justification and from the Testimony that Abraham and David felt in themselves Rom. 4. Again Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen it is God that justifieth that setteth free that forgiveth Romans 8.1 all our comfort dependeth on forgivenesse of sin When an Israelite offered sacrifice it is said his sin shall be forgiven him so he stood just by the grace of forgiveness by faith in Christs sacrifice So the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ hath witnesse of the Law and the Prophets No new doctrine Levit. 4. 5. 6. Romans 3.21 21 c. Habel offering in faith inherited the righteousness or justification that is by faith Heb. 11. so in the Seal of the Lords Supper Matth. 26.26 forgiveness of sins is only spoken of as the foundation of all blessings the most admired priviledge of the Saints drawing all other after it as adoption peace joy c. as non-forgiveness drawes wrath and all other miseries after it If sin be such an evil how unvaluable is the sacrifice of the body and bloud of the Lord Jesus Christ N. 7. From an inward feeling every one should be affected with grief and godly sorrow for his birth sin as David Psalm 51. This saying should alwaies sound in our ears that the Eternal God said It repenteth me that I have made man also this the frame of mans heart is only wicked all the day Gen 6. which is handled Rom. 7. I do not that which I would but that which I would not that do I O spoiled man that I ant who shall redeem me from this aye sinning body The wicked heart selleth himself to do all iniquity as A chab 1 King 21.20 But the godly heart is sold against his will as holy Paul Rom. 7.14 we cry out and so we ought upon particular sins but are noâ— humbled as we ought for the corruption of nature The cause is greater than the effect as in good so in ill The word of exhortion belongs onely to the weary and laden Matth. 11. The whole will not seek the Physitian To this man will I look to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at my words Esay 66 He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds Psalm 14â— 1 Chrâ—n 34.27 Esay 61.1 Mat. 5 3 4 c. From all that hath been written hitherto in this book and shall be written let men consider whether the People of Israel of the old Testament were not under a covenant of Grace and whether they had not the law of God written in their hearts as well as the Israel of God under the new Testament Ibid N. 7. Or alloweth or is indulgem A man whose sin is forgiven covered not imputed his spirit will be without guile so the 1 Pet. 2.1 is urged upon the doctrine of the former chapter Psalm 26. c 32. 66. 18 51. Prov. 28.13.14 The holy soul prayeth as sincerely and affectionately for upholding in the path that is called holy as for pardon N. 10. Afore we can have any comfort Observe the coherence of matter in these Psalms so Jacob Gen. 46 1 2 c. Ezra 3.3 8.21 22 23 31. Excellent in Samuel who by faith and prayer in the bloud of the Covenant put to flight the Armies of the alians 1 Sam. 7.9 10. Heb. 11.32 There must be a dayly use and improvement of faith and prayâ—r in all occasions and conditions especially as touching sin and dayâ—y transgressions against holiness and righteousness in matter manner or end in omission or commission We need to cry for cleansing of our secret faults to be pardoned and justified by him that justifyeth the ungodly As Abraham that was a believer and a worshipper of God in Gen. 12. 13. 14. yet needed daily the use of his faith to be comforted in him that justifyeth the ungodly Gen. 15. Rom. 4. do shew and therefore he builded Altars in every place he came unto CHAP. VII With Questions Answers and Annotations on them How Redemption was taught from the foundation of the Temple to the burning of it QUest 1. How doth the Temple teach concerning Christ Answ 1. That in due time the Son of God would make our flesh his Tabernacle or Temple and dwell among us Iohn 1.1.4 This was it that Salomon admired saying Is it true indeed that God will dwell with man on earth 2 Chr. 6.18 So did Agur Ben Jakeh Prov. 30.19 2. All that looked towards the Temple in faithful prayer should be heard Christ is the true Temple in the heavenly Jerusalem to whom they that look in prayer shall be heard QUest 2. Now after the Temple was built who were obedient to the faith looking after the portion and inheritance in Christ the off spring and sen of David and Root of Jâ—ssaiâ— Answ Salomon Asa Jehosophat all the godly Kings of the house of Judah with many of the Sacrificers Prophets and people very many were of the faith of Abraham afore the Temple and after as many as the siars of heaven in multitude and as the sand of the sea-shore which is innumerable All these through faith obtained good report and all these dyed in the faith that was first taught in Paradise c. embraced by Abel Henoch Noab and all the faithful to the end of Daniels Seventy Sevens which faith we are exhorted to follow Our Lords fathers from David Nathan c. to Zorobabel must here specially be remembred this line from Nathan is in Luke 3. QUest 3. Was there any apostasie from the faith of the kingdome of David in Christ and the worship of Jehovah in his holy Footstool upon the then holy mountain Answ Yea and that lamentable after Salomons death Jeroboam the man of sin that made Israel to sin of the Tribe of Ephraim drew away as Nimrod ten Tribes to rebellion and to worship his Devils at Dan and Bethel And besides the Worship of his Calves they were defiled with divers kinds of idolatry of the heathens they filthily corrupted themselves and dealt like a foolish people and unwise as a nation void of counsel forsaking Christ the God of their Fathers and followed the blindness of the God of this world Jesurun kicked with the heel c. Deut. 32. QUest 4. Did all the Kings of Israel follow the Abomination of Ieroboams Calves Answ All but Shallum and Hosea Jeroboams house did and so Baasaes and Omries and Jehues and the rest QUest 5. Did the house of Judah wholly cleave to God Answ No they also moved him to jealousie with their vanities and (a) Stephen chargeth them with this Acts 7.42 43 They mocked the messengers of God and despised his words and misused his Prophets c. 2 Chron. 36. Acts 7.52 detestable things many of their Kings and Princes the great high counsel the Sacrificers Prophets and people most grievously revolted and followed the precepts of men and the statutes ordinances (a) Salomon foretold
