6. And lastly note the promise is called a Covenant Act 3. and Gal. 3. and so the promise Gen. 3.15 must be considered as a covenant that God made with our first parents as Christ is the hope of the promise made unto our Fathers Acts 26.6 2â—2 3. Jer. 50.7 so he is the hope of the covenant Esa 42.6 Quest 2. N. 1. This first point is handled by a Son of Abraham Rem 1. 2. 3. The book of Job teacheth of the corruption of nature taken from Parents and of redemption so it sheweth how Abraham taught his posterity how all the faithfull of old taught their children by tradition and all true and sound tradition before the scriptures agreeth with the scriptures so must all tradition since the scriptures Ps 78.1 2 3 4. c. Jobs book was afore the Law of faith was written by Moses Ibid. N. 11. This second is handled Rom. 3. 4. 5. To these two points confer the notes of N. 4. and N. 5. in page 21. All of the first Adam miserable and no blessduesse but in Christ the second Adam all the Acts and the Epistles c. abundantly open this Ibid. N. 5. In thy seed all families In Christ all are gathered Eph. 1.10 The glory of this blessednesse to procure the salvation of the elect God will not give to any other mediatour Esay 42.1 c. This blessing came on Abraham in his uncircumcision Rom. 4. and so observe these blessings are handled to the uncircumcised the familes of Japheth the Romans Corinthians Ephesians c. Therefore Turkes Jewes and all misbeleevers are excluded from all hope of comfort Ibid of Question 2. N. 5. Only and alone the Lord Jesus Christ all scripture speaketh exclusively concerning any other 1 Joh 5.11.12 13. so the Apostle Peter is plaine This is the stone cast aside of you builders which is become the head of the corner Neither is there salvation in any other for among men there is given none other name under heaven whereby we must be saved Act. 4. God would in due time shew this his justification of a sinner and that he might be just in all his promises and a justifier of him who is of the faith of JESUS Rom. 3. Ibid. of N. V. Given us by promise We cannot we may not pray or expect any blessing temporall spirituall or eternall but by covenant and promise in Christ Levit. 26. Deut 28.7 12 still looke to the promise The promise is sure by faith to all the seed it can be sure no way else faith doth realize and evidence things promised to our hearts God is keeper of covenant and in that faith resteth In God things promised have their consistency and therefore they shall have a being on us in due time Deut. 8.18 And we must take blessings as blessings of the covenant and redemption in Christ all mercies to the Saints are the price of bloud not as common favours with the world that have the sun and rain c. else we shall not be of those generations that praise God through Christ Ephes 3.21 Hos 2.19 20 c. else our mouthes will not be filled with laugher and our tongue with singing praises to our God Psalm 96.98 136. 137. Lev. 26. Ibid. of 2 Quest N. VII seal assurance As the spirit sealeth to the heart of the believer the doctrine of the Covenant and promise so the seals of the Covenant are made effectual by the spirit for the further confirmation of the justification that is by faith to none other persons but to the children of the promise and covenant made with Abraham Acts 3. Rom. 4. And none other persons can understand what this saying of covenant and seal meaneth but those that are redeemed from the earth Apoc. 14.3 Ephes 1.13 14. 2.18 Rom. 8.15 16. N. 9. which believe in God must Faith is a wise and an obedient grace saith worketh by love Rom. 6.7 8. chapters handle this Gal 5.6 the Apostle opens this as a part of the blessing in the promise Acts 3.25 26. Christ destroyeth sin in his and sanctifieth If any be in Christ he is a new creature 2 Cor. 5.17 old things in the old Adam are passed away and all things become new in us from the second Adam The ten Commandments belong to this point and handled as an use from Gods mercy and covenant in Christ Exod. 20.1 c. Rom. 6. chapter and 12. chapter and the later parts of the Epistles to the Galatians Ephesians colossians and by holy Zacharias Luke 1.74 ubique See the practise of this in holy Job his effectual faith and diligent love and patience of hope from the godly instruction of Abraham in the promise The covenant of grace is reciprocal the seals also teach the same It is glorious to keep the mystery of faith in a pure conscience And this is an easie yoke to an holy and humble soul his commandments are not burdensome Mat. 28.20 1 Iohn 5.3 And after the Lord hath spoken peace by justification we must not turn again to folly that grace may abound Psal 85. Roâ— 5 6. And they that put away a good conscience will make shipwrack of faith and blaspheme Briefly this is a sure character of the Saints of God that all that call on the name of the Lord with a pure heart do follow righteousness faith charity peace c. and such only are vessels of honour for our heavenly masters use Observe yet further the Popish Company and many others that are ignorant when they speak of good works their thought darteth chiefly on almes-deeds prayer fasting c. But withall teaching and believing the doctrine of opere operato at the Pharisees Whereas by good works is meant not only those but all the duties of charity of the first and second Table both toward God and toward man yea all to be done in faith as regenerate in the Second Adam that God the Father in him may be glorified And where the true faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ is planted it will so shew it self And this is the true sense of James 2. of shewing our faith by our works and our Father Abraham and Rachabs story are conferred to this exposition Again observe that commonly those that so call for those good works care not for sound teaching of the word of God but rather carry a grudge against it and holy assemblies and the sincere professors and preachers And alasse what are their prayers almsdeeds fasting c. for matter manner or end It may be questioned if they be materially good And let such take heed that for manner or end they are no better than Kains Genesis chap. 4. then theirs in Psalm 50 and Esay 1. and 58. and the Scribes and Pharisees who did all those things and more too and yet crucified the Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory who would have had them come to a more exact and joyful
faith instituted it 2 Chr. 30 22. mark and consider the Psalm 22. 40. and 110. what was taught in those three great congregations the assemblies of holy beauty Through faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of bloud lest he that destroyed the first born should touch them The 12. of Exodus will afford many meditations And although three moneths after the Passeover they had the Law in two Tables given full of terror to humble man yet by a still and soft voice a pattern of heavenly things were enjoyned as a Tabernacle made with hands the Priesthood of Levi the Breast-plate with VRIM and THVMMIM The Ark of the Covenant the bloud of peace offerings sin-offerings whole burnt-offerings holy incense washings cleansings redemptions attonements remissions the Manna the brazen Serpent and holy garments of ministration and other holy feasts beside the Passeover distinction of times in new Moones years of Rest Jubilees c. enjoyned All which do teach of Christ the truth Who is Jehovah our righteousness Christ is all and in all QUest 5. But were not the moral and ceremonial Laws given to disannul the promises that we should seek righteousness or justication by doing of outward works through our own will and power Answ In no wise For although the Law of the passeover came 430. years after the promise yet it cannot disannul the faith in Christ taught in the promises The same must be said of all the Ceremonies QUest 6. Wherefore then did God give the Law Answ I. Because in those daies both among the apostate families and in Israel when they lived in Egypt all ungodliness and unrighteousness did exceedingly abound Therefore the Law was added because of transgressions that the offence of sin might abound to our feeling and that we might be loathsome to our selves And it must be noted that the Law was not declared to Israel only though chiefly