keys of Christs authority well then light of truth he taught to the opening of the kingdome of heaven and to glorifie Christ but apostating with the keys of the Dragon and his own authoritie he let out of the pit a smoak of heresies to corrupt the earth and to darken Sun and air Christ the Sun of Justice and his Mediation and the Scriptures by which light cometh to our eyes So in all this he is not a Star of Heaven nor a Messenger of the Congregation of God but Apolluon a King of Pit-darknesse 4. In that the Holy Spirit gives the King of Locusts the appellation of Apolluon it was to teach the sealed of God that all his Politie his Lawes crossing common reason his mass his idolitry his (c) Especially on Gen. 3.15 translating she for he false translating of Scripture his false litigious rules of faith his false miracles lying signes and wonders (d) Mr. Calvin and others write of their Reliques forged reliques his reviving of Aarons office and ceremonies (e) As eloquent and learned Viretus in his Christian disputations hath shewed so also a book of the three conformities and heathenish customes and fables c. c. that all tendeth to eternal destruction so he is another Apollo a Devil of Delphos destroying all such as spake at his mouth QUest 4. How are his Locusts described Answ 1. Out of the smoke of the Pit the Popes Clergy ariseth They be Locusts for their Great swarms and idle bellies bred from the pit fruges consumere nati to consume the fruits of other mens labours Millions of Monks and Friars c. void of all actions for Political use are fitly compared to Locusts 2. They be as Scorpions having stings in their Tayls shewing they be false Prophets by close-poisoning and terrifying doctrine to sting and vex inthral and torment the hearts and minds of men 3. They are for the Wars which they are their king cause and make and for strengthning and defending their own authority and doctrine as horses (f) This is too manifest ever since the Bishop of Rome got the Supremacy by the Murderer Phocas ready for battel with wings of Chariots with Breast-plates of iron Also they have teeth of Lions to devour all and to hold fast that which by fraud our violence they have once gotten 4. They would seem to have no secular power yet their dealings shew they wear Crowns like Gold as hating Gods ordinance of Magistracy How have they and Abaddon their king contested against Princes how have they given the affront to the greatest Potentates c. c. 5. For private State in pretence they are said to have faces of men for cloyster keeping and womanly-life and for many of women-sex in their orders they are said to have hair like women This denoteth also their counterfeit modesty and simplicity and alluring inticements by good words and fair speeches deceiving as Balaamites the hearts of the simple to spiritual fornication 6. They are three unclean spirits like frogs spirits of Devils that come out of the mouth of the Dracon and out of the mouth of the Beast and out of the mouth of the false Prophet from whom they have commission to creep into kings Courts to teach and persâ—ade by false miracles and froggy slimy unclean doctrines of devils to ignoble and dangerous attempts cruel and tyranical projects c. But their croaking hath not that event for their purpose under the Phials as under the Trumpets These notes all agree most fitly to the Roman Catholicks QUest 5. How furthermore hath the holy Spirit described Rome in its abominations Answ By the arms that God hath set out the Empire and Pontificality first by the great red Dracon and his tail by the body of the Dracon is meant the Empire under the Caesars by the tail is meant the false Prophet that deceived the world with false doctrine QUest 6. How secondly Answ The Empire is described by one Beast coming out of the Sea who hath seven heads and ten horns yea also in this Beast is comprized the Pontificality being the Reviver of the wounded Head This beast hath his arms from che four Beasts in Daniel chap. 7. For Rome having subdued all those Countries that those Beasts ruled and being like them for idolatry and cruelty in afflicting the holy City descending from heaven is a monster compounded of all four Being a Beast of seven heads and ten horns mouthed like a Lion footed like a Bear and spotted like a Leopard QUest 7. How thirdly Answ By the Beast that arose out of the Earth having two horns like a Lamb which meaneth the false Prophet the Angel of the Pit the usurping Vicar of Christ which is the Pontificality or the Corporation of Popes QUest 8. What is meant by the seaven Heads of the spotted Beast Answ Two things First the seven Hills on which the City of Rome was builded Secondly the seven Kings or Polities or kindes of government that were and should be of that City QUest 9. How many governments had been when the Apostle wrote Answ Five had been one then was and another should come after QUest 10. What Head was it that then was Answ The Caesars ruling the Empire This description of a City that then reigned when the Apostle wrote over the Kings of the Earth by seven Hills and seven changes of Government agreeth with no City in the World but Rome QUest 11. How long did that Head live which was alive when the Apostle wrote Answ About three hundred years and then godly Constantinus made it dead as is said removing the Constantinople QUest 12. What Government did come after the Caesars the fixt Head was wounded to death Answ The Pontificality that is the Government of the Roman State by Popes This is meant by the Beast with two Hornes like a Lamb who revived the wounded Head of the Empire and made it to live So the double power of the Pontificalitie is a Seavensh and after a sort an eighth Head or Politie QUest 13. What is meant by the ten horns of the Spotted Beast Answ The Kingdomes that committed fornication with the great Whore and that gave their power to uphold the kingdom of the Beast that revived the Empire QUest 14. How further is Romes Policy under the Empire and the Corporation of the Papacy described Answ By mystical allusions to Countries and Cities to Sodome for filthiness of life pride excesse idleness and oppression to Babylon and Egypt for false Religion bondage and cruelty And observe it is said plainly That our Lord was crucified in the great City or large Common-weal which Spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt And Apolluon the King of the Pit the King of Locusts and his Locusts did cruelly murder the faithful Witnesses of Christ that they found in that their policy QUest 15. How doth the Apostle to the Thessalonians set forth unto us the Beast with two Hornes like a Lamb
6. Who were enemies that did hate and cruelly mock and persecute the doctrine of God and his people Answ The wicked Kingdome signfied by the Bear Leopard and beast with ten horns Hamans wickednesse and Sanballats and others under the Government of the Breast and Arms of silver must be remembred QUest 7. Who did neglect and apostate from this prophesie of so great salvation Answ Many in Israel that associated with Sanballat and Malachi sheweth that some began to be Atheists and to speak stout and wearisome words against God and his doctrine The Angel foretold of * Antiochus caused stars to fall Dâ—n 8. 11. so did the tail of the Dragon the new Antiâ—chus Apâ—c 12.2 Thes 2. The fourth beast cast down truth to the ground Dan â— forsakers and wicked dealears against the holy Covenant of Daniels own people under the iron legs and fourth Beast Also Zacharias spake of wicked Shepherds that loathed Christ and his Kingdome And that came to passe in those Hereticks and false Teachers the Sadduces Scribes and Pharisees They were great oppugners of all Gabriels heavenly message as in all the Evangelists the Acts and in the Epistles to Rome and to Galatia to the Hebrews is seen QUest 8. How did Daniels holy people find Gods goodnesse in cleaving to this Doctrine Answer By faith they obtained good report with God and God was not ashamed of them to be called their God By faith the Jews in Esther escaped the edge of the sword Also we are to consider that Zachariah Haggai and Malachi enlarge Gabriels Oration for many things that a fountain for sin and for uncleannesse should be opened by the King and Sacrificer even Iehovah of hosts that should glorifie the second Temple with his presence And that although the low Jerusalem and Temple should be destroyed a larger should be builded and a better raised up And the Covenant shall be confirmed with the many Gentiles from East to West among whom in every place incense of prayer and pure offering of lips praising of God shall be offered unto his holy name That Him the Angel of the Covenant the Sun of righteousnesse shall arise with healing in his beams and that God enrolls in the book of life all that fear him and thought upon his name to glorifie them in that day of the better resurrection to shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and as the stars for ever and ever Quest 9. How was Gods service executed on the Seed of the Serpent the open enemies of his name and people Answ Streams of fire came from the fierie Throne through the Mediation of the high Sacrificer in the heavens which overthrew the thrones of Kingdomes Dan. 7.9 10. Zac. 1.12 13. and destroyed the strength of the Kingdomes of the heathens contained in the image and Beasts Dan. 2. and 7. That same vengeance hanged that Courtier and favourite Haman and his sons and brought to confusion their assassines and others were told that they had no right nor portion nor memorial in Jerusalem Nehem. 2.10 QU. 10. With what reward did Christ recompence the disobedience of scandalized revolters from the Doctrine of salvation Heb. 2.1 An. 1. Malachi denounced that Gods wrath should burn them up as an oven and tormenting sorrows befell them afore and after the bright morning Star of Jacob appeared as Zachariah also had foretold them for as they abhorred and loathed Christ and his Doctrine so Christ abhorred and loathed them leaving the lost sheep to perish that would needs be perishing whom yet he pitied before that wrath came on them to the utmost 2. And Christ the Rock of Israel having confirmed the covenant for the Jews and the many of all Nations the last year of the last Seven did forty years after grind to powder the Jews his own people by the Romane infidels and destroyed City and holy Place with utter and small (a) Then the corner stone fell on the Iews and the vineyard was let out to other husbandmen Mat. 21.41 c. desolations and such miseries and sorrows (b) Read Heb. 25.31 and Iosephus on the wars of the Iews befell the Nâ—tion that they could rather have wished the mountains to fall upon them and the hills to cover them read Luke 23 39 30. QUest 11. But shall not the Land of Canaan City and Temple and Kingdome be restored to the Jews Answer They shall never be restored yet the Jews shall have a generall glorious calling in all places where they are scattered when the fullnesse of the Gentiles is come in and when they are called and the veil (c) Then they shall see the 12 Tribes over our gates and the apostles doctrine to be fastened in Aharons jewels Apo. 21 taken off their heart and know Christ and his spirituall government they will esteem Canaan and Ierusalem no more than any City or countrey in the world they will then look to the heavenly Rest yet here begun and to the holy City from heaven in which the Lord God of hosts even the Lamb is the Temple Apocal. 21.22 QUest 12. What Scriptures are contained in those Seventy Sevens Answ The two last verses of the last of Chronicles Daniel the 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. chapters Ezra Nehemiah Hester Haggai Zachariah Malachy and the 4 Evangelists which finish their storie with the death resurrection and ascension of Iesus Christ our Lord whose death was the very last day of the Seventy Sevens or 490 years at the time of the Evening Sacrifice Note all the rest of this New Testament was written within 70 years after our blessed Saviours ascension QUest 13. What do you observe in the Scriptures of the old Testament as speciall occasions of the Churches apostacies and revoltings Answ 1. Wicked marriages as is manifest from the times of the old world to Malachies dayes 2. The open or visible Church never careth for nor cleaveth to the written word unlesse there be faithfull Governors but ever men are declining to their own vain inventions 3. Wicked sacrificers and false Prophets who came without Gods sending both came with outward shews of truth but were base sycophants and parasites alwaies falsely accusing and persecuting the godly and flattering Princes and people in their exorbitant courses 4. The abuse of sweet peace health and plenty turning these blessings of the Gospel to pride wantonnesse idleness gluttony drunknnesse oppression worldly confidence and carnal and carelesse security for Church and Common-weal c. c QUest 14. How many years hath Palmoni the wonderfull Numberer numbred from the Creation to the Redemption Answer The Sun in his Tabernacle of the heavens had joyfully run his race as a servant to the SON of righteousnesse Three thousand nine hundred and sixty years from the first promise of Christ to Evah till the SUN lost his light the SON brake the Serpents head dying rising and ascending QUest 15. How many Iubilees were there Answ From the Conquest and partition
Tradition in reference to the last mentioned short Oâ—seâ—vations 1. Although the Church was taught by Tradition for 2513 years From the creation to Israels coming from Egypt is 2513 years yet the written word was no other Doctrine thâ—n was formerly taught by Tradition for all Genesis and much of Exodus was first delivered by Tradition till Moses wrote Genesis 2. The Eplstles to the Romans and Galatians open Gen. 12. 15. So John 1. and 1 John 3.8 open Gen. 3.15 So the Apostles Doctrine and writings are answerable to Gods Doctrine by Tradition for those 2513 years Ezek. 28. 3. That which Moses received by Tradition since Adam or by inspiration or both till he was 80 years old was no other than Christ gave him on Mount Sinâ—i which he wrote when he was shepherd to Israel 40 years So it is said by faith Abel offered by faith Araham when he was tried offered Isaac and by faith Moses kept the Paâ—leover and this holy faith hath commendation for all the godly of the old Testament Heb. 11. And the same faith we of Japhets house are exhorted to follow that Christ may be to our consolation to day as he was to them yesterday 4. And for that 2513 years wherein Religion was taught by Tradition Gods providence so ordered the affairs of his Church that while the families that hoped in Christ were few there were as is noted rate prophets long-lived and of great authority who although the Gospel was not written for ought we know till Moses times were most able to strengthen the faithfull of their times 5. The men that continued the Gospel by infallible Tradition from the creation to the giving of the Law are the first ten Fathers afore the flood Nine of them living together were a noble consistory to uphold the faith so shaken by the Apostasie of their own children and the wicked families of Cain 6. Then after the flood there were nine Fathers also of the holy line that lived together worthy Pillars against Niâ—rods revoâ—t these nine were Noah Sem Arphaxad Selah Eber Peleg Regu Serug Naho and so Sem Arphaxad Selaâ— Eber might and did instruct Abraham Sem Selah Eber and Abraham might and did teach Isaac Abraham Isaac and Eber taught Jacob Isaac and Jacob the twelve Patriarchs who left many godly that lived to Moses Moses Parents were godly Heb. 11. There was but 64 years between Josephs death and Moses birth 7. More briefly thus Adam taught the Gospel to Mathuselah and godly Lamech they two to Noah and Sem Sem taught Isaac Abraham and Isaac taught Jacob and Isaac and Jacob the twelve Patriarchs and they in Egypt held Religion sound while they lived and Joseph lived after Jacobs death 50 years and Levi 70 years after and there was 42 years between Levies death and Moses birth 8. The wisdome of God is admirable in the long life of the few families of the old holy men to preserve the faith by Tradition that Sem who lived with godly Lamech and Machuselah who saw Adam taught the Gospel to Isaac These four men Adam Lamech Sem Isaac could reckon years above 2000 but when mens ages were divers times shortened and at lâ—st brought to 70 years Psal 90. and when the Church of God consisted of many families and that the purity of Religion was forgotten and neglected after the death of the said Patriarchs of the most in Egypt for Israel in Egypt fell to the idols and Religion of Egypt then God commanded Moses in the wildernesse to write the word of faith and ever after it was the Standard and Cannon of faith and manners as all the Prophets after and our Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles kept themselves to the written word and to this all the Israel of God is enjoined To the Law and to the Testimony saith Esaias Starch the Sâ—â—iptuâ—es saith the Lord Jesus Let the word of Christ dwell richly in you in all wisdome saith the Apostle of the Gentiles c. c This word of Christ is the holy Scripture and it teacheth us wisdome to salvation 2 Tim. 3. we are exhorted to give heed to the old Prophesie 2. Pet. 1. and thrice blessed are they that with an honest and good heart so do 9. All the Patriarchs were Bishops for their families 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 using all care to teach theirs from their Fathers speech what Sem i. e. Melchizedeck learned of Mathuselah taught of Adam of the holy Trinity and how our Lord should come of Judah the King of glory the eternall the framer of the world of that poor shepherd to be man to have his Tabernacle in us to look through the windows within our wall and also how Christ by death should vanquish him that had the power of death they did know that he should come down from heaven and did feed upon his flesh and blood comforted in sorrow by this hope they would not misse to catechise their sons in this point as Joseph gave 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to feed his brethren Gen. 47 12. so all godly gave 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to feed their families souls In one word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 never used afore but in Josephs story with the Septuagint Our Lord his gracious tongue calleth us to the Patriarchs story Luke 12.42 compared with Gen. 47.12 to look to the Kingdome of heaven not to the earth which God hath cursed so Mr. Br. in Lords Fam. Luke 12 42. 10. Observe a little more concerning Tradition in those 26. Collections above that we should consider that the Spirit of Christ in the holy Prophets by Tradition and in the Law written by Moses is like it self one and the same Doctrine and all for the glorifying of Christ as it is said The spirit of Prophesie is the Testimonie of Jesus He is the mark of all Apoc. 19. Let us consider briefly for the new Testament therein also God took the same course though not for so long a time by Tradition I conceive it is a good instruction for us to strengthen us against the false Positions of Romane Catholicks concerning their unwritten verities for we shall easily perceive God to be without shadow of change whether by Tradition or writing 1. The Birth Life and Death the Doctrine and Miracles of our Lord Jesus Christ were by Tradition till the four Evangelists had written them but when written then it was the rule of our faith John 20.30 31. 2. The teaching of the Corinâ—hians the Institution of the Supper of the Lord was a Tradition 1 Cor. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. The Doctrine of the Resurrection of the dead to them was by Tradition 1 Cor. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 1 Cor. 15. was the same Doctrine he taught them 4. The Apostles teaching of the Man of sin that Son of Perdition was a Tradition to the Thessalonians 2 Thes 2.5 15. 5. Painfullnesse and diligence in a mans calling was a Tradition 2
number of 518. which is thus cleared It was from the coming out of Egypt to the foundation of the Temple 48â— years which was laid in the fourth year of Salomon to which adde 37 years for the rest of Salomons Reign and the year wherein the Ten Tribes made their Division from Judah and so you have 518 years and this way doth also still maintain the generall summe of 3960 years CHAP. XL. Another expression of the holy Chronicle which the former Dialogue hath followed FRom the first Promise of Christ to destroy Satans works unto the Flood the first generall manifestation of wrath and judgement upon the seed of the Serpent for despising the Promise are years 1656. From the Plood to the promise made to Abraham of restoring blessednesse in Christ to the Apostate families in Gen. 10.11 are years 427. From the Promise to Abraham to the glorious and mighty Redemption of Israel from Egypt and the giving of the Law of the Passeover Gal. 3 are yeas 430. From the coming from Egypt to the Foundation of the Temple a figure that the Son of God would make not the nature of angels but the Seed of Abraham his Temple are years 480. Thence to the burning of the Temple That Israel should not glory too much in outward Ceremonies and therefore God did shake them by Babel are year 427 Thence to the overthrow of Babels Monarcy by Cyrus and Darius and sending the Jews home from Captivity are years full 50. Thence to he death of the MASSIAS and ending of all Moses ceremonies which is that once more that Christ said he would shake them to settle that which should remain untill his second most glorious appearance is 490. The whole summe is 3960. These seven Pillars may well be resembled to those seven that wisdome hewed out Prov. 9.1 which hath the golden chain of times fastened to them upon which hang the glorious Curtains of needle-work the embroidered prophesies and stories of the eternall wisdome In which there is a Table spread and furnished with all varieties of grace to feed the soul in Christ who is the cluster of Redemption and ought to find a lodging betwixt all faithfull breasts CHAP. XLI A third expression of the holy Chronicle IT is glorious to meditate how the Sun in all his journies did constant service to the SON Eternal in a marvellous distinction of times and most harmonious manner in which is seen how his Mediatorian Kingdome was exercised mall ages in mercy to the godly and in severity to the wicked opposers From the miraculous creation to the miraculous over flowing the world by waters are years 1656. From that inundation to the death of Terah who was first of the Fathers of the holy Line that corrupted the true sacrifice to flames of idolatry are years 427. From the death of Terah and the promise to Abraham made presently upon his death to the ending of Israels peregrination in the Land of â—am 430. Thence MOSES was to Israel a Shepherd in the wildernesse years 40. From Mâ—â—es death to the conquest and Partittion of the Land of â—anaan by Jesus a type of JESUS Christ the Son of God that hath procured for the people of God the true Rest Jos 14.20 are years 7. Thence by seven Jubilees the time of the Arks abode in the Tribe of Ephraim at Shiâ—oh at the ending of which Jubilees the Ark was captived but Christ gave them it again then was the Transmigratirn of the Ark to the Tribe of Judah those seven Jubilees are years 350 Thence by Seventy Sevens to the first captivity by Babel Then Christ did to Jerusalem in part as he did to Shi Ioh Jer. 2. 490 By Iudahs captivity and subjection to Babel then the Land of Israel kept Sabbath seventy years as Moses foretold Levit. 26. 70. Lastly by the most comfortable Prophecy and Promise of Reconciliation by the death of CHRIST at the end of Seventy Sevens of years Dan. 9 24. 490. The whole Summe 3960. 7 Iubilees are 350. 70 Sevens are 490. 10 Sevens are 70. 70 Sevens are 490 Â Â 1400. 28 Iubilees or 1400 years from the conquest of the Seed of the Serpent by Ioshua to the victory of our Lord Iesus CHRIST over sinne death and the grave and over him that had the power of death the Devil CHAP. XLII Of the Geometricall Frame of the processe of Times THE Stones in Salomons Temple were not more curiously fitted for the building then the times of the holy Scriptures are from Moses death neither is any army more orderly composed then the times revolution by the infinite providence of CHIST Seaven yeares of conquest and partition of Chanaan Seaven Jubilees the Tabernacle of Moses and the Ark of the Covevenant at Shile for Ephraim glory Seaven Seavensies began with the Transmigration of the Arke of the Covenant for Judahs glory Psal 78. Seaven Tenns for Captivity to feel Ieremies Lamentations And then againe the former measure of Seaven Seavensies to find comfort in servitude which none but the poor in spirit and mourning will ever find Vid Mr. Br. in Advert 72. CHAP. XLIII Further Considerations of these 28 Jubilees that the godly student may delight in the holy Book of God THE plainnesse of Gods dealing still calleth us to mind of a first Sabbath by a like account of Sevens which also is usuall through the Scriptures and especially from Moses times And that cannot be denied Now that the whole record of the Sunnes service for twenty eight Jubilees unto the Sunnes service prophesied Dan. 9.24 c. which was spoken by an Angel to make us shine in Justice and that it may shine in plainnesse diligently ponder and observe 1. Moses in Levitions chap. 25. telleth that the Jubilee shall be an holy year and the old Hebrew Doctors thereupon in the Zohaâ— as learned say write thus In the Iubile year Shecinetha that is the Majesty of God having his Tabernacle with us will be Freedome Redemption and Sabbatisme to Israel by the Angel Gabriels years the last Iubilee that ever the Jews had in their Land shall fall out at our Lords death in which year the Majesty shewed it self upon the Mountain to Peter Iames and Iohn with Moses and Elias and became to us freedome i. e. justification and redemption and finisher of Mosaicall Sebbaths consider the proceeding of times herein 2. Seven years were spent before Israel had conquered and parted the Land Before the Partition the Iubilees could not begin and by Moses words the next year after was to be the first of fifty for the Iubilee Thence unto our Lords death are 28. Iubilees exactly year 1400. 3. In that we have a long time broken the whole frame of both Testaments by suffering heathen Olympick toyes to call us from the wisdome which Gabriels healthy and heavenly message had and offereth to us we must confesse that God hath been angry with us justly in giving over the world unto blindnesse whereas that Prophecy
