hyssop and he that sprinkleth the conscience for justification and sanctification as St. Peter taught the circumeision 1 Pet. 1.3 and St. Paul in the Epistle to them Heb. 9. and 10. So David confessed he was a Leper and unclean spiritually crying to God to be purgâ—d and cleansed as Lepers and other unclean were purified Levit. 14.6 Num. 19.18 By this we see they had knowledge what the Ceremonies meant and the Law was written in their hearts and so their mindes and on the Table of their heart Prov. 3.3 7.3 and none but God could so write it and this was from his covenant in Christ he being their God also this shewes they had expounded of the Law The Modern Jews could say and they had it from their ancient Elders and an excellent saying it is What Aaron did on earth Michael that is Christ did in heaven But yet they should go one point of faith further That every Sacrificer must be taken from among men to teach us to believe that the Son of God should take mans nature to end Moses and to be a sacrificer for ever Heb. 5.1 2. c. But they doubted and said Who can go up to heaven to bring Christ down to dwell in our Tabernacle and who can go to the deep of the earth to bring Christ frâ—m the dead They believed not JESUS to be Jehovah and by the Godhead to raise the manhood and that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself not counting their trespasses to them and that he made him to be a sin-offering for us who knew no sin that we might be made God the Fathers righteousness or justification pardon forgiveness freedome and atonement in Him Upon Psalm 143.1 Hear my prayer O Eternall As it was observed at the beginning that each comfort comes to us by way of free promise and covenant unthought of and undesired on our part so it is in this duty of prayer helped us in the duty and promised in the Mediatour to hear us Psalm 50.15 Gen. 46.1 Ephes 2.18 we could neither know what to pray nor had the face to look up to God But this through the work of the Spirit makes the saints them of the old Testament as well as we of the New as Ephes 2.18 19. weeboth to utter their Groans and sighes to the God of Covenant Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name he will give it you John 16. In all thy waies acknowledge him and he shall direct thy waies Prov. 3. By faith in Christ Habel drew near or came to God in assurance of acceptation Heb. 10 22. 11.4 A promise believed most lively stirreth up to prayer 2 Sam. 7.27 Dan. 9.1 2 3 c. Ezek. 36.37 Gen. 32.9 The unchangeableness of Gods counsels and the stability of the promises yea and the fruits of our Lord Christs death do not dispense from the duty of prayer yea they are wrought for our good by his ordinance Num. 16.46 47. Quest 3. and Answ The Spirits illumination The Spirit enlightneth the eyes of the understanding experimentally to know the mystery of God who is the Father and of Christ It convinceth of sin and uncleanness abaseth all our righteousness sheweth the fountain for washing of guilt and filth sealeth reconciliation in the assurance of justification and adoption frameth the foul a new Creature to humble filial and sincere obedience and invocation it recovereth from-salls and comforts in affliction and carrieth the heart aloft in praises and thanksgivings c. Quest 4. and Answ N. 1. From the first Adam By one man sin entred into the world in whom all men have sinned Rom. 5. Mark there the sweet comparisons of the first and second Adam Again that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit John 3. Every man is born an ignorant Ass-colt born an Atheist and Idolatour born of a false worship an hypocrite a blasphemer and a profaner of Gods Name and Worship forgetfull and unmindeful and slighting Gods sanctified time of Worship born with a stubborn spirit against the duties of all religions born a murderer an adulterer a thief a false accuser and slanderer a covetous uncontonted person In all things the thoughts of mans heart is evil from his youth Therefore the Spirit testifieth that wear all born dead in sin and children of Wrath by nature But alasse How dully do we thinke of these things Ibid. N. 1. Became a second Adam David looked to the Tabernacle God would rear not such a one as was made with hands but from the similitude of that which was on earth he looked to the heavenly thinge themselves Faith did evidence to him things not seen David saith to God in Christ reconciling the world to himself wash me So the Apostles shew this washing and cleansing as from him that is from the beginning but manifested to be a second Adam to be seen selt and handled even for this great mercy 1 John 1.7 Apoc. 1.5 Tit. 3.5 1 Pet. 1.2 Ibid. N. 2. repair the lapses and decayes The just man falleth scaven times a day but he riseth again God will uphold that he shall not fall finally and David prayed for upholding Psalm 37.24 51.12 Pro. 24 16 and God doth uphold us in all our temptations that there will be an issue out of them Psalm 73.23 1 Cor. 10.13 N. 3. wâ—harawing or with holdâ— How much more shall the bloud of Christ who through the Eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God Heb 9 14 10.22 1 John 〈◊〉 20 21. N. 4 According to the Law We most hence learn to undervalue our best abilities and to be humbled for our exactest performances Therefore Christ ordained sacrifice for the sins of their holy offerings Deut. 16. And that the High Priest should bear the iniquity of their holy things which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts Exod. 28.38 And the Saints were sensible of this confessing we are all unclean and that all our righteousness is as filthy raggs Esay 64.6 if the best man dare not justifie his actions his actions cannot justifie him the most regenerate doth not what he would and should Rom. 7. a godly man sees cause to hate somewhat he doth in his best actions The Law of Christ Exod. 20. is more spiritual than the best man If we condemn our selves we justifie the Law that it is holy just and good N. 5. That it consisted in transgression forgiveness By the grace of forgiveness we stand justified from sin or we stand being made free from sin the Law maker may forgive sin and so doth but yet in the Mediatour and so we may stand Then being justified by faith we have peace toward God through our Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 5 1. This verse yea all the chapter is but an inference from the former doctrine in chap 3. of