to them but to the mixt multitude that came with Israel from Egypt II. That it might be a School-master to lead unto Christ to seek the justification that is by the faith of Him For Christ was the end drift and scope of the Law for justification to every one that beleeveth Moses politie ever aimed at him for Moses wrote of Christ And the Prophets and History still expound Moses Psalm 40. Esay 53. Daniel 9.24 And our Lord and his Apostles expound Moses and the Prophets III. Although our Lord Jesus Christ abrogated the Ceremonial Law in respect of the actual performance and took away the a curse of the Law to all that believe They were cursed and plagued if they did not observe the ceremonial as well as the moral for both were contained in the book of the Law Deut. 27. ult Mal. 1.14 yet the moral Law was and is still in force to be the rule of a sober righteous and godly life and so taught in all the New Testament And with all we are to note that the Ceremonial is inscructive and the moral is to humble as well as to direct in the wayes of peace and holiness Quest 7. Produce one text more out of Moses which may further open the mystery of Gods will in Christ Answ Deut. 30.11 12 13 14. This commandement which I command thee this day is not hidden from thee neither is it far off It is not in heaven that thou shouldest say who shall go up for us to heaven and bring it to us that we may hear it and do it Neither is it beyond the Sea that thou shouldst say who shall go over the Sea for us and bring it to us that we may hear it and do it But the Word is very nigh unto thee in thy mouth and in thy heart that thou mayest do it Quest 8. What hence in brief do you observe Answ 1. The holy Apostle called this text the word of faith and doth expound it of Christ concerning his incarnation and resurrection Rom. 10.6 7 8 9 10 11. 2. Moses bringeth his whole Law to this summe and so the prophets that Christ the son of God was to come down from heaven and to be man and to suffer many and great afflictions from the Serpent and his seed and being the first from the dead is to give life and light unto the world The wicked ever despised this life and light in Christ accounting this wisdom foolishness 1 Cor. 1.23 2.8 3. This Scripture with some verses preceding and subsequent sets forth to the spiritual man the excellency the glory the brightness the facility the preciousness the stedfastness and the efficacy of the Law of God being a revelation from heaven and a most blessed instrument of God to preserve his people if they cleave unto it to live in his covenant to comfort in affliction to restore the Church decayed cumbred and overwhelmed with errours and for conservation of outward and inward consolation c. But apostasie from it brings all Curses and utter ruine And therefore it is a most rich favour to Jesurun to all the Israel of God that they are glorified with such an inheritance of lively oracles 4. When Moses had wrote of the Creation of the apostasie of our first parents of the curse of all things visible of the incarnation and redemption in the Promises Tabernacles and Sacrifices Of Melchizedeks and Levies Priesthood c. Then saith he this doctrine is not an hid doctrine Moses face did not so shine with brightness as the Law did shine in the hearts of the faithful that looked to Christ the holy seed of the woman the end and scope of the Law It was hid to none but the blinded by Satan We should labour to reduce history and prophecy with the New Testament to Moses QUest 9. Who were followers of the doctrine of Justificacation by faith taught by tradition in (a) the doctrine of the seal of circumcision was believed of the faithful 406 years to Israels coming from Egypt the Promises for two thousand five hundred and thirteen years and now written by Moses Answ All the Patriarks as is said the people of Israel that came out of Egypt and that were in the wilderness and the faithful both Rulers and people in the Books of Josuah Judges Ruth Samuel c. and especially our Lords Fathers from Abraham to David the first fourteen are to be remembred Mat. 1.17 QUest 10. Who were the seed of the Serpent hating bruising cursing and persecuting the Religion and People of Christ his Israel Answ The Egyptians Amalek Moab Ammon Midian and the Canaanites c. QUest 11. Did the Church constantly reverence the religion of the Tabernacle Answ The eternal WORD came unto his own in providences and ordinances but his own received him not for six hundred thousand in the Wilderness at once through an evil heart of unbelief murmured tempted and denyed Christ and despised the Land of Promise and would have gone into Egypt again and many followed the religion of Peor And after in
Deut. 31.11 27 28 29. such waited but for an opporeunity of Moses death and Ioshuahs and the godly Elders then they did shew themselves so blessed Paul spake of Wolves and apostasie Acts 20. It is hard for us to deny all of the first Adam and wholly submit to be taught and guided in the doctrine of the second Adam the Lord from heaven Quest 8. Answ N. IV. Of Melebisedecks and Levies sacrifice hood See the Apostles disputation concerning Melchesedeck Heb. 5. 6 7. who was still alive after a sort in discription As the holy Prophet David taught the people of his dayes and what use they should make of the Land of Promise Psalm 95. and of the use and end of the sacrifices and washings c. Psalm 40. 51. So he taught them that Levies Priesthood should have an end for that our glorious Lord Iesus Christ is made a sacrificer for ever ofter the order of Malchesedek and not after Aarons order of the Levitical Priesthood where neither the persons or things that Levi did could justifie the doers or commers thereunto Now the Lord Jesus Christ he was promised and prophecied of in all the old holy volume of the book of God that he was made a Mediator and a Surety a Sponsor of such an Administration that should perfectly save and justifie them that came unto God by him He was of God the Father none else could made a Sponsor a surety All the sacrifices that he commanded our Fathers they did them till the fullness of times did come and then he did send his beloved Son and Servant in whom his soul delights he took unto him true humanity and was a Sponsor a Surety of a better Testament i.e. The Mediatour of the New Testament for their full conâ—olation to comfort them concerning their works and concerning the sorrows of their hands and concerning the earth which God hath cursed He shall do that which all Levites tribe could not ex opere operato Levies Priesthood could not cleanse the conscience from the guilt of our sinful works not procure a blessing on our Labours nor make a new world his Priesthood could not cleanse the conscience from dead works to serve the living God c. And for this cause Christ was a Sponsor of a better covenant And Christ himself faith he will become this Sponsor and Mediatour to answer the will of the Father Lo I come to do thy will O God thy Law and appointment for the redemption of thy people that thou hast given me is in my heart to give my self a Sacrifice of a sweet smelling favour of rest God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not counting their trespasses unto them For be made him to be a Sin-offering for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5. Much more might be said but let the people of God study the Scriptures their inheritance God hath a time and a day wherein he will burn up the hay stubble and rotten wood of impertinent applications and interpretations Ibid. N. I V. Is not an bidd doctrine It is not an hidden thing nor a wonder for thee O Israel for this doctrine that the Son of God should come down from heaven to be man hath been taught to thy Fathers from the beginning and that he should be the great High Priest and Sacrifice and that he should raise himself from death to give hope to all faithful of their resurrection Israel should not make doubt of this doctrine Yet it is a Wonder as Ethan sings of it Psalm 89. great is the mystery of Godliness But this hath been ever taught in the Church this doctrine is the faith of Gods elect and the Churches possession Ioh. 1. Levi the Tribe appointed to reach divinity should never have been graven in the bright and pleasant Smaragd if the stories of this Art had been dark â—et had been a fitter stone for darkness The minde of man may have abundant satisfaction and strong confidence concerning the doctrine of the way of life by holy and humble diligent study of the Scriptures And they that will not believe Moses and the Prophets will not believe though one should rise from the dead Quest 9. and Answ Taught by tradition Note the doctrine of faith one and the same whether by Tradition or Writing For those 2513. years the faith of the Gospel was propagated by tradition by great prophets of long life and great authority and sacrifices as seals of the Covenant added for confirmation of doctrine Quest 10 and Answ Midian Although Abraham taught his houshold the faith of Christ as is seen in the book of Ioh yet many of his posterity apostated to that idolatry religion and opinion with which he was corrupted at YR others fell to the false faith religion and opinion of Peor Jos 23. 