of making Christ a sinner by Gods Imputation numb 8. is dangerous p 349 It is not mans inventions of Tantundem and Equinalency touching the sufferings of Christ that will reach and fathom these things p 350 Chap 37. Some observations on 2 Cor 5.19 20 21. with Gal 3.13 p 350 I suppose two millions of Geneva Bibles have been printed that have rightly conferred 2 Cor 5.31 to Exod 29 14. p 350 This assertion That as our sins are imputed to Christ so his righteousness of the morall Law is imputed to us Calls for thoughts of detestation the care cannot endure it p 353 So to impute as some teach our sins to Christ is to impart communicate or make common to him with us our unconformity to God and his Law p 353 355 Of the severall distinct courses spoken of in Deut 21.23 Deut 27. 26. with Gal 3.13 p 354 How the righteousnesse of God the Father doth justifie sinners p 356 p 357 Chap 38. Our Lords Genealogie conferred with the times of the Judges and with the Kings p 363 Chap 39. The holy Chronologie sundry waies expressed and every way agreeing to the same number of years Beginning from the first promise in Gen 3.15 till our Lords death 3960. years p 369 Chap 40. Another way of casting up of the holy Chronicle to the said number of years which the former Dialogue hath followed 370 Chap 41. A third expression of the holy Chronicle to the said number of years p 371 Chap 42. Of the Genealogie frame of the processe of Times p 373 Chap 43. A further consideration of the said twenty eight Jubilees that the godly student may delight in the holy book of God p 374 Chap 44. A fourth expression of the holy Chronologie from the Creation to the Redemption p 375 Chap 45. An Advertisement to the Reader to take head of embracing the evill Tenets of two men that have lately put forth irreligious opinions about the Chronologie of the Book of God p 380 The holy Chronologie of the Book of God is a Doctrine of Faith clear and certain as any other Doctrine of faith p 381 The Heathen Chronologie by Olympiades is by some regarded as more certain than the Scriptures Chronologie p 381 If the Angel taught not Daniel to understand the certainty of Chronologie he taught him nothing p 382. 385 Who would think to say the seventy Sevens are a time not certain whereas the holy Angel divides them into three parts 1. Into seven Sevens 2. Into sixty two Sevens 3. Into one Seven p 383 Chap 46. That the certainty of Chronologie was a chief part of the Angels Message to Daniel for Daniel knew all things else before the Angel came to him p 385 Some Teachers in teaching and writing about the Jewes repairing of Jerusalem and many great businesses that will follow thereon have filled Churches full of Matrologie and fond expectations p 387. Chap 47. That Daniel is alledged in the New Testament to prove the Messiah to be already come p 388 Chap 48. Shewing how the holy Evangelists expresse the Attributes Messias or Christ p 390 All the three Offices of Christ as he is Prophet Priest and King are in Dan 9.24 p 392 Mr. P. his false and impertinent assertions on Dan 9.24 p 393 Chap. 49. A conclusion of the Point of Chronologie p 395 The New Testament doth not keep the Chronologie of the times to the end of the world as many labour in vain to prove out of the Apocalyps Though the Old Testament did exactly keep the Chronologie of the times from the first promise to the death of Chris p 395. 399 Neither is the Geneologie of the Tribes kept after the death of Christ p 396 Chap. 50. Being a Caveat to beware of such satanicall spirits that prattle about the expectation of new Apostles and new Revelations p 396 Chap 51. An Exposition of the times mentioned in the Apocalyps p 399 Chap 52. 1. Of the Attributes or Titles of God essentially considered p 401 2. What is to be learned from the Title Jehovah p 403 3 What is to be learned from the attribute Elion the most High p 405 4. What is to be learned from Shaddai the Almighty p 406 5. What from Adonai ibid. 6. What from the attribute Ehieth I am or I will be p 407 7. What from the attribute Jah Breathing ibid. 8. What from the attribute Tzur The Rock p 408 9. What from Goshai My Makers p 408 10. What from Goel The Redeemer p 409 Chap 53. Of the Attributes of the Divine Nature of the second Person in Trinity How his is said to be begotten before all the Creation Col 1.15 p 412 Chap 54. Of the Attributes of the humane Nature of the second Person p 413 Chap 55. Of the Attributes of the Mediators Office p 416 Crist is called a Servant in relation to his Office of Mediatorship p 418 Christ is called a Prince or Captain in relation to his Office of Mediatorship p 419 Christ is called the Prince of Life in relation to his Office of Mediatorship p 420 Christ is called the King of Israel and the Messias in relation to his Office of Mediatorship p 421 Chap. 56. Of the Attributes of the holy Spirit p 422 Chap 57. Of the Attributes of the holy Ghost in relation to its operations and effects in the various manner of his working p 424 A TABLE of some few Scriptures among many others that are Expounded or Illustrated GEn 1.1 2. page 1 3. 15. p 11 14 22 26 34 42 53 60 61 66 194 302 344 413 418 419 420. 3.22.24 p 23 9.26 p 41 11.2 3. p 52 60 290 567 17.5 p 70 18 19. p 335 19.24 p 11 20 21. p 299 21 22 23. p 298 alias 205 305 309 22.18 p 60 26.5 p 302 304 alias 296 298 335 34.14 p 59 47.12 p 304 bis 49.10 p 57 Exod 3.15 p 60 61 198 19 2.â—1 p 407 17.15 16. p 168 19.4 p 314 19.5 p 56 20.24 p 36 23.15 p 89 23.20 21 22.23 p 188 311 412 417 419 28.38 p 100 30.12 p 311 Levit 14 6. p 98 18.5 p 311 Lev 25.23 p 203 315 26.2 p 89 26.15 p 154 26.23 24 25. p 111 Numb 19.18 p 98 14.2 p 392 24.20 p 168 Deut. 5.2.3 p 302 Deut 6.4 p 1 28 49. p 66 28.68 p 161 30.6 p 17 32.4.18 p 408 32.21 p 156 61 32.47 p 85 33.26 p 109 Jos 19.50 p 175 1 Sam. 7.9 10. p 107 2 Sam 7.14 p 188 2 Sam 7 2â— p 147 1 King 11.32 p 286 1 King 17.1 p 159 2 Chron 3.17 p 131 2 Chron 6.18 p 102 106 2 Chron 11.15 p 108 Neh 2.10 p 143 Neh 6.63 64 65. p 155 Neh 9.2 p 155 Job 21.14 15. p 301 Job 22.17 ib. Psal 2.2 p 420 Psal 2.7 p 414 Psal 2.8 9. p 194 9 10. p 155 16.10 p 334 20.1 2. p 305 alias 298 22.1 p 339 348 40.6 7. p 81 418 45.3 4 5. p 109 51.7 p
and cast their spirits into eternall prison for their unbeleeving disobedient striving against the b Spirit of Christ in his Prophets preaching the Gospel So dangerous it is when people will not be wise * Consider Psal 2. through the whole volume how Christ breaketh the plots counsells c. of the serpents seed and kisse the Sonne The next generall judgment of the world and of wicked and ungodly men shall be by fire God hates c the wicked unbeleevers and hyppocrites in all ages like Devills according to that most constant doctrinall position 2 Joh. 9. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God he that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son QUest 13. How long was it from the first pronouncing of the curse upon the Earth to the open manifection of it by the Floud of waters Answ It was sixteen hundred fifty and six years Some Annotations upon this second Chapter with References to the number of the Questions and Letters of A B C c. In Answer to the first question in expounding Gen. 3.15 This scripture is the Basis of all the Doctrine of Gods Counsell concerning Redemption by Christ this scripture declares the decree of Gods eternall counsell and covenant as it was concluded and agreed on by the holy Trinity for mans Redemption from Satans head-plot Satans plot and purpose was to spoyl man and so consequently to have spoyled and undone the whole work of God in the Creation But this that sets forth an heavy threatning against Satan and the serpent his instrument that one from the seed of the woman should break his headplot and heal that misery which he brought on man and because that should be done a new heaven and a new earth should be made to the praise of Gods counsells which over raught the plot and project of Satan So this scripture containes in it a threatning to the serpent and his seed and a promise to Eve to all her beleeving seed of Christ Beloved Reader concerning this Text and the threatning in it to the terror of the serpent and his seed be pleased to read Mr. Pynchons booke of the meritorious price of mans redemption printed 1655. there you will have plentifull satisfaction but for this little worke I purpose cheifly to enlarge my selfe not as it is a threatning but as it is a promise concerning Christ The refore I will further observe from Gen. 3.15 I. That in this Text The eternall Gospell hid in God before the foundation of the world was now in Paradise manifested even the hid wisdome II. To this first and precious promise the Apostle hath respect when he saith He was made an Apostle of the faith and truth that is for the hope of eternall life which God that cannot lye promised before the times of the world but made his word of promise manifest in due time by the sending of Iesus Christ Tit. 1.1 2 3.2 Tim. 1.9.2 Pet. 1.4 The times of the world are counted by the birth of the first ten Fathers to the flood Thence by ten holy Fathers to the promise to Abraham Thence to the coming from AEgypt Thence to the building of the Temple Thence to the burning of it by Babels King Thence to the end of the captivity in Babel Thence by seventy sevens of yeares to the death of Christ or to the glorious redemption of man by the death of our Lord Jesus Christ III. This comprehendeth the Faith of Gods elect which was once delivered that is first and once for all delivered to the Saints and never after to be changed All other promises of Christ are but commorations and expositions of this The Doctrine of Faith can be but one because there is but one God and one Mediator Eph. 4. Note this phrase againe once delivered but still expounded This is Genus generalissimum And for this faith the Saints of all ages have contended to keep and uphold it against the serpent and his seed as all the Epistle of Iudas Thaddaeus is upon this argument All sins and punishments come on the world for despising this faith and comforts for imbracing 2 Thes 1.8 IV. From this first preaching of Christ till the mystery of God which he hath spoken by his holy Prophets and Apostles be finished wee must mind this constantly that Gods purpose was not to bring man fallen to life by the remains of any naturall abilities there was a Bar that wee should not think of any hope in that Gen. 3. ult But by a new and living way in the second Adam This is a Covenant of Grace not to him that worketh but to him that beleeveth and receiveth the Son of God as Mediator him hath God exalted in holy doctrine from the begining with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give change of mind and forgivenesse of sins to all the Israel of God Acts 3.21 5. 31. Now this new way is very foolishnesse to us naturally therefore wee dream of great excellencies in our corrupt dead stinking graves But we must hear the voice of the Son of God in his owne ordinances Iohn 5. and he must say to us live afore we can have the first Resurrection as we cannot have the second without his powerfull voice Ioh. 5. Isa 2.1 2 3 4 5 6. V. If the first Adam or any of him could helpe themselves what need the Son of God to be promised from the beginning to be a second Adam and to appear to destroy the works of the Devill 1 Joh. 1. and 3. he only knew how and was only able to mannage the whole officâ— of mediation and to performe all righteousnesse according to covenant in his own person without pressing and by his glorious Ordinances effectually to call and unquestionably to justifie and to prepare for glory all them of his mysticall body which the Father gave him Neither Adam nor any of his posterity had such abilities and for any thing they could do they should have born their own iniquities which was such a yoke that neither Patriarch nor Apostle were able to bear change of mind and forgivenesse of sins was ever preached to be by the second Adam Luke 24.47 Be it knowne therefore to all men saith this first promise that through this blessed seed the son of God made man is preached to us the forgivenesse of sins and by him all that beleeve are justified that is made free from the guilt of sin and punishment from which we could not be justified or made free by the Law of Moses Acts 13. The world was 3960 yeares from the Apostasie of the first Adam to the Redemption by the second Adam and who in all that time saved himselfe from death Death reigned over all old and young it is the second Adam that conquered death the reward of originall sin and hee rose againe for the justification or freedome of all Gods Children from sin
a common stock even for the body he is a second Adam to us that his life might be made manifest in our mortall flesh Ioh 7.20 Ps 30.2 Cor. 4.8 Jehovah i.e. Christ is thy life through Israel Deut. 30.20 not Moah nor Ammon nor Edom. In Q 5. N. 4 under curse All afflictions are comprehended in this and the like sayings First cursed is the earth for thy sake for in sorrow thou shalt eat of it Gen. 3 17. Secondly I will greatly multiply thy sorrow Gen. 3.16 Thirdly I will put enmity between the Serpent and the woman and thou Sathan shâ—lt bruise his foot-stoole Gen. 3.15 For the two former see how Christ doth for his chosens sake destroy Sathans workes in Ps 8. Ps 107. Ps 128. Ioh 5.23 Hos 2.18 1 Tim. 4. Tit. 1.15 1 Tim 2.14.15 The creatures are joyfull to be imployed for the churches uses Ps 65. Ps 67. Es 44.23 Hos 2.21.22 They are purified from the usurpation of the curse made usefull serviceable and sanctified by the Covenant and by the word of promise and by holy and humble prayer Ezâ—k 36.37 But many cases of conscience do often arise for these things in our hearts If Christ destroy Sathans workes how is it that there be so many afflictions restraints crosses c. in our persons labours and estates whereas in the meane time the wicked do commonly prosper All is answered in Iohs booke and in Ps 73. Ps 30 Ps 37. All the affliction of the godly is either for the tryall of Graces or for the purging of vices by Christ the curse is removed and afflictions are sanctified and by his discipline made wholesome medicines the counsells of God are unsearchable but what he doth is in wisdome love and righteousnesse and in that respect hee makes all to worke together for good to them that love God why then should wee dispute murmur distrust or judge hardly of our selves or of others that fear God or have an ill opinion of the Lord God every event is an Oracle Be dumbe therefore before the shearer the more we strugle the lesse we prevaile no wise Father doth greive his child willingly so God doth not afflict willingly Lam 3.31 but when need is 1 Pet. 1. Lay therefore thy face to the ground in a holy submission that so there may be hope Lam. 3.27 Esa 28 23. And as for that third saying That Sathan shall be at enmity with the woman and shall bruise consider Psal 129. Rom. 8.28.2 Thes 1. c. all these sums of afflictions must call to remembrance the sin of our first Parents in whom all have sinned Rom 5.12 In Q. 5. N. 4 Vanity and corruption All Ecclesiasts must here be considered which sheweth from a plentifull induction the variety of Gods Providences to finde the instability and passing away of all under the Sun that so we might be diligent all our life long to see how the soul may stand in judgement for the hope of eternall comfort Gods aim is to bring us to this saying nothing but Christ Ps 73. and to this not to love the world nor the things that are in the world 1 Ioh. 2.15 1 Cor. 7. 31. In Q. 5. N. 4 Service of the creatures The very creatures do joy both in the temporall and spirituall good of the Church as hath been touched above Luke 15.10 Ps 65. Ps 67. Es 43.23 Apoc. 5.11.12.13 Ps 24 Ps 91. The Angells the Stars the Heavens the Rivers the Seas the Earth with windes stormes tempests haile c. Ps 18. Iud. 5. Ps 11 All these are ordered for the good of Christ and his Church Ps 96. Psal 98. And Christs intercession doth mitigate the curse Gen. 8.21 Psal 128. I will once more breifly summe up these four heads The first old Adam was a figure but in a contrary way of the second Adam that was to come The first Adam by his sin was the corrupter of all things the second Adam the restorer of all things by his obedience procuring our Regeneration Justification the godly are a new creation old things are passed away all things through Christ are become new to them and hence that speech is glorious All things are yours wheâ—her the world life or death whether things present or things to come all condiâ—â—ons all events are yours all the Ordinances all the Officers both of Church and Common-weale are yours all the Angells are yours all the promises and precepts are yours Christ is yours God is yours yee are Christs and Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3. In Q. 6. N 1 The seed of Sathan This is the malignant Church But observe through all the holy story how the Son of God the second Adam hath whet his sword bent his bow and prepared his arrowes against them he hath both promised and sworne to the Church that hee will have war with him from generation to generation even untill Sathans head-plot is wholy broken Ps 7. both by giving them over to spirituall judgements and to outward plagues Thou hast troden all them that erre from thy statutes for their deceit is falshood thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like drosse Therefore I love thy testimonies Ps 119.116 Jer. 6.30 And in the promise to Abraham God doth curse them Gen. 12. and Lev. 26. The holy spirit doth also in detestation describe them by many infamous titles and comparisons Seed of the Serpent Gen. 3.15 Mal. 3. Angels of the Devill Sons of Belial c. these are the multitude that go the broad way to destruction as may be seene in the Apostacy of the old world and in the Apostacy of Nimrod and in the Apostacy of the ten Tribes by the perswasion of Jeroboam and of the two Tribes not long after so liwkeise it fell out in the Kingdome of the King of Locusts In Q. 6. Adopted Sons of God These are the Church militant yet great is their glory in the Covenant and in the promises that are made to them in Christ they have glorious Titles They are called the Sons of God the Angells of Christ the truest of the living God his spouse his portion which God hath created for his promise Es 43. This is that Kingdome of Christ that endureth to the end and that consumeth all other kingdoms that oppose the little flock that go the narrow way that leadeth unto life In Q. 6. N. 11. God made this promise God was the first teacher of the glad tidings of the Doctrine of faith to open the blind eyes and to turne men from darknesse to light and from the power of Sathan to God When Adam was become poor blind miserable and naked God was pleased to give his collyrion eye salve from the promise of Christ for that declaration of Redemption by the seed of the woman was denounced as a threatning to the Serpent but as it was spoken in the hearing of Adam and Eve it implyed a promise of Redemption to them from Sathans head-plot so the promise was
