Hous-wifes whole Stock she had no more N. B. Note well Dionysius's Gloss upon it is that our Lord left 99. sheep and but the 9. Groats both made up of nines which signifies the nine Orders of Angels made of thrice three and but one of Mankind which was lost in both the Parables that the Unity and Trinity of the Godhead saith he might be adored and praised by the Trinity of the Angelical Nature and by the Unity of the Human Nature and he adds nine is an imperfect Number implying that Man being found after his fall makes up the breach in the City of God by the final fall of the Evil Angels this one added to the nine makes the Church of God a compleat and perfect Number God will have his Church made up of Corporal and Spiritual Creatures N. B. Note well Man is like the Microcosm or little World who borrows his parts from the Macrocosm or great World as flesh from the Earth blood from the Sea breath from the Air and heat from the 4th Element of Fire as to his Body then as to his Soul Man carries Congruity with Angels yea and Man hath a Resemblance of the Holy Trinity in the three Superior Faculties Understanding Will and Memory 2. Answer to the 2d Enquiry Fallen Man is this lost Groat who falls under a Threefold Consideration 1. His Making 2. His Losing and 3. His finding which hold out the Threefold State of Man the first his state of Creation and Generation the second his state of Degeneration wherein he was lost and the third his state of Regeneration wherein he is found Man when first made call'd Nummus Dei Gods Money was a most curious Silver piece coming first out of Gods Mint did shine most gloriously and was excellent both in Matter in Form in Lustre in Stamp in Weight in Sound and in Superscription But now in the faln Estate he hath lost all those Excellencies as 1. In matter he was not made of Brass or of Tin or Copper but of Silver than which no Mettal is better but Gold So no Creature was better than Man but Angels Man was made but a little lower than they Ps 8.5 Man was made ex Meliori Luto of better Materials than other Creatures saith Ovid but now nothing is left save Reprobate and Rejected Silver Jer. 6.30 all Dross 2. This Groat was Coined in a round Form an Emblem of Immortality wherein Man was Created had he not sinned he had not dyed for Death was the Wages of sin Rom. 5.12 The State of Innocency had this kind of Immortality as it was possible for Adam not to dye so it was not impossible for him to dye but now his sin hath put all Men under the power of Death Hebr. 9.27 3. This Groat had such a Lustre and Glory Ps 8.5 That all Creatures paid their Homage to Adam who had a Lordly Dominion over all Beasts Fouls and Fishes c. Gen. 1.26 But now Man is besmeared with sin this Groat hath gathered Iniquity Ps 41.6 So that Man hath lost his first Majesty and Beasts Rebell against him c. 4. Man was at first stamped with Gods Image upon him as Caesars Silver pieces were stamped with Caesars Image Mat. 22.21 there was then knowledge in Mans Mind Obedience in his Will and Order in his Affections but now Satan hath set the print of his Limbs upon all the Faculties of Man so that now he is become Inversus Decalogus a mere opposite to Gods Law man is quite of another make than God at first made him c. whole Evil is in Man and whole man is in Evil so that this old Groat must be melted down before it can be capable of a new Stamp c. 5. Man at the first was full weight in the Ballance of the Sanctuary which required double weight to the common Ballance then was Man most current Coin in the Court of Heaven But alas now by the fall Mene Tekel Dan. 5.25 27. is writ upon Man He is weighed in the Ballance and found wanting He hath now naturally a vain light Mind even at his best Estate lighter than Vanity Ps 39.5 Man is heavy enough in respect of sin but very light in respect of grace so like an old Groat has lost many grains of weight 6. Man coming first out of Gods Mint had a good sound or ring like the sound of the Silver Trumpets Numb 10.1 c. his Tongue was then his glory but now his shame a tinkling Cymbal a sound of emptiness a jarring sound he speaks the Language of Ashdod more than of Canaan Nehem. 13.24 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unsavoury Speech Eph. 4.29 Col. 4.6 and oft-times his Heart and his Tongue are not Relatives when speaking one thing yet thinking and purposing another 2 Cor. 1.17 Mat. 5.37 7. Mans first Superscription was Holiness to the Lord Zech. 14.20 Gods Off-spring Acts 17.28 Yea the Son of God Luke 3.38 But now so little is left of Gods Image and Superscription as like Jobs Messengers tells tidings only of our great losses now are we called Children of Adam of Wrath of Belial of Disobedience of the Devil of Hell and of Perdition those be Titles of us sinful flesh N. B. Note well as Zedekiah had the empty Title of a King after he had lost his City and Kingdom Jerem. 52.7 8 9 c. So Man hath now only the bare Title of being Gods Master-piece his City is broke down his Temple burned this Silver piece is lost in a dirty World 't is seized upon by Satan that strong Man Luke 11.21 and Lord of the Soil as God of this World 2 Cor. 4.4 Quis talia fando Temperet a lacrimis Who can look upon this Burnt Temple and not weep as Ezr. 3.12 If David did so much admire at Gods wonderful making of Man Ps 139.14 16. How may we stand Astonished at the Devils wonderful Marring of Man and spoiling him of all these seven aforesaid Exexcellencies The 3d Enquiry The manner of seeking this lost Groat together with the means whereby it was sought Answer 1. in general this Groat is lost past finding out as to it self if the Houswife do not seek it assuredly it can never seek her 't is either lost in the Dust of Worldly Treasures or in the dirt of Carnal Pleasures or on the Pinacles of Earthly Honours 't is lost in some bye corner or other of sin and error N.B. Note well Satan poured in his Poison into the Spring-head or Fountain of Mankind namely Adam that so all the streams flowing from him might be poisoned by him he staid not to pour in his poison into every Son and Daughter of Adam as every one was born into the World this had been too tedious work for the Devil hence we as well as others are born Children of Wrath by Nature and of Disobedience Eph. 2.3 Now more particularly of the lost Groat 1. The Person seeking as he is the party losing
that part of the Mass which came next to the former in purity and subtilty was made the Air or next Element call'd the Firmament and Heaven that is the whole Region of the Air even all that is to be seen above the Earth and under the Moon so 't is said the Clouds of Heaven Psal 147.8 Matth. 24.30 or the Fowls of Heaven Gen. 1.30 Psal 79.2 Gen. 1.6.7 8. On the Third day the more gross parts of that Mass were so distributed to their distinct and proper places that the waters being gathered into their Channels and Receptacles made the Ocean or Sea and then the dry land appear'd and was adorned with Herbs and Trees Those were the two other Elements Gen. 1.9 10 11 12 13. On the Fourth day were made those Lights of Heaven into which as into certain Vessels God as it were gathered the light which before was dispersed in the upper Horizon and did incorporate it in those Superiour Bodies to give Light to the Inferiour World v. 14 15 16 to 19. On the Fifth day were made the Fowls and Fishes those Inhabitants of the Air and Water together with the Amphibia as Crocodiles Sea-horses c. and the first blessing of Generation was pronounced upon them v. 20 21 22 23. On the Sixth day God Created the Beasts and all Creeping things of the clean sort of Beasts there were Seven Created of every kind three couple for Breed and the odd one for Adams Sacrifice upon his Fall which God foresaw and then he made Man after the Beasts c. Thus the Heavens and the Earth and all the Host of them were perfected Gen. 2.1 And on the Seventh day God rests from his Creating Work Job 5.17 ordaining that day as a standing Memorial of his Mercy God in the Creation observ'd this excellent Order in simple Bodies as to the Universe he proceeded from the imperfect to the perfect as the Elements of a simple nature were first Created and then the things made of those Elements the things without life before things with life and of things with life he made those of a Vegetative life as Plants and those of a Sensitive life as Beasts and afterwards Man with a Rational life as most perfect of them all but in particular Compound Bodies he proceeded from the more perfect to the more imperfect as he first made the Trees and then the Seed first the Man and then the Woman both more imperfect As Man was the last so he was the best of the Creation hence Man was made after another manner than all other Creatures for they were all made by the single word of God but when Man comes to be made God calls a Councel saying Let us make Man Gen. 1.26 not as in the other Let there be Light and let there be a firmament c. but here God the Father as it were consults with God the Son and God the Holy Spirit concerning the making of Man as a work of great weight and a matter of great moment his very body which was but the Sheath or Case of the Soul was curiously framed of Elementary Matter wherein there are so many Miracles from head to foot as would fill a whole Volume Galen an Heathen could not read Anatomy-Lectures upon the parts of Man's Body especially the fashion of the Hand framed in all its parts for handling work but he acknowledg'd Digitus Dei the singer of God and sang an Hymn to the Creator As Man was the last of all so he was the Epitome of all partaking of all the whole Creation in respect of his Soul and Body The Soul is an Abridgment of the Invisible World and the Body of the Visible Hence Man is call'd by the Hebrews Gnolam Hakaton and by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 both which do signifie the little World The Soul is set and seated in the Body as a little God in this little world as Jehovah is a great God in the great world for God made Man in his own likeness as like him as might be and to come as near him in resemblance as was possible The Idaea or Exemplar of the great world which was in God from all Eternity was as it were briefly and summarily expressed and compriz'd by God in Man as he was the little World The very Heathen Philosophers had some Notions of this as 1. Favorinus who said the greatest thing in the world is Man and the greatest thing in Man is the Soul And 2 Proclus could say The Mind that is in Man is the Image of the first Mind to wit the Image of God As God is a Spirit Job 4.24 in the Glorious Trinity so the Soul is a Spirit Indivisible Immaterial Immortal distinguish'd into three powers or faculties Vnderstanding Will and Memory which all make up one Spirit or Soul which is a resemblance of the Holy Trinity The Body which is the sheath and shell of the Soul is not onely a composition of all the Four Elements Fire Air Water and Earth but also the Compendium of all Created things as partaking of a Being with Stones of Life with Plants of Sense with Beasts and of Vnderstanding with Angels when the Soul is united to it See more of this in my Christian Walk pag. 2 3. Though the Body of man in respect of the Soul be but as a Clay-wall that encompasseth a Treasure a wooden Box that containeth a Jewel and a coarse Canvas-case that covereth a most curious Instrument yet in it selt it is Opus Phrygionicum a Phrygian or Arras-work 't is a piece of curious Tapestry Embroidered with Nerves Veins Arteries and variety of Limbs sustained with Bones and cover'd over with Flesh and Skin Psal 139.15 16. 'T was a wonderful work as may be easily demonstrated 1rst A Temple is the best of Buildings and the Body of Man is call'd the Temple of God 1 Cor. 6.19 Oh what a glorious and goodly structure was that Temple of stone which Solomon built not for Man but for God 1 Chron. 29.1 't was one of the great wonders of the World So God made the Body of Man a Temple of Flesh for himself to dwell in the Spirit or Soul of man dwells in the Body as in its House or Temple Dan 7.15 Hebr. Ruchi bego Nidneb My Spirit in the midst of my Body Nadan Translated there the body signifies a sheath and so the same word is used 1 Chron. 21.27 Put up thy Sword into its sheath intimating that the Soul is in the midst of the Body as the Sword is in the midst of the sheath now the more excellent that the Sword is the richer sheath it requires the Soul is a Sword of excellent Metal and Temper so requires an excellent Scabbard Oh then what an excellent House must that needs be which is inhabited by such an excellent Tenant as an Immortal Soul or Spirit of Man Neither is this all but also the Spirit of God dwells in it Hence 't is