24. and did seek to curse the true faith of Gods elect and the holy people of that profession Num 23. 24. Midian was of Abraham by Ketâ—rah The world was then full of false opinions and heretical Doctrines as now they could plead for Nachors Teraphim for Peor for Chemosh and Milâ—ham c. but Israel must hearken to the Law and Testimony that Christ gave them so Moses and Iosuah most pathetically a little before their deaths exhorted them to regard the holy Law and not to follow the traditions of their fathers or of the Nations Ios 24. Deut. Quest 11. and Answ And wou'd have gone into Egypt again Like them are our Popish fools that would go into Rome Egypt again for their Fish Flesh pots Leeks Garlick Onions Cucumbers Melons their doctrines of bodily exercise of Images Pilgrimages the dotage of Purgatory c. goodly Cates sure to be compared to the heavenly Manna of Gods word and Gods dwelling in his tabernacle among us We do not consider the glorious presence in Christ in his Ordinances and protection c since he brought us from among them By the Gospel the way of Christ the face of God shineth upon us The Gospel is the object of promise joy and gladness to every honest hearted Christian Let our apostate hearts remember Lots wife in looking back to Rome-Sodome Christ complained Israel would none of me Oh that we could think of these things What one nation on the earth hath been like us for mercies and how ill have we requited the Lord as Israel did so do we Psal 81. Deut. 32. Ibid. Of their forefathers The idolatry of Terah and Abraham continued above 500 years to the death of Iosuah yea long after Iosuah 24. 2.14 Observe how fast idolatry and superstition and will worship sticks in the heart of posterity Although they had the fiery Law expounded by Moses and miracles to confirm them of the truth of that Religion that holy faith of the Son of God Moses taught and possessed Canaan in the obedience of that holy faith and many chastisements for
and Leviticus for we must observe that the Son of God the holy Angle of Gods presonce repeateth diverse Laws that were formerly commanded in Exodus and Leviticus the holy Law with the exposition was first delivered in Exodus and Levitecus See Exod 10 21 22 23. and 24. chapters and that holy covenant was made in the bâ—ood of the covenant Exod. 24. as it is said Assemble my Saints together that have made a covanant with me by Sacrifice to walk in his holy Law and as the breach of it is charged on them Ps 50. So it is the same covenant that is made with the children in Deut. for as it is said Moses repeats the Law to them Deut 5 and makes large Expositions upon it and then renews the covenant even the same Covenant in Deut. 29. Note also that the same promises for obedience to the law of the Gospel and the same curses are spoken to the fathers as are repeated to the children Lev. 26. Deut. 28. Yea which must be well observed Numbers 20. Numb 20. to the end of that book and all Deut. is but the history of one year and Aharon died the fortieth year in in the fifth moneth Num. 33. and forwards may and must be called Deutera-nomie a second Law for all is spoken to the people of the second numbring all the Fathers being dead Consider Num. 28.2 also confer Exod. 19. with Deut. 76. and 14.1 and 26. And the covenant that Iosua made with Israel a little before his death is but the renewing of the former and saith Mr. Ainsworth in Deut. 29.1 Here the covenant is renewed between God and the people and it is the same in effect with the covenant made at Horeb Exod. 19. and 24. save that Christ who is the end of the legal covenant is here more clearly recalled and saith he on Exod. 20.2 here he especially intendeth the covenant of grace made with his people whereby they are blessed that have Jehovah for their God Psal 3â— 12 and Tremellius speaketh to the same effect and divers others might be cited to their sence Men man and will speak their pleasures but let us take heed we do not darken Gods counsels by our own words or by his words mis-interpreted CHAP. XXVII Short Collections out of Genesis Job and some part of Exodus shewing that the Gospell of the Son of God Mark 1.1 2 was manifested and taught among the faithfull before Moses wrote the same SECT 1. CHRIST the eternall word the light and life of men inspired holy Prophets in all ages to teach men his way and charge which consisted in Commandments Statutes and Laws from the apostasie of our first Parents to Israels coming from Egypt that is two thousand five hundred and thirteen years all which Laws were to bring men to feare and love Jehovah and to love the holy Seed their Brethren and to give no just occasion of offence to any no not to the seed of the Serpent Gen. 18.25 26.5 And that this holy faith and religion might abide and the fruit of it remaine Christ gave holy Prophets who were of long life and of great authority which were a great helpe to preserve the faith for those years and propagate the same by tradition to posterity till those commandments statutes and lawes were written And because many things before the Floud and after the Floud doe set forth the Law of faith rather by way of narration then by manifest precept though doubtlesse they were commanded even from the beginning I will breifly set down some particulars in which the Son of God reveiled himselfe even before Moses 1. The Holy faith for Doctrine was taught in that great and precious fundamentall promise coucerniâ—g the Son of God his person and office I will â—uâ— enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her sâ—â—d He shall break by head and thou shalt break his heal Gen. 3.15.2 We are to consider that this holy promise or covenant was opened by diverse providences and ordinances which the Saints most religiously observed that so they and their posterity might abide in the Doctrine of Christ and not transgreâ—se from it For they knew they that did not so had no communion with the holy Trinity but they that did abide in it had communion both with the Father and the Son SECT II. 1. TThey had Sacrifices to make profession of this holy faith of the son of God taking humanity of the Seed of the Woman to be the Mediatour and Procuratour of justification sanctification wisdome and redemption by his death and sacrifice and thus sacrifices ever taught of life coming by death Now we are to consider how this way and charge of Châ—ist was made known to Moses in commandments statutes and laws he wrote the very some that was formerly practised by the Saints Christ indeed commanded more laws to Moses because the church of God became into a great common-weal and kingdom Therefore hence observe that all ancient godly tradition is according to the written word 2. Moses is frequent in this They had Altars on which they sacrificed their offerings which made the sacrifices acceptable because it sanctified the offering signifying the in effable Divinity of the Son of God made man to uphold the humanity in that great work of our Redemption 3. So in Moses most sericusly the Sabbath is enjoyned likewise in the Prophets The holy Trinity Father Son and holy Spirit Jebovah Eloim appointed the Sabbath to be a signe between him and his people that in it they might meditate on the mighty Creation and gracious Redemption And it was to sanctify them unto himselfe and to sâ—perate them from all the prophane and so to be a means of holinesse in their persons soul body and spirit The Sabbath was made for man to meditate how the holy Trinity rested in Christs Redemption And the Subbath was kept before it was commanded in Exo. 20. for Moses speaks of it in Ex. 16. as being observed before and teacheth them there further the holy use of it as it was at the first enjoyned Exâ—d 16 23. but Israel in Egypt apostating from the faith and following the Idols of Egypt neglected the Sabbath very great ly as the word Remember in Exo. 20.8 doth argue and we see that where men care not for or do corrupt the holy Doctrine of faith that they either neglect the Christian Sabbath the Lords day or utterly cast it off Eze. 20. And 100 manifest miserable experience in our days of rejecting the fourth Commandment and its Doctrine as Papiâ—ts doe the second Commandment do witnesse Again further note all the Patrarchs entred into the Sabbaticall Rest from Gen. 1. to Moses times God did not rest but in Christ and the Sabbath taught that and the faithfull kept it but the Families most wickedly followd Nimrod Gen. 26.5 and would not be perswaded to embrace the faith of Seâ—â—s Tents which was the charge of