Floud Gen. 26.5 Answ Sem Arphaxad Selah Heber Peleg and the rest of the godly Fathers and their faithfull posterity to the dayes of Terah and Abraham QUest 5. Was there any that contemned and apostated from the God of Shem and his true religion Answ Yea Cham and Chanaan and Nimrod the grandchild of Cham drew away many of the sons of the open or visible Church to despise Christ in Shem sirnamed Melchisedeck who was ordained over them King and Preist who governed in Justice and peace so that there was a great apostacie of Sems own families Japheths and Chams QUest 6. Shew further how this apostacy went on Answ The outward glory of the false church was so great that some of the Fathers of the holy line as Terah and Abraham fell to the idolatry of Nimrods Kingdome Jos 24. But they being called repented Gen. 11. QUest 7. How did Christ break and bruise the seed of the serpent for their enmity and wickednesse that would not bave him to reigne over them Answ I. With his unspeakable severe judgements for even those families for despising the faith were excommunicated and cut off both Father and child from being of the houshold of God by the confusion * So Judah for despising the faith were plagued by a Nation of a strange tongue Deut. 28 49. so the world by the man of sin 1 Cor. 14. mind seriously Jer 44 26. of tongues and so were No-people and foolish Nations by being estranged from the life justice and peace of God in Christ that they did not hear nor see the light of his truth for two thousand years but followed Divells the Prince of the darkness of this world in endlesse and lawlesse Idolatries and of all the miseries that befell them they in speciall lost the Sabbath which would have kept them in the faith of the creation and redemption And let this sinke into the hearts of all men that all men ever were and will be Atheists or Idolaters that Christ speaks not to in their owne language by his holy law and to this answer ever seriously minde 2 Joh v 9. II. From these dayes the wrath of God was revealed from Heaven against them for their ungodlinesse and unrighteousnesse by wars and commotions and suffered them to walke in their own wayes by giving them up to a regardlesse mind and to the power of grosse darknesse and wilfull ignorance and to their hearts lusts and vile affections c. c. QUest 8. What benefit had the godly in Sems Tents and house by cleaving to the faith of Gods Elect Answ Through faith they obtained good report with God and confessed that they were pilgrims and strangers in this cursed world wherefore God was not ashamed of them to be called their God and accounted that the world was not worthy of them And as he promised builded and prepared so they hoped for an heavenly City and Country And Sems Tents had this glory that all the while that those families were cut off the hidden mystery of godlinesse was carefully kept in his Tents and house and the Hebrew Tongue also as all the old Testament doth witnesse QUest 9. Then the Prerogative of Sems Tents did not alwaies continue Answ No When the God of Shem tooke mans nature of the seed of the woman and gave his life a Ransome not for the Hebrewes or Jewes only but for the Heathens also Then that he might raigne and judge the world in righteousnesse he turned the curse of tongues to preach to and perswade all those families to obey the same faith from which their forefathers had apostated even to the Religion of Shems Tents QUest 10. How and to whom was the Revelation of the mystery of Christ continued to be revealed after the blessing to Sem Answ In the promise to Abraham that Christ should come of him according to the flesh QUest 11. How many yeares are from the floud to the promise made to Abraham Answ Foure hundred twenty seven yeares and so from the promise to our first Parents whom the Serpent murdered unto the promise to Abram given presently upon the death of Terah whose faith the Serpent corrupted to flames of Idolatry are years two thousand eighty three QUest 12. How many Chapters of Genesis are contained in those 2083. yeares Answ The eleven first chapters and also part of the first chapter of 1 Chronicles and also Luke part of chap. 3. Note that all the rest of the holy scriptures doth not containe so many yeares for the writing of them A breife summe of the former Questions and Answers JEhovah our God Jehovah is one the Father the Son and the holy spirit be one coeternall and co-essentiall The Son is called the word by the word the Father made the world and by the spirit beautified the heavens And because the word would become flesh the world was made to serve once Adam the first The Angells that grudged at that fell for ever and deceived Adam and made him dead in sin and brought him to be dayly turning to dust untill hee dyed And for him the whole frame of the creation was pronounced corrupt but after divine Revelation he beleeved that Christ made of a woman made under the Law God being in him to reconcile the world unto himself should give him free forgiveness for justification by faith and renew the inner man in knowledge holinesse and righteousnesse and raise up his body and make a new world by his power Whereby he can subdue all things to himselfe All faithfull travailed in soule to have Christ brought forth to the knowledge of their posterity that all might know that all this world was made obedient to a man at the first which man fell from God his first day and then God opened his counsell that the Son eternall would be made man of a woman to destroy the works of the Angells that fell who all are collectively Satan Satan brought Adam to loose the life of his soule and his body to death and dust and all this world to corruption Christ kindled light in Adams soule and after 930 years heavinesse for sin took it to his joy and will raise up his body and make a new world that all men who will receive the abundance of Grace of free forgivenesse for justification may reigne by Christ and all who will not regard this mercy so clear as the sun they all by Adams fall dead in sin shall be damned for ever with the Devills This is the travell of the christian minde speech of this full of joy is in all the books of the old and new Testament Or thus The summ of the Bible is short how of Gods eternall counsell the world was made for man because the son of God by whom he made the world would be a man to give life to them that rested in this wisdome *** All this dialogue will evidence this or doth desire so to do * The faith of Gods elect in
For as it was in the dayes of Noah so shall it be at the day of the coming of the Son of man Mat. 24. c. Quest 6. And Abraham Abraham once ungodly yea after his calling he much failed rejoyced in him that justifieth the ungodly Jos 24.2 Rom. 4. so after mysticall Nimrod how many good men have been overtaken with their outward glory yea many strong men of great parts have beene wounded by that whorish Church Prov. 7. Apoc. 17. Quest 7. N 1. Those familes The families of Noahs sons despising Sem a King of Justice and Peace were cut off â—or two thousand yeares so the Jewes for despising Sem the great and reverend the true King of Justice and peace were cut off to this day Rom. 11. from Noahs days all heathens were Lo-ammi and Loruchamah no people and unpitied a foolish nation barren and a desolate widow to our Lords dayes Deut. 32. Psal 113. Esa 54.1 2 3. Ephes 2.1 2 3. Psal 119.118 Q. 7. From the life Justice But when light was revealed to the Gentiles and the glory of Jehovah was risen upon us It is said I will make thy government peace and thine exactions righteousness Marke the allusion This was under the King of Salem and Tzedek Justice and Peace kisse each other as it did of old in Sems Tents Psal 85. Then peace on earth and good will towards men Q. 7. Nor see the light Now darknesse covered the earth and gross darknesse the Nations Esa 60. So Pope Nimrod by his mysticall Babylon caused such darknesse by confusion of Language and all holy speech All languages of Europe and much of Asia if not all Asia have been confounded by the means of mysticall Nimrod and his rebellion Apor 9. Q. 7. For two thousand years All the time of this ignorance God hated them like devills till the time hee would judge the world in righteousnesse that is favour the world in mercy Act. 17. Psal 97. from this time to the Apostles the whole world did lye in wickednesse 1 Job 5.19 Q 7. N. 11. In their own wayes God left them to walke in their own waies of endlesse and lawlesse idolatries and superstitions and ill manners judgement and practise wholy corrupted as the holy scriptures and humane stories shew The Philosophers of the heathens spake much of the earth c. and to the height of heaven but unto Paradise above the Heavens no thought of theirs could ever come They had no Lampe of Grace not the best learned of them their sage as Pythagoras in tongue confessed God to be one but they knew not the holy Trinity and that the eternall son would be manifested in the flesh to come a man looking through our walls and to come a Judge of all nor that he framed the world for man because he would dwell in our Tabernacle Mr. Bro. Apoc. pag. 20. That regeneration is by faith from him the second Adam by hearing the doctrine of divine revelation that he should destroy death and him that had the power of death by his own death and resurrection and give us a Resurrection and that be should be a mediator between God and man as Prophet Preist and King Lord of Angells the head of all principality and power that a company of people were in him elected and should be called out of this present world to whom he should be wisdome justification sanctification and redemption c. in these things the outward Jew was dull of hearing Rom. 2. and 3. Phil. 2. Heb. 5.11 much lesse could the wisdome and Philosophy of the heathens once thinke of these things Col. 1.26 yea alas for pity how weakly and poorly are these things either taught or known and experimentally in mind and conscience felt and answerably in life practised in most of our congregations of our blessed England This must be proper to true christians no marvell the holy spirit doth taunt the wisdome of the worlds wise Masters and chargeth the saints to take heed of their Philosophy and vain deceit verily it is not fit for Christians to be trained up in their pedagogie 1 Cor. 1. they were haters of God Rom. 1. Col. 1.21 and haters of his people Psal 83. Hest 9.1 Then all that time they were not in the state of universall grace but in very deed of universall wrath such a wofull famine of hearing the word of the Lord holy justice gave them over unto So when the would did depart from the faith of the true Melchisedeck it was given over to Turk and Pope and all force of error and were far from Justice Peace and Truth the Reverend Doctor Ames in his Medâ—lla pag. 244 editio quarta citeth a fit testimony for this Non pium igitur minus quam prudens suit illud maximi artium magistri P.R. judicium votum Hujus Philosophiae doctrinam si mihi fuerit optandum quod assequi velim malim â—ueâ—as ex Evangelio per cruditum aliquem probatisque moribus Theologum quam ex Aristotele per Philosophum tradi Puer impietates mullas ex Aristotele discet quas verendum ne nimis sero dediscat Beatitudinis finem in homine terminari virtutes omâ—cs hominis facultate penitus contineri Eas ex hominis natura arie industria comparari Deum ad haec opera quamvis magna divina tamen vel adjutorem vel artificem nusquam adhiberi divinam providentiam ex hoc numanae vitae theatro removeri de justitia divina verbum nullum fieri Beatitudinem huminis in hac caduca vita constitui c. Quest 8. To be called their God This is a word of Covenant as God spake to Abraham Gen. 17. and as it was noted above God is called the God of Shem. Andoh most glorious priviledge of the Saints through the mediator in all ages Marke these Texts from the first to the last Gen 6.18 and 17.7.8 Exod 19.5 and 20.2 and 29.45.46 Jer. 31.33 2 Cor. 6.18 Gal. 3.29 Tit. 2.14 2. Pet. 2.9 Apoc. 21.3 Hence it is that the Saints say from Gods interest in them and theirs in him Our God my God my portion my Rock my Shepherd c. and Jesurun is Gods portion Jer. 10. In this they boast praise and sing My welbeloved is mine and I am his Cant. 2.16 Psal 44. and 48.2 Coron 25 6.7 Psal 42. and 43. Deut. 10.21 The observations of the properties and workes of God should here be minded which are in chapter first spoken of Q. 8 Heavenly City The Saints of old knew as well as them of the New Testament That if the earthly house of our Tabernacle were dissolved they should have a building of God an house not made with hands eternall in the heavens They had all the same spirit of faith compare the â— Cor. 4. with chap. 5.1 to 12. and Eccles 12.14 c. upon the dissolution of the one the holy soule possesseth the other here is no interposition of time nor of
Canaan many 〈◊〉 time they revolted and rebelled against Him called also the Angel of Gods presence despising his statutes abhorring his judgements and so brake his covenant and vexed his holy Spirit Jesurun chose new gods were defiled with their own works following divers Religions Idolatrous and foolish opinons both of their forefathers as of the Canaanites and of the peoples about Canaan QUest 12. How did Christ manifest his goodnesse while his people obeyed him according to his Written word as now and after he ever called them to it Answ Through the obedience of faith they obtained good report with God and God was not ashamed of them to be called their God and vouched them before all to be his peculiar people This he shewed by his joyfull presence dwelling among them in his Tabernacle whence joy peace victorie plenty and all outward comforts attended them in the promised earthly Rest and to all that by faith in the promises saw the daies of Christ joy and hope of entrance into the eternal Rest Tabernacle and inheritance QUest 13. How did Christ in this age bruise the head power and dominion and enmity of the Seed of the Serpent Answ 1. He cast upon (a) It is through all the old Testament Mitzrajim where it is translated Egypt Esay 43.3 Mitzrajim that is the Egyptians the fierceness (b) But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice and do all that I speak then I will be an enemie to thine enemies and an adversary to thine Adversaries Exodus 23. of his anger Amalek discomfited and utter ruin denounced Midian plagued the Canaanites destroyed and other enemies subdued II. Now a (c) The first separation and rejection of the families was by the confusion of tongues 2. by Circumcision 3. By the Lawes given by Moses third time Christ shewed his anger and enmity against the families by a partition wall of ceremonies and an hand-writing of ordinances that they were further separated and made aliens from the Common-weale of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no hope and were without God in the world Thus in every age observe how Christ called and kept his elect from the communion of Divels and the wicked world yet God shewed much mercy to the heathens through the limitation of Circumcision Exodus 12. QUest 14. What severity was on the Church for their revoltings from the fiery Law and lively oracles which Moses received from the Angel Jehovah the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob Answ Him the Angel of Gods presence who had the name of God in him was turned to be their enemie and would not pardon their transgressions but sware they should not enter into his earthly Rest so that heavy chastisements befell Israel in the wildernesse and in the Land of Canaan plagued by enemies on every side untill the Transmigration a of the Land that is the removing of the Ark b from Syloh yea untill the daies of David Bear diligently still in minde with all fear and trembling how Christ afflicted the Church for their communion with divels and idolators Psal 78. all of it Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the fifth CHAPTER QUest 2. Forth of Egypt The deliverance of Israel from Egypt is much celebrated in the old Testament And amongst other things of that bondage this is twice noted from a people of a strange Language Psalm 81 114 Israel could not be ignorant of the language of Egypt but I think their idolatrous Priests had a mumming language in their devotions like Rome-Egypt that taught our forefathers in their devotions in a language they understood not for which we have as great cause to sing praise to God as well as Israel of old that we are saved from that cruel bondage Quest 4. and Answ The breast-plate with Vâ—im and Thummim Consider from this time that as the twelve Tribes followed the faith in the promises to their godly ancestours so the Vâ—im and Thummim that was placed among the twelve precious Jewels upon the Breast-plate of the High Sacrificer never uttered any other faith And the same Jewels are the foundation of the Christians Jerusalem from heaven So our high Sacrificer more excellent then Aaron who is Vrim and Thummim light life and all perfections all in all all fulness dwelt in him and he came from the bosome of the Father and walketh in the midst of the VII Golden Candlesticks and never uttered any other faith but what he taught in Moses The Apostle alludeth unto this when he exhorteth to put on the breast-plate of Faith and Love Faith in Christ is our light and life and love is the perfecting and fulsilling of the Law and all our thoughts speech and action should ever intend these two In Christ we are made sacrifices and therefore with a constant spirit carry this Breast plate before God and man Ibid. The Ark of the covenant the bloud of peace-offerings c. All these things were shadows of good things to come and enjoined till the time of reformation when the new and living way was manifested The land of Canaan was also a shadow of the true rest in the Kingdome of heaven so David taught carnal Israel Psalm 95. which the Apostle handleth to the revolting Hebrews And Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant for a Testimony of those things which were to be done and spoken after Heb. 3. God did draw them by these ordinances to give them to understand who should be their justification cleansing sin-offeâ—ing c. by many outward things and promise to the spiritual but when they made their belly their God and minded earthly things and thought to be justified by the outward action Then God shewed them to be poor elements as at Syloh and Salomons Temple burnt by Babel c. yea once more it is said God would shake them Dan. 9.24 25 26 27. shewes by whom and how Salomon told them of this also The labour of the foolish doth weary him for he knoweth not how to to go into the City Eccles 10.15 They knew not Christ the way the truth and the life for the heavenly City and Countrey not like children of faith of their faithful father Abraham The holy Prophets and Priests taught the meaning of the sacrifices in the great congregation Psalm 40.6 7. They preached Gods justification of a sinner and kindeness in Christ that would come to do Gods will They declared Gods faithfulness and truth that he would perform his promise concerning the sending of Jesus Christ his death resurrection and ascention Psalm 22 16. 68.18 conferred with Ephes 4.8 9 10 11. And the holy Tribes instantly serving God day and night in this hope went thrice a year to the Tabernacle and Temple which were the great Congregations to hear these things taught and to profess the same in their holy conâ—ocations Besides the Levites in their fourty eight Towns every Sabbath
enter into the rest of Christ where Baptism and the Lords Supper are no burden Mr. Bro. on Lam. 1.14 where Christ is not sought and found in his own ordinances all not the moral but also the ceremonial savours death 2 Cor. 3.7 to 16. what are we then to think of mens precepts voluntary religion and self-willed humbleness Take notice what our Lord taught Mat. 15.3 John 6.27 c. and his Apostle Rom. 10.3 Phil. 3.3 c. Colos 2.23 Quest 6. Num. II. Moses politie ever aimed at Him The Law Morall and Ceremonial was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ grace is two fold the one of Justification from the guilt and curse of the Law the other of sanctification the righteousness of the Law being fulfilled in them that are in Christ Iesus who inables them by his spirit most willingly to walk therein delighting in the Law of God concerning the inner man And Christ was the truth and substance of the Ceremonial Law as all the Epistle to the Hebrews sheweth all was sponsorious of a better hope in him Heb. 7.22 8.6 And this was that the saints so fervently prayed for teaching and understanding the wonderous things of the Law how all was sponsorious of comfort in Christ Psalm 119. And so of this did Ethan sing Psalm 89.1 2 c. Ibid. Quest 6. N. III. The Ceremonial Law That is Gods ceremonial Law no man hath power to institute or sanctifie as of himself any teaching sign or ceremony of person or thing time or place to worship God thereby or to take away that which the Lord hath ordained Moses durst not add or diminish any thing no not any other colour as green which is as pleasant as blew purple and scarlet all colours of blood and susâ—â—ing The pattern was his Direction And therefore was Moses called faithful in Gods house the Church of God the Pillar and ground of truth Will worship is a corruption of all our hearts it likes us better then Gods commandments Amos 4. Mat. 15. Luke 16.15 And we have great confidence in it that it pleaseth God But it brings shame at last to any State and all the Priests of Bethel cannot quench the fire that it will kindle Amos 5. Hos 10.14 15. And let all will-worshippers minde that however they have a shew of wisdom in their will worship yet it makes the people forget their Maker Hos 8.11 12 13 14. 1 Kin. 12.33 Amos 5.21 8.10 And this too evident of later years in the ungodly dealing of the Prelates in their hinderance of sound teaching of the word in most paroches of England Ibid N. III. and the moral is still to humble Doubtless the Moral Law must be taught it is a part of Christs mediatorian kingdom God the Father made Him Lord and Christ to all the Israel of God and obedience is better than sacrifice It is a point of faith to believe that Christ gave the Law Exod. 23.20 21 22. They of old were commanded to hear him and so we under the New Testament must hear the Beloved Son and reverance the Heir Mat. 17.5 Matth. 21.98 It is said Felix called forth Paul to hear him of the faith in Christ and as he was teaching of righteousness temperance and of the judgement to come Felix trembled Acts 24.25 Therefore the Law ought to be taught it belongs to the faith of Christ And godly teachers are to lift up their voice like a Trumpet to make mens hearts shake and tremble for rebellion against the Mediatour and therefore the godly teachers 40.50 and 60. years ago taught the way of the Lord more perfectly then many now do vid. infra the note on Levit. 26.17 chap. 8. Quest 7. Answ Vpon the text of Deut. 30. Moses speaks this of the Law the Apostle of Christ taught in the Law Rom. 10. So Esaias faith In his Law shall the nations hope Esay 42.4 Matthew saith In his Name Mat. 12.21 The Apostle calleth this text the word of faith and the just do live by faith Moses sheweth the Law of Jehovab that is Christ is a law of Love and the Apostle calleth it A law of Faith So then it is a form of Wholesome words of Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus And how precious sweet dear rich pure is the Law of Christ being a Law of Life in him Deut. 32.47 Therefore Stephen saith that Moses received from the Angel of the Covenant lively Oracles Acts 7.38 And so the Apostles received from him words purer than snow whitter than milk sweeter than honey or the honey comb words of spirit and life to preach unto the dead apostate families John 6.63 So the Sacrifices washings tabernacle the land of promise c. profited nothing were a killing letter having the veil on the heart The words and doctrine that Christ spake to Moses they were spirit and they were life And so David knew and all of faith when he cryed to Christ to be his sprinkling and his hyssop Psalm 51. And so Esaias and Stephen taught them and the Apostle Rom. 10.6 Exod. 20.2 And all expositions of the ten words were a killing letter not looking to that which is within the Veile even the grace and truth of our Lord Jesus Christ Acts 15.11 The Prophets and Apostles unveil Moses face most brightly they have made it as open even as Moses made it when he took off the veil when he went to speak with Christ Read Quest 8. Ans N. II. To be man and to suffer Mark the cause of the Apostle I am accused for the hope of the promise made of God unto our Fathers Psalm 16.10 22.29 40.6 7 8. Acts 26. this was a constant doctrine from the beginning and to be declared from age to age to the end of the world that the Son of God should come down from heaven to be a second Adam and to give himself a sin-offering to death and be raised from the dead 2 Tim. 2.8 and so in this doctrine Christ is our bread and drink Joh. 6.27 28 29 c. The pattern was not yet to come down from heaven to take our nature to be his Tabernacle and his flesh and bloud by sacrifice to be our bread and drink Iohn 1.14 6.54 And till the Son of God came to be and do thus All that Christ revealed to Moses was sponsorius and an introduction of a better hope that is Christ hoped for by all faithfull of the old Testament by whom they and we come unto God Hebr. 11.1 2 3 4. Iohn 14.6 Heb. 8 Ephes 1.10 11 Esay 15 1 2 3. Acts 13. Ibid. N. II. Accounting this wisedome foolishness And the light shineth in the darknesse and the darkness comprehended it not Joh. 1. 〈◊〉 It was ever a stumbling block and foolishness to the wise and prudent of this world to the natural man Iohn 6.52.60.1.1 Cor. 1. 2. And so is was to many while Moses was yet alive