that the good Will of God and a Flame of Fire from Man may consist together Yea Gods Visitation may have in it Mans Salvation Job 10.12 Psal 106.4 'T is of great use to understand this we pore too much in beholding the Flames of Fire in our Tryals and Troubles and ponder too little in believing the Good will of our God therein this makes us Harbour hard Thoughts of God with Job as if he dealt cruelly with us and was become our Enemy Job 16.9 and 30.21 with 13.24 and 19.11 we look on our Troubles as mere Streams of fiery wrath whereas indeed they are Messengers of Love and Fatherly Affection Whom God loves he chastens though he do not love to chasten Heb. 12.6 Lam. 3.33 Isa 28.21 calls it his strange Work yet out of faithfulness Psal 119.75 'T is Medicinal as well us Penal The Third Reason is from the Nature of those Troubles befalling God's Church and Children God never stirs up all his wrath therein Psal 78.38 He corrects them only with the Rod of Men Enoshim Shebet the Rod of weak Men 2 Sam. 7.14 that cannot give such a blow as the Rod of God When God comes to take Vengeance upon Babylon he proclaims this thundring Threatning I will not meet thee as a man Isa 47.3 But as a God who is consuming fire Hebr. 12.29 then Babylon which is no better than Briars and Thorns Isa 9.18 the very Curse of the Earth Gen. 3.18 cannot stand before Devouring fire nor dwell with everlasting Burnings Isa 33.14 God goes through those Briars and Thorns and burns them together Isa 27.4 but when God comes to chastize the Children of Sion He smiteth them not as he smiteth those that smote them Isa 27.7 but doth it in measure Hebr. Peck by Peck not whole Bushels at once ver 8. and Jerem. 30.11 for he comes not to them as a Judge with Severity but as a Father with Pity being himself afflicted with their Afflictions Isa 63.9 so he takes not up the Sword to them but only the Rod and that only the Rod of weak men The Rod of God that is Destruction but the Rod of men that is only Correction and 't is such a Rod as Christ hath suck'd out its Curse and Bitterness yea hath made it like Jonathan's Rod which dropped Honey taking from it the Nature of a Curse and giving to it the Nature of a Cure Though the Devil's Temptations have a tendency to Perdition yet God's are for Probation only Gen. 22.1 Deus â—a Vulnerat ut vulnerando Medetur the Chirurgeon launces his own dear Child with all tenderness cuts and weeps weeps and cuts again The wise Physician 's Rule in Pleurisies c. is Sparing then is spilling yet always maintain Nature that it may be able to grapple with the Disease c. This Vision of the burning Bush affords strong Consolation Though the Church Militant and its Members be oft in the fire for the ruling Brambles do not only scratch them but out of those Brambles cometh out a fire to scorch them also Judg. 9.15 and oft in the Water of Affliction yet the Church is preserved The Devil doth with her just as he did with the Daemoniack whom he cast sometimes into the fire and sometimes into the water to destroy him Mar. 9.22 the same Power that preserv'd him from his being destroyed by those two merciless Elements even ever after his Childhood to that Day did cast out that cruel Devil and doth as miraculously preserve the Church in the like cases of Danger neither Fire nor Water hath any Power to destroy her Isa 43.2 Suppose her in the Water then is she as was Noah's Ark in that Universal Deluge which the higher that the Waters rose was thereby the nigher lift up to Heaven And as the Ship wherein were Imbarked Christ's Disciples the only Church then in the World Matth. 14.24 c. No Winds no Waves can beat her down into the Deep Though she be afflicted tossed with Tempests and not comforted yet retains she her sure foundation and her fair colours c. Isa 54.10 11 12. The very Gates of Hell in which all Diabolical fraud and force is seated cannot prevail against her Matth. 16.18 Suppose the Church to be in the Fire as well as in the Water there also the good Will of God goes along with her into the flames as here into the burnings of this bush thus the Son of God went with Shadrach Meshek and Abeduego not only to but into the fiery furnace Dan 3.24 25 c. Here the Fire consumes not the Bush as there the flame consumed only their Bonds c. No Natural Agents can act without the Concurrence of Supernatural Providence For l. Here is a suspensive Divine Act where the concourse of God's Providence is suspended there Natures must be is God's may not be The suspension and cessation of the Divine concourse is the Dissolution of the whole Universe 2. Here might be likewise a transmutative Divine Act whereby the Bush was consolidated into such a solid Substance as not to be Combustible The Boughs and Leaves say the Jewish Rabbies were made harder above the solidity of Gold so that they still retained their native greenness being fortified with a quality the flame cannot penetrate 3. Or here might be also a restraining Divine Act whereby the Fire was chained up from its Activity and Violence which it naturally hath in burning up combustible Matter into Ashes This is more than a bare Cessation of the Divine Concourse as was in the Case of the three Nobles of Caldea Dan. 3.27 'T is indeed a great truth If the first wheel in a Clock amp c. stands all the other wheels must stand with it Now God is the Primus Motor and his Providence is the Primum Mobile Hereby All live and move Act 17.28 without God's concourse neither Meat can nourish nor Clothes warm our Bodies for we live not by bread alone c. Matth. 4.4 without this the Heavens could not move nor the Sun shine nor the Earth bear fruit nor the Fire burn c. but in this Case of the Bush as it might be done by a suspensive Act or by a transmtative Act as when Christ enabled Peter to walk upon the Waters which are a fluent Element giving way to a solid Body this was done either by qualifying Peter's Body with levity or by freezing the Waters into a Pavement so more probably by a Restraining Act the God of Nature chains up Nature in its Actings God ties up the Sea in swadling bands so that it cannot overflow the Earth Job 38.8 9 10 11. God shut up the mouths of the Lions so that they could not devour Daniel in the Den Dan. 6.22 The Voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire Psal 29.7 so that they could not consume this Bush c. All this may be for Comfort to God's Church and Children thus 1. That all created Powers are annihilated by a
hundred and eight which with the Twelve Apostles made up the one hundred and twenty mentioned Acts 1.15 who were designed for the Ministry 2. Because Believers still abode in Jerusalem verse 3. which Saul made Havock on and which remained under the Inspection of the still remaining Apostles who otherwise would have been left without work Except the Apostles who were commanded to stay at Jerusalem Luke 24.47 and Acts 1.8 that they might confirm the Gospel-Church which was to succeed the Jewish Synagogue N.B. This they do being well assured that while the Lord hath any work for them to do there he both could and would preserve them as he did the Bush in the midst of the Fire Exod. 3.3 from the Rage of their ouragious Enemies No doubt but abundance of those many thousands of Believers were frighted away with the 108. to save their lives by flight while this Bloody Wolf Saul made such havock of the whole Flock sparing no Sex c. verse 3. This was the disturbance c. This bold daring Wolf who had been but a Spectator in stoning of Stephen waxing worse and worse is now become a principal Actor he became the worse by acting his hellish part the better breaking into every house So earnest was this Wolf of his Prey and like a Mad-man spares not Women as well as Men wreaking his raging Malice upon the weaker Sex and acting what was below a Man haling Women who are commonly exempted from Spoil Tyranny and Persecucution so out-doing Pharaoh and Herod who were the two Arch-Tyrants in all Ages for their matchless Outrage upon that Innocent Age of Children yet murdered they only the Males and spared the Females Exod. 2.16 and Matth. 2.16 Nor did that mad Crew which Crucified Christ offer violence to the weeping Women at his Cross but Saul worse than all forgets himself to be a Man or his Mother to be a Woman drags both Men and Women Sad havock is made of the Church when such as may bear for the Church Persecutors forbear not but all suffer for Truth Women as well as Men when Saul brake up house after house so that the 108 Teachers could find no private place peaceably to meet in for Teaching the People this caused the fad scattering of the Church and this was the dark side of this Divine Dispensation a dismal Disturbance Now come we to take a prospect of the bright side thereof a beautiful Intermixture of marvelous Mercy and remarkable Deliverance c. CHAP. VIII The Fourth Persecution THE Remarks of Mercy mixed with this Church's Misery are these 1. God over-powers the Devil in setting bounds and limits to all his and his Instrument's Persecutions saying to them as to the unruly Ocean Thus far shalt thou go and no farther and here shall thy proud Waves be stayed Job 38.10 11. N.B. No Reason can be rendred why the main Raging Sea doth not overflow the many small Islands of Dry Land that are seen in Maps and found by Mariners in all parts of the habitable World save only this that the great God hath set Bars upon it by his Divine Decree God hath shut it up in his Decreed place the hollows of the Earth with Bounds and Banks As it was the incomprehensible work of God's Wisdom and Power to produce such a prodigious vast powerful Body of that fluid Element out of nothing at the first like an Infant out of his Mother's Womb Job 38.8 so 't is no less a work of wonder that God can as easily Rule and Repress that unruly Sea as the Mother or Nurse can her sucking Infant when 't is swathed up with Swadling-bands verse 9. This is a work of God's great Power and is therefore instanced and insisted upon in Scripture as here and Psal 107.23 to 30. and Jer. 5.22 c. God holds the Sea in his hand as in a Pit that it cannot pass out of the hollow of God's hand to overflow the Land in the least of those little Islands but the Tide is pulled back by an Ebb c. N.B. Thus the great God butted and bounded the Roaring and Raging Waves of this great Persecution though the Enemy came now in like a Floud yet the Spirit of the Lord did lift up a Standard against him Isa 59.19 and made him stand at his appointed Bounds beyond which he could not pass Though Stephen shall be stoned and the Teachers with other Believers shall be scattered by the Adversary yet not one more shall be murdered a Church still though not so very numerous shall remain in Jerusalem and the Twelve Apostles shall stay there untouched in the midst of that fiery Furnace to comfort and cherish the Church in that sad deplorable and scattering Day maugre the Malice of angry Men and of inraged Devils The second Remark is As God over powered the Devil so he over-witted him in this Fourth Persecution The Wisdom of God out-wits all the Seven Heads of the Dragon's Beast as the Power of God proves too hard for his Ten Horns insomuch that all the Plotting-heads and the Pushing-Horns do but Aethiopem lavare labour in vain as here This scattering Persecution by which the Devil designed to destroy and smother the Gospel did propagate and spread it the more Acts 8 4◠c. and Acts 11.19 They that were scattered went every where Preaching the Word not only in Judea and Samaria but they that were scattered abroad upon the Persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phaenice the Countrey about Tyre and Cyprus that famous Isle in the Mediterranean Sea and Antioch the Metropolis of Syria N.B. Which City by this means became in time the New Jerusalem of the Gentile-Church as Old Jerusalem out of which they were now banish'd had been hitherto of the Jewish Church the principal Seat Acts 11.19 20 26. which place is exegetical explaining what was more briefly intimated Acts 8.4 This City Antioch will be Renowned to the World's end because the Banner of Christ was first Erected therein and Believers listed themselves under him as their Ensign-Bearer Cant. 5.10 and Captain Heb. 2.10 and had the honour to be call'd by his sacred Name Christians not nick-named so by the Enemies of Christianity who scornfully called all Professors of Christ Nazareans or Nazarites supposed to arise from Peter's weakness in his Judaizing at this City Gal. 2.11 but it was done by Divine Direction as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth import being rendred warned of God Heb. 11.7 The name of Christians signifies Anointed ones 1 John 2.27 which Divine Unction hath made many Myriads of Believers in all Ages in despite of the Devil to be Kings and Priests unto God Rev. 1. v. 6. that is in a spiritual sense such as ever durst own Christ and did glory in the name of being call'd Christians N.B. Oh! that we may hold fast the Profession of our Faith Heb. 4.14 and 10.23 being mindful of this holy Oil poured upon us in
with David I am curiously made Psal 139.15 The choisest and completest accomplishments of men serve only to commend the wisdom of God who is the Author and Giver thereof When Obstructions are in Mans most curious Master-pieces they most usually must be taken in pieces before the obstructions can be removed but how many obstructions of Liver Spleen Reins Bladder c. are removed in Man Gods Master-piece without taking his work in pieces Man can imitate the form and fashion of all Gods Creatures but he cannot the Life and Motion of them How did God put Job to a Non-plus with the Great Folio's of the Creation such as Leviathan the Whale or Sea-Monster and Behemoth the Elephant or Land-Monster Job Ch. 40 41. yea and the Decimo Sexto's or little Volumes of the Creation hath been matter of amazement to the Naturalists they have stood astonished to consider the Ant the Bee c. that Life Motion and so much Ingenuity should be couped up in so narrow a compass in so little a Corpusculum Pliny wondred at the Gnat that so small a Creature should make so great a Buzzing and that her Nose should have a double faculty being both acuminosum fistulosum as his phrase is so sharp to pierce the Skin yet so Spungy as to suck the Blood Oh how many curious Contrivances there be on earth below to say nothing of Rational Creatures each of differing voice and face and no more of Sensitive as Beasts Birds and Fishes what a curious piece of Divine work is that vegetative life of Plants to which every Spring-time is a new Resurrection who can truly understand the Ascending and Descending of the Sap in them in its several seasons whâ— can throughly admire the Beauty and Bravery of many Flowers especially that of the Tulip call'd the Lilly whereof Christ saith Solomon in all his glory was not aray'd like one of them Matth. 6.29 Much more curiosity is there in Heaven above as the several Motion of the Orbs the increase and decrease of the Moon the Eclipse of it and of the Sun which maketh all the world stand at a gaze and amaz'd the glorious Canopy over our Heads so bespangled with glittering Stars of seven several magnitudes How can we but conceive if the outside and under-ceiling of Heaven that Star-chamber be so beautiful the inside where God Christ Glorious Angels and Glorified Saints dwell must needs be more Desirable Glorious and Beatifical 3. Divine Wisdom shines forth most splendidly in the variety of Creatures David cryes also How manifold are thy works Psal 104.24 he could not recount or reckon them but was plainly swallowed up with wonderment at them who can but wonder at the wisdom of God in Creating so many Stars to shine in the Heavens One star differing from another in glory 1 Cor. 15.41 So many Fowls to fly in the Air so many Fishes to swim in the Sea so many Beasts to walk on the Earth and all differing in kind form one from another v. 39 40. Variety of works so they be curious as well as various doth much commend the skill dexterity of the Workman 4. The Wisdom of God shines forth in the Magnitude as well as Multitude of Creatures both above and below l. Above Of what a vast circumference is the Circle of the Heavens especially that of the highest Heaven some do curiously calcutate it to be five hundred years Journey from Earth to Heaven others say if a stone should fall from the eighth Sphere and should pass every hour an hundred Miles it would be sixty five years more before it came to the ground The several Orbs of that Coelestial Fabrick stretched forth and spread round about the lower world like great Curtains Psal 104.2 and Isa 40.22 yet not one hole worn in them for above five thousand years all covering one another like the several pills or parts of an Onion Of what a vast bigness are those Stars of the first Magnitude Insomuch that some have conceived a several World may be contained in each of these Stars besides the Sun and the Moon call'd the two great Luminaries or Lights Gen. 1.16 are easily demonstratred to be vast Bodies the former much greater and the latter not much less than the whole Globe of the Earth 2. Below on Earth is Behemoth that Beast of Beasts so big that as the Hebr. Foemin plural signifies he seemeth to have many Beasts in his Belly and as if he were made up of many Beasts Job 40.15 and for his hugeness and bulky Body he is call'd the chiefest of the ways of God v. 19. Gods Master-piece among all Beasts Those mighty Mountains not cast up by the flood nor by the Subterraneal Spirits as Ants and Moles cast up their Hillocks a little above the Surface of the Earth as some say but brought forth by the great God at the Creation Psal 90.2 do bring forth food yea food enough to this Bulky Beast v. 20. No Engine except Faith can remove a Mountain out of its place Matth. 