and all other Prophets and Teachers in all their Synagogues which were very many had Sabbatical convocations and they preached upon Moses And there were divers Universities or Schooles of Prophets at Kiâ—jabjeâ—arim at Bethel at Jericho c. to educate young men for knowledge to teach this most noble and glorious doctrine of faith in the Son of God that should come into the world to make our flesh his Tabernacle Ibid All which do teach of Christ The holy Prophets Psal 50. Esay 53. 55 1 2. c. giving the people true Expositions of the Law shew that Christ is the end of all all priviledges of the Jewes and Gods own ordinances they not discerning or seeking Christ by faith in them were nothing nothing bread but Christ and in outward performances and bodily exercise to be most bountiful most exact accurate and unrebukable is a bestowing cost and pains and not for bread for all is but dung and doggs meat without Christ See how the Apostle urged this to the Jewes from Esay 55.1 2 3. Acts 1â— 38 39. read Mich 6.6 The Law of Moâ—es politie was not given that we should be justified ex opere operato by bodily exercise it was given for signification humiliation and direction that Christ might be our life without him it is a killing letter for so it is weak and â—e are weak But carnall Israel mistook the Law and so believed John 6. Their bodily exercise in eating Manna did not bring them into Canaan for they dyed in the desert And our Lord most heavenly draws all Moses to himself that he was the true Manna and was sent of the Father to be the true bread And there opens all the sacrifices that his flesh and bloud was the true sacrifice of which though now ascended by faith we must feed or dy and never come to the happy resurrection of the heavenly Râ—st And this was and is the heavenly Fathers will in the old and new Testament The spirituality of ordinances was cumbersome to them as to Kain Gen. 4. wherefore Christ in his wrath made them a snare to them and a stumbling block And this was the reason they hated Christ and his Apostles to the death Because Christ doctrine drove man out of himself and so all their labour to be lost for salvation seeking to enter in at the strait Gate and yet were not able Eccles 10.15 yea it is natural alass to us all to rest in outward performances as Kain and not to care for Christ the second Adam and the justification that is by the faith of Him The Ceremonial Law was weak to justifie Rom. 8.3 for it was impossible that the bloud of Oxen Goats washings c. could cleanse the conscience from the guilt and filth The moral could not justifie because we were weak nothing in us was able to do any thing to satisfy the justice of God and because the carnall heart of many being covered with a veil could not discerne Christ the end and intent of the Law yet they knew that they must labour one way or other to have peace with God and their own conscience they would thousands of Rams and thousands of Rivers of oyl and would be exact in outward doings for justification And they durst not touch about the spiritualness of the Law for it is the very pangs of death to understand the Law rightly Râ—m 7. Though sometime it could not be but the conscience was affrighted then they did busie themselves in outward acts of fasting praying almsdeeds washings c. to quier their heart And this was their Divinity and they were cursed by their censors that taught the Law otherwise The Pharisees are the true Fathers of the Popish company and we may very well yield the Papist antiquity because they talk much of antiquity even Esay 1. 58. yea higher Psalm 50. yea Gen. 4. in Kain who was the first that practised this doctrine The Phâ—risees thought Christ came to destroy the Law when he taught his holy doctrine he answered he came not to destroy but to fulfil it by orthodox exposâ—â—ions But they saw how it will go with them if Christs doctrine were received and they would rather kill him so it is now where the word of Christ is truly taught it makes the carnal heart mad and to persecute I did desire to remember these things often because of the cursed corruption of our nature who are so ready yea every mothers child of us to contend our selves without Christ and to rest in bodily exercise The Churcheâ— were warned of this evil springing in the Apostles times 1 Tim. 4â—8 And we have cause to fear that not only Papists but thousands of Protestants are leavened with this leaven of the Pharisees which is but hypocriâ—ie Quest 5. â—uâ— mine not the Moral I use the term Moral as godly Divines do because it is the holy Law of Christ that shall last for ever when the ceremonial was abolished And people must be taught that it is that which is called the form of sound doctrine of faith and love which is in Christ Jesus and we are to understand that the Son of God the Angel of Gods presence who hath the name of God in him who is very often called Ienovah he gave the Law as Mediator between God and man to train up his people in faith and love And all the Law and the Prophets are but expositions of the ten words therefore faith in Christ is taught in the Law as 1 Joh. 3.23 This is his commandment that we should believe in the name of his Son Iesus Christ and love one another as he gave commandement Again it is said when we carry our selves proudly and do not walk charitably one towards another we sin against Christ Rom. 14.1 Cor. 8. All relations in their obedience serve Christ Ephes 5.14 15. 6.5 6. Col. 3.24 1 Tim 6 3. Ibid. seek justification by doing This was the false doctrine of the concision and hath cast them off to this day see how sweetly the Lord Jesus calls them from this error Iohn 6.27 28. c. This is an idolatrous errour of all our hearts to be spiritual to come to God by faith in Christ and in our whole conversation so to be spiritual to come to God by faith in Christ and in our whole conversation so to walk as seeing him that is invisible as Hâ—bel as Mâ—ses and all faithful Oh how hard how impossible such a power of darkness and weakness is upon us O Lord God the way of man is not in himself till thou turn us from darkness to light from the power of Satan to thy self The glorious wisdom of Moses Law which standeth for the Marrâ—w still but not for the outward Sabbath circumcision Tabernacle and other rites of Levi. That Christ from the Law plagued the concision and made the Law held as their Table for the in â—ood 〈◊〉 succour them to be their snare unto death They would not
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