Tradition in reference to the last mentioned short Oâ—seâ—vations 1. Although the Church was taught by Tradition for 2513 years From the creation to Israels coming from Egypt is 2513 years yet the written word was no other Doctrine thâ—n was formerly taught by Tradition for all Genesis and much of Exodus was first delivered by Tradition till Moses wrote Genesis 2. The Eplstles to the Romans and Galatians open Gen. 12. 15. So John 1. and 1 John 3.8 open Gen. 3.15 So the Apostles Doctrine and writings are answerable to Gods Doctrine by Tradition for those 2513 years Ezek. 28. 3. That which Moses received by Tradition since Adam or by inspiration or both till he was 80 years old was no other than Christ gave him on Mount Sinâ—i which he wrote when he was shepherd to Israel 40 years So it is said by faith Abel offered by faith Araham when he was tried offered Isaac and by faith Moses kept the Paâ—leover and this holy faith hath commendation for all the godly of the old Testament Heb. 11. And the same faith we of Japhets house are exhorted to follow that Christ may be to our consolation to day as he was to them yesterday 4. And for that 2513 years wherein Religion was taught by Tradition Gods providence so ordered the affairs of his Church that while the families that hoped in Christ were few there were as is noted rate prophets long-lived and of great authority who although the Gospel was not written for ought we know till Moses times were most able to strengthen the faithfull of their times 5. The men that continued the Gospel by infallible Tradition from the creation to the giving of the Law are the first ten Fathers afore the flood Nine of them living together were a noble consistory to uphold the faith so shaken by the Apostasie of their own children and the wicked families of Cain 6. Then after the flood there were nine Fathers also of the holy line that lived together worthy Pillars against Niâ—rods revoâ—t these nine were Noah Sem Arphaxad Selah Eber Peleg Regu Serug Naho and so Sem Arphaxad Selaâ— Eber might and did instruct Abraham Sem Selah Eber and Abraham might and did teach Isaac Abraham Isaac and Eber taught Jacob Isaac and Jacob the twelve Patriarchs who left many godly that lived to Moses Moses Parents were godly Heb. 11. There was but 64 years between Josephs death and Moses birth 7. More briefly thus Adam taught the Gospel to Mathuselah and godly Lamech they two to Noah and Sem Sem taught Isaac Abraham and Isaac taught Jacob and Isaac and Jacob the twelve Patriarchs and they in Egypt held Religion sound while they lived and Joseph lived after Jacobs death 50 years and Levi 70 years after and there was 42 years between Levies death and Moses birth 8. The wisdome of God is admirable in the long life of the few families of the old holy men to preserve the faith by Tradition that Sem who lived with godly Lamech and Machuselah who saw Adam taught the Gospel to Isaac These four men Adam Lamech Sem Isaac could reckon years above 2000 but when mens ages were divers times shortened and at lâ—st brought to 70 years Psal 90. and when the Church of God consisted of many families and that the purity of Religion was forgotten and neglected after the death of the said Patriarchs of the most in Egypt for Israel in Egypt fell to the idols and Religion of Egypt then God commanded Moses in the wildernesse to write the word of faith and ever after it was the Standard and Cannon of faith and manners as all the Prophets after and our Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles kept themselves to the written word and to this all the Israel of God is enjoined To the Law and to the Testimony saith Esaias Starch the Sâ—â—iptuâ—es saith the Lord Jesus Let the word of Christ dwell richly in you in all wisdome saith the Apostle of the Gentiles c. c This word of Christ is the holy Scripture and it teacheth us wisdome to salvation 2 Tim. 3. we are exhorted to give heed to the old Prophesie 2. Pet. 1. and thrice blessed are they that with an honest and good heart so do 9. All the Patriarchs were Bishops for their families 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 using all care to teach theirs from their Fathers speech what Sem i. e. Melchizedeck learned of Mathuselah taught of Adam of the holy Trinity and how our Lord should come of Judah the King of glory the eternall the framer of the world of that poor shepherd to be man to have his Tabernacle in us to look through the windows within our wall and also how Christ by death should vanquish him that had the power of death they did know that he should come down from heaven and did feed upon his flesh and blood comforted in sorrow by this hope they would not misse to catechise their sons in this point as Joseph gave 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to feed his brethren Gen. 47 12. so all godly gave 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to feed their families souls In one word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 never used afore but in Josephs story with the Septuagint Our Lord his gracious tongue calleth us to the Patriarchs story Luke 12.42 compared with Gen. 47.12 to look to the Kingdome of heaven not to the earth which God hath cursed so Mr. Br. in Lords Fam. Luke 12 42. 10. Observe a little more concerning Tradition in those 26. Collections above that we should consider that the Spirit of Christ in the holy Prophets by Tradition and in the Law written by Moses is like it self one and the same Doctrine and all for the glorifying of Christ as it is said The spirit of Prophesie is the Testimonie of Jesus He is the mark of all Apoc. 19. Let us consider briefly for the new Testament therein also God took the same course though not for so long a time by Tradition I conceive it is a good instruction for us to strengthen us against the false Positions of Romane Catholicks concerning their unwritten verities for we shall easily perceive God to be without shadow of change whether by Tradition or writing 1. The Birth Life and Death the Doctrine and Miracles of our Lord Jesus Christ were by Tradition till the four Evangelists had written them but when written then it was the rule of our faith John 20.30 31. 2. The teaching of the Corinâ—hians the Institution of the Supper of the Lord was a Tradition 1 Cor. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. The Doctrine of the Resurrection of the dead to them was by Tradition 1 Cor. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 1 Cor. 15. was the same Doctrine he taught them 4. The Apostles teaching of the Man of sin that Son of Perdition was a Tradition to the Thessalonians 2 Thes 2.5 15. 5. Painfullnesse and diligence in a mans calling was a Tradition 2
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
