flames of Fire and Blackness and Darkness and Tempest signifying the distance of unreconciled Man from God where they heard the sound of a Trumpet and a terrible Voice of words which fear made them desire that they might hear no more 20 21. For they could not endure that which was commanded and if so much as a beast touch the mountain it shall be stoned or thrust thorow with a dart 2. And so terrible was the sight that Moses said I exceedingly fear and quake 20 21. This signified how little they could bear the things commanded And the distance and dreadfulness was such that a Beast must dye if it touched the Mountain And Moses himself as we may gather by Consequence and Tradition did fear and quake 22. But ye are come unto mount Sion and unto the City of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of angels 23. To the general assembly and church of the first-born which are written in heaven and to God the judge of all and to the spirits of just men made perfect 24. And to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel 22 23 24. But the state of Relation to which ye are brought as Christians is more spiritual and sublime You are come in Faith Relation Hope and Initial Participation to that state of holy Worship which Mount Zion typified and to that blessed Church which is gathering on Earth and consummate in Heaven which Jerusalem typified and may well be called the Heavenly Jerusalem the blessed City of immortal ones dwelling with the living God And to Myriads or numberless multitudes of Angels inhabiting those vast and glorious Regions where you shall see that the number of the glorified Spirits were not few And to that advanced state of the Church in its triumphant joyful Communion which answereth a General Assembly of the Princes of the Tribes of Israel who had the honour of Primogeniture even those who are the enrolled Citizens of Heaven here they have Right and there Possession And more than all this you are come as adopted Sons to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of the consummate or perfected just Men with whom as we are here united by one Spirit and Love into one Body so there we shall live in the perfection of this Love and Union and Communion And to our Glorified Saviour the Mediator of the New Covenant by whom it was purchased made sealed and executed and who according to the Tenor of it mediateth for us with God and from God to us And as the way hereto to the real Purification by his Sprinkled Blood which the Blood of the Passover and Sacrifices typified and which cryeth not against us as Abel's Blood did for Revenge but saveth us by satisfying Vindictive Justice This is the Society and State of the Faithful 25. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven 25. Therefore your Motives both of Fear and Hope being so exceeding great with your greatest care see that nâ— Temptation draw you to refuse him that is the great Teacher and Author of Salvation for if they scaped not who rejected Moses and the Law delivered by him who was but a man like us on Earth certainly we shall not scape if we turn away from God who sent his Son from Heaven and thence also speaketh to us by his Spirit 26. Whose voice then shook the earth but now he hath promised saying Yet once more I shake not the earth only but also heaven 27. And this word Yet once more signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken as of things that are made that those things which cannot be shaken may remain 26 27. Whose Voice shook the Earth when he delivered the Law But now he hath promised once more to shake even Heaven as well as Earth Which signifieth that he will remove the things so shaken as made to be transitory in their use that the things whose designment use and nature are perpetual may remain without them that is that the Law of Moses shall be removed to make way for Grace and the corrupted form of Heaven and Earth to make way for Glory even the new Heaven and Earth that must follow 28. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear 29. For our God is a consuming fire 28 29. Seeing therefore that the Gospel is the Doctrine and Gift of an unmoveable Kingdom of Christ in Glory which we receive in Right when we are true Believers and in possession at the last and so we have the strongest motives to Holiness and Perseverance let us serve God with the greater diligence and reverence that we may be meet for his Acceptance and with a Godly fear of falling off and of his Displeasure if we should prove Hypocrites or Apostates For the Gospel is not only a word of Promises but hath its Threatnings and Terrors as well as the Law against all refusing Unbelievers Hypocrites and Apostates to whom even our God so rich in Grace will yet prove a Consuming Fire CHAP. XIII 1. LEt brotherly love continue 2. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares 1 2. And as to to your particular Duties I subjoyn these brief Precepts of Christian Morality 1. Be sure to keep up that Special Love which Christians owe to one another notwithstanding tolerable Infirmities and Differences above the common Love which they owe to all men and avoid all that would destroy this Love 2. Shew this among other means by your Hospitality entertaining Travellers that need Entertainment For so Abraham Lot and others have entertained Angels thinking that they were men And Christ at Judgment will say I was a stranger and ye took me in Note That in those Countries Inns were not so ready as with us and Christians were most poor men not able to bear their own Charges in their Travel 3. Remember them that are in bonds as bound with them and them which suffer adversity as being your selves also in the body 3. Seeing all the Members of Christ's Body must suffer if one suffer think of those that are Prisoners especially for Christ or Righteousness with such Compassion as if their Case were your own and so in all other Cases of Adversity remembring also that you are yet in a Body liable to as great Affliction 4. Marriage is honourable in all and the bed undefiled but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge 4. Account and use Marriage as God's Institution honourably and keep the Marriage-bed undefiled But Fornicators and Adulterers God hateth and will judge 5. Let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as
not you only bear it patiently but joyfully with exceeding gladness because your reward in Heaven will be so much the surer and greater for you do but follow the Prophets that are gone this way to heaven before you whom the carnal Church persecuted and murdered tho their posterity honour their names when they are dead but go on and imitate them in hating and persecuting the living 13. Ye are the salt of the earth but if the salt have lost its savour wherewith shall it be salted It is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden underfoot of men 13. The World is putrified with the corruption of all sin and you that follow me must be as salt to it to recover it from this corruption But if you prove filthy and corrupt your selves what or who shall be salt to you for your recovery Corrupt professors of Christianity are more miserable hopeless and forlorn than Heathens 14. Ye are the light of the world A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid 15. Neither do men light a Candle and put it under a bushel but on a candlestick and it giveth light to all that are in the house 14 15. God hath honoured you to be the lights to a dark world It is not therefore an obscure and hidden sort of goodness that beseemeth you You are called out to be conspicuous in the world like a City on a hill that cannot be hid by your difference from them in doctrine and life Men do not light a candle to hide it but to to set it up to be a light to the house And so doth God call you to be open lights in Doctrine and life 16. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven 16. Note That 1. the good works of Christians are the due appointed means to win others to the glorifying of God and they that do not this are guilty of perfidiousness to God and man as dumb Ministers are by omitting their work 2. Therefore our good works must not be so few and small as to be undiscernable They must not be done in hypocrisie to be seen of men for our praise But they must shine forth in sincerity to God's praise 3. By good works is meant Holiness to God sobriety to our selves and justice and works of love to others 17. Think not that I am come to destroy the Law and the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfil them 17. Take me not for an enemy to the Law and the Prophets as if I came to blame and destroy them As to the Ceremonial part it was but a Typifying prediction of me and is to be fulfilled in me and it is the honour of Types and Prophesies to be fulfilled And as to the Natural part I own and establish it and am so far from evacuating it that I teach the fullest keeping of it 18. For verily I say to you Till heaven and earth pass one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law till all be fulfilled 18. I tell you the Law is so true as being God's own word that one letter or tittle of it shall not be frustrate or fail of its performance to the end of the world but shall be all fulfilled 19. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments and shall teach men so he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven but whosoever shall do and teach them the same shall be called Great in the Kingdom of Heaven 19. If any shall presume to break the least of these commands because it is a little one and teach men so to do he shall be vilified as he vilified God's Law and not thought fit for a place in the Kingdom of the Messiah But he shall be there Greatest that is most exact in Doing and Teaching all the Law of God Note Are not those Preachers and Prelates then the Least and basest that preach and tread down Christian love of all that dissent from any of their presumptions and so preach down not the Least but the Great command 20. For I say unto you that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven 20. So far am I from Preaching loosness or favouring sin that I tell you tho the Scribes and Pharisees pretend to the strictest keeping of the Law if you keep it not better than they do and be not a better and a more righteous sort of men you shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of heaven Note That besides Christ's Righteousness there is necessary to all at age that will be saved a righteousness consisting in more careful exact obedience to God than any formal Hypocrite hath And this God's Spirit worketh them unto 21. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old times Thou shalt not kill and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of judgment 22. But I say to you that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment and whosoever shall say to his brother Raca shall be in danger of the Council But whosoever shall say Thou fool shall be in danger of Hell-fire 21. Moses's Law was that Murther shall be punished with death by the lesser Sanhedrim And the carnal Jews have taken this to be all that the Sixth Commandment condemned But God's Law is perfect however carnal men misunderstand it and I tell you that 1. whoever lets out his passion of hurtful and uncharitable anger against any man without or beyond just cause doth in some degree break the Sixth Commandment and therefore deserveth answerable punishment And 2. Whoever shall causlesly scorn or revile his Brother breaketh the Command yet more and deserveth greater punishment But whosoever shall utterly despise him causlesly with an uncharitable conclusion that he is a fool or a wicked man or a Schismatick or an Heretick when it is not so shall have yet far greater punishment even Hâ—ll-fire answering that in the valley of Hinnom 23. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar and there remembrest that thy brother hath ought against thee 24. Leave thy gift before the altar and go thy way first be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift 23. Therefore see that you prefer not Sacrifice before Love and Mercy but if thou bring thy gift to the Altar and be just ready to offer it and remembrest that thou hast wronged thy Brother or given him occasion of uncharitable thoughts of thee lay more upon love than on thy offering Leave it there and go presently and make testitution confession or whatever is necessary to reconciliation and then come and offer thy gift N. 1. O Christians lay this deeply to heart that your Saviour was so great a teacher of Love that lie preferreth it before
3. Or Peter himself But no doctrinal controversie dependeth on it For all three are certain truths 1. No doubt but primarily Christ is the Rock on which the Church is built 2. And no doubt but Faith and Confession being the condition of our part in Christ the Church is so far built thereon 3. And no doubt but the Apostles are called Foundation stones on which the Church is built and therefore Peter whose name importeth it and was a chief speaker among them as the foreman of a Jury 2. Though the Powers of Hell may seem to prevail as they did over Christ while he was on the Cross they are then next an overthrow themselves 19. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven 19. And hereafter I will make thee a ruling Steward over my Church as it is Gods Kingdom on earth preparatory to the Heavenly Kingdom of Glory and the due administration of thy office by these Keys of Power shall be the ordinary way to Heaven and a forerunner of the finall Justification of the Faithful and of the final condemnation of the Impenitent and ungodly whom by my doctrine and the due application of it thou bindest over to my judgment Note As Peter was the foreman or speaker in their common confession so by Peter the promise is made to them all And to them all Christ after gave this power But he never made Peter governour of the rest of the Apostles Much less the Pope 20. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ 20. N. Because this honour was reserved chiefly 1. To the time of the accomplishment of all the evidences by his Resurrection and Ascension and giving of the Holy Ghost 2. And to the work of the Spirit then on the Apostles by which they were suddenly advanced to a fitness for this work above what they attained by Christs personal teaching them on earth 21. From that time forth began Jesus to shew to his disciples how that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and be raised again the third day 21. Note 1. This Christ did 1. To make them know that he knew things to come 2. And to make them know that it was not to reign as an earthly King that he was sent 3. And to prepare them to bear his sufferings and not to expect fleshly prosperity by him 2. It was the Poor that followed Christ and the Rulers and Teachers that crucified him 22. Then Peter took him and began to rebuke him saying Be it far from thee Lord this shall not be unto thee 22. Peter contradicted him saying God forbid Lord favour thy self and expose not thy self to this Note 1. The flesh is ready to suggest fleshly counsel and to oppose all that tends to suffering 2. We have need to be fortified against temptations of loving friends as well as enemies 23. But he turned and said to Peter Get thee behind me Satan thou art an offence to me for thou savourest not the things that be of God but those that be of men 23. He lookt at him with displeasure and said to Peter I say to thee as I did to the Devil when he tempted me Get thee behind me for thou doest the work of Satan the adversary in tempting me for self-preservation to violate my Fathers command and my undertaking and to forsake the work of mans Redemption and Salvation As thy counsel savoureth not the things that be of God his will work and Glory but the things that be of men the love of the body and this present life so it signifieth what is in thy heart take heed lest this carnality prevail Note 1. All things must displease us that displease God and are against his interest and the good of man 2. Even the best men and nearest friends may by temptation and errour be made Satans instruments to do his work in some particulars of great moment 3. Good men do the Devils work oft times when they know it not but verily think it is all for Christ 4. No love or respect to mens nearness or goodness must draw us to flatter them in sin or to speak lightly of it we must not mince it or extennate it because good men commit it we must lay it home on them that would by justifying it make it pass for duty Lest the name of Good men should serve Satan more effectually than men of known wickedness can do 5. It is no railing on just occasions to tell tempting friends and godly men or Ministers that they are doing the Devils woâ—k and are instead of Devils to the tempted To hinder us in Gods work and mens Salvation is to be Satans to us O how many Satans then are called Reverend Fathers who silence and persecute men for Gods work as the whole course of the Papal Discipline and worship manifesâ—â—th 7. It is carnal savouring worldly and fleshly interest too much and the things of God the Soul and Heaven to little which is the common cause of the sinful counsels and course even of Sacred men 24. Then said Jesus to his disciples If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me 25. For whoever will save his life shall lose it and whoever will lose his liâ—e for my sake shall find it 24. Christ took this occasion to preach self-denial to his Disciples saying Let him that will be my Disciple and follow me and expect Salvation by me resolve to deny his carnal self and self-interest and resign himself to me as being not his own but mine Not making the cross but patiently taking and bearing it when it is laid upon him and follow me by sufferings unto glory For this is the method determined by God that whoever resolveth to save his life and not be undone in the world to avoid sin this man shall finally lose his life and life eternal And whoever will lose his life rather than by sin to forsake me and his duty shall find that life with felicity in heaven which he lost on earth N. Christs peremptory terms of Salvation are to prefer it and him before our lives 26. For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul 26. Will it not be an ill bargain to gain all the world for a short time to the flesh and lose ones own Soul and its happiness for ever And what will compensate the loss of the Soul For what price would you sell its happiness N. 1. Men hath a Soul that liveth when he leaveth this world 2. It were a mad bargain to sell a mans Soul for all that this world
the Church 3. But how the telling of one Lay-chancellor or Civilian and hearing or not hearing him and being Excommunicate by him concerns this Law I know not no nor telling or not hearing one single person that judgeth alone over many hundred Churches at a distance and without their notice 4. This discipline is of great moment for the honour of Christ and his Church that it be not as impure as the Infidel world nor a Swine-fly instead of a Society of Saints And that it may be known that Christ came not as deceivers do to get himself a number of followers as bad as other men but to sanctifie a peculiar people to God zealous of good works and forsaking the world the flesh and the devil and to keep Christians from the snare and the shame of infectious and wicked Associates and to keep sin under open disgrace 5. Yet if Pastors neglect this holy discipline the sin is theirs It doth not necessitate the innocent to forsake the Church unless their Doctrine or Practice amount to a profest rejection of some essentials of Christianity or else they force men to sin or own their sin But they that can chuse better without more hurt than benefit should prefer it before undisciplined Chuches 18. Verily I say to you Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven 18. I tell you that my Church on earth is the Seminary or Suburbs of my Church in heaven and those that you as my Ministers absolve according to my word they being not deceitful but true professors of faith and repentance they shall be absolved in heaven And those that you bind over as impenitent to my judgment being such indeed shall be condemned and shut out of heaven and I will own and confirm your judgment of men by the power I give you if you do it according to my word N. God giveth Pastors power to condemn and cast out none from heaven nor to save any but only such as condemn and cast out themselves or such as save themselves by faith more than the Church can do 19. Again I say to you that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven 19. And I tell you that I may encourage you to concord that if two of you much more if all or many shall agree in your Prayers Discipline or Appeal to God he will accept your endeavours and they shall not be in vain but blessed 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them 20. For as I am with every single Christian so I will more eminently bless with the fruits of my presence the Assemblies of the faithful be they never so small N. It is in hatred to Christs presence and name that Satan persecuteth such meetings 21. Then came Peter and said to him Lord how oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him till seven times 21. Peter said to him What if my brother do often sin to my injury or scandal and be often thus admonished how oft must I forgive him seven times seemes much 22. Jesus saith to him I say not to thee till seven times but till seventy times seven 22. It is not the number of times but his true repentance that is to be here regarded Note There are some sins that oft committing will prove that the Repentance is not true He that should daily or weekly beat you steal murther fornicate and as oft say I Repent is not to be believed but forfeiteth his credit But he that is but oft angry or defective in the degrees of sincere duty may be believed if he oft profess repentance 23. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven like to a certain king which would take account of his servants 24. And when he had begun to reckon one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents 25. But forasmuch as he had not to pay his Lord commanded him to be sold and his wife and children and all that he had and payment to be made 23 c. And that you may know on what terms you must look for mercy and forgiveness your selves I will liken Gods government to a Kings that would call his servants to account and demand his due and make his Debtors know what he might expect of them in justice 26. The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him saying Lord have patience with me and I will pay thee all 26. The servant unable to pay appealed from justice and begged mercy promising to pay when he should be able 27. Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion and loosed him and forgave him the debt 27. As he appealed to mercy he found mercy and his Lord forgave him and set him free 28. But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him an hundred pence and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat saying Pay me that thou owest 29. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet and besought him saying Have patience with me and I will pay thee all 30. And he would not but went and cast him into prison till he should pay the debt 28 c. He that had received so much mercy used his fellow servant with unmerciful rigour exacting all his due 31. So when his fellow-servants saw what was done they were very sorry and came and told to their Lord all that was done 32. Then his Lord after he had called him said to him O thou wicked servant I forgave thee all that debt because thou desiredst me 33. Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant even as I had pity on thee 31 c. I forgave thee a great debt and shouldest not thou forgive a little one If mercy was so necessary to thee why didst not thou shew mercy to thy fellow servant as I did to thee 34. And his Lord was wroth and delivered him to the tormentors till he should pay all that was due to him 35. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also to you if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses 34 35. Note Here it s doubted 1. How God â—s said to forgive unmerciful men 2. And to demand 〈…〉 which he had forgiven and to unpardon it again Answ God hath divers degrees of forgiveness 1. To give the world a pardon of all sin on condition of thankful acceptance is a great degree of forgiveness tho it be no actual discharge till accepted 2. To suspend the execution of punishment with such an offer and to give him time ease and mercy who deserved to be all that time in hell is a degree of actual forgiveness for to forgive the sin is to forgive the punishment and bad men
father and thy mother and Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self 18 19. Note Christ knew the Order of the commandments but named the Fifth and the Tenth by themselves as being of special note the Fifth for Government it self and the Ninth the summary of the Second Table For Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self If is that which is meant by Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours c. that is not by self-love want love to him and draw from him to thy self or oppose his good 20. The young man saith All these have I kept from my youth up what lack I yet 20. Note No doubt but he had broken these commands especially the last but he judged by his freedom from the gross acts of sin 21. Jesus said to him If thou wilt be perfect go and sell that thou hast and give to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven and come and follow me 21. Jesus said the state of Christianity or Qualification for Salvation is this Resolvedly and Practically to prefer Heaven before all the Prosperity of this World so as to part with All for Heaven when thou art Called to it Therefore I will now try thee whether thou canst do this Go sell all and give to the poor and follow me and take the hopes of a Treasure in Heaven instead of all 22. But when the young man heard that saying he went away sorrowful for he had great Possessions 22. But this seemed so hard a Motion to him that he would not consent but went away sorrowful for he was very rich 23. Then said Jesus to his Disciples Verily I say to you That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven 24 And again I â—ay to you It is easier for a Camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God 23.24 The difficulty of a Rich Man's being a sound Christian and Saved is great that I may express it by the common Proverb of a Camels going through a Needles Eye 25. When his Disciples heard it they were exceedingly amazed saying Who then can be saved 26. But Jesus beheld them and said to them With men this is impossible but with God all things are possible 25.26 This amazing the Disciples he said So naturally and strongly do men love this World and its Prosperity and so hardly do they believe and love the unseen Heavenly Felicity that it is impossible for meer fleshly Man to make so great a change upon the heart But the Grace of Almighty God can and will do it 27. Then answered Peter and said to him Behold we have forsaken all and followed thee What shall we have therefore 27. Peter said We have consented to thy termes and forsaken All and followed thee What shall be our reward 28. And Jesus said to them Verily I say to you that ye which have followed me in the Regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the Throne of his glory ye also shall sit on twelve thrones judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel 28. Fear not being loosers by forsaking all You that have sincerely forsaken All for me shall in my Kingdom and future State have ruling Power Dignity and Honour Note It is doubted by Expositors Whether this speak onely of their chief Power on Earth in the Catholick Church and answerable Glory in Heaven Or of any peculiar reign over the Tribes of Israel in Heaven or on Earth after the resurrection The General sence is sure tho what more there is be doubtful 29. And every one that hath forsaken houses or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my name-sake shall receive an hundred fold and shall inherit everlasting life 29. And it is not you onely but all others that lose and forsake any thing here for my Name-sake in the hope of the Kingdom of Heaven shall be so great gainers by it that they shall have in this Life a hundred-fold better in value than they lost and in the World to come Everlasting Life The worse condition of the Faithful is an hundred times better than others 30. But many that are first shall be last and the last shall be first 30. But as to the degree of Glory I must tell you it will not be given according to priority of Age or Conversion but according to the preparations of Grace And many that are now called and have less Holiness will have less Glory than many that will be more Eminent Saints many Ages hence CHAP. XX. 1. FOR the Kingdom of heaven is like to a man that is an housholder which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his Vineyard 2. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day he sent them into his vineyard 1.2 Note The Parable is to shew That God will not give men more Glory than others because they were the first Christians but because his Grace hath made them the best tho in time after others 3. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market-place 4. And said unto them Go ye also into the vineyard and what ever is right I will give you And they went their way 5. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour and did likewise 6. And about the Eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle and saith to them Why stand ye here all the day idle 7. They say to him Because no man hath hired us He saith to them Go ye also into the Vineyard and what ever is right that shall ye receive 3. c. The hours were about Nine a Clock and at Twelve and at Three and at Five God is not for idleness but hath work for all times and Ages 8. So when even was come the lord of the vineyard saith to his Steward Call the labourers and give them their hire beginning from the last unto the first 8. Note Gods Reward is in the evening of our days and the evening of the World when Work is done 9. And when they came that were hired at the Eleventh hour they received every man a penny 10. And when the first came they supposed that they should have received more and they likewise received every man a penny 11. And when they had received it they murmured against the good man of the house 12. Saying These last have wrought but one hour and thou hast made them equal with us who have born the burder and heat of the day 9.10.11.12 He made no difference in their Wages for the Time of their Work But he will make difference for the Work it self They that are called near the end of the World shall have as much as those that heard Christ Preach And those that are Converted in their Age if they be more Holy than those that began in Youth will be more Happy 2. This Parable meaneth not that