17.20 21.21 2. In the Sea is Leviathan that great Sea-Monster that moving or floating Island some of such bigness as to cover four Acres of Ground and of so wide a Mouth as to swallow up a whole Ship as Pliny writeth Divine Wisdom is much seen in making the Whale so compleat in all its parts which all have their several uses and all which are noted and numbred Job 41.2 7 12. to 2â— Vpon Earth there is not his like v. 33. he is far beyond the Elephant both for Strength and Magnitude c. 2ly The Infinite power of God is made manifest in the Creation as well as his unsearchable wisdom As 1. That God should Create all things out of nothing whereas the Rule of Reason is Ex nihilo nil fit nothing is made of nothing This Rule holds good in Generation and in the Secondary not in the primary Creation 2. That all things should be made out of nothing in a most marvelous and magnificent manner every thing in its proper beauty peculiar property and unutterable neatness and perfection all things at their full stature and maturity as the word Bara signifies 3. That all this should be done by a bare Dixit He spake the word and the work was done Verbum Dei est factivum there was a potent efficacy went along with the Word for the existency of all things where the Word of this great King is there is power Eccles 8.4 Matth. 8.9 It was as easie a work for Almighty God to make a World as to speak a word and to say Let a World be made 4. That the World should be made without either Tool or Toil. The Heathen Atheists of old used to scoff at the Doctrine of Creation asking Quibus Machinis c. with what Ladders and Scaffolds did your Jehovah erect the High Roof of the Heavens what Engines and Instruments had he to lay the Foundation of the Earth
consumed not the Bush and this apparition of Fire was well accommodated to that sire of zeal which had oft transported this fiery Prophet while he walked with God and wrought for God upon Earth it was the Seraphims or as the word signifies the Angels that are a flaming Fire Psal 104.4 that fetched up to Heaven this Seraphical Doctor so there was a sweet suitableness those were God Chariots or chearful ones 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Psal 68.17 Septuagint reads it the Angels were chearful to carry up Elijah and Elijah was as chearful to be carried up by them 4. There is mention made also of a Whirl-wind which is a strong circular wind that with violence gathereth things into it and carrieth them up in the middle of it thus Elijah was taken up into Heaven by a Whirl-wind 2 Kin. 2.1 and 11. This vehement Whirl-Wind hurried up the Chariot and Horses assoon as Elijah was ascended into it 5. 'T is said also that Elijah's mantle drop'd from him in his Ascension v. 13. no such is said of Enoch this Mantle Elijah let fall all his other clothes being consumed before his entrance into Heaven where there is no need of clothing and Elisha gladly took it up not only to make him amends for his own he had rent v. 12. but also to mind him of his Master while he wore it as a memorial of him and as a Token he should be clothed with his Masters Spirit as well as Mantle as appeared by his first Miracle v. 14. 6 There is the nearest Harmony betwixt those two Candidates of Immortality Enoch and Elijah in Scripture Record herein that Enoch was taken up in his Holy walking with God and Elijah in his Holy Talking of God both busie at that time in their Masters work Blessed is that man whom the Lord when he cometh shall find so doing Mat. 24.46 In a word 't is not improbable that Enoch was translated by a Whirl wind in such an Angelical Chariot as Elijah was though Moses be short in that Relation as in all the others before the flood he being exceeding concise in all the concerns of the nine first Patriarchs for near to 1656 year of the World Therefore 't is likely Enoch was translated in the same manner as Elijah was though it be not Recorded in Moses's Abridgment as he had the substance of the priviledge to wit Translation so he might the better have the circumstances to wit the Chariot c. for his Translation They both had fought the good Fight of Faith and both being Faithful unto Death went off the Stage as more than Conquerors to wit Triumpher's 2 Tim. 4.7 Rev. 2.10 Rom. 8.37 God caused them both to Triumph 2 Cor. 2.14 that is to ride up to Heaven in a Triumphant Chariot according to the manner of the great Roman Conquerors who after their famous conquests they used with grand pomp and splendour to ride up to the Capitol in a stately Triumphant Chariot through the Streets of Rome the Capital City then of the World Thus Enoch and Elijah Rode Triumphing over all their Adversaries Heads through the Air the Devils Territories and Countrey as he is Prince of the Air and as they pass'd along they looked Downward to the Earth with contempt and upward to Heaven with joy Thus far first of the manner how 2. Of the place whither The Popish as well as Jewish Drs. Dream of Enoch's going I know not whither nor they themselves something shall be spoke to this with brevity besides what I have said a little above in the Answer General as likewise what I have said to it in my discovery of the Person and Period of Antichrist page 72 73. c. Some of those Dreamers say those two Candidates Enoch and Elijah so called were only Translated into the Earthly Paradise out of which Adam was expelled upon his Fall and that there they both live without food as Moses did in his forty days Fast and there they shall both continue towards the end of the World and then return into the World again to make War against Antichrist who shall after a while slay them both being as they dotingly conceit the two Witnesses in Rev. 11.3 c. after which shall follow their true Translation into Heaven Answer 1. This fabulous fiction of the Popish Doctors is coined out of that Jewish Fable of Ecclesiasticus chap. 44. before quoted that Enoch is kept alive to Preach Repentance at the end of the World v. 16. as they Interpret it which is not Canonical Scripture and therefore a Dissent may be entred against the Authority of it as likewise this Romish Lye is borrowed from a misinterpretation of that Canonical Scripture in Mal. 4.5 that Elias must come before the great Day All this is alledged by the Romanists to wipe the Mouth of the Pope from being called the Antichrist because those two Enoch and Elijah are not yet come to oppose him in their persons but we have better Interpreters than those Popish ones of this Text and Oracle to wit 1. An Angel who applies it to John Baptist Luke 1.17 And 2. That Angel of the Covenant Christ Mat. 11.14 and 17.10 11. and him all must Hear v. 5. above all Antichrists agitatours And the Evangelist Mark begins his Gospel with this Prophecy of Malachi to inform us that this Elias is the Baptist who came in the like Spirit and Power the like Gifts Calling and Ministry c. as that Prophet did not by a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or transmigration of Elias's Soul into John Baptist according to Pythagoras's notion but by Inspiration of the Almighty who hath the residue of the Spirit Mal. 2.15 yea the seven Spirits of God Rev. 3.1 and can give to one the like Spiritual endowments as he doth to another 2. Answer As therefore it is Apparent that Elias is come already according to Christs words and not to come before the day of Judgment to Convert the Jews and to Confirm the Elect in the Faith of the Gospel according to the sondly fabling Romanists So that Terrstrial Paradise out of which Adam was excluded was certainly destroyed by Noahs deluge For 1. The Scripture saith expresly that every thing was destroyed upon the face of the Earth every man only eight persons saved in the Ark Gen. 7.21 1 Pet. 3.20 therefore had Enoch been upon Earth he must have perished The 2. Reason is The Waters are also said to prevail fifteen Cubits over the highest Mountain Gen. 7.20 therefore Paradise must be overflown and the deluge destroyed it though the place remained after yet not the pleasantness of the place according to the Ancient saying Cecidit Rosa mansit spina the beautiful Rose which was the Blessing Failed but the grieving Thorn which was the Curse continued 3. Whereas some Romish Doctors say that Paradise or Enoch in some high part of it might be preserved from perishing by the Waters standing as a Wall round about them
have been better and should have made a better choice from this silfull mixture sprung the Rebellious Race of the Giants who grew grosser in obstinacy all the 120 years and waged War against Heaven as the Poets say heaping up one great Mountain upon another and from thence throwing mighty Trees and prodigious Rocks up towards the Firmament to justle Jove or Jehovah out of his Throne This Rebellious Obstinacy in this Giganto-Machia or Giants War c. called great wickedness Gen. 6.5 made the world so foul that now God saw it high time to wash it clean with a Floud Gen. 6.3 6 7 8 12. Accordingly God will shortly cleanse the World grown foul again with sin since that by streams of Fire as he did then by flouds of Water There be but two ways of cleansing foul Vessels The first is by Water the second is by Fire Wooden Vessels may not pass through the Fire for they will be burned thereby Every thing that way abide the Fire ye shall make it go through the Fire and all that abideth not the Fire ye shall wake go through the Water Numb 31.23 Vessels made of Metal may abide the Fire so will not Vessels of Wood they therefore according to this Law of Purification musf be washed with Water This Great House the World hath many sorts of Vessels in it Vessels of Gold and Silver and Vessels of Wood and Earth 2 Tim. 2.20 21. Not only those Vessels of the House must be cleansed from Defilement some by Fire and others by VVater but the House it self as having a worse Defilement than the Vessels even the Plague of the Fretting Leprosie got into the Walls of it which cannot be scraped off Lev. 14.34 41 45. must be cleansed by Fire as well as by VVater As the cursed Canaanites had defiled their Land from one end to another Ezra 9.11 So this Gigantick Race of Rebels had defiled the World which was their Land from side to side with their uncleannesses The defiled Land of Canaan spued out all her Inhabitants and the World or rather the Maker of it spued out a floud to drown all its Inhabitants Oh the defiling nature and contagion of sin it infects the very House we live in the Garments we wear and even all the Creatures we use so that to the unclean by sin all things become unclean Titus 1.13 Yea the very House of God and all his Holy Ordinances Le◠16.16 Thus sin defileth not only persons but places too yea all things as it did the World the House those Rebels dwelt in making it more foul than that Augean Stable the Poets speak of which Hercules could no way cleanse from its over-grown Filthiness but by causing a River to run through it and overflow it Thus the Great God dealt with the dirty Old World he drew a Deluge upon it to cleanse it from its prodigious Defilements Yet as an House wash'd never so clean at one time will by much egress and regress of Inhabitants and Strangers contract new and it may be worse filth in success of time so will need a new cleansing Even so this great House the World though it was wash'd clean with VVater in Noah's time yet since that 't is grown so filthy again and in our the last and so the worst of times become so full of dreggs as being almost at the very bottom of the Vessel it must shortly pass through the Fire as formerly it did through the VVater God hath resolved to Ruin it again by the other more merciless Element 2 Pet. 3.7 10 12. Then it shall not be the Earth below all under VVater but the very Heavens above shall be all on a light fire and all the Elements shall melt c. and fall like scalding Lead or burning Bell-metal upon the heads of the wicked who shall give a terrible Account while the whole World is all flashing flames of fire about their Ears 2 Thes 1.8 9. but the godly shall then be caught up into the Air above all this Affrightment to meet their Dear Redeemer 1 Thes 4.17 This last Destruction of the World by Fire as before by VVater was known in part to the very Heathens as appeareth by the Writings of Lucretius of Cicero de Naturâ Deorum and especially of Ovid singing Esse quoque in fatis Reminiscitur affore Tempus c. He remembred the Fates had decreed that the World should be burned c. But more clearly was it known to Job who lived before Moses Job 22.15 20. where those two Destructions by drowning and burning are both mentioned then shall the Fire of Hell begin to burn all over and shall never end Mark here these few things 1. Because the World was destroyed by VVater about the 1675 year of it from the Creation therefore some have taken up that Opinion that the World should be destroyed by Fire at 1675 years after Christ But this conceit Time it self that term being now expired hath sufficiently confuted Secret things belong to God Deut. 29.29 That day and hour knoweth no man c. Matth. 24.36 Sundry guesses have been given at it both by Antient and Modern Authors most of which Time the best Expounder of dark Prophecies hath already refuted 'T is sufficient for us to know that 't is known to the Lord Zech. 14.6 though it be not given to us to know that Time Acts 1.7 This Key of Knowledge wherewith to unlock this Mystery hangs only at Gods Girdle 'T is therefore our folly if not our sin to set our wits upon childishly playing in such serious and mysterious matters Eorum quae scire nec datur nec fas est Docta est Ignorantia talis Scientiae appetentia est Insaniae species Austin Ignorance of things not revealed nor lawful to be known is a learned Nescience and 't is a kind of madness to enquire after the knowledge of them Mark 2. The Time of Gods burning the World will certainly come shortly though the set Time thereof God hath hid from us For Two Reasons 1. For his own Glory that we may Admire crying Oh the depth of his unsearchable Counsels c. Rom. 11.33 what we cannot apprehend much less comprehend and acknowledge we cannot stand under that which we cannot understand This must be confess'd that we are subdued by that which we cannot subdue to our understandings and hereby we give God his due Glory 2. 'T is not known as for Gods Glory so for our good that we may watch always and not be secure as we would be if we knew it Ideò latet unus dies ut observentur omnes that one day is hid from us that every day might be improved by us as if it were our last day either for Death or Judgment The Harlot in Proverbs the 7th grew bold in her lewdness upon her knowledge of this that her Husband was gone forth in his Travel for such a time v. 18 19 20. And that evil Servant saying