be more studious and conversant in them than we are Our slightness will hinder much our consolation in sad houres read Ezek. 36 31 c. They must pray and did pray but the blood of the covenant brought them from Babel Zach. 9.11 Then shall ye call upon me and ye shall go and pray unto me and I will hearken unto you 13. And ye shall seek me and finde me when ye shall search for me with all your heart 14. And I will be found of you saith Jehovah and I will turn away your captivity I will gather you from all Nations and from all places whither I havedriven you saith Jehovah and I will bring you again unto the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive Pertinently it may be here remembred that the Son of God by his Spirit in the Prophet Esaias foretold above two hundred years how Cyrus King of Persia should conquer Babel send Judah home from captivity and give letters patents for re-edifying Jerusalem and the Temple Esay 44.24 Thus saith Jehovah thy Redeemer and he that formed thee from the womb I am Jehovah that maketh all things that stretcheth forth the heavens alone that spreadeth abroad the earth by my self 25. That frustrated the tokens of the lyars and maketh diviners madd that turneth wisemen backward and maketh their knowledge foolish 26. That confirmeth the word of his servant and performeth the counsel of his Messengers that saith to Jerusalem Thou shalt be inhabited and to the Cities of Judah ye shall be built and I will raise up the decayed places thereof 27. That saith to the deep be dry and I will dry up thy Rivers 28. That saith of Cyrus (b) Read more of Cyrus in Esay 45.1 2 3 4 13. whom God raised up by a strong hand to conguer Babel to return Israel home and to build the City Jerusalem He is my Shepheard and shall perform all my pleasure even saying to Jerusalem thou shalt be built and to the Temple thy foundation shall be laid This is the prophecy now follows the History 2 Chron 36.22 Now in the year of Cyrus (c) We must consider here that Cyrus Darius Dan 9.1 were fellows in goverment who joined their Forces against Babel as it is prophecied Esay 21. Go up against Babel O Elam besiege Babel O Media And marke here by conferring Dan. 9.25 Cyrus his proclamation is that going forth of the word of commandement of returning the people of building the Temple and city as when Daniel was in humble prayer then Cyrus was drawing his Letters Patents even at the same instant of time and the Angel Gabâ—iel is disparched from heaven with a joyful message to tell Daniel so Let us think of it upon humbling our selves surely some message is comming from heaven King of Persia that the word of Jehovah spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accompliâ—â—ed Jehovah stirred up the Spirit of Cyrus King of Persia that he made a proclamation throughout all his Kingdom and put it also in writing saying 23. Thus saith Cyrus King of Persia all the kingdomes of the earth hath Jehovah the God of Heaven given me and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem which is in Judah Who is there among you of all his people Jehovah his God be with him and let him go up QUest 2. What Collections do you take notice of in these Scriptures of Moses and the Prophets Answ For brevities sake I will name but few and those main principles out of the doctrine of Christ that Moses spake in Leviticus 1. Let this be observed of all that have their senses exercised in the word of righteousness to confer History with prophecy whether in promises and threatnings We shall see God to be Iehovah in all to be Being and to give being as to all his works so to his words whether they concern persons families Cities Churches or Kingdomes 2. VVhereas it is said that Iehovah spake to the Patriarks and to Moâ—es in all his five Books in most places we must conceive it spoken of the second person of the holy Trinity the Redeemer the Angel of the covenant to whom the heavenly Father hath committed all authority and power as Mediatour yea also this attribute of Jehovah throughout all the old Testament must be so understood some few places excepted wherein the first person or the third is also to be considered Examine this by Psalm 18.49 117. with Romans 15.9 10 11 Psalm 68.18 with Ephes 4.8 Psalm 97.7 with Heb. 1.6.1 Cor. 10 4.9 with Num. 21.6 Esa 6.9 10. with Iohn 12.41 Our Lords most heavenly speeches in the Apostle Johns Gospel will shew us the reason of all cha 5.17 and so forwards 3. Among all the corruptions from the first Adam that is in us note this that we hold Christ his Kingdom and Ordinances anathema this is expressed by Moses there is in us a contrariness to God (a) confer Lev. 26.15 with Zac. 11.8 These tearms abhorring loathing c. of the old Testament is in effect the same of the new the preaching of the Gospel to them savoured death unto death and so it doth in the daies of the New Testament Gods people must be diligent to mark phrases though different in words yet the same in force and value a despising his judgements abhorring loathing and hating him his word statutes and commandments mandements The New Testament speaks the same as the old when it saith the wisdom of the flesh causeth enmity against the Law of God by nature enemies in our minde by evil workers also haters of God fighters against God and such a stubborness is annexed that we are unreconcileable Much may be said of this in the sad effects thereof that men meeting with cross providences when his folly perverts his way his heart frets against Jehovah that is his breath and being and saying he is a hard master and that his waies are not equal yea alas what do the regenerate finde in themselves of murmuring fretting impatience distrust c. But the second Adam dissolves the works of the devil by his spirit in the administration of the Gospel of his Kingdom heals all in the elect Ezek. 36.25 26 27-37 Mich. 7.19 2 Cor. 5 11-15 chap. 10 4 5 6 c. 4. Whereas in Levit. 