.5 18.19 the revelation of the second Adam is mans only comfort and all that receive him and beleeve in his name shall live John 1.12 Act. 26.18 QUest 4. Who kept the way and charge of Christ-Jehovah in his Commandements Statutes and Lawes the religion of Sems Tents after the
any tormented estate Q. 8. The mystery of godlinesse The mystery of Godlinesse was hidden in types and figures from the ages and generations of the Apostate families Eph. 3. Col. 1.26 But in Judah was God known his name was great in Israel in Salem was his Tabernacle and his dwelling place in Sion Psal 76.1.2 He shewed his word unto Jacob and his statutes and Judgments unto Israel he dealt not so with any nation and as for his judgements they had not knowne them therefore they sayd Praise ye J A H. Psalm 147 So that Israel did enjoy the true knowledge of God in Christ and were the houshold of God having the covenants of promise and the seals of the fame and lived and dyed in the constant hope of immortality in glory read diligently Eph. 2.11 12 Act. 26.6.7 And this we must understand concerning the true hidden mystery hid in types and figures among godly families untill Moses and then to the Nations while Israels fleece only was moystened by the dewes that fell on mount Sion but after the ending of the seventy sevens Dan. 9. then the Gospel was openly revealed and made known to all Nations of Noahs families and yet in those dayes yea now in these dayes it is an hid mystery too too manifest experience doth witnesse in kingdoms townes and families 1 Cor. 2. Q 9. The heathens also All those noble prophesies in Moses Prophets and Psalmes of the calling of the Gentiles do comment on the blessing to Sem and the Promise to Abraham The holy Prophets rejoyced in spirit foreseeing the glorious calling of the families to the Faith we should have the like affection to the calling of the Jewes Rom. 11. Q. 9. By sending his disciples The Apostles were sent unto them to open their eyes to turne them from darknesse to light from the power of Satan to God that they might receive forgivenesse of sinnes and inheritance among all them of the old Testament which are sanctified by faith in Christ Act. 26. Eph. 1.11 12 13 14. Annotations How Redemption was taught from the Promise to ABRAHAM till the Law of the Passeover or the coming forth of EGYPT QUest 1. What is the scripture in which the Revelation of the mystery of Christ was made known to Abraham Answ Gen. 12 2. And I will make of thee a great Nation and I will blesse thee and make thy name great and thou shalt be a blessing And I will blesse them that blesse thee and curse him that curseth thee And in thee shall all the families of the Earth be blessed QUest In what doth this scripture teach instruct convince correct and comfort Answ I Of the cursed and most wretched estate of the apostate families and unrecoverable in respect of any ability in themselves God hiding from them by Babells Languages for many generations the glorious mystery of the Gospell of his Son that they became Loammi and Lo-ruchamah that is not Gods people nor pitied and ever enemies to God and his people walking in all courses of unperswadeable disobedience II. It is prophesied by this great and precious promise that the families shall be delivered from the misery of that apostasie by the Son of God who was sent of the Father into the world in fullness of time to be a blessing to make knowne the riches of the glorious mystery of his will to reconcile them to be Gods people and to be under mercy through his gracious Redemption and by the same to reconcile the enmity of Jew and Gentile III. Here it is taught who Christ is touching his person that he being God is also man of the Seed of Abraham Gal. 4.4 Eb. 2.16 Saint Matthew chap. 1. doth shew the history and the promise fullfilled As also how Christ Immanuel doth blesse us saving his people from the guilt punishment and dominion of their sins by his precious death and sacrisice By which hee brake the Serpents head-Plot Gen. 3.15 in his constant patience and obedience at the very same time when the Serpent and his seed put him to an accursed death on the tree as a notorious sinner By this performance Gal. 4 5. Rom. 3 25. this manner of the blessing of Abraham came on the Gentiles Gal. 3.13.14 IV. By faith in the promise we are reconciled justified and adopted and so are no more servants in bondage but heirs in Christ V. Whereas it is sayd in thy seed all families of the Earth are blessed it sheweth there is the same and no other way or means of eternall life and salvation to Jew and Gentile but only and alone the Lord Jesus Christ nor any comfort in this world but as given us by promise and covenant through faith in Christ in the use of the meanes lawfully used Wherefore all other Religions Additaments inventious of men are abominable and all communion with such is no better then the communion with devills VI. We have not forgiveness of sins life and the inheritance of heaven †Act. 3.26 Tit. 3.5 6. Gal. 3.16.17 Abraham had not-wherein to rejoyce as of himselfe he did not prevent God but God prevented him by workes of our doing or will in our choosing but all is of free grace and free promise VII The Lord God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ doth give The Lords Prayer and all the prayers of the Saints belong hither Gal. 4.6 Rom. 8.15 so note here that Gods promises are the foundation of prayer David 2 Sam. 7.27 Dan. 9.2 c. as the effects of his promise his spirit to cry Abba Father and to seal assurance of reconciliation justification and adoption and to be an earnest of that inheritance of the Saints in light and to worke mortification and to begin the life of glory in sanctification This the Lord God doth worke in those only that looke for salvation in Christ as sons by the promise not as servants for workes or images VIII In that the eternall God the Gentiles shall be blessed in Christ it is a speech manifesting * Of eternity all Gods works were known to him as the Apostle James saith Act 15. This is handled Rom 8.9 10 11. chapters the purpose of Gods election and predestination in Christ as the spirituall blessings are handled by the Apostle to proceed out of those eternall fountaines Eph. 1. under the word blessed are comprehended the unsearcheable riches of Christ the second Adam who of God is made unto us the efficient cause of wisdome †Or freedom or forgiveness justification sanctification and redemption IX The precious promises in Christ understood and beleeved transforme or metamorphose a man and make him partake of the divine nature so that they which beleeve in God must as from a new principle in uprightnesse of heart walke in the spirit be alwaies zealous to shew forth good workes and with all due care flee the corruptions that are in the world through lusts This is to keepe the mystery
only but of the Gentiles also for he that justifies the circumcision will justifie the uncircumcision And God is a husband to the once barren and desolate woman but fruitful in children as the former married wife Israel Doth not the promise save infants as well as grown men and doth not our heavenly father declare his counsels that his will is to save infants as well as grown men that he enjoyns the seal to infants and saith that he will be their God and the Lord saith not he will be the Father of grown men rather than of infants And a godly parent hath as great hope of his dying infants as any Anabaptist can have of their grown men Ibid. of Quest 4. Of adoption This adoption of Israel hath a double consideration general and speciall visible and invisible visible in covenant in respect of the Apostate families that were cut off Gen. 10. 11. invisible the faithful in Israel All did profess the faith except in their apostasies to the false faiths and religions of Earl-Peor and Moloch and Chemosh c So they were not all faithful no not in outward profession They were Christs own afore he came to his own all Exod. c. his own by visible priviledges yet many a time they grieved him and his holy Spirit Psalm 78 106. so many of them slighted this adoption by joyning themselves to Peor as the sons of the open Church followed Kains wayes Gen. 6. even so it is now some in the Church born after the flesh and some born after the Spirit yet both make a visible Church of Christ it cannot be it must not be denyed It is not sound reasoning from a visible Church estate to the doctrine of election If any be further contentious beware of them Rom. 16.17 18. Quest 4. N. 11. Putting of the sinful body It shewed how distastefull man is to God in his sinful estate of the first Adam and no communion with God but by regeneration in the second Adam 1 Joh. 1. Therefore observe what Esaias Ezekiel John Baptist and our Lord and Stephen said to carnal Israel boasting to be Abrahams seed Esay 57.3 Ezek. 16.3 Ioh. 8.44 Acts 7 51. Matth. 3.9 That they were neither Gods children nor Abrahams seed not treading in the steps of the faith and works of Abraham ibid. N. II. The putting on the new man An Israelite being circumcised yet the old Adam was not so put off nor the new Adam so put on but that birth sin did remain yea so remained that through the Bias of lusts and sinful appetites and by temptation and not taking heed to themselves and keeping their souls diligently omissions of duty and many actuall sins did bud forth For although by faith in Christ the saints were justified or freed from the guilt and punishment of sin inheriting the justification that is by faith yet there was corruption in them issuing from that original or birth-sin that we still are yoked with all we are in Christ Jesus justified from the reign of this sin but not from the being of it in us Gods counsel is such to make us humble This the saints of old felt and acknowledged and bewayled and prayer for further mortification Psalm 51. And those Scriptures from two Apostles that were both circumcised and baptized shew the truth of this Rom. 7.1 John 1.8 Phil. 3.12 13. Therefore every godly soul must observe three things 1. That we slight not any sin in thought word or deed Rom. 6. 7. And 2. to be careful that we content not our selves with bodily exerccise Phil. 3.1 2 3 c. And 3. not to be discontent that Gods counsel is such that perfection is not attaineable in this life that was the sin of our first parents they were Seekers to be in a better estate then they were stated in they were discontent and hearkned to Satan While we are in this vale of tears this must ever be in our hearts 1 Ioh. 1. If we say we have no sin we deceive our selves and truth is not in us but if we acknowledge our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all our unrighteousness and minde that of the Apostle Phil. 3.7 8 9 10 11 12 c. Satan and his instruments will by all means corrupt our hearts in these three things Ibidem N. II. Drew them to the spirituall meaning The faithful worshipped Gop in Spirit and rejoyced in Christ Iesus Ier. 4.4 Phil. 3.3 but a circumcised carnal Israelite thought opus operatum enough as a Law of works and so in all their ceremonies And note this as the doctrine of the covenant is reciprocal so of the Seal as they did teach and seal all comforts from God so they did binde them closer to God in Christ by faith and filial obedience N. III. of the 4 Quest their infant-children Let us consider two or three words more of that which is said touching the infants of Israel that departed this life It is Gods promise and covenant that are workfull and his Spirit did blesse circumcision for the joy and comfort of parents for their infants reconciliation justification sanctification and adoption and hope of immortal glory The same covenant and promise doth belong to the Parents of the Churches of the Gentiles for their infants in the seal of Baptism Is the Father Son and Holy Ghost the holy Trinity the God of the Jewes onely and not of the Gentiles also yea of the Gentiles also Thy Makers are thy Husbands Esay 54. faithful is he that hath promised and he will do it Therefore he is reconciled to our infants and will justifie and sanctifie and adopt them and bring them to immortal glory They by circumcision were circumcised into one body as is evident in all the Church politic of Moses And so by baptism we are all baptized into one body whether Iews or Greeks The promise and covenant is ours as well as theirs as the Epistle to the Galatians upon Gen. 12.2 3. sheweth and baptism sealeth the same and the Covenant and seal is in extent excepting the obligation of Ceremonies and some judicials as large for application to all converted Gentiles to them and to their seed as of old to Israel and their seed The false teachers of these dayes say the Covenant with the people of Israel was carnal and fleshly c. but this is not so not so in Gods intent when he gave those promises and made that covenant and ordeined that seal of his covenant not so in the judgement of the faithful and in their whole conversation which was heavenly as all Heb. 11. Luke 1.55 72 73 74. Again not so for after they came to Canaan they did not reject Canaan nor city nor Temple but in apostasie nor sacrifices nor washings c. as Psalm 50. Esay 1. Ier. 7. yet God plagued them which was for despising Christ in those ordinances so their table was made a
snare to them and Christ was a stumbling Stone to them as he was to Kain That which was ordained for their welfare they made their ruin And so if we do no more but outward exercises in a shew of godliness and deny the power thereof and live wickedly as they did Psalm 50. Esay 1. Ieremy 7. The Angel of Gods presence our glorious Lord Iesus Christ will not spare our misdeeds 1 Thess 4 6. c. These false teachers abuse the holy Scriptures as in that of Heb. 8. It is said better promises c. but they must be asked what better promises than Genesis 3 15. Genesis 12.3 Let such know there are not better promisâ—s in old or new Testament and indeed those two promises contain all the doctrine of the Gospel as in part before is shewed They must excogitate the true interpretation by seeking how our Lord and his Apostles convinced the false glosses the Concâ—sion made of Moses Politie for we all must know theirs and ours is the same Covenant as often said onely new for Administration in fulfilling all promises and prophecies Let us confer Exod. 19. 29.45 Lev. 26.15 with Apoc. 21.3.2 Cor. 6.16 Gen. 3.15 with 1 John 1.2 3. and chap. 3. Jos 1. with Heb. 13.5 Rom. 4. with Gen. 15. 17 c. This must be often spoken and meditated for we are dull of hearing Again better promises hath respect to Deut. 30. Psalm 40 and 95. in Deut. 30. Christ promiseth that he will circumcise their heart and the heart of their seed to love him Jehovah their God and to keep his commandments c. This Christ spake to them that they might not be deceived to think that their salvation stood in outward observances as in circumcision c. but in serving God in their spirits in the Gospel of his Son And so this to be understood in all Moses ceremonies The bloud of Oxen and Goats and Rams did not could not purge their conscience from dead works but their conscience would still be to them for all their bodily exercise an ill accusing and condemning conscience Their salvation was established upon better promises and a better hope That Christ by his own most perfect sacrifice and bloud-shedding should be a sweet smelling savour to God for us and procure eternal redemption And while we as strangers converse in this world he would be mortification and sanctification by his word and spirit Mic. 7. John 3. Yet let the godly take heed they neglect not ordinances and outward observances of Christs institution though they be as the bark and shell yet they are such a bark and shell that a Christian cannot have life kept within him without them as a tree will not live without his bark nor the kernel prosper without his shell Publique administrations and family ordinances and secret duties are of that consequence that he that carelessly neglecteth them is in danger of gangrenating errours both in doctrine and manners N. VI. Not of the Jews only but of many Nations Gen. 17.5 It is promised by the Lord Iehovah the performer of his promises For a Father of many nations have I made thee This speech was spoken at that time when God renewed his promise and covenant in Christ with Abraham and added the seal to that covenant teaching thereby that he would not be the God of Israel only but in due time the God of the Gentiles also therefore the Covenant is to the infants of the Gentiles as of the Iewes and all faithful are Abrahams seed and the Israel of God Gal. 3 6.16 and if the covenant be to the infants then the seal none dare deny it but those that care not for the education of their children in godliness and honesty for the hope of the resurrection unto eternal life Abraham durst not deny the seal but with all joy went about it Again consider Mat. 19.13 Mark 10.13 little children are comprehended in the Covenant For of such is the Kingdome of heaven Yea observe further Of such is the Kingdome of God that is of the Church of God as Matth. 21.43 The Kingdome of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation that shall bring forth the fruits thereof So then Israels infants were of the kingdome of God and so are the Gentiles infants Did the Kingdom of God consist of the parents and infants of Israel in the old Testament surely then godly parents and their infants of the Gentiles are in equal honor He that shall hill an infant shall be put to death as justly as if he had killed a parent So the murderous accursed doctrine of Anabaptists that would murder children is as wicked as to kill a godly parent For the Lord God doth justifie and wash infants from their sins in his Covenant and bring them to glory as well as their godly parents And again seriously minde The covenant of God in Christ by circumcision was in full force to the death of our Lord and Saviour Luke 1.59 and Circumcision was a seal of the covenant of grace to the infants of the faithful and infants were in covenant as is evident and now after our Lords death were they not in covenant Did our Lords death disannul the Covenant of his grace in respect of them absit absit It was about six or seven weeks from our Lords death to Peters sermon Acts 2. And the holy Apostle in the conclusion of his Sermon doth exhort his auditors to receive the ordinance of Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the Remission of sins and to shew he spake by the same Spirit of God that gave the promises doth affirm that the promise and covenant is as firm to infants as ever it was and therefore saith The promise is made unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shal call Acts 2.39 In chap. 3.25 2â— It is said the Jewes were the children of the Prophets and of the Covenant which God made with our Fathers saying to Abraham Even in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed First unto you hath God raised up his son Jesus c. so the Jewes had the first prerogative of the blessing in their kinreds and of the resurrection of Christ and then secondly the Gentiles have the like portion in the blessing and in our Lords resurrection Rom. 2.10 consider for these things Rom. 4.16 17 18 c. to the end of the chapter Quest 5. Answ on Gen. 49.10 And to Him shall the gathering of the people be O give thanks unto Jehovah for he is good for his mercy endureth for ever And say ye Save us O God of our salvation and gather us together and delivâ—r us from the heathen that we may give thanks to thy holy Name and glory in thy praise Blessed be Jehovah the God of Israel for ever and ever and all the people said Amen 1 Chron. 16. Psal