a Window and Door 5. The Order of its Cabines 6. The Use of it for the Preservation and Sustentation of Man Beast and Fowl Gen. 6. from 14 to 22. 1. The Matter of it v. 14. is Gopher-wood by Gods Direction The Scripture mentions not this word or Wood in any other place which hath occasioned so many uncertain Conjectures among Authors both Antient and Modern about the Materials of the Ark some conceiving it to be the Pine others Firr others Cedar c. but the most probable is the Cypress 1. From the nearness of the Name for Gophar sounds the same with Cupar from whence comes Cuparissus or the Cypress making but a little change of Letters as oft happeneth 2. From the firmness of the Wood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quia est expert putredinis it will not breed Worms because 't is bitter hence it is call'd an Everlasting Wood according to Martial Epig. 6.73 Perpetuâ nunquam moritura Cupresso 3. From the Testimony of Authors who generally agree that in those parts of the World which were first planted and on those Mountains of Ararat where the Ark rested there is no other Wood grows fit to Build Ships withal so much as the Cypress Hence that great Navy of Ships which Great Alexander Built at Babylon were all and only made up of Cypress Arrian in Alex. l. 7. p. 161. and Strabo l. 16 p. 741. Whatever the Wood was this is certain it was most durable especially if we can believe what Epiphanius reporteth Haer. l. 1. p. 23. that some part of this Ark was to be seen in his Day It was undoubtedly such Wood as they say will not Rot that it might be a fitter Type of Gods Church the Antitype which is made up of Incorruptible Seed 1 Pet. 1.23 and of the Eternal Spirit Heb. 9.14 The Ark was made ex lignis laevigatis so the Vulgar Latine reads for Gopher that is or sound plained Planks that would Seam Well together to keep out Water Thus the Materials of Gods Church are all smoothed having the knots of corrupt Nature taken off by the Spirit of Power and of a Sound Mind 2 Tim. 1.7 As 't is well said in one Sense that Living Stones and Green Timber are the most meet Materials for a Gospel-Church so 't is well said also that such plained Planks and beautiful Boards of Gopher or Cedar are fittest for Gods Ark or Tabernacle the Church in another Sense The Boards whereof must be joined close together without gaping to spring a Leak c. for Intorto Capite sequetur Corpus if the subtle Serpent can but see an hole to wrest in his Head he will easily screw in his whole Body This Ark was a Figure of Christs Church whereinto they that enter by Faith are saved from the Floud of Gods displeasure of which Grace Baptism the answerable Type is a Sign and Seal 1 Pet. 3.20 21. 2. The Form of it The Hebrew word Tebah signifies a Chest Coffer or Coffin all which are equally broad both above and below at top and bottom and though an Ark was the most Antient Name of Ships because of the Similitude unto this Ark of Noah all the old Ship Carpenters Built their Ships at the first learning that Form from Gods own Plat-form yet was not Noah's Ark then of the Form of our Ships now which are framed sharp before and below for the better Plowing of the Sea as the Poet expresseth it and for a ready cutting of the Waters Ships are all made in that Form which will make the quickest motion and most expeditious passage by Oars and Sails from one Port to another in the Art of Navigation whereas Noah's Ark was made only to Flote upon the Waters and not to pass from Port to Port therefore was it of a Square Cubicular Form plain below on each side and above also save only it had a small Ridge or Rising towards the top for the better shooting off the Rain-water not unlike the Cover of a Coffin which little Ridge was about the measure of a Cubit only Gen. 6.14 14 15 16. and this odd Cubit or measure from the Elbow to the long Fingers end containing six Hands breadths or a Foot and a half was supernumerary to the Thirty Cubits which was the Altitude or Height of the Ark we must suppose that single Cubit was over and above this round and large measure The Ark was neither gather'd in at the top till it came to a Cubic breadth there as Origen supposeth and after him Hugo and Caietan nor at the bottom was it gathered in so waxing wider and wider as our Ships are Built for then it had not been of that capacity to contain so vast a company of Creatures nor would it have held out in every part to be Three Hundred Cubits long Fifty broad and Thirty high according to the Divine Description v. 15. so that the Opinion of Augustine de Civit. Dei lib. 15. cap. 27. seems most Authentick that it was Built upright both in length and breadth flat-bottom'd to lye steady upon the Waters and level on each side without any gatherings in from the bottom to the top where the sloping Ridge to cast off Rain from resting there was fixed call'd the covering of the Ark a part whereof Noah removed to obtain some fresh Air and to take a prospect of the Earth Gen. 8.13 Of the same Form with this Ark was that Ark or Chest wherein the Child Moses was hid Exod. 2.3 for there the same Hebrew word only Jod added Tebah is used it being a flat-bottom'd Coffer that lay firm among the Flags yet floting upon the Waters This is the same with that both in Name and Form though differing in Matter for that was made of Gopher-wood but this of Bulrushes yet a sufficient Sanctuary in subserviency to Gods Providence being pitched within and without as Noah's Ark was Gen. 6.14 by Mans prudence for the saving of Moses as that was for the saving of Noah c. Likewise of the same Form was the Ark of the Tabernacle and Temple yet differing from both those two aforesaid Arks in two Respects 1. In Name which in Hebrew is call'd Aron but both the other Arks are called Tebah the Greek Tongue doth indeed use one word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for all these three Arks Heb. 11.7 and 9.4 Mat. 24.38 Luke 17.27 1 Pet. 3.20 Revel 11.19 2. In Use for this latter call'd Aron Exod. 25.10 was to keep dead lifeless things in it as the Tables of the Testimony c. Deut. 10.2 5. and Heb. 9.4 but both the former Arks call'd Tebah were to keep Persons and things alive in them as the Ark of Bulrushes kept the Child Moses alive and the Ark of Gopher kept Noah and many Creatures alive in them To Spiritualize the Form as before the Matter Herein also the Ark is a Type of the Church wherein likewise it holdeth a comely congruity As the Church is like
Kingdom of God in time and that within us as the other was done without us 'T is sad to want the touches of the Spirit which are quickening comforting and saving touches We may want its comforting presence yet have its quickning presence but if this latter be lost the former cannot be had for there can be no peace or comfort felt where there is not Life and we may want the Arbitrary Influence of the Spirit which raiseth up Grace to an high Lustre and Eminency yet have the necessary Influence which maintains the Being of Grace as the other doth its Well-being c. If the Holy Spirit doth not touch us with his Divine touches the unclean Spirit will with his Deadly touches 1 John 5.18 Job 2.5 The In-dwelling of the Holy Ghost in us prevents the re-possession of the unclean Spirit after he has had his dispossession for he must find his House empty or he cannot re-enter Mat. 12.43 c. yet though he is hereby kept from re-entring he is not from assaulting although the Man in Christ be assaulted yet the In-dwellings of the Spirit of Christ Rom. 8.9 11. doth secure him from Satans assaults yet the manner of the Spirits workings and in-dwellings be unknown to us John 3.8 c. In a word whatever Christ is as he saith he is Bread a Branch a Door an Heir Light Life an Altar a Lamb a Way a Vine a Lion a Foundation a Corner-stone tryed by all or has whatever the Spirit is a Dove a Comforter c. as before or has yea whatever Heaven or Earth hath in them the Angels the sweet Influence of the Pleiades and of all other Constellations the Covenant conveys all to us Dona Throni Dona Scabelli the good things of the Throne and the good things of the Footstool yea whatever is in Gods Threefold Treasury of the Sea Air and Earth It is a Covenant of Peace with all Creatures Job 5.23 whatever either Creation or Providence hath in them whatever God the Creator hath and is whatever God the Redeemer hath and is and whatever God the Sanctifier hath and is are all made over to us by the Covenant and is not this a full Covenant Fourthly and lastly As it is a full so 't is an Holy Covenant Luke 1.72 Dan. 11.28 30. There Antiochus's his Indignation was against the Holy Covenant as it was against the holy God and his holy People who were in holy Covenant with him his unholy irreligious Heart was against them for their holy Religion which they profess'd and practis'd 'T is call'd an holy Covenant 1. Quoad Fontem from the Fountain from whence it flows to wit from the Holy God who is Glorious in Holiness Exod. 15.11 and is proclaimed by those Heavenly Heralds the Seraphims three times over Holy Holy Holy Isa 6.3 and this Superlative Holiness in God gives a most Immense Lustre and Beauty to all his other Attributes 't is Holy Justice Holy Power Holy Wisdom Holy Love c. Now qualis causa tale causatum à quo aliquid tale est illud est magis tale If God who is the first cause of the Covenant be Holy then the Effect which flows from this Cause and Original must needs be Holy also the Stream is as the Spring 2. Quoad Finem from the End of this Holy Covenant which is to make us an Holy People we are chosen to be holy Eph. 1.4 Hence Holiness is absolutely necessary to Evidence our Interest in this Holy Covenant 't is necessary to Salvation which is the End of the Covenant both necessitate medii praecepti as 't is Gods precept that we should be Holy Levit. 11.44 and 19.2 and 20.7 1 Pet. 1.15 16 c. So Holiness is our means and way to Happiness for without it no Man can see the Lord Heb. 12.14 and therefore 't is promis'd in as 't is an Evidence of the Covenant 3. Quoad Objectum the Grace of the Covenant knows no other Object but an Holy People so made or so found as the Holy God is one Party confederate in this Covenant so his Holy Saints are the other Party Psal 50.5 for God doth not take the wicked by the Hand Job 8.20 to enter into Covenant with them nay he will not allow them so much as to take his Covenant into their Mouths Psal 50.17 he is King of Saints Revel 15.3 and will have no correspondence with the Evil. 4. Quoad Subjectum all the Contents or Subject Matter of this Covenant are Holy Things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts 13.24 which Isa 55.3 calls sure Mercies are by the Apostle call'd Holy Things all the parts as well as both the Parties are Holy the Promise in it is Holy Psal 105.42 and our Faith that lays hold on it is Holy Jude ver 20. The whole of it was spoke in his Holiness Psal 60.6 Inferences hence 1. This is the true Reason why this Holy Covenant is so little Embraced by the World 't is because they are an unholy People and hate this Covenant for its Holiness John 3.19 c. 2. Let us try our selves by our Holiness for an Interest in this Holy Covenant is it writ on all our Natural Civil and Religious Actions Zech. 14.20 on our Riding Drinking Sleeping c. The Doctrine contrary to Holiness is the Devils Covenant and none of Gods who knows his own Hand and owns no other Some weighty and Soul-awakening Considerations may commodiously conclude this great Concern of the Covenant all having a tendency to the Convincing Converting Quickening Confirming and Comforting the Souls of Men and Women 1. Consider All persons are under either the Covenant of Works or under the Covenant of Grace no Man can be under both Covenants at once for they are incompatible one with another the Law as it is a Covenant hath no consistency with the Covenant of the Gospel these two are two Vicegerents in Mans Heart the Law hath natural Conscience to keep its Courts there but the Gospel hath Faith to keep Christs Court there these are Inconsistent as both being supream principles are opposite till over powered a man may indeed be under a double Image to wit of Flesh and Spirit for that Image of the old Adam is done away and of the second Adam is renewed by Degrees but a Covenant-State is a Legal act so the change from the one to the other both which stand upon contrary Foundations as before is done all at once and therefore the one must make void the other and none be under both 2. Consider There is a natural propensity in the faln nature to desire to be under the Covenant of Works Gal. 4.21 Ye that desire to be under the Law for all men would establish their own Righteousness Rom. 10.2 3. and would be doing something to merit Heaven as Vega that Papist said Coelum gratis non accipiam I will not have Heaven freely given â—â—c Alas Proud Man scorns that Gift of God Rom.