26. Moses saith from Christ sicknesses diseases sorrowes on the labours of our hands the teeth of wilde beasts pestilence famine sword captivity c. avenge the quarrel of his Covenant we must advisedly understand This is not meant of a covenant of works but the covenant of his Grace the lawes of which they have despised and abhorred and so in Deut. 5. 29 Jer. 34. all of it and many other places there is mention made of the covenant and it is but the renewing or dilating on that as is noted Exod. 24. which they violated For the whole covenant is Jehovah is our God in Christ and that we
clearly understand the New Testament that it hath no new Principles but then they will see that the Sonne of God came to be a Second Adam and an holy Witnesse and Teacher of the Truth sent down from the Father to be confirmed in his Office of Mediation and that as Eternall God he taught Moses and the Prophets and in this Seat they shall behold the face of Christ to shine like the Sun through all the Bible 4. Observe that the Apostles do prove their Doctrine from the Old Testament as in the Epistle to the Romanes chap. 1. and 2. and 3 4. in all the chapters he handles the corruption of our nature and that great point of the Justification of a sinner from Genesis 15. by the evidence of Abrahams faith and from Psalm 32. from Davids Testimony and in Rom. 10 5â—6 c. from Deuteronomie 30.11 12 13 14. where he opens to us all Moses as I have shewed in the Dialogue And he handleth the Doctrine of Election and rejection from Genesis Exodus Deuteronomie and Jobâ— c. 5. Observe that the Epistle to the Galâ—thians doth largely expound Genesis 12 1 2 3. and know that Abraham could Teach and gather Observations and Deductions out of the Promise in Genesis 12. as well as the Apostle and it is evident also that he did so for the instruction and comfort of all his Houshold and posterity as the book of Job with Genesis doth witnesse 6. Observe that the Epistle to the Hebrews doth lead us through all the old Testament from the first of Genesis to Malachy yea further even to the stories of the faithfull Martyrs in the Macchabees and from Dan. 7.8 10 11 and 12 chapters the events of which chapters for a great part are after the Prophesie of Malachy in the story of the Macchabees c. 7. Observe that the Apostle Peter being an Apostle of the Circumcision doth in his Epistles allude much to the phrases of the old Testament and so doth Judas Thaddaeus in his Epistle and both Peter and Thaddeus doe shew that as there were false Prophets of old that spake from the old Serpent so there should be such under the New Testament that would resist Christ and his Mediatorian Kingdome as Cain Balaam and Kore did 8. Observe that the Apocalyps doth exceed in this way of expressing things by selected words and sentences from the old Testament and from old events and from the low Jerusalem to open new matters concerning the Church of the new Jerusalem from heaven and of the destruction of the enemies thereof and thus all the Revelation must be expounded and whosoever doth not so will misse 9. I would yet give further direction to young men yea to young Scholars First reading of the blessed Book of God as it lies in order by 14 chapters a day by which means the Bible is read over in three moneths In the second reading confer the Genealogie and the Chronologie as in the Table prefixed which will shew you what principall men lived in such a state of time and most of the men are Fathers to our Lord Jesus Christ of whom he took humanity and it should delight us to know his Genealogie and all the other names of persons are considerable as attendants on his stories And I wish that young men would transcribe the Table of our Lords Genealogie twice or thrice over it would teach them more than they are aware of and imprint things in their mind It is but one page no great matter to do 10. Then to make use of the Genealogie of Noah's sonnes and Nephews for Geography which will much help the understanding so that one moneths Meditation at times upon these two Tables will furnish you with plentifull nâ—â—ions and with such a ground work that you cannot but make use of them all the dayes of your life and in this manner read it the third time and the fourth and by thus doing you will come to a sweet taste and relish of the phrase of the holy Scriptures which will be of more use to your mind and heart than you can at first conceive I know this counsel and exhortation is of God and to help your proceeding you have the holy Chronologie set down in many varieties of expressions to stir delight in the study of the Scriptures 11. in the Table of Genealogie you have the times though briefly set down in which are shewed what Prophets lived in the times of the Kings of Judah in your second and third and fourth reading the Bible endeavour to bring the Prophets to their proper times with the Psalms it will be much to