Tim. 6. another Scripture saith and through covetousnesse shall false Teachers with feigned words make merchandise of you 2 Pet. 2. And the souls of men was one kind of the vendible things in Rome-Babylons politic Apoc. 18.13 and here must be remembred their Pharisaicall Coâ—ban â—obbing all Churches N. 11. Images Old Babylon was a Land of graven Images and were mad upon their idols Jer. 50.33 Dan. 3. so mysticall Babylon Papists although plogued by the Turks warres would not repent of their idolatry Apoc. 9.20 as Israel Ezek. 16.26 Ibid. And killing of Kings For â—illing of Kings of whom they are jealous see a book of the State mysteries of the Jesuites that is translated out of French and dedicated to Sr. Tho. Penistone Knight and Baronet by Peter Gosselyn printed by G. E. for Nicholas Bourn Qui cum Iesu itis non itis cum Iesuitis the indoctrinated Iscariots of the world Ibid. Any Reformation See the history of Councell of Trent page 553. and all our godly mens labours by teaching and writing that all the reformed Churches may truly say of mysticall Babylon as the Saints said of old Babylon We would have healed Babylon but she is not healed forsake her and let us every one go into his own Countrey for her judgement reacheth unto heaven Jer. 51.9 All the godly writings and endeavours of the Reformed Churches shall rise up in judgement against them N. 3. Subâ—llties and lies See Sir Edwin Sands relations of his travels he shews their sleights in reports c. all histories and experience of Reformed Churches shew their plots and devises But Jethroes Speech doth comfort the Church Exod. 18.11 Subtle Hypocrites and Inventers of false Religion Christ will defeat all their counsels Job 5.12 13. read Mr. Cade of Popish policies lib. 1. p. 6. lib. 2. page 159. Ibid. N. 3. Great Whore Because of the multitude of the whoredomes of the well-favoured Harlot the mistresse of witchcrafts that selleth the Nations through her whoredomes and the familles through her witchcrafts The two Sisters followed the idolatryes of Ninive Neh. 3 4. 2 Kings 16. Ezek. 23.5 so did the Nations the glorious well-favoured Whore through her enchantments Apoc. 17.1 2 3 4 5. c. And the same plagues that came on the former shall come on this latter 2 Pet. 2.1 2. N. 4. a perfect Mountain of fire Where King Abaddons Locustâ— and subjects be maintained it will make that Kingdome a burning Aeâ—na The King of Locusts and his Locusts the great incendiaries of the World and all is to minister advancement to Popish interests They excite Princes against Princes yea Turks against Princes of Christendom and Princes against subjects c. Ibid. N. 4. Drew all the West for two hundred years Wo and alass it is to think of those miseries when presently after Apoc. 20.7 the tenth Century Satan was let loose That age was an unhappy age even as the Locust Genthrard spake and the Locust Bellarmine saith Never age more unlearned or unhappy Cited by Dr. Vsher in answer to a Jesuit pa. 7 Mr. Cade lib. 1. pa. 40. Ibid. 4. For the Low Jerusalem Christ had told that Jerusalem should be desolate so long as the Gentiles calling continueth even to the worlds end Marth 24 Luke 21. as he caused Moses to foretell Deut. 28.63 Num. 33.56 But the Pontificality the false Prophet to weaken Princes who would be deceived and not excell in Gods word as they most of all might do He caused them to go from England France c. men women and children to recover the cursed Land Compare the apostasie of Nimrod and the man of Sin in Israel with the apostasie of mysticall Nimrod the man of sin in the Christian Church and the miseries thereupon depending Far from Justice and Peace 2 Chron 15.3 4 5 6. How do men of power that are crafty and plausible draw men away from the Gospel of Christ Ibid. As of old God and Magog By God and Magog Apoc. 20. is meant all oppressours of the faithful Christians whether Turk or Pope â—s Michael our Prince captain of the Lords host calmed old Gâ—gs waves Daniel 12. So he will mysticall God and Magog Apocalyps chap. 10. 20. Quest 2 and answ It is the spiritual Supremacy The Locusts say such as submit not to the Popes supremacy do renounce Christianity Mr. Cade Justif lib. 1. pag. 98 If Satan had not mightily possessed mens hearts Rome the only place plainly cursed should not rule Religion But the rejected of God must strive where God warneth to do otherwise Mr. Bro. in Sinai Sight The Romists seeking to have Rome a peculiar Citieâ— do revive the shadow of the old Covenant for now we are not tyed to no one Mountain much less to Ahaddons City of seven Mountains John 4.21 And the name Catholick used of old in the Church destroyeth that opinion Catholica quâ—esse potest quae Romana diciâ—u And seeing the partition Wall is broken down between Jews and us why make they another partition between us and them Rome for this and all of that Synagogue are to be hâ—ld accursed till our Lord cometh for it is accursed And some of our Divines do little better than Judaize about the Jewes possessing Canaan and Jerusalem Ibid. Some points of truth conjoined The Whores cup of Fornications was gui'ded with some truths but filled with the waters and wine of Sodome and doctrines of Devils A Mystery By thy Witchcrafts were deceived all nations cauterized consciences speak lies through hypocrisie Apoc 18.23.1 Tim. 4. Ibid. Heresies and blasphemies And I saw a Woman sit upon a scarlet colâ—urâ—d Beast full of Names of blasphemy Their translations Psalters Rosaries c. shew this The Lord hath rebuked such Satans and still will Quest 3. and Answ Kings and Peoples and Multitudes c. Here you may behold a Roman Catholick here is their universality multitude unitie outward glory c. let them boast but rather let them tremble and consider Apoc. 13.8 17.8 They whose Names are not written in the Lambs book of life from the foundation of the world followed the beast Their Diets Councels Parliaments Synods c. were to inslave themselves to serve a Beast and blasphemous Whore a Witch c. God shall send them strong delusions to believe lies 2 Thess 2. Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the earth Serve Jehovah kiss the Son the Heir of heaven Psalm 2. Mat. 21.38 Hebr. 1.2 O ye Princes study your Kingdomes Principalities and your common-Weals O ye Nobles and Judges study to advance the Gospel the glory of any Nation that embraceth it and that walketh after it Oh be perswaded it is a good light and easie yoke 2 Chron. 12.8 ye are the chief Bishops from God and Pastors oh do not ye by negligence or transaction of your power to the unworthy cause the Lords flock to be scattered CHAP. XVII With Questions Answers and Annotations Concerning the
