of the Mind Will and Counsel of God as is sufficient by the Blessing of God upon a consciencious reading thereof to acquaint a Man with the Mysteries of Salvation to work in him a true Faith and bring him to live godly righteously and soberly in this present World and to Salvation in the next The Translators generally as they have been Men of Learning so likewise have they been honest and for the most part godly Men and thâ—refore would not for their own Honours sake and much more for Conscience sake abuse the World with any wilful false Versions to lead Souls into Error in a Matter of that importance Or if some shoulâ— have â—een so wicked others as learned and of better Principles would soon have discovered the Imposture Nor if we consider how many Men of different Persuasions have translated the Bible and harmoniously agree in all things of moment is it possible to imagine they should all combine so impertinently as well as wickedly to put a Fallacy on Mankind which everry one that has but bestowed a very few Years in the Study of the Languages can presently detect Object 5. How can we think the whole Bible to be of divine Inspiration when some parts of it contradict others The Divine Spirit cannot be contrary to it self yet is there any thing more opposite than the two Evangelists in reckoning up our Saviour's Genealogy St. Matthâ—w (o) Mat. 1.16 says Jacob begat Joseph the Husband of Mary (p) Luk. 3.23 and St. Luke says Joseph the Son of Eli. Answ The seeming Contradictions of Scripture for they are really no more are an Argument that in the writing of this Book there was no corrupt Design or Confederacy to engage the Opinions of Men and upon a due Scrutiny there will appear in them a deep and unthought of Concord and an unanimous Tendency towards the great End of the Whole 'T is our Inadâ—ertency or shallow Apprehension makes us think the Scripture is at variance with it self In the two Texts cited a natural Father is one thing a legal Father another For you must know that Joseph and Mary were both of one House and Family he descended from David by Solomon she by Nathan but in the Posterity of Zerobabel they were divided into two several Families whereof one was the Royal Race and that Linage Joseph was of which Matthew follows The other Family Luke follows whereof Mary was whom Joseph marries and by that means is called the Son of her Father Eli. So that here is no Contradiction but on the contrary an excellent Discovery of our Saviour's Line drawn down on bâ—th sides whereby it appears that as he was Joseph 's reputed Son so he had a Title to be King of the Jews and as he was born of Mary so likewise on her Side he descended from David as was promised of the Mâ—ssias But for reconciling all such seeming Contradictions see Mr. Streat 's Book entitled The dividing of the Hoof a very useful Piece and worthy Perusal I have but one Argument more to add from a very learned Author and then I shall close up all with the Testimony of the Reverend and Learned Mr. John Calvin 17. The internal Evidence of the Spiâ—it XVII And now it may not be amiss to add one Thing more which I could not pass by i. e. Notwithstanding the great Force and Strength of external Arguments and Motives to evince the Divine Authority of the Holy Scripture yet it is absolutely necessary to the stability and assurance of our Faith in order to eternal Life to have the internal Testimony of the Holy Spirit upon our Hearts or the effectual Operations thereof for if he does no otherwise work in and upon our Hearts but by the common Communication of spiritual Light unto our Minds enabling us to discern the Evidences that are in the Scripture of its own divine Original we should be often shaken in our Assent and moved from our Stability Therefore considering the great Darkness and Blindness which remains upon the Minds of Men all Things believed having some sort of Obscurity attending them besides the manifold Temptations of Satan who strives to disturb our Peace and weaken our Faith and cause Doubtings Happy are such who can experience the powerful Establishment and Assurance of the Holy-Ghost who gives them a spiritual sense of the Power and Reality of those Things believed whereby their Faith is greatly confirmed This is that which brings us unto the Riches of the full Assurance of Understanding (a) Col 2 2â— 1 Thess 1.5 and on the account of this spiritual Experience is our Perception of spiritual Things so often expressed by Acts of Sense as Tasting Seeing Feeling c. which are the greatest Evidences of the Property of Things natural 'T is the Holy Spirit that assists helps and relieves us against Temptations that may arise in us so that they shall not be prevalent And indeed without this our first prime Assent unto the Divine Authority of the Scriptures will not secure us but the Influence and Assistance of the Spirit in the midst of Dangers so strengthens the sincere Christian that it makes him stand as firm as a Rock who has no skill to defend the Truth by force of Arguments against those subtil and sophistical Artificers who on all occasions strive to insinuate Objections against it from its Obscurity Imperfection Want of Order Difficulties and seeming Contradictions contained therein c. Moreover there are other special and gracious Actings of the Holy-Ghost on the Minds of Believers which belong also to this internal Testimony whereby their Faith is established viz. his anointing and sealing of them his witnessing with them and his being an Earnest in them Wherefore altho no internal Work of the Spirit can be the format Reason of of our Faith or that which it is resolved into yet it is such as without it we can never sincerely believe as we ought nor be established in believing against the Temptations of the Devil and Objections of evil Men. It hath been already declared Dr. Owen saith a Reverend Divine that it is the Authority and Veracity of God revealing themselves in the Scripture and by it that is the formal Reason of our Faith or supernatural Assent unto it as it is the Word of God It remains only that we enquire in the second place into the Way and Means whereby they evidence themselves unto us and the Scriptures thereby to be of God so as that we may undoubtedly and infallibly believe them so to be Now because Faith as we have shewed is an Assent upon Testimony and consequently Divine Faith is an Assent upon Divine Testimony There must be some Testimony or Witness in this Case whereon Faith doth rest and this we say is the Testimony of the Holy-Ghost the Author of the Scriptures And this Work and Testimony of the Spirit may be reduced unto two Heads c. 1. The Impressions
Iron 1 Tim. 4.2 VII A great and faithful Witness who hath perfect Knowledg of things and will not be bribed who can and will as it is believed and found by experience speak fully to a Cause tho it be to the utter Shame and Ruin of all guilty Persons is many times grievously abused by malicious Men who hate that their abominable Deeds should be brought to Light or laid at their Doors nay not only so but some have been stifled strangled and traiterously murdered as the ever renowned Sir Edmond-Bury Godfrey was by bloody Papists the 12th of October 1678. whom they knew could witness many things against them to detect their cursed and never to be forgotten Hellish Plot. VIII It is a very great Wickedness to lay violent hands or treacherously to abuse and stifle the King 's faithful Witnesses especially when called to give in their Evidence in Matters of great Moment wherein the Honour and Sovereignty of the King is greatly concerned VIII So it is a great and horrible Wickedness for any Soul or Sinner to go about to stop the Mouth of or treacherously to abuse poor Conscience who is the great Witness of the King of Heaven and Earth in this lower Court and that in Matters wherein his Honour and glorious Right and Sovereignty is much concerned nay not only his Witness but Judg to sit upon the Bench to hear and determine all Causes if rightly informed according to the great Law-Book of the Gospel and to pass Sentence of Life and Death or to acquit and discharge IX A Witness is required to speak the Truth when he comes before a Court of Judicature the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth and he that is a true Witness will do it And hereby many times most horrid Evils are brought to light and publickly detected yea secret things are discovered that the guilty Person thought would never have been known which makes him ashamed and confounded for ever IX So Conscience in the Day of Judgment will speak the Truth the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth Tho now oft-times he is blinded and at a great Loss for want of Light or by being mis-guided he gives in false Testimony and quits the guilty and condemns the innocent but in that day it will recover such perfect Light and Knowledg that it will decide the Cause clearly the right way and will by this means bring to light all the hidden things of Darkness 1 Cor. 4 5. even all those cursed Abominations of the Heart all secret things that it and God Almighty were only privy to and will lay open all the horrid Evils that have been done in the dark Then Men shall be forced to confess their secret Adulteries Murthers Treacheries Theft Self-Revenge together with all their bloody and black Combinations ConspiracieS and Hellish Plots carried on in secret Cabals managed by ungodly Papists or others notwithstanding all their Oaths of Secrecy Conscience if it comes not to light before will in that day lay all open before the Eyes of Men and Angels to the Shame and eternal Confusion of all ungodly Ones X. A just and impartial Witness that clearly and very fully giveth in Testimony against a