Note 1. Whence the Ancient Doctors gathered that Christ hath a two old Knowledge Will and Operation One Humane and Imperfect the other Divine and Perfect 2. Angels may increase in knowledge 37. But as the days of Noe were so shall also the coming of the Son of man be 38. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noe entred into the ark 39. And knew not until the flood came and took them all away so shall also the coming of the Son of man be 37.38.39 As in the days of Noe they would not believe their danger till it surprized them but liv'd presumptuously in their fleshly pleasure and worldly business so will it be with Sinners at my Coming Both at the destruction of Jerusalem and at the day of Judgment 40. Then shall two be in the field the one shall be taken and the other left 41. Two women shall be grinding at the mill the one shall be taken and the other left 40.41 Then I will manifest my distinguishing Providence One that is a Believer shall be taken to me and be Saved and the other left to their delusion and destruction in unbelief Note The difficulty of most of these foregoing Texts forbids me to be peremptory in determining whether they spake onely of the destruction of Jerusalem as in Mark the Question seemeth to intimate Or also of the End of the World as some words in the Answer seem to intimate And I incline to think that as the Types and Prophecies of the Old Testament spake proximately of the things and persons Typifying but remotely and chiefly thereby of Christ and the things Typifyed so these Texts speak first of the destruction of Jerusalem and next of the Calling of the Gentiles and Catholick Church but thereby finally and chiefly of the End of the World As if Christ said As it will be here now so it will be then parabolically 42. Watch therefore for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come This therefore is the necessary wisdome of all to be as men on their watch never a sleep or mindless but always ready as expecting the Coming of your Lord And then though you understand not all Circumstances before hand you shall be safe 43. But know this that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief would come he would have watched and would not have suffered his house to be broken up 44. Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh 43.44 Seeing men will watch against a Thief if they knew when he would come watch you for the preventing of surprize because you know not but it may presently be the time and it must be a continual readiness that must be your safety not onely as to the destruction of Jerusalem but as to every mans particular Judgment For Christ spake for the use of us all to the end and not onely for the few Jews that heard him 45. Who then is a faithful and wise servant whom his lord hath made ruler over his houshold to give them meat in due season 46. Blessed is that servant whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing 45.46 And those that are faithful and wise Teachers and rulers of his Church to give them meet and seasonable instruction as food for their Souls shall be found at their Lords coming Blessed Persons and shall be aboundantly gainers by their labours and their Sufferings 47. Verily I say unto you that he shall make him ruler over all his goods 47. I tell you such Ministers how poor or despised soever now by the world shall be advanced to a far greater dignity than their present Pastoral Office even to a participation under Christ of the Universal Government 48. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart My Lord delayeth his coming 49. And shall begin to smite his fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunken 48.49 But if any Assume the Sacred Ministry and shall say in his heart It is long since Christ promised to come and now his coming is either uncertain or will not be in hasle and thereupon shall indulge â—his fleshly Lusts and shall turn a malignant abuser of his fellow Servants and Persecute Silence and Oppress them and give himself up to the pleasure of his Appetite in Feasting and Drunkenness 50. The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him and in an hour that he is not ware of 51. And shall cut him asunder and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites there shall be â—eeping and gnashing of teeth 50. The Lord of that Servant will surprise him in his Sin and Security when he least suspecteth it and will execute that Vengeance on him which is due to such as aggravate their wickedness by Hypocrisie and make him feel that as it is odious so it is dreadful to prophane Holy things and to fight against holiness in the Name of Christ and at once to be a Minister a Worldling a Sensualist and a Persecutor Annotation It is of great moment for the understanding of this Chapter and much of Christs Gospel to know the true meaning of Christs Kingdom and his Coming Tho oft he spake directly of his last coming to Judgment yet ordinarily this seemeth his meaning His Kingdom is that Reign in Heaven on Earth at once which he was to exercise as the Messiah or God Incarnate having Redeemed lost Man The little poor Nation of Israelites were his peculiar People before Upon his Ascension the Gentile World was to be Called and a Catholick Church gathered over the Earth in a more excellent covenant of peculiarity and this Catholick Church is the Kingdom of the Messiah His coming is not his sending his Enemies to destroy Jerusalem nor yet his Visible Appearance in Person till Judgment but his setting up this his Kingdom his coming to Reign that is to Erect this Catholick Church This is plainly expounded in Luke 17.20 21 23. The Pharisees demanded when the Kingdom of God should come He told them The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation or outward shew by personal visible Appearance of the King in Pomp and Splendor with a Court as Monarchs rule nor shall they say Lo here or Lo there No Head King or Court shall be Visible for behold the Kingdom of God is in you or among you It is a Spiritual Reign in Souls and in the Church of which you have already some beginnings 24. For as the Lightning that Lightneth out of one part under the Heaven shineth to the other part under Heaven So shall also the Son of man be in his Day but first he must suffer and be rejected of this Generation c. that is when he hath Suffered and been Rejected he will Rise Ascend and from Heaven send his Spirit and Word to
only way that will self-love and reason should soon resolve us what to do and what to trust to 2. The way to be resolved on is that which will help us when all others fail 5. So he called every one of his lords debtors unto him and said unto the first How much owest thou unto my lord 6. And he said An hundred measures of oyl And he said unto him Take thy bill and sit down quickly and write fifty 7. Then said he to another And how much owest thou And he said An hundred measures of wheat And he said to him Take thy bill and write fourscore 5 6 7. Note They were ready for their commodity to joyn in the fraud 8. And the lord commended the unjust steward because he had done wisely for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light 8. Note His Lord that hated his falshood yet commended his wit 2. O that we had as much wit and care and diligence for our Souls everlasting welfare as false worldly men have for this vain World 9. And I say unto you Make to your selves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness that when ye fail they may receive you into everlasting habitations 9. It is counsel of great importance to you so to use your time and estates which worldly men abuse to sin that when you must shortly and certainly die and leave all your wealth behind you ye may be received into the everlasting heavenly Mansions Note 1. The wealth that by the wicked is abused to damnation may by Believers be used to salvation 2. All this World will fail and forsake us 3. It is not those that we do good to but yet it is God for the good we do them that will receive us into Heaven 4. This is a Testimony of the Soul's Immortality and of the Life to come When we leave this World we are received into everlasting habitations 10. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much 10. God will much judge men according to their use of the little things of this World and will judge them meet for the great things of Glory that have used these well But he will judge them unmeet for heavenly felicity that could not use well the small things of this transitory life 11. If therefore ye have not been faithfull in the unrighteous mammon who will commit to your trust the true riches 11. Do you think God will judge you meet for Heaven that were false in your use of earthly things 12. And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another mans who shall give you that which is your own 12. And if ye have proved false and untrusty in your Stewardship and use of God's entrusted Mercies in this life of Tryal where you had no assurance to stay an hour do you think God will place such as Proprietors in the Everlasting Kingdom 13. No servant can serve two masters for either he will hate the one and love the other or else he will hold to the one and despise the other ye cannot serve God and mammon 13. A divided heart between God and the World is false to God and to it self Ye cannot be true Christians and worldlings too 14. And the Pharisees also who were covetous heard all these things and they derided him 14. Note The love of Riches rises up against holy and mortifying Doctrine with hatred and scorn 15. And he said unto them Ye are they which justifie your selves before men but God knoweth your hearts for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God 15. You applaud one another and keep up a worldly Reputation but God seeth all the evil of your hearts and he abhorreth the covetous whom you bless and all proud and prosperous worldlings when they are highest in mens esteem 16. The law and the prophets were until John since that time the kingdom of God is preached and every man presseth into it 16 Till John's days the Law and the Prophets that darkly foretold the Kingdom of God as afar off were the chief Teachers of the Church but since John's preaching that this Kingdom is at hand multitudes gladly receive that Tydings and croud or press into it with earnestness 17. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass than one tittle of the law to fail 17. The Law is God's true Word and shall never prove false The natural-moral part shall continue the Ceremonious part the Types and Prophecies pass not away unfulfilled They all pointed unto Christ who fulfilleth them though he abrogate them 18. Whosoever putteth away his wife and marrieth another committeth adultery and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery 18. See Matth. 5 32. 19. There was a certain rich man which was clothed in purple and fine linnen and fared sumptuously every day 19. Note This is the description of a Sensualist that liveth after the flesh to be clothed in Purple and Silk â—nd to have every day a costly Table of delightful meat â—nd drink Sensual flesh-pleasing is the common damnâ—ng sin and Riches are the fuel of fleshly desires 20. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus which was laid at his gate full of sores 21. And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich mans table moreover the dogs came and licked his sores 20 21. Note 1. It is like he had some relief there else he would not have layn there 2. The worst men are not usually most afflicted in this life 3. Rich fleshly men make too great a difference between themselves and the Poor and think their superfluities and sumptuous delicious fare must be preferred before the necessities of their poor Brethren 4. Dogs help him whom the rich Sensualist would not help in any competent degree 22. And it came to pass that the beggar died and was carried by the angels into Abrahams bosom the rich man also died and was buried 22. Note Though this be a Parable Christ would not by it insinuate false Doctrine Therefore it sheweth that the Soul doth not die with the Body but goeth to Joy or Misery Abraham is there alive and Lazarus in his bosom before the final Resurrection 2. Death quickly levelleth Rich and Poor the voluptuous and the afflicted 3. Angels that guard the Just in life refuse not at death to serve their Souls as their Convoy unto Happiness 4. To be buried in a Grave and rot to dust is the best that the pampered flesh of the wicked can expect 23. And in hell he lift up his eyes being in torments and seeth Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom 23. Note 1. Such notice as Spirits have is called seeing 2. The Souls of the wicked pass to Hell torments 3. Joyful felicity is called Abraham's bosom to a Jew Some think
shew their usurped Dominion over Souls will rather tempt Men and excommunicate Christians and burn them and keep the Christian World in scandalous pernicious Strife than they will give Men leave to deny Obedience to their Usurpation in such things And how unlike Paul are they that say They will not deny their own Liberty or Convenience in an unnecessary Humour or Pleasure for any Man whose Errour or Weakness is the cause of his Offence or Stumbling And many good Christians mistake this and such Texts thinking that by offending the weak is meant displeasing them and doing that which others take for Sin When as by offending is meant laying a Stumbling-block or causeless occasioning or tempting Men to Sin and Ruine CHAP. IX 1. AM I not an apostle am I not free have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord are not you my work in the Lord 1. It seems some among you object against me 1. That I am no Apostle 2. That I get my Living by Tent-making 3. That I am none of those that knew Christ 4. That my Knowledge is lower than theirs To all which I say 1. That Christ made me an Apostle by his Mission 2. That I may use my own Liberty either to live on the Church or on my Labour as is most for the furtherance of the Gospel 3. That I have seen Christ from Heaven though not on Earth 4. That you are the Fruit and Seal of my Ministry which therefore is not to be questioned by you 2. If I be not an apostle unto others yet doubtless I am to you for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. 2. You of all Men should not question my Apostleship who were converted by it 3. Mine answer to them that do examine me is this 4. Have we not power to eat and to drink 5. Have we not power to lead about a sister a wife as well as other apostles and as the brethren of the Lord and Cephas 6. Or I onely and Barnabas have not we power to forbear working 3 4 5 6. And as to my Labour I answer That I own my Power to live on the Church And I that persuade you to forbear the use of your Liberty when it would do hurt do go before you by my own Example I have right to be maintained by my Hearers and to put the Church to the charge of a Wife and Family with me as other Apostles do I and Barnabas have power to forbear working for our Living 7. Who goeth a warfare at any time at his own charges who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit therereof or who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock 7. Soldiers are paid by those that use them and the Husbandman and Shepherd live on the Fruit of their Labour and so may I. 8. Say I these things as a man or saith not the law the same also 9. For it is written in the law of Moses Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn Doth God take care for oxen 10. Or saith he it altogether for our sakes for our sakes no doubt this is written that he that ploweth should plow in hope and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope 8 9 10. Do I speak this as a Man pleading his own Interest Doth not God say it in his Law c. And doth God make Laws chiefly for the good of Oxen or for Men For Men no doubt to encourage them by just Expectations of the Fruit of their own just Labours 11. If we have sown unto you spiritual things is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things 11. The Spiritual things which we sowed with you are far greater than the Carnal things which we may reap And if you maintain others you owe more to us 12. If others be partakers of this power over you are not we rather Nevertheless we have not used this power but suffer all things lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ 12. Yet have I not claimed or taken that which is my due lest it should hinder the Success of my Ministry 13. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar 13. You know that the Levites and Priests live on the Things that are offered in the Temple and at the Altar 14. Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel 14. So is it the Lords own Appointment who said The labourer is worthy of his hire that they who are called to preach the Gospel as a stated Office and not only occasionally should be maintained in and for that Labour and not be taken off by Cares and Worldly Labour 15. But I have used none of these things Neither have I written these things that it should be so done unto me for it were better for me to die then that any man should make my glorying void 15. But as I have not made use of this my Due so I write not as expecting it For I value my Advantages for the Gospel as my Glory above my Right and above my Life 16. For though I preach the gospel I have nothing to glory of for necessity is laid upon me yea woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel 16. For my bare Preaching would have nothing singular to vindicate me from Calumny or extraordinarily further the Success of my Labours Even bad Men preach and I am under a Command or Law of Christ which will punish me if I do not 17. For if I do this thing willingly I have a reward but if against my will a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me 17. For if my Preaching and that without Maintenance from you be done willingly God will reward me who accepteth no unwilling Service But if I preach but for fear of Punishment and take not Maintenance because Men will not give it I do but a Task imposed on me and forfeit my Reward so far as I am unwilling 18. What is my reward then verily that when I preach the gospel I may make the gospel of Christ without charge that I abuse not my power in the gospel 18. What then is that Qualification of my Service which God will specially reward Not the meer Task of Preaching but that I so do it as to devote all my own Rights and Interest to the Great Ends of the Gospel and whatever I lose or suffer by it take that course which tendeth most to promote the desirable Success 19. For though I be free from all men yet have I made my self servant unto all that I might gain the more 19. I am no Mans Slave or Bond-man to serve him against my will but I am a voluntary Servant to all Men in charity to save them and in obedience to Christ 20. And unto
Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth to Jerusalem which now is and is in bondage with her children 25. For Hagar signifieth Mount Sinai in Arabia and prefigureth the present State of Jerusalem which is outwardly in bondage to the Romans and inwardly to their Law 26. But Jerusalem which is above is free which is the mother of us all 26. But the Jerusalem above in Heaven of which true Christians on Earth are Heirs and to which they belong by Promise Initiation and relative Union with Christ which is the Mother of us all that are Children of Promise the Gospel and Spirit coming from Heaven and our Inheritance being there is fully freed from all Bondage and so are we all initially in our Gospel-Liberty 27. For it is written Rejoyce thou barren that bearest not break forth and cry thou that travailest not for the desolate hath moe children than she which hath an husband 27. For it 's written c. The Christian Church which before Christs coming was but in obscure Rudiments and after was but as a Grain of Mustardseed a little Flock shall become Catholick and be incomparably greater than was the Jewish Church Note That whereas many Expositors take Jerusalem which is above or Supernal to mean only the Church on Earth because it is caused by Grace and Revelation from Heaven and tendeth to it they causelesly give away a plain Text which proveth the Immortality of the Soul and its Felicity presently upon our Death As if Jerusalem above were but Jerusalem on Earth caused from above and so was Moses's Law and the old Jerusalem The Heavenly Society containeth the Spirits of the Just made perfect with the innumerable Company of Angels c. Heb. 12. To this we are joined in the Relation of Heirs When it is said That this shall come down with Christ at Judgment it implieth that it was with Christ in Heaven before and he hath promised that where he is there his Servants shall be also Joh. 12.26 And that some Expressions here signifie the Church on Earth is not against this for the Church on Earth is but the lower part of that in Heaven 28. Now we brethren as Isaac was are the children of promise 28. We are Children by Adoption and free Gift and of a freely-given Inheritance 29. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit even so it is now 29. As Ishmael persecuted Isaac so now the Jews and Carnal Seed do persecute Christians the Spiritual Seed 30. Nevertheless what saith the scripture Cast out the bond-woman and her son for the son of the bond-woman shall not be heir with the son of the free-woman 30. But as the Scripture saith Cast out c. so the unbelieving Jews that trust to the Works of the Law for Life shall not inherit the saving Privileges of the Christian Church 31. So then brethren we are not children of the bond-woman but of the free 31. So then we that are the Children of Promise saved by Faith are not under the Bondage of the Law but delivered from Sin and Curse by Christ CHAP. V. 1. STand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage 1. It is not a vain thing which Christ hath purchased for us undervalue not this Freedom and cast it not away but hold it fast and do not causelesly return to the Yoak of Jewish Bondage Behold I Paul say unto you that if ye be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing 3. For I testifie again to every man that is circumcised that he is a debter to do the whole law 2 3. I Paul tell you That if you be crcumcised as these Men tell you must be Acts 15. that is as it binds you to Moses's Law as the Condition of Salvation you renounce the Deliverance purchased by Christ and so he will be no Saviour to you For to be so circumcised is to bind your selves under that whole Law and Covenant of Works Note That as Baptism Physically taken is but Washing and is not Baptism in the Moral sense which is a Sacramental Covenanting with Christ by that Figure just so the Physical Act of Circumcising is not Circumcision in the proper Moral sense but using it as a Covenanting Sign And as Abraham used it as a Seal of the Promise to him as a Believer it is in specie morali another thing from that used by the Carnal Jews as signing another Covenant For they used it as a Covenanting Sign that they would keep Moses's Law as the Condition of Life whereas they ought to have used it as a Seal of the Promise made to Abraham and his Seed and also to bind them sincerely to keep that Law as the Matter of their Obedience trusting to the Promise for Grace and Pardon So that Paul doth not say that the Abassines that are circumcised for other Ends or Timothy or such believing Jews as were circumcised only to win the Jews had no profit by Christ but only such as believed those that taught them Except you be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses you cannot be saved 4. Christ is become of no effect unto you whosoever of you are justified by the law ye are fallen from grace 4. What use is Christ of to you If you trust to your fulfilling the Law for Justification you renounce Justification by Grace and so are fallen from Christianity and the Covenant of Grace 5. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith 5. For the Spirit of Christ which is poured out on the Faithful causeth them to wait in hope of that Blessedness of which we are made Heirs by the Righteousness of Faith 6. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision but faith which worketh by love 6. For in our State of Christianity as Subjects of Christs Kingdom a Man shall not be accepted and justified as circumcised or as uncircumcised though Circumcision as binding him to the Law of Works may undo him But the Qualification necessary to â—alvation is Faith working by Love that is such an effectual Belief of the future Heavenly Blessedness purchased and promised by Christ as causeth us to place our Trust and Hope on Gods Love and Christs Merits and Promise to attain it and in the sense hereof to love God and that Glory above all thiâ— World and our Neighbours sincerely as our selves 7. Ye did run well who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth 7. You began your Race of Christianity well who hath stopped and perverted you from the Belief and Obedience of the Truth of the Gospel which you then received 8 9. This perswasion cometh not of him that calleth you A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump 8 9. This Judaizing was never taught you by me that first preached to you or by God But a few corrupted Men among
hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ 3. Thanks and Praise be given to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual Blessings in Celestials or Heavenly things which tend to Glory which Christ doth purchase promise prepare and possess for us 4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love 4. As he chose us as Members of Christ whom he chose to be our Head before the World was made that we should be holy and blameless both which summarily consist in holy Love 5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved 5 6. Having predestinated us to become his adopted Children to him in and by Jesus Christ of his own free and good Will that so his Grace wherein he hath made us accepted in his beloved Son might have the Praise and Glory Note 1. That the Election is from before the Foundation of the World 2. That it is one Decree or Election of God by which he chuseth Christ to be our Head and us to be his Members 3. It is one and the same Election by which God hath chosen us to the praise and glory of his Grace to be saved and to be holy and blameless in Love On Gods part it is by one Act and on our part it is to one state of Blessedness as Generation maketh one Man though as objectively that one have many Parts it may accordingly be named Many and distinguished And the Essentials are given at once though the Integrals and Augmentation be after given by degrees 4. That Love is the sum of that Holiness and Blamelesness to which we are predestinated 5. That we are not onely Predestinated to Life on condition of Holiness but are Predestinated to Holiness it self and consequently to Faith and Repentance and not onely on condition that we believe and repent And so Election is of Individual Persons to Faith Holiness and Salvation and not onely of Believers to Salvation or of Persons to be saved if they believe A Conditional puts nothing into being or act Were the Scripture dark in the Point of Gods free Electing of some to Faith and Repentance more than others of equal Guilt and Pravity Experience might fully satisfie us of it 7 8. In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence 7 8. In whom we have deliverance by Redemption through the Sacrifice of his Blood for our Sins even the forgiveness of all our Sin which manifesteth the Riches of his Grace and Bounty from which this Gift proceedeth in which he abounded toward us in the exercise of that wonderful Divine Wisdom and Prudence in the way of our Salvation by Christ which to search and know is the greatest Wisdom and Prudence of Man 9. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself 9. Having now opened to us the Mystery of his own Will and good Pleasure which he purposed in himself but was little known by Jews or Gentiles 10. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in heaven and which are on earth even in him 10. That when he saw the fit time fully come he might gather into one Universal Church united to Christ the Head as his Kingdom and Body both Jews and Gentiles yea Angels and Men the departed Souls and those on Earth to be One I say in him their Head and King Note Those that confine this to Jews and Gentiles yea and those that exclude Angels force the Text without proof For though Angels sinned not Christ may gather us into one Heavenly Society with them and make us like them himself being the Head 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will 11. In whom also we have our Lot of Inheritance being thereto predestinated by God who calleth whom he pleaseth and worketh all things according to his own Counsel Wisdom and Will 12. That we should be to the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ 12. That we who were first called and made Believers in Christ might be the First-fruits of his Church and bring him much Praise and Glory by our Service 13. In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth the gospel of your salvation In whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise 13. In whom you trusted when you had heard the true Gospel of your Salvation and in and by Christ after you believed you received the great Gift of the promised Spirit which is Gods Seal upon you and the Seal of the Truth of his Promise to you 14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory 14. Which Spirit is given us by God as the ascertaining Earnest of our Inheritance to fit us for and assure us of our attaining the Possession of that which Christ hath purchased for those whom he had redeemed to be his peculiar People 15. Wherefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and love unto all the saints 16. Cease not to give thanks for you making mention of you in my prayers 15 16. Hearing of the continuance and increase of your Faith and your Love to all the Saints and not onely to those that conform to your Minds in small or indifferent things do constantly give thanks to God for your Stability and daily pray for you 17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him 17. That he that is the God of our Lord Jesus as Man who sent him and raised him from the dead and glorified him would give you yet more of the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation that you may know yet more of the Mystery of his Love in our Redemption by Christ 18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints 18. That your Minds being yet more illuminated you may fullier and clearlier know to what glorioâ—s Hopes he hath called us and what Treasures of Glory he hath promised to his Saints in whom he will be glorified for ever 19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who
henceforth as the Unconverted Heathens that follow their own false imaginations 18. Having the understanding darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart 19. Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness to work all uncleanness with greediness 18 19. Their Understanding being darkened and they being meer strangers to a holy living on and unto God because of the ignorance and blindness of their Minds which have lost the very light of Nature and being stupified by Pravity and Custom in sin have given themselves up to fleshly lusts to do the filthiest Acts with greedy desire and delight 20. But ye have not so learned Christ 21. If so be that ye have heard him and have been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus 20 21. But Christ has taught you and you have learned a clean contrary course of life If indeed you have heard what he teacheth and have been taught the True Doctrine of Christ 22. That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts 23. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind 22 23. That you put off the old fleshly Mind and Life which is corrupt in disposition and practice by the deceit of sensual lusts And that you be made New Men in the very bent and habits of your Mind with New Judgment and Affections 24. And that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness 24. And that you become New Men possest of New Dispositions wrought in you by God according to his Word and for his Glory consisting in Righteousness and true Holiness 25. Wherefore putting away lying speak every man truth with his neighbour for we are members one of another 25. And in particular as parts of your Righteousness see that you avoid all lying and fraud and speak the plain truth to one another for we are all fellow Members of one Body and therefore should not be false and fraudulent to each other 26. Be ye angry and sin not let not the sun go down upon your wrath 26. Anger is given us for the due resisting of Evil but use it not blindly rashly and inordinately to sin much less may you lie down and continue in such sin 27. Neither give place to the devil 27. And do not yield to Satan who by Mens provocations would draw you to sin 28. Let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour working with his hands the thing which is good that he may have to give to him that needeth 28. If any have by want or errour been tempted to steal or take any thing that is anothers against his Will let him do so no more nor by idleness continue his necessities but as he is able labour in some profitable work and that not only to supply his own wants but to relieve as many others as he well can 29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace unto the hearers 29. Let no sinful rotten or filthy Discourse come out of your Mouths which will signifie a polluted Heart and may corrupt the hearers but let your words be such as are not only harmless to others but profitable even that which is useful to edification for useless truth it self is not to be chosen 30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption 30. For the Spirit of God which is his Mark and Seal upon you to prepare you for the day of Salvation is a hater of all filthiness and vanity and a lover of Purity and Holiness and Mutual Edification And though he have not Passion and Grief as Men have yet as offended Men will in displeasure forsake that which is filthy and abhorred so will the Spirit of God in displeasure forsake a filthy sinner And that is one of the forest kind of Punishment 31. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil-speaking be put away from you with all malice 31. And Gods Spirit being the Spirit of Love cast away Malice and all that savoureth of it bitterness wrath and hurtful anger clamorous fierce and ill and hurtful words 32. And be ye kind one to another tender-hearted forgiving one another even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you 32. As having the same Spirit in the same Body be kind and tenderhearted one to another taking the good or hurt of each other as your own And as you can easily forbear and forgive your selves and be willing that others forgive you so forgive one another and that out of the belief and thankful sense of Gods forgiving you much more for the sake of Jesus Christ CHAP. V. 1. BE ye therefore followers of God as dear children 2. And walk in love as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour 1 2. Having therefore so obliging an example of your Heavenly Father shew that you are his true beloved Children by imitating him and let Love be your very Nature and course of life remembring still how Christ hath loved us and given himself for us an Offering and Sacrifice for our sins with which God was highly pleased in him 3. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness let it not be once named amongst you as becometh saints 4. Neither filthiness nor foolish talking nor jesting which are not convenient but rather giving of thanks 3 4. But let not Fornication or any uncleanness or filthy lust be once named among you unless by necessary opposition and detestation for this is the course beseeming all Christians who must be pure or Saints Nor yet use any ribald talk or filthy action nor foolish speaking nor vain jesting or drollery the foam of a light vain wit for these are unbeseeming Holy Persons but rather employ your Tongues in thanks and joyful praise to God and in holy edifying Discourse 5. For this ye know that no whoremonger nor unclean person nor covetous man who is an Idolater hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God 5. Let none pretend that Christianity by freeing them from the Law giveth them liberty to sin unpunished For if you are Christians the Word and Law of Christ hath taught you that no Whoremonger or Unclean Person or Covetous Person who is an Idolater by loving the World more than God or one that imitateth Idolaters in lusts hath right of inheritance in Heaven or in the holy Church on Earth 6. Let no man deceive you with vain words for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience 7. Be not ye therefore partakers with them 6 7. Let no Hereticks or Libertines deceive you with false Pretences of Liberty for
God the Heavens and the Earth that are now are kept from being drowned being reserved to another sort of ruine even by Fire when the time is come in which God will publickly judge and destroy ungodly men Note It is strange how any Expositor can think that this Text speaketh only of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Gnosticks when 1. It is resembled to the drowning of all the World 2. And it speaketh of the Heavens and the Earth that are now which are more than Jerusalem 3. And it referreth to the promise to Noah to drown the World no more 4. And saith it is reserved to Fire 5. And that at the day of Judgment and Perdition of the ungodly and not of the Jews only 8. But beloved be not ignorant of this one thing that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day 8. But you must not ignorantly measure God's time by the measures of us men For one day is with the Eternal God as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day Time is soon gone with us but to Eternity it is as nothing 9. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness but is long-suffering to us-ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 9. The delay is not because God is slack as to the performing of his Promises as slackness signifieth some culpable omission among men But it is because he is long-suffering to us men not delighting in or willing any mens destruction as such but that all should come to Repentance Note 1. God's will as totally distinct from all effects is only his Essence and is immutable and is not denominated his Willing This or That 2. But his Will which is but the Effects of his Essential Will is manifold and doth begin and end and change And 3. His Will as it is but the Relation of his Essential Will to these Effects and an extrinsick denomination from them is also manifold and mutable And it is in these two last senses that Peter saith that God is not willing that any should perish but all come to Repentance that is God hath provided a sufficient Sacrifice for their sin in Christ he reprieveth them from deserved damnation and patiently endureth them he offereth Pardon and Salvation to all that will accept it who hear his offer he giveth all the World undeserved mercy and obligeth them to repent in hope of more and bindeth all the World to certain duties as means of their Recovery and Salvation and useth none according to the meer terms of the Law of Innocency obey perfectly or die His daily mercies lead to Repentance and Hope He commandeth his Ministers to beseech them to be reconciled and saved He bringeth Life to their own wills and giveth them abundant reasons and motives to accept it c. 1. That he doth this de facto no Christian can deny 2. Therefore he is said to will their Repentance and Salvation 1. As these Effects of his Will are called his Will 2. Or as his Will is named only as related to these Effects Thus much well considered may end this Controversie 10. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the elements shall melt with fervent heat the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up 10. But as men sleep not knowing when a Thief will come in the night so shall Christ's coming surprize men unexpected in which the Heavens so far as they belong to man and partake of any of the Curse for our sins shall pass away with a great and dreadful noise like a storm and the Elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat and all this Earth and all mens works thereon shall be consumed by this fire Note It is marvellous prepossession that could make any Learned man think that all these words signifie nothing but the destruction of Jerusaâ—em 11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness 11. Note The true belief of the day of Christ's coming to Judgment and the dissolution of all this lower World by fire should convince all Christians that a holy conversation and godliness should be endeavoured with all possible care and diligence And those men that think they can be truly godly and holy over much do not believe seriously such a change and day 12. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat 12. Looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of this day of God when the lower Heavens and Earth shall thus be dissolved and the Elements melt with the fervent fiery heat The joyful day of our perfect Deliverance and Salvation 13. Nevertheless we according to his promise look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness 13. But we according to his Promise look that God should by these dissolving flames refine Heaven and Earth and having consumed with them all sin and the wicked hence should make as he formed this out of the Chaos a new Heaven and a new Earth an Habitation for righteous persons where sin shall prevail no more Note 1. He that maketh this new Heaven and Earth to succeed the destruction of Jerusalem surely forgot 1. That the Heathens for near three hundred years after persecuted the Christians far more bloodily than the few poor Jews did or could and that Church History saith very little of the Jews Persecution in comparison of the Heathens or of any Martyrs that died by them And sure if it was the time of the Ten Heathen Persecutions that was the new Heaven and Earth it 's strange 2. And if it were at three hundred years after Christ that the new Heavens and Earth come it seems far short of this here promised What was in the days of Constantine Martian and Theodosius they in Peter's days must never see But the day of Christ they were all to see 14. Wherefore beloved seeing that ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless 14. Note 1. It is not before death that Peter would have them look for this change whatever it was He lived not himself to see Jerusalem destroyed and he and Paul died by the Heathen Power though the Jews accused them and the Jews were more hated than they 2. Whether the new Heaven and Earth be as many of the old Fathers thought a restituâ—ion of all things to the state they were in before the fall for which the whole Creation groaneth and travelleth in pain to be delivered and that either for a thousand years or for perpetuity and who shall dwell in the new Earth and whether Heaven
and all men according to your works Note Judging is either Justifying or Condemning and Executing accordingly Our first Justification which maketh us Just and so Accounts us is not according to any works strictly so called unless you will call it a work believingly to Accept a free gift Nor is our Justification in Judgment according to the works of the Law of Innocency or of Moses or any that can be thought to make the Reward not of Grace but of Debt But it is according to our performing the Covenant of Christianity made by Christ the condition of Salvation 24. But unto you I say and to the rest in Thyatira as many as have not this doctrine and which have not known the depths of Satan as they speak I will put upon you none other burden 25. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come 24 25. Note Some Copies have And and some leave it out If it be you and the rest it must mean you Pastors and the faithful People And this would shew that it is not One but Many Pastors that is meant by the Angel But if And be left out then the sense is All you of the Church that are not polluted with this filthy Doctrine which the pretenders to Wisdom call Profound Knowledge but is indeed the Depths of Satan I will put on you no new Doctrine nor Burden but charge you to hold fast that Apostolick Doctrine which you have received and wait in fidelity for my coming who will reward you 26. And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end to him will I give power over the nations 27. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers even as I have received of my Father 26 27. This Promise is diveâ—sly expounded 1. Some think that it is not the same persons then living to whom it is made but those that in Constantine's time are found persevering shall then be advanced by him to honour and power Others think that it is to the same persons and meaneth buâ— that they shall be made Bishops and convert many Heathens But all the Church could not be made Bishops and Bishops then were the greatest Sufferers and converting is not ruling and dashing them in pieces with an Iron Rod. The Phrase is fetcht from Psal 2. Others think that it is meant of the Heavenly power of faithful separated Souls and that after death the Saints joyn with Angels â—s invisible Rulers of this World And others think that it is meant of a thousand years Reign on Earâ—h before the last Judgment And others think it is meant of the state after Judgment and that the Damned shall be as Slaves to the glorified Saints It is certain that it signifieth a triumphant glorious state in Heaven but the â—est is dark to us I think it meaneth that they shall partake of Christ's Royal Power subserviently in their degree by which they shall now triumph over the World in faith and in time be delivered from men's Tyrannny and at Death initially and at Judgment fully shall with Christ judge the World of wicked Men and Angels which is here called Ruling them And it is not improbable that the miserable damned ones will be in some sort trod down by Christ and his Saints but how we yet know not By the Morning-Star seemeth meant Christ and his Spirit to shine on them in Glory 29. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches 29. Let none take themselves to be unconcerned in Christ's Message to his Churches for it is recorded for our common use and nearly concerneth us all CHAP. III. 1. ANd unto the angel of the church in Sardis write These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars I know thy works that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead 1. To the Angel that is the Pastors and People of the Church in Sardis Thus saith he who is the Lord of Angels and Ministers Note Though the Spirits before were named before Christ it was not as preferring them before him for he is here said to have them as he hath the Pastors I know what thou art and dost and that thou art reputed by men to be an excellent Church but thou art declined to a cold and decayed state even like to death Note Profession and outward Splendor make Churches and persons applauded that wanting the life and power of the Religion they profess are next to dead 2. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die for I have not found thy works perfect before God 2. Be awakned from thy Self-flattery and Coldness and revive and exercise that Good which yet thou hast that it may be strengthned for I find much Hypocrisie and Formality in thee and not that Soundness Seriousâ—ess and Zeal which God will require 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast and repent If therefore thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee 3. Remember what Doctrine my Apostles taught thee and hold fast that and receive no other Repent of thy Back-sliding for if thou do not awake and watch in holy Preparation I will come upon thee with my Judgments as a Thief cometh on men asleep when thou art most fearless and dost least expect me 4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments and they shall walk with me in white for they are worthy 4. Though the greater part of that Church be as dead in their declining some few there are yet in it who have kept their Innocency from Heresie Vice and Cowardly Shrinking and these shall have the honourable Reward of their Uprightness for they are worthy of it according to the Law of Grace which promiseth it to such alone Note Yet these few Names are not commanded to separate from the rest 5. He that overcometh the same shall be clothed in white raiment and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life but I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels 5. He that overcometh in this Life of Tryal shall be cloathed with the Glory which signifieth the Reward of Innocency and is the mark of Dignity and Honour for such then was White Raiment and I will own him openly before my Father and his Angels as one who is enrolled as a Denison of Heaven among the Elect of God Note If White Garments now be seemly for conquering Saints they are unmeet for them that are overcome by the World and the love of its Honour Wealth and Power and by fleshly Lusts 6. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches 7. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write These things saith he
which the superior World hath no real similitude but by fiction 6. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal and in the midst of the throne and round about the throne were four beasts full of eyes before and behind 6. Note Before the Tabernacle and the Temple there was a great broad Vessel of Water called a Sea for the Priests to wash in Exod. 20.18 1 Kings 7.23 signifying the Purity required in the Worshippers of God being as Crystal tells us that no spots or Hypocrisie is unseen to God Though some make this to signifie the multitude of Worshippers The four Beasts some say resemble the four Staâ—dards and Camps of Israel in the Wilderness or as others the four Evangelists But it is like to mean the Executioners by Providence and Miracles of Christ's Will and Power full of Eyes as knowing all the Affairs of the Sons of Men about which they are employed called Living creatures for their executive power 7. And the first beast was like a lion and the second beast like a calf and the third beast had a face as a man and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle 7. Note As these four agree with the Apparition in Ezekiel 1.10 in the main notwithstanding some small difference so it is observable which D. Hammond noteth from Aben Ezra that these were the Escutcheons on the four Ensigns or Standards of the Camp of Israel a Lion for the Camp of Judah a Man for the Camp of Reuben an Oxe for the Camp of Ephraim and an Eagle for the Camp of Dan And an Oxe and Calf are oft used for the same And these four are noted to be the chief in their several kinds the Lion among wild Beasts the Oxe among the tame and serviceable a Man among all Animals and an Eagle among Birds To conjecture what God would signifie by them to Israel must needs be uncertain I know nothing liker than an intimation of Duty and Prophecy that Israel should be victorious over their Enemies and valiant as a Lion wise and in Dominion as Man and should have a fertile and plenteous Land signified by the Oxe and be Seraphick and Divine in the holy Worship of God signified by the Eagle that mounteth Heaven-ward in her strength And it 's like such blessings are hereby signified to be conferred on the Church some fix the signification on Angels some on Ministers And less probable are their 's that think Peteâ— John Paul and Barnabas are meant or they that apply it to the four Evangelists or four Patriarchs 8. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him and they were full of eyes within and they rest not day and night saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come 8. Note The Beasts resembling the Standard-bearer in the Camp are likest to signifie both the Angels in Heaven who glorifie God's Attributes and serve him in the performance of his Promises to the Church and also the Apostles and Prophets and Evangelists and Pastors who do their part herein on Earth See Isa 6.2 of their wings 2. Holy holy holy may relate to the Trinity but certainly signifieth that the Holiness of God is that for which he is loved and praised by Angels and Saints His Holiness is his Perfection and Transcendency above all creatures being the end of all to whom they are to be devoted and consequently his perfect contrariety to all evil 3. The celebrating of the Praises of the most Holy God is the uncessant work of heavenly Spirits and most of the work of Ministers and Church-Assemblies on Earth 9. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne who liveth for ever and ever 10. The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne and worship him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their crowns before the throne saying 11. Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created 9 10 11. Note With the chief Angels concur all the heavenly Hâ—st in magnifying the Holy Eternal God as shining forth in the glory of all his works by him and for him by his efficient Will and for his complacential Will fulfilled they being all created preserved and ordered And this heavenly work is to be imitated by the Churches on Earth whose Pastors leading the People must concur in the Praises of the most Holy Everliving God And those Churches that are dry and scant in these Praises of God how well soever the Word be there preached are defective and unlike their Pattern These passages are best expounded in the three first Petitions of the Lord's Prayer Let thy Name be hallowed Thy Kingdom come and Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven Neither Heaven nor Earth must be left out in the Exposition CHAP. V. 1. ANd I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside sealed with seven seals 1. I saw a Roll called a Book in his hand who sate on the Throne written on both sides but the Roll was sealed up with seven Seals Note The Roll contained God's Decrees as they were to be fulfilled according to this Prophecy And it 's like they were seven Rolls together making one Book 2. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof 2. Note Every Angel or Man is not worthy or meet to be the Expositor and Messenger of God's Mysteries to Man 3. And no man in heaven nor in earth neither under the earth was able to open the book neither to look thereon 3. It was a work and trust too high for any meer creature in all the World None of them was worthy 4. And I wept much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book neither to look thereon 4. I lamented that the creatures should be found so unworthy and God's Mysteries be kept unknown 5. And one of the elders saith unto me Weep not behold the lion of the tribe of Judah the root of David hath prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof 5. One of the Elders that were at the Throne comforted me and told me that Christ who is called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Son of David and Root of Jesse was found worthy by the Dignity of his Person and his Merits by Man's Redemption to open to the Church all the Mysteries of God which it was meet for Man to know and to loose the Seals 6. And I beheld and lo in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts and in the midst of the elders stood a Lamb as it had been slain having seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven
Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth 6. Upon this glad tidings I lookt and saw Christ in the likeness of a Lamb wounded and bloody as he was sacrificed which signified that it was by the Merit of Redemption that he had his power over all And he seemed to have seven Horns and Eyes for the exercise of Government by Judgment and Victory over his Enemies and Illumination of his Church and the full notice of all that concerneth his Government which is done by the Spiritual Powers or Angels and Ministers whom he sendeth forth from God into all the Earth Or as others by the manifold Gifts of the Holy Ghost which is his Agent or Advocate on Earth 7. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sate upon the throne 7. He that alone was worthy received Power from God both to open the Mysteries and execute them 8. And when he had taken the book the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb having every one of them harps and golden vials full of odours which are the prayers of saints 8. Note Who were the four Living Wights here ill translated Beasts when one was a Man was before enquired but its hard to know only they seem to signifie some Greater than the Elders Some Papists think they were the four first Patriarcks and the Elders the Councils It s more probable than so that they were all the sorts of Ministers that were entrusted with the first gathering of Churches and sealing the Gospel by Miracles as distinct from the fixed Church-Bishops called Elders That is that they were Apostles Prophets Evangelists and Miracle-workers as such But all is doubtfull 2. That both the Living Wights and the Elders were men on earth is plain by their work here described They are Priests that in the sacred Assembly do by office Speak for and Lead the Church in offering up the Common Praises to God and also the Prayers of the Congregation That there be any Angels that resemble this office in Heaven we cannot conclude from so obscure a Text. Hence we see 1. That Church Guides are the Worshippers of Jesus 2. Though we cannot hence prove that Gods praises must be used with harps and Musicall Instruments they that use such have a fairer pretence hence to prove them lawful as doing Gods will on earth as John saw it resembled in Heaven than any can shew to prove it unlawful 3. Ministers in offering up the Churches praise and prayers are submediators under Christ 9. And they sung a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation 10. And hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reign on the earth 9.10 Note 1. Christ is to be praised in the Church with a new song or Praises suited to his works of Redemption and his Glory and not only with the Jewish Psalms and Worship though those Psalms also may be used 2. Though the Collective phrase of gathering out of every nation c. makes some think that it is an assembly of Glorified Saints in the heavenly Jerusalem called the General Assembly of the first born and the Spirits of the perfected just that is here primarily meant it seems more probable that it is the Church on earth alone And that it is the first ages by Faith and the following also by some experience of the Churches deliverance by Constantine that mention reigning on the earth The Saints departed indeed shall judge the World To be Kings and Priests to God is to be endowed with Power and Honour and Holyness and employed accordingly in Gods administrations and Holy Worship 11. And I beheld and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands 11. As I looked I seemed to hear innumerable Angels joyning with the Living Wights and Elders in the Praises of Christ for mans Redemption Note That this signifies the multitude of believers or of Ministers through all the World is not to be proved But that it is meant properly of Angels is most probable And it is to be noted that when the Living Wights are but four and the Elders but twenty four the Angels that praise Christ are millions and numberless So Heb. 12.24 Whence note that its ignorance that calls God more severe then merciful because it s but a few of this World that are sanctified and glorified when as the vast and glorious Regions above seem to Reason and by scripture to have so many millions of Angels that its like the damned are very few to them The greatest Kingdom is not near so great and glorious in comparison of one Jail and one Gallows as the Heavenly Regions are in comparison of this spot called Earth or the place of execution called Hell 12. Saying with a loud voice Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing 12. These Angels joined with the Churches in the Praises of Christ ascribing to him in their Praise all Power and Glory c. as deserved by his Redemption of the World by his death Note Those Angels that joyn with us in Christs praises and are present in our assemblies and Guardians of us and them and pitch their tents about us and bear us up in their hands and rejoice in our Conversion and are ministring Spirits for our good are not so ignorant of us and our concerns and our prayers as some imagine We have many ignorant men that think they know more of our case here below than the Angels do when they scarce know so much as may keep them from being seducers and deviders of the Church They are sure but ill Guardians who know as little of our affairs as these men think Christ saith that the least Christians have their Angels who behold the face of God And why are they called their Angels and what do they for them with God if they know not our condition and concerns And though this will not warrant Praying to them which themselves in this book seem to disown yet we ought not to think that mistake of those ancient fathers and Churches to be greater than it was who thought that as Pastors on earth offer up the Congregations prayers and praises to God so there is an answerable office of Angels to offer them as from them to Christ who offereth them to God the Father And who thought as a man might pray a Minister to pray for him so he might do an Angel though it be an errour one is no more Idolatry than the other 13. And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and
such as are in the sea and all that are in them heard I saying blessing honour glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever 13. And as all the World which was curst for mans sin was according to each Creatures capacity redeemed from that curse by Christ to be performed in due time so I seemed to hear all that part of the World that belonged to man to magnifie Christ and God by him for the Worlds Redemption Ascribing to him all perfection Blessing Honour Glory Power c. Note Whether there be any reasonable Creatures in the sea is unknown to us The reasonable Creatures praise God and Christ understandingly the rest demonstratively and objectively Those under the earth are the Antipodes on the other â—ide of the earth 14. And the four beasts said Amen And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever 14 And the four Living Wights who are as the four Cherubiâ—s mentioned in Ezekiel joined with the four and twenty Elders who answer the Jews Sanhedrims that is with the Churches in the praises of God and of the Redeemer Note If these four Cherubims signified only Angels it is no wonder that they joyn with the Church in the Praises of Christ when they are of the same society with us though the higher parts CHAP. VI. 1. ANd I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals and I heard as it were the noise of thunder one of the four beasts saying Come and see 1. When Christ opened the divine decrees in a noise like thunder I heard one of the four Living Wights or Cherubims calling me to come and see 2. And I saw and behold a white horse and he that sat on him had a bow and a crown was given unto him and he went forth conquering and to conquer 2. Note Some take this to be Christ going forth to convert men by the Gospel Others to be Christ beginning his Judgments on the Jews Others to be the Roman power by their conquests preparing for further execution on the Jews 3. And when he had opened the second seal I heard the second beast say Come and see 3. The second Cherub called me to see when the second seal was opend 4. And there went out another horse that was red and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth and that they should kill one another and there was given unto him a great sword 4. God proceeded further towards his dreadful executions and gave up the World and specially the Jews to divisions and unpeaceable tumults and to kill and ruin one another 5. And when he had opened the third seal I heard the third beast say Come and see And I beheld and lo a black horse and he that sat on him had a pair of ballances in his hand 5. God yet procâ—eded to the next judgment which was famine signified by one on a black horse with ballance to weigh food to shew its scarcity 6. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say A measure of wheat for a penny and three measures of barley for a penny and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine 6. A mans day wages for labor shall buy but bread enough for one man There shall be a scarcity of the necessary part of food specially in Judea 7. And when he had opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth beast say Come and see 8. And I looked and behold a pale horse and his name that sat on him was Death and hell followed with him and power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth to kill with sword and with hunger and with death and with the beasts of the earth 7.8 Judgment shall proceed from scarcity to death and ruins by famine wars and plagues which shall destroy a great part of the Jews at least 9. And when he had opened the fifth seal I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held 9. Note The heavenly Apparition relating to the Church on Earth useth the name of an Altar and I think justifieth the use of it now 2. The Souls of Martyrs live in Heaven and therefore so do other Saints which proveth the Immortality of Souls To be under the Altar is to be in the heavenly Communion with them that offer praise to God And to be commemorated at the Altar by the Church on Earth that prayeth for deliverance from Persecutors 3. There be not only Praises but Prayers in Heaven and that for Justice on Persecutors on Earth therefore they know that their Blood is not revenged 4. How then are miserable Persecutors like to scape when Heaven and Earth pray against them 10. And they cried with a loud voice saying How long O Lord holy and true dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth 10. Note This was not from uncharitableness but conformity to God's Holiness Justice and Truth The Revenge desired being the Vindication of God's Holiness and Truth which he had promised 11. And white robes were given unto every one of them and it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a little season until their fellow-servants also and their brethren that should be killed as they were should be fulfilled 11. They were clothed in White which then signified Righteousness and Dignity in acknowledgment of their Fidelity but the Revenge must be delayed till the rest were killed especially say some by the Jews that must kill more that on that Generation might come â—ll the righteous Blood shed from Abel till the last Note God oft delayeth his Judgments but while more and greater sins prepare for heavier Plagues One Reason why we are not presently avenged and delivered from Persecutors is because more must yet suffer before they are ripe for signal Vengeance Our Souls may be under the Altar in Heaven cloathed in White before that day of Revenge 12. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal and lo there was a great earth-quake and the sun became black as sack-cloth of hair and the moon became as blood 13. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth even as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs when she is shaken of a mighty wind 12 13. The great Calamities that were to follow on the Jews say some and on the World say others were so dismal that they were represented to me as the darkning of the Sun and the Moon looking like Blood and the Stars falling from Heaven as if Heaven and Earth were dissolving 14. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together and every mountain and Island were moved out of their place 14. And it was represented to me as the Dissolution of Heaven and Subversion of the Earth Note Some think
them nor any heat 15 16. Note It is not the least difficulty in this Book to know when it speaketh really of what is done in Heaven and when of what is done on Earth and when of both This Text seemeth to speak chiefly of what is really done in Heaven To expound it only of the Liberty that came to the Christians after the Destruction of Jerusalem is improbable when the ten Persecutions succeeded To expound it of the Advancement of the Church by Constantine must make it to speak only of the Species of Christians that formerly suffered and of no individual persons but those that were then alive and is hardly believed by them that believe the reported Voice from Heaven Hodié venenum funditur in Ecclesiam and that know how quickly Papacy and Church-Corruption sprang out of it And yet to exclude all inferior Church-mercies from this Vision seemeth also unsafe 17. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes 17. The Churches on Earth shall have some Times of quiet Assembling and learning of Christ and his Ministers the pure Word of Life and Religion shall flourish and God shall give them some Respite and Intermission or Ease from Persecution under Vespasian and Titus But this is but a small Fore-tast of the heavenly Glory wherein these words shall be fulfilled where indeed they shall go out of God's Temple no more and shall have all Tears wiped away CHAP. VIII 1. ANd when he had opened the seventh seal there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour 1. There was a little space after the opening of the seventh Seal before I saw or heard the Revelation of it 2. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God and to them were given seven trumpets 2. Seven Angels were appointed to publish as by Trumpet the Judgments following Some think that the Temple-Worship is here described where the people without prayed in silence while the Priest within officiated and the Trumpets sounded Which the following words favour 3. And another angel came and stood at the altar having a golden censer and there was given unto him much incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne 3. Another Angel represented the High Priest whose Office was to offer Incense at the Altar and to offer up Prayers for the People To which use he had a Golden Censer and a Golden Altar to shew the honour of the Christian Ministry and Worship which is all accepted through Christ's Intercession 4. And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the saints ascended up before God out of the angel's hand 4. And God received as grateful the Prayers of his People as offered by the Ministers and by Christ 5. And the angel took the censer and filled it with fire of the altar and cast it into the earth and there were voices and thundrings and lightnings and an earthquake 5. And upon the Acceptance of the Saints Prayers followed the kindling of God's avenging Judgments on the Earth 6. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound 6. Then did the Messengers of God's Judgments prepare to publish or sound them forth 7. The first angel sounded and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood and they were cast upon the earth and the third part of trees was burnt up and all green grass was burnt up 7. And the Judgment published by the first Angel began with Destruction on the Countries such as usually accompany Wars which lay wast Land and Houses 8. And the second angel sounded and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea and the third part of the sea became blood 9. And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea and had life died and the third part of the ships were destroyed 8 9. That no place should escape the next degree of Judgment was represented by a Mountain of Fire cast into the Sea which turned the third part of the Sea into Blood c. signifying increased Wars and Bloodshed by Sea and Land The particular Signification Expositors are utterly disagreed in Dr. H. taketh it for the Bloodshed by Insurrections in Galilee Others for the Barbarians ruining the Roman Empire Others for Heresies in the Church Others for the Bishops Strife for Superiority 10. And the third angel sounded and there fell a great star from heaven burning as it were a lamp and it fell upon the third part of the rivers and upon the fountains of waters 11. And the name of the star is called wormwood and the third part of the waters became wormwood and many men died of the waters because they were made bitter 10 11. And next the Jugdment was the infecting of the Rivers and Waters with mortal Bitterness by a Star from Heaven that was mortally bitter falling into them This signifieth the further extensive progress of the Punishment Some take this for the Fall of a great Captain of the Jews And some for one of their false seducing Prophets And some for the Fall of the Western Empire And some for Arrius Some for Pelagius Some for Mahomet and some for Hereticks in general 12. And the fourth angel sounded and the third part of the sun was smitten and the third part of the moon and the third part of the stars so as the third part of them was darkned and the day shone not for a third part of it and the night likewise 12. On the Sounding of the fourth Angel the progress of the Judgment was represented to me as the darkning of the third part of th Sun Moon and Stars signifying the fall of some great Powers Ecclesiastical or Civil Some expound it of Vespasians's destroying a third part of the Cities of Judea Some of the beginning of the Siege of Jerusalem Some of Totila's sacking of Rome Some of the Corruption of Prelacy before Popery Some of Arrianism Some of the general Corruption of the Church by Popery Lira takes the four Angels to be the four Hereticks as he doth the four Beasts to be the four Patriarchs 13. And I beheld and heard an angel flying thorow the midst of heaven saying with a loud voice Wo wo wo to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels which are yet to sound 13. This punishment extended but to a third part But I heard an Angel flying in the midst of Heaven lowdly crying wo wo wo for the greater plagues that were yet to some Some expound this out of Josephus of one Jesus Son of Ananias that for many years before the siege went about pronouncing this wo Others divers other waies CHAP. IX 1 ANd the fifth angel sounded and I saw a
wrath because he knoweth that he hath but a short time 12. Lira thought that this was Cosrot King of Persia who being conquered by Heraclius gave the Church great cause of Joy but wofully oppressed his own Subjects though being old he had not long to do it Dr. H. saith It was the Churches ioy the Devils rage for the Overthrow of Simon Magus and that now he fore-saw the Fall of his Kingdom he set on foot Nero's Persecution Others That the Empire turning Christians the Devil raged by Julian Valens and such others for a little while both against Laity and Clergy Some think that it is properly those in Heaven that rejoyce Others that it is the Church on Earth Others that it is both And some say It is upon the Approach of the Millenium after the Fall of Antichrist Note 1. To be delivered from Satan and see his Kingdom fall is matter of great joy 2. If Satan rage because he knoweth that his time is short how much should we be quickened to Diligence and Hope when we all know that our time on Earth is short 13. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man-child 13. Saith Lira when Cosroe saw that he was conquered by Heraclius he persecuted the Christians in his own Dominions whom Heraclius relieved by two Armies Saith Dr. H. When Satan saw that he was conquered in Simon Magus he stirred up Rome against the Christians Say others more probably when Satan saw that vigilant Pastors had defeated his Religious Frauds by Hereticks he turned to the way of Violence by Persecutors first Heathens then Arrians Some say This containeth all the time from Anno 310. to 606. And others That it is his Rage against the Reformation since c. 14. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle that she might fly into the wilderness into her place where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time from the face of the serpent 14. Christians driven from Rome by Heathenish Persecution say some or after by Papal say others fled up and down into Villages and remote Countries called a Wilderness where God provided for them till that Storm was past As the Waldenses and such others 15. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood 15. The Flood saith Lira was by Cosroe saith Dr. H. by Nero and after by Domitian and others say others it was by all the Heathen Persecutions say others by the Goths and the invading Barbarians say others by Heresies and say others by Popery 16. And the earth helped the woman and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth 16. Say some The Persecution was diverted from the Christians by the Insurrections of the Infidel Jews and their Suppression Say others The Roman wicked Emperors were diverted by the Goths from mischief Say others The Arrian Goths were conquered even by bad Emperors Say others the Prevalency of Truth made even carnal Bishops in Councils help the Church Say others The visible Church consisteth of many bad worldly Men who for conjunct-Interest help the Faithful 17. And the dragon was wroth with the woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ 17. Some say this is Domitian and Trajan's Persecution Others that it was the Arrians when Satan saw he was dispossest of Heathen Rome Others that it is his setting up the Papacy as it persecuted particular Christians for not corrupting Religion Note There is no hope of a desirable Peace with Satan or Diabolists while such through Christians must study as much as in them lieth to live peaceably with all Men and specially study Love and Peace among themselves The Devil will not lay down his War against Christ till he be cast down and bound but the Members of Christ's Body should not war against each other The poor Albigensâ—s c. were first by Dioclesian driven into a barren mountainous Country and after murdered by Popes and Papists CHAP. XIII 1. ANd I stood upon the sand of the sea and saw a beast rise up out of the sea having seven heads and ten horns and upon his horns ten crowns and upon his heads the name of blasphemy 1. Most of the olâ— Fathers expounded this of an Antichrist that should come toward the end of the World Some Papists take it to be the second Cosroe that succeeded his Father in Persia Others take the Beast to be the state of the Heathen Religion at Rome the seven Heads signifying either seven Emperors or the seven Hills and the ten Horns and the Crowns the Consederate Kingdoms and the name of Blasphemy the Titles of Rome called A Goddess and the eternal City with its Idolatrous Profession Others take the two Beasts here to be but one under two Relations that is the Pope or Papacy Or say some the Roman Kingdom under the Pope and the Papacy it self as Ecclesiastick Some take the Devil to be this Beast some the Turkish Empire some the Greek Empire and some take this first Beast to be the Roman Empire as Christian The hardest part of the Controversie is between them that say It is Heathen Rome and those that say It is Papal Rome And the Reasons which they give against each other seem stronger than the assertive Reasons of either side of which many Volumes are written Some say that the seven Heads are seven Kings which went immediately before Antichrist and that the name of Blasphemy is say some the Titles given the Pope as God and Vniversal Head or Bishop and Christ's Vniversaâ— Vicar that can forgive sin and bring Souls from Purgatory c. Or as others his Idolatry 2. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard and his feet were as the feet of a bear and his mouth as the mouth of a lion and the dragon gave him his power and his seat and great Authority 2. The Leopard was the Type of the Greeks the Bear of the Persians and the Lyon of the Babylonians And all are set together to signifie the Cruelty of the first Beast and variety of its Exercise This was the Heathen Idolatry as exercised by Domitian c. say some to which Satan made the Imperial Power to contribute its utmost help Or as others it was the Papal Idolatry and Cruelty which Satan now propagated by Christian names and pretences as before he had promoted the like in the name of Heathens Gods 3. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death and his deadly wound was healed and all the world wondred after the beast 3. To pass by those that expound this of the Son of Cosroe King of Persia some take it for the burning
