that it is not found in the Creation of God it is a ground to judge that it is of the creation of man a vain imagination of man for their reasons prove it not nor do they agree amongst themselves of the proof of it neither where it is nor what it is 2. Solomon was wiser than all men 1 King 4. 36. yet he spake not any thing of the torments of Hell nor of any punishment never to end he spake from the Cedar to the Hysop he spake also of beasts and fouls of creeping things and of fishes v. 33. if he had known of any Hell and torments there he would have spoken of that also 3. The Jews unto whom were committed the Oracles of God Rom. 3. 2. to give unto us they have delivered no such thing to us nor do they believe any such thing for the Hebrew Doctors understand the seventh day of seven thousand yeares which is in the world to come hee blessed because in the seven thousand years all souls shall be bound up in the bundle of life in the world to come Ainsworth on Gen. 2. a Day with the Lord is as a thousand yeares 2 Pet. 3. 8. the Jewes say as the world was made in six dayes so it should continue six thousand yeares and no more and that the seventh day is the seven thousand yeares in the world to come in which all souls shall be blessed also they say a good man and a bad man died afterwards one in a vision saw the good man walking in Gardens among pleasant fountaines of water but the bad man near a River and his tongue reaching after water but could not reach it Talm. Jerus in Chag fol. 77. Col. 4. in that these things are received among them for truth though they be but Jewish Fables yet by them we see evidently that they do not believe the opinion of a torment after this life never to end the Jewes and Hebrew Doctors were great searchers of every tittle of Scriptures and if it had been there to be seen they or their Prophets should have seen it 4. The Saints recorded in Scripture did not believe that there was to be a punishment for any to endure never to end this appeareth because when they made a confession of sin and the punishment due to them for the same they do not confesse to have deserved any such punishment they confesse to us belongs confusion of face Dan. 9. 8 11. its the Lords mercy we are not consumed Lam. 2. 22. thou hast delivered me from death Psal. 116. 8. 2 Chron. 8. 1 10. Nor do we find that they did ever give thanks for any such deliverance if they had known of any such deliverance it could not but appear the greatest deliverance any could enjoy and that it did require the greatest acknowledgment and thankfulnesse nor doth it appear that ever they did pray for or express any desire of any such deliverance in that they express neither it is a ground to judge that they knew of no such punishment and if there had been any such deliverance they should have known it it should not have been hid from them they admired the deliverance of saving their lives from death as the greatest deliverance Ezek. 9. 13 14. the kindness of the Lord not to die 1 Sam. 20. 14. Do you believe that if Moses and Paul had believed that there was so great and exceeding torment without end that in the least they would have wished or desired to be rased out of the book of life Exod. 32. 33. and to be separated from Christ Rom. 9. 3. to endure the said torment without end I do not believe that they were willing so to suffer 5. Christ when on earth spake of the destruction of Jerusalem which was to come and wept because they were to suffer that Luk. 19. 42 44. he would much more have spoken of a punishment never to end and wept for them that should suffer that if there had been any punishment for any to endure 6. Because when God doth warn any from sin from the consideration of punishment there is no mention of any punishments but of those in this life See 1 Cor. 10. 1. to 11. they shall die of grievous deaths Jer. 6. 4. 2. Chro. 19. 10. 1 Cor. 4. 14. death threatned Ezek. 3. 18 19. 33. 3. to 14. Titus 3. 10 11. confounded that serve Graven Images Psal. 98. a punishment in this life Jerem. 9 19. death for Idolatry Jer. 44. 7. the punishment of Idolatry set for an example 2 Pet. 2. 6. be instructed lest my soule depart from thee I make thee desolate because of thy sins Mich. 6. 13. see Jer. 9. 11. abomination that makes desolate Dâ—n 3. 20. he turned the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned theÌ„ with an overthrow making them an example 2 Pet. 2. 5 6 7. he that threatned death would have threatned a punishment never to end if there had been such a punishment to be inflâ—cted upon any 7. Because Gods punishment of sinne is not of so large an extent as his mercy for his punishing of sinne is but to the third and fourth Generation Deut. 7. 9. thy mercy is great above the Heavens and thy truth unto the skies Pâ—al. 108. 