Person in a fair Trial finally stops his own Mouth and the Mouths of all others and leaves the Cause clear for the Judg to pass Sentence against him X. So the Consciences of wicked Men in the great Day will give in such clear and full Evidence against them touching all the Evils they shall then be charged with by the just Judg of Heaven and Earth that all Flesh shall for ever be silenced and God shall be clear when he judgeth Rom. 2.15 16. Which shew the Works of the Law written in their Hearts their Consciences also bearing Witness and their Thoughts in the mean while accusing or else excusing one another in that Day when God shall judg the Secrets of all Men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel And hereby all the Mouths of Unbelievers will be stopp'd and they all be found guilty before Christ Inferences THese things being considered it may stir up all Persons to take heed how they carry it at home and abroad when they go out and when they come in when they lie down or rise up because Conscience observes all that is said or done nay is privy to all the thoughts of our Hearts and one day will witness for us or against us II. Let Christians whatever they do labour to keep a good Conscience A good Conscience is better than a good Name it is better than a good Trade 't is better than a good Estate And for further Motives to this needful Duty 1 Consider Conscience keeps a Register of all thy Thoughts Words and Actions what you forget and is quite gone out of your Memories is set down in the Book of Conscience 2. Consider Conscience is a Witness an impartial Witness an Accuser of Evil and tho he lies still a great while he will rouse up at last and with his cruel Charges and Accusations accuse the Soul as in the Case of Joseph's Brethren And they said one to another Gen. 42.21 Verily we are guilty concerning our Brother in that we saw the Anguish of his Soul when he besought us and we would not hear therefore is this Distress come upon us 3. Conscience is not only a Witness but a Judg and hath power to condemn the wicked and the guilty Soul it sits upon the Throne as God's Attorney-General to award Life or Death as the States and Conditons of Men are If thy Heart condemn the 1 Joh 3.20 21. God is greater c. 4. Conscience doth often the Work and Office of a Tormentor wo to them that fall into his enraged hands here but much more sad will it be with them whom he shall torment in Hell 'T is he that is the gnawing Worm that never dies Mark 9.44 where the Fire shall never be quenched But 5. There is no bearing in this World the Pain and Torment of an accusing Conscience Tiberius the Emperor was so followed with Grief and Horror by his own Conscience that he confessed in the Senate-House he suffered Death daily and Charles the Ninth of France that Monster of Mortals after the dreadful Massacre could never endure to be awaked in the Night without Musick such was the dreadful Anguish and Horror he found in his own Conscience Francis Spira also may be here recited among the rest whose Conscience terrified him at that rate that the Account of his fearful Case is left to Posterity It was Conscience that put Judas into such an Amaze and forced him to hang himself after he had betrayed our Blessed Saviour And many other Examples both ancient and modern we meet with both of Men and Women that have destroyed themselves as not being able to bear the cruel Torments of an accusing Conscience and others from hence have confessed their Guilt and so
due Preparation which doth consist in these four or five Particulars 1. A sincere Confession of those Sins which we find out upon diligent Search and Examination 2. Godly Sorrow for the same manifested by putting away the Filth of the Flesh We must come with clean hands and a pure Heart 3. We oughtt to forgive those who have offended us Christ commands us to be reconciled to our Brother The Apostle exhorteth us to lay aside all Malice We must not eat with the â—â—leavened Bread of Malice and Wickedness 1 Cor. 5.8 4. Faith in the Death and Blood-shedding of Jesus Christ 5. We ought to do it in remembrance of his Death 1. With an affectionate Remembrance The Sight of our Eyes ought to affect our Hearts 2 A sorrowful Remembrance in contemplaton of what our Sins brought upon our dear Saviour They were the Thorns as I may say that crowned him and the Nails that fastened him to the Cross 3. With a Sin-loathing and self-abhorring Remembrance 4. With a thankful Remembrance Tho we have cause of Sorrow considering the Nature of our Sin and horrid Evil thereof yet there is great cause of Joy and Thanksgiving to behold a Saviour who in Bowels of Love died to redeem and save us from them Quest How may a Christian with much comfort upon examination receive the Lord's Supper Answ 1. If there is no Sin in thy Heart or Life which thou regardest or doest allow thy self in bearest with or connivest at 2. If thou dost loath Sin as well as leave it when 't is not only out of thy Conversation but out of thy Affection also To hate and loath Sin is more than to leave it Persons never willingly leave or forsake that they love 3. If thou canst say in truth that thou wouldest be made holy and doest labour after it as well as to be made happy to be throughly sanctified as well as to be saved live to God here as well as live with God hereafter to have Sin mortified as well as pardoned 4. If Christ is most precious to thee and hath the chiefest Room in thy Heart If upon Trial thou findest these things are in very deed wrought in thee thon mayest with much comfort come to the Sacrament Quest Of what Vse is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to us Answ 1. It shews the horrid Nature and Evil of Sin in that nothing could expiate it nor satisfy the Justice of God or make a Compensation for it but the Blood of Jesus Christ 2. It shews the wonderful Love of God to poor Sinners in giving up his own dear Son to die the cursed Death of the Cross for us 3. It shews the wonderful Love of Jesus Christ who freely laid down his Life for our sakes Greater Love hath no Man than this Joh. 15.13 Rom. 5.8 10. that a Man lay down his Life for his Friend but Christ hath laid down his Life for us when we were Enemies to him by wicked Works 4. It tends to encrease our Love to Christ and our Faith in him 5. It shews us that Christ is our Life and how and by what means we come to be saved 6. It seals the Covenant of Grace to us giveth us in the right use of it much assurance that Christ is ours 7. There is a mystical Conveyance or Communication of all Christ's blessed Merits to our Souls through Faith held forth hereby and in a glorious manner received in the right participation of it 8. It may animate and encourage us to suffer Martyrdom when called to it for his sake Christ our Passeover 1 Cor. 5.7 For Christ our Passeover is sacrificed for us THe Passeover or Paschal Lamb being a most eminent Type of the Messiah of which see our Sacred Philology in the Chapter of Sacred Rites where you have the Reason of its Typical and Metaphorical Representation we shall here run an apt Parallel betwixt that illustrious Type and the most holy Anti-type Type Parallel THe Paschal Lamb must be without blemish entire whole sound not blind nor broken not sick nor bruised SHadowing forth the Perfection and Innocency of Christ in whose Lips were found no Guile As a Lamb without blemish and without spot II. He was to be a Year old II. Signifying the Experience Christ should have of our Miseries whereof even a Day 's continuance yields sufficient proof as also that Perfection of Christ in like sort And that in fulness of time he should come and suffer a Year being a perfect Revolution of the Sun's Course Guild III. It was to be taken out of the Flock III. Christ was taken from amongst Mankind Heb. 2.14 Forasmuch then as the Children are Partakers of Flesh and Blood He also himself likewise took part of the same c. IV. It was to be separated from the Flock IV. Christ was separate from Sinners V. It was to be slain and that in the Evening V. So Christ died saith Mr. Ainsworth in that season viz. in the Evening of the Day also in the Evening of Time in the latter Age of the World VI. The Blood was to be sprinkled on the Lintel Exod. 12.7 and Door-Posts that the Angel seeing the same might pass by VI. Signifying that Christ's Blood must be applied by us and where Christ is received 1 Cor. 1.30 and the Soul sprinkled by Faith Sanctification outwardly will appear in the Practice of the Life VII The Lamb was to be roasted with Fire Vers 8. VII Moses unvailed p. 62. Signifying saith Mr. Guild the Agony of Christ in the Garden and the Wrath of his Father which he did endure both in Soul and Body It was a Sign either of the Spirit of God which is compared to Fire through which Christ offered himself or of the Fire of God's Wrath Heb. 9.14 which he suffered when he was made a Curse for us VIII It was to be roasted with Head and Legs and the Appurtenances thereof that is it must be roasted all and whole not cut in pieces VIII This signifies our full Communion with Christ whole and undivided Ainsworth 1 Cor. 13. Gal. 2.20 IX No Bone of the Lamb was to be broken IX Os nullum illius Agni frangi voluit Deus c It signifies that not a Bone of Christ should be broken as it was prophesied of him X. The Lamb was to be eaten X. Christ is spiritually to be received and fed upon Joh. 6.55 My Flesh is Meat indeed c. Verse 9. XI It was not to be eaten raw XI Noting that we should be well prepared when we come to the Sacrament Guild XII It was to be eaten all and with unleavened Bread XII Signifying that in Christ nothing is unprofitable or to be rejected and that we ought to eat with the unleavened Bread of Sincerity and Truth XIII It was to be eaten with bitter Herbs XIII Which typified forth the bitter Sorrows and Sufferings of Christ and that we should eat