edification And remember that because men mind not Genealogie Chronologie and the Geographie of the Scriptures they fail commonly in their Narrations 12. The Dialogue Will shew you what was the Doctrine of Chrift touching mans Redemption in every age to the vessels of mercy his severity to the seed of the serpent for despising and persecuting the Professors of this blessed Doctrine 13. Consider that the Kingdome of God in Christ the seed of the woman and the second Adam is the matter of all the Bible Adam had that theam to preach on for 930 years and Sem the sacrificer to Jehovah God most high taught this Doctrine 500 years after the Flood and confirmed Abraham in that Doctrine 75 years and consider that all the larger writings that were breathed by the holy spirit teach no other matter but this and giveth promises of grace for accepting this and punishments for contempt of this all Cains posterity perished in the Flood then the Babel-builders then Jeroboam and the ten Tribes and the people of Judah were afterwards burned by the wrath of Christ for despising this Doctrine of life and after this great salvation was preached by the Lord himself and confirmed by his hearers with all giftâ— of the spirit the Jews for contempt thereof were cast off and the world was given over to Arrius Turk and Pope Objection If a man read so much at a time as you have now prescribed he will not remember and so not prefâ—â— and a man had better read a chapter in a day and meditate on it Answer I know it is a most sweet and heavenly mercy to understand what we read but if a godly heart endued with courage will take this course for one year in his youth the phrase and course of the holy Scriptures will be the more familiar to him and his knowledge understanding and affections will far more increase through mercy then in reading a chapter or two in a day and at last he will remember ten times more than reading a little 2 And let none say that fourteen chapters a day will hinder time in our callings for an hour and a quarter in a day will read fourteen chapters and Psalms one with another and what is that we may purchase wisdome with the losse of a little sleep especially in a morning it is said
Floud Gen. 26.5 Answ Sem Arphaxad Selah Heber Peleg and the rest of the godly Fathers and their faithfull posterity to the dayes of Terah and Abraham QUest 5. Was there any that contemned and apostated from the God of Shem and his true religion Answ Yea Cham and Chanaan and Nimrod the grandchild of Cham drew away many of the sons of the open or visible Church to despise Christ in Shem sirnamed Melchisedeck who was ordained over them King and Preist who governed in Justice and peace so that there was a great apostacie of Sems own families Japheths and Chams QUest 6. Shew further how this apostacy went on Answ The outward glory of the false church was so great that some of the Fathers of the holy line as Terah and Abraham fell to the idolatry of Nimrods Kingdome Jos 24. But they being called repented Gen. 11. QUest 7. How did Christ break and bruise the seed of the serpent for their enmity and wickednesse that would not bave him to reigne over them Answ I. With his unspeakable severe judgements for even those families for despising the faith were excommunicated and cut off both Father and child from being of the houshold of God by the confusion * So Judah for despising the faith were plagued by a Nation of a strange tongue Deut. 28 49. so the world by the man of sin 1 Cor. 14. mind seriously Jer 44 26. of tongues and so were No-people and foolish Nations by being estranged from the life justice and peace of God in Christ that they did not hear nor see the light of his truth for two thousand years but followed Divells the Prince of the darkness of this world in endlesse and lawlesse Idolatries and of all the miseries that befell them they in speciall lost the Sabbath which would have kept them in the faith of the creation and redemption And let this sinke into the hearts of all men that all men ever were and will be Atheists or Idolaters that Christ speaks not to in their owne language by his holy law and to this answer ever seriously minde 2 Joh v 9. II. From these dayes the wrath of God was revealed from Heaven against them for their ungodlinesse and unrighteousnesse by wars and commotions and suffered them to walke in their own wayes by giving them up to a regardlesse mind and to the power of grosse darknesse and wilfull ignorance and to their hearts lusts and vile affections c. c. QUest 8. What benefit had the godly in Sems Tents and house by cleaving to the faith of Gods Elect Answ Through faith they obtained good report with God and confessed that they were pilgrims and strangers in this cursed world wherefore God was not ashamed of them to be called their God and accounted that the world was not worthy of them And as he promised builded and prepared so they hoped for an heavenly City and Country And Sems Tents had this glory that all the while that those families were cut off the hidden mystery of godlinesse was carefully kept in his Tents and house and the Hebrew Tongue also as all the old Testament doth witnesse QUest 9. Then the Prerogative of Sems Tents did not alwaies continue Answ No When the God of Shem tooke mans nature of the seed of the woman and gave his life a Ransome not for the Hebrewes or Jewes only but for the Heathens also Then that he might raigne and judge the world in righteousnesse he turned the curse of tongues to preach to and perswade all those families to obey the same faith from which their forefathers had apostated even to the Religion of Shems Tents QUest 10. How and to whom was the Revelation of the mystery of Christ continued to be revealed after the blessing to Sem Answ In