of Holiest 25. Know then and understand from the outgoing of the word to restore and build Ierusalem unto (b) Ebr. Messiah so v. 26. CHRIST the King shall be seven sevens and sixty and two sevens In the other it shall be restored and builded Street and wall and troublous shall these times be 26. In that after the Sixty and two Sevens CHRIST shall †The sufferings of the Messias allusion often touched in the new Testament Acts 26.23 The angel sealeth Balaams Prophesic concerning Kittim Italy to be the crucifier of Christ Num. 24.24 hereby suffer but not for himself Thereupon the City and Holy Place shall he destroy and the Kings own people in the next generation and their end shall be with a Flood and at the end of the war shall be a finall judgement of utter desolations 27. But he shall confirm the covenant for the * Not for the Iews onely as Luc. 22.20 but for the many as Mat. 26 28. Rom. 5.15.1 Iohn 2 2. many the last Seven and half that seven shall bring to an end Sacrifice Offering Afterward by an Army of unclean lothsome infidels he shall make a desolation even untill utter destruction and finall judgement come flowing on the desolate QUest 3. What speciall Observations are in this Scripture Ans As the motions of the heavens declare the glory of God so the army like ordered times in Gods word is worthy of all admiration all serving Christ This Scripture doth shew the finishing of the golden chain of times of the old Testament in a pleasant Sabbaticall account The Seventy Sevens are from Daniels prayer for freedome from Babel untill the Son eternall the King of glory doth purchase an eternall freedome for all that believe the glorious Gospel 2. This Prophesie was given in the first year of Cyrus and Darius who overthrew Babels Kingdome and sent the Jews home that year with a most comfortable Proclamation of Subsidy over CXX Provinces and with commandement 〈◊〉 building Jerusalem and the Temple which with the wall and the Streets of the City were reedified within the Seven Sevens 3. This Scripture is a glorious revelation from heaven concerning Christ the King the Holy of Holy who by his just peaceable and spirituall government uncontrollable teaching and never ending Priesthood should finish trespasse offering and end sin offering and make reconciliation for iniquity and bring righteousnesse everlasting and seal that is confirm all the visions and Prophesies that he was the end that all aimed at himself being the true Prophet Sacrificer and King altar and Sacrifice so in himself ending all Abrahams Moses and the Temples Ceremonies both persons and things 4. Here is declared whither the benefit of all Christs sufferings tend that he suffered not for himself but for us the just for the unjust he was wounded for our transgressions and broken for our iniquities he gave himself for us an offering and a Sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour to God 5. Gods people for endeavouring to perform any worthy work for the advancement of the Gospel and the common weal must expect troubles and all oposition of slanders reproaches false accusations and whatsoever els the seed of the Serpent can possibly do the books of Ezra and Nehemiah shew this in re-edifying Jerusalem the wall and the Temple 6. Whereas the Angel told Daniel that he was sent to make him skilfull of understanding we must know that Daniel knew all but the time which bringeth a greater clearnesse to all therefore the appointed time the very year day and hour of fulfilling this prophesie is not a triviall or an uncertain thing but is that which the Angel calleth skill of understanding and therefore he doubleth a charge to the Prophet to understand and consider 7. This is remarkable as by the coming from Egypt recorded for the very day the day of the promise to Abraham may be certainly known which was the self same day 430 afore so the day of our Lord death being known which was answerable to the promise and Passeover this Prophesie also of the Seventy Sevens being exactly 490 years afore it may be known to agree in time with it Glorious is the wisdome of God herein to honour his feasts with most heavenly stories that promise and seal truth and figure might mèet together 8. This Oration of the Angel sheweth how long Sems Tents should hold their glory and be accounted holy and that at the end of the Seventy Sevens or 490 years The ending of the Seventy Sevens the time of reformation the heathen should have the Partition wall of ceremonies broken down and the hand writing of Ordinances * Epiâ—es 2.14 15.16 Col. 2.14 blotted out and the old enmity between Jew and Gentile †Isa 11. and 60.17 18. Epâ—â—â—s 2.15 abolished and be brought into equall covenant and that Christ the King would destroy his own Nation and demolish City and Temple with perpetuall devastions as with the Flood of Noah and make a new Jerusalem from heaven because all Nations could not depend on the City in Canaan read Isa 63 23. 9. Observe that the Romanes for killing of Christ are called like the unclean beasts in Leviticus unclean lothsome Infidels and Rome it self of all Cities in the world for that is specially cursed the Apocalips is a full declaration of this 10. Whereas the Angel saith Christ shall confirm the Covenant for the many and shall end Moses ceremonies and by his onely Sacrifice once offered bring in everlasting justification or freedome from sins guiltinesse and desert Popery is to be abhorred and accursed that doth revive Moses ceremonies the handwriting of Ordinances with repetition of Priest Altar and Sacrifice propitiatory And we in the Lords Supper do protest against Jews and Popery that CHRIST ended all by his death once performed through which he is to all the faithfull a most complete and perfect reconciliation for all iniquity QUest 4. Who gave heed to this word of Prophesie spoken by the holy Angel from heaven Answ The Forty nine thousand Ezra that left Babel for Jerusalem with the holy Prophets and Governours Zorobabel Nehemiah Haggai Zâ—hâ—riâ—h â—â—â—alachi and our Lords fathers and kindred fâ—om Zâ—â—bâ—â—leâ— Mat 1. Lukâ— 3. and the Maâ—â—habean martyrs and so many of Israel as had hope of salvation thought of Jeâ—â—â—â—â—â—m in all places 〈◊〉 they were scattered read Jeremiah Chap 51.50 QUest 5. Who also in the new Testament Answ Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth John the Baptist old Simeon and Anna the daughter of Phanuel and many in Israel and Jerusalem that waited for Christ the hope and consolation of Israel and Jews before the full ending of the Seventy Sevens came from all countries to Jerusalem looking for the Kingdome of heaven then to appear as Daniel foretold chap 2. and 7. and 9. And John Elias cried and our Lord and his disciples preached that The Kingdome of heaven was come Mat. 3.2 and 10.7 Luke 19.11 QUest
of the Land of Canaan by Iesus the son of Nun unto the conquest of JESVS the son of God over Sin death and Satan and all our enemies are twenty eight Iubilees our Lord and Saviour the Lord Iesus Christ who is the second Adam and Sem the Great and Reverend The Jubilee year a wonderful◠〈◊〉 the joyfull sound of the Trumpet in the acceptable year of the Lord sounded all these things The victorious combate with the Serpent and his seed and his triumph over them the fullnesse of times the Sacrifice of eternall Redemption the just for the unjust the open recovery of Paradise the resurrection of the most holy the true Temple destroyed and raised the day of salvation the Jews Prerogative ended the Gentiles called the enmity of Jew and Gentile abolished the shadows flee away Christ shook and ended the things made with hands the Sun is darkned the Vail of the Temple rent because the way into the holy heavens was opend by a better Priest and Sacrifice c. c. c. died in a * Iubilee year The ancient holy Hebrews had an excellent and wonderfull saying among them that The Divine Majesty dwelling in our Tabernacle will be to Israel in a Iubilee remission redemption and finisher of Sabbaths Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the ninth Chapter QVest 2. and Ans upon the 2. verse of Dan. 9. The reading study and meditation of the holy Scriptures a great furtherance to prayer A man cannot pray with sound spirituall comfort that is ignorant in them as is manifest in this verse and the rest of the Chapter Blessed is the man that delighteth in them and in them doth meditate day and night Psal 1. And anathema maranatha be that man of sin and his locusts and Kingdome that with-holdeth and forbiddeth the reading and study of the holy Scriptures to the people Observe well 2 Sam 7.27 Gods revelation the ground of prayer yea boldnesse in it Upon Daniel 9 23. Conceive the word and perceive it c. By this commandement doubled for vehementer charge he condemneth the world that regardeth not to be instructed in this doctrine sent from heaven by an Angel unto Daniel and penned for all Nations use Wherefore we must give better heed unto the speech lest we perversly swarve for if the word spoken by angels fall out sure and every trespasse received just recompence of reward how shall we ever escape neglecting so great a charge of our King to our own salvation where the vision is so clear that no doubt can be moved by any plain heart that will rest in the clearnesse of the most bright message by an angel of glory who coming to teach all the world was to shine in words as Stephâ—n by him did in the face Acts 6 when he spake the angell Gabriels words that Jesus of Nazareth would destroy the place City and Temple and change the Laws which Moses gave To this day the blind Jews stand in this that the Laws of Moses shall stand for ever Maymon Tom. 1. delege perek 9. Therefore God fore-seeing their dullnesse of hearing would have an angel of light to teach them by this Prophesie 490 years when from the year of that message unto Daniel the Laws of Moses should have their end and none of the Scribes when Herod was affrighted nor any of the Iews as is seen by their answers in all the Gospel objected disagreement for the time which thing had been done if there had been any colour of disagreement in time but they could not conceive of Christs person and office how that he should be the most holy and King and yet dy for our redemption how he should be Davids Lord and yet his son of these things the main objections arose Now let us look unto the Text sâ—il Mr. Bro. on the text on both his english Daniels Upon Dan. 9.24 c. In this Scripture we come to behold in its flaming brightnesse of the King that is Sacrificer also by whom and for whom death is vanquished sun is cleansed Iustice is brought redemption is wrought a vision is sealed our soul is healed sacrifice abolished and the Temple destroyed for defacing of this doctrine the Iews be reiected for embracing this doctrine the Gentiles be elected to open calling Mr. Bro. in S. sight surely the angel his message concerneth the sum of all the Bible The Jews went weeping to Babel seeing Salomons house and Kingdome ended and the Temple burnt and all Moses ceremonies shaken but they returned rejoycing bringing sheaves of all comfort by Gabriels heavenly message of the seventy sevens concerning MESSIAH the King the Holy of Holy Upon Dan. 9.25 Out going of the word to restore c. mark the word of Proclamation of Cyrus Ezra 1. how it answereth this Prophesie Meditate also how pleasing it is to our God to have a tender affection to his cause Daniel mourned and prayed for the holy City and the holy Mountain and had a gracious answer by the holy angel compare Dan. 9 21.22 Also observe a speech in Zephaniah I will gather them that are sorrowfull for the solemn Assembly who are of thee such are the children of Sion the genuine members of Christs mysticall body to whom the reproach of it was a burden Zeph. 3.18 Psal 137.5 6. So Daniel again was affected when he mourned so bitterly when the building of the temple was hindred by Cambyses in Cyrus his absence Ezra 4 Dan. 10.2 3 4. No losse to the losse of holy things when they are gone God is gone and the enjoying of them no gain so great and no time so acceptable Lam. 2.6 7. Hâ—s 9 12. Ezek. 9 3. 10 4.18 19. and 11.22.23 Micâ—hs idolatrous contestation in a contrary must be the thought of every Holy soul for the esteeming procuring and upholding of Holy Assemblies Jud 18 24. Upon Dan. 9.26 The City and holy place shall be distroy The holy Martyr Stephen was called into question and lost his life for this glorious Doctrine of the holy Angell and yet his countenance before the Councill was like the Angels that brought the message Act 6.13 14 15. and all Chap. 7. How did Despisers wonder and perish when Stephen and Paul taught this Act. 6 7 Act. 13.41 45. 21.28 they wondered and in the end perished As of old they wondered at the Prophets Esai 8 18. Jer. 26 6 7 8. Hab. 1.5 so they did at our Lord and his Apostles Doctrine And verily so it is at this day where ever the Commandements of God and the faith of Jesus is truly and zealously taught Upon the same verse verse twenty five about the attribute Messiah which in this message of the Angell is twice expressed as a proper name of the Son of God who became a Son of man the Son of Adam Dan. 7.13 to fulfill all the Angels message And from this time of Dan 9. this attribute Messiah was very usuall among the faithfull
and profane Joh. 1.41 4.23 And the Jewes at that time commonly speaking Syriack spake the terme Messias and speaking Greek they uttered the Greek terme Christ so that as oft as we read the Greek terme we must remember the other Terme of the Hebrew or Syriack And all the Orthodox Churches in Christendome hold Messias here to be the Son of God our Redeemer vi Mr. Bro. on Daniell and in Advertisment pag. 33. Upon the verse 27. and halfe that seaven of this last seaven the first part is passed over in silence for a preparation the latter halfe doth Christ bestow in confirming the covenant for the Many beginning at his Baptisme ending at his death 3. Quest and Answ N. 1. As the motions of the Heavens The creation was made to serve the Son of Enosh Psal 8. so the revolution of the year all are his Servants Psal 119. lamed-part No Army is ordered more comely then the times in Gods word Dan. 10.1 And Gods people must learne to know that the times as well as the ceremonies and tipes teach of so they lead unto Christ for the Golden Chaine of times are fastned to famous Pillars as is prefixed to this Book N. 11. This prophecie was given Read Esai 44. 45. with Ezr. 1.1 2. concerning Cyrus his Letters Patents of building the Temple and City and returning the people But Cyâ—us going to war in Scythia was plagued for not leaving better order at home that his Letters Patents were not throughly executed for the good of Gods people and Cambyses Daâ—ius Hystaspis and Xerxes for questioning and damning the Patent felt Gods wrath and their Kingdomes Ezra 4. and 6.11 12 Est 1. trouble in Dan. Hyst court Ibid Sent the Jews home The blood of Gods Covenant in Christ sent them home as from Egypt so from Babel Zach. 9.11 Col. 1 20. the blood of the Covenant is our comfort in any disconsolate condition Ibid. That year with a most remarkable Proclamation over an hundred and twenty Provinces Then the Nations did hear of their demanding and enquiring of the way to Sion upon the hope of the Son of man his coming to shew the Kingdome of heaven to all Nations and to shake even the heaven of Moses policy Jer. 10.4 5. they presented Sion in the dust before glorious Babel and they then ought so to do but not now Psal 102.13 14. So Moses and all the Nobles of all ages Heb. 11.24 25 26 ye that have escaped the sword go away stand not still remember Jehovah a far off and let Jerusalem come into your mind Jer. 51.50 Psl 137.5 6. So all ye that have escaped mysticall Babylon go away stand not still remember Jehovah and let the glory of the heavenly Jerusalem come into your mind be ye separate be at a distance in all holy zeal still come out from among them touch nothing of theirs neither Laws nor their phrase nor apparrell make a covenant as Neh. 10. 2 Cor. 6.18 what if your name be put out as evil remember Isa 66. â— John 9.34 and 16.2 2 Cor. 6.17 No. 3. And seal that is confirm all the viâ—ons and Prophesies that he was the end all aimed at Among many Prophesies that might be related I will name now that of Jer. 31.22 The Lord hath created a new thing in the earth A woman shall compasse a man that is a woman Virgin The holy Spirit of Christ prosecuteth the foundation of Doctrine which he laid down in Moses of the blessed seed of the woman Gen. 3.15 and of Shiloh Gen. 49. that a tribe should not fail to Judah till Shiloh came Now Judah being in Babel and held captive the Prophet doth from the Lord comfort them that although they were in heavy calamities and much disconsolate Jer. 30 31.32 33. chapters yet Judah should return and have a policy to buy and sell and that Jerusalem and Temple should be built and the Cities of Iudah inhabited and that that New thing should be accomplished a woman Virgin shall compasse a man All promises were made in Christ and should be yea and amen in him to the glory of God And this is promised to be as sure as the heavens order that God would not fail of his promise he made to David and Israel although Salomons house and Kingdome were ended yea to all the elect from the beginning in sending Christ Iesus to be born of a Virgin and that in him the Church should have unspeakable consolation This made the people of God to be so refreshed as a man is by sweet sleep Ier. 31 26 But Ieremiah told them not nor any Prophet as yet How long Psal 64.9 that should be for the performance that was reserved for a more fit season when they were to come from Babel then they had the time told them by an angel from heaven which did much heighten their consolation wherein all comfort was promised by that glorious message of the angel concerning the Messias compassed by the woman-Virgin to perform all the promises visions and Prophesies by finishing and ending all sin-offerings and trespasse offerings and make by himself a reconciliation for iniquity and bring in everlasting righteousnesse by his perfect sacrifice once performed so by this Doctrine the godly were preserved and strengthened greatly in their faith and hope of Christs coming in this determined time And seing it is said Christ shall seal Vision and Prophet is taught that he shall restrain apostasie through preaching his glorious Gospel that they fall not away as the Jews did in that most grievous and almost universall revolt in and from the dayes of Antiochus Epiphanes Dan 8 13. and 11 30 31 32. Our Lord Jesus Christ in his coming was the morning star and the SUN of Righteousnesse and his brightnesse did visit us as holy Zâ—chariah saith Luc. 1 7.8 For those times were most deplorable in corrupting all holy Doctrine as it was greatly darkened by these three Shepherds Zac. 11. concerning the holy Trinity the sons incoâ—nation his death and resurrection and concerning justification and all Moses polity as all the Epistle to the Hebrews sheweth But the Lord Jesus and his Apostles from him made all clear again Also this Prophesie of the angel from heaven was wonderfull to the comfort of the people of God under their pressures by Persia Javan whole and Javan parted This Prophesie is marvellous if we consider the times Oh who is sufficient to expresse the things of Gods blessed word Ibid. N. 3. Everlasting righteousnesse The mentioning of everlasting righteousness justification redemption doth shew the Law made nothing perfect but was sponsorious and an introduction to a better hope in Christ for Christ by his own blood entered once through the vail that is his flesh into the holy place into the very heavens to appear now in the fight of God for us and obtained eternall Redemption Heb. 9. For it is not possible that the bloud of Bulls or Goats should take away sinne
c. And the seed of the Serpent shall bruise the heel of the holy seed Ge. 3.15 Faith stayeth on the rock of Israel God in Christ was the rock of their heart and portion for ever Psal 73. another Scripture faith Trust ye in Jehovah for in Jah Jehovah is the rock of all ages Isa 26. And again My God is the Rock in whom I will trust 2 Sam. 22.3 32 33 47. And the terms of the New Testament are agreeable it is said Ye believe in God believe also in me for he is the Rock Mat. 16.1 Cor. 10. And they are pronounced happy that trust in the Son Psal 2. and curled that make flesh their arm Jer. 17. And gracious Hannah saith there is no Rock but our God 1 Sam. 2. Ibid. The violence of fire By faith they looked to things not seen they by faith knew that JESUS the Son of God by the blood of the Covenant would save them from the wrath to come the vengeance of eternal fire the second death 1 Thes 1.10 N. 4. Would still tender the cause of his own Nation Daniel a Subject maketh a golden state for the Church under tyranny so did honoured Mordecai Hest 10 Good States-men seck the wealth of the Saints so did Eliakim when he was substituted in Shâ—baaes place Isa 22. Obadiah was of great and good use in Achabs Court 1 Kings 18.13 Nebemiah a noble pattern of courage fidelity and zeal to God and the King forget not holy Joseph none of these were temporizers Psal 122 and 132.1 2 3 c. Remember Ahikam and those Princes that had somelise of Religion left in them that saved the holy Prophet from the blood thirstie Priests and false Prophets Jer. â—6 N 6. As those noble Sages who came from Persia Daniel so tendered of Princes and so Religious would cause the mysterie of Christ to be known in the Court and Palace at Susan as Saint Paul in Câ—sars Court Phil. 1. Daniel a pattern for young and old Courtiers and such shall find more favour at last both of God and their Prince then they that flatter with their lips Dan. 8.2 Susan was in the Province of Persia or Elam N. 8. Of a generall Subsidie Daniel a wealthy subject doubtlesse would further help in this matter his care for the returned would answer the effects of his prayer Dan. 9. as Mordecai did afterward further the cause of Christ as Esther 10. N. 9. And by faith stopping the mouths of lions Daniel knew by faith that the Son of man would stop and deliver us from the mouth of Satan that roaring lion the accuser of the brethren who goeth about seeking whom he may devour whom resist stedfast in the faith knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren which are in the world 1 Pet 5.9 N. 10. Offspring of Amalek Amalek was of Esau who with his posterity despised the blessing of the Gospel and hated the Israel of God even to Herod To this story of Haman the Agagite of Amalek we must remember Exod. 17.15 16. and Num. 24.20 of terrour to all apostaticall fierce persecutors of the holy seed Ibid. They escaped the edge of the Sword They knew by faith that the MESSIAS the King would by his death frustrate the counsell of Satan and all the power of darknesse and deliver all the children of God from the bondage and fear of death and spoil and triumph over the principalities and powers of darknesse the spirituall wickednesses even all the Legions of Devils that war against us concerning super-celestiall things Eph 6. Ibid. Letters of commission this story fell out about seventeen years before Zachariah prophesied that he might well say from God He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye Zac. 2. Ibid. Atheist Haman to plot against them and to accuse See how Satans seed folâ—owed Hamans project Acts 16.20 21 22. and 17.5 6 7. And all times have not neither will want such shamelesse liars and cursed dogs that accuse the Saints to Princes Hos 7.3 The Locusts and their King and their friends were ever most vigilant and sedulous in this thing and no marvell for Sathan the accuser of the brethren dealt so against the holy One of Israel Luc. 23.2 Their throats are open sepulchres the poison of asps is under their lips But our Lord and his apostles though few and mean were better subjects to Cesar than their lying numerous malitious adversaries Acts 17.7 and 24.5 6 7. c. Oh that Princes and Nobles would search into matters that they would read Gods Chronicles with diligent study as it is their duty Deut. 17. They would find all to be false that Haman speaks against Mordecai and the Jews mind a story 2 Sam. 16. flattering Ziba tells a most shamefull lie too many such about Princes that accuse honest subjects and make Princes trespasse against their Subjects as good David did that gave Mephibosheths lands away upon a false accusation But David said he would do otherwise in ruling the Common-weal He said he would sing of mercy and judgement and that a slanderer and a liar should not be in his Court or roiall City Psal 101. But alas alas what with sycophants and backbiters and gifts as lying Ziba presented to David 2 Sam. 19. Kings and Nobles trespasse against the faithfull of the Land and remove Land-marks It is pertinent to confer Dan. 6. that wicked men can find nothing for the most part against the Saints but concerning the Law of their God as it was then so it is now Acts 16.20.21 1 Pet 4. Let none of you suffer for evil-doing but as a Christian c. Ibid. And their Laws are divers from all people What Laws none but the holy Scriptures of the blessed God thou adversary and enemy thou wicked Haman See the contrary in good Princes and Nobles that good and truly noble and Royall Darius Artaxeâ—xes and his privy counsellours who honoured the Laws of the God of heaven he knew that Gods Laws were not hurtfull but profitable to him and his Government and that his subjects ought to walk in them View his letters patents well which he never questioned nor revoked that King and his counsellours let them be patterns to their Peers Ezra 7 Ibid. Neither keep they the Kings Laws There your Lorship hit 'em they will not obey the Kings Laws The idiome now of profane and superstitious hyocrites self-willed in humility Help O eternall they have said with our tongue we will prevail our lips are our own who is Lord over us Psal 12. and 120. Isa 57. Psal 131.18 Let the lying lips be put to silence which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous and make their own tongue to fall on them Psal 64. Acts 17.6 7. Ibid. And I will pay ten thousand But Lord Haman this sum of money would not have recompensed that great dammage that the King would have sustained no not in the bondage much lesse in the