4. by Truth in this place understand the punishing of sinne because the word Mercy is put in opposition which lieth in forgiving sinne the Heavens are far above the Skies Astronomers say the clouds and skies are not above fifty miles above the earth but the Heavens are above a hundred and sixteen millions of miles above the skies but the mercy-seat above Exod. 25. 21. his name is his glory his glory above the Heavens Psal. 8. 1. Why is it said he punisheth the iniquity of the father upon the children to the third and fourth Gâ—neration and not to the tenth and twentieth Generation but to declare that his justice is satisfied therewith and requireth not a further punishment God doth punish sin in the sinner and upon his children to the third and fourth Generation but because there is not to be a punishment after this life never to end 8. Because death and the fear of it is called the terror of God Gen. 35. 3. the King of terrors Job 18. 11 14. therefore death is the greatest punishment and most terrible but if there were to be a punishment never to end not death but that were the King of terrors for death is not terrible at all in comparison of that 9. Because sin is punished in this life to the full if you will believe God he saith according to their works and doings I punished them Ezek. 36. 18. Hâ—s 12. 2. 13. 11. Jer. 50. 25. 56. 18. Jer. 9. 9 11. Job 20. 28. every transgression received a just recompence of reward Heb. 2. 2. would ye have it to be punished to the full in this life and after in the world to come with a punishment never to
expounds it so the word in the Greek is an adversary of the Law Pro. 6. 3. Luk. 12. 38. mention is made of the Magistrate Gaoler which are terms and offices properly fitting the buâ—iness of this life a like place is Mat. 18 34. to understand Luk. 5. of their hell doth imply free will and falling from grace and that suffering in hell is a satisfaction and payment of the debt they will confesse in hell there is no Gaol-delivery nor any redemption therefore it suits not to their purpose it is conceived that hell is deep within the earth reason concludes it must needs be dark the grave is called the Land of darknesse Job 10. 21. 22. the cruelty of the enemy is called thick darkness Joel 2. 1 to 14. the Greek Poets say it is dark they compare the darknesse thereof to a certain Territory that lieth between Baiae and Cumae where the Cimeria inhabit so invironed with Hills that the Sun never came to it wherupon the Proverb comes darker then the darknesse of Cimeria but the chief cause is because they are in darkness without the light of the word for darkness is in this life we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness Job 38. 19. where no light is there is utter darkness when the eye is evil the whole body is full of darkness Mat. 6. 23. the dâ—rk places of the earth full of cruelty Ps. 74. 20. ignorant men are in the dark and full of works of darknesse Romans 13. 12. that would have others tormented with cruel tortures and death because not of their opinion in Religion all unconverted men are in darknesse they are of the night 2 Corinth 6 14. Gen. 5. Christ is the light and Saints are the children of the light what communion hath light with darknesse 2 Cor. 4. 14. Darkness covered the earth till Christ the light came to give light to them that sate in darkness Isa. 61. 12. Luc. 1. 79. who hath delivered us from the power of darkness Col. 1. 13. who hath called us out of darknesse into his marvellous light 1 Pet. 2. 9. The people that sate in darknesse saw a great light and to them that sate in the region shadow of death light is sprung up Mat. 4. 16. ye were sometimes darkness but now ye are light in the Lord Eph. 5. 8. The chains of darkness are not material chains but so called because they are fast in darkness and cannot get out the Law worketh wrath when that cometh into a dark and ignorant soul it causeth weeping and gnashing of teeth Luk. 13. 28. â—eing sad and comfortlesse Of burning the Tares Mat. 13. 30. Is at the end of the world verse 39. The Tares are the wicked the Harvest is the end of the world by which it appeares the wicked with the earth shall be consumed by fire 40 42. 2 Pet. 3. 7. Is any so weak as to imagine the earth will ever burn and never be consumed I have seen one burned to ashes in an houre in our cole fire they say our fire is but painted fire to that in Hell if so then it will of necessity follow that so much as that fire is hotter than our fire so much sooner shall the body be burnt and consumed in that more fierce and terrible fire The wrath to come 1 Thes. 1. 10. 35. 9. The late Annot. Bible say they were to fill up a full measure of their own and fathers sins because God intended to sweep them away by the hand of the Romans to cut them off by a temporall death which was the wrath to come to fill up their sins for the wrath is not shall come upon them to the uttermost 1 Thes. 2. 