For in one hour so great riches is come to nought 14 15 16 17. Rome's Pride and Sensuality found all the Countries money for all sorts of commodities whose Market ceaseth by her destruction 17. And every ship master and all the company in ships and sailers and as many as trade by sea stood afar off 18. And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning saying What city is like unto this great city 19. And they cast dust on their heads and cried weeping and wailing saying Alas alas that great city wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness for in one hour is she desolate 17 18 19. The Fall of the Pagan Power and Religion being the Political Life of the City is thus represented in Vision to John under the shew of the burning of the City-buildings as our Eyes saw London burning three days 1666. Septemb. 2 3 and 4th Or say others The Fall of Rome Papal was thus represented But others say that Rome Papal shall be thus really burnt and destroyed 20. Rejoice over her thou heaven and ye holy apostles and prophets for God hath avenged you on her 20. It was this same Roman Idolatrous Power which murdered the Holy Apostles and many Prophets that are now in Heaven And they shall rejoice in the vindictive justice of God And so shall the Church on earth Not as it is revenge on private enemies but as it is Gods publick deliverance of his Church and vindication of his truth and Cause and Glory 21. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great milstone and cast it into the sea saying Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down and shall be found no more at all 21. The Pagan Empire was never again restored for Julian did but begin to attempt it and was kill'd before he could so much as lay any foundations for it Yea Rome was never more the seat of the Empire much less of the Pagan Empire For Constantine did but as it were take up his quarters there for a short time and remove the seat to Constantinople And his Successours in the West had but the lesser part of the Empire and were sometimes at Rome and somtime at Millan and sometimes at Ravenna and after in France and Germany 22. And the voice of harpers and musicians and of pipers and trumpeters shall be heard no more at all in thee and no craftsman of whatsoever craft he be shall be found any more in thee and the sound of a milstone shall be heard no more at all in thee 23. And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee for thy merchants were the great men of the earth for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived 22 23. Thus as by the Emblem of a City totally ruined and deserted was the Fall of Pagan Rome represented to John And that you may know that it was not the burning and desertion of the material buildings that is meant he now tells you that by the merchants he meant the Nations that consented to and upheld her Idolatry and power 24. And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all that were slain upon the earth 24. God dealt thus severely with her because she had not only been the murderer of Apostles Prophets and the primitive Christians at Rome and abroad in all her Dominions in upholding her Idols but as Jerusalem had by imitating former persecutors justified them and so suffereth for all The considering of Dan. 7.11 Jer. 51.63 25.10 Ezek. 17.13 Ezek. 27.12 13. Will help to expound all this Others say It is Papal Rome and how the blood of Apostles and Prophets was found in her they tell us from Matth. 23.35 And how the blood of Saints will be found in her is easily proved CHAP. XIX 1. ANd after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven saying Halleluiah salvation and glory and honour and power unto the Lord our God 1. The Saints in Heaven and the Christians on earth gave Praise to God and glorified him for this great work 2. For true and righteous are his judgments for he hath judged the great whore which did corrupt the earth with her fornication and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand 3. And again they said Allelujah and her smoke rose up for ever and ever 2 3. They glorified God for holy and amiable justiceâ— and destroying the Mother of Idolatry and nest of Luxury and cruelty God will have great Glory by destroying the persecutors and wicked and in delivering his Saints and in the Freedom of the Gospel 4. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne saying Amen Allelujah 4. And the consenting Praises of the Church especially of Christian Jews was represented to me under the ost-mentioned similitude of the Temple-Worship where the Twelve Tribes were doubly represented by twelve Oxen and twelve Lions and four Cherubims were about the Mercy-Seat Jews and Gentile Christians praise God for the Fall of Babylon 5. And a voice came out of the throne saying Praise our God all ye his servants and ye that fear him both small and great 5. And God himself and his Ministers called to all his Church to joyn in these his Praises 6. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude and as the voice of many waters and as the voice of mighty thunderings saying Allelujah for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth 7. Let us be glad and rejoyce and give honour to him for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made her self ready 8. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linnen clean and white for the fine linnen is the righteousness of Saints 6 7 8. And the raising of the Catholick Church in numbers and extent and power to the visible Glory of Christ was represented to me by the Voice as of a great multitude c. saying Praise the Lord for his Kingdom is coming in Power and his Church shall be promoted by the Rulers of the Earth and the Kingdoms of the World shall be visibly the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ And Christ and his Church will appear to the World in Honour and Joy as Marriages use to be celebrated And the Catholick Church shall be clothed with the notes of Honour and Purity or Righteousness or shall publickly worship him in his instituted Ordinances 9. And he saith unto me Write Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage-supper of the Lamb And he saith unto me These are the true sayings of God 9. Happy are they that shall see the fall of Babylon and the Deliverance and Advancement of the Christian Church and shall
a little season 1 2 3. And as for the notice of the state of the Church after the extirpation of the Pagan Empire and Idolatry it was shewed me under the appearance of an Angel coming from Heaven with power to restrain the Devil and he laid hold on him and imprisoned and surely shut him up as in a bottomless Pit that he might deceive the Nations now turned to Christ no more for a thousand years or a long time But then he will be permitted a little while to deceive many Churches Note Satan ever since to this day hath kept about four parts of six of the World in Heathenism so that it must be the World then under the Roman Empire that he is bound from deceiving Whether a thousand years be takâ—n strictly or foâ— a long time is uncertain Some take it to be a promise of his 1000 years restraint after the Fall of the Pagan Empire and many for 1000 years after the Fall of the Papacy The former think it is all past the last mostly think it is all yet to come but some that it began 1560. It is not a promise that Satan shall not in that thousand years corrupt the Christian Church with any great sin but that he shall not seduce them from Christianity till after a thousand years Just at or about that space of time Mahometanism which began farther off about 606 did invade the Eastern Churches and overcome the Christian Powers and set up a false Prophet an Enemy to Christ and bring Christianity into captivity and scorn 4. And I saw thrones and they sat upon them and judgment was given unto them and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the Witness of Jesus and for the word of God and which had not worshipped the beast neither his image neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands and they lived and reigned with Chirist a thousand years 4. And the happy following state of the Church was further represented to me by the appearance of Thrones where men sate in Judgment shewing the dominion of Christians over their Enemies And I thought I saw the Souls of the Martyrs whom the Pagans murdered and not only of them but of all sound Christians who had abstained from all participation in the Pagan Idolatry and they lived and reigned as superior to their Enemies with Christ the King of the Church a thousand years Note Here is no talk of the Bodies Resurrection but the Souls living and reigning with Christ And it seemeth to mean that as the Souls of the Faithful live and reign with Christ in Heaven for duration so the Successors of such shall partake on Earth of such a Reign as Christ will exercise in his Church And if yet many corruptions and troubles consist in this imperfect state with Christ's own Reign in the Soul and in the Church why may it not consist with this promised Reign of Saints in the Empire over Pagans As Christ's Reign here is more or less prevalent against publick sin so shall their participation with him be Both heavenly and Earthly Reign seem here spoken of the first as in reality though in the Vision but to shew the other 5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished This is the first resurrection 6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years 5 6. The rest of the dead even the subdued Pagans or Papists say others were kept as in a state of death out of power till the Dragon revived their power again a thousand years after Happy are the holy Christians who shall be partakers in the priviledges blessings and comforts of this delivered and advanced Church they shall no more fall under the Pagan Power or Papal say others not partake with them of that utter destruction which is as a second death Even as holy Souls with Christ in Heaven have these the state of a first Resurrection before the Body rise and are secured from the condemnation of the wicked 7. And when the thousand years are expired Satan shall be loosed out of his prison 8. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth Gog and Magog to gather them together to battel the number of whom is as the sand of the sea 7 8. There are several Expositions of this some say that by the Thousand years is meant precisely that time which fell out either from Constantine's Edict 611. till the Turks subdued Greece or from Alaricus's sacking Rome till the Turks took Constantinople And that the Fall of the Eastern Churches under the Infidel Power was the letting loose of Satan Others say that a thousand years signifieth only a long undeterminate time and that it was the Churches prosperity till the Papacy corrupted all and tyrannized Others say it was a thousand years before Antichrist should come Others that it will be a thousand years after the Fall of the Papacy in which Religion shall flourish under holy Princes and Pastors Others that after the Fall of the Papal Antichrist Christ will visibly return and seâ—t up a holy Kingdom whose chief Seat shall be at Jerusalem Some say that it will be a Resurrection of Bodies some only Political Some say that the Thousand years began at Christ's Birth or at the Apostles Preaching Others at the destruction of Jerusalem and ended about Hildebrand's time Some as before said at Constantine's Empire and ended at Boniface the 8 that killed the Albigenses c. Others that it began at 1560. He that knoweth which of these is the right let him tell it for I do not By Gog and Magog many understand the Turks others all sorts of Christ's Enemies Whoever they be a War they will attempt against the Church and will be overthrown 9. And they went up on the breadth of the earth and compassed the camp of the saints about and the beloved city and fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them 9. This Text seemeth the hardest of all the rest Those that say the holy City is Constantinople some of them are put to say that Gog and Magog's destruction as by fire is yet to come But the Text seemeth to speak of it as done before they could take the City Others say it was Tamerlane an Infidel and therefore sent from God against his own inclination that raised Bajazet's Siege and carried him about in a Cage of Iron in scorn till he wilfully dasht out his own brains and so Andronicus was delivered Others refer it to Baldwin's and other Christians taking Constantinople against the Turkish Power But because the Turks after took it these seem not to agree with the Text. Others think it is a War yet to come say some at Jerusalem which shall by
Christ be made the holy City or his Chief Royal Seat and there will be his Thousand years Reign on Eâ—rth Others take the Holy City to mean the Reformed Churches which shall again be assaulted by all sorts of Enemies before the day of Judgment And some take the Camp of the Saints and the Beloved City to be the seven Asian Churches to whom John wrote Whatever it be if it be past I understand not what or when it was if it be to come time must expound it In general it is sure that Enemies will oft assault the Church and God will defend it 10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever 10. When Christ hath delivered his Church from Pagan Cruelty the same Dragon or Devil will seek new Instruments to assault it from age to age and most notably at the last But he shall be conquered after all and be cast out into torment as the Pagan Powers and Deceivers were 11 And I saw a great white throne and him that sat on it from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away and there was found no place for them 11. Some think that this speaketh not of the day of Judgment but of the calling of the Jews And some think the meaning is that when Christ sets up the Thousand years refined Church by a Resurrection and his visible presence say some or by a holy Government and People and Deliverance from Enemies say others both the Power of Infidels Turks and Heathens which are meant by the Earth and the Corrupted Church both Papal and Greek c. meant by Heaven shall all vanish that the holy City may take place But most say it describeth the day of Judgment 12. And I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the books were opened and another book was opened which is the book of life and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works 12. When Christ hath overcome his Churches Enemies he will judge the World and the book of their own doings and Consciences shall be opened and also Gods book of Life the Scripture or Gospel Law say some which is the Rule of Judgment or the book of Gods Decree say others in which all are enrolled that shall be saved And they shall be judged according to their works the matter of Fact being recorded in their book and the matter of right in Gods Law and the conclusion in his Decree To be judged according to their works is to be then justified or condemned as they have sincerely kept Christ's Law of Grace by which they shall be tryed or have not kept it by Faith Repentance and sincere Obedience the condition of Salvation 13. And the sea gave up her dead which were in it and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them and they were judged every man according to their works 13. All that were any way dead were judged according to their works by the Law that they were under 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire this is the second death 15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire 14 15. And death and Hades that is Mortality shall to his Saints be by Christ for ever abolished or as some take it those wicked men that death and hell shall deliver up to Judgment shall be cast into hell fire This utter abolition or this damnation is called the second death And whosoever hath not right to Salvation by the Gospel Covenant or Law of grace and is not by God enrolled among the Heirs of Life was cast into the Lake of fire Mr. Potter and many others expound all this confidently and the two following Chapters of Christs judging and rewarding and punishing men in this Life But others as confidently of the Life to come Though this make the Text difficult it maketh no great doctrinal controversie both being commonly believed CHAP. XXI 1. ANd I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away and there was no more sea 1. N. That the corrupt State of the World and the degenerate Church may be called the old heaven and earth is granted And that the Church before the End may be so reformed and blessed as that heaven and earth may be said to be new And also that fire at last shall dissolve the earth and that heaven that fell under the Curse for mans sin and there shall be no annihilation but a New Heaven and earth is plain in Peter c. But which of these is the sense of this Text is doubtful I incline most to the later that it is the new World that shall follow the conflagration and Judgment If any ask what the new earth shall be for he must take up with what God hath told us Therein shall dwell Righteousness and the Creature be delivered from the bondage of Corruption into the glorious liberty of the Soas of God and all things shall be restored Whether we shall then dwell on Earth or only a new made Generation is not so clear But the Jerusalem now in Heaven consisteth of Spirits And this must come down from Heaven and these Spirits must be again at the Resurrection embodyed And do not new bodies suit with a new Earth as Spirits with Heaven Obj. This will be to our loss Ans No God will dwell with man and be no Stranger to us then in Heaven Heaven and Earth will not be separated as now As our bodies will be no Clog to the Souls but Spiritual incorruptible bodies so Earth will be made suitable to them It s no diminution to the Glory of the Sun to shine on bodies no nor of God to Vouchsafe them his influence 2. And I John saw the holy city new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband 2. Not new created Souls but immortal Souls coming down with Christ say some before the day of Judgment say others after Many Texts seem to place it here and not in Heaven only after the Resurrection This is the Life of Preparation on our part but Souls in Heaven are further prepared by Christ 3. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying Behold the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them and be their God 3. Wherever the place be Gods presence in glory wlll make it a Heaven to us But if it did speak only of an advancement by holy Reformation and Peace on Earth it would be so far like to Heaven 4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death
neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are passed away 4. If they be in the right who expound this of a Thousand Years freedom from Persecutions and all Sorrows on Earth in a New Jerusalem I am sure it will be a more joyful time when it shall be performed in the propersense of the words after the general resurrection And I see no probability that the promise of no more death and the rest that follow should be meant of any earthly state before that time The new Jerusalem and the new Heaven and Earth must be at once expected and that is when all these things are dissolved by fire at the judgment of the great day O desirable blessed day 5. And he that sat upon the throne said Behold I make all things new And he said unto me Write for these words are true and faithful 5. It is true that at Constantines delivering the Church there was as it were a New World And I am in hope yet that there may be such a Reformation and advancement of Piety and Unity before the last day as may be called a New World in a fuller sense But not up to this description of the New Jerusalem 6. And he said unto me It is done I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end I will give unto him that is a athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely 6. Say some I am he that hath thus delivered the Church from Idolaters and persecutors and now all that will shall have the blessed priviledges of the Church Rather I have prepared the Church for the state of Blessedness and I that an the principal efficient and ultimate end of all will give life everlasting in the new Jerusalem to every believing thirsty Soul 7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my son 7. He that overcometh Temptation to the end shall as my son inherit full felicity in me who will be his God 8. But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death 8. But those that being cowardly forsake me for fear of suffering and trust not me and those that live in filthiness and cruelty and unrighteousness and Idolatry and all false deceivers shall be damned 9. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues and talked with me saying Come hither I will shew thee the bride the lambs wife 9. By the Bride is meant the new Jerusalem that is say some the delivered Church in Constantines time and after 2. Say others the reformed Church at the Fall of Popery 3. Say others a prosperous time before the thousand years 4. Say others the Jews conversion in great splendor at Jerusalem 5. Say others Christs visible reign with the martyrs and others raised from death a thousand years before the rest 6. Rather the new Heaven and Earth after the last judgment when the flaming sword and partition wall shall be taken down and God dwell with man 10. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain and shewed me the great City the Holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God 10. Say some the Church as here advanced to purity and liberty by the heavenly power Rather the Souls that were with Christ coming with him to meet those that shall be then alive and changed advanced to that perfection in which they shall for ever be glorified with the Lord. Though some glympse of this may be in happy reformation concord and deliverance here before 11. Having the glory of God and her light was like unto a stone most precious even like a jasper stone clear as crystall 11. It s Glory and strength was represented to me as made of Jasper clear as Crystall Gods own Glory shineing out 12. And had a wall great and high and had twelve gates and at the gates twelve angels and names written thereon which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel 12. John being a Jew and the Jews the first Christians who had commonly an expectation of Christs more special relation to them than to others and they being the first specimen of the Catholick Church the Revelation of the new Jerusalem and perhaps also of some antecedent happy state is represented as shaped to the Jews expectations and as typified by the old Jerusalem And its wall is its strength and safety and separation from others Its gates are for entrance and the guardian Angels numbered according to the twelve tribes as were the Apostles who yet founded all the Churches 13. On the east three gates on the north three gates on the south three gates and on the west three gates 13. Note Not that this must be thought the shape of it but that its glory was represented by such a shape 14. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 14. As the Church on earth is founded by the doctrine and witness of the twelve Apostles so is the new Jerusalem described as related to them it being but the Church militant perfected and made triumphant 15. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city and the gates thereof and the wall thereof 16. And the city lieth four-square and the length is as large as the breadth and he measured the city with the reed twelve thousand furlongs the length and the breadth and the height of it are equall 15 16. By this representation like that in Ezekiel the firmness and perfection and greatness of the new Jerusalem was signified 17. And he measured the wall thereof an hundred and forty and four cubits according to the measure of a man that is of the angel 17. The Angel appearing as a man his measure is taken as a common humane measure 18. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper and the city was pure gold like unto clear glass 19. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones The first foundation was jasper the second saphire the third a chalcedony the fourth an emerald 20. The fifth sardonix the sixth sardius the seventh chrysolite the eighth beryl the ninth a topaz the tenth a chrysophrasus the eleventh a jacinth the twelfth an amethyst 18 19 20. That the new Jerusalem is represented by these precious stones as firm precious lucid and glorious and by the number of twelve as suited to the twelve Apostles and so in them to the twelve Tribes of Israel as typical of the new Jerusalem is all that I understand of this what each precious stone distinctly signifieth you may read in them that know or
take on them to know more 21. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls every several gate was of one pearl and the street of the city was pure gold as it were transparent glass 21. If there shall be any state on this side eternity which answereth this glorious representation how much more will the perfected glorious triumphant Church answer it 22. And I saw no temple therein for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it 22. Some expound this of liberty to serve to God in every place as well as in Temples who yet would destroy them as conventiclers that do so But the Text seemeth to mean that this new Jerusalem is the perfect state which is above our instituted lower means God will be our All. 23. And the city had no need of the sun neither of the moon to shine in it for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof 23. Prophetical Hyperbolies and Allegories may put as high terms as these for a state of meer reformation and Church prosperity But seeing that it must be a force and not an exposition which so restraineth it without proof we must believe that it hath a higher accomplishment 24. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it 24. And those that shall be converted out of all nations of the Gentiles shall as well as Abraham and the Christian Jews lay up and find a treasure with Christ in the new Jerusalem Note They that expound this of the Thousand years Reign of raised Martyrs at Jerusalem and they that expound it of a peculiar Jewish Church there after the Jews Conversion say that the Nations round about shall not have the same Confirmation and Glory as the New Jerusalem but be liable to Tryals still Dr. Ham. who expounds it of the Churches prosperity after Constantine's Success giveth these Reasons 1. Because the New Jerusalem descendeth from Heaven Ans 1. So it may to Judgment and yet return to Heaven 2. Or rather the New Heaven and Earth shall be open as one An immortal Glory in the New Earth after the Resurrection may be the New Jerusalem 2 He argueth from Gal. 4.26 as if the Jerusalem above were only the Church Militant But that we deny 25. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day for there shall be no night there 26. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it 25 26. There shall be no danger of the entrance of Enemies or Traytors But all worldly glory and blessings by Saints referred to this end shall there be found in the transcendent perfect state 27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lie but they which are written in the Lambs book of life 27. Sure this proveth that it is somewhat better than the thousand years after Constantine that is here meant For alas how much abomination and deceit entred in that time what hatred false accusations worldliness pride cruelty and contention 2. Note None but Saints cleansed from gross sin will be found written in the Lambs Book of Life It is a vile slander on the Orthodox Doctrine of Election that we say the Elect may be saved how wickedly soever they live when we say that it is one Decree of God that electeth men to be holy obedient persevere and be saved CHAP. XXII 1. ANd he shewed me a pure river of water of life clear as crystal proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 1. By this some understand Baptism that bindeth all to Purity Some the Gospel not muddied by Usurpers corrupt Canons And some the Spirit in greater measure And some the heavenly influence for illumination and life for ever All these in their seasons may be expected 2. In the midst of the street of it and of either side of the river was there the tree of life which bare twelve manner of fruits and yielded her fruit every month and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations 2. As in the prosperous Church militant everlasting life is open and given to all accepters by the Doctrine of the Apostles and continually represented and conferred in the Sacraments and by the Word the Spirit of Christ accompanying his Ordinances the Preaching of the Word is for the healing of the unbelievers and unconverted So in the New Jerusalem where the end of all his is attained the Glory is represented by the means that are past that brought them thither by which men were sanctified and the Nations healed the means being eminently though not formally in the attained end But the better the Church is on Earth the more it thus resembleth the New Jerusalem 3. And there shall be no more curse but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it and his servants shall serve him 4. And they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads 3 4. Thus it appeareth that the New Jerusalem is a state of Immortality by the Tree of Life and freedom from the Curse or all punishment for sin and the very Throne of God and Christ shall be visibly in it and they see God's face And though somewhat tending to all this be in the Church militant this seemeth a description of the Church triumphant 5. And there shall be no night there and they need no candle neither light of the sun for the Lord God giveth them light and they shall reign for ever and ever 5. There shall be no want of knowledge nor need of Ministers Teaching Scripture or such means For God will be to them above and instead of these and they shall reign for ever And what more can be hoped for by man Why should forced Expositions darken this 6. And he said unto me These sayings are faithful and true And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done 6. As Christ Matth. 24. told them of such devastations as that generation should see and yet adjoyneth the signs of the end of the World just so doth he by this Revelation shew John the Fall of Pagan Babylon and the Churches deliverance and yet shortly annex a thousand years after and then the end of the World All was to be shortly but not shortly equally with the first parts But it is not to be said that he almost past by the things that were shortly to be done and said almost all of the Papal Rome The certainty of the Revelation is the hope and joy of firm Believers 7. Behold I come quickly blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book 7. Think not that I delay my coming as slack of performing my Promise Some of this will be quickly done