destruction of so many honest and â—â—lâ—thfull subjects and so it was told you to your face you know when Hest 7 shall voluntary giâ—ts and contributions of such drosse Statists corrupt the breasts of Princes to make and confirm the Decrees and Canons c. to undo their bâ—st subjects absit absit Es 10.1 Psal 94.20 Prov. 25.4.5 wherefore hearest thou mens words saying David seeketh thy hurt Now therefore I pray thee Let my Lord the King hear the words of his servant If Jehovah have stirred thee up against me let him accept an offâ—â—ing but if they be the children of men cuâ—sed be they before Jehovah for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord saying go serve other gods 1 Sam. 7.4 and 26. CHAP. XI Shewing why there were no more Prophets after Malachy to our Lords incarnation FOr the better understanding of the reason three things must be well observed 1. The times of Daniel concerning Christ and his Church and the exact time of our Lords death 2. Concerning the church of the Iews standing or falling in these times 3. Concerning concerning the enemies of the church in these three things the times will be coincident which must be diligently observed First touching Christ and the exact time of his death it must be remembred The Seventy years of Babels captivity ending Daniel hâ—d this message from heaven that the Lord God had sent an holy angel from heaven to Daniel with that heavenly Message of the Seventy Sevens of years wherein MESSIAH the King should finish trespasse-offerings and end sin-offerings and make reconciliation for iniquity and bring in everlasting righteousnesse and seal Vision and Prophesie and that MESSIAH the holy of holy should confirm the Testament for Iews and the Many and should end Sacrifice and offering by his most obedient sufferings and death giving himself a sweet smelling sacrifice of savour to God for our Redemption Dan. 9.24 c. This Prophesie foretold the year moneth day and hour of Messiah his death the angel Gabriel at the time of the eenng sacrifice or ninth hour came then to Daniel to tell him that at the Seventy Sevens the Messiah should suffer and his Prophesie was performed and fulfilled at the ninth hour of the day for then our Lord gave himself a Sacrifice for the sins of the Iews and the Many of all Nations and said all was finished when he yielded his holy soul into the hands of the heavenly Father 2. We must know that Daniel knew all the holy Doctrine of the angels Message but the time of fulfilling all visions and Prophesies for the exact time of Christs death No Prophet ever told that time but Daniel this must be advisedly condered Now when the Church of God had the time of Christs death exaxctly foretold which Kings Priests and Prophets and all godly did desire to see and hear This gave the faithfull abundant satisfaction 3. When Daniel had such glrious Prophesies of ch 2. and 7. and 8. and this blessed Revelation from heaven in chap. 9. for the rejoycing of the hearts of the people of God They forsook Bahel to go to Jerusalem though in the dust Psal â—02 14 This company that returned were precious feed for after times Psal 126. Haggai end Malachy shew that the messiah shall sâ—ddenly come to the second Temple before it be destoyed so they open Dan. 9.24 c. then 49000 with Zorobabel were perswaded to forsake Babel in hope of the coming of the Son of Man in the clouds of heaven and to have Kingdome power and glory over all Nations Jeremiah sheweth that the deliverance from Babel should be more glosious than that from Egypt Jer 30. and 31. and 32. and 33. excellent things are spoken for the returned from Babel but Daniel onely tells the time of the death of Christ 4. When David had thus declared the exact time then Haggai further conâ—ecrated the returned against their discouragements that the Temple Zorobabel built should be of greater glory than Salomons because the MESSIAH the desire of all Nations should come and fill it with his glorious presence by teaching in it doing miracles in it and in it give peace to all the Israel of God Likewise Zachariah commenteth much on Daniel that Zion and Jerusalem should rejoice because the King of Israel was coming but in a lowly manner as our Lord tol them the Kingdome of heaven did not come in him with great shews of outward observation and he told them of the undervaluing King MESSIAH how he was bought and sold as for a slave for thirty pieces of silver this expounds Daniel for the sufferings of Messias yet at that day he would be a fountain for sin and all uncleannesse unto all the godly families of Judah and Levi for the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all faithfull as Daniel sheweth Christ shall suffer so Zachariah sheweth the blessed shepherd shall be smitten and the flock shall be scattered these things shew the sufferings of Messias not for himself being just but for us 6. Daniel having shewed of Messiahs confirming the Covenant for Jews and the many of all Nations Malachy expoundeth this saying from the rising of the SUN unto the going down of the same the name of the Lord should be great among the Gentiles Also he sheweth of Messiah the mesenger of the covenant in whom they delighted and expected Also he sheweth of him the SUN righteousnesse shall appear with healing in his beams and prophesieth of John Elias the Baptist to be Christs Messenger to prepare the way for his coming and the Nation of the Jews were so taken with John Baptist that they thought he was the MESSIAH for that time had many thoughts and questions 7. Daniel foretold the destruction of the low Jerusalem as with the Flood of Noah in the next generation after the Seventy Sevens were ended at our Lords death Zachariah saith the same Zac. 14.12 that it should be very terrible Also he sheweth of the heavenly Jerusalem the new Jerusalem so Esai 2 1 2 3. Micah 4â—1 2 Esai 54. speaks of his glory Titus Vespasian destroyed the low Jerusalem forty years after our Lords ascension and the Lord Jesus gave them an assured token of the same Luke 21.20 The Church standing Secondly touching the Church of God especially the faithfull rejoiced to think of the determined time of the Seventy Sevens and did calculate the years since their return from Babel so that they could not misse to know the time of MESSIAH his coming And nothing was ever objected against our Lord or his apostles about the time Zac. 11.11 The poore of the flock still waited for the accomplishment of all things especially the godly families of the house of Nathan Salomons brother by Batâ—shebah that came of Zorababel All the god evermore waited for Christ their blessed hope Isa 25.9 now much more And as they did thus for his first coming so
of the seventy seavens and Ptolomy Epiphanes all that time of Javan in those Kings of North and South they were a Beast horned to gore the people of God and had Iron legs to trample under foot the pleasant Land that is the Land of Israel Immanuels Land But after Antiochus Epiphanes the Fourth Beast Daniel 7. failed much of the strength of his hornes Before and after Antiochus Epiphanes death Christ strengthened Iudah and Ephraim against Iavan Zac. 9.13 and the legs of the image Dan. 2. were day now as Iron partly strong and partly brittle and so continued till at last Kittim the Romans possessed all as hath been noted The Kings of the North the Seleucidae reigned two hundred seventy years the Kings of the South i. e. Egypt reigned two hundred ninety four years But we must understand the years of these Kings of North and South were contemporary So these stories of the Medes and Persians Javan whole and Javan parted will reach 430 of the Seventy Sevens and the other 60 years to our Lords death for the most part the Romanes ruled If the godly Reader will make use of Mr. Bro. Commentaries on Daniel the preface thereof will shew him the Kings of Persia and the Kings of Javan their number and succession and the number of their years and all these Kings are to be confined within the compasse of the Seventy Sevens all the stories both of the four beasts Dan. 7. and of the four mettalls of the image Dan. 2. Mr. Bro. is so large in his Expositions of Daniel that there is not need of inlargement at this time Also let the Reader mark his Consent of Scripture for the orderly disposing of the times Furthermore they should not have nor needed any moe Prophets for that they should be greatly scattered shortly after Malachies dayes and their State continuallly shaken for hundreds of years before the holy incarnation by the interchangeable warres and victories of the Kings of the North and South Mal. 4. therefore the Law of Moses was so strictly enjoined to them to remember it which would have preserved them from all those errors and apostasie they fell into Again the Hebrew tongue after the return from Babel ceased from common use even the returned spake a mixt language as Nehemiah sheweth so they should have no more Prophets for the Hebrew tongue And we are to mark the lively Providence touching the families of Scripture Babel the eldest wicked monument Mr. Bro. in his notes on Dan. 5. which was built to the great ruine of all the godly families by Nymrod the Nephew of oursed Cham to the great grief of SEM and Japheth whereupon Adams tongue was made 70. of one Which Babel ended the Jews language the first tongue that it was common in no Kingdome after that And the greek tongue shortly after Malachies dayes became to be the most common tongue in the world that the the apostles did use it and write the New Testament in it Furthermore for Jews that look for such Prophets they should consider that Jerusalem and the Temple should have utter The Rulers and people of the Jews did not know the meaning of their own Prophets Act. 13.27 All the Prophets and the Law propheprophesied untill Iohn Mat. 11.13 so our Lord and his apostles shall prophesie in his speeches and their writings untill our Lords second coming and finall desolations in the neaâ— generation after the Seventy Sevens and such Prophets were to be no longer than Israels Prerogative lasted which was at the ending of the Seventy Sevenâ— for it is said God hath in these last dayes spoken to us by his Son who hath told us all thing and sealed vision and Prophet for the old Testament and hath given by himself and by his apostles visions and prophesies for the new Jerusalem to the end of the world in his new Testament Therefore those that now look for new apostles Prophets and miracles do and will run into all vanity and errour as the Jews did that regarded not the cloâ—ing up of the Prophesie of Malachy and for us of Japhets families of the new Testament we are charged to remember the commandements and words of the holy apostles our Lord Jesus Christ which charge not being observed the Church fell into errours fables and Doctrines of Devils Thus I suppose we may see they needed no moe Prophets to foretell the exact time of Christs death John Baptist was a great Prophet but he pointed with the finger that Christ was come and the chief point of his Ministry was to prepare the peoples heart for Christ that in him they might be blessed and saved from the curse that was coming on the disobedient so old Simeon with Zachurias and Anna a Prophetesse did declare Christ was come of whom Daniel and all the Prophets spake and John-Elias the Baptist preached to all Israel saying the Kingdome of heaven is come as Daniel had foretold chap. 2. and 7 and 9. Briefly sum up the premises seeing the holy angel from heaven had told Daniel in the Seventy Sevens of the exact time of the death of the MESSIAH to end Sacrifices and offerings and of the four mettals in the image and of the four beasts and of the wicked Kingdomes that were taught by them and of all them to be destroyed by the birth of the Son of Man the MESSIAS that is Babel Medes and Persians Javan Whole and Javan parted and the afflictions by them on the stars of heaven the Jews and of the full date of Israels peculiar glory by the utter desolation of the City Jerusalem and the Temple and that Ezra Nehemiah Esther did comment on Daniel and that Haggai Zachariah and Malachy had reproved the sinnes of their present age and also had much enlarged and opened Daniel in many things to the dayes of the coming of the Son of Man Now no more Prophets needed Mal. 4. but onely to remember the Law of Moses the servant of the Lord which he commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel with the Statutes and judgements They should study it till the coming of CHRIST and the coming of his fore-runner Mat. 11.13 14. for it should be to them a most sure word Therefore they needed not the URIM and THUMMIM and School-master This conclusion of Malachy with his Speech of John-Elias doth intimate a cessation of such holy prophets for all was spoken that need to be spoken People should diligently be exhorted privately and publickly by them whose place it is in chief so to do to read the holy and blessed Scriptures diligently and for this above handled to read together * These 6 books were in the time of the Seventy Sevens Ezra * Nehemiah * Esther Haggai Zachary * and Malachy with Daniel these six last books do much comment on Daniel And the godly Reader would be exhorted to mark the chronologie of the holy Scriptures and the chief persons in the times Thus
the Supper of the Lord. QUest 4. Shew first what is considered jointly in these two Answ Both these are memorials signes and seals as strong as the worlds frame to repenting and believing Receivers of whatsoever Gods word hath revealed for their hope and comfort of life temporal spiritual and eternal They by the work of the Spirit represent and seal the whole doctrine of the covenant and promises made to our Fathers and also it must ever be remembred they are reciprocal and for restipulation as the covenant and being added to the covenant more firmly binding strenthning and comforting to faith obedience and thankfulness QUest 5. What do you conceive to be taught us in Baptism Answ Baptism is to teach and seal unto us 1. †1 Mat. 3. Acts 2.38 39 40 41 42.2 Acts 2.38 and 22.16.3 Gal. 3.26 27.4 Rom 6.5 Tit. 53.6 1 Cor. 15.29 Rom 6. Col. 2.12 and 3.3 To all which we must joyn the calling on the name of the Lord with good understanding Acts 22.16 1 Pet. 3.21 Concrning our entrance into the Church and politie of Christs Kingdome and the priviledges of the same to distinguish us from other polities 2. Concerning our justifiation 3. Our adoption 4. New birth or sanctification 5. Mortification 6. The resurrection QUest 6. What do you consider in the Supper of the Lord. Ans This should be written in all hearts that they onely be happy which in the Lords Supper protest the abundance of grace of free forgivenesse for justification to reign by Christ the second Adam 2. The Bread broken and without mixture the wine poured out and without mixture administred in the Primitive sincerity and plainnesse dispensed by a lawfull Pastour and taken with holy judgement and faith our souls feeding upon the eternall Son his incaâ—nation and Redemption is a Seal of mercy of faithfullnesse builded and established in the very heavens to stay us in Christ and in his holy Doctrine The authority of the Speaker promising covenanting and now sealing who made the world by his word must be looked unto 3. As our eyes judge of the frame of the world and our minds to what invisible use all was made subject to the second Adam So our eyes must judge of Bread and Wine and our minds that Christ our onely and most holy and perfect high Sacrificer offered himself a Sacrifice for us 4. When Sacrifice was to end at the Supper of the Lamb Christ Jesus our Lord the Son eternall whom we must hear to seal the end of Sacrificing gave for beasts flesh and blood which figured his Body and Blood Bread and VVine to be in Covenant-speech his body and Blood 5. As all faithfull of the old Testament kept with all Religious observance the Gospel Statutes and testimonies of circumcision the passeover and Jubilee c. to the death of our Lord Jesus Christ at his first coming so shall this precious ordinance yea and all the ordinances that it seals to continne to the judgement of the great day And the Saints must evermore celebrate and observe it with an eye to his second coming This should be a constant Meditation with the people of God (*) Read a little treatise intituled a fruitfull Sermon on Rom. 12. but man by nature of a stubborn disposition to divine revelation will not be charmed though the charmer charm never so wifely Here should be inserted concerning the offices and officers of Christ for the government of his churches and the ministration of the holy things thereof Much hath been written Pro and Con. but questionlesse that church politie that is according to the words and commandements of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ is best and will agree and stand with the polities of Christians yea of heathen common weals And nothing but Popish ambition tyranny coveteousnesse idlenesse doth resist Christs government of which if the territories of Princes were rightly possessed they would glory in it * both for safety of person and State Kings being just †Kings that set light by gody and just government shall find Christs providences to be iron and fire to their common-weals 2 Sam 23.7 and ruling in the fear of God need not fear losse by Christ for that his Kingdome is not of this world VVhat his Kingdome is and who his Subjects are he sheweth Mat. 5. John 18.37 QUest 7. Who believed the most sure word of Prophesie and the Record that God the Father witnessed of the Son Answer The apostles and disciples and many others afore our Lords death the 3000 converted at one Sermon and 2000 and many more added presently after and in succeeding times 144000 Jews and innumerable martyrs and confessours of all Nations and languages as the Acts the Epistles to the Churches and the Apocalips do shew †Now the Kingdome of Christ spokeng of in Daniel c. 2 7 is fully manifested when the image of four mettals and the four beasts became as chaffe before the wind and were consumed by rivers of fire and that the Son of Man was come and had ascended to the Ancient of dâ—â—es then to him was given Kingdome power and glory that all people Nations and tongues should serve him Thus Prophesie and history do sweetly agree QVest 8. Then by this that you have said it doth manifestly appear that all Nations which were of the families of the Sons of Noah had no other faith for salvation taught them but what was taught in Sâ—ms Tents and by the Sons of SEM Answ Most true it is for all that was taught to Eva to Sem to Abraham Isaac Jacob Judah Moses David Salomon Daniel and all the Prophets in the old Testament the same faith and none other as the new Testament sheweth Christ taught his Apostles and disciples who went from Jerusalem Sems tents to the uttermost parts of the earth by our Lords commandement with the gift of tongues to disciple all nations by preaching the word of truth the Gospel concerning the incarnation of the Son of God his sufferings death resurrection from death his ascention and shining glorious appearing at his second coming to judge the world That work they performed by the strength of God who confirmed their Doctrine with signes wonders and divers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost Then tongues nations and people of all Kingdomes departed from the power of darknesse by faith and obedience to the Kingdome of Christ giving honour and glory for ever to the king eternall holy invisible God onely wise 2. As Christ our salvation came of the Jews so the scriptures of the old and new Tâ—stament which reach the salvation came from them and because the saints from the dayes of the apostles have obtained the same like precious faith as Salem Sems tents had of old the state of the Church is termeâ— a Jâ—rusalem from Heaven and the names of the twelve Tribes upon the twelve Gates of this â—iâ—â—e do shew that all must be of their faith that enter