147.2 The Apostle saith the same Grace be to you and peace from God the father and from our Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world according to the Will of God which is our father to whom be glory for ever Amen Gal. 1.3 4.5 Eph. 1. 10. Abraham was gathered from the world and Christ hath and doth still gather and deliver us out of the world to be of his Israel John 11.52 so observe Iohn 17. Quest 7. Answ Abraham Isaac Iacob they to testifie their faith in the Promises of Christ built Altars in divers places and called on the name of the everlasing God And therefore observe the Apostle saith he served God with pure conscience from his forefathers in the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 1.1 2 3. and therefore the promises to the Fathers with the seal of circumcision were not carnal and fleshly as Mateologists wickedly prattle if they were carnal to them so they are to us for the promises and covenant belong to us as hath been laid from Acts 2.39 and chap. 3 25.26 Surely the faith of a good Christian is builded on Christ the Comer stone and on his religion practised of the godly Patriarks and on the blesse holy scriptures and hope in the resurrection all which by the work of the spirit doth make a man watchful to keep a good conscience in Church in Common-Weal by Land or Sea at home abroad in sâ—ops in labours c. see how all is taught in promise and seal He that is such an one shall look death in the face and needs not to be afraid before whom he comes nor needs be ashamed of the groundless criminations of schism heresie and blasphemy c. diligently ponder Acts 24 14 15 16. Quest 9. Ans A great apostasie for Israel in Egypt Read Ezek. 23.8 Israel with his family came as a pure virgin into Egypt and so continued all the dayes of Iacob and Ioseph while he lived held the whole house in life and faith but the Egyptians afterwards infected their poweritie with idolatry even in her youth lay they with this virgin Israel and bruised the breasts of her virginity and powred their whoredomes upon her False worship being a work of the flesh pleaseth and quickly insinuateth into our corrupt nature especially being conversant with idolaters Let all people beware of mystical Egyptians And let Common-weales Churches and families note that false worship and heresie increaseth and somenteth all projects of ungodlynesse and unrighteousness Ezek. 16.6 and 20. must also here be considered to the captivity both of Israel and Judah They were by apostasie rather of the Amoâ—ite and Heâ—hite then of Abraham and Sarah They were in the bloud of their false religion being foully corrupted with the idols of Egypt and so they were dead till Christ by his own law said unto them live So were we being under the bondage of Rome-Egypt until Christ by his everlasting Gospel made us to live Apoc. 14.6 20.4 5. And note as Terah his corrupt worship continued long in Israel so did that of Muzrajim i. e. Egypt Jos 24.14 Ezek. 23 8. Quest 10. Ans God was not ashamed But God will be ashamed of adulterers and adulteresses that follow superstitions lusts of the flesh lusts of the eyes and pride of life for such do and will deny Christ and be ashamed of him and his word and such cannot be pilgrimes and strangers and seek things celestial Iames 4. 1 Ichn 2. Mark 8. Col. 3.1 Ibid. To be called their God Christ saith I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Iacob this is my memorial to all generations that is to all of their faith and heavenly conversation whether Jew or Gentile Exedus 3.6 15 16. Hebrews 11. Ibid. Heavenly City and Countrey The faithful to the fulness of time were in heaven and part of the blessed familie of the heavenly Father Ephe. 1.10 3.15 All the faithful in Israel were the adopted sons of the Eternal their God and if sons then heirs Rom. 8. so they were living and so they were dead Therefore the living might not sorrow as the heathens that had not certain knowledge of the joyful and glorious state of the immortal souls of the faithful nor any hope of the resurrection Luke 13.28 29. They might not cut themselves for the dead nor make any print or mark in the flesh Levit. 19.28 Dent. 14. 1 2 1 Thess 4 The loving kindeness of Iehovah is better than life because though life departs yet we be and live for ever in him Therefore it is said God is the God as of Abraham Isaac and Iacob and so of every true believer even when his body is dead and turned to dust and therefore Abraham must be held in spirit to be and live with God and shall have the resurrection of the body Luke 20.37.38 Matt. 22.24 Mark 12. The faithful enjoy the same inheritance and happiness with Abraham and this is one part of the blessedness in Christ promised to Abraham And Christ saith of Moses being dead Moses my servant is dead he was still the Servant of Christ though he went up to Mount Nebo and dyed and we know he doth live for he appeared when Christ was transfigure and death is one of the works of the divel which Christ was to dissolve Christ was promised from the beginning to destroy the works of Satan now called the old Serpent Acts 26. 6. Josh 1.2 1 John 3.8 Heb. 2.14 15. 2 Tim. 1.10 CHAP. V. With Questions Answers and Annotations on them How Redemption was taught From the Law of the Passeover to the building of the Temple QUest 1. Proceed to declare what Noble Pillar did Wisedome hew out to which the holy and golden Chaine of times is fastned by which life and salvation was taught to the Saints Answ This is the (a) Although they apostated to the idols of Egypt yet by the bloud of the Passeover God chose them again but again rejected them for their idols and vanity when Christ our Passeover is sacrificed for us Passeover Exod. 12. QUest 2. How many yeares were from the Promise to Abraham to the Passeover or to the comming from Egypt or to the giving of the Law Answ Four hundred and thirty years QUest 3. How much of the Scripture is contained in those 430. years Answ From the beginning of the 12. of Genesis to the 12. of Exodus the book of Job and also part of the 1. 2. ch of 1 Chron. QUest 4. How doth the Passeover c. teach of Christ Answ Christ is called the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the World also our Passeover Mark what the Holy Ghost saith Heb. 11.28 (a) The Levites in Hezekiahs dayes taught the good knowledge of Jehovah that is Christ The Levites taught the meaning of the Passeover as Moses by
Canaan many 〈◊〉 time they revolted and rebelled against Him called also the Angel of Gods presence despising his statutes abhorring his judgements and so brake his covenant and vexed his holy Spirit Jesurun chose new gods were defiled with their own works following divers Religions Idolatrous and foolish opinons both of their forefathers as of the Canaanites and of the peoples about Canaan QUest 12. How did Christ manifest his goodnesse while his people obeyed him according to his Written word as now and after he ever called them to it Answ Through the obedience of faith they obtained good report with God and God was not ashamed of them to be called their God and vouched them before all to be his peculiar people This he shewed by his joyfull presence dwelling among them in his Tabernacle whence joy peace victorie plenty and all outward comforts attended them in the promised earthly Rest and to all that by faith in the promises saw the daies of Christ joy and hope of entrance into the eternal Rest Tabernacle and inheritance QUest 13. How did Christ in this age bruise the head power and dominion and enmity of the Seed of the Serpent Answ 1. He cast upon (a) It is through all the old Testament Mitzrajim where it is translated Egypt Esay 43.3 Mitzrajim that is the Egyptians the fierceness (b) But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice and do all that I speak then I will be an enemie to thine enemies and an adversary to thine Adversaries Exodus 23. of his anger Amalek discomfited and utter ruin denounced Midian plagued the Canaanites destroyed and other enemies subdued II. Now a (c) The first separation and rejection of the families was by the confusion of tongues 2. by Circumcision 3. By the Lawes given by Moses third time Christ shewed his anger and enmity against the families by a partition wall of ceremonies and an hand-writing of ordinances that they were further separated and made aliens from the Common-weale of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no hope and were without God in the world Thus in every age observe how Christ called and kept his elect from the communion of Divels and the wicked world yet God shewed much mercy to the heathens through the limitation of Circumcision Exodus 12. QUest 14. What severity was on the Church for their revoltings from the fiery Law and lively oracles which Moses received from the Angel Jehovah the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob Answ Him the Angel of Gods presence who had the name of God in him was turned to be their enemie and would not pardon their transgressions but sware they should not enter into his earthly Rest so that heavy chastisements befell Israel in the wildernesse and in the Land of Canaan plagued by enemies on every side untill the Transmigration a of the Land that is the removing of the Ark b from Syloh yea untill the daies of David Bear diligently still in minde with all fear and trembling how Christ afflicted the Church for their communion with divels and idolators Psal 78. all of it Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the fifth CHAPTER QUest 2. Forth of Egypt The deliverance of Israel from Egypt is much celebrated in the old Testament And amongst other things of that bondage this is twice noted from a people of a strange Language Psalm 81 114 Israel could not be ignorant of the language of Egypt but I think their idolatrous Priests had a mumming language in their devotions like Rome-Egypt that taught our forefathers in their devotions in a language they understood not for which we have as great cause to sing praise to God as well as Israel of old that we are saved from that cruel bondage Quest 4. and Answ The breast-plate with Vâ—im and Thummim Consider from this time that as the twelve Tribes followed the faith in the promises to their godly ancestours so the Vâ—im and Thummim that was placed among the twelve precious Jewels upon the Breast-plate of the High Sacrificer never uttered any other faith And the same Jewels are the foundation of the Christians Jerusalem from heaven So our high Sacrificer more excellent then Aaron who is Vrim and Thummim light life and all perfections all in all all fulness dwelt in him and he came from the bosome of the Father and walketh in the midst of the VII Golden Candlesticks and never uttered any other faith but what he taught in Moses The Apostle alludeth unto this when he exhorteth to put on the breast-plate of Faith and Love Faith in Christ is our light and life and love is the perfecting and fulsilling of the Law and all our thoughts speech and action should ever intend these two In Christ we are made sacrifices and therefore with a constant spirit carry this Breast plate before God and man Ibid. The Ark of the covenant the bloud of peace-offerings c. All these things were shadows of good things to come and enjoined till the time of reformation when the new and living way was manifested The land of Canaan was also a shadow of the true rest in the Kingdome of heaven so David taught carnal Israel Psalm 95. which the Apostle handleth to the revolting Hebrews And Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant for a Testimony of those things which were to be done and spoken after Heb. 3. God did draw them by these ordinances to give them to understand who should be their justification cleansing sin-offeâ—ing c. by many outward things and promise to the spiritual but when they made their belly their God and minded earthly things and thought to be justified by the outward action Then God shewed them to be poor elements as at Syloh and Salomons Temple burnt by Babel c. yea once more it is said God would shake them Dan. 9.24 25 26 27. shewes by whom and how Salomon told them of this also The labour of the foolish doth weary him for he knoweth not how to to go into the City Eccles 10.15 They knew not Christ the way the truth and the life for the heavenly City and Countrey not like children of faith of their faithful father Abraham The holy Prophets and Priests taught the meaning of the sacrifices in the great congregation Psalm 40.6 7. They preached Gods justification of a sinner and kindeness in Christ that would come to do Gods will They declared Gods faithfulness and truth that he would perform his promise concerning the sending of Jesus Christ his death resurrection and ascention Psalm 22 16. 68.18 conferred with Ephes 4.8 9 10 11. And the holy Tribes instantly serving God day and night in this hope went thrice a year to the Tabernacle and Temple which were the great Congregations to hear these things taught and to profess the same in their holy conâ—ocations Besides the Levites in their fourty eight Towns every Sabbath
Christ when the vessel was let down from heaven Acts 10. they and their children were equally stated in all those glorious priviledges of Israel Eph. 2.11 12 13 14. Let Anti-poedobaptists consider it and hence forward call not your children common or unclean and do not reason against the comforts of your selves and children where the merciful Lord God gives you no warrant so to do nay is it not a daring speech against God and his covenant to say the infants of believing Gentiles are common and unclean whereas Christ saith they are clean and holy 1 Cor. 7. Ibid. N. II. without God in the world Compare just divine severity When the X. tribes had revolted from Davids house and the religion of the Temple They were almost in as bad a case for salvation as the heathens Observe Ephes 2.12 c. It shall be further noted hereafter that it may be deligently marked Quest 14. and Answ From the Angel Jehovah Be carefull to observe how Christ is called Angel and Iehovah Exod. 3. and in many other places Also in Exod 23. mark this speech Behold I send an Angell before thee to keep thee in the way and to bring thâ—e into the place which I have prepared Beware of him and obey his voice provoke him not for he will not pardon your transgressions for my Name is in him He is the express Image of the fathers person Hebrewes 1.2 3. confer Matthew 17. 5. Iohn 12.47 48 49 50. All the Churches of the New Testament should hear him what he by his Spirit saith to the Churches And the seven golden Candlesticks felt his hand as heavy as the Golden Candlestick of Israel both provoked him and both felt he was a consuming fire Ibid. Plagued by enemies on every side Among many particular evils that Israel was plagued with note this that false religion brought penury and was the decay of liberty of trades and commutation of civil commerce c. Jud. 5.6 7 8.1 Sam. 13.19 corruption in religion and trouble of State ever go together Then was War in the Gate Jud. 5. The State of the Common weal commonly followeth the State of the Church Princes in all their Governments should so mannage their affairs in righteousness temperance and godliness to be a Commentary on Psalm 2.10 11 12. and let them remember Davids last words 2 Sam. 23.3 4 5 6 7. Mr. Fox in Acts and Monuments towards the later end of Henry the seventh hath a worthy speech concerning this CHAP. VI. With Questions Answers and Annotations on them How Redemption was taught unto David and others QVest 1. Declare further how God opened the mystery of his will for mans Redemption in after times Answ Christ was promised to David the sweet Psalmist of Israel who in holy Psalmes taught his people the histories past and the prophecies to come which draw unto Christ and his Rest for mans Redemption as if the matters were present And in those dayes and after the brightness of Christ in holy prophesies doth so plentifully shine that they cannot here be conveniently abridged QUest 2. and Answ The Psalms and Prophets are indeed a most sure word of prophesie and a glorious light enlightning the eyes to see the Person and Office of Christ the Morning Star according to the promises to Hevah and Abraham Therefore now onely express a few texts how the Saints of the old Testament professed experimentally the doctrine of the apostasie of our first parents and of the promises Answ Psalm 51. ver 5. Behold Joh. 15.14 2.5.4 5 6. I was born in iniquity and in sin did my Mother conceive me Ver. 7. Purge me with Hyssop and I shall be clean wash me and I shall be whiter than snow Ver. 10. Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me Ver. 11. (a) Confer this verse concerning David with Cains murder and excommunieation from Gods presence and terrour of conscience Gen. 4. Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy Spirit from me Ver. 12. restore to me the joy of thy salvation and uphold me with thy free Spirit c. Psalm 130.3 If thou O Jah shouldst mark iniquities O Lord who shall stand Ver. 4. But forgiveness is with thee that thou mayest be feared Psal 143.1 Hear my prayer O Eternal give ear to my supplication in thy faithfulness answer me and in thy righteousness V. 2. And enter not into judgement with thy servant for in thy sight shall no man living be justified Psal 32.1 Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven whose sin is covered V. 2. Blessed is the man unto whom Jehovah counteth not iniquity and in whose spirit there is no guile V. 3. When I kept silence my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long V. 4. For day and night thy hand is heavy upon me my moisture is turned into the drought of summer V. 5. I acknowledged my sin unto thee and mine iniquitie have I not hid I said I will confess my transgression unto the Lord and thou forgavest the punishment of my sin Gen. 15.16 And he believed in Jehovah and he counted it to him for righteousness Hab. 2.4 Behold his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him But the just shall live by his faith Psal 22.4 Our father 's trusted in thee they trusted and thou didst deliver them V. 5. They cryed unto thee and were delivered they trusted in thee and were not confounded Esay 26.3 Thou wilt keep him in continual peace whose minde is staid on thee because he trusteth in thee V. 4. Trust ye in Jehovah for ever for in Iah Jehovah is the Rock of all ages Jerem. 17.7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in Jehovah and whose hope Jehovah is V. 8. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters and that spreadeth out her roots by the river and shall not see when heat cometh but her leaf shall be green and shall not be carefull in the year of drought neither shall cease from yielding fruit Hab. 3.17 Although the fig tree shall not blossome neither fruit be in the vine the labour of the Olive shall fail and the fields shall yield no meat the flock shall be cut off from the fold and no heards in the stalls V. 18. Yet will I rejoice in Jehovah I will joy in the God of my â—alvation V. 19. The Lord Iehovah is my strength and he will make my feet like hindes feet and he will make me to walk upon mine high places Psalm 66.18 If I regard wickedness in my heart the Eternal will not hear my prayer Psalm 103.1 Bless the Eternal O my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name V. 2. Bless the Eternal O my soul and forget not all his benefits V. 3. Who forgiveâ—h all thine iniquities who healeth all thy diseases V. 4. Who redeemeth thy life from destruction who crowneth thee with loving kindeness and tender mercies