16. We are by nature the children of wrath that is liable to wrath inward and outward Thy wrath lieth hard on me Ps. 88. 7. The wrath of God is the hiding of his face Isa. 54. 8. Outward wrath is temporall destruction he cast upon them the fierceness of his wrath Ps. 78. 49. destroyed them Deut. 7. 10. Lev. 10. 6. Jos. 9. 20. 22. 20. Numb. 19. 40. Ezek. 3. 7. 2Chr 19. 10. Psal. 90. 6. Of the word Cursed It is to be barren so the Earth Figtree were cursed Mat. 11. 2. It is to be a servant of servants Gen. 9. 25. Josh. 9. 23. to want prosperity Deut. 28. 16 17 18 19. Mal. 22. to die a violent disgracefull death 2 Kings 2. 24. Deut. 21. 23. to be a Fugitive a Wanderer Ps. 59. 12. to eat in sorrow Gen. 3. 17. to endure pain and hardship 14. Lev. 11. 42. Of eternall Damnation The word damned Mar. 16. 16. 2 Thes. 22. Rom. 14. 23. in Greek is judged Damnation is Judgement eternall Damnation is eternall Judgement a Judgement is a Sentence the Sentence is to a second death called Eternal because it is not to be reversed The word Reprobate Is in the Greek of no judgement a reprobate mind is a mind void of judgement see Râ— 1. 28. 2 Tim. 3. 8. Tit. 1. 16. See the â—otes in the margin Of the word Fire Fire is put for fiery trials 1 Pev 4. 12. inward troubles fire in my bones Lam. 1. 13. 2. 4. the tongue is a fire 2 Sam. 3. 6. 5. 2. his word is fire Ier. 23. 29. Gods Spirit fire Mat. 3. â—1 bapâ—ized with fire 1 Cor. 10. 2. God is a consuming fire â—eb 13. last Bellarmin and Bâ—llinger and others say the fire of Hell is materiall fire kindled with wood and alledge for it Isa. 30. 33. Isa. 66. 24. the fire of Hell is true and substantiall fire kept under the earth to puâ—ish withall saith Tertullian The fire of hell cannot be corporal fire for these reasons 1. Our fire is corporal they say our fire is but painted fire a shadow to that therefore it is not corporal fire 2. Corporal elementary Fire is light and enlightneth the place where it is in Hell they say is utter darkness if so the Fire of Hell is not corporall Fire 3. Corporal Fire consumes speedily all combustible matter cast into it they say the Fire of Hell ever burneth and never consumeth that cast into it therefore it is not corporal Fire 4. They say the Fire of Hell is invisible then it is not corporal for that which is corporal may be seen 5. Corporal Fire may be quenched the Fire of Hell they say is unquenchable therefore it is not corporal 6. Corporal Fire goeth out without wood theirs not therefore not corporal 7. They say the Fire of Hel is eternal if so it is not corporal corporal Fire is seen things seen are not eternal 8. They say the absence of God is the greatest torment in Hel corporal Fire is a greater torment to the body than the absence of God Lastly corporal Fire cannot work upon a Spirit the Devils are Spirits therefore cannot be tormented with corporal Fire saith Willet Synops page 1023. to say God is able to make
the undoubted word of God there can be no errour but in the translation there are and may be errours the Bâ—ble translated therefore is not the undoubted word of God but so far onely as it agreeth with the Original the writings of the prophets and Apostles and in as much as our English translation as he saith is not the undoubted word of God what is that preaching worth that is proved by it the false glosses and interpretations which are put upon the scriptures by men learned in the languages who have made inconsiderate and bold assertion without proof in not keeping to the true and proper signification of the words thereof hath caused many errours and great trouble and confusion they put the word LUCIFER for the day-star Isa. 14. 12. They have forsaken the fountain and digged to themselves cisterns as Jer. 2. and we see the people are willing to give up themselves to a Ministry of fables 2 Kings 4. 4. 2 Pet. 1. 16. that makes the scriptures say and unsay which being interpreted is to make them say just nothing the force of education and the custome the country-men live in is such as ordinarily ingageth them to a prejudice and evill opinion against all principles contrary thereunto though of divine inspiration hence the Papists Turks and severall sorâ—s of Protestants cry down and censure each others judgment and opinion as abominable Errour Heresie and Blasphemy The third Pillar that upholds hell torments are fond Expositors that interpret sheol for hell-torments so Dr. Fulk calls them in his defence pag. 90. I would know why interpreters understand and translate a hell of torments from the Hebrew and Greek as is not in them as themselves confesse as hath been shewed they will take sheol figurâ—tâ—vely and say by Tophet hell is figured which is a fancy a fable and delusion that is strong in many that expound scripture without sense or reason it is as improper to interpret sheol for a place of torment as to interpret the word house to signifie a horse the scripture is not of private interpretation a sense arising out of the brain of an interpreter is a private interpretation and as the Scriptures are not of man but of the holy Spirit so the interpretation of them is not to be of man but of the holy spirit oracles signifie the answer of God Rom. 3. 