passeover of the Lord your God according to all that is in the book of the Covenant 2 Kings 23. Kings should so speak to their subjects if they have any portion in the Covenant Ibid. With holy judgement and faith We must discern by faith as Habel Heb. 11.4 The Lords body crucified and the bloud of the covenant shed opus operatum is not enough It is the Lords seal of the forgiveness of sins Alaâ—le alass for want of sound reaching in the most of our assemblies Ibid. To stay us in Christ c. Not only for increase of faith concerning our effectual calling justification adoption and redemption and for nourishment and strength to walk in the waies of holyness and righteousness being made comformable to his image renewed in us c. but for supporting us in the daies of trial and affliction which in this seal is represented by the sufferings of our Lord to whom we also must be conformable in sufferings to take up our cross daily As it is the cup of gladness of salvation so it is the cup yea of bloudy sufferings if our heavenly Father will put it into our hands N. 4. which figured his body and bloud The Pope and his corporation corrupted from the plainesse that is in Christ making an Altar Priest and Sacrifice have missed wholly of the truth in Christ By that blasphemous idol of his masse and other inventions they have abolished the remembrance of the death and sacrifice of Christ Jesus our Lord in the holy seal of the covenant Ibid. Bread and wine by Seal of things without life by Bread broken and bloud of the grape by the term Supper the whole tenor of Christianity is meant Apocal. 19.9 But the acceptation of the Seal is an open action to distinguish us more then baptism doth from others The King of Locusts and his Locusts are fatal enemies to this seal of the Covenant in their idolatrous Nothing of their Sacrament of the Altar setting forth Christ both unbroken and unbloudy which cannot represent nor seal Christ for reconciliation remission of sins or nourishment As the Ordinance of Christ is blessed and shall be â—â—lessed to the day of his comming so this abominable corruption is cursed and shall be accursed of all that love our Lord Jesus Christ to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Amen As in the Ordinance of the Passeover the Angel of the Covenant did execute judgements on the Gods of old Egypt so where this Ordinance of the Lords Supper is truly administred the idolatry of the breaden gods of Rome-Egypt are demolished Ibid. To be in Covenant speech his body and bloud a seal of most high matters is most highly to be esteemed But none without Athean madnesse will say The Seal is the King the Kings authority it should have to be as himself but none of wit orgrace would make it the King himself All wise know proper speech and civil The Gospel thrice and St. Paul 1 Cor. 11. tell that Iesus gave bread and wine and that the disciples are and drank what he gave that no miracle was here but the native manner of a Covenant Eye-sight is Gods testimony by creation Law and allowed ever even in the seal of the Covenant which may contain no matter litigious And if the Apostles or Greck Fathers had said the bread and wine were altered from their taste and nature for so much the heathen would have sworn the world never bare wickeder Magicians nor worthier of death by Mases Law which Christ gave as eternal God and came as man to be judged of man how he did perform all so that the native power of reason which he planted in all souls for sense of eye sight taste feeling smelling and hearing of words should judg of him that he performed all justice to plain capacity of all nations and required none to believe further then Logick common to every man would require assent or tell of open Rebellion against the truth Transubstantiation a monstrous term for a monstrous matter Mr. Brou in Apocal. At the figure of the Star * according to the words and commandments Though it be but a mans Testament yet if it be confirmed no man disannulleth or addeth thereto Gal. 3.15 Heb. 9.15 16 17. neither altereth the Legacies nor addeth others nor taketh away nor maketh other Executors or Overseers c. Men must not be Rectifters of Christs Testament which is confirmed by the death and bloud as in his type Exod. 24 Of him the Testatour And the seals bind us all to look to the holy evidences Men may as well pull away the seals as falsifie the plain truth in the writings They bind us to observe whatsoever Christ hath commanded as circumcision did Israel Exod 12. Gal 3 5 the angel of the pit and his pit-bred creatures corrupt the evidences and utterly pull off one of the seals they are great impostors Quest 7. and Answ Martyrs and confessours of all Nations Us heathens were from Noahs dayes Loruchamab and Loammiâ— Deut 32.21 and so the ten Tribes Hos 1 but both in Christ Ruchamah and Ammi so that now many come from the East and West Isa 49. to be blessed with faithfull Abraham and to sit down with him and Isaac and Iacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdome of heaven no sitting there unlesse of Abrahams faith without shall be liars mark the terms of the Covenant I am the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Iacob This is my memoriall to all generations that is to all of their faith whether Jew or Gentile else they are protested against not to be of Abrahams Gal. 3.7 8. John 8.39.40 41. c. and have been and shall be broken off Rom. 11.17 and cast out Gal. 4.30 At the mark of the †Then to him was given Kingdome power and glory See how our Lord commenteth on Daniel chap. 2. and 7. All power saith he is given to me in heaven and in earth therefore go and disciple all Nations c Mat. 28. Quest 8. and Answ 1. But what was taught in Sems Tents The Scriptures of the Prophets the faith of the Nations Rom. 1.2 and 16.26 The same faith and Covenant although the outward administration did differ How glorious is the Scriptures consent The Saints from the beginning to the ending have one and the same God and Saviour one and the same faith the same hope the same Covenant the same premises Behold how all is administred by one Mediatour from one eternall being who is A. and Ω. confer Gen. 3.15 and 6.18 1 Iohn 1.1 2. c. Exod. 19.5 6. Apoc. 21.3 2 Cor. 6.16 Exod. 29.45 Ios 1.3 Heb. 13.5 Ibid. Who went from Jerusalem Sems tents The faith of Gods elect came to us from Ierusalem Sems tents not from Rome Babylon with babbling language as the Locusts prate see Isa 2 1 2 3 4. Micah 4. Luke 24.47 The heavenly Ierusalem began to be built in the earthly Acts 1.2 And
Answer It shall Christ will raise up holy Teachers who shall by his great power cause the earth to be lightned with glory And the Temple and Testimony which the Beast of the Pit had shut up shall be further opened and the Lord the Almighty One shall reign The same Kingdomes that gave their power to the Beast shall regain and shall revive from their dead apostaticall condition and hate the Whore that loathsome Corporation of the King of Locusts make their Kingdomes our Lords and his Christs for they shall embrace the Gospel which shall shine among them This is called the marriage of the Lamb Apoc. 19. And verily as that whorish Polity hath been desolate and naked in respect of England Scotland and much of Germany c. so shall it be of France and Spain and others when Gods purposes are fulfilled QUest 9. What is the finall judgement given on the second beast with two horns like a Lamb who is the Beast of Empire revived and also with his Locusts is the false Prophet Answer It is said the Beast was caught and with him the false Prophet which worketh miracles before him by which he deceiveth them that receive the mark of the Beast and worship his image both were cast alive as Sodomites into the Lake burning with fire and Brimstone and shall be tormented with the Devils day and night for ever and ever Even so Amen Lord God omnipotent holy just and true are thy wayes and judgements O King of Saints QUest 10. What is the judgement on them that are seduced by the great glorious and Catholick Whore and were drunken with the cup of the Wine of her fornications that had the Mark of the Beast and did worship his image Answ They shall drink of the Cup of the wrath of God the wine mixed in the cup of his anger Psal 11.6 and 75.8 and shall be tormented for ever and ever without rest day or night in fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb Apoc. 14. This should be a most serious admonition for men to come out of mysticall Babylon mysticall Egypt to use no garments no prayers no laws of the Popes making QUe 11. What are we to think of all that go under the name of Papists that are under the Papacy Answ Fearfull judgement is pronounced on all those that worship the image of the Beast or have his Mark or print of his name in hand or forehead but sentence is not so passed on all that are of the Number of his name yet they are in great danger unlesse they obey the voice from heaven Come out of her my people O thrice blessed is that Kingdome O thrice blessed is that family O thrice blessed is that person that not onely hath gotten victory over the Beast and over his image and over his Mark but also and over the number of his name QUest 12. What is the end of all that know not God and which obey not to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ which will not be of the Corporation of the holy City Answ Everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power for so it is said without shall be dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters and the fearfull and unbelievers and the abominable and whosoever loveth and maketh a he Apoc. 21. and 22. QUest 13. What is the end of the godly that would not obey the Papacy and of all that sincerely walk with God Answ The Apostle John heard a voice from heaven saying Write blessed are they that die in the Lord even so saith the Spirit for they rest from their labours and their works follow with them Phil. 3.12 They shall not be unclothed but clothed upon in them mortality be swallowed up of life 2 Cor. 5.4 Luk. 20.35.36 And in the day of the all-joyfull resurrection our weak vile and corrupt bodies shall be raised up incorruptible and be fashioned and made like our Lords glorious body And the Saints that are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall have instead of death a sudden and unspeakable * changing in their bodies and shall together with them of the Resurrection be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the aire and to be ever with the Lord not to die any more but are equall unto the angels and shall shine like the Sun in the Kingdome of their Father Amen Even so come LORD JESUS Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the seventeenth Chapter QVest 1. and Ans Here and there two witnesses See Mr. White Way c. page 384. c. and Mr. Cade Justif l. chap. 4 and lib. 2. chap. 1. and many others Christ still raising up his witnesses was an argument that his cause should live till better times All the power of the Western world that Pope and Emperour and other horns of the Beast could make could not root out the Church nor the faith of the Primitive purity It did and shall increase in spite of fire and fagot prisons Massacres Index Expurgatorius c. the King of Locusts and his Locusts prevailed against the bodies of the Saints but not against their Testimony to the true faith of Christ Ibid. Prophesied misliked and cried out Here is a sore combate of Michaels servants called the patience of the Saints as with the Casars so now with the Tail of the Dragon the King of Locusts All the fight was for the salvation and power and Kingdome of God and his word and the authority of of Christ and his Testimony Apoc. 12.10 and this still is and must be intended for unto banishment spoiling of goods bonds and death Yea it shall be contended for till the seventh Trumpets sounding sheweth Christs reigning over the Kingdoms of the world in the glorious manifestation of his Ordinances Apoc. 11.15.19 Ibid. For divers hundreds of years In those dayes the Temple was shut and Christs Ordinances abandoned by the authority of the Beast with two horns like a Lamb so there is two kinds of authority and for this was the great strife Jehosaphat much reformed the State and took away the high places that had Groves but the other high places stood still for the peoples heart was not able to comply with purer worship 2 Chron. 20.33 So in our dayes our people are full of superstitions and hate faithfull teaching therefore pure Reformation shall not be yet nay now the the things not reformed by Queen Elizabeth and King James are a means of introducing moe things of Popish abominations Ibid. Of his 666. Apostaticall number Observe the Romane Catholick Church of Kings multitudes peoples Nations and kindreds and tongues rejoiced when the Beast of the Pit had killed the two witnesses and Martyrs of Iesus so they are the many that go the broad way and Christs witnesses sew that go the narrow way Papists ask where was your company
afterward found great severity of thundring wrath and terrour of most bitter plagues as if their filthy flesh rotted from their bones and their idolatrous and adulterous eyes did consume in their holes and their blasphemous tongues in their mouths 9. And the Lord MESSIAS to whom the Father of Heaven had committed all authority and power raised tumults among them first on the Iewes then on the Caesars Augusti and their people in most fearfull manner That the Caesars and their Assassines had death and a gulph and grave of destruction by intestine garboiles in their Armies destroying one another for three hundred years the six seals do also shew this in Ap. 90 Ap. 6. 10. Zach. 14.16 When the Heavenly Ierusalem was builded on twelve precious Foundations all of precious Iewels the Prophets and Apostles Doctrine b These are the same waters Ezekiel speaks of that came from the Temple Ezek. 47. and Christ JeAsue expounds Zac. and Ezek. in Apoc. 21. 22. then those holy waters as is noted of healing Doctrine issued and had free course into all quarters under Heaven East West North and South and every quarter had three Gates into the City And the godly in all times of the New Testament did flee like Doves to nestle in this City they came to it b Constantly continually from mouth to mouth c. Esai 66.23 these are allegoricall expressions anniversarily to keep the Feast of Tabernacles And the Apoc. 7. is an Historicall prophesie that 144000. of Israel the twelve Tribes that held the faith and an innumerable company of all Nations come to this City to blesse and praise * All Nations did blesse him as they were in him Psal 72.17 Gen. 12.1 2 3. the Eternall Son of God who did Tabernacle or Temple in our nature for 〈◊〉 â—edemption and when they came they brought Palme-Branches in their hands crying Hosanna Salvation to our God that sâ—â—teth on the Thorne and to the LAMBE for evermore 11. And they that will not come to the Feast of Tabernacles to serve Christ Iesus the true Tabernacle or Temple in his holy Assemblies in this his Ierusalem they shall have no Raine to moisten their dry and barren hearts They shall not know what meanes the Dewes that fall on Mount Hermon and the sweet small Raine that distilleth on the Holy Mount aine of Sion Apoc. 14.1 All the Gentiles that will not yeild obedience to the faith of the Gospell Christ will bring upon them positive and privative plagues as the stories of the Church shew this in all the Centuries in all Countries 12. And because Christ Iesus our Lord hath made us Kings and Sacrificers to God his Father Holinesse to Jehovah which was graven on the front place of the high Sacrificer shall be written on the Horse Bridles and on every Pot in the Heavenly Ierusalem thus Zachariah as Dan. 9. Esai 66. sheweth an utter abrogation of the Ceremonies of Moses Chanaan City Temple and worships 13. And let this be noted that the holy Apostles expounding the Prophets never taught the Saints that ever they should expect any outward glory to returne to Chanaan City Temple or Kingdome but taught them of the Heavenly Iâ—â—usalem and therein the Lord God of Hosts the Lambe to be the Temple and the holy worship to be cheâ—fly spirituall prayer to be every where in lifting up pure hands and hearts in all godly qualifications as our Lord Messiaâ— told the woman of Samaâ—ia Ioh. 4. 14. And therefore the Apostle Peter the Apostle of the circumcision taught the scattered Tribes of Israel in Pontus Asia Galatia Bithinia Capadocia and Chaldea of the Heavenly inheritance that fadeth not as Canaan and that themselves were lively Stones in the spirituall building to be an holy Preist-hood to offer up spirituall sacrifice acceptable to God by Iesus Christ the true Temple And that they that were and had been for many dayes Lo-ammi and Lo â—uchamah Hos 1. 3. were now by the glorious Gospell made Gods people and had obtained mercy and pity and warnes them that they be not as their Fathers to stumble at Christ and his Doctrine And further instructs them that the Prophesiâ—s which they so looked to be fulfilled in an outward manner were not to be taken properly and literally as Ezikiels Land City and Temple is taken to this day of the Jewes in propriety of spâ—ach that Peter blameth And the teaching otherwise was damnable heresie and a denying of Christ Jesus as the Apostle said of Circumcision Gal. 5.2 3 4 as experience also tels us these fifteen hundred years And therefore let Teachers beware how they harden Jewes in their idolâ— and vanity Solomons Kingdome was shaken but we receive a Kingdome that cannot be shaken the Low Jerusalem was destroyed but the Heavenly City cannot The Preist hood of Levi is passed away but Christs Preist-hood abideth for ever c. and we crosse all the Doctrine of Christs new Testament to plead any more for Terrestials Chap. XXIII Expounding Zach. 12 10 11 12 13 14. Zach. 14.10 11 c. SECT I. It is objâ—cted that Zac. 12.10 11 12 13 14. is not fulfilled AND I will poure upon the House of David and upon the inhabitants of Ierusalem the Spirit of grace and supplications and they shall look upon me whom they have peâ—rced and they shall mourne for him as one mourneth for his only Son c. and the Family of the House of David and Nathan shall mourne and the House of Levi and the Family of Sbimei shall mourne 1. I think Act. 1.14 is an History to the prophesie for Davids House †The Apostles argument is strong that although must did not mourne yet the saith â—ulnesse of God is not without effect and God had not cast off all the Apostle reasons from himselfe as if there should not have been no more then himselfe Rom. 3. 11.1 2 3. but in the Acts there were five thousand and more and in â—erusalem suâ—â—ly the faithfull are but a little stock these all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary the Mother of IESUS and with his Brethren In this company was some of the House of David and some of the Family of Nathan and some of the House of Levi for it is said a great company of the Preists were subject to the faith Act. 6. and Baâ—nabas a Levite became a gracious Son of consolation to the Church And that the Lord powred on the inhabitants of Ierusalem the Spirit of his grace and supplications is historied in Acts ch 2.37 and many more afterwards ch 4. and in after times of every Tribe twelve thousand Apoc. 7. 2. I doubt not but when the Iewes be hereafter called according to Rom. 11. they will mourn for their own sins and for the sins of their fore Fathers but we must stick to propriety unlesse it opposeth the analogic of faith in other Scriptures that so we may
calling c. Ephes 1. 3. this is a mercy past evpression that God should make a covenant with such as we are this is the radix of all and therefore it is said 1. That they were his peculiar treasure 2. A Kingdome of Priests 3. And holy Nation 4. God placed his Tabernacle among them and 5. called them the Kingdome of God and the joyfull shout of so just good and mercifull a King was among them Who can but shout with all exultation if we did but understand our own comfort These things and other Scriptures shew they were under a covenant of grace if we be they were for their spirituall priviledges and promises are now conferred on us 2 Cor. 6.16 Apot. 21.3 Ephes 2. and 3.1 Pet. 2. conferred with Exod. 29.45 Leviâ— 25 23. and 26.12 Dâ—ut 7.6 7 8. now as Israel was Gods peculiar treasure so the Gentiles called to the faith are T it 2.14 this well considered will make the Doctrine of Anabaptistrie to be abhorred of us touching our infants 6. If reformed churches can make it good that they are under a corenant of grace and we may truly say it blessed be the name of the Lord then they were and we could not be so but because their priviledges are transacted to the wild olives and we are graffed into their olive tree we received from them all our glory all our spirituall things for Christ our salvation and all his holy Doctrine is of and from them I will collect some brief heads of Doctrine which were taught believed and professed in the common Weal of Israel 1. They had the Doctrine of the Trinity and Unity Deut. 6.4 2. They had the Doctrine of election and rejection Psalm 65. Exod. 9.16 and 33.19 3. They had the Doctrine of the great mysterie of godlinesse God manifested in the flesh to be a second Adam and to be a sin-offering and to rise from death the third day Gen. 3.15 and 12 3. Gen. 49. and they went three times a year according to the Testimony to Israel to testifie their faith in this this was the main 4. They were taught that the Father the Word and the Spirit one infinite nature created the world Psalm 33.6 Provâ—â— 5. They were taught that the Father had committed all power to the Son for governing the church and the world Psal 2. and 8. and 110. Gen. 19.24 Exod 23.20 21 22. all expound Gen 3.15 6. They were taught justification by faith in Christ Gen 4 and 15 Heb. 11. 7. They were taught Sanctification Be ye holy for I am holy Levit. 19 2. 8. Under Moses Polity they had hope and rest in Christ Psal 130. Ephes 2. Jer. 6.16 and 50.7 Mat. 11.29 Christ complained they had forgotten him their resting place he was the rest of the Saints evermore Jer. 50 6 7. the Apostle saith the Gentiles were without hope but Israel had hope in Christ both for remission of sinnes and eternall glory Eph. 2.12 Ezra 10.2 9. The spirituall graces of Circumcision and the Passeover were required and so practised Deut. 10.16 and 30.6 Exod. 12. Heb. 11.28 1 Sam. 1.7.36 10. The heavenly inheritance was taught them Levit 25.23 11. They were taught to account themselves strangers and sojourners in this cursed world Levit. 25 23. and so David taught his generation 1 Chron. 29 and so believed himself Psal 39. 12. They had hope in the Resurrection Job 19. Psal 49. Exod. 3.6 Mat. 22 32. 13. They had the holy Spirit to lead them in all holy wayes 2 Cor 4. to write the Law in their hearts to seal to them all holy Doctrine of the word whether promises threatnings commandements all good examples c. One may make a large volume of this Subject I think this question may be asked what one new doctrine is taught in the new Testament that the Saints of the old Testament knew not when grievous crimination of heresie by the Councel were laid to the Apostles charge he protesteth he taught no new principles Acts 14.15 16 17. and 26.7 now if the common-Wealth of Israel had all this holy doctrine they must needs be under a covenant of grace CHAP. XXXI A Prosopopeia on Solomomons fall by the Temptations of his idolatrous wives to the ruine of his Kingdome and posterity in granting them the liberty of conscience for the practice of their idolatrous Rites framed by way of Dialogue between King Solomon and Tirzana the Queen TIâ—zana being a Princesse of the house of Moab and being called for did enter into the presence of King Solomon and after some dalliance with her and after she had fitted his humour by giving him all the best content she could she took the opportunity and said my Lord King Solomon I have an humble Request to make unto your gracious Majesty I pray you say me not nay K. What is that my sweet Tiâ—zana Q. My most gracious Lord and Soveraign I have been some years with you though you have often spoken to me to be a Proselite to the Religion of Israels common-weal yet I cannot bring my heart unto it you well know that my education was not in the way manner of Israel and my affection is not toward it it is not so pleasing to me for I cannot forget my fathers house nor forsake his Religion In this case I shall blemish my father and my mother brethren and sisters and people in case I should apostatise from our ancient Religion and in my opinion far the better we have more zeal in ours and many moe pleasures to give man and woman content than is in your profession your Religion is very crosse to mans nature and is urged with great terrour and strictnesse your Religion reproves thoughts words and most mens actions no Religion under heaven doth so as yours and that makes so few to embrace it Yea many of Israel have formerly been more addicted unto ours and the worships of neighbours Nations than to this of Israel and they will not follow it but by compulsion of Governors whereas religious worships should be freely exercised according to every mans conscience when if your subjects should be left unto you well know which way the ride will run it is a pitifull thing that man of a noble and free spirit should be so tyred with hard injunctions and heavy burdens as with bands cords and fetters and it may be that reformation that your noble Father indeavoured and your selfe have prosecuted would not and will not be so convenient as due liberty which would be a more noble design than rigid reformation And if Antiquity make things reverend then our Religion is more ancient or if not more yet as equall for Antiquity for ought I can learne I am but a poor Historian being a woman but I am able to prove the Religion of our God Chemosh to be above four hundred and fifty years old This I can attest and prove by your own Records and you had yours