and out of whom wee neither have nor can do nothing But following the truth in Love as the truth of this healing Doctrine is to be sought and found only in JESUS we grow up in all points into him which is the head even Christ himselfe by whom all the body conveniently joyned and fastned together by every point of the furuitâ—re according to the operation of the spirit which is in measure of every severall part reneweth increase of the body unto the edifying of it selfe in Love A proud Laodicean Arminian thinkes and speaks contrary which shewes he is not only ignorant of Christ and his learning but of his own naturall Philosophy Nosce teipsum What naturall abilities did and would worke we see Jer 4.22 Job 28. Rom. 1.1 Cor. 1. But no change of heart to fear God in Christ here heathens who could say Video meliora deteriora sequor might see further with the Apostle Rom. 7.23 c. But man sold unto sin can neither hear nor see where God openeth not the eyes and here the spirit teacheth the godly to groan with sighings unspeakable See Mr. Bro. upon Lam. 1.11 When we read in the holy scriptures or elsewhere of errours in judgement and sins in practise in heathens and others then refer all hither to thinke upon the poyson of the serpent breathed into the natures of our first Parents which could never by all humane learning be healed The truth is man is most adverse to be cured till Christ by his word and spirit illuminate and quicken The Pharisees were the most excellent of all naturalists yet they could not attain to the Law of Righteousnesse or freedome from sin and guilt Rom. 7.8 9 10.11 chapters Phil. 3.3 4 5. c. The plaine reason is they despised to know this glorious hidden mystery of Christ the second Adam and missed the meaning of the Law In the 6. Quest N. 3. Doth rule all ages The second Adam and his doctrine is the light the way the truth and the life to all generations The song of all ages is Salvation is of our God and of the Lambe Apoc 5 9. and Chap. 7.10 11 12. This is the true Catholik faith faith in Christ ever one and the same although the outward Administration did differ Psal 100.5 119.89 135.13.1 Pet. 1. JESUS CHRIST yesterday and to day is the same also for ever Christ the Rock of all ages Esa 26 4. Ebr. 13.2 John 1.2 He that cometh to God must beleeve that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently by faith in Christ Jesus seek him This is a ruled case from the beginning No man cometh to the Father but by the Son The cloud of witnesses from Habell to our Lords dayes confirmeth this Ebr. 11. all of it And the clouds shall not catch up any to glory but those of the same holy faith This faith is the charge and commandement of the Lord which the Saints are to keepe inviolable from age to age without spot of heresie or vanity of mans traditions In Q. 6. N. 4. To this faith he calleth his elect The faith of Gods elect is glory and the righteous Nation that keepeth it entire and walketh in it is a most glorious people not the like in the earth if we consider the King of Saints his Lawes his government and the purity of his subjects Of this company of faithfull soules and their King their endearednesse each to other the Canticles singeth yea all the holy stories shew the same from the first to the last Prov. 8.31.2 John 9. Ibid. N. 5. Great disputations contentions c. Here is the faith and patience of the saints here are they that keep the commandements of God and the faith of JESUS Apoc. 13. and 12. and 14. When the Lord God spake that of Gen 3.15 fire was cast into the Earth and a sword was sent ever since there hath been divisions factions and contentions Three against two and two against three Hitherto pertaine all the warrs plottings devises deceits slanderings cavillations mockings â—scoâ—nes scoffings geerings thrasonicall boastings murders massacres treasons c. of them of that wicked one It is not liberties and states that the Seed of he Serpent so much shoots at but blood All that will live goldly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution and yet in all tryalls whatsoever faith is victorious Christ sometimes builds his Jerusalem Temple street and wall in troublous times Note whereas sufferings might be just punishments for sin the Lord God in his unspeakable goodnesse and in honour to the Saints maketh them to be for testimony to his truth And his Angells by Satan Many cases of conscience arise out of this if Christ bruise Satans power how is it that we suffer so many trialls hence many doubtings feares teares distractions unrulinesse of passions Psal 73.1.1 Sam. 27.1 All is answered Rom. 8.17 18. Dan. 11.35 Mat. 10.1 Pet. 1.1 John 15. and 16. and God over-ruleth all for the good of his children Apoc. 1.18 Psal 33.10 and 76.10 and 94.19 and 119.75.2 Cor 1. Phil. 4 5.6.7 Heb. 12. Be humble and live the life of faith with temperate affections and in the sober use of all good means and all wil be well 1 Cor. 7.29 30 31 32. The spirituall armour belongs hither Eph. 6 Afflictions are compared to darknesse to waves of the sea c. God can still them Psal 89. and 93. wee looke not to the decree of God concerning sufferings Gen. 3.15 that it must be so wee propound selfe ends in profession of the Gospell Verily we do not consider why we were borne and for what cause we came into the world if we did all reasonings of our hearts would be silenced then let us meditate that good confession that the Lord Jesus witnessed before Pilate Iohn 18.37 In Q. 6. N. 6. Brotherly love holding one another dear This is and was the message that was taught from the beginning 1 Iohn 3.11 Kains and Habells story is there remembred This 6 point is the summ of the second Table and handled by exposition and example continually See the later part of the Epistles to the Churches to Rome Corinth Galatia Ephesians Colessians Heb 10.24.25 Act. 4.32 Psal 133. Ioh 15. compare 1 Iohn 3.23 and 4. ult 2 Iohn 5.6.2 Tim. 1.13 In Q. 6. N. 6. And to have no fellowship This enmity and warr of Michael and his Angells against the Dragon and his Angells cannot and therefore must not be reconciled it is a cursed worke to endeavour it And indeed either side holds one another Anathema God hath put the enmity betweene the seeds and who shall joyne that which God by principles of unreconcilable distance hath perpetually divorced and separated it was never yet reconciled though Satan and his prophets and the false brethren in their owne ungracious projects have laboured Gen. 6.2.3.4 c. Numb 31.16 Apoc. 2. Iud 2. and 3.1 King 11.1 and in Nehemiahs and Ezras dayes
daies in the godly Families as hath been noted For Daniel 12.4 sheweth that those times would cause much action among the godly Daniels book a treasury of Wisdome for the time of the 77. and ever Dan 12.4 and Daniels book for the time of the Seaventy Seavens was a wonderful treasure of wisdom to teach them knowledge for many occurrents many did search throughly and knowledge did much increase These times of Javan in the Kings of the North and South were times of much agitation on all sides and occasions Thus far of the holy Seed for these times which were â—he substance and stay of the State as others formerly for their times Esay chap. 6.13 of the falling away from the faith of many in Israel II. Daniel spake as of many particular events touching the Kings of the North and South so of the Apostasie of the visible Suns of the Church of many in Israel which came to passe in those sad calamitous times of Ptolomy Philopater K. of Egypt and in the daies of Antiochus Epiphanes King of the North. Daniel sheweth how many were drawn away by Philopaters allurements and became lawless VVhereas other of their Brethren being constant in the faith had great deliverance Dan. 11.14.3 Macca and the apostates shame and disgrace Of Antiochus it is recorded Thus by orafâ— and deceit he did prevail against many of the Jews and made them forsake the holy Covenant and with these he had intelligence how to do mischief against the faithfull and the Temple and Jerusalem Daniel sheweth the vilonesse of his wicked King chap. 8.24 25 and chap. 11.28 30 31 32 33. Let the godly Reader see the Commentaries of Mr. Broughton on Daniel Zachariah foretold of the Civill Dissentions among the Jews and how they would oppresse one another Those three wicked Shepherds with the former false Prophets were thieves and robbers but the sheep did not hear them Joh. 10. Dan. 12. and forsake the Law of faith given by Christ to Moses and follow heresies There were three wicked Shepherds that hated sound doctrine and made false expositions on the holy Text and many fables and many traditions and did not cleave to the Law that Christ the Angel of Gods presence gave to Moses at Horeb with the Statutes and Judgements Malachy 4. This fulfils châ—â— which Daniel foretold That although Godly Teachers did turn many to righteousness yet the wicked would do wickedly and none of the wicked would understand Wherefore God gave them into the hands of one another and into the hands of their Kings the Levitical Kings Vid. Tremel on Zach. 11. and the Herods and the Caesars Malachi sheweth that Saddwoisâ—â—â— was beginning in his daies c. 3.14.15 which greatly increased This was a strong faction and prevailed much against the Pharisees that they made sad and woful Tragical slaughters of one another Gen. 49. Deuter. 