to the Souls of men by venturing their weal or woe in the other World upon some false rests short of Christ all which are but rotten Ladders Christ is the only Bridge or Ladder that Joins Heaven and Earth together He is the only way Joh. 14.6 he that would go up any other way must as Constantine the great said to the great Arrian erect a Ladder thy self and go up alone by thy self none but Christ none but Christ can bring to Heaven his mediation makes God and Man meet together As all fulness is found and founded in him Col. 1.19 so all reconcilement must be received from him as well as procured by him The Third Remarkable Inference is 'T is of great importance not only that you have the Right Ladder but also that you be a right Climber upon the Right Ladder and for this mark these following Qualifications First You must have Hands to climb with they that want Hands will make but bad Climbers you must have the Hands of Faith wherewith to take fast hold of this Ladder in your Climbing work hard hand-hold doth well here lest the strong blasts of Satans Temptations should blow you from off the Ladder Secondly You must have Feet also such as want Feet make but sorry Climbers you must have the Feet of Obedience these are likewise of great use in Climbing this Ladder as the Hands pull up so the Feet do bear up the climbers body thus are we to improve Christs Merits and Mediation as the Climber doth the Rounds or Steps of a Ladder both with his Hands and Feet Thirdly You must have Elevated Affections laying no lower limits to your Climbing work than the very top of this Ladder never think it enough to climb a few Steps of the lower part of this Ladder or to the middle thereof no but you must up to the top of it where God himself stands not only Inviting and Incouraging you be of good Comfort and Courage the Master calleth you Mark 10.39 as to the Blind Man there and as to Jacob here but also Assisting and Inabling as Christ held out an helping hand to save sinking Peter Mat. 14.31 Therefore with David Psal 25.1 lift up your Hearts to God at the top of the Ladder and with Jehosaphat 2 Chron. 17.6 let your Hearts be lift up in the good ways of God you must give many an hearty lift to your heavy and lumpish Heart which naturally beareth down as the poize of a Clock and if this prove too hard a task for you as undoubtedly it will then pray for Divine Drawings Cant. 1.4 Joh. 6.44 12.32 wherewith you may be able to Ascend to him at the Top who will hand you thence into Mansions of Glory Oh that we may find and feel Christs forcible pulls his kind halings at our Hearts that thereby we be lifted up out of the horrible Pit Psal 40.2 out of the depths of despair and drawn up to himself as the Load stone doth Iron by a sight of the Pardon of Sin by a sense of the Pence of Conscience and by a rich understanding of the assurance of Gods Favour this would bring us to rest quietly contentedly and comfortably in our Fathers Bosom Fourthly That this may be effected you must ever be in motion never standing still the Angels seen upon this Ladder were all in motion either Ascending or Descending not one observ'd to stand still Saints are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Angels in activity Mat. 22.30 in continual Ascensions elationibus fumi like Pillars of Smoak towering upward Cant. 3.6 and though they have as those Angels their times and turns of Descensions downward into their own deep Hearts so called Psal 64.6 yet 't is in order always to prompt and promote their Ascensions upward of their Hearts and Affections which should always be mounting Heaven-ward Col. 3.1 2 3 4 5. non progredi est regredi not to go forward is to come backward like the Vessel which Roweth against Wind and Tide there is no standing still if the Oars be slackened never so little back she goes you must always be in a walking posture upon this Ladder as you have received Christ the Lord so walk you in him Col. 2.6 walking from step to step from strength to strength Psal 84.7 walk in him take not one step out of him 't is a dangerous and frightful thing to step one step besides the Ladder three Stories high c. Therefore Fifthly 'T is not enough that you be a walker in constant motion but you must be a circumspect walker Eph. 5.15 Walk circumspectly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word there signifies both accurately exactly as by Line and by Rule and compleatly to perfection being Etymologiz'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a going up to the very top which backsliders do not You must therefore tread gingerly upon this Ladder and take heed of missing one step He that thinks he stands upon this Ladder though it be but for taking a little breath had need to take heed lest he fall 1 Cor. 10.12 The higher any man climbs hereon there is the more danger of falling Heaven is three Stories high at the least to wit the three Regions of the Air above the Earth which is the Ground floor We read of Stars falling from Heaven to the Earth Rev. 6.13 Thrown down by the terrible blasts of the Pope's thundring Excommunications that Tail of the Beast Revel 12.4 God knows how soon this whisking Tail of the Dragon monstrous for length and strength may cast down some Doctors of the Church from their high Exaltations in the Reformed to the Base Earth of the Romish Religion and so cause them to become Baal's Chemarims and Chimney-Chaplains Yea some Professors we have seen who have shone like Stars for a while in the Heaven of a gawdy and glittering profession yet having a worm of some unmodified Lust in the very heart of them they like untimely Figs or Fruit have drop'd down from the top into the very Puddle of Prophaneness This must needs be not only a very far but also a very foul Fall The King of Saints Revel 15.3 the Lord Jesus brought his Church and Children out of the lower Rooms of the World up into his Chambers and Galleries Cant. 1.4 and 7.5 both these words are of the Plural Number implying that Christ hath his Chambers and Galleries of several Stories some lower and some higher than others Oh happy is that Soul which is handed up so high as into the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or large Upper Room and hath admission there to sit down with Christ to eat the Passeover Luk. 22.12 Yet know there may be a falling down from this Upper Room as did Judas that traiterous Jew 't was a great Fall that Eutychus got Act. 20.9 his Name signifies Well-Fortuned but in this he was most Unfortunate to fall so high as from the third Loft fast asleep and to be taken up for dead yet was
Discipline and was a symbol of internal Grace As this People had three Days prescribed to prepare and sanctifie themselves So our Lord saith He for our sakes did sanctifie himself Joh. 17.19 in dying for us which Sanctification Christ compleated not until the third Day at his Resurrection Secondly What the People were not to do 1. They must abstain from their Wives during those three Days Preparation ver 15. This the Apostle sheweth is to be done with Consent for a Time that they may the better give themselves to Fasting and Prayer 1 Cor. 7.5 Not because there was any legal Pollution in it being instituted in the State of Innocency Gen. 2. and honourable in all Heb. 13.4 'T was therefore prohibited not as any prophane Matter in it self but meerly that their Minds might be the more entirely devoted to the Covenant now to be made with God and not diverted by Carnal yet lawful Pleasure Some make this to mean Priests disavowing of Marriage which argues as absurdly as because People on solemn Fast-days abstain from Meat therefore the Clergy must eat no Meat at all 2. As they were not for that Time to touch their Wives so nor must they touch the Mount at that Time when the Signs of God's glorious Presence was upon it v. 12 13. In which Interdict or Prohibition are sundry Branches observable As 1st To whom it was prescribed to wit both to Men and to Beast To Men in General that is to all the People oft intimated in Exod. 19. but principally ver 13. and in special to the Priests who otherwise seem to have a nearer access to God in sacrificing-Service ver 21 22. These Priests are after call'd Young Men of the Sons of Israel Exod. 24.5 being the First born of Families whom God had sanctified to Himself Exod. 13.2 in whose Place he afterward took the Tribe of Levi Numb 8.14 15 17 18. 2ly Upon what Penalty this expresly is added upon Peril of Death The Offender if near Hand was to be stoned and if farther off was to be shot at with a Dart and the Beast is here doomed to Danger to keep his Master at farther distance from Danger in which Premonition there was Mercy in the Commination though so much Severity in the Execution 3ly The Reasons of this Interdict were 1. For Reverence-sake 'T is Presumption in People and an Affront to a Prince for any to come into his presence uncalled Much more into the presence of the King of Kings who though he love familiarity with us in our walking with him in our Conversation yet takes State upon him in his Ordinances will be feared in his Commands and will be trembled at in his Word and Judgments as Dr. Hall phraseth it 2. To restrain the People's Curiosity from prying into God's Secrets 1 Sam. 6.19 Not that it is evil to see God but it is evil in him that seeketh to see him out of Curiosity and to make nearer approaches presumptuously unto him than he permits The Third Reason Had they been permitted to approach and gaze this would have hindred their Attention in hearing the Voice of God which proceeded out of the midst of the Fire 4ly To put a difference betwixt the Lord's Service and that of Idols they had seen in Egypt wherein they used Sporting Dancing and Feasting which afterward this People practised as their Apes when they set up the Golden Calf But here they must know their distance dread God's Presence which was a strong check to all Idolatrous Jollity But 5ly And more especially this was to shew the Nature use and end of the Law which was rather to exclude Men from God by Reason of their Sins than to accept justifie or give Life to them as doth the Gospel for it was the Ministration of Death 2 Cor. 3.7 Gal. 3.10 11 19 21 22 23 24. Mount Sinai is in Bondage with her Children Gal. 4.25 Contrary to the Gospel upon Mount Sion as Paul explaineth at large Heb. 12.18 20 22 c. Notwithstanding this strict peremptory Prohibition that neither People nor Priests should approach beyond their bounds yet the Lord knew better than Moses the Itch of Curiosity in them and therefore He commands Moses to go down and charge them over again though Moses thought it superfluous to keep their Distance yet Moses and Aaron who were Types of Christ's Princely and Priestly Offices were allowed to come up unto the Lord ver 21 22 23 24. The Sixth Remark is the miraculous Manner and marvelous Majesty of the Promulgation of the Law 1. In the affrightful Agitation of the Elements as of the Fire ver 18. of the Air in the Cloud Thunder and Lightning ver 16. and of the Earth in that Dreadful Earthquake c ver 18. And. 2. In the astonishing sound of the Trumpet which by the Ministry of the Angel made a most terrible sound ver 16 19. As Moses gives an ample Narrative of this Majestick Manner of God's giving the Law There was Thunder and Lightning and a Thick Cloud and the â—â—und of a Trumpet c. to the Affrightment of all the People c. that the Man of God might the better accommodate his Expressions to the magnificence of the Lord 's glorious appearing on Mount Sinai and thereby the more to make the People meet to meet the God of Israel such a marvelous Majesty attended Moses here as never any Law-givers among the Heathens were ever honoured with That on a suddain in a clear Morning the Mount was surrounded with Darkness and Fire broke forth out of the midst thereof c. as Gregor Nyssen testifieth but Moses better declareth that there were four Signs of God's Presence two were heard the Thunder and the Trumpet sounding and two were seen the Lightning and the thick dark Cloud so the Apostle to shew the Terrour of the Law describeth the giving of it by six several Expressions As 1. Fire burning 2. Blackness 3. Darkness 4. Tempest 5. The sound of the Trumpet And 6. The Voice of Words Heb. 12.18 19. God speaking out of all these must needs be very frightful Deut. 5.22 23 24. and Deut. 4.11 12. Psal 18.8 9 11 12 13. There was no Comfort from the Light of this Fire because of this dreadful Mixture The Thunder-cloud had blackness in it self and caused a darkness to Israel both be put together Blackness of Darkness Jude ver 13. The Tempest includeth Thunder Lightning and the Earthquake together to signifie that all such the Law raises in the Souls of Sinners under strong Conviction and Compunction of Heart Act. 2.37 c. The Trumpet sounding was the great Alarm and Proclamation that the King of Kings was coming down upon the Mount and a summons to the People to appear Personally before him which was a figure of the last Judgment when no more Relief shall be found than was here in this barren Desart Nothing but Bryars and Brambles which if in Gods way He burns them up and
slew them in their Flight Therefore 't is said The Lord fought for Israel ver 14.42 melting the hearts of their Enemies and making them run away in a Fright God Affrighted them Josh 2.11 and 5.1 The Third Remark is The Unparallell'd Trophies of this Glorious Victory even hung up in Heaven it self far more famous than those hung up in Westminster-Hall even in the very Coelestial Orbs Namely the standing still of the Sun over Gibeon and the Moon in the Valley of Aialon ver 12. while the full Conquest was accomplished This was effected by the power of Joshua's Prayer and by the force of Joshua's Faith For he was stir'd up by an extraordinary instinct of God's Spirit to pray for this Miracle unto the Lord this is call'd His speaking to God ver 12. and he had confidence of success Therefore did he venture to utter his Command upon those two great Luminaries to obey him even in the presence and Audience of the People while they were pursuing their Enemies Joshua feared that the length of an ordinary Day would not last him long enough to compleat his Conquest therefore did he beg of God to lengthen out that Day by the Sun and Moons standing still that he might have time long enough for his great Work in cutting off those Cursed Canaanites before they could reach their fenced Cities Let us as Moses did Exod. 3.3 turn aside to behold this Bundle of Wonders taking a prospect of the particulars both in the History and in the Mystery First in the History First Behold and Wonder that the Glorious Sun of the Firmament which runs its race with a Gyant-like strength Psal 19.5 should yet be stop'd in its Race-running by the Command of a meer Mortal Man saying only Shemesh Dum Sun be silent Hebr. yet these words spoke to it puts a spoke into its Chariot-wheel and hinders this Champion in his full Career and stops this Bridegroom from going down to his Bride unto whom he is said to hasten Ecclesiast 1.5 Running Six Thousand Miles in one Hour according to the Computation of Learned Artists Secondly Behold and wonder that the Primum Mobile the whole frame of the moveable Heavens should obey the voice of this Man and stand still with the Sun So that the Supreme Sphere wherein are the fixed Stars stood still also so that the whole Course of the Heavenly Bodies was altered It was no Poetical Phrase as some interpret ver 13. but it was really done though no Heathen Writers mention any such halt made in the Heavens for we have no Authentick Author among them till the Trojan War which was a Thousand Years after Joshua N. B. Note well here was a Sabbath of Heaven for such as had not kept a Sabbath on Earth which might be just so many Sabbaths of Years from the Creation as there were Days in their Solar or Lunar Year or just so many Jubilees from the Creation as be Weeks in the Year This may help to fix Chronology right as Sadler in his Olbion observeth Thirdly Behold and wonder that not only the Sun and the Heavens but also the Maker himself of the Sun and the Heavens even the great God of both Heaven and Earth did obey the Voice of a Man ver 14. This was what God promised that Man should Command God concerning the Work of his hands Isa 45.11 Oh Glorious Condescension that a Mortal Man should Command the Immortal God c. Fourthly Behold and wonder that one Day should become two Days without any Night intervening There was no Day like this ver 14. not only because God obeyed Man as above but also because of the length of this Day being as long as two Days for the Sun is said to make an Halt and hasted not to go down about a whole Day ver 13. That is for the space of a whole Artificial Day between Sun-Rising and Sun-Setting for that was the Day which Joshua both needed and desired a Day to give him Light for his Work that the Night might not come too soon to hinder his pursuit and Slaughter of the Enemy No Day was like this in length about that Climate the Comparison being so limited and not of Universal extenty for the Hyperboreans as Greenland c. have a longer Day of half a Year long no not Hezekiah's Day wherein the Sun run back ten degrees which as some compute consisted of 32 Hours but this Day consisted of 36 Hours if not of 48 according to the Opinion of others Secondly As to the Mystery First Behold and wonder How the Sun 's standing still so long over Gibeon without Variation could not but greatly confirm the Faith of those New-Converts the Gibeonites when they saw God's Glorious Candle shine upon their Heads so long together without any declining as that was the expression of Job's comfortable time Job 29.3 so this was a Confirmation of their Embracing Israel's God Secondly Behold and wonder how Joseph's Prophetick Dream was here fulfilled There it was foretold that the Sun and Moon should do obeisance to Joseph himself But here it is performed that the Sun and Moon do Obeisance to a Son of Joseph even to this Joshua as Gen. 37.9 Hereupon this Miracle was sealed with a Miraculous Day of three Days long as Dr. Lightfoot saith Thirdly Behold and wonder how great is the power of Prayer even a kind of Omnipotency is ascribed to it as Luther said It hath a Command over all the Elements As 1. Over the Air Jam. 5.17 2. Over Fire 2. Kings 1.16 and 1 Kings 18.37 38. 