ceremonies which could not procure justification Acts 13.38 39 and 2 Cor. 3.3 must be understood to this effect The Letter killeth but the spirituall discerning Christ gave life the Letter onely was the ministration of death all were lively oracles in Christ as â—â—â—ephen witnessed and lost his life in that cause and that was the great controversie after the ending of the Seventy Sevens 19. Israel after the flesh and proselited Jews boasted in and trusted to exterior glories and so do at this day as Gods writing in the two Tables the Tabernaclâ— and Temple furnished with all dignity of matter and form and all their appendâ—nces doubtlesse the outward glory was great in these things of the Priesthood of Levi but when outward things were onely * See Exod 30. 12.1 Pet. 1.18 noted above prized esteemed and trusted in and that their hearts were so vailed that their worships terminated in the outward action then God left all in small regard and shook them all by Babel and abolished them by Rome and so all that outward glory was done away that Christ might be known to be the building in which God delighted to dwell and to take up his rest for ever Psal 132. Christ was the sacrifice in which God was well pleased Christ was far more glorious than all by Moses yea he was all in all and the glory of all But we must not think that the ministration that Christ ordained by Moses was simply the ministration of death and condemnation Is not the ministration of the Gospel under the new Testament the ministration of death and condemnation Doth it not savour death unto death to some as it savours life unto life to others So surely the Doctrine of life in Christ by Moses is the same after Moses had set down the sum of all the holy Doctrine of his Gospel Law Deut. 13.11.12 13 14. then saith he from Christ See I have set before thee this day life and good death and evill in that I command thee this day to love Iâ—â—â—vâ—h thy God to walk in his wayes c Deut. 30.15 16 c and in versâ— 19. it is said I call heaven and â—arth to record this day against you that I have set before you life and death blessing and cursing therefore chuse life that both thou and thy seed may live that thou mayest love Iehovah thy God that thou mayest ober his voice and that thou maist cleave unto him so he is thy life c. What is said more in the New Testament if any man love not Jehovah the Lord Iesus CHRIST let him be anathema 1 Co 16.22 c. and consider these Scriptures as relative to Moses John 3.35 36. and the speech of the son of consolation Acts 11. 23. Acts 28. with Isa 6. c. c. c. Therefore that speech 2 Cor. 3 is to batter down the errour of the concision who mis-understood mis-interpreted and so mis-believed the whole tenour of the Doctrine of Christ by Moses turning all his Doctrine of faith to be terminated in bodily exercise Our brethren would be exhorted to study the holy Scripture the errors of these times are impetuous but they shall not prevail long although they be driven on by the principalities and spirituall wickednesses of the powers of darknesse in all hellish fury And therefore again let us know the ministration of Christ by Moses was the Ministration of Justification to the Faithfull of the old Testament and the Gospel is not the Ministration of Justification to unbelievers and hypocrites in the new Testament but we are to consider the controversies of those dayes were marvellous that the Polity Christ gave by Moses should be abulished and the Apostles teaching of this was the chief cause of all their troubles and sufferings Gal. 6. Stephen so found CHAP. XXX Shewing further that Israel under Moses law was under a Covenant of grace 1. IN generall it is said You have I chosen above all people though all the earth be mine Take this speech how you will and still it was Grace 2 They were all redeemed or bought from Egypt by the blood of the Passeover Take this how we will it was grace in respect of the Apostate families so us redeemed from Satan and Satan dragon Caesars and from Satan-Dragon Popes It is true many despised the Lord that redeemed or bought them and so did we under the new Testament and still do wretches that we are 2 Pet. 2 1. Heb. 10.29 how ready for Apostasie 1 Tim. 4. c. But yet this Covenant of grace was not without effect to eternall life to many and the argument of the Apostle holds good in all generations Rom. 9 10 11. As Christ promised I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob and it is his memoriall to all generations to all of their faith whether Jew or Gentile 3. So by this if we mark well the processe of the holy story we may understand that the sons of Adam never were nor are plagued for not doing a Covenant of works but for despising Christ his Gospel and Kingdome That unexpressible plague of the confusion of tongues 2000 years came not but for despising Christ and his Kingdome and the Jews are cast off for this and to this day Turks and Papists are destroyed for the same and the ungodly and unrighteous in the Reformed Churches 4. They were under a Covenant of grace as much as any Reformed Church under the new Testament for all we may fear are not elect among the Churches finis operis did intend them all it did not exclude any from being under the covenant of grace to outward apprehension though finis operantis was for the elect as Moses speech Dâ—ut 29. ult would argue and so it is in all Reformed Churches No Nation but Israel were the houshold of faith and had the covenant of promise and enjoyed God and Christ Rom. 3 and 9. Ephes 2. and 3. therefore they were under a covenant of grace if they had not been in that state not one of them should have been saved and if they had been under a covenant of works for salvation they needed not to have been a Kingdome of Priests mark that speech in Epb. 1. We which first trusted in Christ that is we of Israel under the old Testament this is a most evident proof that they were under a covenant of grace 5. Examine well Exod. 19.4 Christ saith to Israel I have brought you to my self as the fathers had appointed him as Exod. 23 21.22 He saith the same Doctrine to us in the new Testament All things are delivered to me of my Father Mat. 11. and so it is shewed Christ made a covenant with them to be their God and to bring them to the Father to reveal the Father to them The Apostle prayeth that we may attain to comprehend the heighth depth length and breadth of the love of Christ and of his