of Blasphemy 4. He is adored 5. He only healeth the wounded head 6. He is contemporary with the ten Kings with crowned horns 7. He is contemporary with Babylon which is Papal Rome 8. All the Texts agree to Papal Rome 9. He is Antichrist who is to sit in the Temple of God 10. That which hindred was to be removed before his Revelation which was the Empire as Pagan II. And they say it cannot be the Pagan Empire 1. Because that was risen long before 2. Because it was not that Power which was the sixth head but the seventh and eight and ascended out of the bottomless pit with whom the ten Kings were to receive Kingdoms 3. Because the Pagan Empire was not contemporary with Babylon 4. This Beast was to continue 1260 years whereas the Pagan Empire continued but 360. 5. It had not the ten crowned horns 6. The Roman Pagan Empire was lawfully obeyed being of God but so is not the Beast 7. The things said Chap. 19. agree not with it And here the sixth doubt is coincident what is the Whore For if it be only Papal Rome then say they the Pope is the Beast And this they prove 1. Because it is a mystery which Heathen Idolatry was not 2. Antichrist sits in the Temple of God 3. Because it is that Rome that must be for ever desolate and a place for Devils and Serpents c. 4. The fall of Babylon was to be after the faithful were come out of it 5. Pagan Rome sold not Souls nor made the Nations drunk with the Cup of her Fornication 6. She was not married to Christ and therefore could be no adultress 7. She had no false Prophet as here described to seduce and work Miracles but did all by force c. II. But because it is an advantage to the Reader to know the Judgment of men in the Connexion of the parts and Mr. Brightman seemeth to have done his Work with as Pious a Zeal and as great Learning and deep study as any man I shall sum up his opinion about this matter Having on Daniel strongly proved after Calvin that the passages commonly expounded of Antiochus are mistaken he saith that it is the Romans Power that they mean who were above all called Gods that is all Princes and that the Abomination not making but made Desolate was the utterly casting out the old Jewish Temple-Worship which was good till abrogate and Abominable afterward That this was done by the destruction of the Temple but perfected in Julians time by Gods overthrowing it when he attempted to re-edifie it And on Rev. 13. And forward he saith 1. That Antichrist the Pope is both the first and second Beast and Latinos his name c. 2. That the first 1000 years began with Constantine who was the Man-child and bound the Dragon 3. The binding him is that he shall no more set up Heathenism 4. But Antichrist began at the same time and reigned alâ— the while that the Dragon was bound even from Constantine And the Church was in the Wildernesâ— 5. The first Resurrection began 1300 when Marsil Patavinus Wickliff and others began Reformation But I am perswaded that those after called Albigenses and before Bagandoe were before Constantine Reynerius confesseth that they called themselves Apostolicks and said they were from Silvesters that is Constantines time Why then is Wickliff who hath many errors set above them 6. The rest of the Dead in Popery rose not by Reformation 7. The second death is Hell fire 8. A second 1000 years of Church Reformation and Prosperity began then at 1300 when the Dragon was let loose Antichrist began at his binding and the happy 1000 years Reformation at his loosing 9. His loosing set up the Turk Gog and Magog Scythians to a War against the Saints 10. The Camp of the Saints was Europe 11. The Holy City was the Converted Jews and the place of the War in Judea where the Turks shall wonderfully be utterly destroyed by Michael the Angel of the Jews 12. The Beast that deceived the Turk is the Turk himself 13. The Beast and false Prophet in Hell with him is Antichrist who falls a little before him 14. The Judgment and second Resurrection Chap. 20.11 are the full restoring of the Jews 15. The Dead small and great judged are the Jews that till now rejected Christ 16. The Sea and Earth giving up their Dead are all Countrys sending home the Jews converted 17. Death and Hell cast into the Lake are Turks and Papist that shall detain the Jews no longer 18. The Thrones and Reign of those dead is the destruction of their Enemies on Earth 19. Only elect Jews shall be in that Church 20. What the first Heaven and Earth is that shall be done away he doth not know but thinks it is the old Jewish way of Worship which shall cease as their conversion 21. No more Sea is no more false Doctrine 22. No more Death is no more sharp punishment and that the sting of death shall be taken out 23. And the new Glorious Jerusalem described in the 21. and 22. Chapters in this City or Church of the Converted Jews at Jerusalem the rest being restored with them Why I incline to Learned Mr. Calverts opnion that the conversion of the Jews is long ago past the obstinate Jews being mostly destroyed by Titus and Adrian and the Christian Jews being very numerous quickly and all that stayed in Judea as much made the Kingdom of Christ by Profession in the days of Cyril Juvenal and after when their Country was replenished with Bishops Churches and Monasteries and many abroad since then Converted as Lira Tremellius and others were as other Christian Kingdoms were where some still are Infidels I have shewed on Rom. 11. But the most wonderful part of the expected Miracle is that all these Thousands if not Millions of Jews that live scattered through the World and now are the most vile and Barbarous ignorant and worldly Persons living among Turks and Papists where they hear not the Gospel should all without Preaching or Teaching be not only Converted at once but made such Wise and excellent Christians as are fitter to constitute a Glorious Church than we that have bin taught so long If God have promised that not only a Nation but a New Jerusalem should be thus born or come down from Heaven in a day it must be believed But doubtless it will be a Miracle incomparably excelling all that Christ and his Apostles did yea Millions of Miracles at once And therefore we may expect such proof as faith needeth in so strange a case And as God is no respecter of Persons so the Jews never proved since Abrahams days under the Law under Judges or Kings or since so wise or excellent a People as may prognosticate such Advancement And God useth to work by means Christ and his Apostles converted none without the Word And Paul saith how shall they believe on him of whom they have not
heard and how shall they hear without a preacher and how shall they Preach unless they be sent And these expositors tell us not that Preachers shall be sent to the scattered Jews into all Turkish and Papists Lands to learn the Languages and convert them at once It is worth the Readers perusal c. 7. p. 217. how he justly derideth Bellarmine as supposing that Antichrist will put down Gods Worship in all the Earth telling him that he hath an hundred forty eight Thousand Thousand times five hundred fifty Thousand nine hundred and nine Miles to travel to do it and so much have Universal Popes and Councils to take charge of which will hardly be done in three years and a half And yet killing mens Souls is a less work than to make them alive It s doleful to think what Satan hath gained by corrupting the Church by wicked Bishops making that his Game when Pagan Power fell partly by tempting in Worldly wicked men by Wealth and Honour and partly by making Ungodly Princes the choosers of Bishops and Ungodly Patrons the choosers of Priests and when men ruled by Satan choose them Satan himself oft chooseth them Who by their wickedness Malignity and Persecuting the best men have tempted those Christians who most hate sin to call almost all the Church Antichristian and fly from it as worse than Pagan Rome and to lose much of their Love to all that are called by such abhorred names Had the Pastors of the Church bin all Holy Humble men of Love and not men of Wickedness and Blood their Power and Interest would have bin the Joy of Pious men But enough of that side II. On the other side they that say the contrary thus express their sense 1. The first Beast is the Roman Imperial and Military Power not as such but as the Grand Power of Idolatry first and next as the Captivator and Persecutor of the Christian Church of Jews and Gentiles 2. The Image of the Beast is both the Idol Statues Images and Altars of their Idol Gods and of themselves both which by their Laws were to be worshipped with Sacrifices and other acts of Idolatry 3. The second Beast is the Senate with all the Literate Idolaters and Flatterers Orators Philosophers Priests Poets Comedians Augurs c. as Learned defenders of Idolatry and reproâ—chers and Enemies of Christianity 4. The name of the Beast was the name of the Idol God whom they were to Worship and of the Idolized Emperours as called Divi and Dii and honoured by Altars and Sacrifices 5. The Mark was a Stigma or Badge then usually received by Servants and Souldiers and Votaries as an obliging mark of subjection 6. The number of the name was some abbreviating Letters part of the mark and here proved to be numeral though at this distance we cannot say what they were nor whether still the same 7. Receiving the mark is profest consent and usually by such a Badge 8. The Woman Whore was the City of Rome not meerly as a City or as Rome or as Rich or as Powerful but as Idolatrous and captivating the Church 9. The Witnesses were the Jew and Gentile Christian Teachers Prophets Miracle-workers and Martyrs that had the spirit as the first Christians had for signal Testimony to the Gospel Miracles long continuing in some degree These are their expositions Their Reasons they begin first of the Whore or the seat of the Beast which they say must needs be Pagan Rome 1. Because it was expresly said by the Angel who purposely explained it to be the great City which ruleth over the Kings of the Earth 1. Not a Church which is under Princes but properly a City 2. Not only pretenders to a Power of Church Keys but proper Rulers by Power of Armes 3. Not only over the Church oft called Heaven but over the Kings of the Earth noting those without 4. Not shall Rule but doth Rule as a visible note by which John might know the Whore This being so plain that only violence can obscure it may be say they a Key to all the rest 2. Ch. 17.2 The Kings of the Earth had at that time committed Fornication with her and the Inhabitants of the Earth were then drunken with the Wine of her Fornication else it could not be to John a notifying mark But the Papacy was not of many hundred years after in being 3. John was brought into the Wilderness to see it which was the then Persecuted State of the Church And it was to comfort him and that Church in hope of a near Deliverance for they were things that must shortly be done 4. Her name notifyeth her Babylon the great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth Babylon captivating the Christians as old Babylon did the Jews the great as then being to whom the Papal Power was small The Mother or Nurse and Upholder of the most Abominable Idolatry and Wickedness not in the Church but of the Earth by Power and Learning upholding the Worship of Sun Moon Stars and Men of Jupiter Saturn Sol Mars Mercury Pallas Venus Neptune and numberless Idols by Paul called Devils and the wickedness of life described by Paul Rom. 1. Eph. 4.18 c. 5. The names of Blasphemy were hers reproaching Jews and Christians with scorn and ascribing Gods names and works to these their Idols and to Men. 6. The vast Riches and Luxury of her described punctually agree with Pagan Rome 7. She was then drunk with the Blood of Prophets and Martyrs which the Pope then was not The Angels undertaking to open the Mystery must not be thought rather to obscure it 8. She had been a Persecutor of both Jew and Gentile Christians who both gave God Thanks for her fall 9. The Whore sat on seven Mountains But so did not the Papal Civil Empire 10. The assistant Kings had not received Regal Power being but as Servants to the Beast and the Whore But Popish Kings are Kings indeed 11. They were unanimous in upholding the Whore But Popish Kingdoms long strove against the Papal Power 12. They fought against Christianity till they were conquered v. 14. But so did not many Popish Kingdomes 13. People multitudes and Nations more notifie Pagan Rome than Papal 14. C. 18. They were to reward her double as she had used them But so we must not do by Papists 15. The Kings of the Earth lament her fall But the more the Pope fall the more they rejoice except the House of Austria and a few more 16. Her fall cometh suddenly as in an hour but the Pope standeth yet after 150 years beginning to fall Moreover about the Beast they say 1. It is said he was and is not and yet is But the Papacy was not then nor is after it was not 2. The seven Heads of the Beast had the name of Blasphemy But if the heads were the seven species of Government the name of Papal Blasphemy was not on six of them at least but only of
I fear perplexing the Readers and must not be so large I mention what I have done to tell you why I understand not the Revelations and cannot help it that I am no wiser than excellent Calvin nor than aâ— the Ancient Fathers though I disown their conceit of a future Antichrist at the end of the World I doubt not but many in blind zeal will call this my confessed Ignorance a warping towards Popery though I have long in my Writings against Popery confest the very same This I must bear from them that bear more from themselves and from whom the Church beareth more It 's a small thing for one man to be censured by those persons that censure hardlier almost all the Church of Christ on Earth But when I try whether they know any more than I I find little more than a believing that to be the sense of the Revelation which those good men say it is whom they most value Some will desire yet to know more of my own Opinion And I will freely tell it them I. I am much perswaded by impartial consideration of the Text that the Roman Imperial Power as the upholder of Heathen Worship of Devils Idols and themselves and a Captivaters of the Church of Jews and Gentiles was the first Beast and that Rome in that respect was Babylon and the Whore that made all Nations drunk with her pompous Idolatry And the whole current of the Book seemeth plainly to drive at this But many of the subordinate particulars I understand not II. Whether the Papacy be another Beast or Whore there meant and the Text mean two first Beastâ— and two Whores or the similitude notwithstanding so many dissâ—militudes and six hundred or seven hundred or a thousand years interruption make these two one or whether it be Antichrist that is the Beast I will neither affirm nor deny but see no evidence to prove the Affirmative III. What my Judgment is of Popery the Reader may fully see 1. In one Sheet enumerating its Errours 2. In a Book called The Safe Religion 3 In another called A Key for Catholicks 4. In two of the true Catholick Church against Johnson altas Terrel 5. In one called The Christian Religion certain without Popery 6. In one called Full and easie Satisfaction whiâ—h is the True Religion 7. One called Naked Popery Iâ— these satisfie not the Censurers Zeal him that is ignorant be ignorant and he that is wrathful be so still IV. I do judge of Popery by the knowledge of its particular Errours and Sins and not by the Revelations or any thing which I understand not If the Pope be the great Antichrist which I neither deny nor affirm because I know not as I have long ago confessed I think that it is formally as he is by claim the Vice-Christ Vicarius Christi and claimeth an Universal Soveraignty Ecclesiastical over the whole Church on Earth and not over a Nation only and that he began with that claim to which his many corruptions are joyned to make up a body of iniquity Were there no more to be said against that Church than 1. This claim of Universal Government 2. And the cherishing of Ignorance by forbidding the reading of the Scripture in a known Tongue without Licence and Latine Prayers and Service and an Ignorant Clergy 3. And the Inhumane Doctrine of Transubstantiation 4. And the vile corruptions of much of God's Worship 5. And their horrid Blood-guiltiness by which they do uphold their Kingdom called a Church I take those Popes and Papists who own all this to be liable before God to greater punishment than the Beast and false Prophet mentioned in the Revelations it being far worse to sin thus under the name of Christians and Christ's Vicar and holy Bishops than as Infidels and Heathens to whom as to Sodom it shall be easier in the day of Judgment than for these V. Therefore I judge that a Confederacy or Coalition with the Church of Rome in any of these sins or in the very form of a Church headed by a pretended Universal Head or Soveraign is to be abhorred by all sound Christians And I am glad that this Kingdom is sworn against all Foreign Jurisdiction Civil or Ecclesiastical though Union and Concord with all Foreign Churches must be as far kept as we are able not partaking of their sins But I have long agâ— in my Key for Catholicks proposed the desirable terms not for a Coalition but for neighbourly Peace that we may live in love and quietness and not as those that still take themselves bound to destroy each other VI. On these grounds I judge of Persons according to their Personal Guilt and not by the general name of Papists I abhor those that are wicked and that own the foresaid wickedness but not all that are called Roman Catholicks that live in the fear of God and in Charity I will try uncertainties by certainties and not deny Fundamentals in opposition to mens By-Opinions I am certain that I must love a Christian as such and that as much as in me lieth I must live peaceably with all men and avoid all unnecessary Division Wrath and Hatred and I am sure that Blessed are the Peace-makers for whatever Errour calleth them they shall be called the Children of God I am sure that I must unnecessarily speak evil of no man and that slandering and false-accusing are diabolical works and that â—he Wisdom is from beneath which causeth Envy and Strife and in a word that LOVE is Christ's Work and Character and Hatred the Devils But I am not sure that the Church of Rome hath these 1000 or 1300 years been the Whore and Babylon meant in these Texts nor that yet all Papists shall be tormented as worshiping the Beast or his Image c. I am sure that the Visible Church will have scandals and ambitious men and yet that its deliverance in Constantine's time and the following Ages was a wondrous mercy which Heaven and Earth did rejoyce in and praise God â—or And it was a great part of Christ's coming to Reign by Christian Princes and that the Kingdoms of the World were made the Kingdoms of Christ Therefore I dread the denying Christ these Kingdoms and reproaching even the best Ages of his Church on Earth as Antichristian lest I deny him to have any Church Visible at all or tempt men to Infidelity by saying that Christ is so little a King and came to so little a work in the World as to have no Church save the persecuted part till An. 300 and the Reformers since 1560 save a few latent persons Men will judge of the Workman by his work and of Physicians by their Cures And though it be honourable to save one Soul they will tempt men to dishonour Christ that call almost all his Church Antichristian I would not slander one man but should I mistake and slander millions for thirteen hundred years together how great were my guilt VII I dread the turning
former life and the remaining corruption of our hearts and the daily faults that we are guilty of in our state of imperfection And knowing that thou forgivest none but penitent believers and bindest us to love and forgive others as ever we would be forgiven we confess and lament our manifold sins of corrupt nature and practice of ignorance and of knowledge of negligence rashness and presumptuous wilfulness The remembrance of them is our grief and shame we loath our selves for them and earnestly beg to be healed of them we cast our selves by believing Trust tho alas too weak on Jesus our Saviour his Merits and Intercession and thy Love and Mercy and promises in him desiring henceforth to be roled by him and sanctified by his Spirit and Grace And we unfeignedly love and forgive all those that have wronged us we beseech thee therefore charge not our sins upon us but acquit us from the everlasting punishment and all vindictive penalties in this life on Soul or Body And grant the same to all our brethren for whom we pray And because if thou keep us not we shall run on in guilt by new temptations and lose all that thou hast given us We lastly beseech thee to save us from all dangerous temptations either by Satans inward suggestions or outward snares by our own ill inclinations or worldly alâ—urements or by such sufferings as may be too strong for our faith hope and patience or would suppress our holy love and thankfulness and joyfull praise And save us from Satan from our selves our enemies and our friends that would tempt us to any evil and from the sin and misery and thy deserved judgments of which we are in danger And fortifie us with thy confirming comforting spirit And we beg all these mercies of thee to this end that we may employ them with all thy Saints in joyful praises of thy blessed Kingdom and Government in Heaven and Earth and in holy admiration of thy Power and all perfections and in glorifying thy Infinite Goodness and Blessedness with the glorified Society for evermore These are the desires of our Souls and the requests of our lips which we humbly and earnestly in Faith and Hope do present to thee our Heavenly Father by the motion of thy Spirit through Jesus Christ our Intercessor Lord and Saviour Amen Note Reader So perfect is the Method of the Lords Prayer that I had thought to have Anatomized it and set it before thee in a Scheme But I now write for the less learned that cannot well comprehend accurateness They that can may find it done already in my Latin Method of Theology and the lower sort may find such a brief and plain Exposition as such are capable of in my Family Catechism And in both the controversies hereabout resolved 14. For if ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you 15. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses 14. Lest you should think that no qualification for pardon and other gifts are necessary in you I again repeat what selfish nature is loth to observe that tho God be your heavenly Father yet your love and forgiveness of your Brother is so necessary to his forgiving you that without it you shall not be forgiven For if you have not this in sincerity you are not God's children and he is called your Heavenly Father but as offering you his grace But if you have sincere Love with notable defects in your forgiving others God will correct you as Children and will not forgive you some sharp chastisements but make you know that you must love others if you will have the comfort of his love 16. Moreover when ye fast be not as the hypocriâ—es of a sad countenance for they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to fast Verily I say to you they have their reward 16. Do not for to be thought godly seem to be more humbled than you are nor shew that outwardly which should be a concealed secret fast such hypocrites shall have no better reward than the esteem and praise of men which they thus seek 17 18. But thou when thou fastest anoint thy head and wash thy face that thou appear not to men to fast but to thy Father which is in secret And thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly 17 18. But look thou for thine approbation and reward from God and hide from the notice of the world thy private humiliations tho publick humiliations of Churches and Nations and for open wrongs must be publickly shewn and God will openly reward thee 19. Lay not up for your selves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal 19. Note 1. By Treasure is meant that which a man most loveth and trusteth to for his supply and comfort and practically placeth his chief welfare in 2. By laying up is meant over valuing eagerly desiring and seeking and caring for That which rust moths and thieves can soon bereave you of is unfit to be your beloved trusted treasure 20. But lay up for your selves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through and steal 20. But by Faith place your happiness in heaven and on that lay out your care and love and labour and so use your wealth as God hath promised to reward in Heaven For that treasure is incorruptible inviolable and everlasting Note That tho it be our God and Saviour that layeth up our treasure in Heaven and saveth us freely by Grace yet it is we that are commanded to lay it up and save our selves subordinately by faith hope love and labour which qualifie us as fit receivers of it 21. For where your treasure is there will your heart be also 21. And by this you may know whether you truly place your Treasure in Heaven or on earth Not by your speculative opinion or words for what Hypocrite will not say that Heaven is better than Earth But by the bent of your hearts Your Love Care Trust and hope will be where your Treasure is That which you 1. highliest value practically 2. and most desire and chuse 3. and labour for tho with the greatest care and cost that 's it that is indeed your Treasure 22. The light of the body is the eye If therefore thy eye be single thy whole body shall be full of light 23. But if thy eye be evil thy whole body shall be full of darkness If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness how great is that darkness 22 23. As the eye seeth not for it self alone but for the whole body to guide its action so thy understanding or practical judgment is that superiour visive faculty that must guide all thy love and choice and life If therefore thy judgment be sound and thou knowest the difference between laying up a treasure in Heaven and