are not ignorant Creatures but ipsae Intelligentiae the most understanding Creatures in Heaven and Earth Greenhill The Woman of Tekoah said to David He was wise according to the Wisdom of an Angel of God to know all things that are upon the Earth That is he was very wise 2 Sam. 14.20 as Angels are to search out Understanding and discover things Therefore Jerom thinks they are called Cherubims from their much Knowledg Cherubims as it were Rabbies and Teachers of others And this Office some Angels have done Gabriel make this Man understand the Vision Dan. 8.16 I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy People in the latter Day Angels saith one are good Philosophers they know the Principles Causes Effects Life Motion and Death of natural things they are great Statists and know the Affairs of Kingdoms Dan. 10.13 saith Gabriel I remained with the Kings of Persia c. They are said to be full of Eyes before and behind because they see what is past and what is to come Besides they have much revealed to them by God by Christ nay and understand many things by the Church as concerning the Mysteries of the Gospel so Eph. 3.10 2 Pet. 1.12 Which things the Angels desire saith Peter to look into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Word notes bowing down to pry heedfully into a thing Cherubims were made looking down towards the Mercy-Seat so here Angels look into the things of Christ as it was there figured forth in whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg Col. 2.3 They have much experimental Knowledg arising from things done daily in the World and in the Church Angels love to be at the Congregation to meet the Saints they understand partly by their Essence and partly by Species communicated to their Understandings as to ours c. II. The Face of a Man hath much Awe and Majesty in it nothing as is observed by some Naturalists carries more Terror in it to sensitive Creatures than the Face of a Man II. Angels are very Majestical Creatures many have been greatly terrified and astonished at the sight of them How was Manoah's Wife Samson's Mother amazed at the sight of the Angel that appeared to her Judg. 13.6 Then the Woman told her Husband saying A Man of God came unto me and his Countenance was like the Countenance of an Angel of God very terrible c. III. The Face of a Man notes human Affections as Mr. Greenhill observes III. Angels are of a loving Countenance and most careful of Men they have most dear Affections to those they are sent to minister unto IV. The Face of a Man denotes Beauty How amiable and lovely are some Faces of mortal Creatures to look upon 'T is the Seat as I may say of human Beauty IV. Angels are very beautiful and lovely to behold tho they have saith Mr. Caryl no visible bodily Beauty yet their Beauty far exceeds the Beauty of Mortals See Morning-Stars II. The Face of a Lion A Lion is a Creature of great Strength Prov. 30.30 the strongest amongst Beasts as was said before he turneth not away for any What is stronger than a Lion Judg. 14.18 said the Interpreters of Samson's Riddle Angels are mighty in Strength Rev. 18 21. An Angel can hinder the blowing of the Wind stop the Mouths of Lions break Iron Chains open Prison Doors and make Bars and Doors of Brass to flie Hence they are called mighty Angels 2 Thess 1.7 Who can stand before the Angels of God! III. The Face of an Ox. I. An Ox accustomed to the Yoke is very tractable not stubborn kicking and flying like as untamed Heifers are Ephraim is an Heifer that is taught and loves to tread out the Corn. An Heifer taught delighting in her Work doth it willingly I. Psal 103.20 Angels do the Work of God willingly with much delight they hearken to the Voice of his Word they set about their Work with much Cheerfulness they are very obsequious to God's Commands If he saith Go smite Herod for his Pride Balaam for his Covetousness David for his vain Glory Senacherib for his Blasphemy and Sodom for its Uncleanness presently they go II. An Ox doth faithful Service Horses often deceive Persons in their Service and throw their Riders but Oxen either in plowing or carrying Burdens fail not nor deceive their Owners II. Angels are faithful in their Ministrations they fail not in the least Particular Rev. 22.8 9. The Angel would not let John worship him The Angel would not suffer Lot to linger in Sodom They never betrayed their Trust as some of the Saints have done III. An Ox is a very patient and laborious Creature They labour hard and carry heavy Burthens and yet tho never such hard Service be put upon them they quietly and with much patience bear it and never seem to complain III. Angels are patient in their Ministration tho they meet with much Opposition Dan. 10.3 The Prince of Persia saith Gabriel withstood me one and twenty days c. In the midst of all Opposition whether from Men or Devils and great Services they are not at all impatient tho their Work never end Rev. 4.8 yet they never complain IV. Oxen are very useful Creatures much Increase was brought in by them No Creature saith my Author is more useful to the Support of a Family Greenhill than the Ox for of old all the Plowing was done by Oxen. See 2 Kings 19.19 Job had Oxen plowing in the Field he had five hundred Yoke of Oxen Job 1.3 no mention being made of Horses There was a severe Law made against those that stole an Ox Exod. 22.1 David makes it one part of the Happiness of a Common-Wealth that the Oxen are strong to labour IV. Angels are very useful Creatures they are useful to God they continually go on his Errands execute his Judgments at the Command of his Mouth They were useful to Christ in the Days of his Flesh Luk. 2.9 10 11. they proclaimed the joyful Tidings of his Nativity had the charge of him in his Humiliation whilst his Conflict remained with the evil Angels they ministred to him in his Temptations and when he was in his bloody Agony they declared and made known his Resurrection He is not here he is risen Mat. 26.6 They witnessed to his Ascension and to his second Coming Ye Men of Galilee Acts 1.10 11. why stand ye gazing up into Heaven The same Jesus which is taken from you into Heaven shall so come as ye have seen him go into Heaven They shall come with him when he comes the second time without Sin unto Salvation He shall come in the Glory of his Father with all his holy Angels They shall attend him on the Throne of Judgment and as Officers execute his righteous Sentence viz. seize all condemned Sinners and cast them into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone c.
Satan knows that if he cannot prevail then he never can 'T is the last Onset and therefore he resolves to try his Skill If he cannot break his Head so as to keep him out of Heaven yet he will if possible bruise his Heel and send him limping thither I mean fill a Saint full of Fears and Doubts about his eternal State Secondly He hath many other Stratagems to deceive by Temptations 1. He hangs out false Colours and comes to a Saint in the disguise of a Friend he transforms himself into an Angel of Light Master pity thy self 2. He strives to get Intelligence of a Saint's Affairs This saith my Author is one great Wheel in this Politician's Clock to have Spies in all Places by whom they are acquainted with the Counsels of their Enemies He labours to find out what Sin it is that most easily besets a Person or that he is most prone to Heb. 12.1 3. In his gradual Approaches to the Soul When he first comes to tempt he is modest and asks but little knowing he may get that at many times which he should be denied if he should ask it all at once A few Men are let into a City when an Army coming in a Body would be shut out Remember he draws to Sin by little and little First it may be the Thought of this or that Evil is darted into the Mind and after a while lodged quietly there and then a little after further Proceed is made in Sin c. 4. Satan like a cunning Warrier hath his Reserves like a wise Captain he hath some fresh Troops at hand if need be So that if one Temptation will not prevail he hath a second nay a third and fourth nay Multitudes What fresh and new Attempts did he use when he set upon our Saviour 5. Another Stratagem of his is this He will in a politick way retreat as sometimes you shall have an Enemy flie as overcome when it is on a design of overcoming We read not only of Satan's being cast out but of the unclean Spirit 's going out voluntarily yet be sure it was with a purpose to return more strong than before 6. He will strive to make use of fit Instruments to carry on his Temptations to the Ruine of the Soul I might proceed but by this all may see That it is needful for the Christian Souldier to be well instructed in the Stratagems of War XIV A Souldier ought to know the distinct Beats of the Drum and Sound of the Trumpet an Alarm a Call a March a Battel c. XIV So a Saint must understand the distinct and dâ—fferent Sounds of the Word of God daily ministred by his Servants for a Preacher is a spiritual Trumpeter Lift up thy Voice like a Trumpet Isa 58.1 And as it greatly behoves a Trumpeter to be well skill'd how to blow his Trumpet for if it give an uncertain Sound who shall prepare himself to the Battel so it doth a Minister rightly and distinctly to preach the Word of God that a Christian like a Souldier may have an Alarm sounded in his Ears when Danger is near or an Enemy coming upon him as also a Call to Duty to Prayer to Fasting Mourning and Sackloth when the Day requires it c. Isa 22. A good Souldier of Christ will observe the distinct Sound of the spiritual Trumpet sometimes it sounds out Reproof sometimes Counsel sometimes Comfort all is carefully observed by a sincere and wise Christian XV. A Souldier ought to be a Man of Courage bold and resolute not soon daunted nor dismayed by the Threats Malice or Strength of an Enemy He ought as God bid Joshua to be strong and very couragious XV. So a Saint ought to be of a couragious Spirit not timerous faint-hearted or soon dismayed but a Man of an undaunted Heart not fearing the worst that Men can do unto him Tho I walk saith David through the Valley of the Shadow of Death I will fear no Evil. Psal 23.4 The Wicked flee when none pursue Prov. 28.1 but the Righteous are as bold as a Lion There are three or four things which tend to embolden and encrease Courage in a spiritual Souldier in the midst of the greatest Danger when nothing but Death and Misery seems to stare him in the Face 1. The Goodness of his Cause Nothing administreth more Life and Zeal to a Saint than the Consideration of that holy Cause which in the Strength of Christ he stands up for and is sâ—t to defend 2. The Consideration of the Power and Strength of that God who hath engaged to stand by him help and aid him in all his Conflicts with the worst of his Enemies Fear not Worm Jacob and ye Men of Israel I will help thee saith the Lord. Isa 41.10 14. 