the promise to Abraham that Christ should come of him according to the flesh QUest 11. How many yeares are from the floud to the promise made to Abraham Answ Foure hundred twenty seven yeares and so from the promise to our first Parents whom the Serpent murdered unto the promise to Abram given presently upon the death of Terah whose faith the Serpent corrupted to flames of Idolatry are years two thousand eighty three QUest 12. How many Chapters of Genesis are contained in those 2083. yeares Answ The eleven first chapters and also part of the first chapter of 1 Chronicles and also Luke part of chap. 3. Note that all the rest of the holy scriptures doth not containe so many yeares for the writing of them A breife summe of the former Questions and Answers JEhovah our God Jehovah is one the Father the Son and the holy spirit be one coeternall and co-essentiall The Son is called the word by the word the Father made the world and by the spirit beautified the heavens And because the word would become flesh the world was made to serve once Adam the first The Angells that grudged at that fell for ever and deceived Adam and made him dead in sin and brought him to be dayly turning to dust untill hee dyed And for him the whole frame of the creation was pronounced corrupt but after divine Revelation he beleeved that Christ made of a woman made under the Law God being in him to reconcile the world unto himself should give him free forgiveness for justification by faith and renew the inner man in knowledge holinesse and righteousnesse and raise up his body and make a new world by his power Whereby he can subdue all things to himselfe All faithfull travailed in soule to have Christ brought forth to the knowledge of their posterity that all might know that all this world was made obedient to a man at the first which man fell from God his first day and then God opened his counsell that the Son eternall would be made man of a woman to destroy the works of the Angells that fell who all are collectively Satan Satan brought Adam to loose the life of his soule and his body to death and dust and all this world to corruption Christ kindled light in Adams soule and after 930 years heavinesse for sin took it to his joy and will raise up his body and make a new world that all men who will receive the abundance of Grace of free forgivenesse for justification may reigne by Christ and all who will not regard this mercy so clear as the sun they all by Adams fall dead in sin shall be damned for ever with the Devills This is the travell of the christian minde speech of this full of joy is in all the books of the old and new Testament Or thus The summ of the Bible is short how of Gods eternall counsell the world was made for man because the son of God by whom he made the world would be a man to give life to them that rested in this wisdome *** All this dialogue will evidence this or doth desire so to do * The faith of Gods elect in
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
6. Who were enemies that did hate and cruelly mock and persecute the doctrine of God and his people Answ The wicked Kingdome signfied by the Bear Leopard and beast with ten horns Hamans wickednesse and Sanballats and others under the Government of the Breast and Arms of silver must be remembred QUest 7. Who did neglect and apostate from this prophesie of so great salvation Answ Many in Israel that associated with Sanballat and Malachi sheweth that some began to be Atheists and to speak stout and wearisome words against God and his doctrine The Angel foretold of * Antiochus caused stars to fall Dâ—n 8. 11. so did the tail of the Dragon the new Antiâ—chus Apâ—c 12.2 Thes 2. The fourth beast cast down truth to the ground Dan â— forsakers and wicked dealears against the holy Covenant of Daniels own people under the iron legs and fourth Beast Also Zacharias spake of wicked Shepherds that loathed Christ and his Kingdome And that came to passe in those Hereticks and false Teachers the Sadduces Scribes and Pharisees They were great oppugners of all Gabriels heavenly message as in all the Evangelists the Acts and in the Epistles to Rome and to Galatia to the Hebrews is seen QUest 8. How did Daniels holy people find Gods goodnesse in cleaving to this Doctrine Answer By faith they obtained good report with God and God was not ashamed of them to be called their God By faith the Jews in Esther escaped the edge of the sword Also we are to consider that Zachariah Haggai and Malachi enlarge Gabriels Oration for many things that a fountain for sin and for uncleannesse should be opened by the King and Sacrificer even Iehovah of hosts that should glorifie the second Temple with his presence And that although the low Jerusalem and Temple should be destroyed a larger should be builded and a better raised up And the Covenant shall be confirmed with the many Gentiles from East to West among whom in every place incense of prayer and pure offering of lips praising of God shall be offered unto his holy name That Him the Angel of the Covenant the Sun of righteousnesse shall arise with healing in his beams and that God enrolls in the book of life all that fear him and thought upon his name to glorifie them in that day of the better resurrection to shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and as the stars for ever and ever Quest 9. How was Gods service executed on the Seed of the Serpent the open enemies of his name and people Answ Streams of fire came from the fierie Throne through the Mediation of the high Sacrificer in the heavens which overthrew the thrones of Kingdomes Dan. 7.9 10. Zac. 1.12 13. and destroyed the strength of the Kingdomes of the heathens contained in the image and Beasts Dan. 2. and 7. That same vengeance hanged that Courtier and favourite Haman and his sons and brought to confusion their assassines and others were told that they had no right nor portion nor memorial in Jerusalem Nehem. 