them of their evils Eccles 10 15 16 17. Rchoboam that foolish childe that would not be admonished Eccles 2. paid the price of that so King Joram and King Joash c. but look into Davids court and Hezekiahs Psalm 101. Pro. 25.1 way and manners of Aholah apostate Israel and the heathens their lovers und even as Israel forsook Iehovah their Father the God of their Fathers and so became the Harlot Ahliobah And in their apostasie advanced the wicked and unworchy but scorned and oppressed the Gospel and the godly continually QUest 6. Did not God send to his people Israel holy prophets â—o call them to repentance towards God and faith in the Messias Answ From the daies of Mosâ—s the Eternal God being full of compassion still raised up holy Prophets who testified to them by his good spirit and called them from the backslidings of their forefathers to the faith of the Law and Testimony And in all ages it is seen that prophecying is the Chariots and Horsemen of Israel (b) So the Apostles by the word of Christs mouth made a new heaven and a new earth Esay 66. Apoc 21. 22. and a recreation of the World Samuels and Elias times had proof hereof QUest 7. How was the goodness of God exercised toward Judah keeping the truth of the Gospel Answ The gracious Lord God ever shewed his blessed protection over them and alwaies things went well in that State A most evident testimony that the maintenance of the plainness and sincerity of the Gospel according to the Written Word is the most renowned and perfect beauty and greatest glory of a Kingdome Dent. 4.8 Ezek. 20. all of it Psalm 147.19.20 QUest 8. How was Christs severitie exercised towards Israel the ten Tribes the Harlot Aholab for their apostasie Answ 1. They dis-esteeming the glorious Law of Iehovah their God and despising the holy Prophets God deprived them of true Prophets and gave them over to the lying spirits of false Prophets and foolish and idol-shepheards by whom they were merchandized blinded deluded and seduced to walk in their own counsels in statutes that were not good and in judgements by which they could not live the life of a State or Church 2. He did pour out his fury and accomplish his anger by bringing upon them famine pestilence and other heavy miserics by Intestine garboyls and by secret corroding mischiefs within their State and by forreign enemies chiefly by the Kings of the house of Aram and by the Kings of the house of Ashur who at last carried them away captive out of their own land so that they became jezreel Lo-ruchamah and Lo ammi till our Lords dayes then they were gathered pittied and made Gods people by the preaching of the Apostles of the circumcision Hosea 1. 2.3 1 Pet. 2.9 10. QUest 9. What came to Judah the Harlot Aholibah for her revoltings Answ The same spiritual plagues Esa 6.9 10. and 29.9 that came to her elder sister Aholah and also open manifestation of anger and (a) For jealousie read Deut. 29.20 Ezek. 16.38 9.5 6. Salomon told them what would come to their whorish state Prov. 6.34.35 jealousie is the rago of a man be will not spare in the day of vengeance furious jealousie (b) Esay 30.3.5 Jer. 26 27 36. Hosea 10.6 2 Chrow 24.24 28.19 that shame of State sie read Deut. (c) Esay 1.6 3.1 2 3 4. Mic. 6.3 2 Chron. 28. The colloguing and complying with Israel and the nations never did them good but hurt as their Forefathers with the Canaanites Jud. 2. 3. sickness of State (d) 2 Chron. 28 20. 1 King 22. 2 Chron. 22.3 4 5. Mich. 6.16 intanglements of State (e) Mich. 1.9 Hos 5.13 and the Earthquake in Judah had its events in their State Esay 6.4 Zach. 14.5 and incurable wounds of State through counsels treaties and affinity with the harlot Aholah and the Nations befell them yea astonishing sorrows by cruel enemies and by being captivated to Babel which tyrannized over them seventy years Then Solomons race was ended his Kingdome overthrown the City and Temple burnt QUest 10. How many years had passed from the foundation of the Temple to the burning of it and the third captivity upon that Answ Four hundred twenty seaven years QUest 11. What Sciptures are contained in those four hundred twenty seaven years Answ The first Kings chap. 6. to the end of that Book the second of Kings the second of Chronicles from the second chap. many of the Psalmes the Proverbs Ecclesiastes Canticles Esaias Hosea Joel Amos Jonah Micah Nahum Habbakuk Zephaniah the three former chapters of Daniel much of Jeremiah and much of Ezekiel o much as toucheth the nineteenth of Nebuchaduezzar or the eleventh of Zedekiah or the third Captivity The Annotations upon the Questions and answers of the seventh chapter THe first Quest and Answ Is it true indeed so Salomon had also said of Christ that his delight was to be with the sons of Adam Pro. 8. Therefore by faith Salomon built the Temple looking to things not seen 2 Chron. 6.18 Great is the mystery of godliness God manifested in the flesh 1 Tim. 3. ult Cant. 2 9-17 Mark Stephens Oration Acts 7. The lamb is in the Temple in the heavenly Jerusalem Apoc. 21. He is the Holy of Holies Dan. 9.24 And Christians are the Temple of God 1 Cor. 3.16 1 Pet. 2. Apoc. 15. God plagued old Babylon with horrible vengeance for the burning of the material Temple Jeremiah 51.11 So he hath and will destroy mystical Babylon for crucifying Christ and Christians Ibid. Agur Bâ—n Iakeh He beleeved the greate mystery of Godliness when he spake these words There be three things which are too wonderfull for me yea four which I know not The way of an Eagle in the ayer the way of a serpent up a rock the way of a ship in the midst of the Sea and the way of a Manchilde in a virgin Prov. 30.18 19. Esay 7.14 The same word for manchild is in Job 3.3 2. Quest Ans And all these dyed in the faith All these with the faithfull for the times of the old Testament were reconciled by the bloud of the Mediatour and gathered into one head even Christ the Head And therfore when it is said they were gathered to theirfathers or people they departed from that part of Gods family on earth to the other part of the family that is in heaven Note also these Scriptures That in the dispensation of the fulness of the times Dan. 9 24. he mightbring to one Head by Christ himself all both them which are in heaven and them which are on the earth Ephes 1.10 Of whom hath name the whole family in heaven and in earth Ephes 3.15 And by himself to reconcile all unto himself making peace by the bloud of his Cross both them which are in the earth and them which are in the heavens Col. 1.20 confer to this 1 Som.
I have endevoured to relieve the studious and godly about that doubt and question concerning why no more Prophets after Malachy to the dayes of MESSIAS the King the holy of holies CHAP. XII Being an Answer to the five things lost in the Second Temple They might have named more then five as you will perceive BEloved Reader It may be worthy of good consideration to say somewhat of those five things that Solomons Temple had which some Modern Rabbins of the Jews complain they wanted in the Temple built by Zorobabel and thus they number them 1. The fire from heaven to consume the Sacrifices on the Altar 2. The sacred Monuments of the Vrim and Thummim that were put into the Breast-plate of the High Priest 3. The Ark of the Covenant wherein were put the two Tables of stone written with the finger of God 4. The Mercy-seat and Cherubim from between which the holy Oracles were given 5. The manifest breathing of the holy Ghost upon the Prophets These were great outward glories of the first Temple But let us consider of them 1. For the fire from Heaven to burn upon the altar It should seem to be so for it is said God testified of his gifts Heb. 11.4 I will transcribe what Mr. Broughton saith of it When Adam first sacrificed fire from heaven kindled it and Habels Sacrifice respected of God is in Octaplo was fired by God that fire was kept until the Flood Then again Noahs sacrifice was kindled from heaven and that fire was kept by Great Sem or Melchizedeck Abraham sacrificing had fire first in record from Heaven And in Moses and Salomon that is expresly told and thence gathered to the former so when the Jews came from Babylon If they had had fire Antiochus would have put it our again taking away the daily sacrifice for 3. year and a half Dan. 8.11 they sacrificed but no direct mention is made of fire yet their private story Salseleth Hakabalah saith they had fire from heaven See Mr. Bro. in Apoc. 190 Now one would think this to be true because so many promises of comfort by Jeremiah and such a godly company returned they might have that glory although there is no mention of it Gods counsels are unsearchable But the Angels message from heaven of the Messias was a great satisfaction to them Malachi saith the second Temple should have this honor that Christ in his doctrine should be refiners fire no purge the corruptions of their Rabbins touching all sacrificing 2. For the Vrim and the Thummin Daniels Prophecy of the Seavensy Seavens hath as glorious Light and Perfection of Doctrine as ever the Vrim shewed which also was brought by an angel of light and glory This prophecy sheweth when Messias that had all light and perfection in him should come and would bring light to us all The Messias when he cometh will tell us all things Job 4. Heb. 1.1 so the Saints of the Most High were exceedingly comforted in him that would reveal and tell us all things better than the oracle of Vrim for he came from the Bosom of the Father to reveal the whole mystery of the Kingdome of Heaven For He should seal vision and Prophesie And so Christ was Vrim and â—hummim in the hearts of the faithful and hath made us Kings and Priests to carry on our Breasts and Hearts 1 Thes 5.8 the Breast-plate of Faith and Love 3. The Ark of the covenant Jer. 3.15 16. mark that text of Jeremiah they should want it yet Christ saith they shal have godly Teachers the Prophet Jeremiah foretold the Ark should be no more they shall say no more the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord neither shall it come to mind neither shall they remember it neither shall they visit it neither shall that be done any more Babel shook these patterns of heavenly things in part and Rome should end all The Seavensy Seavens was a relief to the Saints concerning this Once shaking by Babel it shewed of Messias the King the Most Holy who had the Law of God in him most perfectly that from his fulness we all should receive and grace for grace The Ark was golden within and golden without it was plated with gold upon Sittim Wood so our Lord although he took flesh was golden within and golden without perfect in his inner man without sin and perfect in his conversation the Messias the Holy of Holy And although they had not the golden Pot of Manna yet all faithful of the Jewes did feed upon it for the time of the Seaventy Seavens as all Christians do now feed upon it Apoca. 2.17 Christ took away such things that they might looke to him the true Manna as he shewed them most heavenly John 6. 4. For the Mercy-Seat and Cherubim the Holy Angel Gabriel from Heaven foretold Daniel 9. in the Seavensy Seavens though they lost that outward glory who should be our Mercy-Seat of Reconciliation for all iniquity the Hilasterion of all comfort bringing in everlasting righteousnesse or freedome or justification So the faithful in the Seavensy Seavens did meditate and did hope still in the full accomplishment of it at the end of the Seavensy Seavens So they needed not these outward things And to all the faithfull the Lord God sent holy Angels to be Cherubim visibly to the returned from captivity and to all faithful after invisibly And although they lost Moses and Salomons Candlesticks yet the returned were a golden Candlestick and two Olive branches of Golden oyl which signified a replenishing of the Church with all graces of the Spirit so the Lord God taught them to meditate things spiritual rather than to glory in outward things The holy faith and doctrine of the Seavensy Seavens and walking in the light of it in peace and truth made them a glorious golden Canalestick 5. For the manifest breathing of the Holy Ghost upon the Prophets they wanted not this for one hundred and thirty years after the Return from Babel all the time of the Persian Government The Jewes say Ezra was Malachi and he lived long the Holy Ghost breathed in him and likewise in Haggai and Zachariah Daniels Prophecies with Haggaies Zacharies and Malachies and the study of Moses and the Prophets breathed the holy Ghost in the Saints of the Most High in the after-times who were men of Wisdome and did instruct many and as it said did turn many to righteousnesse all the time of the Seavensy Seavens confer diligently Dan. 8.9 10 11-24 11.28 30 31 32 33 34 35. 12.1.4.10 Zacharias John Baptists Father Simeon to whom the Holy Ghost revealed himself and likewise to Anna a Prophetesse these were under the second Temple and so in the beginning and ending of the Seavensy years the holy Ghost breathed in some special persons So that they did not so much want these outward things because the spiritual were conferred more abundantly the outward Jew looked carnally
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
arose that spake and wrote perverse things wherefore the reformed are too blame in two respects 1. In yielding too much to the Papalines to prove points from the Ancients for that doth not saâ—issâ—â— them and there is no end with them 2. To urge against their Brethren that desire sincerity the opinions and practise of the Fathers in doctrine church-politie or ceremony The Apostles being Prophets and foreseeing evils gave this precept To remember their words 2 Pet. 3.2 And it is safest so to do This must be often pressed thought upon by all that love our Lord Iesus Christ with incorruption of spirit It was said plainly Beware lest any man carry you for a spoil through the traditions of men according to the rudiments of the world Augustine was of mind that Councils and Bishops ought not to be objected for trial of controversies but the holy Scriptures August Cont. Max. Wherefore give the controversie about altars no quiet no not for an hour for the truth of the Gospel else will not continne with crifice to officiate upon his altar Mordecai was sure to overthrow Haman God had sworn and said that be would have war with Amalek til he was rooted out O yee servants of the Lord contend by meek writings by fervent prayer and bold confession for the maintenance of the faith once given to the saints for Christ hath sworn and said Romes apostate politic should be perishing to the end Exod. 17. Num. 24.2 Thess 2. Apoc. 10. 17. â—lâ—ars are a main prop for Abaddons Kingdome and it is a complying with it and therefore some learned men have done amiss in pleading for that innovation Ibid. and fiâ—st wo Whereas Christ pronounceth Wo Wo Wo to the apostate churches it sheweth the ignorance and vanity of a childish belly-god spirit of many that say it was a good world in the daies of Popery of such good neighbourhood plenty and prosperity and cheapnesse of things Thus of old apostates pleaded against Christ and his Prophet Ieremiah ch 44. But his answer will stop all mouthes but the obstinate in superstition profanesse and mans inventions lyea such are ignorant of our own chronicles that so speak Quest 8. and answ N. 2. which troubled lesser Asia The seven churches of Asia and others falling from the faith Christ removed their Candlesticks by the Turk which shall be further touched in the comparison of the seven Trumpets and seven Vials Ibid. and by their resurrection The two Prophets that were killed by the beast stand upon their feet that is other godly of their spirit Christ raised for the good of the Church as the Spirit of Alias rested on Elisha N 4. Thus God hath once revealed The eleven former chapters of the Apocalyps revealeth the State of the church to the end of the world and the rest of the Apocalyps goeth over the same things with sweet variety Ibid. Eath blessing is here begâ—n and shall be perfected all the saints that are in this vale of tears do sit in the heavenly places and have chambers in the Jerusalem that is from heaven And here God wipeth all tears from our eyes And when they change this life they fully possesse that of which they had an earnest as the godly of gold were in the heavenly Tabernacle Psalm 15.1 The heavenly Father hath but one family yet two Tabernacles or two dwelling places the one in heaven the other on the earth When any of his Servants hath done so much service or factorage Polytâ—uman Phil. 3.20 as he thinks fit then he calls for him home from that part of the family on earth to the other in the heavens to possesse the joy of his Lord. Here an entrance is given us into the everlasting kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1. here we pass from death to life John 5. It is said we are in the second Adam renewed after the image of God that created us and as here we bear his image so shall we bear it in the heavens and there be fully satisfyed with it Psalm 17.1 Cor. 15.49 and further the Scripture saith he that hath prepared us for immortall glory after our earthly house of tabernacle is taken down is God who hath also given unto us the earnest of the Spirit Another Scripture saith He hath made us meet to be partakers of the inhertiance of the Saints in light 2 Cor. 5.1 2. Col. 1. We are made meet in this life for that blessed possession Christians trained up in the word of Christ must hold anathema the Ovidian and Vâ—rgilian doctrine of the Popish purgatory c. Beware left there be any man catry you for a spoil through Phylosophy and vain deceit Col. 2. CHAP. XV. Questions Answers and Annotations Proving that Rome in Gods just Judgement is the place that he hath given unto the power of Satan for the setting up the mystery of iniquity QUest 1. and Answ What place by Gods unsearchable judgement was permitted to Satan for the setting up of the Mystery of Iniquity Answ Rome in Italy for after those ruins it was brought unto it began in process of time to be in credit again Then Satan used all signes and lying wonders to advance there the Throne of the Beast the man of sin or the Pontificalitie (a) As most churches so Rome in special was broken off by mis belief and for not continuing in Gods goodness as they were forewarned Rom. 11. And when the Pontificalitie was set up by the decree of God then nations from East to West obeyed and Worship the Pope and the image of the Imperial State as of old time they did the profane Emperours Whereas if it had not been for the Pontificality Rome and its Empire should never have been revived but left a most filthy lodging of Oxen and Hogs (b) Stâ—uchus against Vallo Lib. 1. in the beginning Even this do the Roman Catholicks themselves confesse And so there the wounded Head was revived by the Pontificality QUest 2. But Rome totidem literis is not named in the holy Scriptures to be the Mother of Whoredomes and abominations How do you know that all these evils were thence to arise Answ By divers notes and marks 1. It is evident that the fixt Head of the Roman State and Power the Politie of Roman Caesars crucified our Lord. 2. By the Locusts and their King the Angel of the bottomless-pit which can agree to no politick corporation in the world but to the Pope and his spiritualty QUest 3. and Answ How is the King of Locusts described Answ 1. It is shewed that the King of Locusts was a star in the heaven of the Church but did opostate and became not a Messenger of the Church of Christ but the Angel of the Pit 2. The keyes which formerly he had being an Angel and a Star were for the honour of CHRISTS Kingdome but apostating his keyes are the keys of the bottomless pit 3. When he used the