33. and many of their High Priests were of this faction The Priests would be Kings not remembring Jacobs and Moses Testaments Jacob shewed that of right Judah should have the Government of the State Moses shewed how the Tribe of Levi should be exercised but they neglected the Prieshood and the covenant of the Priesthood therefore the imprecation of Moses fell on them Then Christs brake both his Staves Beauty and Binders The Beauty of his Ordinances they had till about these times Zach. 11.10 Dan. 11.35 12.10 which now were grieveusly corrupted therefore God deprived them greatly of that Glorious Mercy and in his anger brake the staffe of strength They despised the godly Teachers that had suffered sore afflictions many waies for the faith of the truth Therefore God gave them over into the hands of wicked Shepheards that never sought their Good Zachary 11.15 16 17. So Achab for despising Michaiah was given over to believe four hundred lyars to his destruction So under the new Testament 2 Thess 2. As for Christs other Staff Binders We must remember that Ezekiel had prophecied that when they returned from Babel Judah and Ephraim should be as one Stick in his hand and so they were after the return But we must know many of Judah and Israel continually returned as Zac. 8. 9. 10. For of the fourty nine thousand that returned Ezra 2. Ten or twelve thousand were of the ten Tribes and this unity continued all the time of the Persians and to about one hundred and fifty of Javan consider Zachary 9.13 how they conjoined But for their apostasie Christ brake this Staff also that the Brotherhood of Ephraim and Judah was almost utterly dissolved The event of which was borrible distractions emulations and contentions very sad and grievous The poor of the Flock as is noted observed all these things Zachary 11.11 Miserable and deplorable was the State of these times and which continued until our Lords daies And when He came he sealed Vision and Prophecy by teaching and sound expositions of the Law and so much restrained this apostasie by himself and his Apostles by him and cleared all holy Doctrine and opened the truth of the Scriptures how and of whom the Prophets Luke 24.2 Thes 2.1 Tim. 4.1 2 3 2 Tim. 3.1 2 the Psalms and Moses spake and the faithful believed This apostasie was as dreadful and in many things like the apostasie of the Lawlesse man of sin for the sixt seventh eighth ninth tenth eleventh twelfth thirteenth fourteenth Centuries then the fourteenth Century the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ began to consume with the breath of his mouth that Wicked Romilus and the glory of Christ continued more and more to this day blessed be his holy name of all the Saints for ever Thirdly Of the enemies of the Saints the Jewes Concerning the Enemies of the people of God in the times of the Seavensy Seavens 1. Daniel foretold what troublesome times should befall the returned from Captivity under the Persians for Seaven Seavens that is fourty nine years both to them that returned and to them which were not yet returned In those Seaventy Seavens by the returned the Temple was builded and the City Jerusalem re-edifyed with the wall and distinction of Streets Ezra and Nehemiah shew what troubles they had by the Seed of the Serpent in performing those Noble Enterprizes And for them not returned the book of Esther shewes the cruel and malitious intendment of that wicked Haman the Agagite of the posterity of Amalek The Persians reigned eighty years after the Seaven Seavens they reigned in all one hundred and thirty years Also Daniel foretelleth how Javan in Alexander should afflict The King of the North was that Gog and Magog Ezek. 38. 39 Also how the Kings of the North and South The Ten hornes collaterally should long afflict This Daniel sheweth by an Historical Prophecy in many particular events to the daies of Ptolomy Philopater and Antiochus Epiphanes The 8.10 11. 12. chap. of Daniel are all in the time
were many worthy fathers who by teaching and writing with great constancy resisted Satan in his undermining of the faith Onely one thing they did not so discern Satans project and enterprise the mystery of iniquity the spirituall Supremacy one of the greatest heresies most of them being so corrupted with desire of priority and superiority QVest 7. What other things might be a means of the furtherance of the mysterie of iniquity Answ The open or visible Church by certain steps insensibly not all at once corrupted and schismed from the syncerity and plainnesse of Doctrine of the written word and the gifts of the offices of Christs ministerie and the ministration of the Seals of the new Testament and censures and followed and mannaged their own decrees orders additions inventions and heathenish superstitious ceremonies and traditions with wordly wisdome pomp ambition hypocrisie self-willed humility faction covetousnesse envy and cruelty extream corruption in manners 2 Tim. 3 1. c. And even thus it was in all apostasies of the Church since Moses wrote Adde also to these that the Teachers and Pastours rejected the fountains of Hebrew and Greek from which all things proceeded a great decay of all right proficiency in all Divine and humane studies (:) Read and consider these things as sin and the punishment of sinne the desolation of holy things never come but as effects of great sins and a fore-runner of mighty plagues Esa 5. So Mat. 21. QUest 8. How was Christs severity manifested on the Churches for their idolatry and apostasie from the Commandements and words of the apostles Doctrine not hearing what the Spirit spake to the Churches Ans 1. Christ the Lamb slain cast fire on the earthly apostate world despising his Person and Mediation plaguing it by the ambition heresie spirituall whoredome c. of the falling and wandring starres and the badnesse and negligence of Emperours but especially of Apolluon King of the Pit that did exalt himself and his Catholick Locusts against them all to be Pests and Tempests of hail * Vid. Mr. Cade Lib. 2.73 74. fire and blood a Mountain full of fierie bloody bitter poysoning and unutterable miseries to all States and Churches These things were in the four Trumpets yet as Preparations to the fifth Trumpet and first wo in which all these evils were coincident and compleat Of the which fifth Trumpet and first woe the Pontificality and its Corporation is an explication 2. Idolatry and other sinnes increasing in all hardened impenitency the King of Mount Sion plagued the Christian world by four messengers of his wrath let loose from Euphrates that is the people of the Eastern Countries which troubled lesser Asia and also much of Europe with horrible vastations and at last possessed great part But least that the Popish and Turkish Factions should wholly drown the world with raging impetuous innundations of outward and Spirituall calamities the angel of the Covenant descended cloathed with a cloud and a Rainbow about his head his face as the Sunne his feet as pillars of fire and in his hand the little Book of Scripture opened and standing on the earth and sea roareth like a lion thundereth and sweareth secret bitter and inevitable destructions to the Enemies Also God tormented the King of Locusts Sodomitical-Egyptian Corporation by the two Prophets in their teaching praying and martyrdome and by their resurrection which caused a great Earth quake in the Papacy that a tenth part of the King of Locusts politie fell This is under the sixt Trumpet and