1 Joh. 4.3 Fear not for I am with thee be not dismayed for I am thy God I will strengthen thee c. Ye are of God little Children and have overcome them because greater is he that is in us than he that is in the World 3. A good Call Every Christian in all his Enterprizes must see to his Call let him see that whatsoever he doth in Religion both in matter and manner it is what God hath enjoined him He that undertakes any Work or Cause that is not warranted by God's Word hath cause to tremble And also let him see he is the Man that God approves of and hath employed in and about that Work and Duty whatsoever it be and when he sees that his Call is undeniably good this will add Courage to him 4. A good Conscience This made Paul so bold in the presence of his incensed Adversaries Men and Brethren Acts 23.1 I have lived in all good Conscience before God until this day A Souldier who hath much Guilt upon him cannot if his Conscience be at all awakened engage an Enemy with that Courage as another Man may in the high Place of the Field when he knows not but the next moment he may be sent into another World 'T is Innocency and Uprightness that puts Life and Magnanimity into a Christian Having a good Conscience that whereas they speak Evil of you 1 Pet. 3.16 as Evil-doers they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good Conversation in Christ 5. Lastly The Assurance he hath of Victory A Saint knoweth he shall have the Day and come off a Conqueror Before he enters upon the Conflict his Captain hath told him He shall overcome at last and have the Crown of Life Rev. 2.10 XVI A Souldier must expect to endure Hardness and therefore prepares himself for it It is a Life attended with many Hardships and Difficulties they often lie in the Field and fare hard when others know the want of nothing XVI So the Saints of God must expect to endure Hardness A Christian's Life is attended with many Difficulties and Afflictions which they must endure as good Souldiers of Jesus
or Life it self in his Cause but he can restore it with great Advantage Joh. 12.25 He that loveth his Life shall lose it but he that hateth his Life in this World shall keep it unto Life eternal III. Souldiers are armed with carnal Weapons and fight with Men like themselves and yet many times are overcome and lose the Victory III. But Saints fight with spiritual Weapons and not only with Men like themselves but with the Devil and his infernal Crew and yet through Christ their Captain they get the Victory For the Weapons of our Warfare are not carnal Eph. 6. but mighty through God c. For we wrestle not against Flesh and Blood but against Principalities and Powers c. Inferences THese things being so let all true Christians take Heart and be valiant and fear not the Face of Enemies 1. Consider the Worth and Dignity of your Captain Christians have the best Captain and Leader in the World 1. He is of a most honourable Extraction of a most high and noble Descent the Heir of all things the Father's First-born the express Image of his Person He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and he is saith one Generalissimo of all his Majesty's Forces in Heaven and Earth 2. Consider his Strength and Valour He hath an Omnipotent Arm and is of a most valiant undaunted couragious and heroick Spirit What was Sampson Gideon David Alexander Julius Caesar Scanderbeg or any other mighty Warrior to the Lord Jesus This is he who cuts in pieces the Gates of Brass and breaks asunder the Bars of Iron that hath the Keys of Death and Hell that flew Rahab Isa 51.9 and wounded the Dragon who is terrible to the Kings of the Earth and will come upon Princes as upon Mortar This is He that is the Terror of Devils the Dread of Mortals who will make other Captains tremble and cry out to the Rocks and Mountains to hide them in the Day of his Wrath. 3. Consider his Wisdom His Skill and Policy far exceeds the Craft and Subtilty of all the Machiavellian Politicians in the World He knows how to assault and harm his Enemies and to carry on and bring off to preserve and defend his People and faithful Souldiers Let Men and Devils be never so skilful and politick Christ knows how to outwit them and over-reach them all He knows where all their Mines are digged where all their Forces Flankers and Ambuscadoes do lie He knows their Plot and how laid this day against his Interest Gospel and Covenant-People in this and other Nations He knows how to confound them and catch them in their own Craftiness and to bring them to Shame He is wonderful in Counsel and mighty in Working He hath an Omniscient Eye as well as an Omnipotent Hand He makes his Countermines and blows them up or burieth them in the Pit they have digged He outshoots the Devil and the Wicked in their own Bow He will bring down the Beast and Whore and all their Abettors and make them ashamed of their Hope Mark the Issue of this present Dispensation See Captain in the First Volume and God a Man of War 2. Consider the Excellency of your Cause which is just and righteous 3. The Goodness of your Call against which nothing can be objected 4. For your further Encouragement consider the Strength of your Fortifications They are all impregnable and impenetrable of most invincible Strength Your Out-Works your Walls your Bulwarks your Forts and Towers all your Defence is admirable The Name of the Lord is a Strong-Tower Prov. 18.10 Isa 26.1 Salvation will God appoint for Walls and Bulwarks O how formidable and terrible are the Attributes and Threatnings of God to his Enemies 5. Consider Tho your Number be the fewest yet your Side is the strongest God is for us and on our Side With them is the Arm of Flesh but with us the Lord our God to fight for us How many said Antigonor will you reckon me for Poor Mortal How many then may we reckon God Christ the Holy Ghost for The whole Trinity is engaged for us 6. Consider Tho your Service be hard and Conflict sharp yet it will be short It is but a little while and your Enemy shall trouble you no more 2 Cor. 4.17 Our light Afflictions which are but for a moment c. 7. Consider the Devils and all other Enemies tho never so potent cruel and malicious yet they are all conquered and spoiled Col. 2.15 Having spoiled Principalities and Powers he made a Shew of them openly triumphing over them in it The Romans were wont in a triumphant manner to carry those they had conquered about with them and to brandish their Swords and display their Colours and carry their Arms in open View as Trophies and Emblems of Victory So the Lord Jesus having conquered Satan and the Powers of Hell rode as it were in Triumph through their Kingdom the Air and made a Shew of them openly as a glorious Victor 2. Again the World is subdued Be of good cheer saith Christ Joh. 16. Rom 8. I have overcome the World And we through him are hereby made more than Conquerors Come Tribulation Distress Persecution c. with all their Blackness Darkness Threats and Terror what will they do Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ Rom. 8.35 or hinder us of eternal Life 3. Death is subdued Christ hath got the Victory over that What Joy and Comfort is this to Believers to hear that all their Enemies are conquered your Captain-General hath broken them all to pieces 6. The Enemy cannot hurt you Rom. 8.28 the worst you can meet with will work for your Good 9. Consider Tho you meet with hard Things Christ can and will make them easy to you All your Wounds he can heal and all your broken Bones he can set The more you suffer for Christ the greater your Reward will be 10. Consider what great and glorious Pay you shall have in the end Is not a Kingdom a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away worth fighting and striving for 11. Look to Christ remember what he hath done and suffered for you and consider what many Saints have endured for his sake before you that were most precious in God's sight Is it not better to suffer here than to suffer in Hell What is the Pain and Sorrow of the Godly in this Life to the everlasting Pains and Torments of the Damned in the World to come Get much Faith and provide your selves with all your Armor and the right Use of it the Nature of which is opened under the Fifth Head Get your Hearts loose from the World No Man that warreth 2 Tim. 2.4 entangleth himself with the Affairs of this Life Labour for much Love to God It was a notable Saying of Mr. Bland the Martyr when he was at the Stake This Death saith he is more dear to me than Thousands of Gold