2. see John 12. and how readest thou Luke 10. 26. to interpret words figuratively that are to be understood literally and words literally that are to be understood figuratively is licencious and destructive to the faith of the Gospel we are not to interpret any place figuratively unless that figurative sense be expressed in a plainer place of scripture if a man will have an erroneous perswasion whatsoever the scripture saith to the contrary he will have it to be a figurative sense they will be left in the clouds of their own perswasion so instead of proving their hell of torments never to end by the scriptures Ruffinus and others say they that will not believe it shall seal it which is no proof but a meer shift as very a lye as Nurses use to still children by telling them of a great Bulbegger and that a man will come downe the chimney and carry him away but not any but children and fools will be scared with such Bulbeggers The fourth pillar that upholds their Hell-torment is the consent of their Preachers their learned and godly men agree herein but their weak and various and uncertain grounds declare that they have not studied the point but when teachers and hearers are ignorant any thing will serve and pass for truth the simple believe every word all sorts of Priests agree and abuse the people the Mahometan Priests blow a powder into their eyes that come to see Mahomet hang that maketh theÌ„ quite blind that for ever after they are led and the Priests say that the glory of the sight of Mahomet is so great that it taketh away their sight for ever after and about Easter-time for ten dayes there is great joy about a great fire for their Priest Mahomet and those that cast themselves into the fire and are burnt to death are counted Martyrs and once a year the tomb of Mahomet is carried abroad upon a cart and his Priests say that those that put themselves under the wheel of that cart and are crushed to death they say to dye Martyrs and some are so simple to do so that so they may dye Martyrs so the antichristian-priests and aâ—l sorts of Priests have greatly deluded and deceived the people blowing something into their eares that for ever after they are not able to hear and receive the truth but as M. Beza did detest the Papists Limbus and purgatory so do I their dreams of hell it being a device of man without scripture with all their uncertain brain-sick fancies for the imaginations of men have no end The 5. pillar of hell is their wresting the scripture to uphold their hell of torments this cozeneth and deceives many under colour of divine authority when it s but humane though they are not pleased publickly to say so because it streams not to their purpose the Scriptures they alledge to prove it is above considered if any say I wrest Scripture I appeal to the learned in the Languâ—ges for to them concerneth the decision of the signification of words who as I have shewed testifie with me The sixth pillar of Hell is their Arguments and Reasons they bring to prove Hell-torments which have been considered The seventh pillar of Hell is a strong Perswasion that is in men that the believing Hel-torments is a great means to leave sin and to live a holy life and the not believing Hel-torments is a means to commit all sin with greedinesse and to live as they list for they say men live as though there were no Hell Carnal hearts of men taketh offence of every thing except the Law of Workes doing to be saved the Doctrine of Eleâ—tion Gods free Grace and Salvâ—tion only and alone by Christ without Woâ—kes Rom. 4. 6. is changed to be one of the greatest Doctrines of liberty to â—in that ever was and is by the ignorant made a stumbling-block and rock of offence and a cause of carelesness in many Ludovick said if I be saved I be saved If I be damned I be damned the Papists say if good works save us not to what purpose shall we doe them then we may live as we list if we be appointed to life we shall be saved though we sin never so much if we sin we have an Advocate 1 Joh. 2. 1. not any thing can separate us from the love of God Rom. 8. if we be not appointed to life we cannot be saved though we should doe never so much good ye see how this truth is turned to wantonnesse the Apostle exhorts not to turne this grace of God into wantonness Rom. 6. 1. 15. the corrupt