that sheweth the Pontificality revived the wounded head of the Caesarian Pontifex Quest 13 and Answer what is meant by the ten horns of the spotted beast Ten Tribes followed Ieroboam the Man of Sin Ten Kingdomes followed King Abaddon the Man of Sinne Ten Tribes rebelled against the Kingdome of David and the Religion of the Temple Ten Kingdomes under the Papacy despised the Kingdome of the Son of David and the holy Temple in the heavenly Jerusalem Steuchus a mysticall Babylonian recordeth the Kingdomes of Europe that gave their power to the Beast 1. Spain and Portugall 2. Hungaria 3. Great Brittany 4. Denmark 5. Râ—ssia 6. Croatia and Dalmatia 7. Arragon 8 â—ohenna 9. Suevia and Nornegia 10. Dacia These paid Tribute to the Pope Quest 14. and answ By mystiall allusions to Countries and Cities to Sodome for filthinesse no sin so vile but it reigns in an Apostate Church so it reigns in Abolah and Aholibab Ezek. 23. are said to do worse than the heathens before them to transcend in excesse of impieties Sodom and Gomorrba The apostate State of King Abaddon became the mother of Harlots and all abominations of the earth Christ his holy Gospel is cords and bands post and rail to mans corrupt nature but that taken away men do degenerate into all profanesse Ibid. That our Lord was crucified As long as we protest in the Symbolon of our faith that the eternal Son the Lord of glory was crucified by Pontius Pilate Rome must be held accursedâ— The Pontificality doth not take away the curse but continues it because it revived the wounded head and doth as it did persecuring Christ in his witnesses Them that keep the Commandements of God and the faith of JESUS CHRIST Ibid. called Sodome and Egypt The former be stamps of the latter it is said I am Iehovah thy God which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the house of bondage This is a Preface to all the Commandements so the same must be a reason to all the Israel of God to walk with God for bringing us out of Rome-Egypt out of that house of cruell bondage Look what cause Lot had to be thankfull for saving him from Sodoms destruction such cause have we for being delivered from Rome-Sodome and what cause of thankfulinesse and praise Israel had for deliverance from Egypt and Babylon such have we for that great and marvellous deliverance from Rome-Egypt and Rome Babilon All those Psalms of praise wherein deliverance from Egypt is mentioned must be sang of us for Rome-Egypt and the holy Spirit teacheth us so to do Apoc 15.3 19.1 All the faithfull under the new Testament are the Israel of God Gal. 6 Note this by the way if we under the new Testament are under a Covenant of grace then was Israel of old under a Covenant of grace for we fing their songs Observe the note in chap. and page infra Again consider is Rome called Egypt What shame should cover those apostate mouths and faces that say there is little or no difference and an easie reconciliation may be made between the faith of the Church of England and the Romane What an apostaticall slander is that to our Vine and vine-dressers that our God brought forth of mysticall Egypt yea to our Princes and Parliament in all their Statutes that they made against the people of that cursed religion when as manifest a difference God hath made as of old he did between old Egypt and Israel Exod. 8.22 23. and 10 23. c. as the RR FF D.D. D. Jewel D. Abbot D. Fulk D. Carlton D. Reynolds D. â—â—hitakers Mr. Perkins and all our worthies have demonstrated See also Mr. white way to the true Church who wrote most whitely the Epistle dedicatory and the Epistle to the Render But very like none of all these neither Princes nor Parliaments Books of Controversies Teachers and Laws understood what is Popery properly so called as Bishop Lawa saith in a book of his But for all their plotting the old enmity shall never be reconciled while light and darknesse continue God hath put the enmity Gen. 3.15 What will ye reconcile the Kingdome of Christ and the Kingdome of Abaddon of Satans darknesse goodly dayes men thou thinkest saith God that I am like to thee Psal 50. These umpires forsooth will make Christ yeeld something yea any thing on his part and the false Lamb must yeeld something on his part and so our Atheisticall hearts think a good end is made There was a time when our Laud said No peace with Rome What a spirit of slumber and giddinesse hath covered our Seers Christ was angry of old for these sins of his sons and of his daughters halting between two opinions And thirdly is Rome called Egypt then the Magistrate must not bring the people of Israel back to Egypt nor go to Egypt for horses or any help Deut. 17. Accursed be their project that by fair speeches and plausible pretenses but indeed speaking lies through hypocrisie do insinuare to corrupt the breasts of Princes to reduce their people into Rome-Egypts bondage Judah is blamed for these projects Isa 30. 31. Most of the stories of old Egypt and Babylon must mind us of their allusions Note two things 1. Israel doted on the Egyptians and Babylonians their lovers traversing projects with them Jer. 2. Ezeck 16. But Christ befooled their doings that these nations were their plague and ruine 2. A deal of profanenesse oppression and much wickednesse they brought from Babel as Ezra Nehemiah and Zachary do shew Let all true English hearts that love Christ and his Gospel and their native Countrey greatly humble their souls and pray that the Ephah of wickednesse Zac. 5.6 may be carried unto its own place into the Land of mysticall Babylon O heavens be astonied at our 2 evils Ah Lord God what iniquity do we find in thee what iniquity is in thy ordinances thy commandements thy Gospel thy true Christian servants all which now are reputed vile mean and as anathema but thou hast not been to us in these a wildernesse or a Land of darknesse but a God of glory riches honour plenty victory and protection from those accursed of that cursed Religion of the breaden God O unthankfull Nation Let our souls weep in secret Quest 15. N. 1. Antichrist And what if the title Antichrist â—e not totidem literis attributed to the Pontificality yet if the other titles are to be applied to it then this is truly predicated of that Corporation must not he be the Antichrist can we think a worse to come for persecuting them that held the testimony of JESUS and for cleaving to the word of God Apocalips chap. 13.12 Ibid. N. 2. I am a God on earth Like the proud Prince of Tyrus Ezek. 28 2. But that Tyrian God was not a God but a man in the hand of him that killed him The holy Spirit hath phrases from Tyrus its destruction to shew how the Lord
Tribes of Israel The Providences of Christ in a constant progresse of the holy story made this promise good to the ending of the Seventy Sevens Then was the Period of Israels peculiar glory CHAP. XXII Expounding Zac. 12.10 11 12 13 14. Verses 1. ZAchâ—riah sheweth how the faithfull should mourne for the sins of the times every godly Family cheifly them of Davids progenie of the Family of Nathan Solomons Brother by Bathâ—hebah of whom our Lord lineally ascended As also of the godly of the Tribe of Levi and all the godly Families that did remaine for then to them was the blessed Fountaine for sin and uncleanesse opened And our godly translators doe confer Act. 2. in the 3000. converted by Peters Sermon to be an History to this Prophesie And Act. 1.14 is fitly to be conferred for their godly private exercises 2. Also we must diligently observe how John Elias the fore-runner to Christ by his powerfull Ministry did turne the heart of the Fathers to the children and the children to hearken to the wisdome of their godly Teachers that the evill Spirits of the three Shepheards and their Doctrine was much quailed and were made ashamed of their evil wayes And our Lord Jesus Christ the great Apostle from Heaven coming after Iohn Baptist he brought his Fanne of holy Doctrine in his hand and by his holy Spirit separating the chaffe of persons and Doctrine in wonderfull manner as in Mat. 5 6 7. chapters and at other times which Sermons of Christ made them rage against him and were never quiet laying snares still for him till they had his life And when they had smitten this blessed Shepheard and destroyed the Temple of his precious Man-hood he raised it againe and gloriously ascended Then afterward the Lord Christ gave a mouth and wisdome to his holy Disciples and Apostles that all false Doctrine and all Worldly wisdome of Satans Kingdome fell like Dagon before them All their idols of the Doctrines of justification ex opere operato bodily exercise and their Traditions of their Abotheru and the Sadducisme of the Sadducies and other errors among them All these idols of theirs and the Heathens were famished and so perished Zeph. 2.11 3. That Doctrine of Justification of bodily exercise was the great controversie of those dayes and it was their idoll and vanity as Deut. 32. compared with Rom. 10. that idoll cleaving to the letter made them despise MESSIAS their King whose most precious obedience through his manifold sufferings made his death a most acceptable Sacrifice and so it was the end of the Law for justification to every one that beleiveth and by him all that beleive are justified from their sins guilt and punishment Moses Doctrine given by Christ taught the sure mercies Act. 13. Deut. 30. Such an idol it was and is that it hath cast off the Jewes to this day For by it they despised the Son of God and his justification which the bodily exercise of all the Law of Moses could not doe And that they might not think of justification by bodily exercise from the Temples worships Christ destroyed City and holy Place to this day who brought to us by his once offering up of himselfe to an everlasting Righteousnesse or Iustification 4. After the Jewes had rejected the corner-Stone their King for Caesar many heavy and unexpressable sorrows came upon the Jewes and Jerusalem continually untill by the Roman power Titus Vespasian who came against Jerusalem took the City rifled the Houses and the uncleane infidell Souldiers ravished the women slaughtered multitudes and carryed may thousands of Iewes Captives and sold many numbers of them for Slaves All this came to passe about forty years after our Lords ascention Our Lord sitting on Mount Olivet and beholding the City told these things of Zachariah Ch. 14.1 3 4 to his Disciples Mat. 14. Luc. 19. 21. 5. And the Apostle as a Prophet Act. 13.40 41 1. Thes 2.16 Ebr 6 8. 10.26 27 28 29 30. Act. 13. threatned by allusion Hâ—bb thicks prophesy against them noted before that as the Chaldean had done the Romans should execute further and greater wrath upon them even wrath to the utmost And so the Apostle had told the revolting Hebrewes that they and their Nation would be Bryars and Thornes and must look for violent fire to consume them Moses and David fore-saw all these evils Deut. 32.22 2 Sam. 23. Then the corner Stone which the Builders refused fell on them and bruised them to powder 6. The Prophet Zachariah having spoken of the dâ—struction of the Low Jerusalem makes this transition to speak by way of b Jer. 31.38 39. Is literally propheticall and performed in Nehem 3. but this of Zac. 14.6 is allegoricall see Tremel on Zach. 14.10 c. allegory of the building and setting up of the High Jerusalem As by the returned from Babel Jerusalem was builded from Benjamins Gate c. so sure shall the Heavenly Jerusalem be builded notwithstanding all oppositions of Enemies And whereas it is said Zac. 14. Jerusalem shall be inhabited in her own place it is to be understood that the Heavenly Jerusalem should begin to be builded in the Earthly as it was fittest Thence the Law went forth of Sion and the word of the Lord from Ierusalem then the Mountaine of the Lords House was lifted above all Mountaines and all Nations ftowed unto it to build on that Mountaine and this promised blessing was performed before Salem was abolished and the word of the Lord did not faile that Iapheth must have religion from Some Tents 7. There were skilfull Master-Builders at Salem the Fishers of Galilet and the other Apostles with others to the number of six score and five thousand after which with the Physitian of Antiâ—ch and the Tent-Maker of Tâ—rsus that might carry the healing and wholsome b Our Lord in his Apoc. 21. expounds Zach. 14. Ezek. 47. For these waters that run thorough the streets of the Heavenly Jerusalem and no better waters shall â—ver come among us then what the holy Prophets and Apostles have let us in their most sweet and blessed writings Let us beware of deceitfull opinions of new Apostles and new Revelations waters of holy Doctrine to the uttermost parts of the Earth Oh how wonderfull and un-utterable was the glory of Christ in and by them that he was King over all the Earth that as the Apostle saith God was not the God of the Iewes only but of the Gentiles also Rom. 3. 8. Zac. 14.12 sheweth that all montanous opposions could not hinder the building of this Heavenly Ierusalem this City was lifted in glory and did and doth abide notwitstanding all the wrestlings of the misbeleiving and unbeleiving Iewes and the Roman Empire against it And all that fought against his Holy City both the Caesars the old Pontificality the sixth head of the Roman Beast afflicting the Church and the new Pontificality the Papacy the seventh Head and Turke