3. Over Water Exod. 14.15 16. And 4. Over the Earth Numb 16.29 c. Psal 106.17 Yea 5. Over the Sun and Moon here 6. Over the Angels 2 Kings 6.17 7. Over God-Man Christ the Lord of Angels Gen. 32.26 Hos 12.4 and Matth. 15.26.28 8. And Lastly Over the Great God Exod. 32.10 where God bespeaks his own freedom as if Moses's Devotion had been stronger than God's Iudignation saying Let me alone So here and Isa 45.11 Fourthly Behold and wonder How in the Gospel a more Glorious Sun than this Sun of the Firmament stood still even the Sun of Righteousness Mal. 4.2 when blind Bartimeus cryed to him 't is said expresly Jesus stood still Mark 10.49 because he had power with Christ by his strong Faith breaking through all Obstructions as the clouded Sun doth c. casting away his Coat though a Beggar he stands not upon the loss of it and above all in stopping this Sun of Righteousness in his Journey Therefore his Name is celebrated in the Gospel when many Mighty Monarchs are either passed over in silence or else lie shrouded up in the Sheet of Shame Oh that we with our cries could constrain Christ to stop his departure from us as they did Luke 24.29 crying Vespera jam Venit nobiscum Christe maneto Extingui lucem ne patiare tuam 'T is towards Evening Oh that at Evening time it may be light as
he ate sparingly saith Sanctius that he might have some to suffice him the next Day However the Angel touches him the second time to awake him out of his Repose to betake Himself again to a fresh Repast ver 7. telling him he must feed lustily that he might be able to hold out so long a Journey as to Horeb N.B. The like Words the Angel of the Covenant seemeth to say to us in his Ordinances especially in the Lord's Supper eat O Friends yea drink abundantly c. Cant. 5.1 Remark the Fifth Elijah obeyed and in the strength of that double Meal he went to Horeb c. ver 8. Horeb is reckoned from Beersheba but fourscore Miles whereof he had walk'd one Day 's Journey already into the Wilderness So that the Prophet need not spend forty Days and Nights in going thither but Peter Martyr supposeth that he went wayless ways with many windings and turnings in the manner of Fugitives to shun Jezebel's Pursuers Sometimes he stood still rested and lay lurking in obscure Places and perhaps saith Menochius It was not at the first his purpose to pass so far as Horeb but God by his Providence brought him through all his wandrings in the Wilderness thither saith Peter Martyr that he might there instruct him Others are of opinion that forty Days and Nights time was spent in not only his going to Horeb but also in his abiding there N.B. However this is certain that this double Meal lasted to nourish him for so long a Time No doubt but Meat and Drink of an Angel's providing must have an extraordinary Digestion and Operation As the Meal in the Barrel and the Oil in the Cruise continued for three Years Chap. 17.14 15. so might this Meat of the Angel's making abide in Elijah's Stomach for forty Days and forty Nights and this is reputed the Prophet's seventh Miracle in his Fasting so long as Moses had done before him Exod. 34.28 and the Messias after him Matth. 4.2 which three great Fasters did meet gloriously together on Mount Tabor at Christ's Transfiguration Matth. 17.3 The third Place Elijah fled to for fear of Jezebel was Mount Horeb where the Lord met him ver 9 to ver 18. Remarks upon this are these First Horeb had a Cave in which Elijah lodged himself this was a more convenient Place for his Lodging than when he lay in the open Air under his Juniper-Tree in the Wilderness and Rab. Solomon saith It was the self-same Cave wherein Moses was when he saw God's Back-parts Exod. 33.21 22 23. and 34.6 Hence this Cave was in most high esteem among the Ancients saith Josephus c. N.B. However this Mount Horeb was the Place where God appeared to Moses at the first Exod. 3.1 2. and where afterwards God gave the Law to Moses and Israel Deut. 4.10 15. It surely could not but much confirm Elijah's Faith against his fear to behold those sensible Monuments wherein God cover'd Moses with his Hand while He passed by him with his overwhelming Glory Moses had gone to this Horeb to see God in the Bush Exod. 3.1 2 3. but here God comes to find Elijah in this Cave saying to him what dost thou here Elijah ver 9. wherein saith Peter Martyr God asks not because he knew not but secretly taxeth him for forsaking his Station intimating to him how he had sent him and set him to reduce Israel from their relapses and gave him great Gifts and Miracles for that end and saying I would have protected thee still hadst thou continued amongst them But now most unlike a Champion for Truth thou art a timorous run-away and comes not hither by my command but by thy own Cowardice for fear of Jezebel N.B. But others vary from Peter Martyr's Sentiments saying Had God been displeased with Elijah's being here He would not have sent his Angel to sustain him in the Wilderness nor have so strengthen'd him to travel forty Days and Nights with the succour of one double Meal only Therefore say they God asks this Question only to usher in the following Discourse Remark the Second Elijah's Answer to God's Question ver 10. in which Peter Martyr observes that the Prophet doth not speak out simply and directly but conceals the true Cause of his coming thither and commends himself with his Zelando Zelavi I have been Jealous c. meaning that it grieved his Soul to behold the Lord's Spouse so play the Harlot c. God's Honour was as tender to him as a Wives Honesty is to her Husband N.B. Here it is that Elijah makes Intercession to God against Israel Rom. 11.2 laying three grievous Crimes to their Charge The First is Their forsaking God's Covenant The Second is Their throwing down God's Altars The Third was Their slaying God's Prophets Oh woe to that People who put a Godly Minister to such an unpleasing Task whose Work properly is to pray for and not against them When a People so far apostatize as to fall a persecuting God's Prophets and when the most eminent of them are the greatest objects of their Hatred and Persecution such a People forfeit Prophets Prayers for them and Ripen fast for Destruction Remark the Third is Jehovah's appearance to Elijah at the Mouth of the Cave whereas the Lord's Accusation and Elijah's Apology before mentioned were in the Heart or midst within the Cave from ver 11 to ver 13. Mark 1. The Lord bids Elijah come forth out of his lurking Hole into the open light and stand in the Mouth of the Cave and there thou shalt see my Harbingers all three Terrible in themselves to humble the Prophet and to prepare him for hearkening more heedfully to the Divine Oracle in the fourth Harbinger and for receiving it with a deeper Veneration Mark 2. The first of God's Harbingers was a tempestuous wind that moved the Mountains and rent the Rocks ver 11. Though the Wind of it self be but a Vapour yet what great things God can work by it is well known both at Sea and Land by Storms and here also and all to make way saith Osiander for his own gracious appearance in the last Harbinger N.B. This Tempest represented Hazael whom Elijah anointed afterward ver 15. that tearing Blast to Israel was from God but God was not in it c. Mark 3. After the Wind comes the Earthquake more terrible than the Wind that did but move the Air but this the Earth saith Dr. Hall that only beats upon some Prominencies of the Earth but this shook it from its Center N.B. This might prefigure Jehu whom Elijah anointed ver 16. This again is added but the Lord was not in it that is God was so in it as in his other extraordinary Works but not so as to impart himself graciously to Elijah therein lest he should rather be affrighted than instructed by God's speaking to him out of those terrible Things Mark 4. After the Earthquake came the Fire more terrible than the two former to teach Elijah
God's Dominion over all the Elements Air in the first Earth in the second and now Fire in this third dreadful Representation and that he wanted not weapons wherewith to destroy both that Beldame Jezebel and the rest of her Idolatrous Crew in Israel This Third might well prefigure Elisha the third of Elijah's anointed ones ver 16 17. for out of the Mouth of God's two Witnesses which some suppose to be Elijah and Elisha a Fire proceedeth to devour their Enemies Rev. 11.5 but 't is said again The Lord was not in the Fire ver 12. as before ver 11. to denote that the proper Work of God is Mercy and Clemency and such rough Acts of Justice represented by Wind Earthquake and Fire are his strange Acts Isa 28.21 Mark 5. Then after all comes the still small Voice ver 12. which Elijah might hear and understand without any affrightment to intimate unto him saith Grotius that he was too hot against Israel God would not use present Violence against Jezebel c. but in his own time Visit Israel not by Power and Might but by his Spirit Zech. 4.6 which breaths gently yet Works powerfully to pull down Satan's strong holds 2 Cor. 10.4.5 His Vision of Wind. Earthquake Fire c. represented to him that after violent Persecutions and fatal Convulsions of Kingdoms there should come a sweet and peaceable Messias N.B. Grotius excellently applies this still Voice as a figure of the Gospel which came not by Tempests Earthquakes and Fire as the Law did Exod. 19.16 Heb. 12.18 c. but in much Lenity and this is the Wisdom which is from above pure and peaceable Jam. 3.17 and Deodate adds God's saving Revelation of himself is only in the sweet Gospel which soundeth Grace and Comfort and not in his terrible Law But Sanctius gives a notable Reason for these three tremendous Representations aforesaid N.B. That almost the same prodigies appeared here as did at the first giving of the Law for now God came to restore his Law which Men at present had troden under foot as Moses was the Lawgiver so Elijah was the Law-Restorer Yea and Vatablus noteth well that the like fearful Signs were the forerunners of the Holy Spirit 's falling upon the Apostles at the Foundation of the Gospel that small still Voice N.B. God makes way for himself by terrour but he conveys himself to us by Candour and Kindness Happy we if after the flashes of the Law in our Consciences we have heard and are comforted with the still Voice of the Gospel as Elijah was here c. Remark the Fourth is A Narrative of what was done and said when God manifested his Presence in this small still Voice from ver 13 to 18. Mark 1. Elijah at the hearing of this Voice wraps his Face in his Mantle ver 13. as unable to behold God's Splendour and Glory which the Holy Angels cannot do but cover their Faces with their Wings as with a double Scarf Isa 6.2 Though the Prophet's Obedience had drawn him to the Mouth of the Cave yet his fear made him to hide his Head because now he wanted the shelter of the Cave Mark 2. God saith the same Words in this small still Voice that He had said before ver 9. namely What dost thou here Elijah what before God had spoke to him by an Angel in the Belly of the Cave now He speaks to him again immediately in this small still Voice Had the Lord been satisfied with Elijah's first Answer he would never have ask'd the same Question again Mark 3. Elijah gives God the same Answer he had done before Word for Word ver 14. loth was Elijah to speak out He was more willing to say I have been Jealous for the Lord c. than to confess his Cowardice and say I have been fearful of Jezebel c. but his own consciousness to himself of a timorous temper would not suffer him to say so N.B. But others are of opinion as Peter Martyr c. That God blames him not here for a run-away but only propounds the same Question to him again to produce a farther proof of his Zeal Thus Christ dealt with Peter asking him three times over Lovest thou me to fetch from him a farther proof of his Love John 21.15 16 17. as here a proof of Elijah's Zeal Mark 4 God's reply ver 15. Get thee gone to Damascus c. not to Beersheba or to Jezreel though that was the nighest way and this much farther about through Moab and Ammon yet God would not expose his timorous Servant in his Passage through Ahab's Kingdom N.B. Elijah's Errand to Damascus was to anoint Hazael King of Syria Grotius notes well though God principally takes care of his own People Israel yet casts he his Eye of Providence upon other Nations also as here upon the Syrians but it was saith Dr. Lightfoot to plague Israel for their Idolatry And from thence he goes to anoint Jehu King of Israel if not by himself yet by his Minister related 2 Kings 9.1 c. and Elisha to succed him Mark 5. Here the order of the History is inverted ver 16 17. for Elisha was made a Prophet before either Hazael or Jehu were made Kings but this is of no moment to invalidate the History the substance whereof is that one or other of those three should execute God's Judgments upon Apostatized Israelites And the Reason of this Inversion is saith Peter Martyr because that the Prophet Elisha was chosen to appoint and anoint those Kings and so kind was God that Israel though Idolatrous shall not want a Prophet As Jehu should destroy the House of incorrigible Ahab so Elisha must go on with that Reformation which Elijah had begun Mark 6. When God had comforted his Prophet by telling him of those three Instruments he had in store to revenge his Cause and Quarrel then he convinces him of his mistake in his saying I only am left alone c. for God hath both Prophets and Servants in Israel saying Though thou see them not beside those hundred Prophets that Obadiah hath hid I have seven thousand Servants that bow not the Knee to Baal ver 18. God delights in hidden Treasures and never starves his Cause for want of Instruments He knows who are his 2 Tim. 2.19 the Gates of Hell cannot destroy the Being of that sure Foundation of the Church Matth. 16.18 though it's well-being cannot sometimes be seen Remark the last is Elisha's call to serve and succeed Elijah ver 19 20 21. Mark 1. Elijah returns from the Cave in the Mount of God to the Field where Elisha was Plowing he finds him not in the Schools of the Prophets but according to the simplicity of those times in that thrifty Trade of Tillage God can fit for Office whom he pleaseth to chuse Amos 7.14 Matth. 4.18 c. Mark 2. Elijah says nothing to him only casts his Prophet's Mantle over him which was a Symbol of his being clothed with God's