2.10 QU. 10. With what reward did Christ recompence the disobedience of scandalized revolters from the Doctrine of salvation Heb. 2.1 An. 1. Malachi denounced that Gods wrath should burn them up as an oven and tormenting sorrows befell them afore and after the bright morning Star of Jacob appeared as Zachariah also had foretold them for as they abhorred and loathed Christ and his Doctrine so Christ abhorred and loathed them leaving the lost sheep to perish that would needs be perishing whom yet he pitied before that wrath came on them to the utmost 2. And Christ the Rock of Israel having confirmed the covenant for the Jews and the many of all Nations the last year of the last Seven did forty years after grind to powder the Jews his own people by the Romane infidels and destroyed City and holy Place with utter and small (a) Then the corner stone fell on the Iews and the vineyard was let out to other husbandmen Mat. 21.41 c. desolations and such miseries and sorrows (b) Read Heb. 25.31 and Iosephus on the wars of the Iews befell the Nâ—tion that they could rather have wished the mountains to fall upon them and the hills to cover them read Luke 23 39 30. QUest 11. But shall not the Land of Canaan City and Temple and Kingdome be restored to the Jews Answer They shall never be restored yet the Jews shall have a generall glorious calling in all places where they are scattered when the fullnesse of the Gentiles is come in and when they are called and the veil (c) Then they shall see the 12 Tribes over our gates and the apostles doctrine to be fastened in Aharons jewels Apo. 21 taken off their heart and know Christ and his spirituall government they will esteem Canaan and Ierusalem no more than any City or countrey in the world they will then look to the heavenly Rest yet here begun and to the holy City from heaven in which the Lord God of hosts even the Lamb is the Temple Apocal. 21.22 QUest 12. What Scriptures are contained in those Seventy Sevens Answ The two last verses of the last of Chronicles Daniel the 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. chapters Ezra Nehemiah Hester Haggai Zachariah Malachy and the 4 Evangelists which finish their storie with the death resurrection and ascension of Iesus Christ our Lord whose death was the very last day of the Seventy Sevens or 490 years at the time of the Evening Sacrifice Note all the rest of this New Testament was written within 70 years after our blessed Saviours ascension QUest 13. What do you observe in the Scriptures of the old Testament as speciall occasions of the Churches apostacies and revoltings Answ 1. Wicked marriages as is manifest from the times of the old world to Malachies dayes 2. The open or visible Church never careth for nor cleaveth to the written word unlesse there be faithfull Governors but ever men are declining to their own vain inventions 3. Wicked sacrificers and false Prophets who came without Gods sending both came with outward shews of truth but were base sycophants and parasites alwaies falsely accusing and persecuting the godly and flattering Princes and people in their exorbitant courses 4. The abuse of sweet peace health and plenty turning these blessings of the Gospel to pride wantonnesse idleness gluttony drunknnesse oppression worldly confidence and carnal and carelesse security for Church and Common-weal c. c QUest 14. How many years hath Palmoni the wonderfull Numberer numbred from the Creation to the Redemption Answer The Sun in his Tabernacle of the heavens had joyfully run his race as a servant to the SON of righteousnesse Three thousand nine hundred and sixty years from the first promise of Christ to Evah till the SUN lost his light the SON brake the Serpents head dying rising and ascending QUest 15. How many Iubilees were there Answ From the Conquest and partition
should we for his second coming and with more joy but alas and the godly families of the house of Levi chiefly them of Shimei and old father Rabbi Simeon greatly waited for the Messiah the consolation of Israel and so did that old Matron the Prophetesse Anna of the Tribe of Aser who spake of MESSIAH in that Synod to all that looked for Redemption in Israel and Jerusalem So she and Simeon Zacharias and his wife Elisabeth and the blessed Virgin with many others blessed and praised God for the performance of his promises all the godly now know that the Kingdome of heaven was come and that was John Baptists theam Mat. 3. 2. As Anna was godly so her father Phanuel and it seems his father was godly tnd believed the Doctrine of the Seventy-Sevens for he spake to his children of seeing God in the flesh Phanuel importeth seeing of God or we shall see God Jacobs story hath Peniel Panuel Zac. 4â— Luke 2. Gen. 32. And gracious Anna cried grace grace to the righteous branch to the Lamb the true Temple The birth of Anna was about the 54th Seven her fathers might be in the 47th seven his fathers might be in Antiochus Epiphanes time about the 40th seven To these we must consider of the house of Zarobabel he had two son Abihud and Rhesa Mat. 1. Luke 3. of Abihud these Sadoc These lived in the time of Ianan whole and Ianan parted Achim Eliud Eleazar Matthan Jacob Joseph the husband of Mary Of Rhesa these Mattathias Maath Nagge Esli Naum Amos Mattathias Joseph Janna Melchi Levi Matthat Ely Mary These might be contemporary in sucession with the former godly under the Kings of the North and South 3. I do desire somewhat to inlarge The godly returned from Babel were a foundation of glorious mercies to the Church they were a godly seed and left a godly seed which held on successively how godly were they in Ezra Nehemiah Esther Haggai Zachariah and Malachi It were too long to gather all that might be said First by the gracious Proclamation of Cyrus the returned as they had Jerusalem ever in their mind so now their faces looked thitherward Jer. 51.50 Psal 102. though it was desolated in the dust yet they preferred it before glorious Babel and other stately Cities and Palaces in Chaldea or Persia 2. Being come the incumbent neighbours of Samaria c. did envy them therefore they builded the altar and offered sacrifice calling on the name of Jehovah the everlasting God as Abraham Isaac and Jacob their godly forefathers had done 3. Set on Temple work and being hindered upon better opportunities set on the work again with great courage as Ezra 4. and 5. 