long they are but for a season a Thaw will come So the afflicted State of a godly Man tho it be unpleasant yet 't is not lasting to be sure not everlasting Tho some Frosts hold longer than others yet none hold always Summer will come And usually where Winter is fiercest Summer for a Recompence is pleasantest Our Modern Geographer having described the Sharpness of Winter in Muscovia Heylin 's Geography concludes thus Such is their Winter c. Neither is their Summer less miraculous for the huge Seas of Ice which in a manner covered the whole Surface of the Country are at first approach of the Sun suddenly dissolved the Waters dried up and the Earth dressed in her Holy-day Apparel such a mature Growth of Fruits such flourishing of Herbs such chirping of Birds as if it were a perpetual Spring Even thus after a cold Winter of Affliction shall the Church or a particular Soul be relieved by a sweet and comfortable Summer of Prosperity Inferences THis may help the Godly to bear up under Afflictions and Sufferings in this World What tho they be pinching and troublesom whilst they last yet they have a very good Effect Like as Frost mellows the Earth and after it the Clods crumble easily whereas if there was no Winter no Frost they would be more stiff and not fit for the Husbandman So thy Heart is hereby made mellow and more meet and fit to receive the good Seed Frost dries up the ill Humors of the Earth so do Afflictions those of the Soul c. The Winter-Frosts kill the Weeds and Worms which eat the Roots and hinder the Growth of Herbs and Corn So Afflictions tend to kill our Lusts those Weeds and Worms that breed and grow in our Hearts always hindering our Fruitfulness in Grace and true Godliness II. You know Fire does well in Winter to warm the Blood c. So the Fire of the Spirit will warm and heat thy Soul in and under Afflictions and Temptations get therefore near it and labour to experience its powerful Operations See The Word and Spirit compared to Fire in the First Volume III. It may reprove such who are discontented under Afflictions they would not be in such and such a troubled Condition c. Alas Soul will a wise Man be angry and offended with the Winter Wouldest thou have all Summer and no Winter all Peace and Prosperity and no Adversity Consider how necessary Winter is Affliction compared to Darkness Isa 8.22 Behold Trouble and Darkness c. Lam. 3.2 And brought me into Darkness c. Joel 2.2 A Day of Darkness c. DArkness is taken properly or metaphorically 1. Properly Darkness is nothing else but a Privation of Light Caryl 't is no positive Creature it hath no Cause in Nature but is the Consequent of the Sun's Absence 2. Metaphorically or improperly it signifies divers Things 1. The State of Nature or Unregeneracy or deep Alienation from the Life of God Ye that were sometimes Darkness c. 2. Several Sins wherein wicked Men live 3. Desertion 4. The Grave Eph. 5.8 Eph. 5.11 5. Hell 6. Afflictions Note Afflictions Calamities and spiritual Desertions may be compared to Darkness Parallels DArkness is a Judgment thick Darkness was one of the Plagues of Egypt So some Calamities and severe Afflictions are brought upon a People or Nation as a just and dreadful Judgment of God II. Natural Darkness is occasioned by the Absence of the Sun and Obscurity of the other Luminaries of Heaven So some Afflictions and Calamities are occasioned by the absence of the Light of God's Word and hiding of his Face When the Gospel is taken away from a People that People are presently involved in thick Darkness which is a most sore and fearful Judgment III. Darkness is very uncomfortable 't is a dolesom thing to have no Light So to be under some Afflictions especially Desertion is the most uncomfortable State in the World IV. Darkness causeth a Man to lose his Way and wander about and exposeth him to many Dangers So spiritual Darkness causes a Man to stumble Walk whilst you have the Light lest Darkness come upon you for he that walketh in Darkness John 12.35 knoweth not whither he goeth Give Glory to the Lord your God Jer. 13.16 before he cause your Feet to stumble upon the dark Mountains and whilst you look for Light he turn it into the Shadow of Death V. There are Degrees of Darkness Darkness and thick Darkness and the Blackness of Darkness c. One degree of Darkness may attend the Day a Day may be dark but not like the Darkness of the Night and some Nights are darker than others as Experience shews And hence we read of Darkness and of the Shadow of Death Psal 23.4 Tho I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death I will fear no Evil c. That is the greatest Darkness and Evil that can befall a godly Man The Shadow of a Thing in Scripture saith Mr. Caryl denotes the Power of a Thing and to be under the Shadow of a Thing is to be under the Power of it To be under the Shadow of the Almighty is to be under the Power of the Almighty c. To be under the shadow of Death is to be under the power and reach of it Tho I may be so near Death that it may seem to others to be really Death and that it is impossible to escape Death yet I will fear no Evil. Some Afflictions threaten Death upon God's People and upon his Concerns and Interest in the World and Christians may seem to be under the Influence of Death The Influences of Death are those Fears and Doubtings Divisions Distractions and Vexations of Heart and Mind Cries and Confusions which usually accompany or prepare the Way for Death Job 3.5 Let Darkness and the Shadow of Death stain it c. That is such Darkness as dwells with Death such Darkness as fills the House of Death the Grave Such Darkness as this Heman complained of I am accounted with them that go down into the Pit c free among the Dead Psal 88.4 5 6 7. like the slain in the Grave whâ—m thou remembrest no more and they are cut off by thy Hand Thou hast layed me in the lowest Pit in Darkness in the Deep Thy Wrath lieth hard upon me and thou hast afflicted me with all thy Waves Selah He seemed to be under the greatest Darkness so sorely deserted that he saw no Light he sate in the very Shadow of Death Caryl viz deadly Darkness thick Darkness stifling Darkness such as is in deep Pits and Mines under the Earth where Vapors and noisom Damps do many times strike Men with Death in the most deplorable State and Condition imaginable 'T is one thing to have some Afflictions and some Doubtings of Mind and Spirit and another thing to be in these great Deeps of Affliction and Desertion VI. No natural
Caryl to desire with Earnestness And then the Sence is thus rendred My Days are passed away as a Ship of Desire That is A Ship which being laden with rich Commodities the Master and Pilot desire earnestly to bring her speedily to her Port that so they may put off their Commodities and make Sale of such rich Lading 3. The Caldee and others give a further Note upon it deriving the Word Abab from Ebib which signifies a Stalk growing up early from the Earth and bringing forth the first ripe Fruit of any kind and so it is put for any early ripe Summer-Fruit as Plums Apples Cherries c. and then the Sence is My Days are like a Ship which carrieth early Fruit So the Vulgar like a Ship carrying Apples 4. There is another Sence given by those who derive the Word from a Root which signifies to hate and oppose or to be an Adversary and then it is thus rendred My Days pass away as a Pirate's Ship or as a Ship that goes to take a Prey or as a Ship that goes out to take Prizes upon the Sea Now such Ships are the swiftest of all others being prepared on purpose to make way and overtake other Ships their Lading is not Burthen but Ballast that they may be swift of Sail So saith Job My Days pass away like a Ship not like some great Merchant-Ship deeply laden which can make no great speed in the Sea but as a Ship of Piracy that hath nothing in her but Weapons Artillery and Ammunition to oppose those they meet with which sail with every Wind such as are your nimble Frigats Fly-Boats and Ketches which sail with every Wind or Gallies which pass without Wind carried with the Strength of Arms and Oars all being Vessels used to run in upon and surprize a Booty This also is a good Interpretation and so Mr. Broughton translates it My Days do flie away as the Pirat's Ship c. All shew the Life of Man swiftly passeth away The Life of Man compared to an Eagle Job 9.26 As an Eagle hasteneth to her Prey AN Eagle is a very swift Creature but when she hasteneth to her Prey she makes the greatest Speed The Life of Man is not compared to an Eagle in her ordinary Flight but as an Eagle that hasteneth to her Prey when Hunger adds Swiftness to her Wings Thus with swiftness our Days pass away The Life of Man compared to a Weaver's Shuttle Job 7.6 My Days are swifter than a Weaver's Shuttle c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A VVeaver's Shuttle is an Instrument of a very swift Motion and the VVord which is rendred swifter signifies that which is fitted for the swiftest Motion II. VVhen the VVeaver hath finished his VVeb he cuts off the Thread So when a Man hath run out the Length of his Days appointed by the Almighty his Life is cut off c. The Life of Man compared to Wind. Job 7.7 My Life is Wind. Parallels THe VVind passeth away speedily So doth the Life of Man II. The VVind passeth irresistibly you cannot stop the VVind So no Man be he never so strong can hinder the speedy Motion of his Days III. The VVind when it is past returns no more As you cannot stop the VVind or change its Course so all the Power in the VVorld is not able to recall or direct the VVind which way the VVind goes it will go and so soon as it comes it is gone So when a Man's Days are gone there is no recalling of them again Our Days pass and shall not return by any Law or Constitution of Nature or by any