what was fittest to be done at his departing time He was not taken up into Heaven from his Praying in Private or in his solitary and serious Meditation but in this Ordinance of Divine Discourse with Elisha Had he not known that this Godly Conference was more necessary and Divine it had given way saith Dr. Hall to Prayer and Meditation There can be no better state or posture for the Messenger of our Dissolution to find us in than in a diligent Prosecution of the Duties of our Office our sedulous Attendance upon our Generation-work is no less pleasing to God than is our private Devotion Blessed is the Man whom his Master when He cometh doth find so doing Matth. 24.46 The Third Remark is The Place whither this Chariot of Fire carried Elijah 't is said into Heaven whereof there be various Opinions As 1. That of the Schoolmen c. saying He was rapt up into some pleasant Place prepared of old for pious Spirits that expected the Messiah's opening Paradise for them 2. Vatablus c. say He was carried into Abraham's Bosom which they suppose to be rather in the Air than on the Earth yet grant that his Garments were burnt by the Fire and his Body was changed and made immortal N.B. Their ground is that No Man ascended into Heaven before Christ that descended from Heaven John 3.13 and the passage into Paradise was not yet open'd by Christ 1 Cor. 15.20 he is the first Fruits that went thither Luke 23.43 But 3. The most Orthodox Opinion is that He was taken up into the Third Heaven so called 2 Cor. 12.2 that heavenly Paradise where the Souls of Saints departed are where Christ in his Humane Nature is Acts 1.11 and where all Believers after the General Resurrection shall be with Christ their Head in Everlasting Glory Into this glorious Heaven was Elijah translated as Enoch had been before him Gen. 5.24 Heb. 11.5 both in Soul and Body His Body being so transformed in the way and changed in a moment that his corruptible put on incorruption and his mortal immortality 1 Cor. 15.51 52 53. so as to make him meet to be admitted into those Mansions of Glory And Chrysostom hath a Conceit that the Devil that Prince of the Air Eph. 2.2 was very much amazed when he saw Elijah thus marvelously convoyed in a Chariot of Triumph through his Countrey and Territories N.B. 1. As this Rapture of Elijah was a Type of Christ's glorious Ascension Mar. 16.19 Acts 1.11 so it was an ensuring Evidence both as of the Resurrection of our Bodies in General so likewise more particularly of the last Rapture of such Saints as shall be living upon Earth when Christ cometh to the last General Judgment 1 Thess 4.17 2. As this magnificent Rapture was an Effect of Elijah's strong and miraculous Faith in this respect it may be reckoned his twelfth and last Miracle Now come we to the third Particular the Consequents of this Rapture Remarks hereupon are First Elisha's lamenting the loss of his good Master ver 12. This he doth 1. By Words And 2. By Deeds 't is said He saw all this glorious Transaction and Translation this was the Condition of his grant of a double Portion ver 10. therefore kept he both his Eyes and his Heart so fixed upon his Master that he would admit of no Interruption but twice he gave a Repulse to his fellow Prophets with hold ye your Peace ver 3 5. that is give ye me no Diversion I may not look off from my Master to look upon you And now when he saw him got up a good way from Earth towards Heaven He 1. Cries out like an Orphan my Father my Father c. not minding now his natural Father Shaphat 1 Kings 19.16 but the loss of his Spiritual Father was intolerable to him though he was like to gain a double Portion of God's Spirit by his looking upon this loss Nor doth he bemoan his own loss only but likewise the prodigious loss this was to all Israel who had lost in him their Chariots and Horsemen wherein he not only alludes to this Triumphal Chariot he now saw but he also saith Grotius and Vatablus c. intimates that Elijah had been a better Bulwark to Israel by his Prayers and Power with God and by Counsel and Instruction for their Preservation then all their Chariots Horsemen and other Warlike Provisions N.B. In this respect this Elisha afterward had the same stile given him by Joash King of Israel Chap. 13.14 which was an apt Remuneration of his pious Affection to his good Master 2. His Deeds after those aforesaid Words were 1. He Rent his own Cloths into two pieces which was an ancient Expression of Grief Gen. 37.29 34. 2. He took up Elijah's Mantle that fell from him ver 13. whereof he had no need in Heaven God order'd its fall saith Grotius for Elisha's Comfort and for the fortifying of his Faith that together with the Mantle given as a Pledge both the Office and Spirit of Elijah should rest upon Elisha his Successor This Mantle was a good amends for his own cloaths that he had rent and this he keeps as a memorial of his Master 3. He returns back to Jordan wearing this Mantle as his Master had done and in Imitation of his Master smites the Waters with the Mantle ver 14. crying where is the Lord God of Elijah not out of doubt and Diffidence but from Faith and an earnest desire to see an experimental Proof of his Master's Promise of a double Portion c. I find some Learned men have other Sentiments than ordinary hereof partly grounded upon the Ambiguity of the Hebrew word Aph-Hu and partly because these Words He smote the Waters are mentioned twice As to the former Aph-Hu which we read and when He c. they take for one of God's Attributes with an Emphatical Interrogation even himself or even the same as if he doubted whether God would be the same to him that he had been to Elijah As to the latter they say the Repetition of his smiting the Waters implies that the Waters did not divide at his first smiting for which they render these Reasons 1. God doth not grant Miracles immediately lest they should by too much facility be undervalued 2. Lest the Miracle should be ascribed to the external Means 3. Lest Elisha should Pride himself too much in his double Portion and think himself equal if not Superiour to his Master 4. Lest Elisha should Attribute too much to his own Merits and too little to God's Bounty So Lyra Sanctius c. say N.B. However when we come to an Ordinance of God we ought to cry with Elisha here Where is the Lord God of this Ordinance every Ordinance is as a Mantle which our Lord and Master Jesus Christ hath drop'd down from Heaven to us that we may wear them and wrap our selves up in them to keep us warm yet the bare Ordinances of God will not
Remedy first upon the Malady this is Threefold The 1st Remark is This Mans wandering the wrong way departing from the Holy City Jerusalem which Hebrew Name Jereu Shalom signifies they shall see Peace and Shimet found it a place of Peace while he continued in it 1 Kin. 2.36 41 42 46 c. and so did this certain Man in the Parable the Thieves did not dare to Assault him while he staid in this Mountain of Rocks amongst which it was built Josh 18.28 and 2 Sam. 5. ver 6 7 8 9. it was a strong City of Refuge yea glorious things are spoken of it Ps 87.3 It 's Walls were called Salvation and its Gates Praise Isa 60.18 God loved to look upon it Isa 49.16 and he delighted to dwell in it Ps 132.13 14 c. The Old Jerusalem was the more Famous for being a Type of the New Jerusalem which hath a most Glorious and Graphical Description of all its parts Rev. 21. per totum Oh how foolish was this certain Man to turn his back upon such a Blessed place the Terminus a quo from whence he went but more especially considering the Terminus ad quem the Cursed place that he turned his face toward which was Jericho signifying the Moon Hebr. that is placed under the feet of the Church of Christ Rev. 12.1 and it was Cursed by Joshua Joshua 6.17 as a kind of first Fruits of that cursed Country Dedicated to Divine Justice Levit. 27.28 Though Hiel presumed to Redeem this place so devoted to Gods Curse and to Rebuild it 1 Kin. 16.34 yet did he pay most dearly for so doing inasmuch as be lost his living House namely his Children while he busied himself in Raising up lifeless Houses upon a Cursed Spot of Ground N.B. Note well t is said of Christ that he sets his face as one going to Jerusalem Luk. 9.53 Sure I am it should so be said also of every True Christian whose Heart as well as Face must be toward Sion for the way to Sion is writ in their Hearts Ps 84.5 but wo to such as wander the wrong way from Sion to Babylon from places of Gods Worship to a Land of Darkness 1. Remember Dinah who was Defloured by her gadding abroad from her good Fathers Tent Gen. 24 2 23. 2. Remember Naomai who left the Land of Promise and went to Sojourn in the Land af Moab yet was she so wise as to Return again in due time and upon her Return gives this Account of her self what she had got by her wandring the wrong way she saith call me no more Naomi which signifies Delightful but call me Marah which signifies bitter for my God the Almighty hath dealt bitterly with me I went out full but am returned empty c. Ruth 1.20 21. 3. Remember Shines who judged the Kings command good in confining his Abode in Jerusalem a place too good for so bad a Man and he kept the Kings Command for three full years yet after this he breaks the bridle runs over to the Uncircumcised whereby he lost his Life by the hand of Justice and his own Heart was privy how justly he suffered 1 Kin. 2.38 39. to the end 4. Remember Samson what a Turmoiled and Toilsom Life he led by his Leaving Canaan and his Conversing so much among the Cursed Philistines Lastly Remember the Prodigal who by leaving his Fathers House made himself more miserable than the very Hoggs that he kept therefore little Children abide in Christ and continue ye in the love of Christ 1 John 2.28 and John 15.9 The Second Malady of this Man Remark the 2d is His falling among Thieves ver 30. Hence Great Grotins's Gloss is that this Portion of Scripture is a true History of a matter of Fact that happened in that time and place because the Road-way betwixt Jericho and Jerusalem was notoriously infested with Robbers as our High ways near London are too well known to be and as Savoy or Salvoy was of old called Malvoy which signifies an Evil way because High-way-men abounded there so that no Travellers could have any safe passage to any place but when those Robbers were routed out then was it named Savoy or Salvoy which signifies a safe way But waving this singular Sentiment of Grotius Literal Sense let us follow the concurrent Opinion of both Antient and Modern Authors who make it a Parable N.B. Note well 1. This certain man is either the Original Sinner the first Adam or the Actual Habitual or Unconverted Sinner to wit All Mankind descended from Adam or the Backsliding Sinner c. N.B. Note well 2. The Thieves that all these three sorts of sinners did fall among were Satan Sin and Death the two first are the founders of Evil and the last is the finisher of it Satan and sin are the Efficient cause of all Evil and Death is the final effect of Evil Rom. 5 12. and Satan is a most dangerous Thief as he hath got the upper ground of man for he is the Prince of the Air Eph. 2.2 which is about the Earth where man walks and sin is no less dangerous a Thief for the Iniquity of mans beels do compass him about Ps 49.5 and so if left to himself he is ever in danger to have his Heels tripped up thereby and Lastly Death comes oft as a Thief in the Night upon Man 1 Thes 5.2 2 Pet. 3.10 Revel 16.15 and 3.3 c. N.B. Note Well 3. The Original Sinner Adam fell among these Thieves when he minded more Satans promise and Eves proffer of the forbidden Fruit than he did of Gods Praecept against it his Hearkening and Hankering after Honour of the Devils giving made him walk the wrong way from the Tree of Lifs to the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil This made him to sin that greatest of sins Reckoned to be next unto that unpardonable sin the sin against the Holy Ghost seeing it was a sin against so much Light Life Love and liberty such as never any Mortal Man had His sin was not the Rebellion of a poor peasant upon the Dunghill but of the highest Favourite in the Court even in Paradise it self Hereupon Bernard descants Si hoc Adamo Contigisseâ— in paradiso quid nobis in seerquilinio If Adam fell among Thieves in Paradise it self Oh what falls may befall us that are cast upon the Dunghil of this evil World Satan made Adam sin and his sin brought forth Death the Fruit of his fall from Obedience and Innocency c. N.B. Note well 4. The Habitual and Unconverted sinner drives the trade of sin and the chiefest place of his Trading is Jericho Satan leads him Captive at his Will 2 Tim. 2.26 and such must needs goe yea run the wrong way whom the Devil drives Such as are not only sold under sin as we all are by Adam Rom. 7.14 but they sell themselves to sin with Ahab 1 Kin. 21.20 who being past feeling give themselves over to work all kind of wickedness
his Portion into the Hands of his own Freewill he play'd the Bankrupt and brought in the second State of Degeneration by excess of Riot which was the miserable fruit of Mans eating the forbidden Fruit then the Third State of Regeneration is a blessed Remedy to his cursed Malady by repenting of sin and returning to God and catching hold of the Tree of Life leaning on our Lord for Life and Salvation Cant. 8.5 Isa 50.10 Remark 4. Man in general is called and compared to two Sons here for all Mankind in Adam were equally Gods Sons and Daughters but all in him sinned and dyed There be two sorts of Adams Seed First some are such as belong to God by the Right of Creation only as they are Gods Creatures Secondly others belong to him by Regeneration also John 1.12 as new Creatures and Adopted c. the former have their portion laid out on them in this life Ps 17.14 for God is good even to bad Men. Matth. 5.45 Luke 6.35 but the latter have their best portion laid up for them in a better life Ps 31.19 1 Cor. 2.9 Matth. 5.12 Rom 8 19. 2 Cor. 4.17 Remark 5. In the person of the Prodigal is shewn us 1. Mans Egress and departing from God from their Fathers House being furnished with the good things of this life as his portion of Health Wealth c. 2. His Progress and wandring into the Wilderness of sin and spending his all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by living lewdly and unsaveably leaving nothing to live upon praeter Caelum et Caenum that is Air to Breath in and Earth to Tread on Ruine must follow Riot at last 3. His Regress and return to God by Repentance his Aversion from God ends in Conversion to God Remark 6. Though Mankind in the fallen nature do generally run a whoring from God Ps 73.27 yet there be some with David that thinks it best to draw near to God ver 28. The Election obtains it though the rest be hardened Rom. 11.7 yea the same person that formerly hath loved lewdness and lived in all licentiousness yet if one of Gods chosen Vessels electing love will not leave him in this lost condition but by some gracious providence calls them back as both Paul was and this Prodigal here c. Remark 7. This Prodigal had those Characters of an Evil Son as 1. In desiring a division of his Fathers goods while his Father was alive 2. In forsaking his good Father so soon as he had got possession of his part and portion into his own hands and 3. In his so quickly consuming his All in Riotous Lewdness This is an Image as before of the first Man falling into sin when he was by the subtle Serpent's suggestions made Ambitious of sharing with his Maker and seeking Happiness in himself and a Will and Ability to be a God to himself c. hence flowed in that Deluge of Sin and Misery This Second Son figures out the second Depraved State of Man for younger Sons are oft of a depraved wit less wise more wavering not enduring a Superiour but longing for liberty and to live as themselves do list the Father here being a free Agent and bound by no Law gives him his desired portion ver 13. Youth is hot he is quickly gone to promote his own profuse projects he goes down into Egypt saith Dr. Hammond which brought him into a Famine c. He that disdained to live with a loving Father was compelled to joyn himself to an unkind stranger who allowed him not a bellyfull of wholesom food he that had despised the Dignity of a Son now offers himself to be a Slave by many sordid Insinuations and to be a Servant and a Swin herd to keep Swine the vilest of Beasts Lastly he that would not understand the Blessing of Plenty at home became better instructed by Extream want and pinching penury abroad he was reduced from Meat for Men to Mash for Hoggs Siliquis Michrubim Hebr. and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Greek Husks of Beans such as were of evil Juice and of hard digestion and it may well be supposed a very small measure of this sorry Meat would have now satisfied him because in this time of a mighty Famine he must not measure out the Husks himself but it must be done by some deputed for that Service and surely that Deputy allowed small measures for Hogs in a Famine Remark 8. The sad Catastrophe of his prophane Progress in the Wilderness of sin produceth through the grace of God a Resolve of his Regress and returning home ver 17. wherein Antecedents Concomitants and Consequents may well be observed N. B. Note well 1. Antecedents Which Teach us 1. That the time of our Distance and Estrangement from our Fathers House is a time of Folly and Madness 't is said he came now to himself who had been Mad before learn hence 2. God is good to us in Afflicting us Ps 119 71. 