that the Article of our Lords going to the joyes of God taught in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 should be taught people of suffering hell-torments that when we should be taught to understand Hades of heaven we have been instructed to understand it of hell but we hope it will be so no more to put darknesse for light and evil for good 3. But now of latter times some learned seeing the native meaning of the greek in the Article will neither justifie the translation nor the exposition that is made upon it and yet still they do labour to make the matter good about hell-torments and therefore they have endevoured by the Scriptures to fortifie that opinion which how orthodoxly they have done it is hoped men may have leave to examine which if it be denied then we shall transfer the infallibility of the Pontifician chair justly decried to them whom we know will not arrogate any such thing 4. Are Orthodox Churches so infallible in all things may not godly learned men utter unsound Doctrines and much miscarry in matters of sound judgement and application It is possible they may There were in times past three godly Divines none like them now on the earth yet they did not speak of God right things although they thought they spake in the behalf of God I will transcribe what is spoken of them 5. Hear now my reasoning and hearken to the pleading of my lips will you speak wickedly for God and talk deceitfully for him will ye accept his person will ye contend for God Is it good he should search you out Job will tell us that it is not good to defend Gods cause with an error pretending Religion or as one mocketh another do you so mock with him He will surely reprove you if you do secretly respect persons Shall not his excellency make you afraid and his dâ—ead fall upon you Your remembrances are like to ashes and your bodies to bodies of clay Hold your peace c. Job 1â— 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. They were holy men and spoke most excellently and we see by this that though they exalted Gods holy justice in their applications yet they spake not righteously as Christ testifieth for the comfort of his servants Job in chap. 42. Thus Job spake to his three friends and we hope we speak to friends and we doubt not but they will remember that we ought not to have the faith our glorious Lord Jesus Christ in respect of persons 6. And we hope our learned will say as Elihu What shall we say to him for we cannot order our speech by reason of darknesse Job 37. and they will acknowledge they know in part and prophesie in part and we hope they wil not be angry if we judge of what they say the Apostle would not be angry but said Judge ye what I say 1 Cor. 10. and we hope they will not deny but that they may know we will not say be instructed in the way of Christ more perfectly 7. May not godly Ministers now speak things not fitting about the sufferings of our Lord and Saviour as if any shall say that he sufferred the second death els we should have suffered it if any shall say he suffered Hell torments for the same reason If any shall say that the Son of God was not Christ for a time when he underwent the wrath of God Also if any shall say that in his agonie in the garden or upon the Crosse he did enter the lists to fight the great combate hand to hand with his angry Father c. c Are these speeches if any shall so say the Dialect of the holy Spirit in his holy Scriptures which he hath conveyed unto us by his infinite good and gracious providence Again if some good men shall have these passages that it was not the violence of his crucifying that cut off his life but the wrath and curse of God swallowed up his spirit and made his heart fail him and that his soul left the body in that agonie Thus if any shall say then one may inter that he felt not the love of God his Father before he yielded the Spirit but died in a cloud but we are taught of God Gen. 3.15 Psal 22 the cicle of ii that when the Seed of the Serpent was so busie in breaking the foot soal piercing the hands and feet of the * morning Star that he with an holy peaceable and quiet spirit as a sheep dumb before the shearer committed the cause to him that judgeth righteously and prayed Father forgive them for thy know not what they do And it is said in Psal 16. that he did alwayes behold the Lord his heavenly Father before him and that he was still at his right hand that he could not be so moved or disturbed in soul as some talk The world was made to shew principalities and powers and thrones and dominions the contrary that he would rule all his souls affections in an holy and glorious manner and by that Justice make a new world and that he the second Adam had power over his affections more than ever the first Adam he had power to trouble himself with grief and sorrow and to be affected with grief and sufferings from others and to rejoyce as he saw occasion he could rule his affections as he did the waves of the sea so far to go and no further such an holy Majesty appeared in all his Sufferings at all times but especially in his agonie in the garden and sufferings on the Crosse In all which he carried himself beyond the comprehension of men and angels And this doth more appear if we consider the sweet heavenly and calm conference he had with the repenting thief on the Crosse He that bade us possesse our souls in patience that so in all afflictions we might enjoy our selves he much more did enjoy himself by his patience and obedience and as David in type saith I waited patiently for the Lord and he enclined his ear unto me and saved him from the pit of tumultuous as flictions So the Lord Jesus was from the fear of death Heb. 6 5.7 Again he loved his enemies and did good to them that hated him and prayed for them and bade us so to do and to overcome evil with goodnesse thus the LORD ruled his affections and gives us grace for grace so to do as Stephen c. And in that agonie in the garden there was an angel from heaven strengthening and comforting the humanity so that he was neither forsaken as some understand forsaken of the Father nor of the holy Angels and if God had forsaken him what Angel durst come to comfort him That we may better understand the term forsaken The rich man we know was forsaken of God for he was in torments under the second death and therefore he might not have so much as a drop of water to cool his luxurious palate much lesse might he have an holy Angel