Efficacy of natural Causes He remembred that they were but Flesh Psal 78 3◠Wind that passeth away The Life of Man compared to a Cloud Job 7.9 As the Cloud is consumed and vanisheth away so he that goeth down to the Grave shall come up no more he shall return no more to his House c Parallels AS the Cloud such a Cloud as you see hanging in the Air is consumed or gradually spent So the Days or Life of Man by little and little is consumed II. A Cloud comes to its Height and then is quickly disperst and vanisheth So Man soon comes to his full Strength and presently is gone III. A Cloud is like a Bottle full of Rain or Sponges full of Water God crushes these Sponges or unstops these Bottles and they are emptied and in emptying vanish away and return no more So Man being emptied of Life vanisheth away and returns not again Obj. But why then doth Solomon affirm the Clouds return again after Rain Eccles 12.2 how then doth Job say that the Cloud vanisheth so Man goeth to the Grave and returneth no more Answ Solomon in that Place of Ecclesiastes gives a Description of old Age and the sad Condition of Man in it he calleth it the evil Day and wishes Men would consider their latter End before those evil Days overtake them Before the Light of the Sun Moon Caryl and Stars be darkned and the Clouds return after the Rain In old Age the Clouds return after the Rain thus as in some very wet Time when we think it hath rained so much as might have spent and quite exhausted the Clouds and drawn those Bottles dry yet you shall see them return again it will rain day after day as fast as ever So in old Age when Rheums disstill so freely that you would think an old Man had emptied himself of all yet the Clouds will return again and Flouds of watery Humours overflow Thus the Clouds of old Age return and in this Sense the Clouds of the Air return after they are consumed and spent into Rain But how doth a Cloud return not the same Cloud numerically that Cloud which was dissolved doth not return the same Sun goes down and vanisheth out of our Sight in the Evening and returneth in the Morning the same individual and numerical Sun but that numerical Cloud which vanished comes not again Thus Man vanisheth and returns as the Clouds return after the Rain that is after one Generation of Men are dead they return again in their Children another Generation springs up but there is no other Returning to Life till the Resurrection they that die shall not live again here they shall not return to their House their Place shall know them no more The Life of Man compared to a Flower Job 14.2 He cometh forth like a Flower and is cut down c. MAN is compared to a fading Flower There are many Rarities and Excellencies in a Flower 1. Sweetness to please our Smell 2. Beauty and Variety of Colour to affect the Eye 3. Softness affecting the Touch c. But Job speaks not a Word of any of these Properties he speaks not of a flourishing but withering Flower not of its springing up but of its cutting down or of its springing up only in relation to cutting down Parallels A Flower comes up in the
Beauty and Perfection in Christ is all fulness of Light Beauty and Perfection 2. There use was to receive by them answer from God in difficult Cases when the Priest consulted with him the Oracle by Vrim gave certain Direction So Christ is the most perfect Rule and Direction shadowed by that Heb. 1.1 2. As God spake then by Vrim to the Priest so now by his own Son Those who would have their Doubts resolved must go to the Vrim go to Christ and to his Ordinances c. But to return back and speak a little further to the Robe of the Ephod and Bonnet on the Skirts of the Ephod Exod. 28.31 were fastned the Pomegranets of blew Silk and Purple and Scarlet round about this Fruit had a most pleasant smell sweet in it self and sweetning other things and is full of precious Juice and Liquor 2. Bells of Gold between them round about a Golden Bell and a Pomegranate c. this Vesture or Garment might signify the Righteousness of Christ's Human Nature and by the sweet Pomgranates the most excellent savour of his Righteousness and Obedience in the Nostrils of God the Father in the behalf of Man which also in a Spiritual Sense was full of precious Juice and Virtue to qualify and abate the raging heat of God's Wrath as the Juice of Pomgranates doth allay the burning heat of an Ague or Feaver as also they might signify what a sweet savour Christ's Righteousness doth cast upon us when wrapped as it were therein who by Nature are in a stinking and loathsome Condition 2. As to the golden Bells they might figure forth the blessed sound of the Gospel or as some understand Christ's visible owning of us now in Heaven and our publick owning of him on Earth which must be Sincere we must not only make a sound but also have good Fruit we must not onâ—y have a Word for God but a Work for God a Bell a Pomegranate a Word and a Work 6. The High Priest must be heard when he goeth into the Sanctuary signifying saith Dr. Taylor the Power of Christ our High Priest's perpetual Intercession being entered into the true Sanctuary viz. Heaven it self for us As touching the Miter or Bonnet upon the Priest's Head made of blew Silk and fine Linnen like to an half Coronet beautified with a Golden Plate on which was written Holiness to the Lord. 1. The Miter might not only signify God's covering and protecting our Head the Lord Jesus and us in him but also his Kingly Dignity 2. The Golden Plate in which was written Holiness to the Lord figured forth in a most conspicuous manner that most divine and perfect Holiness of the Lord our Righteousness the Holiness of his Person the Holiness of his Nature the Holiness of all his Actions and Passions his Holiness who is the Cause Stream and Original of all our Holiness that is accepted of God Fourthly The Priest was a Type of Christ in the Execution of his Office 1. The Priest must kill the Sacrifices and none but he signifying Jesus Christ's voâ—untary Action Joh. 10.18 in laying down his Life for us none could take it away from him he was as well the Priest as the Sacrifice 2. The Priest offered the Blood of the Sacrifices to God and sprinkled it on the Alter no Man might offer his â—wn Sacrifice but he must bring it to the Priest Lev. 7.4 figuring there was no coming to God but by Christ who offered up his own Blood to atone for our Sins no other can offer any Sacrifice to take away Sin but him alone 3. The Priest prepared the Body of the Sacrifice fley'd it divided it into several parts Lev. 1.6 washed the Intrails put Fire unto the Burnt-Offerings consumed the Fat cast the Filth and Dung into the plâ—ce of Ashes c. signifying that Christ alone did the whole work of our Redemption he suffered the heat of God's Wrath and Justice he puts away all our Filth and covers it in his own Grave and washeth us in the Fountain of his own Blood c. 4. The Priest was to teach the People The Priest's Lips must preserve Knowledg Mal. 2.7 and thou shalt seek the Law at his Mouth this figured forth Christ in his Prophetical Office who is the great Doctor and Teacher of God's Mind and Will to the Children of Men 't is he who hath the Tongue of the Lâ—arned so that never Man spake like him Psal 45.2 it is he who hath the Words of everlasting Life 5. The Priests were to preserve the Oyl for Lights and the Incense Luk. 24.50 and for the daily Meat-Offering and the anointing Oyl c. signifying that Jesus Christ is the Preserver of all Grace in and for his Church he only watcheth for the safety of his People he preserves the light of Grace and good Works in us and the Oyl of Gladness from decaying in our Lamps and Vessels There were some Actions more peculiar to the High Priest 1. He must daily dress the holy Lamps and Lights Morning and Evening Lev. 24.2 3. before the Lord to preserve the Lights from going out So Christ preserves the Light of his Word and Gospel from being put out tho Men and Devils with all their Might have endeavoured to do it 2. He must weekâ—y make the Shew-Bread and set it before the Lord continually and Exod. 25.30 more expresly every Sabbath he must set on the Table twelve Loaves according to the number of the Tribes of Israel and take the old away c. In this he was a Type of Christ who sets himself continually in the Ministry of the Word as the Substance and Anti-type of the Shew-Bread before the Children of Men especially to feed and strengthen his own Children nay anâ— brings forth fresh Food new Bread for them every Sabbath 3. He must yearly and that in the day of Expiation go into the Holy of Holies Exod. 30.10 Lev. 16.2 to make an Atonement for himself for his House and for all the People but not without Blood signifyiâ—g that Christ by one alone Sacrifice of himsâ—lf hath opened the Sanctuary of Hâ—aven and by his Ascension hath made entrance into it on our behalf and there appears beâ—ore God once for all to make Intercession for us The Priest went alone without any Attendants Heb. 10.12 19 So Christ hath trod the Wine-Press alone no Competitor no Companion hâ—th he in this work and now pleads alone as our own and only Mediator by virtue of his own Blood at the Father's right Hand There is one that is but one Mediator between God and Man c. 4. The High Priest continually was to decide the highest Controversies he must judg between the clâ—an and the unclean he must put the one out and receive the other into the Congregation signifying that Christ only Christ alone is the Supream judg of all Controversies 't is his Word only that can