second Woe 3. Christ the Rock and Lion of the Tribe of Judah doth grinde to powder and also tear in pieces mystical Babylons politie by Kings and Princes that in the later times should fall from the Papacy and they and their People following the Lamb. And also maketh a further earthquake in Star-Wormwoods Kingdome by greater voices of godly Teachers and Witnesses that with the eternal Gospel fly through the heaven of the Church preaching terrour to the Corrupters of the faith and the eternal blessed reward to the Saints This is under the seventh Trumpet and third Wo. 4. Thus God hath once revealed all unto the end in Seales and Trumpets by sevens to teach the profane world of the resurrection The rest of the Apocalyps repeateth again and again in sundry varieties as briefly is touched these matters of Empire and Papacy and affliction of the Church by them and the overthrow of the King of Locusts and all his corporation of mystical Babylon Deprivation of all their spiritual and corporall merchandise and temporall destruction with all shame horrour and lamentation and their eternall sorrow in the world to come and lastly the glorious joy and comfort of the saints being revived from their dead State under mystical Sodoms polity to be of the corporation of the Holy and Beloved City Each blessing is here begun and shall be perfected when the Lord Jesus shall shew himself from heaven in that day of his bright appearing Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the fourteenth Chapter QUest 1. and Answ The High Sacrificers the Pharisees Isâ—ael which is after the flesh despised Christ and his Rest and fell after the same example of disobedience and unbelief or misbelieving disobedience as their Fathers both in the Wildernesse and in the revolt of the ten Tribes and of Judah also and would not receive the word of exhortation Heb. 3. 4.10 12 13. chapters Ibid. That the Seed of the Serpent All that persecute the faith are the seed of the Serpent from Kain to Caesars and Popes But the gates of Hades could not prevail because Christ had the keys of death and Hâ—des Here observe that the Apocalyps in two sorts draweth all the Law unto it It sheweth Christ from all the Law and Prophets and the curse of mystical Babylon from all the old cursed since the Serpent deceived Eva. Jehovah from Gen. 2. 3. Exod. 3. 6. is expoundâ—d in Apocalyps i. e. Who was Who is Who Will be and this draweth to the last acts looking to the first Counsels that all may be seen to depend upon One God The Apocalyps setteth forth the last acts Therefore they that expect new Revelations besides that which was leâ—t us by the Lord Jesus the Son of God in the writings of his Prophets and Apostles shall never be settled in a sound judgement in the Gospel and those that pretend they have new Revelations in such thoughts they are of them that add to the word of God but let such tâ—emble at the curse Apoc 2â— 18 19. Such shall bear this blame that they are an adulterous generation they would adulterate the faith Mat. 12.39 Quest 2. and Answ by saitâ—â— they ebtained good report with God Heb. 11.1 2. conferred with chap. 12.1 2. and Rom. 1.5 16.26 Gal. 3.8 9. Apoc. 14.12 21.3 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. As many as received him to them he gave prerogative to be the Sons
Answ By what he is and by what he doth 1. He is called like Jeroboam (a) As God taught Adam to give names to expresse natures Gen. 2. so God in these names teacheth Princes and People what they shall finde in the Beast that was and is not and yet is A man of sin called the Son of Perdition like Ishcariot a new Antiochus an adversary and in the estimation of his corporation a God called also the Wicked and Lawless add hitherto the other names and titles of the Father of the Papacy an apostate Star Wormwood Angel of the Pit King of Locusts Abaddon Apolluon i. e. destroyer false Prophet Beast of the Pit Beast like a Lamb Healer of the wounded Head Tayl of the Dragon Antichrist Pope (b) The common name which we and Papists give the Pope unawares is to be marked how Christ over-ruleth our tongues for Pope and Daemon are all one as learned have observed or Daemon 2. His actions are he causeth an Apostacy or Rebellion from the faith and when that apostacy came to the height he set him and his corporation above all authority of the Magistrate And in the Church or Temple of God would do those things which are proper unto God forgiveth sins maketh new articles of faith (c) Vid. Mr. White way to the true Church Epistle to the Reader and Mr. Junius on the Apoc. 13.12 13 c. maketh his Decrees to be obeyed and followed as yea before and above the very Scriptures (d) He dispenseth with Gods Law of God and Lord of faith and conscience c. and saith of himself I am a God on Earth and that all the Kingdomes of the World are his and giveth them to whom he will Now all this iniquity is administred in a mystery by the effectual working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders in all force of deceit and violence Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the fifteenth Chapter QUest 1. The man of sin or the Pontificality The Corporation of Popes is termed as one man Mark such Corporation speeches Moses speaketh to all Israel as to one man so all the wicked from Kain to the wicked Jews are but one corporation yea to the end of the World Mat. 23.35 So the four Beasts are tearmed four Kings that is four Kingdomes Daniel chap. 7. So the ten horns of the Roman Beast are ten Kings that is Kingdomes that gave their power to the Beast And all the godly from the beginning of the world to the ending are one corporation in Christ Ephesians 1.10 Quest 3. N. 3. with the keys of the Dragon and his own authority Keys argue deputation of office as Esay 22. Matth. 16. Apoc. 1. And we may see what deputation to office Satan gave the Beast like a Lamb Apoc. 13.11 12 13 c. So here note King Abaddon is Satans Lieutenant to destroy Hebrews and Greeks Jewes and Gentiles by advancing and urging his Keyes to the rejecting not only the holy doctrine of Christ in the old and new Testament but those two languages of Hebrew and Greek and making a Scripture of his base Latine and urging it upon the Church Therefore he ought to be esteemed of Jew and Gentile not only Abaddon but Apolluon Ibid. Smoke of herestes to corrupt the earth Apolluons apostatical kingdome did corrupt the earth and the seven thunders of Gods judgments of the Lord God omnipotent attend to corrupt it as in the seven Vials as God did corrupt the corrupters Gen. 6. Ibid. and the Scriptures by which light c. the lawless man of sin and his Locusts by their strong violent and usurped authoritie and false doctrines set up a Religron more after Homer Ovid Virgiâ— and Plutarch then after the Prophets and Apostles such a fearful darkness they brought upon all the doctrine of Christ that to this day our nation in many places is full of heathenish customes and traditions N. 4. His false litigious rules of faith even their own learned men that were at â—rent could not understand the meaning of some points and wrote one against another like the old Babylonian builders Things were so crastily set downe of purpose like the oracles of Apollo vid. the Hist Coun. Trent page 229. edition 1620. read Mr. Cade Justif pag. 281. and 282. Quest 4. N. 1. Out of the smoke of the pitthe Popes Clergy ariseth Thus view them Devouring Locusts Stiâ—ging Seâ—rpions Arâ—â—â— horses Râ—nâ—â—ng Li ns Crowned usuâ—pers Croaking frogs Spirits of Devils All noisome creatures vermine not to be suffered in any wise or godly polity they are the creatures of a Destroyer These attributes shew their conditions Warm weather of policy puts quickning in the Locusts and then they will devour and if you look not to them betime they will prove stinging Scorpions then barded horses then rending lions then crowned usurpers if they find not their party strong enough then they creep like frogs into other Kings Courts to excite to war and then Spirits of Devils to walk over Land and Sea to destroy all them that oppose them they are the stigmaticall sworn slaves of Satan and Abaddoon O ye Princes and Nobles and Gentry and Commonalty our fathers found them so vid. the reigns of King Iohn Henry 2. and Henry 3. c. N. 2. Poysoning and terrifying Doctrine Singultu cruentato the Scorpions sting mens hearts that death was desired rather than life Apoc. 9. 