4. In the second return by Ezra ch 7. and 8. what a godly company came with him Many mo returned afterward Zac. 8 what fasting prayer and thanksgiving used they 5. When Ezra being come saw their unequall yoking in marriages with infidels how did they repent of it with godly humilation and amend it by putting away their strange wives and the children by them Doubtlesse a sharp corasive to flesh and blood An holy seed in the Church of God is most precious that is Gods end and should be our intendment 6. In Nehemiah is seen how full of courage labour and diligence they were in building the wall of Jerusalem and how God did comfort them in reproaches of the enemies 7. Upon the complaint of the oppression of one another these evils were repented of and amended 8. Their reverent demeanour in the exercises of publick Ordinances in teaching prayer hearing of the word all done with much love rejoycing and thanksgiving very imitable 9. Kept solemn fasts 10. Made solemn renewings of their Covenant and for the maintenance of the worship of God 11. Consâ—der their loving association to come out of the Cities of Judah one of ten to dwell in Jâ—rusalem 12. Holy care taken for the Sabbath 13. In the book of Esther how many godly were in 127 Provinces What fasting prayer and thanksgiving was among the Jewes who by faith Escaped the Edge of the sword Hebr. 11 34. of that cruel bloudy massacre intended by wicked Haman 14. It is shewed in the Prophet Haggai they obeyed in teaching of the Lords message and were careful to promote the building of the Temple 15. Zachary declareth they humbled themselves in hearing of the word and turned from their sinful courses against Gods holy Worship and love to one another and did love peace and truth 16. The inhabitants of one Citie did exhort the inhabitants of another City to the Worship of God 17. Yea the Jews having Synagogues in all Countreys should make many Proselytes and take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew and be of Israels Common weal to learn the faith of Sems Tents 18. They had great zeal against false Prophets Zachary 13. 19. Malachi sheweth what an holy seed the returned were that although there were many Hypocrites and Atheists Wantons Sacrilegious among them yet there were many godly that feared the Lord and spake often one to another to incourage in godly waies Mal. 4.1 and the Lord God took notice of their Godly communion and they were a blessing to themselves and the State of Israel and the Lord God promised many comforts to them but a day of wrath was comming which should burn the wicked up as an Oven Iosuah was 〈◊〉 a self Seekeâ— to grapplâ— what he lisâ— for his greaâ— service by the Elders granted 〈◊〉 he request Iosuah 19.50 of their godliness meekness courage zeal wisdome c. Looking into the manners of the people to amend what was amiss they were not self-lovers nor self-seekers and would not suffer their servants and attendants to oppresse or grinde the people not like them in Amos 4.1 that is a great matter to be observed in a Common-weal 20. Zorobabel lived long but Nehemiah longer near to the end of the Persians to be a Noble Corrival against Sanballat who also lived long to see Alexander the Great These things I write to shew what a godly seed the returned were and so continued to the end of the Persian Monarchy 21. And the fruit of these comforts went on the dayes of Antiochus Epiphanes in many godly called Dan. 7.18 Saints of the most High Antiochus times reach to about two hundred and eighty years of the Seventy Sevens Dan. 12.3 Daniel prophecied that in the dayes of Antiochus there should be wise and faithfull Teachers that did instruct many and turn many to righteousness 22. That although those daies of Antiochus were the saddest times that ever Israel before had yet Christ had noble Worthies that stood to the Truth and did not shrinke for Sword Dan. 11.33 Heb 11.35 Flame and Captivity that they might enjoy the better resurrection to shine like the Stars for ever and ever And this godly seed still successively sprang up to our Lords
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
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