Thou hast cloathing be thou our Ruler and let this Ruine be under thy hand Ver. 7. In that day shall he swear saying I will not be a Healer for in my House is neither Bread nor Cloathing make me not a Ruler of the People The rareness or fewness of Governours capable to exercise that Dignity Isaiah 4.1 is denoted in this Dialogism or feigned Speech Isa 4.1 And in that day seven Women shall take hold of one Man saying Vid Gram. Sacra 263 264. We will eat our own Bread and wear our own Apparel only let us be called by thy Name to take away our Reproach This is a Prophecy of the want of Men because of the frequent Slaughters that were to come and the Desolation of Women See other Examples Mat. 23.39 with 21.15 16. 4. A Covert Prosopopoeia when the Verb of saying is omitted called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Imitation 't is either simple or connex the simple are such as are without Collocution Isa 21.3 Therefore are my Loins filled with pain Pangs have taken hold of me as the Pangs of a Woman that travelleth I was bowed down at the hearing of it I was dismayed at the seeing of it Ver. 4. My Heart wandereth Horror affrights me he hath made my amiable Night terrible so the Hebrew After that Divine Oracle which foretels the Destruction of Babylon by the Medes and Persians this Mimesis of the King of Babylon is subjoyned by which he expresses his Anxiety and Terror as if the thing was then a doing You may find the fulfilling of this described Dan. 5.6 9 10 30. Other Examples you may read Jer. 49.10 11 14. Psal 2.3 Psal 82.8 9. 89.3 Eccles 4.8 Prov. 23.35 Isa 14.16 22.13 33.18 56.12 58.3 Jer. 3.17 6.4 5 6. 8.14 11.19 20.10 30.17 31.3 Lam. 3.42 2 15. Micah 2.11 Acts 1.4 5. 15.5 17.3 1 Cor. 15.32 Col. 2.21 c. 5. There is a connex Mimesis in a Dialogism or the Discourse of two or more Dialogism Psal 118.19 c. as Psal 118.19 c. which is an eminent Example of this and is thus expounded by Junius Parall 1 37. Open to me says the godly Man the Gates of Righteousness being entred at them I will praise Jah the Lord to this Petition an Answer is annexed as if the Church who is the Mother were teaching her Children the Causes or Ways of Salvation Ver. 20. This is the Gate of the Lord into which the Righteous shall enter viz. Christ who is the Way the Truth and Life This Entrance being shewn or expounded the Godly congratulate saying Ver. 21. I will praise thee c. as if they had said When we behold this Entrance which the Lord has opened we cannot but praise and admire the greatness of his Favour and Goodness especially when we consider that all good things bestowed upon Mankind proceed from the Benignity of the Deity tho unthought of by them Pray therefore what is this Gate Ver. 22. The Stone which the Builders refused is become the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Angularis ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 summus chief 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Angulus a Corner head Stone of the Corner that is not only the support of the Building but what gives Entrance into it which Ver. 23. is the Lord 's doing and exceeds the Capacity of humane Art or Understanding But when will this be Ver. 24. This is the Day which the Lord hath made not by constant Labour or Artifice Therefore it is just that we should place all our Joy and Comfort in him alone and in an assured Confidence of our Deliverance proclaim his Glory because he hath vouchsafed us so glorious a Redemption Ver. 25. Save now I beseech thee O Lord c. that is grant full Salvation to the Members of thy Church and prosper the ways of thine Anointed whom we celebrate with this joyful Acclamation Ver. 26. Blessed be he that cometh in the Name of the Lord not only in himself or in his own Person but transfusing Divine Benediction by the Voice of the Gospel into those who believe in his Word saying We have blessed you out of the House of the Lord that is from Heaven or the highest Places as the House of the Lord is frequently called in Scripture To this we may refer the whole Book of Canticles which is a continued Dialogism or Dialogue and the 63 Chapter of Isaiah wherein there is a Conference between Christ and his Church respecting the glorious Triumph of Christ over Death and Suffering manifested in his Resurrection See also Jer. 47.6 7. So much of the speaking of a real Person 6. Speech is also attributed to a mute or inanimate thing Speech attributed to a mute or inanimate thing as Judges 9.8 and the following Verses where Trees are represented as Persons speaking and reasoning amongst themselves in the Parable of Jotham as also 2 Kings 14.9 By the same Reason Speech or certain Words are attributed to Destruction and Death Job 28.22 to Fir-trees Isa 14.8 to the Dead Verse 10. See Ezek. 32.21 to the Righteousness of Faith Rom. 10.6 7 8. See also Rom. 9.20 1 Corinth 12.15 16 c. some refer hither Prov. 1.20 c. and 8.1 c. to Chap. 9.7 where Wisdom commending it self and inviting Men to partake of it is introduced But the soundest Divines do rightly understand Christ by this Wisdom which Chap. 1.20 9.1 is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Plural by way of Excellency as if it were said He is the very Wisdom of the most wise God and the very Author of it Chap. 8.14 he attributes Counsel Strength and Prudence to himself Ver. 17. and to love them that love him Ver. 24 25. that he was brought forth before the Depths c. Ver. 22 27 30. That he was Existent before the Creation of the World Ver. 23. Anointed or set up from everlasting viz. to be a King and Governour Ver. 30. Sporting always before him viz. the Father All which and other things there written must of necessity be attributed to a true Person See Matth. 11.19 Luke 7.35 11.49 as also Matth. 23.34 1 Cor. 1.24 30. Collos 2.3 Therefore this Prosopopoeia is to be referred to the first Class not to this latter CHAP. V. Of an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Erotesis or Interrogation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to ask or question TO the foregoing five we may add this Figure in Logism viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies Interrogation or asking a Question which because it is peculiar to the Idioms of the Hebrew and Greek of the Old and New Testatment we will briefly and particularly treat of 1. With respect to its Force Energy or peculiar Emphasis 2. With reference to its use The first we will consider according to the order of Interrogative Words The Interogative Particle Who besides its ordinary
in the Law and makest thy boast of God ver 18. And knowest his Will c. as if he had said I grant it is so but why is thy Conversation so disagreeable to that outward Profession Ver. 20. and the following Verses shew this to be the meaning See also Rom. 9.4 5. Gal. 4.15 16. An Ironical Epitrope is when we seem to grant a thing which is indeed a Prohibition of the contrary Of this Illyricus says Clave Script Part. 2. Col. 302. It is a species of Permission when we grant what is unjust to any not as judging what he says right but as it were giving way to his Obstinacy Malice or Fury As angry Fathers use to say to their dissolute Sons I see you will ruine your self take your Course run on headlong to destruction Examples you may read Jud. 10.14 Prov. 6.32 1 King 22.15 Eccles 11.9 Isa 29.1 Jer. 2.28 7.21 Lam. 4.21 Ezek. 20.39 Amos 4.4 5. Mat. 23.32 26.45 Joh. 2.19 13.27 1 Cor. 15.32 2 Cor. 11.19 Rev. 22.11 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Synchoresis Concession Concession is when a certain Saying is granted yet withal declared to be unprofitable or of no advantage James 2.19 Thou believest that there is one God thou dost well the Devils also believe and tremble See Rom. 11.19 20 c. 1 Cor. 4.8 2 Cor. 10.1 2 11. 12.16 c. CHAP. VII Of other Schemes of Sentences and Amplifications I. Schemes taken from Causes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aetiologia Aetiologia according to its Signification is the rendring of a Reason of a Word or Deed as Rom. 1.13 14. Now I would not have you ignorant Brethren that oftentimes I purposed to come to you but was let hitherto that I might have some Fruit among you also even as among other Gentiles I am debter both to the Greeks and the Barbarians c. Ver. 15 16. I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ For it is the Power of God unto Salvation to every one that believe c. See Rom. 3.20 4.14 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Translation Metastasis and is when the Cause or Blame is transferred from one to another as Rom. 7.8 Paul says that the Law augments Sin yet Ver. 14. following shews that it is the fault of our corrupt Nature See Rom. 8.3 1 Cor. 4.6 c. II. Schemes taken from Adjuncts and Circumstances 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Topographia that is the Description of a Place is when a Place is accurately described exhibiting it as it were to our view as the Description of Hell Isa 30.33 Luke 16.24 c. the New Heaven and the New Earth in the Elect which shall be eternally glorified Isa 65.17 c. Rev. 21.1 c. of Sin or the Church inviron'd with broad Streams Isa 33.20 c. By which Description its Safety and divine Defence from Enemies is noted Of the New Temple and the Admirable City Ezek. 40. See Psal 42.6 Psal 60.7 c. Psal 89.12 with Ver. 11. Here note That the Climates or distinct parts of the Earth as the East West Observation ☜ North and South when mentioned in Scripture are to be understood with respect to the Situation of Judaea Jerusalem and the Temple where the Prophets lived in the Land which God gave the Jews only we must except some Places in Ezekiel who lived and wrote in Babylon Note also * ☜ Note that the Sea signifies the West viz. The Mediterranean Sea which is on the West of Judaea Numb 2.18 Josh 16.3 Ezek. 42.19 c. Jerom on Ezek. 46. says 'T is a customary way of speaking in Scripture because of the Situation of Judea to call the Sea the West We may except Psal 