argue to them the birth of some noble and famous light even that Star of Iacob that should * Num. 24 â—id wonderfully expounded in 2 Cor. 10 4.5 unwall all the sons of Seth that was now come into the world and whither shotld they direct their journey and steer their course but thither the star guided them and that was to Iudea It should seem by the good hand of God that Daniel * As the Apostâ—e Paul did in Caesars Court Phil. 1.13 and 4.22 celebrating the cause of Christ by the angels seventy sevens at the City Susan where was the Royall Palace of the Kings of Persia Let these godl Authors be consulted with about those things Mr. Rollock Du Plessis Beroald Mr. Bro. Mr. wolphius and many others there were some that did expect continually the compleating of the seventy Sevens of which this celebrious Comet appearing gave them an undoubted hint For we are not to doubt but the seventy Sevens was a glorious Prophesie to lighten all the East And the Evangelist Luke ch 3.1 2 3. doth shew that he bringing in the Emperours annals into the Churches stories and John Elias Ministery to settle the stories of the times do make a sweet concent of all these things But to make things yet more plain it is said Luke 19. That the Nation of the Jews did expect * This scripture was spoken but few daies before our Lords death and resurrection the Kingdome of heaven should immediately appear according to the Prophesies of Dan. 2. and 7. and 9. no Prophesy shewed the time as Daniel and all falls our fit'ly according to the worlds expectation especially the Church of God 1. Mr. P. objecteth in page 52. If the restauration of the city Dan. 9.25 is of the materiall Jerusalem after Nebuchadnezzars captivity it must begin the first of Cyrus from which time seventy weeks of years will fully expire long before the birth of Christ Answ It is most true the seventy Sevens do begin at Cyrus first year of the reign of his monarchy In this Mr. P. saith true but to say they end long before the birth of Christ is a most manifest untruth for it is said they end at his confirmation of the Testament for the Many by his sufferings and death in the last Seven He must be born the Son of man before he could suffer death to redeem the sons of men I will stir no more in this for it is too too bad and that which hath been said will I hope make this assertion to vanish I am perswaded all the godly Churches in christendome hold MES-SIAS Yea Papists vide Cornelius a Lapide he hath many excellent passages on Dan. 9. but yet none but what the learned and godly reformed have and had yea more compleatly before him in Gabriels message to be the Son of God our Redeemer Scotland Heydelberg Geneva so doth and our dear native countrey by divers learned Expositers and in our Bible notes I think above eighty years since it is said In this last week of the seventy shall Christ come and preach and suffer death And a little after speaking of Christ confirming the covenant the note saith by preaching of the Gospel he confirmed his promise first to the Jews and after to the Gentiles And that Christ by his death and resurrection caused sacrifice and oblation to cease Are not we to mourn and lament that our ministers should thus deal to take us off from holding to the Messias the Rock of salvation as it was taught to Daniel by the holy Angel from heaven The Angel spake matter of salvation plain and fortified by Scripture and it is fortified also by learned Expositions recoived in all Orthodox churches but by Mr. P. is added much impertinent and false matter I will briefly recapitulate some things and let the people of God study the holy Scriptures and judge 1. The angel continueth the holy chronicle to the death of Christ Vide Mr. Bro. Advertis pag. Mr. P. breaketh it off altogether concerning that 2. The Angel nameth the Redeemer of the world Messias Mr. P. doth utterly deny that and will have Zisca the Bohemian to be his Messias 3. The Angell saith Messias shall confirm the convenant for many that is for the elect of all Nations both Jews and Gentiles Mr. P. telleth us of a covenant that Antichrist shall make with his antichristians and their favourites page 62. and 63. 4. The Angel prescribed for our Lord his preaching three years and an half and that is the compasse of the Evangelist Marks Gospel and of the Evangelist Iohn as it hath been noted by old and later writers by four Paschata's that is by four Passeovers which he kept after his Baptisme to his last Supper which proveth that publick administration of his office to be three years and an half or the half seven See Dr. Lightfoots harmony All this Mr. P. disgraceth 5. The Angel taught how long Ierusalem should be an holy City for use of sacrifice and how long Israel onely should be Cods holy people and peculiar treasure namely from the time of Daniels prayer seventy Sevens were exactly accounted for his people and the holy City But Mr. P. taketh from the Church which God hath gathered from the Gentiles these meditations c. c 6. Some ancient principall Rabbines confesse that by Messias Christ the Redemer is meant Mr. Bro. on Dani. Christians that dare put forth books to deny this against the honour of Christian name should think that here they do not well and Christians should loath such Treatises even as the godly converted did their books at Ephesus and account them and make them anathema as the Prophesies of Achab and Zedekias Much more might be said of Mr. P. Expositions of Dan 9. and of all his book It is said by the great Rabâ—oni the Lord Christ We be to the world because of offences and Mr. P. must yea he will lay it to heart yea it is marvell that the godly Teachers of new England did not question him for it in some of their Synods they have not convented a Synod for a greater matter than the agitation which that Book called for and I hope some godly and more learned men will consider of that book especially about Dan. 9. and by the fire of sound judgement consume it as hay stubble and rotten wood and Gods day shall declare it that that work is worthy of no better an end 1 Col. 3. CHAP. XLIX A Conclusion of the point of Chronologie 1. IT hath been observed that the holy Spirit of endlesse wisdome and foresight hath perfectly made up the holy Chronologie of the old Testament and that the seventy Sevens doth that by ending the Chain of Jubilees and all the ceremonies in the death of Messias 2. The first coming of Christ was most needfull to be known for the assured comfort of Jew and Gentile Little did Mr. P. consider the