souls to the souls that are seperated fron he body without distinction of joy or sorrow that must be gathered from the person and his cause whether it be good or bad and therefore Hades is not alwayes used properly and only for the place of Torment to all departed souls but it hath two parts the one is a happy part for all the godly and the other is a most miserable part for all the wicked that dye in their sins 1. Hades doth signifie death to the person or destruction to things as in Mat. 11.23 Thou Capernaum which art exalted to Heaven shalt be brought downe to Hades that is to the lowest Earth this City was destroyed by the Justice of God because they despised the dayes of the Son of man and did not regard his blessed visitation although he was much conversant both in preaching and working miracles among them so that now there is but a little remainder of it left as Sir Walter Raleigh excellently shews in P. 347. The words of Christ doé shew the once greatnesse of that City both in temporall and spirituall respects It was one of the principall Cities of Decapolis and the metropolis of Galilee and though some marks of this Cities magnificence were seen in Saint Jeroms time it being then a reasonable Burge or Towne yet those that have seen it since as Brochard Bradeinbech and Saliniac affirm that it consisted but of six poore Fishermens Houses and thus it hath pleased God by his providence to direct that Histories should shew the sad event of Christs propheticall threatning and in this sence Sheol is also used in Num. 16.33 for the death and destruction of persons and things 2. Hades in Mat. 16.18 doth meane ' eath to the person as the scope of the place doth best bear it and by the Gates of Hades is meant a cruell and violent death which should be inflicted by the Roman persecuting Emperors after them by the Popes by the Substitutes of each that should have power to fit in the Gates of Judgement to condemne to death by greivous tortures all those that did build their faith on the Rock Christ as Peter did and for saying as he did Thou art Christ the Son of the living God on this Rock Christ faith Christ I will build my Church so that the Gates of Hades shall not by any sentence or torture of death prevaile against them to extinguish them 1. Hades is used to signifie the grave to the dead bodies 1 Cor. 15. 55. O death where is thy sting O Hades where is thy victory Hades in this place faith Master Bro. in Exp. Anti. P. 15. Is the holy bodies lodging 2. In Act. 2.27 Thou wilt not Jeave me or my vitall soul in Hades the Grave that it should corrupt as other mens bodies do in that space of time before it was raised 3. In Apoc. 6 8. death sat on a pale Horse and Hades followed him now that which follows death must needs be the grave to the body called Hades and in that respect Master Bro. in Apoc. 56. calls Hades the gulfe of the grave and saith he in P. 165. A gulfe of a grave was opened to shew how the Casaâ—s warred and perished miserably three hundred years with their great Armies and such a Sheol Grave or great Buriall is spoke of in Eze. 39.11 and in Es 14. which places the Seventy translate Sheol by Hades and so Hades hath as wide a mouth as Sheol and therefore in Apoc. 6.8 death rides on a pale Horse to hasten the death of persecutors in aboundance and that Hades the grave follows death and therefore the Seventy translate Sheol in Pro. 30 15. by Hades the grave as being one of the three things that saith It is not enough and in Pro. 27.20 Sheol and destruction are never full in which place the Seventy have Hades 3. Hades signifies the world un-seen or the world of souls to the souls that are seperated from the body without distinction of joy or sorrow but as it may be gathered from the qualification of the person and his cause The Apostle Peter in Act. 2. was to prove the Resurrection of Christ from death to life against the Saduces he did not dispute of the second death nor of a journey to Hell as many understand Hell nor of suffering Hell Torments in his soul as some doe also understand Hell in Act. 2. for if he had so disputed with the Saduces which were many in those dayes he had disputed besides the question which was about the Resurrection of his dead body and it may also be a greiâ—e unto us that such an Heavenly Article of our Christan faith as is the immortality of the souls passing from the dead body to the joys of God should be so much mis-interpreted as hath been and yet is in some Churches in the aforesaid un-sound sences The holy rational soul of the Lord Jesus Christ at his death went to the happy part of Hades namely to that part of it that is called Paradise The rich mans soul at his death went likewise to Hades but yet it was to that part of it that is called Gehenna to torments in the lake of fire ' Abrahams Bosome was in Hades and the rich man was also in Hades and there Abraham and the rich man spake to each other which sheweth that they were in the same world of souls though in several distinct lots and it is evident by Es 66. that the godly and the wicked knâ—w one the others case therefore we are not to think that Hades is low in the earth It would be ridiculous that in a Dialogue one should talk with another above his head millions of miles see Bro. in Rep. 11 12 13. All souls ascend to Gods Throne Eccl 3. and 12 yea even the wicked ascend to Gods Throne in the proper term of ascending and have their lot there before the Throne of God and in the presence of the just and are tormented in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb Apoc. 14. these places shew that the place of joy and the place of torment are in sight and some near distance to each other and that Hades is the generall term of them both Hence therefore I conclude that it is the person and his cause that must interpret the word Hades as it respects the departed soul either for jâ—y or sorrow either for heaven or hell I may exemplifie my meaning by this similitude Traitors go from Westminster to the Tower of London and so do faithfull State 〈◊〉 men also but traitors and proditors go to prisons and torments in the Tower and so also faithfull States men go to the Tower but they go to the pleasant chambers and gardens in the Tower so in like sort all godly souls go to Hades but they go to the pleasant places of Paradise in Hades in the unseen world of souls but the wicked when they die their
is good for us to hearken to the counsells of the Scriptures of God the surest way is to consult with them It saith aske for the old way Ieâ— 6. Againe it saith he that knoweth God heareth the Apostles 1 Ioh. 4. Againe we are built upon the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Jesus Christ himselfe being the cheife corner Stone Eph. 2. And againe for perfect resolution we are referred to the words of the holy Prophets and commandments of the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. And Iudas Thaddaus speaks the same And they all were the Sons of Sem. The Scriptures of the Prophets is the faith of the Nations and it is said often in the Apocalips that Christs Witnesses suffered for the word of God and the Testimony of Jesus with which orthodox Churches must have no vote granted to them to stand in competition for authority 17. The Pontificians so dealt and deal that they will in shew at last yeeld honour to the Scriptures so that we rest in their Churches exposition and determination we suppose godly Christians should not be like them in such tergiversations Beloved Reader do not conceive that we dis-esteem and reject Orthodox Churches or the writings of their godly Divines no such matter But we highly prize them as most gracious mercies of Christ Jesus our Lord and as they by whom the Temple of God in the Heaven of the Church hath been opened and the Ark of his Testimony manifested And as such by whose voices teaching and praying writings and martyrdome they have made such a thunder in the Pontifician Ayre that the smoake of the Pit is much vanished and a tenth part of Abaddons polity is fallen And the great Angell of the Covenant the Lord Jesus Christ will still send forth godly Teachers that the whole Barth shall be lightned with his glory Apot. 18. We may and ought to have them in godly and respectfull remembrance for their works sake both of them that are departed and of those that are yet living though we make them not Lords of our faith 18. I will yet-speake a little more of that speach which some affirme of Christ that he did combate with his Angry Father shall the Son of God faith that treatise suffer the second death for you Shall he unchrist himself for a time for you Shal he suffer Hel Torments for you †Treatise of sacâ—ed divinity published by Mr. John Downame in the yeare 1619. p. 1. 317. Shall the Son of God enter the lists to fight the great combate hand to hand with his angry Father for you God the Father to fight with God the Son Is this good Orthodox Theoligie to be sould or taught in Pulpits or in Books to the people of God doubtlesse there is a deep silence of such expressions in the Book of God And from this time forwards I hope our godly Teachers will have the same deep silence and make no stir and utter plaine Doctrines and then our inventions will vanish 1. I pray consider it well did the humanity of our blessed Saviour and Mediatour cope or combate with the Divine nature of the God the Father Alas the humanity though holy yet it was but a finite creature created in time and what is a finite creature to the infinite creator The humane nature in a such a case could not abide the least touch of contradiction But I suppose we must seriously consider that the humanity did evermore from its conception subsist in the Divine nature of the second person by way of support else it could not have borne such sufferings as the holy Scriptures declare from the power of Satan death the grave and wicked men yeâ— else his oblation of himself had not been meritoriously satisfactory and therefore it is a strange saying that the second person did combate with the first for then the whole person of the Mediatour must combate if any combating my heart yea whose heart would not tremble at such speaches as this 2. Gen. 3.25 doth hold forth a declaration of a combate of enmity between the seed of the woeman namely her speciall seed Christ and the seed of the Serpent but no mention is made of any such combate with God the Father nor that the second person should combate with himselfe the humane with the divine nature Thesâ— Tenentes do jar much from the Divinity that was taught to our first Parents in Gen 3.15 3 Is it not strange Doctrine to affirme that the Lord Jesus with the helpe of a holy Angell did combate with God for in his Agony in Luk. 22.43 there was an Angel sent from Heaven to strengthen him 4 Was it ever heard that a Mediator between two at variance should fight with the stronger opposite to bring him to agreement some Teachers in teaching such Doctrines must use some such like strange language 5. The Lord Jesus did commit his cause to him that judgeth righteously 1. Pet. 2.23 This argueth although the Divils instruments did in wrath and rage condemne him for a sinfull malefactor as all presecutors did the Martyrs yet that God the Father did not judge him for a sinner but justify him as one that was every way Innocent therefore the Heavenly Father did not combate with his Son for he committed himselfe and his case to him as to a righteous judge 6. The Martyrs in like sort being Baptised with the Baptisme of Christ in sufferings committed their case to their Heavenly Father in Apoc. 6.10 And therefore as Gods essentiall curse Hell Torments and the second death was not on the Martyrs in their sufferings so neither was it on the true and faithfull Martyr the Lord Jesus in his sufferings CHAP. XXXV Observations upon that distinction which some make between the locall and penall Hell which penall Hell some say Christ suffered 1. SOme say that God can make a mans Hell here in this world by which speach they must meane if they meane any thing to he point in dispute that God can so plague a man in this world that the will not bring him to eternall destruction in Gehenna in the world to come I grant that the eternall Lord can do what he pleaseth both in Heaven Earth Sea and in all deep places Ps 135.6 2. The same eternall Lord can also make a Heaven for his children here in this world and never bring them to everlasting glory in Heaven in the World to come But Teachers must not bring their own speculations let them be true seers to shew us the visions of God from his word rightly expounded even his Revelled will for nothing else belongs to us and to our children 3. The holy Scriptures tells us that there is an everlawing blessed estate for all Gods chosen not heare but in the Heavenly paradise though each blessing is here begun by justification is freedome from sin death Satan whence ariseth peace and joy in the holy Ghost the first fruites of the spirit
In like sort there is a place appointed for the Reprobates for their everlasting torment not hear but in Hell in the world to come hut yet man times some of these Reprobates have as it were the first fruites of Hell torments here in this world by an accusing and tormenting conscience as Kain Caligula c. but not the essentiall Torments of Hell till they come into the very place of Hell it selfe 4. And yet some have said that locall Hell is but a circumstance and that our Lord suffered penall Hell though not in local Hell In like sort they may as well affirme that the glorious place of Heaven in the world to come is but a circumstance and so in this sence all created things in respect of God are but circumstances 5. Is it well done to make this distinction and division of a penal Hell from a local Hell our old English Saxon word Hell will not manage this cause neither for Plaintiff nor Defendant It is not Hades unto which our English Saxon word doth not answer but Gehenna that Ecclesiasticks must cleare about our Lords sufferings for all the Saints do in one kind or other undergoe Hades in this world and so our Lord did undergoe Hades in two of its significations namely first in the death of his humanity and then after that death he was put in Hades the grave and thirdly the wicked Ecclesia of he Council was a Gate of Hades to him and so in like sort all wicked Courts are Gates of Hades to the Godly Martyrs therefore such Courts are in Mat. 16. called the Gates of Hades godly Martyrs must remember when they are going to such Courts that they are going to the Gates of Hades and yet they must incourage themselves and one another with that speach which Christ spake by his Spirit to the Churches in Apoc. 1. Fear not I have the Keyes of Hades and death and that he shewed in his own Resurrection and will one day in ours so then persecuting Tyrants have not power simply over the bodies of the godly they could not retain Peters body in Prison Act. 12. nor the bodies of Paul and Sylas Act. 16 Christ did not as yet grant leave to their persecutors to turn the Keye to let them into Hades though afterwards he did Steven and James were the first Martyrs of the New Testament that were sent to Hades and Christ Jesus was the last great Martyr of the Old Testament whom they sent to Hades for the old Testament was not disannulled but by his death 6. It is a great comfort that persecuting Tyrants can send the godly no further but to Hades they cannot send them to Gehenna and if our Ecclesiasticks will Rest hear we will with good will joyne with them both our hands and heart that Christ Jesus under-went a penall Hades in this world But I suppose they mean further matter or else they mean nothing as indeed their meaning in this distinction wil come to nothing 7. This then I conceive is the state of the question Whether there is a penall Gehenna in this world out of locall Gehenna in the world to come I say that Gods blessed Book doth not shew this and if any shall yet affirme it we must be bold to say it is but a dreame not the Revelation of God which evidently sheweth that penal Gehenna is in locall Gehenna 8. Let these Scriptures be dilligently marked for the place and punishment of Gehenna Mat 5.22.29.30 Mat. 23. Mar. 9.43.45.47 Luk. 12.5 And now compare these Scriptures with the case of our Lords sufferings whether any sparke of the penall fire of Gehenna fell upon his soul or body or whether that cursed worme did ever gnaw one minute of an houre on his spotlesse soul as some dread not to affirme 9. Hence the Reader may see the necessity of a right translation and exposition of the words Hades Gehenna c. the learned keep the tearm Amen in all Translations and many Greek words are commonly understood and how full is the English of Latine words see H. Bro. in L. Fam. 60. 10. Observe that in all the Evangelists the holy Spirit doth not change phrases as in other passages he doth to put Hades for Gehenna or Gehenna for Hades neither is Hades taken properly and only in all the New Testament for the cale of Reprobates But still the person and his cause must judge of the matter where Paradise in Hades is the lot of the godly and Gehenna in Hades is the lot of the wicked 11. Shall we say we deale worse then Papists about the holy Article of the Creed they say the Lord went to Hâ—ll to Triumph over the Devills and not to suffer Let all the godly put away this mis-interpretation of that holy Article first that Christ went to Hell only to Triumph over the Devils and secondly that pore jejune distinction which doth not honor but dishonor the pen of a godly Scholler of our Lords suffering Hell Torments in a penall Hell out of the locall Hell CHAP. XXXVI Observations on the second Death which some say Christ suffered 1. THE Lord Jesus did not undergoe wrath as some understand it of the Essentiall wrath of God which also they tearme the second death must not we understand that whatsoever is in God is God touching the holy deity and therefore as God is love that is essentiall love so his wrath is essentiall wrath and can we say that Gods essentiall love was ever on Christ and therefore he is called his beloved Son or the Son of his love Joh. 15.10 Act 2 25. yea and that God loved him to the end as he loved the Breathren Joh. 4. 2. When he was in that most lad agony in the Garden there was an Angel sent from Heaven to strengthen him which doth evidence that he was not then under the second death nor under essentiall wrath for then it had been impossible for any Angell or for all the Angels in Heaven to strengthen him or support him 3. If he had suffered the second death which is indeed the effect of the essentiall wrath of God he could not have said My God my God why dost thou leave me and O my Father if it be possible let this cup passe and Father forgive them and Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit neither could it be said that he did alwayes behold the Lord at his right hand as a loving Father Act. 2. and that he did abide in the love of his Father Joh. 10. 4. When did the Lord Jesus suffer the second death was it before he dyed the first death or after or did he suffer both deaths together if you say yea then give me leave to ask who told you so did the Apostles at the commandment of the everlasting God Preach that Doctrine out of the Scriptures of the Prophets for the obedience of faith shew that Scripture evidence by Scripture rightly expounded or did he suffâ—â— the