afterward found great severity of thundring wrath and terrour of most bitter plagues as if their filthy flesh rotted from their bones and their idolatrous and adulterous eyes did consume in their holes and their blasphemous tongues in their mouths 9. And the Lord MESSIAS to whom the Father of Heaven had committed all authority and power raised tumults among them first on the Iewes then on the Caesars Augusti and their people in most fearfull manner That the Caesars and their Assassines had death and a gulph and grave of destruction by intestine garboiles in their Armies destroying one another for three hundred years the six seals do also shew this in Ap. 90 Ap. 6. 10. Zach. 14.16 When the Heavenly Ierusalem was builded on twelve precious Foundations all of precious Iewels the Prophets and Apostles Doctrine b These are the same waters Ezekiel speaks of that came from the Temple Ezek. 47. and Christ JeAsue expounds Zac. and Ezek. in Apoc. 21. 22. then those holy waters as is noted of healing Doctrine issued and had free course into all quarters under Heaven East West North and South and every quarter had three Gates into the City And the godly in all times of the New Testament did flee like Doves to nestle in this City they came to it b Constantly continually from mouth to mouth c. Esai 66.23 these are allegoricall expressions anniversarily to keep the Feast of Tabernacles And the Apoc. 7. is an Historicall prophesie that 144000. of Israel the twelve Tribes that held the faith and an innumerable company of all Nations come to this City to blesse and praise * All Nations did blesse him as they were in him Psal 72.17 Gen. 12.1 2 3. the Eternall Son of God who did Tabernacle or Temple in our nature for 〈◊〉 â—edemption and when they came they brought Palme-Branches in their hands crying Hosanna Salvation to our God that sâ—â—teth on the Thorne and to the LAMBE for evermore 11. And they that will not come to the Feast of Tabernacles to serve Christ Iesus the true Tabernacle or Temple in his holy Assemblies in this his Ierusalem they shall have no Raine to moisten their dry and barren hearts They shall not know what meanes the Dewes that fall on Mount Hermon and the sweet small Raine that distilleth on the Holy Mount aine of Sion Apoc. 14.1 All the Gentiles that will not yeild obedience to the faith of the Gospell Christ will bring upon them positive and privative plagues as the stories of the Church shew this in all the Centuries in all Countries 12. And because Christ Iesus our Lord hath made us Kings and Sacrificers to God his Father Holinesse to Jehovah which was graven on the front place of the high Sacrificer shall be written on the Horse Bridles and on every Pot in the Heavenly Ierusalem thus Zachariah as Dan. 9. Esai 66. sheweth an utter abrogation of the Ceremonies of Moses Chanaan City Temple and worships 13. And let this be noted that the holy Apostles expounding the Prophets never taught the Saints that ever they should expect any outward glory to returne to Chanaan City Temple or Kingdome but taught them of the Heavenly Iâ—â—usalem and therein the Lord God of Hosts the Lambe to be the Temple and the holy worship to be cheâ—fly spirituall prayer to be every where in lifting up pure hands and hearts in all godly qualifications as our Lord Messiaâ— told the woman of Samaâ—ia Ioh. 4. 14. And therefore the Apostle Peter the Apostle of the circumcision taught the scattered Tribes of Israel in Pontus Asia Galatia Bithinia Capadocia and Chaldea of the Heavenly inheritance that fadeth not as Canaan and that themselves were lively Stones in the spirituall building to be an holy Preist-hood to offer up spirituall sacrifice acceptable to God by Iesus Christ the true Temple And that they that were and had been for many dayes Lo-ammi and Lo â—uchamah Hos 1. 3. were now by the glorious Gospell made Gods people and had obtained mercy and pity and warnes them that they be not as their Fathers to stumble at Christ and his Doctrine And further instructs them that the Prophesiâ—s which they so looked to be fulfilled in an outward manner were not to be taken properly and literally as Ezikiels Land City and Temple is taken to this day of the Jewes in propriety of spâ—ach that Peter blameth And the teaching otherwise was damnable heresie and a denying of Christ Jesus as the Apostle said of Circumcision Gal. 5.2 3 4 as experience also tels us these fifteen hundred years And therefore let Teachers beware how they harden Jewes in their idolâ— and vanity Solomons Kingdome was shaken but we receive a Kingdome that cannot be shaken the Low Jerusalem was destroyed but the Heavenly City cannot The Preist hood of Levi is passed away but Christs Preist-hood abideth for ever c. and we crosse all the Doctrine of Christs new Testament to plead any more for Terrestials Chap. XXIII Expounding Zach. 12 10 11 12 13 14. Zach. 14.10 11 c. SECT I. It is objâ—cted that Zac. 12.10 11 12 13 14. is not fulfilled AND I will poure upon the House of David and upon the inhabitants of Ierusalem the Spirit of grace and supplications and they shall look upon me whom they have peâ—rced and they shall mourne for him as one mourneth for his only Son c. and the Family of the House of David and Nathan shall mourne and the House of Levi and the Family of Sbimei shall mourne 1. I think Act. 1.14 is an History to the prophesie for Davids House †The Apostles argument is strong that although must did not mourne yet the saith â—ulnesse of God is not without effect and God had not cast off all the Apostle reasons from himselfe as if there should not have been no more then himselfe Rom. 3. 11.1 2 3. but in the Acts there were five thousand and more and in â—erusalem suâ—â—ly the faithfull are but a little stock these all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary the Mother of IESUS and with his Brethren In this company was some of the House of David and some of the Family of Nathan and some of the House of Levi for it is said a great company of the Preists were subject to the faith Act. 6. and Baâ—nabas a Levite became a gracious Son of consolation to the Church And that the Lord powred on the inhabitants of Ierusalem the Spirit of his grace and supplications is historied in Acts ch 2.37 and many more afterwards ch 4. and in after times of every Tribe twelve thousand Apoc. 7. 2. I doubt not but when the Iewes be hereafter called according to Rom. 11. they will mourn for their own sins and for the sins of their fore Fathers but we must stick to propriety unlesse it opposeth the analogic of faith in other Scriptures that so we may
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
They paid Tythes to maintaine holy worships and other charitable uses And so it was in Moses 12. They had Teachers which were Preachers of righteousnesse of the justification that is by faith which of old was called propheseying Noah was a Preacher of this righteousnesse and the godly Peophets did teach others the ways of Christ as it is said Abraham would and so did Iacob c. and so it was under the polity of Moses 13. The Spirit of Christ in the Prophets did strive with the people of their days to turn them from darknesse to light from the power of Satan to God Gen. 6. Neh 9. 14. Although the Prophets were godly yet what ever profection or any earthly or spirituall comfort they had from the Lord all was of grace as it is said Noah sound grace in the eyes of the Lord Gen 6 to be saved by waters and if of grace it is no more of works So Moses saith understand this day it is not for thy righteousnesse that God brought you from Epypt and placed his Tabernacle among you and gave you Chanaan but Gods love and mercy Deut. 9. 15. The corruption of nature taken from Parents is told Gen. 5. that they were but flesh that the thoughts of mans heart were evill from his youth Gen. 6. 8. and so all the apostate Families were un-regenerate Iob is plentifull on this subject Col. 3.5 Rom. 12 1. This sheweth how Abraham taught his Hous hold and Circumcision taught the same and the offering and burning of the rump kidneys and far taught them Mortification 16. In matters of doubt that concerned their particulars they went to holy Prophets to eâ—quire of God as Rebecca did to Eber or her Fatherinlaw Abraham Gen 20. and so it was in Moses if any doubt did arise they asked Moses and he inquired of God for them 17. We are constantly to observe that the same holy Covenant made to our first Parents was continued to some speciall persons for the comfort of the present age and posterity as to Noah Sem Abraham c. 18. As occasion was offered they made vows to God to bind themselves to a watchfull care and to chearfull thankfullnesse and willing obedience and so it was under Moses 19 In all which holy Doctrine and holy profession of it they knew that without faith in the Son of God it was impossible to please God therefore in all their worships they came in faith receiving and resting on Christ in the holy promise and Covenant Gen. 4. Heb. 11. and so Moses taught them in Exed 12. and in Dent. 30. 20. And by this holy faith receiving the Son of God as Mediatour from the Father for their Prophet Sacrificer and King Receiving and accepting the Son of God in all his Offices trusting in him for doctrine government and exâ—iation That speech of John ch 1.12 As many as received him is expounded of them that believe in his name Remember it still for a more clear definition of faith is not revealed and resting on him for Doctrine expiation and government were adopted the sons of God Gen 6. and were made heirs of the Julification that is by faith Heb. 117. and this receiving and believing on the Son of God was accounted of God above any righteousnesse they could do and this is the same holy faith that the Son of God imbreathed in the Prophets and Apostles to teach and write and all Moses taught the same Doctrine Deut. 30. Rom. 10. 21. Want of love to the brethen hypocrisie envy ill Gestures and hanging down conntenance bodily exercise murderous thoughts c. in the woship of God is reproved as in Cain and Christ in all Moses called them to holinesse truth and love c. * See hers how the Prophets expound Moses and teach the people of their generations and the Prophets do so expound him Psalm 50. Esai 1. God seeth not as man seeth the Sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord but the prayer of the righteous is his delight again the Sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord how much more when he bringeth it with an evil mind Proverbs of experience from the first and last counsels Prov. 15. and 21. David saith I will wash mine binds in innocency and so compasse thine a taâ— Psal 26. So Christ faith to us Let men pray every where â—â—fung up puâ—e hands without wrath and doubting 1 Tim. 2. 22. That the holy faith of the holy Son of God might not be violated or adulterated they were to take heed of unequall yoking by ungodly morriages Gen. 6 1 2 3 Christ in Moses speaks mâ—ch to this purpose 23. Upon any great design they sought God by the intercession of Christs Sacrifice as Jacob Gen. 46.1 2 3. And Abraham still shewed the same in building altars so did the faithfull in after times as Psalm 20.3 24. To all the holy Doctrine revealed they had Seals of the Covenant The Sacrifices were Seals of the justification that is by faith and the flood was a Sacrament of saving by waters as Baptismâ— is to us 1 Pet. 3 21. Christ renewing his Covenant to Abraham instituted Circumcision a seal of faith Rom. 4. and so in Moses was the Passeover and the other Sacrifices 25. It was required of all that did call on the name of the Lord to be upright in heart and to walk as before him and to testifie their faith by good works of obedience as Habel Enoch Noah Abraham Job c. the same is taught us 2 Tim. 3 Tit. 3 and Christ in Moses taught all this 26. They had washing or persons and garments that they should hate the garment sported by the flesh or for any defilement of worship c. c Thus for many things we may see The Modern Doctors af the Jews say that all was Tohu till Abraham that in him their glory might begin Mr Br. 1 in Mele. p. 75 76 all was not a Tohu an emptinesse from the apostasie of our first Parents to the death of Terah that apostated to idols but that the Gospel of Christ was revealed to out first Parents and by them taught as is evident to the Fathers and great severity came on despisers neglecting the word of faith both in the flood and in the confusion of tongues And we may well perceive what was their conversation Jesus Christ yesterday and to day and the same holy Doctrine in him shall be for ever Their conversation was acccording to Christs way and charge in his commandements statutes and laws as in all Genesis and Job it is said they walked with God and before God Hence we may see and discern the close life that is scattered in the short sayings of Moses especially for 2083 years to the death of Terah in Gen. 11. and in all Genesis and to the twentieth of Eaodus CHAP. XXVIII Of Divine Tradition I Think it is to some purpose to write a litle about
Thes 3. 6. The Doctrine of Devils should ever be remembred or tradited to Posterity to be warned and taken heed of all the Doctrine of the Gospel should be tradited or delivered by the faithfull to others that there might be a godly feed in the Church 1 Tim. 4 6. 2 Tim. 2.2 But all these Traditions are now written by the Apostles yea what they taught was according to the Scriptures of the old and new Testament as ever they proved their Doctrine bâ— the old Testament 7. The Doctrine to the Galathians was by Tradition at the first but we see what the Doctrine was by the Epistle unto them it could not be but by word of mouth at the first and they were accursed that taught other Doctrine than the Apostle taught by preaching and Tradition and the same was as is written else the Apostle had incurred the anothema pronounced by himself Again consider the Doctrine to the Galathâ—an was no other but what was taught to Abraham Moses and the Prophets 8. Observe again 2 Thes 2.15 and 3 6. These two places shew what Traditions he gave them when he was present none other than those he wrote unto them as confer chap. 2.5 and chap. 3 10. So we may be sure by such conference of Scripture that none of the Apostles gave any Tradition by mouth contrary to their writings contra 9. Now then Traditions are of two sorts some agreeable to the Scriptures some disagreeable that make the word of God of no authority The Pharisees are the true fathers of the Pontificality and Papacy for these latter but for the former all that fear God and love the Gospel and love their posterity will follow the example of the old faithfull Psal 78 1 2 3 4 5 6. and obey the commandement of the Spirit of Christ of holding fast and standing fast in the now-written word and the comandments of the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour 2 Pet. 3 So this Apostle exhorted the Saints of his Bishoprick to regard the Prophets and reproved them for follwing â—yain Traditions of their fathers 1 Pet. 18. and 2 Pet. 1.20.21 And therefore to conclude with the Text of Romanes The same holy Lord God as Abraham worshipped Gen. 21.33 in chapter 16.26 When the Apostles and Disciples were inabled with the gift of tongues they were sent by the commandement of the everlasting God among all Nations to preach the Gospell and mystery of Christ by the Scriptures of the Prophets for the obedience of faith Blesse Jehovah O my soul and all that is within me blesse his holy name Blesse Jehovah O my soul and forget not all his Benefits who mâ—de his wayes known to Moses the Prophets and his holy Apostles Psalm 103.7 CHAP. XXIX Being an answer to them that say that the Polity of CHRIST given to Moses was not a Covenant of grace SECT 1. TO answer this sorry assertion we are to consider that Moses on Mount â—ivai talking with the Angel of the Covenant saw the whole Doctrine of our salvation in what sort all ages had and should have it among men what Moses saw his Law offereth to our fight The Prophets and Apostles saw the very same and happy are they onely which study to see these things The Dialogue with its annotations and ch 14. doth endevour to shew this and therefore I shall not now be large I will touch a little of Circumcision and of the Passeover and of the place of holy worship with the practice of the Saints I will speak somewhat promiscuously upon all in which the errours of the Concision will be occasionally spoken of 1. Crn cerning the Seal of Circumcision we must mark diligently the Doctrine of it by the Lord himself Gen. 17. and of his Apostle Rom. 4. and of the practice of faith in the Sâ—iâ—ts how they understood it and made use of it the Dialogue sheweth these things 2. Of the Passeover it was a Doctrine of faith in Christ as it is most evident by Exodus 12. Heb. 11. Iohn 29.1 Câ—â— 5. c. and the practise of the Saints is much to be observed 2 Chron. 30.22 The Levites taught the good knowledge of the Lord concerning the Passeover and they did eat throughout the feast seven dayes offering Peace-offerings and making concession to the Lord God of their fathers Thus the Levites taught the good knowledge of Christ-Jehovah in the Passeover as well as the Apostle to us 2 Cor. 11. They made confession of their sins and of their faith in the Son of God thus the godly and faithfull did and did not doubt and say Who can go up to heaven to bring Christ down to dwell in our Tabernacle or who can go to the deep of the grave to bring Christ from the dead but they confessed the Son of God should come to be a second Adam and give himself our Passeover to be sacrificed for our atonement and that the Godhead would raise the manhood to ascend the heavens to find eternall redemption and heavenly mansion for us And the Apostle doth shew us how and what they understood of the Passeover and the feast of unleavened bread 1 Coâ— 5. So it is said of Iosias that he commanded the people to keeâ— the Passeover unto Jehovah their God 2 Chron 35. as it is written in the Book of the Covenant What is that a Covenant of works No such matter but a Covenant of grace in Christ Thus in brief of the Seals of Circumcision and the Passeover which were seals of the justification which is by faith and all parts of worship that Circumcision initiated them unto must be understood of the Doctrine of a Covenant of grace Covenant and Seal must not differ neither do they in Gods ordination Psalm 119.04.128 3. Of the places of worship these are to be understood generally and specially the place of their generall worship was of all the Tribes together the more speciall and particular places were their Synagogues Oâ— both which we must observe what Gracious Promises of the presence of CHRIST is spoken Exod 20. In every place where I record my name I will come unto thee and blesse thee Exod. 29. Where I will meet with you to speak with thee and there I wâ—lâ— meet with the children of Israel and Israel shall be sanctified by my glory and I will sanctifie the Table of the congregation and the Altar I will also sanctifie both Aaron and his sons to minister unto me in the Priests office * The same â—is said to us for all the faithfull christians are the Israel of God 1 Cor. 6. Gal 6. Apoc. 21 and I will dwell amongst the children of Israel and will be their God c. c. Vnto the place which the Lord your God shall chuse out of all your tribes to put his name there unto his habitation shall ye seek and thither thou shalt come Deut. 1â— 5. and seek his presence evermore Psal 105.4 1 Chron. 16.11