passeover of the Lord your God according to all that is in the book of the Covenant 2 Kings 23. Kings should so speak to their subjects if they have any portion in the Covenant Ibid. With holy judgement and faith We must discern by faith as Habel Heb. 11.4 The Lords body crucified and the bloud of the covenant shed opus operatum is not enough It is the Lords seal of the forgiveness of sins Alaâ—le alass for want of sound reaching in the most of our assemblies Ibid. To stay us in Christ c. Not only for increase of faith concerning our effectual calling justification adoption and redemption and for nourishment and strength to walk in the waies of holyness and righteousness being made comformable to his image renewed in us c. but for supporting us in the daies of trial and affliction which in this seal is represented by the sufferings of our Lord to whom we also must be conformable in sufferings to take up our cross daily As it is the cup of gladness of salvation so it is the cup yea of bloudy sufferings if our heavenly Father will put it into our hands N. 4. which figured his body and bloud The Pope and his corporation corrupted from the plainesse that is in Christ making an Altar Priest and Sacrifice have missed wholly of the truth in Christ By that blasphemous idol of his masse and other inventions they have abolished the remembrance of the death and sacrifice of Christ Jesus our Lord in the holy seal of the covenant Ibid. Bread and wine by Seal of things without life by Bread broken and bloud of the grape by the term Supper the whole tenor of Christianity is meant Apocal. 19.9 But the acceptation of the Seal is an open action to distinguish us more then baptism doth from others The King of Locusts and his Locusts are fatal enemies to this seal of the Covenant in their idolatrous Nothing of their Sacrament of the Altar setting forth Christ both unbroken and unbloudy which cannot represent nor seal Christ for reconciliation remission of sins or nourishment As the Ordinance of Christ is blessed and shall be â—â—lessed to the day of his comming so this abominable corruption is cursed and shall be accursed of all that love our Lord Jesus Christ to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Amen As in the Ordinance of the Passeover the Angel of the Covenant did execute judgements on the Gods of old Egypt so where this Ordinance of the Lords Supper is truly administred the idolatry of the breaden gods of Rome-Egypt are demolished Ibid. To be in Covenant speech his body and bloud a seal of most high matters is most highly to be esteemed But none without Athean madnesse will say The Seal is the King the Kings authority it should have to be as himself but none of wit orgrace would make it the King himself All wise know proper speech and civil The Gospel thrice and St. Paul 1 Cor. 11. tell that Iesus gave bread and wine and that the disciples are and drank what he gave that no miracle was here but the native manner of a Covenant Eye-sight is Gods testimony by creation Law and allowed ever even in the seal of the Covenant which may contain no matter litigious And if the Apostles or Greck Fathers had said the bread and wine were altered from their taste and nature for so much the heathen would have sworn the world never bare wickeder Magicians nor worthier of death by Mases Law which Christ gave as eternal God and came as man to be judged of man how he did perform all so that the native power of reason which he planted in all souls for sense of eye sight taste feeling smelling and hearing of words should judg of him that he performed all justice to plain capacity of all nations and required none to believe further then Logick common to every man would require assent or tell of open Rebellion against the truth Transubstantiation a monstrous term for a monstrous matter Mr. Brou in Apocal. At the figure of the Star * according to the words and commandments Though it be but a mans Testament yet if it be confirmed no man disannulleth or addeth thereto Gal. 3.15 Heb. 9.15 16 17. neither altereth the Legacies nor addeth others nor taketh away nor maketh other Executors or Overseers c. Men must not be Rectifters of Christs Testament which is confirmed by the death and bloud as in his type Exod. 24 Of him the Testatour And the seals bind us all to look to the holy evidences Men may as well pull away the seals as falsifie the plain truth in the writings They bind us to observe whatsoever Christ hath commanded as circumcision did Israel Exod 12. Gal 3 5 the angel of the pit and his pit-bred creatures corrupt the evidences and utterly pull off one of the seals they are great impostors Quest 7. and Answ Martyrs and confessours of all Nations Us heathens were from Noahs dayes Loruchamab and Loammiâ— Deut 32.21 and so the ten Tribes Hos 1 but both in Christ Ruchamah and Ammi so that now many come from the East and West Isa 49. to be blessed with faithfull Abraham and to sit down with him and Isaac and Iacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdome of heaven no sitting there unlesse of Abrahams faith without shall be liars mark the terms of the Covenant I am the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Iacob This is my memoriall to all generations that is to all of their faith whether Jew or Gentile else they are protested against not to be of Abrahams Gal. 3.7 8. John 8.39.40 41. c. and have been and shall be broken off Rom. 11.17 and cast out Gal. 4.30 At the mark of the †Then to him was given Kingdome power and glory See how our Lord commenteth on Daniel chap. 2. and 7. All power saith he is given to me in heaven and in earth therefore go and disciple all Nations c Mat. 28. Quest 8. and Answ 1. But what was taught in Sems Tents The Scriptures of the Prophets the faith of the Nations Rom. 1.2 and 16.26 The same faith and Covenant although the outward administration did differ How glorious is the Scriptures consent The Saints from the beginning to the ending have one and the same God and Saviour one and the same faith the same hope the same Covenant the same premises Behold how all is administred by one Mediatour from one eternall being who is A. and Ω. confer Gen. 3.15 and 6.18 1 Iohn 1.1 2. c. Exod. 19.5 6. Apoc. 21.3 2 Cor. 6.16 Exod. 29.45 Ios 1.3 Heb. 13.5 Ibid. Who went from Jerusalem Sems tents The faith of Gods elect came to us from Ierusalem Sems tents not from Rome Babylon with babbling language as the Locusts prate see Isa 2 1 2 3 4. Micah 4. Luke 24.47 The heavenly Ierusalem began to be built in the earthly Acts 1.2 And