second death after the first 5. When and where did the Lord of glory suffer the second death if you prophesy to the going down of the Sun there will be no answer many Ministers will have the Lord to suffer the second death before the first or in and with the first They must exercise their wit but there is no Divine Revelation what to affirme least their imaginary Doctrine be lost 6. We must know and that by Divine Revelation that as there is a first death so there is a second death and that the second death must be after the first or else if we by our wit and learning will affirme the contrary we shall destroy Gods order but no accutenesse of wit or learning shall ever be able to doe that what shall mans subtill wit nullifie the order of nature of first and second and the order of Divine Revelation which sheweth that the first death is in this world and the second death in the world to come The Spirit of Christ said by Iohn He that overcometh namely that overcometh the will of Tyrants by suffering the first death for the truth shall nor be hurt of the second death Apoc. 2.11 Lo the second death is after the first and in another world and this doth more fully appear by Apoc. 20.14 and by Apoc. 6.7.8 which placles doe shew first the place of punishment secondly the punishment it feâ—se thirdly the time when fourthly the company that shall he there heaped together first the place expressed is the lake secondly the punishment everlasting paine in fire and brimstone thirdly the time is at the last and great day of account when the Books shall be opened fourthly the company is the Devill the Beast the false Prophet the fearfull the un-beleiving the abominable and murtherers and whore-mungers and sorcerers and idolaters and all lyars c. of which second death the Lord Jesus the holy one of God under-went to part Therefore that Doctrine that saith so must be reprobated with the Reprobates 7. The primitive Churches were admonished to take heed of running after Fables and reformed Churches have as much need to look about themâ—men yea Schollers yea Ecclesiasticks are as subject now to fables and heresies as ever it hath been observed that Ecclesiasticks have ever been the Founders of fables errors and heresies The Apostle gave warning of this to the Bishops of the Churches and tells them that of themselves men should arise speaking perverse things to draw Disciples after them Act. 20. 8. Some have not traversed these pathes as they should because they have been so long instituted and catechised in the Doctrine of Hell-Torments and that Christ the holy one of God was a sinner yea the vilest of sinners and when they are by modest arguing put out of their beaten track they run wild and utter sesquipedalia verba on their breathren that have and do desire that they and their Children should walke with God in soundnesse of judgement and in a godly and sober conversation 9. Let it be further considered that the first death hath foure parts first the death of the soul in sin secondly the death of the body by sicknesse thirdly the seperation of the soul from the body fourthly the putrifaction of the body First the death of the soul is thus expressed dead in Trespasses and Sins Eph. 2.1.5 and so the Gospell is said to be preached to the dead in Sin 1. Pet. 4.6 Secondly the death of the body is effected by fire water sicknesse c. Thirdly the body being dead then the soul departs to the world of souls untill the day of the Resurrection Fourthly the putrification of the body is evident by constant experience The first part of this death namely the death of the soul in Sin could not betide the Lord Jesus because of his ineffable conception in the sanctified womb The second part the Lord Jesus under-went when he gave himselfe a Ransome for the many when he was put to death as a Malefactor on the Tree Thirdly his seperated soul went from his dead body to the world of souls to the happy part of Hades to Paradise to Heaven The fourth part of this first death the Lord did not undergoe his body saw no corruption Act 2. 10. Now as no man may say that Christ was spiritually dead in Trespasses and Sins so neither must they say that he under went the second death none ever under-went the latter that had not first undergone the former 11. I will cite two or three godly Authors that expound the second death First Mr. Ainsworth speaketh thus on the signification of the word death in Gen. â— 17 Finally death is the everlasting perdition of soul and body in Gehenna from the presence of the Lord and called the second death in Apoc. 2. 20. 21. Mat. 10.28 Mat. 9. he saith Hel but Gehenna is in the Text he citeth therefore I dare be bold to put Gehenna for it see his Notes on Ps 16. and see his communion of Saints last page Secondly Trelcatius saith that by second death is meant Eternall death Thirdly Master Perkins in Gal. 3. speaking of the parts of the second death saith the second degree is an absolute seperation from God but saith he into this second degree of this death Christ entred not because the Lord saith in the midst of his passion my God my God and saith he this absolute seperation could not be without the dissolution of his personall union Master Perkins was cautelous of going too far in the point of Carists sufferings and yet it seems he would have the Lord to suffer a part of the second death and he makes that part to be in this World and the other part in the World to come and that he suffered the first and second death together or rather some part of the second death be fore the first is this good Divinity is this Doctrine Orthodox 12. Master Perkins also saith in Gal. 3. That whole Christ Man-God God-man was accursed is not this another fearfull speach though with limitation and some retractation as it were in the same breath and yet all that he saith doth not nor cannot expiate the horror of the position 13. Master Perkins also saith further on Gal. 3. The second death is a seperation from Gods favor and speciall love whereby God ceaseth to be their God This is the second death indeed But now let any godly man whether learned or un-learned bethink himselfe whether ever this did befall the humanity of the holy one of God This speach conferred with some other mens doth infer that Christ was not Christ for a time 14. It is affirmed by some that Christ bore our deserved curse for our Redemption But bring this generall position to particulars and then they make a stand as first of the spirituall death in sin secondly touching the corruption of the body after death and some are affraid to say that he suffered any part
for them for their calling to the Gospel All the Hebrew stories of the old Testament go upon the Families of Noahs Sons and Nephewes and on the latter off-springs of Terah It is very necessary for us to mark how the Prophets expresse these families by their wars or by their merchandize or by their calling to the Gospel Esa 11. 66. Ezâ—k 27. 38. c. All these wicked families despising the Tents of Sem a King of Iustice and Peace were cast off by the confusion of Tongues 2000. yea and were Lo-ruchama and Lo ammi not pitied and no people that is nor Gods Church nor people and did no more hear the Gospel till the true King of Iustice and Peace turned that curse of Tongues to a blessing and to gather his Elect from among them Acts 2. Then all those families were blessed in Christ as it was foretold to Abraham Gen. 12.3 Terâ—â— Gen. 11.26 27. Haren Lot Moab-Ruth Of him all the Kings of Judah from Rehoboham Ammon Of him all the Kings of Judah from Rehoboham Milcha Sarai Nahâ—r of Milcha and Reumah Uz Kemuel Hazo Iidlaph Tebah Tahash Buz of him Elibu Chesed Pildath Bethuel Laban Sons Lea Rachal Rebecca Sons Lea Rachal Gaham Maachah Abraham Of Sarah Isaac Esau vide his Geneologie Gen. 36. Jacob of him the twelve Patriarks Of Hagar Ishmael of him twelve Dukedomes in the Land of Chush They drove Chush further into the South Of Keturah Zimran Sheba Dedan Ashurim Letushim Leummim Iokshan Medan Midian Epha Epher Abidah Henoch Eldaah Ishbak Shuach of him Baldad Gen. 12.3 The Apostle opens the blessings in the Epistles to Rome Corinth Galatia Ephesus Philippi Colosse c. then us Gentiles were Ruchamah pitied and a people Ammi All these Families were scattered East West North and South by the confusion of Tongues for many Generations and followed Divels the Prince of the darknesse of this world but being blessed in Christ by the blessing of Tongues to be of Abrahams faith they came from East West North and South to sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdome of Heaven Matth. 8.11 Luke 14.29 The Posterities of these families shewed the corruption of nature received from parents manifesting it by their Idolatries and hatred against Israel one after another first by Chams house then Sems then Iaphets And unlesse the Lord Jesus Christ had sent to seek them they would never have enquired after him Acts 26.18 Ieremiah and David prayd against these families Psal 79. Ier. 10. Ioktans posterity dwelt in places further remote from Chanaan for seeing they had so many godly Ancestors whom they despised and cared not for the blessing to Sem but followed apostate Nimrod who built Babel which brought a Babylonian confusion over all the world even a scattering from Sems Tents and in this unexpressable Judgment but godly meditated Ioktans Sons were cast furthest off from the means of salvation This should make us have no society in Religion for phrase nor Apparell nor Court with mysticall Babylon the Issue will be scattering The Kings of the Images and Beassts in Dam 2 7 and see Mr. Bro. Preface I. Babel Nebuchadnezar Evil-Morâ—dach Belshazzar When the Golden Head Babel was made dust then the glorious prophesie of the 70 Seavens was brought from Heaven by an Angel Dan 9.24 c. II. Madaâ— and Paâ—as that is the Mâ—des and Persians Darius and Cyrus that sent the Iewes from Captivity Artaaxeâ—xes he hindred the Temple Ezra 4.23 Assuerus Heathen call him Darius Hyâ—taspis the Husband of Esther He hindred the Temple and sought to havâ— slain the Jewes Xerxes the Son of Darius Hystaspis spoken of onely in Dan 11. Darius-Artaxerxes a good King he built the Temple he as the Jewes think was the Son of â—â—ther by Darius Hystaspis he had two names Ezr. 6.14 it should be translated Darius which is artaxerxes so Mr. Bulling in an Epistle to one of his Decads Beroaldus and many good Authors Darius Nâ—thu These three are passed over in Nehemiah Artaxerxes These three are passed over in Nehemiah Ochus These three are passed over in Nehemiah Darius the Peâ—â—an Neb 12. whom Alexander over-came III. The Grecians whole Alexander and his posterity and the whole power of Greâ—ia IV. The Grecians parted the Kings of the North and South South North. Ptol. Lagides Dan 11.5 Seleucus Nicator Amiochus Soter Dan 11.5 Ptol. Philadelphus Dan 11.6 Antiochus Thens Seleuchus Callinicus Dan 11.6 Ptol. Eucrgetes Daâ— 11.7 Antiochus the Great Dan 11.10 Ptol. Philapator Daâ— 11.11 Selencus Philopator Dan 11.20 Ptol. Epiphanes Dan 11.18 Antiochus Epiphanes Dan 11.21 All these Kings were hard iron Legs against the Saints the other Kings after partly Iron and partly Clay the Jewes now had some strength to resist as Zach 9.13 14 15. and 10.6 7. Ptol. Philometor Ptol. Luâ—hurus Ptol. Anlaetes Cleâ—patra Antiochus Eupator Demetrius Soter son to Philip. Demeâ—â—ius Nicator his son Antiochus brother to Nicator Antiochus Gryphus Selencus his son Antiochus Cyzizenus Antiochus his son Antiochus Asiaticus I have not written Antio Sater and Selen Callinicus of the Posterity of them of the North they were not Horns of trouble to the Jewes After all these the Romans ruled CHAP. XXXIX The holy Chronicle sundry wayes expressed and every way agreeing to the same number of years being from the first promise in Gen. 3.15 till our Lords death 3960 years SEe Bro. in Texts of Scripture From the first promise of Christ to restore life upon death brought in by the Serpent to the promise of Christ made to Abraham up on the death of Terah who was the first of our Lords Fathers that the Serpent drew to idolatry are years 2083. The said time of 2083 years is secorded by the particular years of the Fathers in Gen. 5. and Gen. 11. Â From the second promise made to Abraham at the death of Terah Gen. 12. to the Lamb or to the Law of the Passcover Ex. 12 which typifyed Christ the Lamb of God are years 430. From the Lamb to the Temples Foundation 1 Kings 6. A type of the true Temple are years 480. From the foundation of the Temple to the burning of it Ez. 4. or rather to the captivity upon that are years 427. Thence to the end of the Captivity in Babel when Cyruâ— made a Decree of re-edifying the City and Temple 2 Chron. 36. are years full 50. Thence untill the Temple of our Lords body arose the third day are years 490. The whole Summe is 3960. Observe that in this page it is said from the foundation of the Temple to the burning of it is 4227 years but in chap. 44 it is said from the sin of Israel to the burning of the Temple is 390 years which is reckoned from Ezekiel 4. now to this 390. adde the 37 of Salomons Reign and then it is 427. for the foundation of the Temple was laid in the fourth year of Salomon 2. In the said 44. chapter you will find the
would have lightned all the Scripture Of Olympick vanity more below The 26. Levit. running still in Phrase upon Sevens in the punishments cometh at last to the captivity for ten Sevens of years and foretelleth such a confession of sins as Daniel maketh and how God will remember his Covenant which Gabriel there mentioneth Moses and the Prophets shall be vilely disjointed through quite if here we hold not the plain propriety of time 5. These former parts of time be no lesse clear in Scripture than the stars in the Skie that in the Seventh year the Land was parted that * That is 42 years six sevens Israel held it in quietnesse that Chusan held it the whole Seventh Seven That in the Iubilee Othoniel turneth them into their possession The golden Candlesticks with seven branches bowls 22. as the Hebrew letters knops half so many flowers thrice three all 42 commended not Bezaleets wisdome more and obedience to the prescript then we are bound to mark how the holy volumes record the Hebrew stories to fall out in times according to their ceremonies Thence the seventh Iubilee reacheth to †A kindler 〈◊〉 the golden candle-sticks land an erector and Rector of the Schools of the Prophets Samuels happy times Thence to the captivity of Babels seventy Sevens Moses did closely allude unto that space Now the Seventy years of captivity Moses and Ezra compareth with the Sabbath Levit. 26. 2 Chron. 36. 6. The Prophecy of Dan. 9.24 surmounteth all easie for memorie and celestiall for Meditation It had not been so harmonious to have chains of the time hitherto most certainly fixed if hence we should un clasp the links of it But we have the chains of times fastening hitherto-more closely than the Finnes of the Leviathan stick one to another Iob 41. All the works of God have perfection and so is the time from the Creation to the Redemption Mr. Bro. ex manus CHAP. XLIV A fourth expression of the holy Chronologie from the Creation to the Redemption THE golden chain of times are evident which draw from the apostasy of our first Parents unto our Lords Resurrection which when they are all known do bring unto Christ and we shall find much comfort and edification if we often think upon them for they are a greater ornament to the Scriptures than any chains of the finest gold or of the most rare or polished Jewels to the neck The first is from the beginning of time since Satans fierie tongue did set the wheel of the whole Creation on flame that nothing but the flood of waters nor that could quench it The second is from the Flood to the death of Terah Arahams father the authour of idolatry in Christ his Line and thereby causing to cease the royall accompting of the Churches annals by the ages of the Fathers Gen. 11. Jos 23. The next beginneth upon his death with a new promise of CHRIST making Abraham heir of the world not through the Justification of the Law of Circumcision but through the justification of faith in the promise of blessednesse in Christ to the Families Gen. 12. This Chain draweth along to the Lamb that is the Law of the Passeover Exod 12. The fourth chain is from the Lamb to the Temple the allurement of the Nations unto the worship of him that made the Temples of the heavens From the lamb to the Temple 480. Salomons 37. and year of division all 518. who in fullnesse of time would come to make humane nature his Temple to dwell with the children of men And further this chain teacheth to Salomons death his idolatry as Terah was worthy to have this chain ended for which his Kingdome was parted and Ieroboam did set up calves for God which doing is called the sinne of Israel These summes with the year of the Division of the ten Tribes from Iudah are years 518. The fifth chain is from that apostasie of Israel to the burning of the Temple that space is 390 years Iudah now is onely Gods Kingdome In that time is contained the books of the Kings Ezek. 4. and 2 Chron and most of the Prophets as the table before will shew Here must be considered Ierusalems ruine by Babel the flames of the Temple and the ending of Salomons race and Kingdome the breaking of the golden candlestick yea the Ark the speciall signe of Christs presence which had the two Tables of the Covenant was no more as Ierem. 3. They lost it at Shiloh but found it again in the woody field of Kiâ—iath Iaharim Psal 132. All Moses curtains Babel carried away for a spoil and all that Hyram the King and Proselyte procured and Hyram the artificer made c. all these goodly things left the Temple and shewed Christ his severity * Christ by Babel shook his own ceremonies by Moses and ended them by Rome that is the meaning of that speech in Aggei Yet once more I will shake never to have any setting yet some in their writings will re-edifie the low Jerusalem c. But as Israel had a first and second Temple so Jerusalem was twice builded by David Salomon and Nehemiah and twice razed now no other Jerusalem ever shall be but that which is from heaven and no materiall Temple ever shall be for the Lord God of Hosts even the Lamb is the Temple in the heavenly Jerusalem Thus in part he did shake these similitudes of heavenly things that they might look to the sure mercies and holy things promised in CHRIST unto David Acts 13.34 The sixth sheweth the earthly glory of this worlds Monarks with their abasement and sudden destruction all this is seen in the golden head Babels Kingdome which Christ made as chaffe before the wind Now the Jews had seen the end of Salomons progeny the fall of his Kingdome their hope the burning of the Temple their glory and the fall of Babel the glory of Nations by Cyrus and Darius Salomon foresaw all this and said all is vanity Eccl. 1 The seventh is from Cyrus Proclamation of bringing back the people of God from Babels yoke to the eternall freedome the Lord Jesus Christ purchased This time is the glorious and shining Prophecy of the Seventy Sevens Dan 9. This chain began with Cyrus of Sem and Darius of Japhet both which Princes proclaimed the God of heaven the God of Israel over an hundred and twenty Nations who gave Israel a liberall subsidie to comfort them in returning to Sion who by that faith in that joyfull Prophecy left great Babel for Jerusalem yet in her dust Psal 102. And this year the faith of Gods elect stopped the mouth of Lions c. And this chain endeth most comfortably by the death of Messias the Holy of Holy which endeth all Sacrrifice and offering in the low Jerusalem and it endeth the peculiar Prerogative of Israel and it bringeth the Gentiles into equall covenant and breaketh down the Partition wall and blotteth out the hand writing of Ordinances
temperance against such there is no law 5. In verse 25. If we live in the spirit let us also walk in the spirit 11. It is said in Ephes 6.17 The sword of the spirit is the word of God and in verse 18. Pray in the spirit 12. Quench not the spirit 1 Thes 5.19 13. The holy Ghost doth renovate our corrupt natures as in Tit. 3.5 Of his mercy he saved us and by the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the holy Ghost 14. The spirit and the Bride say come Rev. 22.17 15. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost he with you all Amen 2 Cor. 13.14 Sundry other Attributes are ascribed to the holy Ghost in relation to its operations and effects from metaphors and similitudes as by fire water seed an earnest and to the oyl of gladnesse c. All which with many more will be of heavenly use to every godly Christian that will take delight to meditate in Gods book as David did both night and day Psalm I therefore say as David said O how love I thy law it is my meditation all the day Psal 119.97 FINIS A Table of Chief Heads Chap. 1. OF the Vnity of the Godhead and Trinity of Persons also of their properties and works page 1. If the knowledge of God in Trinity had not been the ground of life God would never have given himself names in the Plural number p. 1. The Spirit of Elohim is sometimes called the Spirit of the Father and sometimes the Spirit of the Son p. 2 It is good to mark how the Attributes and Titles of God are often interchangeably used the one for the other p. 5 Chap. 2. How Redemption was taught from Gen. 3.15 to the Flood of Noah p. 14 Gods purpose was not declared to bring fallen man for life by theremains of any naturall abilities p 23 The place of holy Convocations was wont to be called the presence of God p 36. 298. Chap. 3. How Redemption was taught from the Flood till the promises to Abraham also the seed of Sem is explained p 40 The subduing of ours and of Gods enemies is a benefit that God hath tied to our constancy in Religion p 42 Chapter 4. How Redemption was taught from the Promise made to Abraham till the Law of the Passeover and the coming of Israel out of Egypt p 52 We may not pray for nor expect any blessing either temporal spirituall or eternall but according to the promise and Covenant of grace in Christ p 61 Covenants go before Seals p 66 The Covenant of grace was not made onely to believing Parents but also their Infant children p 70 Chap. 5. and Chap 6. How Redemption was taught from the time of the Passeover till the building of the Temple p 74 How Christ was the end of all Moses Law p 75 76 77 82 83 85 86 It is a point of rare faith to believe that Christ gave the Law p. 84 n. 3 Chap. 6. How Redemption was taught unto David and others p 92 How they of the old Testament understood the Doctrine of Justification p 95 n. 5 and p 100 n. 5 p 356 Chap. 7. How Redemption was taught from the foundation of the Temple to the burning of it p 102 Chap. 8. But it is misprintd How the Covenant of grace was taught and opposed in this time namely from the burning of the Temple to the end of the Babylonian captivity p 117 Chap. 9 How Redemption and the Covenant of grace was taught and opposed in the time of the Seventy Sevens as it is expressed in Dan 9.24 p 137 The endevour of some Schollers is by necessary consequence very prophane by teaching us to confute Daniels propriety of the seventy sevens by the building of Rome and by the Mayors of Athens and by the Satanicall chronicles of the Olympick games p 160 and see more towards the end of the book Chap. 10. How God by his wise providence did order the severall captivities of his people to build Synagogues for the planting of Religion among the heathen nations as a preparation to the speedy preaching of the Gospel by the Apostles and Disciples that were dispersed into those Countries at the death of Stephen p 162 Chap. 11. Giving divers reasons why there were no more Prophets after Malachi or after Ezra for he is holden to be Malachi to our Lords Incarnation p 170 The 49000 that returned from Babel were godly and lâ—ft a godly seed after them p 173 174 175 Many of Judah and Israel did continually return after the 49000 were returned p 178 271 Daniel foretold of the falling away of many of the Jews from the faith p 176 The Saints the Jews in the time of the 70 sevens had sundry enemies before after the death of Antiochus Epiphanes p 179 but Christ did strengthen the godly Jews against the tyranny of Javan p 179 The Kings of the North were Gog and Magog in Ezek. 38. and Ezek. 39. p 179 129 The Hebrew tongue after the return from Babel ceased from common use p 180 The Rulers and people of the Jews did not know the meaning of their own Prophets after that the Prophets and Vrim and Thummim did cease Acts 13.27 p 181 Chap. 12. Being an answer to the complaint of the Jews for the losse of five things under the second Temple which they injoyed under Solomons Temple p 183 Fire from heaven to burn their sacrifices was a testimony of Gods gracious acceptance of the types of Christs death p 183 If they had had the fire from heaven after the captivity they should after some time have been deprived of it by Antiochus Epiphanes when he took away the daily sacrifice for three years and a half p 184 Vrim and Thummim they needed not when John Elias came p 182 184 Though after the captivity they wanted the Ark of the Covenant yet Christ told them they should have godly Teachers in the place of it Jer. 3.15 16. p 184 Chap. 13. How the new Covenant and the way of Redemption was taughe and opposed under the first preaching of the Gospel p 187 How the heavenly Jerusalem began first to be builded in the earthly Jerusalem p 198 Chap. 14. Shewing who they are that have the spirituall blessings of the Covenant of grace and who the curses 201 The Jews and Romames for their despising of the Kingdome and sacrifioâ—hood of Christ were greatly plagued p 202 Chap. 15. Proving that Rome in Gods just judgement is the place that Christ hath given to the power of Sathan for the setting up of the mystery of iniquity p 215 Chap. 16. Proving that the mysterie of iniquity began to get head from Constantines time p 229 Chap. 17. Of the two Witnesses and of the mark of the Beast and of the decay of the mysterie of iniquity p 235 Chap. 18. Of the seven Trumpets in Apoc. 8 9.10 and 11 chapters in which the
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
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