true belief and trust in my Power and Will for the working of any such miracle as I commission you to work if it were as hard as the removing of a mountain it should not be too hard for you Note It is not faith but presumption which hath no promise of success if they or any are confident of working any miracle which Christ never commissioned or called them to work or Promised his blessing to 21. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by fasting and prayer 21. But by faith I mean not confident presumption that God will do it in your own way But for such as this God will be sought by Fasting and fervent Prayer in which way you may expect success if the person also be capable that seeketh help 22. And while they abode in Galilee Jesus said to them The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men 23. And they shall kill him and the third day he shall be raised again And they were exceeding sorry 22 23. Again Christ foretells them of his death and resurrection to instruct and prepare them for it which they were grieved at 24. And when they were come to Capernaum they that received tribute money came to Peter and said Doth not your Master pay tribute He saith yes And when he was come into the house Jesus prevented him saying What thinkest thou Simon of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute of their own children or of strangers 26 Peter saith to him Of strangers Jesus saith to him Then are the children free 24 25. N. They had two sorts of Tribute but that here meant its likest was Pole-money imposed by Augustus first And by children is not meant free Subjects for such did pay but their own families And then its hard to know what Christs answer meant unless it were as many say Then this Tribute belongs of right to the house of David and I being of it am free Or else If Kings own Families be not taxed I that am the Son of the universal King from whom is all power and whose Subjects they are am rightfully freer than their Children This seemeth to me to be the sâ—nce But he questioneth not but Tribute is due to Kings and other Powers 27. Notwithstanding lest we should offend them Go thou to the sea and cast a hook and take the fish that first cometh up and when thou hast opened his mouth thou shalt find a piece of money take that and give to them for me and thee 27. But we must deny our own right to avoid offence Go therefore and cast a hook and I will bring a fish to thy hand with half a Crown a Stater in his mouth which is the Poll-money for tâ—o persons Pay them that for thee and me Note 1. This shewed the great power of Christ 2 But why did he pay for Peter and not the rest Ans Peter had a house in Capernaum where they were and was there to pay his Poll-money Matth. 5.8 14. If it be as others think the Tax to the Sanctuary that is here meant it will make no doctrinal alteration The sense then will be A Tax due to God is rather due to me than from me that am the Son of God CHAP. XVIII 1. AT the same time came the disciples to Jesus saying Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven 1. Ambition stirred in them to debate who should be greatest in Christs Church or Kingdom next himsâ—lf 2 3. And Jesus called a little child unto him and set him in the midst of them and said Verily I say to you Except ye be converted and become as little children ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven 2 3. Christ set a child before them as a visible answer and said Except true conversion give you a new and humble mind and take you off from ambitious overvaluing earthly pomp and power that as teachable and obedient Disciples to the you may be drawn to set more by heavenly things you cannot be capable of entring into the heavenly Kingdom much less of being greatest there nor are you fit for a place in the Church on earth much less of power without covenanting this 4. Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven 4. Tho worldly men will think otherwise I tell you that the humblest Christian is the best and the best is indeed the greatest as being dearest unto God and he is fittest also for Church power 5. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me 5. And he that receiveth or sheweth kindness to any such humble Godly Christian I will take and reward it as done to me N. How do the Papal Clergy read this that hate revile silence and ruine or burn such But they cheat their Souls by saying that such are but Hereticks and Schismaticks and deny them to be Christ's and then they think they are disobliged and may use them as they first judge and call them 6. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea 6. But whoever he be that shall gall discourage or by threatning derision or persecution seek to drive the least from faith and holy living it were less hurt to that man how big soever he now look and talk that he were drowned in the Sea with a milstone about his neck for God will take vengeance on him 7. Wo to the world because of offences for it must needs be that offences come but wo to that man by whom the offence cometh 7. Wo to the world by reason of the Scandals oppositions and impediments to faith holiness and salvation which men will lay before each other some by errour some by crimes and some by persecution such scandals and hinderances and temptations there will be God will permit them for trial and men will commit them But the sin is great and it will be wo to the guilty especially the malignant persecutors and seducers 8. Wherefore if thy hand or foot offend thee cut them off and cast them from thee It is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into fire everlasting 9. And if thy eye offend thee pluck it out and cast it from thee It is better for thee to enter into life with one eye rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire 8 9. Let nothing seem too dear to thee to secure thy salvation against such scandals and hinderances and temptations If it be friend or interest as dear to thee as thy hand or foot or eye it is a smaller loss to cast it away here and be saved hereafter than to keep it here and be damned hereafter to endless misery If thou hadst no other
go into Gallilee and there they shall see me 10. N. 1. He would not shew himself so openly to the malicious forsaken people at Jerusalem 2. His disciples and kinsmen are called his Brethren 3. No one evangelist mentioneth the whole of this History but what one omitteth another hath of which after 11. Now when they were going Behold some of the watch came into the city and shewed to the chief priests all the things that were done 12. And when they were assembled with the Elders and had taken counsel they gave large money to the soldiers 13. Saying say ye His disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept 14. And if this come to the governours ears we will perswade him and secure you 11. N. What will convince hardned forsaken men 15. So they took the money and did as they were taught And this saying is commonly reported among the Jews to this day 15. N. 1. Lying is the Devils great meanes against Faith And the love of money is the meanes that subserveth it 2. They that will not believe the truth easily believe deceiving lies 16. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them 17. And when they saw him they worshipped him but some doubted 17. N. Tho the evangelists say no more of Christs meeting them on this Mountain and what he there said to them and Luke and John say nothing of it and there seem a strange difference in their Narratives of Christs appearances it is but one saying what another had omitted and no one of them saying all of which after on John 20. and 21. 18. And Jesus came and spake to them saying All power is given to me in heaven and on Earth 19. Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost 18. After these and other appearings to them Jesus said As I have dyed to redeem the World in order to the ends of my undertaking the Father hath given me an Universal Propiety and Governing power by the right to Redemption as chief Administrator under him in Heaven and Earth So that henceforth all the concerns of men in this World and the other are at my dispose and all men under my Government by Right and Obligation By which authority I now commission you to go abroad the World and make all Nations to the utmost of your power my Disciples taking them into my Church by Solemn Covenant celebrated by Baptizing them into the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost N. 1. Christs Right of Dominion and Empire is founded in the Fathers Covenant with him as redeemer 2. And being Vniversal Lord Redemption is so far universal as to prove these and other common effects Rom. 14.9 To this end Christ dyed rose and revived that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living 2. The word translated Teach signifieth Disciple to me or make Nations my Disciples 3. All Christians should endeavour to make Christianity the National Religion that the Kingdoms of the World may become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ that is that they be Christian Kingdoms and not only Christians gathered out of Kingdoms 4. This maketh not all to be Christians who are in those Kingdoms but only such as are Discipled 5. Infants being parts of all Kingdoms this text commandeth to Disciple and Baptize them they are made Disciples by being justly dedicated to Christ by those that have true Power to dispose of them to learn of him and obey him as they grow up and are Capable As Christ was relatively Head of the Church in his Infancy when his humane nature was uncapable of the actual administration so are Infants capable of being Disciples by Covenant Dedication by those that have the dispose of them for their good and can covenant for them which men and by Relation and Obligation God had never a Church on Earth of which Infants were not Infant-members since there were Infants in the World 6. To be baptized into the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost is no less than by solemn Covenant to give up ones self to God the Father as our Father reconciled by Christ our chief owner and rules and our chief Benefactor even as our God and to Christ as our Saviour and the Holy Ghost as our Sanctifier And meerly to consent to learn of Christ makes none a baptizable disciple 7. Baptism is Christening and is the badge of those that must love and take each other for Christians and the terms of Church Unity till it be nullified by verbal or actual apostacy And it is Church tyranny and Schism to make Canons which shall exclude those from the Church of Christ whom he taketh in by baptism before they impenitently nullify that Covenant in whole or in some essential part viz. by proved denying essentials of Faith or forsaking some essential part of obedience 8. Baptism making us Christians is our state of Regeneration by which we may know our right to Justification and Salvation that is He that consenteth heartily and unfeignedly to the Baptismal Covenant is Regenerate and justified and shall be saved And he that doth consent but with the mouth and outward signe or leaveth out some essential part in his heart consent is regenerate only sacramentally and a visible member of the Church but is not justified nor shall be saved 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and â—o I am with you alway to the end of the World 20. And when you have Baptized them and so united them to me and my universal Church upon their understanding professed faith and repentance and dedication of their seed to me then congregate them in order under faithful Pastors And as you as general Teachers to all the Churches must deliver to them all the commands which I have committed to your trust by word and writing so these Pastors must further instruct them that they may grow up in knowledge of all these my commands And in the performance of this charge I shall by the help of my Spirit and protection be present with you and such pastors in their course to the end of this World or age till I shall come in glory to the final judgment Tho you see me not I shall be as really assisting to you and regardful of you even in all your labours and sufferings as if you saw me Note 1. This general command of teaching all Nations Christs commands includeth writing the Scriptures without which they could not teach posterity in all Nations his commands 2. It maketh them his intrusted Apostles from whose fidelity we may believingly receive his commands And therefore implyeth the promise of his Spirit to make them true and credible reporters 3. It implyeth that his commands are the universal Laws for his Catholick Church And no man or men have authority
to make Laws for the universal Church on Earth but he and to undertake it is to undertake the prerogative of Christ and to be Vice-christ by usurpation be it Pope or Councils 4. Yet the precept of observing his commands forbids not the observing of the commands of any lawful limited local rulers under him not crossing his commands Parents Masters Pastors Princes must be obeyed in their Provinces and Places even about Gods worship If men make subordinate Laws according to Christs General Laws of Love Concord Edification Order they must be obeyed as e. g. what translations of Scripture to use what Psalms Meters Tunes Gestures Time Place and abundance such like The Gospel according to St. MARK Note 1. That this is the same Mark against whom as not fit to be taken with them St. Paul sharply contended with Barnabas even to parting a sunder But it was not as charging him with any crime but as unfit to be taken with them in so long and hard a work which he before deserted 2. It is said by some to be a tradition that Mark wrote this from the Mouth of Peter but that is uncertain 3. It is questioned seeing it is only the eleven Apostles to whom Christ promised the Eminent help of the Spirit to bring all his Doctrine to their remembrance and lead them into all Truth How can we be sure that Mark and Luke who were no Apostles and had not this promise did never mistake in their writing the Gospel Ans Tho Christ promised not Infallibility to all Preachers then he promised and gave the Eminent Miraculous gifts to the Spirit to others as well as to the Apostles as appeared in Stephen Philip and others And this spirit was to sit them for the work to which they were called which his miracles by them attested 2. And the Apostles that then lived approved these writings of Mark and Luke and so did the Churches where the gifts of the Spirit did then most abound who also delivered them down to us Whether this Mark was Bishop of Alexandria or only a transient Evangelist there a while is an Historical controversie of no great Moment When Antioch had at once so many great Apostles Prophets and Teachers and no one of them then a Bishop to rule the rest as their Pastor we may well conjecture that the case of Alexandria did not much differ from that of Antioch and Jerusalem where neither James nor any one was Governour of the Apostles The Reader must not expect that I repeat at large the Paraphrases or Notes which are written on Matthew when the same History and words are by Mark repeated CHAP. I. 1. THE beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God 2. As it is written in the prophets Behold I send my messenger before thy face who shall prepare thy way before thee 3. The voice of one crying in the Wilderness Prepare ye the way of the Lord make his paths straight 1. c. The publick entrance of Christ on his Ministry and Preaching the glad tydings of Salvation was by the preparation of Johns Ministry Preaching Repentance to fit men for the Kingdom of the Messiah at hand which the Prophets had foretold Note Whether by the Prophets be here meant Isay and Malachi or onely Isay is a Controversie of small moment 4. John did Baptize in the wilderness and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins 4. John told the Jews that the Messiah was now come and brought Pardon and Salvation to all that received him and therefore perswaded them all to Repent that they might be Pardoned and fit Members of his Kingdom and Baptized those that Professed this 5. And there went out unto him all the land of Judea and they of Jerusalem and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan confessing their sins 5. The generality of the people longing for the promised Messiah were glad of this News that he was Come and thronged to John Confessing their Sins and Professing Repentance and were Baptized by him 6. And John was clothed with camels hair and with a girdle of a skin about his loyns and he did eat locusts and wild honey 6. N. This kind of Eremetical Life and Abstinence is overvalued by them who place Merit or Perfection in it and is unjustly vilifyed by some who know not of how great use it is some persons to withdraw from worldly Vanities and Temptations 7. And preached saying There cometh one mightier than I after me the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose 7. N. Christ and his Servants are patterns of Humility But Satan and his servants are known by Pride 8. I indeed have baptized you with water but he shall baptize you with the holy Ghost 8. My Baptism doth but prepare you but his shall power out the Spirit on the Baptized 9. And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized of John in Jordan 9. N. Qu. Did Christ Profess Repentance for the Remission of Sins If not how was he capable of Johns Baptisme Answ He was not Baptized to the same uses as other men but as owning Johns Baptisme and the Coming of the Kingdom of God As a General will wear the same Colours with his Soldiers though theirs signifie subjection to him 10. And straitway coming up out of the water he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him 10. See on Matt. 3. 11. And there came a voice from heaven saying Thou art my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased 11. N. God from Heaven Preached the Gospel at Christs Baptisme 12. And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness 13. And he was there in the wilderness forty days tempted of Satan and was with the wild beasts and the Angels ministred to him 12.13 N. 1. To conquer Temptations is to conquer Satan 2. Angels brought him meat at the end of the Forty days 14. Now after that John was put in prison Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God 14. That the Kingdom of God was coming 15. And saying The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand repent ye and believe the gospel 15. The promised time of the Messiahs appearing is Come Repent and believe this glad-tidings 16. Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea for they were fishers 17. And Jesus said to them Come ye after me and I will make you to become fishers of men 18. And straitway they forsook their nets and followed him 16. c. See on John 1.40 and Matt. 4.18 19. And when he had gone a little further thence he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother who also were in the ship mending their nets 20. And straitway he called them and they left their father Zebedee in
some thirty some sixty and some an hundred 20. N. All sound Christians are not equally fruitful 2. The quality of the hearts of the hearers causeth the differing success of the same Doctrine or Sermons on different persons 21. And he said to them Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel or under a bed and not to be set on a candlestick 21. God doth not give you more light than others to hide it but to use it for the good of many 22. For there is nothing hid which shall not be manifested neither was any thing kept secret but that it should come abroad 22. Light is for the manifesting of all things and it will manifest all things how dark or secret soever they seem 23. If any man have ears to hear let him hear 23. Let him that hath ears and understanding see that he hear Gods word regardfully with all the serious attention of his heart for it is of greatest concernment to his soul 24. And he said to them Take heed what you hear with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you and to you that hear shall more be given 25. For he that hath to him shall be given and he that hath not from him shall taken even that which he hath 24 25. See that you set your hearts to the word you hear For as you use Gods word he will use you Learn faithfully and you shall be taught more but if you stifle or neglect the truth your knowledge will be as none or worse than none to you and God may forsake your understandings 26. And he said So is the kingdom of God as if a man should cast seed into the ground 27. And should sleep and rise night and day and the seed should spring and grow up he knoweth not how 26 27. N. Man soweth but God blesseth it and we see it not grow but see that it hath grown Who then shall exact of another an account just when or how he was convetted 28. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of her self first the blade then the ear and after that the full corn in the ear 29. But when the fruit is brought forth immediately he putteth in the sickle because the harvest is come 28. Do your part in sowing and God will prosper it And tho you see not present fruit it will ripen and shew it self last and be rewarded and fully blest 30. And he said Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God or with what comparison shall we compare it 31. It is like a grain of mustard-seed which when it is sown in the earth is less than all the seeds that be in the earth 32. But when it is sowed it groweth up and becometh greater than all herbs and shooteth out great branches so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it 30 c. You all look for the Kingdom of the Messiah but you mistake in expecting a sudden visible pompous appearance of it It is the Catholick Church for which now I am sowing the seed of the Gospel and seemeth like a grain of Mustard-seed a small inconsiderable thing one of the contemptiblest Societies on Earth But God will prosper this seed so that my Church shall become so conspicuous and eminent that Princes and Nations and worldly men shall be glad for their interest to have the name of Christians and to be under the protection of the Christian Powers 33. And with many such parables spake he the word to them as they were able to bear it 34. And without a parable spake he not to them and when they were alone he expounded all things to his disciples 33 34. He spake to them according to their low capacities as to Children by familiar comparisons further teaching the sence of all to those that as Scholars came to learn of him 35. And the same day when even was come he saith to them Let us pass over unto the other side 36. And when they had sent away the multitude they took him even as he was in the ship and there were also with him many other little ships 37. And there arose a great storm of wind and the waves beat into the ship so that it was now full 38. And he was in the hinder part of the ship asleep on a pillow and they awake him and say to him Master carest thou not that we perish 35. c. N. God raiseth dangers to shew us our weakness and his power in our deliverance 2. They are safe who are in the same ship with Christ 3. Yet Christ seemeth for a time to neglect us in our dangers as if he cared not what became of us 39. And he arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea Peace be still and the wind ceased and there was a great calm 4. And he said to them Why are ye so fearful How is it that ye have no faith 41. And they feared exceedingly and said one another What manner of man is this that even the wind and the sea obey him 39. c. N. All things obey Christ save voluntary sinners 2. It is but a word of his that is needful to allay all our dangers 3. Too much fear sheweth too little faith Trusting Christ is the cure of such fear 4. How greatly should he be reverenced and obeyed by man whom wind and seas and all creatures must obey CHAP. V. 1. ANd they came over to the other side of the sea into the Countrey of the Gadarenes 2. And when he was come out of the ship immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit 3. Who had his dwelling among the tombs and no man could bind him no not with chains 4. Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains and the chains had been plucked asunder by him and the fetters broken in pieces neither could any man tame him 5. And always night and day he was in the mountains and in the tombs crying and cutting himself with stones Matth. 8.28 tells us that they were two which Mark denieth not tho he mention but one 6. But when he saw Jesus afar off he ran and worshipped him 6. Devils worship is but a constrained confession of Christs power over them 7. And cried with a loud voice and said What have I to do with thee Jesus thou Son of the most high God I adjure thee by God that thou torment me not 7. N. It is no wonder if malicious hypocrites abuse the name of God by Excommunications and reproaching of his truest servants when the Devil durst use Gods name to adjure Christ himself 8. For he said to him Come out of the man thou unclean spirit 8. N. It appeareth that Devils are not always just in the same condition but when they are restrained from going about to do mischief it is to them an imprisonment and tornment as it is to a Wolf to be tyed up from killing sheep
like these Infants in the Kingdom of God else he might have taken up a Lamb or a Dove and blessed them and said of such harmless creatures is the Kingdom of God But he must mean of them and such as them or of such both in age and also in humble teachable receptivity is the kingdom of God else it would be no reason to bless them Which can be nothing lower than acceptance as Visible-Infant-Church-Members 2. He that in all ages from the beginning took Infants to be Infant-Members of his Church and came not to destroy but to enlarge mercies to the faithful and their seed and saith They are holy and was much displeased with his erroneous Apostles for forbidding them to be brought for his benediction sure will not be well pleased with those that now forbid them to be dedicated in the Baptismal Covenant to him But yet if any man will say I deny not the interest of the Infants of the Faithful in the Church and Covenant but only think that Baptism was appointed only for the solemn reception of the adult and so will be Baptized at age after or without Infant Baptism merely to satisfie Conscience and then live in Love and Peace with those of another mind I should gladly live in Love and Peace with such 15. Verily I say to you Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child he shall not enter therein 16. And he took them up in his arms put his hands upon them and blessed them N. 1. These words plainly intimate that he received them as capable of the Kingdom of God that is the Church on Earth and in Heaven Christ doth not thus bless unbelievers and their seed but those that 1 Cor. 7.14 are called Holy 17. And when he was gone forth into the way there came one running and kneeled to him and asked him Good master what shall I do that I may inherit everlasting life 17. N. It hence appeareth that the Jews except the Sadducees then believed an everlasting life 2. And that we should do whatever God would have us do to attain it 18. And Jesus said to him Why callest thou me good there is none good but one that is God 18. Good indeed in the prime sence is a high title none being more proper to God himself and none perfectly and primarily and essentially good but God It s a greater matter to be good than thou deemest 19. Thou knowest the commandments Do not commit adultery Do not kill Do not steal Do not bear false witness Defraud not Honour thy father and mother 19. N. Defraud not is the sence of the Tenth Commandment that is Love thy Neighbour as thy self so as not to desire from him any thing to his hurt Qu. Why doth Christ mention none of the Commandments of the first Table Answ The man is supposed to confess God and consequently his duty to him and to mean in his question What good works must I do towards others Qu. 2. Why doth not Christ recite the Commandments in their true order Answ When the matter alone is intended the order is not necessary 2. The Evangelists recite not all Christs words in the same order that he spake them as is evident in the difference of their recitals These very words are otherwise recited by Matth. 19.18 19. Thou shalt do no Murther is first and Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self is last and instead of Defraud not 20. And he answered and said to him Master all these have I observed from my youth 20. N. He meant that he had not directly in the outward act broken any of these not knowing how far the Law reacheth 21. Then Jesus beholding him loved him and said to him One thing thou lackest go thy way sell whatsoever thou hast and give to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven and come take up the cross and follow me 21. Jesus beheld him with kindness approving in him what was good and said So far thou hast done well But there is more than this necessary to obtain everlasting life even to prefer it before all the wealth and pleasure of this world and life it self and to trie thee herein Go and sell all and give to the poor and take heaven for thy treasure instead of all and follow me in self-denial unto suffering N. Not that all are bound to sell all but all are bound so to prefer heaven as will make them forsake all that stands against it 22. And he was sad at that saying and went away grieved for he had great possessions 22. Carnal men may be sorry that they cannot bring down God to their terms Good and bad would be as well as they can both here and hereafter But when they see they cannot have both Earth and Heaven the Faithful chuse heaven tho sensible of earthly sufferings and the worldly chuse the world and most to keep off sorrow and despair do force on themselves a hope that they shall have both and that God will save them on their own terms 23. And Jesus looked about and saith to his disciples How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God 23. How hard is it to perswade rich men to love heaven better than earth and to yield to the conditions of salvation 24. And the disciples were astonished at his words but Jesus answered again and saith to them Children how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God 25. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God 24. So bad is the heart of man that it is exceeding hard to have riches and not to place mens trust in them and such as do so cannot be true Christians and be saved N. To trust in riches is to take them for our best and to take and expect more comfort from them than from Christ and Heaven 26. And they were astonished out of measure saying among themselves Who then can be saved 27. And Jesus looking upon them saith With men it is impossible but not with God for with God all things are possible 27. N. Sure the inordinate desire to be rich must needs signifie unbelief Can men seek that which they believe maketh their salvation almost impossible The same I say of murmuring poverty 28. Then Peter began to say to him Behold we have left all and followed thee 29. And Jesus answered and said Verily I say to you There is no man that hath left house or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my sake and the Gospels 30. But he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time houses and brethren and Sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions and in the world to come eternal life 31. But many that are first shall be last and the last first 29. c. N.