Adversaries Surely there is an Aelohim that judgeth in the Earth Psal 58.13 2. From the Attribute or Title Jehovah we may learn 1. That Jehovah is the onely true God for this Attribute signifies one that hath Being of himselfe and that gives Being to every Creature and that can take away their being at his pleasure and therefore it is an incommunicable Attribute for none hath being of himself but he alone 2. There is none that can give being to all other things but he alone 3. None can take away the Being of all other things but he alone But for the better understanding of the large signification of this Attribute see Ains in Psâ—l 83.19 and in Gen 2.4 and in Gen 6.3 and in Gen. 15.2 and in Numb 6.24 and in Levit. 24.16 2. This Attribute may be a sufficient ground of encouragement to such as the Lord is pleased to call forth to do any difficult service as for example when it pleased God to call Moses to go on his Embassage to persecuting Pharoah he was of himselfe unwilling because of his inability of speech But Christ Jesus said unto him in Exod. 4.11 Who hath made the mouth of man or who maketh the dumb or the deaf or the open eyed or the blind have not I Jehovah therefore go now and I will be with thy mouth c. And in like sort Christ shewed himself to be Jehovah when he said unto his Disciples in Luke 21.15 I will give you a mouth and wisdome which all your adversaries shall not be able to gain say or resist and hence we may also gather that that Jehovah which spake unto Moses was the Son of God the Angell of Gods presence and so Christ must be still understood to be called Jehovah from Exod. 3. to the end of Deuteronomy 3. After that Moses had been discharged and by Pharaohs threatning both against him and against Aaron in Exod. 5. then the Lord did still encourage Moses by this Attribute in Exod 6.2 saying unto Moses I am Jehovah as if he had said in more words be not discouraged but go for I will now in vers 8 give a being of performance to that promise which I formerly made to Abraham that I would give unto him the land of Canaan 4. This Artribute is for terrour to all persecutors of Gods people for Christ is Jehovah that gives a being to the performance of all his promises and of all his threatnings he told Moses in Exâ—d 6.6 I am Jehovah I will bring you out from under the burthen of the Egyptians and I will redeem you with a stretched out arme and with great judgments And thereupon he bad Moses say to Pharaoh in Exod. 7.17 Thus saith Jehovah In this thou shalt know that I am Jehovah Behold I smite with the Rod that is in my baâ—d upon the waters which are in the River and they shall be curned into blood And in Exod. 8.1 Thus saith Jehovah Send aâ—ay my people if thou refuse to send them away behold I will smite thy borders with Frogs that thou mayest know as verse 10. that there is none like Jehovah our God And in verse 20. Say to Pharaoh thus saith Jehovâ—h send away my people or else I will send conjoyned swaâ—mes upon thee and upon thy servants and upon thy people And in verse 22. There shall be no such conjoyned swarmes in Gashen that thou mayest know that I am Jehovah And thus after this sort did Jehovah Christ give a being to his threatnings and though Jesus Christ did suffer Iannes and Iambres to resist Moses in the execution of his miracles with their counterfeit miracles for a time yet at last Christ Jesus did not suffer them to courterfeit all the miracles of Moses and thereby he made their madness namely their mad zeale evident 2 Tim. 3 8. 5. This Attribute is for instruction to all Gods people to take speciall notice of the powerfull actings of this Jehovah for his people and against their adversaries for as it is in Exod. 10.1 lehovah said unto Moses Go in unto Pharaoh for I have made his heart heavy and the heart of his servants that I may set these my signes in the midst of them and that thou mayest tell it in the eares of thy son and of thy sons son c that yee may know that I am Iehovah The like arguing is in Psal 78.5.6 c. and the like is in Exod. 6.6 Say unto the sons of Israel I am Iehovah I will bring you out from under the burthens of the Egyptians And in verse 7. I will take you unto me for a people and I will be to you a God and yee shall know that I am Iehovah your God 6. This Attribute is prefixed and affixed to the ten Commandements in Exod. 20.2 for the comfort of them that are in Covenant with God and that keep his Commandements by faith in Christ and for the terror of such as transgresse his Commandemants through the want of faith in Christ for no other obedience is acceptable but that which is mixed with faith 7. This Attribute Iehovah is often pressed upon the people of Israel that were in Covenant with God that they may walk in holinesse as a people in Covenant ought to do as in Levit 18. and in Levit 19. and often elswhere as a band to tye them to yeild all holy obedince to all Gods Lawes both to his Ceremoniall and Iudiciall Lawes as well as to the Decalogue and therefore obedience to all the Ceremoniall Laws is enforced on this ground Because I am Iebovah your God and in Levit. 11.44.45 You shall not make your selves unclean by any câ—eeping thing that moveth upon the earth for I am Iehovah that bringeth you up out of the Land of Egypt to be a God unto you and yee shall be hoâ—y at I am holy And this duty is also urged on the faithfull dispersed Iewes in the new Testament 1 Pet. 1.15.16 3. From the Attribute Elion the most High 1. We may learn not to be daunted with the big looks of such as do oppose us in a good Cause and therefore Melchisedek did most pertinently use this Title of God in his blessing to Abraham He called him the most High namely over his Enemies the foure Kings when he returned with Victory over them Gen. 14.18 And then also Abraham told the King of Sodom in verse 22. That he had lift up his hand unto Iehovah Ael Elion The Lord God most High the Possessor of Heaven and Earth that he would not take any thing that was his 2. The like instruction we may learn from this Attribute in the form plurall Elionin Eccles 5.7 Mr. Bro. reads it thus If the oppression of the poor and robery of Iudgment and Iustice thou do behold in a Country marvell not at the matter for an higher then the high one doth mark and there be high above them namely Elionin the high Trinity as his Marginall Note is 3.