calling c. Ephes 1. 3. this is a mercy past evpression that God should make a covenant with such as we are this is the radix of all and therefore it is said 1. That they were his peculiar treasure 2. A Kingdome of Priests 3. And holy Nation 4. God placed his Tabernacle among them and 5. called them the Kingdome of God and the joyfull shout of so just good and mercifull a King was among them Who can but shout with all exultation if we did but understand our own comfort These things and other Scriptures shew they were under a covenant of grace if we be they were for their spirituall priviledges and promises are now conferred on us 2 Cor. 6.16 Apot. 21.3 Ephes 2. and 3.1 Pet. 2. conferred with Exod. 29.45 Leviâ— 25 23. and 26.12 Dâ—ut 7.6 7 8. now as Israel was Gods peculiar treasure so the Gentiles called to the faith are T it 2.14 this well considered will make the Doctrine of Anabaptistrie to be abhorred of us touching our infants 6. If reformed churches can make it good that they are under a corenant of grace and we may truly say it blessed be the name of the Lord then they were and we could not be so but because their priviledges are transacted to the wild olives and we are graffed into their olive tree we received from them all our glory all our spirituall things for Christ our salvation and all his holy Doctrine is of and from them I will collect some brief heads of Doctrine which were taught believed and professed in the common Weal of Israel 1. They had the Doctrine of the Trinity and Unity Deut. 6.4 2. They had the Doctrine of election and rejection Psalm 65. Exod. 9.16 and 33.19 3. They had the Doctrine of the great mysterie of godlinesse God manifested in the flesh to be a second Adam and to be a sin-offering and to rise from death the third day Gen. 3.15 and 12 3. Gen. 49. and they went three times a year according to the Testimony to Israel to testifie their faith in this this was the main 4. They were taught that the Father the Word and the Spirit one infinite nature created the world Psalm 33.6 Provâ—â— 5. They were taught that the Father had committed all power to the Son for governing the church and the world Psal 2. and 8. and 110. Gen. 19.24 Exod 23.20 21 22. all expound Gen 3.15 6. They were taught justification by faith in Christ Gen 4 and 15 Heb. 11. 7. They were taught Sanctification Be ye holy for I am holy Levit. 19 2. 8. Under Moses Polity they had hope and rest in Christ Psal 130. Ephes 2. Jer. 6.16 and 50.7 Mat. 11.29 Christ complained they had forgotten him their resting place he was the rest of the Saints evermore Jer. 50 6 7. the Apostle saith the Gentiles were without hope but Israel had hope in Christ both for remission of sinnes and eternall glory Eph. 2.12 Ezra 10.2 9. The spirituall graces of Circumcision and the Passeover were required and so practised Deut. 10.16 and 30.6 Exod. 12. Heb. 11.28 1 Sam. 1.7.36 10. The heavenly inheritance was taught them Levit 25.23 11. They were taught to account themselves strangers and sojourners in this cursed world Levit. 25 23. and so David taught his generation 1 Chron. 29 and so believed himself Psal 39. 12. They had hope in the Resurrection Job 19. Psal 49. Exod. 3.6 Mat. 22 32. 13. They had the holy Spirit to lead them in all holy wayes 2 Cor 4. to write the Law in their hearts to seal to them all holy Doctrine of the word whether promises threatnings commandements all good examples c. One may make a large volume of this Subject I think this question may be asked what one new doctrine is taught in the new Testament that the Saints of the old Testament knew not when grievous crimination of heresie by the Councel were laid to the Apostles charge he protesteth he taught no new principles Acts 14.15 16 17. and 26.7 now if the common-Wealth of Israel had all this holy doctrine they must needs be under a covenant of grace CHAP. XXXI A Prosopopeia on Solomomons fall by the Temptations of his idolatrous wives to the ruine of his Kingdome and posterity in granting them the liberty of conscience for the practice of their idolatrous Rites framed by way of Dialogue between King Solomon and Tirzana the Queen TIâ—zana being a Princesse of the house of Moab and being called for did enter into the presence of King Solomon and after some dalliance with her and after she had fitted his humour by giving him all the best content she could she took the opportunity and said my Lord King Solomon I have an humble Request to make unto your gracious Majesty I pray you say me not nay K. What is that my sweet Tiâ—zana Q. My most gracious Lord and Soveraign I have been some years with you though you have often spoken to me to be a Proselite to the Religion of Israels common-weal yet I cannot bring my heart unto it you well know that my education was not in the way manner of Israel and my affection is not toward it it is not so pleasing to me for I cannot forget my fathers house nor forsake his Religion In this case I shall blemish my father and my mother brethren and sisters and people in case I should apostatise from our ancient Religion and in my opinion far the better we have more zeal in ours and many moe pleasures to give man and woman content than is in your profession your Religion is very crosse to mans nature and is urged with great terrour and strictnesse your Religion reproves thoughts words and most mens actions no Religion under heaven doth so as yours and that makes so few to embrace it Yea many of Israel have formerly been more addicted unto ours and the worships of neighbours Nations than to this of Israel and they will not follow it but by compulsion of Governors whereas religious worships should be freely exercised according to every mans conscience when if your subjects should be left unto you well know which way the ride will run it is a pitifull thing that man of a noble and free spirit should be so tyred with hard injunctions and heavy burdens as with bands cords and fetters and it may be that reformation that your noble Father indeavoured and your selfe have prosecuted would not and will not be so convenient as due liberty which would be a more noble design than rigid reformation And if Antiquity make things reverend then our Religion is more ancient or if not more yet as equall for Antiquity for ought I can learne I am but a poor Historian being a woman but I am able to prove the Religion of our God Chemosh to be above four hundred and fifty years old This I can attest and prove by your own Records and you had yours
but in the wildernesse when ye came out of Egypt King Then said King Salomon what my Tirzana doth all your speach tend unto Queen I humbly crave your Graces favour to finish my speach I remember I have heard my Father and Grand-father speake what plenty of peace and prosperity our God Chemosh hath given us nay what victories we have had against our mighty enemies the Giants called Emims and as it was your God that conquered the Chanaanites for you so it was our God Chemosh that conquered the tall great and terrible Giants the Emims for us Yea which I am loath to utter our God Chemosh hath given our Fathers power over Israel for twenty years together Oh should not we then have a most devout opinion of our Religion But why should I your hand-maid thus be bold to speake to your royall and sacred Majesty your great favour and respect unto me hath quickned my spirit and then with an humble deportment of body with her face to the ground she said the intent of all my speach is that it would please my Sovereign Lord the King to grant my small request I humbly beseech that I may have leave to build a Chappell on Mount Oliver to worship our famous and reverend Numen Chemosh the God of my Fathers King What is this I heare from you my Dear Did your speach drive at this Oh I may not doe this Jehovah our most holy Lord God whom we worship in his holy Temple is the true everlasting God and he can command nothing but what is good and perfectly good so that we need not add any thing and he forbids nothing but what is evil which we must not dis-annull and he is the Sovereign Lord of Heaven and Earth and it is most requisite that man should subject himselfe to the most high who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and God above all Gods and therefore all the Children of men must be subject to his Laws and whosoever harden himselfe against him by disobedience shall never prosper and whereas you talk of strictnesse c. you are to know man by nature is borne a wild asse colt and there is no câ—ming of corrupt nature but by a strict course of holy Laws which to a regenerate and godly soul is an easy Yoke and to which he is willingly subject yea man by nature is sometime so refractory that he will not be brought unto God but by affliction yea neither Law nor affliction profits till the Lord himselfe deal with the heart such perversnesse is in man It is most true that man is addicted to his own vain heart Pro. 4. vid. the Margin and accounts the Law of our God most vile and is altogether contrary to God and would run to all licentiousnesse if there were not holy and just Laws and good government Gods ordinance to keep men within bounds 2. And whereas you talke that man is of a noble and free Spirit you are deceived in your apprehensions he is of a most ignoble Spirit ready to fall into all vile opinions and to all sin and wickednesse and to follow all tentations to evill as for his freedome of spirit he is free indeed to all evil as an horse rushing into the battell and not one spark of that celestiall fire is in him to any good till God put it in him and maintain it when he hath so infused it Mans mind will and affections are all corrupt and in himselfe no healing can be found How mercifull then was our God that he from whom we fell would give us a holy Law to be a medicine and healing Doctrine to restore the soul as his mercy and goodnesse is unspeakable in giving us his word for our need which is better known to God then our selves called for such blessed Heavenly Revelation as is declared in our most holy and most righteous Law which Moses received of God for us And we and all men must obey this Law and be reformed by it if we will have any comfort or protection in this world or hope in another 3. Whereas you talke of due liberty my beloved Tirzena I would have thee to consider all the reformation we can possibly attaine unto by the carefull industry of my royall authority and of our Preists and Prophets and Scholes will not come to that purity and exactnesse that the Lord our God requires Many imperfections in omissions and commissions will appeare continually through the lusts of corrupted nature that war in our souls by reason of the darknesse of the understanding and the untractablenesse of the will and the affections And none that have a feeling of the most holy Lord God and of his truth in the heart but find this thus And therefore to give the least liberty to thy opinion is such a designe that will provoke to anger our gracious and mighty Lord God and if I give liberty to thy opinion why not to the abomination of Moloch of the Children of Ammon and to the opinion of Ashtaroth the abomination of the Zidonians And so in the end to root out the holy faith of the Son of God our great high Preist Melchizedek and then that you desire will prove an evill impetuos to the downe fall of truth and godlinesse and hardly ever be reclaimable yea let me inforce this further that there cannot be any liberty granted in any respect to false worships and ungodly opinions such liberty will bring us and our posterity to miserable bondage as our Fathers felt in the Wildernesse and in the times of the Judges And if we that now live and our posterity doe not keep close to that reformation which is now setled in Israels Common-Weal Jehovah our God who is a jealous God will destroy this glorious Temple that we have built to his name and shake this Kingdome by many greivous calamities and at last weed us out of this good Land that he hath given to us and to our Fathers therefore you speak most unworthily to call our Reformation rigid And whereas you talke of pleasures c. you must know the pleasures of sin are but for a time which wast before we can enjoy them And all such lusts and pleasures doe but war against our souls as for the fewnesse of them that follow our God the Lord of Heaven and Earth it should put you to a stand whether the most doe not goe the broad way to destruction 4. I will inform you a little more because you boast of Antiquity in your Opinion and Religion you are deceived for our holy faith is as old as the first man and woman that was created yours is but of late from a God newly come up and indeed no true God Our God created the Heaven and the Earth and from him is our Religion and He destroyed the World by waters for profaning the name of the Lord by false worshipâ— and it was our God that cursed the Nations with strange Languages
in Sheol or in Hades Answer 1. I have foâ—merly shewed that Nephesh which we translate soul in Psal 16. must be understood of his vitall soul and not of his rationall soul But suppose it were meant of his rationall soul yet it is not to be scoffed at that he should blesse God for not leaving his soul in Hades heaven till his body saw corruption Câ—ristopher Carlile in his Descent shews in page 47 48. That souls in joy have an earnest affection to be united to their dead bodies that so they may both together partake of the same glory and Weams in his Portraiture Pag. 33.34 speaks just to the same effect Objection 3. Some object that many Creeds have left out this Article and thence they conclude that it is but a suppositious Article Answ 1. * Is it not strange that any should be so far blinded as to think that the pen man of the Creed should speak of the crucifying death and buriall of the Lords body and yet should omit to record the immortall state of his holy and precious soul when he sent out his Spirit into the hands of his heavenly Father sâ—eing there were so many Sadduces living in those ancient dayes that denied the immortality of the rationall sou 2. Some reasons may also be rendered why some Creeds might after a while leave it our 1. when the immortall state of the soul was generally believed and not doubted of it might be left out 2. When other tongues could not find a fit word that could attain to the large sense and elegancy of the Greek word Hades then the learned seeing it might be mis understood might in wisdome rather choose to leave it out 3. When the mysterie of iniquity did so increase that Christendome was darkned by the smoke of the Pit as hath been touched from Apoc. 9. and that learning was grown so weak that most did not know whether the soul of man did ascend or descend or whither the godly soul went after death I say when the holy doctrine was so exceedingly darkned aâ— it was in the 10 11 12 13 14 and 15 Centuries and that the Article of descending to hell was so corruptly expounded then also some learned of latter times might leave it our as they did in former times for the former Reason These things I thought necessary to advise the Reader of because not many though some have written of this Subject I thought it my duty therefore to adde these Considerations for the benefit of the godly and studious Reader and I hope that my endeavour will not be in vain in the Lord. CHAP. XXXIII Of the Phrase of Abrahams Bosome THis Phrase The Bosome of Abraham did arise and was made familiar as I suppose by the faithfull Hebrew Rabbins before our Lords dayes upon this Consideration 1. The Covenant of God in Christ was made with Abraham and his Seed that in his Seed all nations should be blessed and thereupon such as desired to be partakers of that blessednesse must be of Abrahams faith and must testifie their desire by receiving Circumcision the Seal of that Covenant and then they were also received into his house or into his Church and so they were as it were nourished in Abrahams Bosome where they were nourished by Gods Ordinances and so Abraham was very hospital to all but especially to them that were of the houshold of his faith he received and nourished such not onely with temporall but with spiritual food he taught them the way of God in Christ and instructed them in the true meaning of his Commandements Statutes and Laws all which Abraham observed and kept and he is commended of God therefore in Gen. 26.5 and long before this God said of Abraham I know him that he will command his sons and his house after him that they shall keep the way of the Lord that is the true Religion faith and obedience prescribed for men to walk in as in Gen. 18 19. compared with Acts 18.25 26. Deut. 8.6 and 10 12. and therefore all the faithfull of his house might at their death expect to be made partakers with him of the heavenly City which God had prepared for them and therefore when they died they might still be said to be in Abrahams Bosome for all the faithfull whether they continue alive in this world or depart this life in the faith of Abraham are called Abrahams children and therefore when they die their spirits go to Paradise to Abrahams Bosome In like sort the faithfull being yet abiding here in this valley of tears are said to sit in heavenly places and to eat and drink with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdome of God Mat. 8. and in this respect all the godly whether living or dying are called Abrahams children cherished as it were in his Bosome family and Church both militant and triumphant 2. The holy Patriarch Abraham was so highly honoured of God that he is called the father of the faithfull and the heir of the world Rom. 4 12.13 16. so then his house was the Bosome of the Church into which he received all that professed the true faith for almost 2000 years and in this respect the eternall and blessed estate of the faithfull might well be called the Bosome of Abraham 3. That Parable of the rich man in Hades in torments and of Lazarus Soul that was carried by the Angels into Abrahams Bosome in Luke 16.19 c. Was spoken to the unbelieving Jews and Pharisees and Saâ—duces especially to such as were contemners of Abrahams faith and cared not for the dayes of the Son of Man and therefore they were not glad to see his day as their Father Abraham did and was glad but instead thereof they despised and disdained such as were godly Eleazars whose hope and help Christ is and that he will send his Angels at their death to carrie their souls into the happie part of Hades to Abrahams Bosome where note that Lazarus and Eleazar Faithfull factors in far countries for their Masters need not fear to be called home so the great Lord and housholder when the servonts are called to give account of their trading by the Talents they received we know what the Lrd will say to them that can give a good account Maâ— 25. are but one name though differing in Dialect 3. That Parable of the rich man in Hades in torments and of Lazarus Soul that was carried by the Angels into Abrahams Bosome in Luke 16.19 c. Was spoken to the unbelieving Jews and Pharisees and Saâ—duces especially to such as were contemners of Abrahams faith and cared not for the dayes of the Son of Man and therefore they were not glad to see his day as their Father Abraham did and was glad but instead thereof they despised and disdained such as were godly Eleazars whose hope and help Christ is and that he will send his Angels at their death to carrie their souls into the happie part of Hades