'T is out of his Faithfulness to our Souls that he doth afflict our Bodies ver 75. that he Hedges up our way with Thorns Hos 2.6 as he did this Prodigal here whom he whip'd home with a smarting Rod when neither Harlots nor Citizens could now Comfort his awakened Conscience and this teaches 3. That Man will make any shift rather than return to God at his call Jer. 3.1.22 23. Isa 55.1 This Son shuffles with a Citizen and among swine for a while but finding the very Hogs more happy than himself ver 16. then he reflects and resolves to return home 2. The Concomitants which teach us 1. This fool had hitherto been ignorant of the way to the City Eccles 10.15 but now having the hand of Heaven touching his Heart his stout stomack stoops to Gods Terms saying in himself ver 17. If I stay here I am but a dead Man like the Lepers 2 Kin. 7.4 none of my fellow sinners do relieve me therefore I must needs home Conversion to God comes hardly off 't is no easie work till constrained by want which had forced him out of his false Rests and made him Apply his Heart to seek Wisdom Eccles 7.25 Here not a Rich but a poor Camel just upon drawing through the Eye of a Needle Mark 10. ver 25. This hard work requires Almighty Power such as Raised Christ from the Dead Eph. 1.19 He could not lick himself whole as the Dog doth when he is wounded 1 Pet. 2.37 Nor as the Jews do with the Works of the Law Rom. 9.31 32 10.3 Neither Egypt nor Assyria could heal Ephraim of his Wound Hos 5.13 Jerem. 2.13 18 19. nor will all our own best washings make us pure to God ver 22. There is a returning which reaches not home to God Hos 7.16 The Second Lesson learned from hence is that real Repentance as a rising up from sin and resolving to return home to his Fathers House yea and do really Return too for there be many who
Mount of Olives the place of Christs Ascension Acts 1.9.12 Others say he will return from Heaven to the Earth in General grounding their Opinion upon the Expression of Job My Redeemer shall stand upon the Earth Job 19.25 Which words may be understood 1. Metaphorically saith Junius Vpon the Dust Hebr. that is he shall stand last in the Field when he hath Conquered Satan Sin and Death and trod them down as Dust unter his Feet he will make all his Foes his Footstool Ps 110.1 c. or 2. if taken Literally Gnal Hebr. may be Read over the Earth or Dust to wit in the Air for it is said We must meet the Lord in the Air 1 Thess 4.17 That is the Saints for as some suppose there cannot be Room enough upon the Earth to contain all the Sons and Daughters of Adam that have lived in all Ages and Places of the four Quarters of the World at so General a Sessions or Assizes therefore All the Dead in Christ shall Rise first then we which are alive shall be caught up together in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the Air and so shall we be ever with the Lord 1 Thess 4.16 17. But it may be supposed that Sinners who dye in their Sins shall be Judged upon the Earth which was the place of their sinning against their Judge and of their saying We will not have this Man to Reign over us Luke 19. ver 14 27. This amounts also to a Demonstration that when the Heavens and the Earth shall be all on a flaming Fire at our Lords Return 2 Thess 1.7 8. 2 Pet. 3.7 to 12. They shall not be Consumed into that Original nothing out of which they were first Created Gen. 1.1 But both of them and the Air also which is the Devils Territories Eph. 2.2 Shall only pass through the Fire to purifie them from the Pollutions of sin and be as the Bush burning but not Consumed Exod. 3.2 Hence 't is said We look for New Heavens and a New Earth c. 2 Pet. 3.13 Otherwise what place hath Christ to Judge the World in The Third thing is the manner how our Lord Returns Namely 1. Visibly as he went up Acts 1 9. every Eye shall then see him c. Revel 1.7 With a Real Body to which our Bodies shall be fashioned Phil. 3.21 2. Gloriously not in the form of a Servant as at his first coming Phil. 2.7 But of an All-Conquering King all shall behold him then coming in the Clouds of Heaven with power and great Glory Mat. 24.30 3. Suddenly as a flash of Lightning Mat. 24.27 and Surprizing as a Thief Revel 16.15 That gives no warning yea and as Noahs Flood unexpectedly swept all away Mat. 24.37 38 39 40 41 42. Therefore Omnem Crede diem tibi diluxisse Supremum think every Day thy last Day None know what any Big-belly'd Day may bring forth c. The Judge is at the Door Jam. 5.9 4. Terribly to the Wicked if the Law was given in so Terrible a Manner Exod. 19.16 How much more when the Judge comes to Require it c. then Mount Sinai only was all on Fire but at this universal Assises the whole World melts like Scalding Lead about their Ears yea those Rocks which they cry to to cover them Rev. 6.16.17 shall then melt 5. Comfortably to the Godly 't is their Marriage Day Rev. 19.7 8. Therefore they look for it and hasten unto it 2 Pet. 3.12 and lift up their Heads for joy c. Luke 21.28 The Fourth Circumstance is our Lords Attendants at his Returning Namely All the Holy Angels shal come with him and Attend upon him Mat. 25.31 As if he would not leave so much as an Angel in Heaven behind him Angels are his Apparitours who know the Elect as Servants to know their Masters Corn from others in Common Fields 1. By Gods Image of Holiness stamped upon them 2. By being so Conversant with them to keep them in all their ways Ps 91.11 While they are on Earth 3. And possibly by their chearful Countenances upon this Day of their Redemption c. Oh! What a Brave Bright and Glorious Day must this undoubtedly be not only when many Millions of mighty Angels shall shine forth all at once in their Splendour like so many Glorious Suns in the Firmament but also among and above them all our most Glorious Sun of Righteousness out-shining them all Velut inter Stellas luna Minores far more than as the Moon at her full doth out-shine all the lesser Stars And this shall then compleat the Saints comfort when they shall behold the very Nature of Man in this Lord-Judge Advanced above the Brightest Angel upon the Throne of his Glory which some understand upon the Shoulders of Augels because Angels are called Thrones Col. 1.16 As if our Lord will then come carryed in Triumph upon Angels Shoulders as Conquerours are carryed Triumphantly upon the Shoulders of Men c. The Fourth part of this Parable is the Servants Reckoning Mat. 25.19 Luke 19.15 Which holds forth that at our Lords Returning at the Day of Judgment that day shall be a day of Reckoning with all Mankind both with the Godly and with the Wicked Servants how they have Traded with their Pounds and Talents while they lived in this Lower World whether well or ill c. N.B. Note well 1. This time of Reckoning hath various Denominations in the Holy Scriptures as 1. 'T is called a Day because it brings to light all hidden Deeds of Darkness Luke 12.2 3. 'T is called 2. A Night Mat. 25.6 and 1 Thess 5.2 and 2 Pet. 3.10 Because that time will unexpectedly Surprise a secure World as a Thief doth the House that he Robbeth 3. 'T is called the Evening Mat. 20.8 Because the Day for work being expired the Workmen at Even are called by the Lord of the Vineyard to come and Receive their Wages 4. 'T is called the Morning Zech. 3.5 This will be that great Morning wherein God shall bring his Judgment to Light and wherein the Upright shall have their Dominion over all their Emies Ps 49.14 And then shall our Lord be as the light of the Morning without a Cloud c. 2 Sam. 23.4 Hereupon are we bid to Watch for we know not when our Lord will come at Even or at Midnight or at the Cock-crowing or in the Morning Mark 13.34 35. Those differing Denominations are indifferently taken for Time a Thousand years be but as one Day with the Lord 2 Pet. 3.8 And some suppose the Day of Judgment may last so long seeing we are not told in Scripture how long this last Day may last this is a Secret unrevealed N. B. Note well 2. Augustin Argueth that this Day of Reckoning must be Managed Vocaliter and not Mentaliter as Aquinas affirmeth Et per locutionem as he Phraseth it that is by way of an Audible Discourse and that Father doth prove it to be probable by urging that Famous
Lastly Their rearing up the Cross into the Air and fixing it in the Ground as if he had been unworthy either to live or dye on Earth And so left him to live in misery so long as he could c. All these things they transacted in the very Face of the Sun and in Defiance to the Great God Here our Lord was exposed by those Miscreants to be Mocked c. Here was nothing done in a Corner nor was Christ Crucified below but he must be lifted up into the open Air for three Reasons First That he might conquer the Devil that Prince of the Air upon his own Dunghill his own Territory and Country no doubt in the Three hours Darkness all the Powers of Darkness were let loose to spit their utmost Venom upon our dear Redeemer yet he spoiled all those Principalities and Powers Col. 2.15 a plain Allusion to the Roman Triumphs or like that of Tamberlain over Bajazet so Christ couped the Devils up in an Iron Cage and exposed them as they had done him as a publick Spectacle of Scorn and Derision The 2d Reason was That he might pave a free passage for his Redeemed from the Earth through the Air the conquered Devil's Territories up into Heaven He here became Jacob's Ladder whereon Lazarus's Soul safely passed The 3d Reason is That he might Answer the Brazen Serpent upon the Pole as before and heal us when the Old Serpent hath stung us may we but creep to the Cross and give the least look of true Faith upon a Crucified Christ The 2d Grand Remark next the five notorious Aggravations of the Manner of Christ's Death is the Multitude of Mockers and Mockings he met with as soon as he was Reared and Raised up from the Ground into the Air upon the Cross whereunto he was fast Nailed and Exposed to Publick Scorn Remark 1 st The Mockers are described in their Persons Postures and Places or Conditions and Capacities in the World As this Dying Redeemer had a great company of People and of Women that bewailed him Luke 23.27 out of a tender compassion to him and a cordial commiseration of him So he had a prodigious crew of Crucifying Miscreants that managed this most cruel Villany and that like Villains were Mockers of Christ while he was Tortured under their matchless cruelty for full six hours together without the least Respite or Respiration until his Final Expiration whereas the Light and Law of Humane Nature teacheth all Mankind to pity those that are in Misery but these Monsters of Men void of all Humanity Mocked him all along during and enduring his long Misery These Mockers or the Assembly of Mockers Jer. 15.17 have here a threefold character Mark 1st Who their Persons were and they are of four sorts the People the Priests Souldiers and the Thieves As Christ had the good company of Condolers so he had the bad of Deriders and such as were of all these sorts of Persons When the Devil had done his worst that Malice could do against Christ's Body now he stirs up all those Devilish Instruments to Assault Christ's Mind with their cruel Mockings so called Heb. 11.36 at his Holiness and his Communion with God and all this God's Justice will have done that all our Sins might be condignly punished in Christ's Person who became Surety for Sinners to the Father And Mark here what an overspreading Leprosie and Sour Leaven was this Sin or rather Devil of Christ-mocking Here is the whole Body covered over with the putrifying Scab of this Fretting Leprosie far worse than ever Job was Job 2.7 where Biles covered him from Top to Toe or than the Jews were Lev. 13.7 8 12. when the Scab spread from Head to Foot all over and here is the whole lump leavened with the sour Leaven of Malice as 1 Cor. 5.6 One scab'd Sheep spoils the whole Flock saith the Proverb This vilest of Sins was as catching as the Plague and all these sorts of Persons drank one after another of this Cup of Poison the Priests handing it to the People they to the Souldiers and they to the Thieves c. Mark The 2d Character of those Mockers as who were the Persons so what was their Posture this the Evangelists comparing them as we ought to do in other points all together do intimate also First Some of those Mockers were in a passing posture They that passed by reviled him Mat. 27.39 and Railed on him Mark 15.29 Sure I am those Passengers were not passing in the Way of Truth but passed out of the right Road when they passed their scoffs at him Who is the Way the Truth and the Life Secondly Some of those Mockers were in a standing posture The People stood by deriding him Luke 23.35 and Some of them that stood by mocked him in his calling for Elias's help Mark 15.35 36. as after and some of them that stood there Mat. 27.47 but though they stand here to deride a dying Jesus yet could none of them stand to what they had done nor did they or their State stand long after Thirdly Some of those Mockers we may well suppose were in a siting posture as the Chief Priests Mat. 27.41 and the Rulers Luke 23.35 for whom no doubt Seats were provided for to stand so many hours of Christ's Crucifying to Death must needs be look'd upon as too much below their Grandeur However soon after the Roman Armies pluckt their Lordly Seats of State from under them and their Scarlet Robss over their Ears c. Fourthly Some of these Mockers were in an Hanging posture as the Thieves upon the Cross Mat. 27.44 and all the other Mockers must have met with no better posture might they but have met with their due demerit and the desert of their wicked doings The Crucifiers should then have changed places with the Crucified Fifthly There is yet another posture though a ridiculous one mentioned in Scripture concerning those Mockers to wit Wagging their Heads Mat. 27.39 which is indeed the posture of Fools these also wagged their wicked Tongues against Christ but because they were of the more Barbarous sort and had not Wicked Wit enough wherewith to revile him thereof do they supply the want therefore with Antick Tricks making foul Mouths and blowing their Noses as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 23.35 doth signifie throwing their snot at our blessed and bleeding Saviour they wagged their empty Noddles and gave him the most Judicious Nods that those Fools could make Thus was the Lord of Life and Prince of Glory content to expose himself to the worst of Reproaches from the worst of Rascals to purchase Honour and Glory for us Mark The 3d Character of those Mockers is what was their place and capacities they lived in If it be asked what figure those Mockers bore in the World it is answered in General the most of them were mere Cyphers such as did what they did merely to please the Christ-Killing Priests who are called