107. where in the Hebrew Text the Sea signifies the South viz. the Red Sea which was on the South of Judea See Psal 72.8 Exod. 23.31 c. Chronographia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chronographia a Description of Time 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pragmatographia a Description of a Thing or Action and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prosopographia a Description of a Person are rather the Circumstances 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of an historical Speech simply and plainly delivered than Schemes tho by some accounted as such Hâ—potyposis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hypotyposis signifies Representation and is when a thing is so represented to the Eye so as that it may seem not to be told but to be acted as in that Description of the horrible Desolation of the Earth Isa 1.6 c. the whole 34 Chapters Jer. 4.19 20 21 23 24 25 26 31. Of Idols Isa 44.9 46.6 The Humiliation and Passion of Christ Isa 53. Of Famine or Hunger Lam. 4.8 9. Of the Triumph of Christ Col. 2.14 15 c. The Holy Spirit not only exhibits verbal but real Hypotyposes of which see our Treatise of Types Article 3. To this Head some refer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Image or Representation of a thing viz. When the glorious or illustrious Figure Picture or Species of a Thing or Person is produced as when Christ is represented by the Sun Mal. 4.2 also when God is likened to a Gyant or mighty Man scarce sober after drinking hard and quarrelling with all he meets with to denote his Wrath against wicked Men and how severely he will punish them Psal 78.65 66. When Christ is expressed by a Spouse and a Warriour Psal 45. When the prosperous wicked Man is proposed as a green Bay-tree Psal 37.35 36. So that this is only an illustrating Similitude Pathopoaeia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pathopaeia an Expression of Affection is when Affections are clearly expressed by a plain Speech As of God Isa 49.15 Jer. 31.20 Hos 11.7 8. of the Apostle Paul 1 Cor. 4.14 15. 2 Cor. 2.4 Gal. 4.19 20. See Luke 18.9 10 11 12 13 14. Isa 3.16 17. Jer. 48.3 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Syllogismus Syllogism Ratiocinatio Reasoning specially so called which is also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Emphasis is when the greatness of a thing is manifested by some certain Sign as when the Stature and Strength of Goliah is set forth by his Armour 1 Sam. 17.4 5 6 c. When Rehoboam the Son of Solomon said that his little Finger would be thicker than his Fathers Loins 1 Kings 12.10 The grievousness of the Burden or Yoke laid upon the People is noted when by the Signs of external Peace the greatness of in ward and spiritual Peace is denoted as Isa 2.4 See also Isa 4.1 49.20 Mat. 10.30 24.20 Luke 7.44 c. But speaking more accurately either these things belong to a simple historical Narration or the Tropes and their Affections of which we have treated Volumn 1. Book 1. III. Schemes taken from disparates or different things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Parechasis Digression is when
hast thou prepared for me which Version the Apostle cites Heb. 10.5 Heb 10.5 This reading may be explained two ways First of Christ's human Body hence the Syriac elegantly translates it But with a Body hast thou cloathed me and so the Version agrees excellently with the original Hebrew Because thou hast prepared a Body for me and hast made me an obedient Servant which is symbolically noted by the digging or boring of the Ears that I may offer the self-same Body as a Sacrifice to thee for the Sins of Mankind Secondly as a Body in opposition to Figures and Shadows as Westhemerus says * VVesthemerus lib. de Tropis Sac. Scrip. p. 148. Sacrificium Oblationem noluisti id est Ceremonias illas V. T. repudiasti sed Corpus apt asti mihi c. That is Sacrifice and Offering thou wouldest not that is thou hast abrogated the Ceremonies of the Old Testament but thou hast prepared a Body for me that is the Truth of which those Sacrifices were only Shadows a Figure thou wouldest no longer the time coming wherein the Body that is the very thing it self and Truth was to be made manifest Col. 2.9 17. Hunnius in his Comment says That these words from the Greek Translation are by a very good Reason retained because that Body provided or fitted for Christ or taken in the Incarnation is to be opposed as a thing adumbrated and the true propitiatory Sacrifice to the Rites of the Law which contained only a Shadow not the absolute Image or Substance of things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Exegetically that is by way of Illation or Inference as Psal 68.18 Thou hast received Gifts among Men so the Hebrew which Eph. 4.8 is thus quoted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And gave Gifts unto Men both are true and the one is the Consequence of the other or an Illation from it Esa 1.9 Except the Lord of Hosts had left us a Remnant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 reliquum this Rom. 9.29 is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Seed So from the Septuagint Esa 10.22 If thy People be as the Sand of the Sea c. it is said Rom. 9.27 Si fuerit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If the number of the Children of Israel c. Esaiah 28 16. Rom. 9.27 1 Pet. 2.6 It is said Esa 28.16 He that believeth shall not make haste which Rom. 9.27 is quoted Whosoever believeth on him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 1 Pet. 2.6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall not blush be ashamed or be confounded the latter follows from the former He that believes makes no haste but patiently expects the fulfilling of Divine Promises and therefore he will certainly partake of them whence it follows that he has no cause to be ashamed of his hope c. Amos 5.27 Amos 5.27 I will cause you to go into Captivity beyond Damascus this is quoted Acts 7.43 thus I will carry you away beyond Babylon Both were fulfilled for the Israelites were not only carried away into Syria only whose Chief or Metropolitan City Damascus is but also beyond Babylon into Persia and Caspia as appears Esd 8.17 Micah 5.2 Mic. 5.2 And thou Bethlehem Ephratah tho thou be little among the thousands of Judah yet out of thee shall come forth unto me that is to be a Ruler in Israel This Text is thus cited Mat. 2.6 And thou Bethlehem in the Land of Juda art not the least among the Princes of Juda for out of thee shall come a Governour that shall rule or feed my People Israel In the former Text it is called Bethlehem Ephrata of which you may read Gen. 35.16 19. and 48.16 In the latter it is called The Land of Juda by a Synecdoche for a City seated in the Land of Juda For at that time the Epithet of Juda was more used and to Herod himself better known then the Sirname of Ephrata which perhaps at that Season grew out of use or was less known to the Vulgar In the former Text Bethlehem is called little with respect to external Splendor and Eminency But in the latter it is called not the least because of that singular Honour which accrued to it by the Nativity of the Messiah In the former 't is said among the thousands of Juda but here among the Princes of Juda of which see our first Book Chap. 3. Sect. 3. there the Messiah is called a Ruler in Israel but here a Captain or Governour who shall feed the People which eminent Metaphor is elsewhere expounded as it respects the Office of Christ So much for a change in Words themselves the like may be found in their Accidents such as respect 1. Number as that which is said Psal 32.1 in the singular Number viz. Blessed is he whose Transgression is forgiven whose Sin is covered is cited Rom. 4.7 in the plural so Esa 52.7 with Rom. 10.15 in both places the sense is the same for the singular is put for the plural synecdochically Compare Deut. 6.16 with Mat. 4.7 c. 2. Person Gram. Sacr. p. 680. of which Examples are given elsewhere 3. Mood and Tense of which there is an eminent Example in the Citation from Esa 6.10 which is made Mat. 13.14 15. John 12.40 Acts 28.26 27. where there is an emphatical Change of the Imperative Mood into the Indicative and of the Present Tense of the Subjunctive into the Future Tense of the Indicative Now before we proceed it is to be noted Note That sometimes there is such a Change made in the Quotation that we cannot clearly shew from what place of the Old Testament it is taken as Eph. 5.14 wherefore he saith Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee Light which some refer to Esa 60.1 and others to Esa 26.19 21. But it seems to agree most with the first place because of the likeness of the Scope Another sacred Sentence of a doubtful Original we meet with Jam. 4.5 Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain the Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to Envy which words are thought to be cited from Gen. 8.21 others think them to be rather taken from Numb 11.29 c. 3. The Writers of the Old Testament are wont from two or three alledged Testimonies to make up one intire Citation or as Salmeron says Tom. 1. p. 109. To produce one Testimony from divers Prophets put together as Mat. 21.4 5. of which the first part is taken from Esa 62.11 and the latter from Zech. 9.9 The Evangelist calls it the Prophet in the singular Number to denote the Harmony and Agreement that is betwixt the Prophets Compare Mat. 21.13 with Esa 56.7 and Jer. 7.11 and Mark 1.2 3. with Mal. 3.1 Esa 40.3 and Acts 1.20 with Psal 69.25 26. and Psal 109.7 8. Rom. 3.10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18. which are taken from Psal 14.2 3. Psal 53. Psal 5. Psal 140. Psal 10. Esa 59.7 8. and Psal 36. Compare