that the Article of our Lords going to the joyes of God taught in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 should be taught people of suffering hell-torments that when we should be taught to understand Hades of heaven we have been instructed to understand it of hell but we hope it will be so no more to put darknesse for light and evil for good 3. But now of latter times some learned seeing the native meaning of the greek in the Article will neither justifie the translation nor the exposition that is made upon it and yet still they do labour to make the matter good about hell-torments and therefore they have endevoured by the Scriptures to fortifie that opinion which how orthodoxly they have done it is hoped men may have leave to examine which if it be denied then we shall transfer the infallibility of the Pontifician chair justly decried to them whom we know will not arrogate any such thing 4. Are Orthodox Churches so infallible in all things may not godly learned men utter unsound Doctrines and much miscarry in matters of sound judgement and application It is possible they may There were in times past three godly Divines none like them now on the earth yet they did not speak of God right things although they thought they spake in the behalf of God I will transcribe what is spoken of them 5. Hear now my reasoning and hearken to the pleading of my lips will you speak wickedly for God and talk deceitfully for him will ye accept his person will ye contend for God Is it good he should search you out Job will tell us that it is not good to defend Gods cause with an error pretending Religion or as one mocketh another do you so mock with him He will surely reprove you if you do secretly respect persons Shall not his excellency make you afraid and his dâ—ead fall upon you Your remembrances are like to ashes and your bodies to bodies of clay Hold your peace c. Job 1â— 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. They were holy men and spoke most excellently and we see by this that though they exalted Gods holy justice in their applications yet they spake not righteously as Christ testifieth for the comfort of his servants Job in chap. 42. Thus Job spake to his three friends and we hope we speak to friends and we doubt not but they will remember that we ought not to have the faith our glorious Lord Jesus Christ in respect of persons 6. And we hope our learned will say as Elihu What shall we say to him for we cannot order our speech by reason of darknesse Job 37. and they will acknowledge they know in part and prophesie in part and we hope they wil not be angry if we judge of what they say the Apostle would not be angry but said Judge ye what I say 1 Cor. 10. and we hope they will not deny but that they may know we will not say be instructed in the way of Christ more perfectly 7. May not godly Ministers now speak things not fitting about the sufferings of our Lord and Saviour as if any shall say that he sufferred the second death els we should have suffered it if any shall say he suffered Hell torments for the same reason If any shall say that the Son of God was not Christ for a time when he underwent the wrath of God Also if any shall say that in his agonie in the garden or upon the Crosse he did enter the lists to fight the great combate hand to hand with his angry Father c. c Are these speeches if any shall so say the Dialect of the holy Spirit in his holy Scriptures which he hath conveyed unto us by his infinite good and gracious providence Again if some good men shall have these passages that it was not the violence of his crucifying that cut off his life but the wrath and curse of God swallowed up his spirit and made his heart fail him and that his soul left the body in that agonie Thus if any shall say then one may inter that he felt not the love of God his Father before he yielded the Spirit but died in a cloud but we are taught of God Gen. 3.15 Psal 22 the cicle of ii that when the Seed of the Serpent was so busie in breaking the foot soal piercing the hands and feet of the * morning Star that he with an holy peaceable and quiet spirit as a sheep dumb before the shearer committed the cause to him that judgeth righteously and prayed Father forgive them for thy know not what they do And it is said in Psal 16. that he did alwayes behold the Lord his heavenly Father before him and that he was still at his right hand that he could not be so moved or disturbed in soul as some talk The world was made to shew principalities and powers and thrones and dominions the contrary that he would rule all his souls affections in an holy and glorious manner and by that Justice make a new world and that he the second Adam had power over his affections more than ever the first Adam he had power to trouble himself with grief and sorrow and to be affected with grief and sufferings from others and to rejoyce as he saw occasion he could rule his affections as he did the waves of the sea so far to go and no further such an holy Majesty appeared in all his Sufferings at all times but especially in his agonie in the garden and sufferings on the Crosse In all which he carried himself beyond the comprehension of men and angels And this doth more appear if we consider the sweet heavenly and calm conference he had with the repenting thief on the Crosse He that bade us possesse our souls in patience that so in all afflictions we might enjoy our selves he much more did enjoy himself by his patience and obedience and as David in type saith I waited patiently for the Lord and he enclined his ear unto me and saved him from the pit of tumultuous as flictions So the Lord Jesus was from the fear of death Heb. 6 5.7 Again he loved his enemies and did good to them that hated him and prayed for them and bade us so to do and to overcome evil with goodnesse thus the LORD ruled his affections and gives us grace for grace so to do as Stephen c. And in that agonie in the garden there was an angel from heaven strengthening and comforting the humanity so that he was neither forsaken as some understand forsaken of the Father nor of the holy Angels and if God had forsaken him what Angel durst come to comfort him That we may better understand the term forsaken The rich man we know was forsaken of God for he was in torments under the second death and therefore he might not have so much as a drop of water to cool his luxurious palate much lesse might he have an holy Angel
In like sort there is a place appointed for the Reprobates for their everlasting torment not hear but in Hell in the world to come hut yet man times some of these Reprobates have as it were the first fruites of Hell torments here in this world by an accusing and tormenting conscience as Kain Caligula c. but not the essentiall Torments of Hell till they come into the very place of Hell it selfe 4. And yet some have said that locall Hell is but a circumstance and that our Lord suffered penall Hell though not in local Hell In like sort they may as well affirme that the glorious place of Heaven in the world to come is but a circumstance and so in this sence all created things in respect of God are but circumstances 5. Is it well done to make this distinction and division of a penal Hell from a local Hell our old English Saxon word Hell will not manage this cause neither for Plaintiff nor Defendant It is not Hades unto which our English Saxon word doth not answer but Gehenna that Ecclesiasticks must cleare about our Lords sufferings for all the Saints do in one kind or other undergoe Hades in this world and so our Lord did undergoe Hades in two of its significations namely first in the death of his humanity and then after that death he was put in Hades the grave and thirdly the wicked Ecclesia of he Council was a Gate of Hades to him and so in like sort all wicked Courts are Gates of Hades to the Godly Martyrs therefore such Courts are in Mat. 16. called the Gates of Hades godly Martyrs must remember when they are going to such Courts that they are going to the Gates of Hades and yet they must incourage themselves and one another with that speach which Christ spake by his Spirit to the Churches in Apoc. 1. Fear not I have the Keyes of Hades and death and that he shewed in his own Resurrection and will one day in ours so then persecuting Tyrants have not power simply over the bodies of the godly they could not retain Peters body in Prison Act. 12. nor the bodies of Paul and Sylas Act. 16 Christ did not as yet grant leave to their persecutors to turn the Keye to let them into Hades though afterwards he did Steven and James were the first Martyrs of the New Testament that were sent to Hades and Christ Jesus was the last great Martyr of the Old Testament whom they sent to Hades for the old Testament was not disannulled but by his death 6. It is a great comfort that persecuting Tyrants can send the godly no further but to Hades they cannot send them to Gehenna and if our Ecclesiasticks will Rest hear we will with good will joyne with them both our hands and heart that Christ Jesus under-went a penall Hades in this world But I suppose they mean further matter or else they mean nothing as indeed their meaning in this distinction wil come to nothing 7. This then I conceive is the state of the question Whether there is a penall Gehenna in this world out of locall Gehenna in the world to come I say that Gods blessed Book doth not shew this and if any shall yet affirme it we must be bold to say it is but a dreame not the Revelation of God which evidently sheweth that penal Gehenna is in locall Gehenna 8. Let these Scriptures be dilligently marked for the place and punishment of Gehenna Mat 5.22.29.30 Mat. 23. Mar. 9.43.45.47 Luk. 12.5 And now compare these Scriptures with the case of our Lords sufferings whether any sparke of the penall fire of Gehenna fell upon his soul or body or whether that cursed worme did ever gnaw one minute of an houre on his spotlesse soul as some dread not to affirme 9. Hence the Reader may see the necessity of a right translation and exposition of the words Hades Gehenna c. the learned keep the tearm Amen in all Translations and many Greek words are commonly understood and how full is the English of Latine words see H. Bro. in L. Fam. 60. 10. Observe that in all the Evangelists the holy Spirit doth not change phrases as in other passages he doth to put Hades for Gehenna or Gehenna for Hades neither is Hades taken properly and only in all the New Testament for the cale of Reprobates But still the person and his cause must judge of the matter where Paradise in Hades is the lot of the godly and Gehenna in Hades is the lot of the wicked 11. Shall we say we deale worse then Papists about the holy Article of the Creed they say the Lord went to Hâ—ll to Triumph over the Devills and not to suffer Let all the godly put away this mis-interpretation of that holy Article first that Christ went to Hell only to Triumph over the Devils and secondly that pore jejune distinction which doth not honor but dishonor the pen of a godly Scholler of our Lords suffering Hell Torments in a penall Hell out of the locall Hell CHAP. XXXVI Observations on the second Death which some say Christ suffered 1. THE Lord Jesus did not undergoe wrath as some understand it of the Essentiall wrath of God which also they tearme the second death must not we understand that whatsoever is in God is God touching the holy deity and therefore as God is love that is essentiall love so his wrath is essentiall wrath and can we say that Gods essentiall love was ever on Christ and therefore he is called his beloved Son or the Son of his love Joh. 15.10 Act 2 25. yea and that God loved him to the end as he loved the Breathren Joh. 4. 2. When he was in that most lad agony in the Garden there was an Angel sent from Heaven to strengthen him which doth evidence that he was not then under the second death nor under essentiall wrath for then it had been impossible for any Angell or for all the Angels in Heaven to strengthen him or support him 3. If he had suffered the second death which is indeed the effect of the essentiall wrath of God he could not have said My God my God why dost thou leave me and O my Father if it be possible let this cup passe and Father forgive them and Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit neither could it be said that he did alwayes behold the Lord at his right hand as a loving Father Act. 2. and that he did abide in the love of his Father Joh. 10. 4. When did the Lord Jesus suffer the second death was it before he dyed the first death or after or did he suffer both deaths together if you say yea then give me leave to ask who told you so did the Apostles at the commandment of the everlasting God Preach that Doctrine out of the Scriptures of the Prophets for the obedience of faith shew that Scripture evidence by Scripture rightly expounded or did he suffâ—â— the
and will ever render himself a faithfull and trustie servitour 12. So then Gods reconciliation hath these two parts justification Acts 26.18 Rom. 8.7 Col 1. that is the freedome from the guilt and punishment of sin and receiving into favour or adoption to the heavenly inheritance 13. And thus I think I have made it evident from 2 Cor. 5. that the not counting our sins to us but freeing us from them and pardoning them is the justification or freedome of God the Father that he freely vouchsafeth to poor sinners so verese 19. conferred with v. 21. do open one the other plain and easie for Gods people to understand Surely the holy sweet blessed Scriptures rightly conferred are like a benevolent constellation 14. Let Gods people consider what in this translation and explication of 2 Cor. 5. is derogatory to the mediation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ or derogatory to the comfort of the Saints all their life or on their death beds for the hope of immortall glory Much more might be said but often we darken Gods counsel by our words When things are plain some Ministers make them harder and far more knotty than the Text. 15. We may suppose if from this time forwards Gods people be exercised to read the Text of 2 Cor. 5.19 21. it will not be amisse thus to read it God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not counting their trespasses to them for he made him to be a sinne-offering for us who knew no sinne that we might be made the righteousnesse or freedome of God in him 16. By that time godly Christians have been accustomed to read 2 Cor. 5.21 a sinne-offering and rightly understand the terms justification righteousnesse setteth free vnd freedome And not counting or not reckoning or not imputing our trespasses to us I say by the time of 80 years moe the people of God will come to a more clear and perfect judgement in the wonderfull mysterious Doctrine of a sinners justification 17. The tearmes and Phrases of Justice righteousnesse and justification are exceeding variously understood and have been largely handled by diverse learned Authors to whom I refer the Reader I will instance one Text wherein the word Righteousnesse or Justification is different from the justification of vindicative Courts and more like to the justification of voluntary Courts sometimes are ordained for the tryalls of combaters in Apoc. 19.8 To her was granted that shee should be arrayed in fine Linnen cleane and white for the fine Linnen is the Righteousnesse of the Saints this Text is often alleadged for the imputation of Christs legall Righteousnesse to sinners acording to vindictive Courts of Justice but if the coherence be well looked into it will appeare to have another sence which is this The Beast and his marked made the Church mourne in Sack cloath Apoc. 11. But when the Beasts polity shall be conquered by the constancy of godly Martyrs and Professors then the Church shall rejoyce and white Garments are here given as a sign of that so then the Garments of fine Linnen and white was given to signify the Churches joy because of her freedome from the power of those darke and black afflictions that were under the Beasts polity and for the better understanding of this read Hest 4 3. and 8.15 16. 2. In this sense also must Apoc. 7.9.13 14. be expounded for there the Church had been in great afflictions by the Casars for 300 years but by Constantines speciall grace and favour and by the victorious constancy of the godly the Church had deliverance and therefore white robes are given to shew their great joy for that deliverance and victory 3. The Robe of Tzâ—dek Righteousnesse in Isa 61.10 is translated by the 70. the robe of joyfulnesse according to the true sense and meaning of the context for in v. 1. Christ is anointed with the spirit of the Lord for this end namely to preach good tidings to the meek to bind up the broken hearted to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound and in v. 2. to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and to comfort all that mourn and in v. 3. to give them beauty for ashes the oil of joy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heavinesse and in verse 7. he doth promise that everlastâ—ng joy shall be upon them and then in v. 10. the said poore broken hearted Converts do with exultation say thus I will greatly rejoice in the Lord my soul shall be joyfull in my God for he hath cloathed me with the garments of salvation he hath covered me with the robe of righteousnesse but the 70 according to the context both before and after translate it he hath covered me with the robe of joyfulnesse it is called a robe of righteousnesse in respect of the perrformance of the promise which was to give the sweet comforts of God spirit to poore and humbled souls by the preaching of the gospel and in respect of the sense the said comforts to the converted soul it may be called the robe of joyfullnesse as the Seventy render it and we may see an example of this robe of righteousnesse how it was also a robe of gladnesse and joyfulnesse at the conversion of the prodigal son in Luk. 15.22 23 24 32. 18. This Translation and explication of 2 Cor. 5.21 and of the other Scriptures cited will rid us of no small trouble and I hope it will rid others also of doubtings of the truth of the Doctrine of justificatiif they wil but with patient study mind and mark the true scope and meaning of the Scriptures I do freely acknowledge that severall Institutions Common places Catechismes c. have been is and are a great mercy to the Church of God and shall be while the world standeth But yet the Lord would have us to try all things and wisely to hold that which is good I say also that there are many godly and learned men some that are departed this life and some that are yet living that have expounded 2 Cor 5.21 to the same effect as I have done and I make no question but the generality of our godly Ministers will in due time be so proselited also for there is no standing out long against divine reason where true godlinesse and true learning doth bare sway I meane such as will take the paines of the minde to dive into the true sence and scope of the text and will see it with their owne and not with other mens eyes CHAP. XXXVIII Our Lords genealogic conferred with the times of the Judges and with the King The first Adam Seth Enosh Kenan Mahalaleel Jared Henoch Methuselah Lamech Gen. 8. chapters Noah in his 600 years was the flood and the world 1656 years old Whose are the Fathers c of whom concerning the Flesh Christ came who is God over all blessed for ever Rom. 9. Sem. Arphaxad Sâ—lah Heber
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