6. Vid. Mr. Cadâ— his worthy labours Iustif lib 1.128 lib. 2.88 89. and the Appendix li. 1 3. So we may observe how the Histories of our forefathers do comment on the Aâ—ocalips Also observe these stinging Scorpions in their Doctrin of Purgatorie especially on mens death beds pilgrimage and anathemaes and treasons c. And how no man must dare to question any thing vid. the book of the Spanish Inquisition N 4. They wear Crowns like gold Note not onely King Abaddon wears a Crown but it is said his Locusts have Crowns like Gold each Locust dethronizeth and uncrowneth godly Princes in his heart A sharp Winter of policy will and must make the Scorpion-Locusts flee to the hedges to hide themselves or else we shall all grieve it is good to remember the two noble Henries of France Let our Nobles Gentry and Commons all our blessed Nation advisedly think of businesses for t posterity The Spirits of Devils are traversing the earth and Seas as much as Becket Petrus de â—uâ—ibus and the Arch-Priest under Henâ—y the fourth Gardiner Bonner Raviliac c. c. Ibid. N 4. Hating Gods Oâ—dinance of Magistracy Obedience to Princes the Doctrine of Sems Tents and the sons of S m Rom. 13.1 Pet. The contrary is the Doctrine of Apolluons Tents and his Locusts and their deceived who make but a mock of Princes and Governours as it was foretold of such Likewise these silt by dreamers defile the slâ—sh despise dominion and speak evill of Dignities Jude 8. N. 5. By good
before Luther the answer is easie where was it not and they themselves knew and saw where it was well enough They did not murther men that were invisible And it doth not alter the Casâ— in respect of truth that Christs witnesses were mean weak and few Christ was among them 1 Cor. 14.11 12 13.2 Cor. 4.8 9 10 11. and 13.4 vid. Mr. Cade lib. 2. page 181. c. What unreasonable prating do the Locusts use the foolish woman is clamorous Prov. 9. that we must shew a visible glorious company prosessing the Gospel in all ages when the Spirit forewarned of perillous times and of apostasie from the faith and evermore they that spake or did any thing to question Popish Doctrines or their usurped power were killed c. Question 2. and Answer No man might buy or sell Apoclyps 11. and 12. and 13. and 14. chapters set forth their cruelties the just is an abomination to the wicked contra a Proverbof experience from the first and last Counsells It is more dangerous to speak against and withstand their decrees and decretalls than the commandements of God a speech of the good and noble Lord Cobbam is worthy of place loe good people loe for the breaking of Gods Law and his great commandements they never yet cursed me but for their â—â—wn Laws and traditions most cruelly do they handle me and other men Thus that good Noble man spake to the people with a loud voice of those bloudy stinging Scorpions the Bishop of Canterbury and other Locusts Babylonian Lucifers that exalted themselves against the Kingdome of Christ and the Laws of the Land Acts and Monuments 731. of the last Edition Whores that break wedlock are cruell Ezek. 16. and 23. Sicut Patres vestrietiam vâ—s Acts 7.51 How are mens inventions yet pressed in these dayes of the Gospel 1636. But for Gods Commandements how slighted Experience the Saints of God both godly ministers and people have of this continually Ibid. worship the image of the beasts imperiall State The imperiall State of the Pontificality was a glorious image that all the world wondered and worshipped but John and all gracious know that that State is a Beast and is going into the lake of fire Quest 3. and Answ In subscribing c. All had must have communion with the Beast in one manner or other Gods marked hated the Beasts mark and the Beasts marked hated Gods mark Ibid. Revecâ—â—nce to the Crosse So do the Bishops in their Canons that in the sign of the Crosse in Baptisme the child is dedicated thereby to him that died on the Grosse Can. 30. And many of our people that will not be Papists yet are very superstitious and defend themselves by the Crosse in Baptisme Mat. 18.7 Luc. 17.1 That is a sad speech which Christ saith Cursed is he that maketh the blind to go out of their way and let all the people say Amen Deut. 27. Ibid. Of the 3. Quest and Answ Forbidding and refraining from reading and teaching the holy Scriptures It is great wickednesse that any should forbid any of the simplest to read the holy Bible or any godly learned requested by a company not to expound it as in the Primitive Churches this order for every man able and faithfull to utter his gift continued to the time of Theodoret yea long after Theod. upon 1 Cor. 14. See what the Spirit faith by the Apostle Peter 1 Pet. 4.10.2 Tim. 2.2 But Gregory the ninth a Pope of Rome prohibited that no Lay-man should preach of whatsoever degree he was Quest 4. and Answ He had the voice and speech Laws be the Speech of a polity so that many have fitly compared the new Religion of the Pontificality with old Romes because it is so stuffed with old heathenish Customes after the Theologie rather the Popologie of Virgil and Ovid c. Adde hereunto the Popes decretalls over-ruling States are wicked commonly and the more they be being urged by men unlawfull Ibid. Keeping of the commandements of God and the faith of Jesus Blessed is he that watcheth against cunning craftinesse and deceit that he may keep his garment close to him Apoc. 16.15 Christ hath made us Kings and Priests and then we must bear holinesse in cur hearts and forcheads And let the just hold on his way and let the clean in hands increase in courage Job 17.9 Apoc. 21.11 Truth is better than our lives or States be independent and God will be with the good for whosoever saith the Lord shall be ashamed of me and of my words among this adulterous and sinfull generation that is that doth adulterate the faith by hereticall Doctrines and mens Precepts and traditions of him shall the Son of man be ashamed also when he shall come in his own glory and the Fathers and the holy angels Mak 8. Luc. 9. Here note how the Corporation of the seed of the Serpent esteemeth Christ and his servants and the holy Doctrine anathema And contrarily the Corporation of the holy seed esteem the Serpent and his seed and their commadements and inventions anathema maranatha This hath been the deadly feud and enmity and war from the beginning ever since Kain flew Habel This is the fire sword and division that Christ hath sent on the earth Gen. 3.15 Mat. 10. Luc. 12. This must be constantly observed for Kingdomes towns and families and persons Qu. 5. and Answ The King of mount Sion appeared with 144000. Observe the allusion in the term Mount Sion which sheweth all that follow the Lamb under the new Testament harp the same song of holy faith as the faithfull of Mount Sion of old Apoc. 14. answerable to this the Apostle sweetly protesteth Acts 26.6 7. and all the Epistle to the Hebrews sheweth this most evidently Likewise any part of the old Testament cited or paraphrased or any way expressed by our Lord and his apostles proveth that cursed Popery should be accursed that objecteth novelty to our most holy faith and this well considered will strengthen the godly Student against the Anabaptist and Antinomian c. In Apocal. chap. 7. there were 144000. that the first Beast warred against and in chap. 14. the same number that held the faith of the Patriarchs and Apostles The second Beast warres against them The tenth Century Satan was let loose to deceive and then the Churches were in a dead State from a Church-life but now the Churches begin to recover life to live again is as it were a Resurrection as the Jews in the return from Babel Ezek. 37. Apoc. 20. Ibid. And all that fear God both small and great gave thinks None but one made gracious as Iohn can see the holy Ierusalem and sing praise Ezek. 43.11 Worldly look to worldly pomp and every man as he bears a person Christian will praise the Lord God for his salvations from the idolatry heresie strange language and tyranny of the man of sinne of Rome-Egypt Psal 98.1 2 3. Psal 114. Oh the searfull judgement of
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