Popes rising to his Antichristian Hierarchy is first described compare with the seven Phials in chapter 16. under which the Antichristian Hierarchy doth fall is consumed by degrees p 261 Vnlearned Schollers that affected Superiority in the severall Centuries after Constantines time turned all to ambition and heresie and polititians to prophanesse p 262 There shall be persecution from the seed of the Serpent in one place or other as long as the Church remaineth in this world notwithstanding all that is alledged for Christs glorious personal reign here on earth p 266 None of the Phials is poured on the Turks Tyranicall Kingdome p 267 Chap. 19. The dead bones in Ezek 47. must not be understood of the Jewes câ—ling after our Times But onely of their return from Babel p 2â—7 The calling of the Jewes yet to come shall be in all places of their dispersion â—269 The Jewes do hope for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and do pray daily for their return to Canaan and many Christians do Judaize with them in teaching their return thither and to be a glorious Church there again p 269 Chap. 20. Of the two sticks in Ezek. 37. in confutation of them that say It is not yet fulfilled that Ephraim was joyâ—ed to Judah in the return from Babylon p 271 178 Also some observations on Zach. 2. Zach 8. Zach 9 10 11. chapters p 271 Chap 21. Of the Jewes calling that Zach 12 13 14. chapters cannot be applied to the Jewes calling yet to come as many Ministers dâ— too unadvisedly teach p 284 Chap 22. Expounding Zach 12.10 11 12 13 14. verses The subservient Typicall Covenants of works after some time was made such an Idol of Justification by the Jewes that it made them despise Messias the King and his justification p 288 Chap 23. Expounding Zach 12.19 11 12 13 14. with Zach 14.10.11 c. p 291 Chap 24. Gog and Magog in Ezek 38. Ezek 29. must be taken properly but God and Magog in Apoc. 20. must be taken in a mysticall sense p 294 179 Corporation-speeches must be marked for the right accommodation of the true sense of the blessed Scriptures p 298 Chap. 25. Some Observations on Jeremiâ—h 30 31 32 33 chapters p 299 Chap. 26. That the Covenant of grace made with Israel in Dan. 29. is the same that God made with Israel in Exod 20 and the one is no more a Covenant of works than the other p 301 Chap. 27. Short Collections out of Genesis Job and some part of Exodus shewing that the Gospel was taught among the faithfull before Moses wrote the same 304 alias misprinted 296 The Sabbath was a sign of Sanctification to them by the death of Christ p 304 alias 297 296 In Moses and the Prophets holy Convocations are called the presence of God p 298 alias 305 p 36 Chap. 28. Of Divine Tradition p 302 From the Creation till Israels coming from Egypt or from the promise of Christ in Gen. 3.15 till the Passeover in Egypt is 2513 years in which space of time the Church had not the written word but was taught by Tradition Chap. 29. Being an answer to them that say that the polity of Christ given to Moses was not a Covenant of grace p 306 Chap. 30. Shewing that Israel under Moses Law were under a covenant of grace p 313 Finis operis intends all that live under the visible Church as once all the world had a being under the Church in Adams dayes and under Sem none are excluded from being under the Covenant of grace to outward apprehension though finis operantis is for the elect as Moses speech shews in Deuth 29.29 p. 314 Divers brief Arguments to prove the Jews under Moses Law were under a covenant of grace p. 315 Chap. 31. A Prosopopeia of Solomons fall by granting liberty of conscience to his idolatrous Wives p. 316 Chap. 32. Brief Considerations about Sheol Gehenna and especially about Hades as it relates to the Article of the Creed he descended into hell p 328 Chap. 33. Of the phrase of Abrahams Bosome p 335 Faithful Factors need not fear to be called home from forreign parts so when the good servants were called to give an account for their trading by the Talents they feared not p 336 Comforts to the godly against the fear of death p 336 337 Chap. 34. Some propositions and expostulations concerning the true nature of Christs sufferings p 338 Job doth tell us that it is not good to defend Gods cause with an Error pretending Religion p 339 The second Adam had power over his affections more then ever the first Adam had in his Innocency for he had power to trouble himself with grief and sorrow which Adam in innocency had not p 340 Christ in his sufferings was not under Gods vindicative wrath for one minute of an hour p 840 341 The assertion That our Lord suffered Hell torments in this life in his soul or in his body appeareth not true by any Scripture p 341 In Heb 9 14 15. Christ offered himself by his eternall Spirit c. That by means of death for Redemption c. This death cannot be expounded of the second death because it is compared with the bodily death of such as do thereby confirm their Testaments p 341 A just reproof of them that affirm That Christ in his sufferings did combate hand to hand with his angry Father p 343 Chap 35. Observations upon that distinction which some make between a locall and a poenall Hell which Poenall Hell some say Christ suffered p. 345 Some say Christ suffered a poenall Hell out of a locall Hell they say Locall Hell is but a circumstance they may as well say That the glorious place of heaven is but a circumstance and so in this sense all created things in respect of God are but circumstances p 345 Our old English Saxon word Hell doth not answer to Hades but to Gehenna Hell which our Ecclesiasticks must cleer p 346 Christ underwent a poenall Hades in this world but not a poenall Gehenna p 346 Chap 36. Observations on the second death which some say Christ suffered p 347 When Christ was in his sad Agony in the Garden there was an Angel from heaven to strengthen him which doth evidence that he was not then under the second death for if he had then it had been impossible for an Angel or for all the Angels in heaven to strengthen him p 348 If Christ had suffered the second death which is indeed the Effect of the Essentiall wrath of God he could not have said My God my my God why dost thou leave me And Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit c. p 348 When did our Lord suffer the second death was it before his bodily death We know by divine Revelation that the second death is after the first or else if we by our wit and learning will affirm the contrary we shall destroy Gods order p 348 The Doctrine