allusion to the seventy years of the Babylonian captivity c. To say there is not truth nor certainty in the holy Chronologie of the Scriptures 1. Let us take such heed that they deny not the truth and certainty of other doctrines of faith 2. It may be truly said because men have not loved the truth by a diligent search of the holy Bibles Chronologie they have been given up to believe the lies of heathen Chronologies 2 Thes 2.11 3. The holy Chronologie of the Book of God is a doctrine of faith as clear and certain as any other doctrine of faith and therefore that speech of the holy Apostle beareth supremacie in our hearts That the holy Book of God doth not onely teach and instruct us of the truth of its Chronologie but it doth also correct and convince the heathens Chronologie to be most false and abominable doctrines as some produce them 2 Tim. 3. 4. It is said that the holy Scripture is given by inspiration from God and is able to make children yea the man of God wise to salvation through the faith which is in Christ Iesus and this must be understood of Scripture Chronologie as well as of any other doctrine of the holy Bible and he that will rightly consider the holy Chronologie as it is above expressed by sundry calculations will say that the holy Scripture Chronologie teacheth doctrine of faith which is in Christ IESUS and in him by it wisdome to salvation 5. It is said we have a more sure word 2 Pet. 1. and that was the old Testament but now heathen Chronologie of the devilish worships of Apollo the heathens Olympiads are by some made more sure and certain criptures than the oracles from heaven We have more cause to yield to the Locusts that defend their Apolluon that alledge Fathers and Councils than to yield to men that authorise the vain Olympiads of Apollo of Delphos Therefore let us that are Christians hearken to the words and commandements of the Apostle of our Lord and saviour Beware lest any man carry you for a spoil through Phlosophy and vain deceit after the rudiments of the world and not after CHRIST Col. 2. it is the holy scriptures that have ditted up the mouths of Apolluon and his Locusts by the RR. Jewel Fulk Cartwright Perkins Calvin Beza c c. we doubt not but the holy scripture shall do the same to them that plead for the gamestry of Stanicall Olympian reckonings Verily all the scriptures should as well take a check as the wisdome touching the time of the seventy sevens be controlled by heathen We may as well believe the heathen spake true when the Sun went back that for Hercules birth the Sun made a longer night but the word of Christ shews that he that ruleth the heavens made it and did shew to all the world but specially to Israel that the heavens order was not so stable as Gods covenant in Christ for then that miracle was to confirm the faith of the church in Christ promised so the sunne performed service to the SON of righteousnesse surely the motions of the heavens declare the works of God in the harmonious measure of times Although many men be great Scholars and godly yet some of them do not consider that the sunne did run his race for the glory of Christ and his word For it is said All things were created by him and for him the second Adam For Him for his honour and glory not for Satans sports and pastimes of the Olympiads 6. What a grossenesse and crosse is this because we cannot make the heathens accounts to agree with the holy Scripture-Chronologie therefore we fly upon the word of the living GOD the Lord of hosts our God reproaching it and exclaiming against it that there is not truth nor certainty in many parts of it but we should say and do the contrary and should say let God and his word be true and the heathens and their Chronicles lies and liars For there is more to be said ¶ If that the Angel taught not Daniel certainty of knowledge and understanding for the Chronologie he taught him nothing that he knew not Daniel knew all the rest of the Message but the time of performance And so we make the holy Angel a deceiver an evil spirit a Satan And therefore D.R. and Mr. P. and all that follow their course have sorrily dealt with the Church of Christ Jesus our Lord. 7. Mr. P. saith that Mr. Bro. and his followers c. Let Mr. P. know that Mr. Bro. and those that use his godly and learned labours do adhere to and follow the lively oracles of the living God sent from him by an Angel from heaven to teach Daniel knowledge and understanding and to teach all faithfull Christians by him And therefore we are confident in the Lord and dare not otherwise say but that the holy Angel from God stake a true plain and proper speech and a most certain chronologie for the beginning and ending of the seventy sevens and that their beginning was from Daniels prayer and their ending at the abolishing of sacrifice and offering and confirmation of the Testament for the Many by the blood and death of the MESSIAS It is true many have objected against the holy Scriptures Chronologie before Mr. P. and Mr. Sarson which is to be lamented but we know there are many gracelesse speeches and objections against the very fundamental truths of Christian Religion But this I think 1. That it is good that the Scriptures chronologie should be clear and certain Isa 5. and can we think that God hath omitted this good for his church 2. Men should deem or ought so to do that the Scripture hath truth and certainty for chronologie though they see it not and they that oppose it should think and say they erre not knowing the Scriptures and they should think that the works of God the rock are perfect and that he that began the chronologie for the glory of Christ by the genealogie of his holy ancestours Gen. 5. and 11. would perfect it 3. To affirm truth and certainty in Heathen chronologie and to deny it in the holy Scriptures is an opinion scelerate and flagitious we cannot think how great the evil is and therefore Mr. P. hath done ill in justifying D.R. saying the holy Angel in his heavenly Oration to Daniel meant no certain time whereas the Angel taught him perfect wisdome for the chronologie of it and so professeth that he came to give skill of understanding that very thing 4. Whereas Mr. P. saith that Mr. Bro. denying the truth of heathen chronologie constituted the year of the seventy Sevens without grounds Mr. P. in this saying puts a stumbling block before the blind and causeth him to go out of the way and falls into a great offence of untruth not onely against Mr. Bro. for that 's little but against the Angel from heaven who said to Daniel at the beginning of
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
death a most acceptable Sacrifice of Reconciliation 4. Christ is called the Prince of life in relation to his Office of Mediatorship 1. Peter tells the multitude of the Jewes in Act. 3.14 15. Yee killed the Prince of life why else is he called the Prince of life but because he brake Satans head-plot by his combate of suffering and by his sacrifice of obedience even through all the said sufferings and by that means he redeemed the Elect from the death of sin which Satan by his cunning head-plot had brought upon them all and so in this respect he is called the Prince of life alluding to that Combate and Victory over Satan in Gen. 3.15 and to that in Psal 2.2 The Kings of the Earth set themselves and the Princes do plot together against Jehovah and against his Christ and the fulfilling of this combate is thus expressed in Act. 4.27 28. Of a truth Lord against thy holy child Jesus whom thou annointedst gathered were both Herod and Pontius Pilate to do whatsoever thy hand and thy Council had determined before to be done according as he had declared it in Gen. 3.15 namely That the seed of the Woman should combate with his proclaimed Enemy Satan and his seed and that by his obedience to the Lawes of the combate he should break the Devils head plot for the redemption of the Elect from the death of sin to the life of grace and so at last to the life of glory and in this respect lie hath merited the Title Prince of life and to this effect did Peter speak to the Council of the high Sanâ—dâ—im in Act 5.31 Him God made high with his right hand a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel and forgivenesse of sins and in this respect Christ is also stiled the King of Justice and the King of Peace Esay 7 2. And the Prince of Peace in Esay 9.6 and in Ezek 34 23 24. God calls him One Shepheard And his Servant David And a Prince among them and so in Ezek. 37.25 5. Christ is called the King of Israel 1. Nathaniel makes this confession of his Faith to Christ in John 1. 49. Rabbi thou art the Son of God thou art the King of Israel In this speech Nathaniel had respect to Dan. 9.25 where he is called Messiah the Prince or King as Broughton in his last Edition reads it 6. He is called the Messias In Dan. 9.25 26. He is twice called the Messias which in Greek is Christ that is Annointed and so in John 1.41 Andrew found his Brother Simon and said unto him We have sound the Messias and in verse 45. Philip found Nathaniel and said unto him We have sound him of whom Moses did write in the Law Deut. 18.18 and in the Prophets Esa 4.2 and in John 4.25 The woman of Samaria said unto him I know that Messias cometh wâ—ich is called christ or the Annointed and this Title was given him in relation to his Victory in breaking Satans head-plot for our redemption as it was first implied in Gods Declaration of the Combate and Victory in Genes 3.15 7. He is also called the Apostle and high Sacrasicer of our profession in Heb. 31. And the Shepheard and Bishop of our Soules in 1 Pet. 2.25 and our Advocate in 1 Iohn 2. If any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the just who is the reconciliation for our sins 8. Christ hath many Titles given him in relation to his Office of Mediatorship from Metaphors and Similitudes 1. My Husband Hos 2.7 2. The morning Star in the Title of Psal 22. and in Rev. 2.28 and Rev. 22.16 3. A Nazaren Math. 2 23. He was not a Nazarite according to Num. 6. as some through heedlesnesse do take it for he both drank Wine and was polluted by the dead Luke 7.33.34 Luke 8.49.54 Mat 9.25 Luke 7.14 which a Nazarite might not be but he was a Nazaren of the Town of Nazareth which Towns name is derived from Nazar the Branch out of the root of Jesse in Esa 11.1 And saith Bro. Nazar in the Thalmud is the Messias from Esa 11.1 and saith he in his Consent 2830. Nazar is a Spring or Branch Esa 11.1 and saith he the Town Nazareth alludeth unto that in Mat. 2.23 4. He is called the brightnesse from on high hath visited us Luke 1.78 5. He is called the Bud of the Lord in Esa 4.2 Zach. 3.8 Zach. 6.12 6. The Son of Righteousnesse Mat. 4.2 7. A Son and Shield Psal â—4 12. 8. The way the truth and the life John 14.6 9. The Door Job 10.7 10. The bread of life that came down from Heaven John 6.35.48.51 11. The true Vine John 15.1.5 12. The Lamb of God John 1.29 13. The chief corner stone Eph. 2.10 1 Pet. 2.6 14. The head of the body of the Church Eph. 1.22 Col. 1.18 15. The head of all principality and power Col. 2.10 16. The first fruits of them that sleep 1 Cor. 15.20.23 17. The Lion of the Tribe of Iudah Rev. 5.5 18. The horn of salvation Luke 1.69 These and such like Attributes do shew the effects and the operations of Christs Mediatorship sundry waies both for the comfort of the godly and also for the terrour of the wicked enemies of his Church and people CHAP. LVI Of the Attributes of the holy Spirit HE is called the Holy Ghost Act. 28.25 Paul said to his offended Hearers at their departure Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esay as the Prophet unto our Fathers c. But in Esay he is called Iehovah Esay 6.8 9 10. so also the Title holy Ghost in Heb. 10.15 is taken from Ier 31.33 and there he is called Iehovah which is an incommunicable Attribute to any Creature and hence it is evident that Iehovah the Father Iehovah the Son and Iehovah the holy Ghost in the unity of the Godhead and in the Trinity of persons did make the new Covenant for all the Elect and therefore they will certainly give the gift of faith to all the Elect that so they may be partakers of all the blessings that are therein contained 2. The said Holy Ghost is called the Spirit Iohn 1.32 33. Mar. 1.10 3. The Spirit of Aelohim Gen 1.1 2. 4. The spirit of God Mat 3.16 Act 5.3 4. 5. The holy Spirit Psal 51.11 Esa 63.10 Luke 11.13 6. The holy Spirit of God Eph 4.30 7. The holy Spirit of promise Eph 1.13 8. The Spirit of the Father in Iohn 14.16 17. I will pray the Father saith Christ and he will give you another Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name and so consequently the Spirit proceeds from the Father as in Iohn 15.25 9. The Spirit of the Son Gal 4.6 and therefore he proceeds from the Son as well as from the Father If I depart said Christ to his Disciples that were so full of sorrow for his departure I will send the Comforter to you Iohn 16.7 and in
temperance against such there is no law 5. In verse 25. If we live in the spirit let us also walk in the spirit 11. It is said in Ephes 6.17 The sword of the spirit is the word of God and in verse 18. Pray in the spirit 12. Quench not the spirit 1 Thes 5.19 13. The holy Ghost doth renovate our corrupt natures as in Tit. 3.5 Of his mercy he saved us and by the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the holy Ghost 14. The spirit and the Bride say come Rev. 22.17 15. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost he with you all Amen 2 Cor. 13.14 Sundry other Attributes are ascribed to the holy Ghost in relation to its operations and effects from metaphors and similitudes as by fire water seed an earnest and to the oyl of gladnesse c. All which with many more will be of heavenly use to every godly Christian that will take delight to meditate in Gods book as David did both night and day Psalm I therefore say as David said O how love I thy law it is my meditation all the day Psal 119.97 FINIS A Table of Chief Heads Chap. 1. OF the Vnity of the Godhead and Trinity of Persons also of their properties and works page 1. If the knowledge of God in Trinity had not been the ground of life God would never have given himself names in the Plural number p. 1. The Spirit of Elohim is sometimes called the Spirit of the Father and sometimes the Spirit of the Son p. 2 It is good to mark how the Attributes and Titles of God are often interchangeably used the one for the other p. 5 Chap. 2. How Redemption was taught from Gen. 3.15 to the Flood of Noah p. 14 Gods purpose was not declared to bring fallen man for life by theremains of any naturall abilities p 23 The place of holy Convocations was wont to be called the presence of God p 36. 298. Chap. 3. How Redemption was taught from the Flood till the promises to Abraham also the seed of Sem is explained p 40 The subduing of ours and of Gods enemies is a benefit that God hath tied to our constancy in Religion p 42 Chapter 4. How Redemption was taught from the Promise made to Abraham till the Law of the Passeover and the coming of Israel out of Egypt p 52 We may not pray for nor expect any blessing either temporal spirituall or eternall but according to the promise and Covenant of grace in Christ p 61 Covenants go before Seals p 66 The Covenant of grace was not made onely to believing Parents but also their Infant children p 70 Chap. 5. and Chap 6. How Redemption was taught from the time of the Passeover till the building of the Temple p 74 How Christ was the end of all Moses Law p 75 76 77 82 83 85 86 It is a point of rare faith to believe that Christ gave the Law p. 84 n. 3 Chap. 6. How Redemption was taught unto David and others p 92 How they of the old Testament understood the Doctrine of Justification p 95 n. 5 and p 100 n. 5 p 356 Chap. 7. How Redemption was taught from the foundation of the Temple to the burning of it p 102 Chap. 8. But it is misprintd How the Covenant of grace was taught and opposed in this time namely from the burning of the Temple to the end of the Babylonian captivity p 117 Chap. 9 How Redemption and the Covenant of grace was taught and opposed in the time of the Seventy Sevens as it is expressed in Dan 9.24 p 137 The endevour of some Schollers is by necessary consequence very prophane by teaching us to confute Daniels propriety of the seventy sevens by the building of Rome and by the Mayors of Athens and by the Satanicall chronicles of the Olympick games p 160 and see more towards the end of the book Chap. 10. How God by his wise providence did order the severall captivities of his people to build Synagogues for the planting of Religion among the heathen nations as a preparation to the speedy preaching of the Gospel by the Apostles and Disciples that were dispersed into those Countries at the death of Stephen p 162 Chap. 11. Giving divers reasons why there were no more Prophets after Malachi or after Ezra for he is holden to be Malachi to our Lords Incarnation p 170 The 49000 that returned from Babel were godly and lâ—ft a godly seed after them p 173 174 175 Many of Judah and Israel did continually return after the 49000 were returned p 178 271 Daniel foretold of the falling away of many of the Jews from the faith p 176 The Saints the Jews in the time of the 70 sevens had sundry enemies before after the death of Antiochus Epiphanes p 179 but Christ did strengthen the godly Jews against the tyranny of Javan p 179 The Kings of the North were Gog and Magog in Ezek. 38. and Ezek. 39. p 179 129 The Hebrew tongue after the return from Babel ceased from common use p 180 The Rulers and people of the Jews did not know the meaning of their own Prophets after that the Prophets and Vrim and Thummim did cease Acts 13.27 p 181 Chap. 12. Being an answer to the complaint of the Jews for the losse of five things under the second Temple which they injoyed under Solomons Temple p 183 Fire from heaven to burn their sacrifices was a testimony of Gods gracious acceptance of the types of Christs death p 183 If they had had the fire from heaven after the captivity they should after some time have been deprived of it by Antiochus Epiphanes when he took away the daily sacrifice for three years and a half p 184 Vrim and Thummim they needed not when John Elias came p 182 184 Though after the captivity they wanted the Ark of the Covenant yet Christ told them they should have godly Teachers in the place of it Jer. 3.15 16. p 184 Chap. 13. How the new Covenant and the way of Redemption was taughe and opposed under the first preaching of the Gospel p 187 How the heavenly Jerusalem began first to be builded in the earthly Jerusalem p 198 Chap. 14. Shewing who they are that have the spirituall blessings of the Covenant of grace and who the curses 201 The Jews and Romames for their despising of the Kingdome and sacrifioâ—hood of Christ were greatly plagued p 202 Chap. 15. Proving that Rome in Gods just judgement is the place that Christ hath given to the power of Sathan for the setting up of the mystery of iniquity p 215 Chap. 16. Proving that the mysterie of iniquity began to get head from Constantines time p 229 Chap. 17. Of the two Witnesses and of the mark of the Beast and of the decay of the mysterie of iniquity p 235 Chap. 18. Of the seven Trumpets in Apoc. 8 9.10 and 11 chapters in which the
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
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