ANd he began to speak unto them by parables A certain man planted a vineyard and set an hedge about it and digged a place for the wine-fat and built a tower and let it out to husbandmen and went into a far countrey 2. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard 3. And they caught him and beat him and sent him away empty 4. And again he sent unto them another servant and at him they cast stones and wounded him in the head and sent him away shamefully handled 5. And again he sent another and him they killed and many others beating some and killing some 1. See on Matth. 21. Note Who did this Answer The only national Church on Earth 2. Did they cease upon this warning of Christ Ans No but do worse 3. Why did they do â—t Ans Through folly and wickedness 4. The things that have bin are This is no strange thing yet on Earth 6. Having yet therefore one son his well-beloved he sent him also last unto them saying They will reverence my son 7. But those husbandmen said amongst themselves This is the heir come let us kill him and the inheritance shall be ours 8. And they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard 8. Note No wonder that no innocency or worth can preserve his Ministers from their rage and from being cast out of the Vineyard 9. What shall therefore the Lord of the vineyard do he will come and destroy the husbandmen and will give the vineyard unto others 9. He will destroy these Jewes and call the Gentiles to become his Church 10. And have ye not read this scripture The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner 11. This was the Lords doing and it is marvellous in our eyes 10. Psal 118. Isa 28.16 12. And they sought to lay hold on him but feared the people for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them and they left him and went their way 12. N. That which is spoken against bad men enrageth them be it never so true and necessary 13. And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians to catch him in his words 14. And when they were come they say unto him Master we know that thou art right and carest for no man for thou regardest not the person of men but teachest the way of God in truth Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not 13. They send those that thought Caesar an Usurper or at least had no right to that sort of tribute alienated from the Sanctuary and the Herodians that werâ— for Caesars right Note They give Christ a flattering Character to ensnare him 15. Shall we give or shall we not give 16. But he knowing their hypocrisie said to them Why tempt ye me bring me a penny that I may see it And they brought it and he said to them Whose is this Image and superscription and they said to him Caesars 17. And Jesus answering said unto them Render to Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are Gods And they marvelled at him 15. See on Math. 21. Note We are not bound to answer directly to all such insnaring questions nor to satisfy the Tempters 18. There came unto him the Sadduces who say there is no Resurrection and asked him saying 19. Master Moses wrote to us If a mans Brother die and leave his wife behind and have no Children that his brother should take his wife and raise up seed to his brother 20. Now there were seven brethren the first took a wife and dying left no seed 21. And the second took her and dying left no seed and the third likewise 22. And the seven had her and left no seed Last of all the woman dyed also 23. In the Resurrection therefore when they shall rise whose wife shall she be of them for the seven had her to wife 23. Erroneous Men from one false supposition infer many that are worse 24. And Jesus answering said to them Do ye not therfore err because ye know not the Scriptures neither the power of God 25. For when they shall rise from the dead they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are as the Angels of God which are in heaven 24. Carnal Men think Carnally of things Heavenly Spiritual Glorified bodies are like Angels and as they die not so they generate not any more than they nor eat and drink as here 26. And as touching the dead that they rise have ye not read in the book of Moses how in the bush God spake unto him saying I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob 27. He is not the God of the dead but the God of the living ye therefore do greatly err See on Matth. 22. 28. And one of the Scribes came and having heard them reasoning together and perceiving that he had answered them well asked him Which is the first commandment of all 29. And Jesus answered him The first of all the commandments is Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. 30. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind and with all thy strength this is the first commandment 31. And the second is like namely this Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self there is none other commandment greater than these Note Love is the most full and final act of the Soul It is the total inclination and adherence of the will to God as God the infinite good and to Man for his sake as far as his Conformity to God hath made him amiable It fervently riseth towards God here by desire and seeking and fully delighteth in him hereafter 32. And the Scribe said unto him Well Master thou hast said the truth for there is one God and there is none other but he 33. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the soul and with all the strength and to love his neighbour as himself is more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices 34. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly he said unto him Thou art not far from the kingdom of God And no man after that durst ask him any question 34. Note If the confession of these two great commands was a matter to greatly esteemed both of Christ and by this Scribe how greatly do they differ from Christ who besides the profession of the whole Baptismal faith and Covenant require abundance of unnecessary or uncertain things to Church Communion and concord if not to Salvation 35. And Jesus answered and said while he taught in the temple How say the Scribes that Christ is the son of David 36. For David himself said by the holy Ghost The Lord said to my Lord Sit thou on
his shewing unto Israel 80. And John with his increase of age and strength shewed great strength of the Spirit of God in him and he dwelt in the wilderness or say some in the hill Countrey of Judaea bred up in a life of holiness and mortification till the time that he sett upon his publick ministry of preaching the Kingdom of the Messiah and repentance and baptizing CHAP. II. 1. ANd it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed 2. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria 3. And all went to be taxed every one into his own city 1 2 3. Augustus decreed that all the Empire called the Roman world should be enrolled in their several Families and Cities That he might know the state of his Empire and how to tax them 4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea unto the city of David which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David 5. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife being great with child 4 5. She was now marryed though called espoused 6. And so it was that while they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered 7. And she brought forth her first-born Son and wrapped him in swadling cloths and laid them in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn 6 7. Note It should be rather in the stables than in the manger Had Joseph been a rich man its like he would have found better room 8. And there were in the same countrey shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night 8. Some one part of the night and some another by turns as is most likely 9. And lo the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were sore afraid 10. And the angel said unto them Fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people 11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. 12. And this shall be a sign unto you ye shall find the babe wrapped in swadling cloths lying a manger 9 10. Glory is Light Christs birth is cause of universal joy 12. stable 13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying 14. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will towards men 13 14. Note Angels are the heavenly host Note Gods praise and Glory is the end of all his works Note Angels rejoiced at Christs birth and for mans redemption 14. In Christ the Redeemer God will be glorified in Heaven Peace will be made on Earth by this great Reconciler and Gods Love or Benevolence will be towards men Or Glory be to God in the Heavens through the Redeemer and Reconciliation or Peace on Earth to men that are the objects of Gods good will Q. Is it necessary or lawful to keep a day as holy in remembrance of Christs birth Ans 1. If any should appoint a weekly day for it it would be an usurping of the same power that hath already separated a weekly day for it it would be an usurping of the same power that hath already separateh a weekly day for commemorating the work of Redemption though specially for Christs Resurrection And it would seem an accusing Christs Law of insufficiency 2. And if any should make a yearly days observation necessary to the universal Church 1. They would usurp a power not given to any to make Laws for all the Church 2. And they would accuse Christs Law as imperfect But if particular Christians Churches or Countries voluntarily agree to celebrate yearly the memorial of Christs birth it is but what almost all the Churches on earth do and have done at least 1300 years And iâ—â—â—lawful to keep a yearly day of remembrance for aâ—y 〈◊〉 deliverance or mercy to the Church even in an Apâ—â—â—le But if any Christian think that it is an unlawful addition to the institution of the Lords day which Goâ— set a part for our commemorating the whole work of Redemption such shâ—uld not be forced to keep it against their Consciences but must avoid affronting them that do 15. And it came to pass as the angels were gone away from them into heaven the shepherds said one to another Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass which the Lord hath made known unto us 16. And they came with hast and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger 17. And when they had seen it they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child 18. And all they that heard it wondred at those things which were told them by the shephards 19. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart 20 And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen as it was told unto them 15 16 17 18. In a Stable 19. Regarded themâ— as tending to what was promised her 20. Angel are not first sent to Princes but to poor Shephards who must preach Christ 21. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child his name was called Jesus who was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb 21. Jesus is a Saviour He was circumcised as bound to keep the Law of Moses not as a seal of pardon of sin to him 22. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 22. To the Priest as in Numb 3.12.46 23. As it is written in the law of the Lord Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord 24. And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord A pair of turtle doves or two young pidgeons 23 24. See Levit. 12.6.8 25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon and the same man was just and devout waiting for the consolation of Israel and the holy Ghost was upon him 26. And it was revealed unto him by the holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord Christ 25. Note The Messiah was much expected at that time Note It is Just and Devout men that God specially favoureth by exâ—raordinary gifts of his Spirit 27. And he came by the spirit into the temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him after the custom of the law 28. Then took he him up in his arms and blessed God and said 29. Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word 30. For mine eyes have seen thy
Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot being of the number of the twelve 4. And he went his way and communed with the chief priests and captains how he might betray him unto them 3 4. Note There is more of Satan in sin than sinners think He hath access as a Tempter to the Imagination and when his Temptation prevaileth he gets greater possession of the heart 5. And they were glad and covenanted to give him money 5. Note 1. Wicked purposes or desires use to meet with encouragement from wicked men 2. It is a heinous crime when men dare covenant to sin for gain 6. And he promised and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude 6. To avoid tumult 7. Then came the day of unleavened bread when the passeover must be killed 8. And he sent Peter and John saying Go and prepare us the passeover that we may eat 9. And they said unto him Where wilt thou that we prepare 10. And he said unto them Behold when ye are entred into the city there shall a man meet you bearing a pitcher of water follow him into the house where he entreth in 11. And ye shall say unto the good man of the house The master saith unto thee Where is the guest-chamber where I shall eat the passeover with my disciples 12. And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished there make ready 13. And they went and found as he had said unto them and they made ready the passeover 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. Note 1. Christ knew what would befal them out of sight 2. Being made under the Law he would keep even that part that typified himself 14. And when the hour was come he sat down and the twelve apostles with him 15. And he said unto them With desire I have desired to eat this passeover with you before I suffer 14. Note Christ earnestly desired the fulfilling of his undertaken work and holy Communion with his Servants 16. For I say unto you I will not any more eat thereof until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God 17. And he took the cup and gave thanks and said Take this and divide it among your selves 18. For I say unto you I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God shall come 16 17 18. Till we meet in Heaven or till I celebrate that Sacrament which is the Christian Passover with you in the holy Assemblies where I will be spiritually present Qu. How comes the Cup twice mentioned Ans The first was part of the Passover But Beza noteth that the 18th and 19th verses are not in the Syrian Translation which is most ancient And in his very old Greek Copy now at Cambridge This do in remembrance of me is left out of the 19th verse and he conjectures some verses are transposed 19. And he took bread and gave thanks and brake it and gave unto them saying This is my body which is given for you this do in remembrance of me 20. Likewise also the cup after supper saying This cup is the new testament in my blood which is shed for you 19 20. See Matth. 26. Note Seeing the Evangelists use not all the very same words it seems not of absolute necessity to use just the same still Yet all the substance must be retained and it 's safest repeating all set together which they recite and as Paul most fully reciteth them 21. But behold the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table 22. And truly the Son of man goeth as it was determined but wo unto that man by whom he is betrayed 23. And they began to enquire among themselves which of them it was that should do this thing 21 22 23. Note How hard was Judas's heart that took not this warning 24. And there was also a strife among them which of them should be accounted the greatest 24. Note This strife was before Matth. 20. But Luke keepeth not to the order of time 25. And he said unto them The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors 26. But ye shall not be so but he that is greatest among you let him be as the younger and he that is chief as he that doth serve 25 26. I am not for parity among all my Disciples You know I have chosen you only to be Apostles But though you be over the Churches you must not be Rulers of one another And that sort of Preeminence which you have must not be like that of the Princes of the World who Rule by the Sword or outward Force and in worldly Pomp or State constraining Subjects to flatter them with high Titles but it must be grounded in an excellency of Grace and Gifts Love Meekness Humility being the most useful and devoted to the good of all as Ruling only the voluntary and therefore by the clearest Reason and greatest Love and most exemplary profitable Lives Strive and spare not for this Preeminence and Disparity 27. For whether is greater he that sitteth at meat or he that serveth Is not he that sitteth at meat but I am among you as he that serveth 27. Would you rule as greater than I what hath my Government of you been but to do you good by Doctrine Love and good Example without force 28. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations 29. And I appoint unto you a kingdom as my Father hath appointed unto me 28. As a reward for your faithful sticking to me in all my Tryals and Sufferings I appoint c. Note This Promise is three ways expounded 1. The aspiring Clergy say it is I make you Apostles the Chief Rulers of my Church though in persecuting tâ—â—es and yâ—ur Successors shall be Patriarchs Metropolitans Arch-Bishops c. and over top Emperours and Kings 2. Others say that this lower World is but a shadow of the upper and that the Office of Angels and the Titles in Daniel of Mâ—â—â—â— your Prince and so of other Angels sheweth thiâ—â—eâ—e be Kingdoms in the Spiritual World above us answerable to all the Kingdoms on Earth and incomparably more and that therefore Christ saith In my Father's house are many Mansions And that there the twelve Apostles have their Kingdoms at least over the twelve Tribâ—â— as being equal with the Angels 3. But most think that it is only an expression of the eminent Glory of the Apostles after the Resurrection I see not but part of all three Expositions may be included that is you shall be Chief in my Church on Earth and equal with Angels after Death but specially after the Day of Judgment 30. That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel 30. That ye may be feasted by me in Heaven with spiritual everlasting Joys and may be Superiors to the glorified Israelites and in the mean time on
with us for it is towards evening and the day is far spent and he went in to tarry with them 29. N. Importunity is the means to prevail for Christ's presence even when he purposeth to stay 30. And it came to pass as he sat at meat with them he took bread and blessed it and brake and gave to them 30. N. Not the Sacrament but as the Master of the Family was wont to do save the peculiar holiness of his manner of doing it 31. And their eyes were opened and they knew him and he vanished out of their sight 31. It 's like partly by God's change on them and partly by Christ's more discernible discovery they knew him N. Though Christ rose in the same Body and was not yet fully glorified it was greatly changed so that he could appear and vanish when and where he pleased and be known or unknown to beholders 32. And they said one to another Did not our heart burn within us while he talked with us by the way and while he opened to us the scriptures 32. N. They told each other how they felt their hearts affected while he preached to them 33. And they rose up the same hour and returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven gathered together and them that were with them 34. Saying The Lord is risen indeed and hath appeared unto Simon 33 34. As soon as they came in among them the eleven first told these two that the Lord was risen c. 35. And they told what things were done in the way and how he was known of them in breaking of bread 35. Then the two also told the eleven and the company what they had seen and heard in the way c. 36. And as they thus spake Jesus himself stood in the midst of them and saith unto them Peace be unto you 36. N. We need not feign that he opened the door when he could appear and disappear when and where he would He did not lie hidden in some corner when they saw him so seldom in forty days but disappeared N. 2. Peace is the voice of a risen Saviour who purchased it so dearly and giveth it as the great Peace-maker 37. But they were terrified and affrighted and supposed that they had seen a spirit 37. If he had opened the door and come in as other men it 's like they would not have taken him for a Spirit 38. And he said unto them Why are ye troubled and why do thoughts arise in your hearts 39. Behold my hands and my feet that it is I my self handle me and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have 40. And when he had thus spoken he shewed them his hands and his feet 38 39 40. Troubling thoughts are ready to surprize ignorant persons but Christ to suppress them appealed to their senses For man is apt to believe what he seeth and feeleth but is hardly brought to believe any thing above sense N. Spirits have not flesh and blood 41. And while they yet believed not for joy and wondered he said unto them Have ye here any meat 41. N. There was some belief called Hope or else they could not have had joy But it 's hard fully to believe great things which we desire through the power of fear lest it should not prove true 42. And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish and of an hony-comb 43. And he took it and did eat before them 4â— 43. N. 1. They dieted skilfully Broiling and Hony correct both the pituitous frigidity and the corruptibility of fish 2. Eating proved Christ to be no meer Spirit When Angels did eat they first took Bodies or else seemed to do what they did not Therefore glorified Bodies eat not because they are spiritual though not meer Spirits and have their sustenance without eating 44. And he said unto them These are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and in the prophets and in the psalms concerning me 44. N. This Testimony of Christ confirmeth the Law of Moses the Prophets and the Psalms to be the true Word of God 45. Then opened he their understanding that they might understand the scriptures 45. N. This was a greater effect of Divine Power to open mens understandings than to appear without opening the door The understanding of man is shut up against the understanding of things spiritual till Christ open it O pray for this opening 46. And said unto them Thus it is written and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day 46. This should not seem new or strange to you which the Scriptures so fully foretold 47. And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his Name among all nations beginning at Jerusalem 48. And ye are witnesses of these things 47 48. I have by Redemption purchased an Act of Grace and Oblivion a free universal pardon of sin to all that repent and will accept it as my gift This must be preached to all Nations and you must do it first by Office who are my Witnesses of the matter of fact 49. And behold I send the promise of my Father upon you but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high 49. And the great Promise of the Holy Ghost for Miracles Tongues and Holiness as my Agent Seaâ— and Earnest I will quickly pour out upon you But wait together at Jerusalem till it be done and you be endued with the foresaid power from God 50. And he led them out as far as to Bethany and he lift up his hands and blessed them 51. And it came to pass while he blessed them he was parted from them and carried up into heaven 50 51. Afterward at the end of forty days when he had oft appeared to them and given them their Commission to go and Disciple all Nations baptizing them into the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things that he had commanded them promising to be with them to the end of the World Mat. 28.19.20 Mark 16.15 16. See Acts 1.9 N. Christ that parted from Earth with a Blessing will bless his Church here and for ever 52. And they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy 52. Note Though their Lord was gone from them on Earth they were now assured that they had a King and Saviour in Heaven whence his influence would be most extensive and efficacious 53. And were continually in the temple praising and blessing God Amen 53. As they worshipped their glorified Redeemer so they continued together assembled in the Temple not yet alienated from all Jewish Worship praising and magnifying the Name of God who had bestoâ—ed a Saviour and his Grace upon them and had given the Church so gracious and glorious a Saviour and Head and done such wonders
thee mine hour is not yet come 3 4. These words are not a breach of the fifth Commandment but as much as to say I am not to do Miracles by the direction of a Mothers Authority or by man but in the time and manner as by the Divine Wisdome shall be determined And by this and other passages Christ seems to foresee how Papists would overvalue his Mother 5 His mother saith unto the servants whatsoever he saith unto you do it 5. N. She believed his Power though he represt her Presumption 6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone after the manner of the purifying of the Jews containing two or three firkins a piece 7 Jesus saith unto them Fill the water-pots with water And they filled them up to the brim 8 And he saith unto them Draw out now and bear unto the governor of the feast And they bare it 6 c. Note It is conjectured to be about 1000 eight hundred pounds or pints oâ— Wine that Christ made which shewed that the Guests were very many or that he was at such Festivals for freer drinking of Wine than is fit among us perhaps all their Wine was small and not all of it then drunk but this and the like occasioned the Pharisees censure of him 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine and knew not whence it was but the servants which drew the water knew the governor of the feast called the bridegroom 10 And saith unto him Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine and when men have well drunk then that which is worse but thou hast kept the good wine until now 9. Mariages among the Jews were celebrated with great Feasting where moderate jocundity was thought seasonable The reason Christ giveth for his Disciples not fasting was because the Bridegroom was yet with them When they had drunk to temperate hilarity small Wine was most suitable The vulgar Latin is when they are drunk and perhaps with Drunkards that might be the custom to bring smaller Wine when they could not well distinguish them 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee and manifested forth his glory and his disciples believed on him 11. By this he shewed them his Divine Power and convinced his Disciples that he was the Messiah 12 After this he went down to Capernaum he and his Mother and his Brethen and his disciples and they continued there not many days 13 And the Jews passover was at hand and Jesus went up to Jerusalem 14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves and the changers of money sitting 15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords he drove them all out of the temple and the sheep and the oxen and poured out the changers mony and overthrew the tables 16 And said unto them that sold doves Take these things hence make not my Fathers house an house of merchandise 12 c. It seems probable that Christ did thus cleanse the Temple twice And that this is not the same History with that Matt. 21. though indeed its very like it 17 And his disciples remembred that it was written The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up 17. They believed that his zeal for Gods house might warrant this action in the Messiah as Ps 69.9 18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him what sign shewest thou unto us seeing that thou doest these things 18. These arbitrary actions require some extraordinary Commission to warrant them By what sign dost thou prove that thou hast such authority 19 Jesus answered and said unto them Desâ—roy this temple and in three days I will raise it up 20 Then said the Jews Forty and six years was this temple in building and wilt thou rear it up in three days 21 But he spake of the temple of his body 19 N. He told them enigmatically what should be after plainly expounded Many Prophecies written darkly are not intended to be presently understood but when they are fulfilled 22 When therefore he vvas risen from the dead his disciples remembred that he had said this unto them and they believed the scripture and the vvord vvhich Jesus had said 22. When this was performed by his Resurrection his Disciples believed the Prophesies of him and his own words 23 Novv vvhen he vvas in Jerusalem at the passover in the feast day many believed in his name vvhen they savv the miracles vvhich he did 23. His miracles made many believe that he was the Christ that yet were no through Disciples 24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them because he knevv all men 25 And needed not that any should testifie of man for he knevv vvhat vvas in man 24 25. But Christ that knew the hearts of Men and how many have but an unrooted mutable uneffectual belief would not trust himself into their hands by familiarity CHAP. III. THere vvas a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus a ruler of the Jews 2 The same came to Jesus by night and said unto him Rabbi we know that thou art a teacher come from God for no man can do these miracles that thou doest except God be with him 1 2. Being a Ruler he durst not be seen to come to Christ by day light but came by night and said Rabbi I am come to learn of thee for I know thou art a Teacher sent by God for no Man can do such miracles as thou dost but by Gods Power and God will not lend such Power to any whom he doth not approve and justifie 3 Jesus answered and said unto him Verily verily I say unto thee Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God 3. As I could not do the works of God by miracles and doctrine unless God were with me so neither can any Man become a sound Believer and do the works of Faith and be saved as a true Member of the Kingdom of God unless by Gods spirit he be begotten again and have a new qualitative nature given him 4 Nicodemus saith unto him How can a man be born when he is old can he enter the second time into his mothers womb and be born 4. Nicodemus grosly misunderstanding Christ saith How can c. 5 Jesus ansvvered Verily verily I say unto thee Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of of God 5. I tell thee most certainly that unless a Man have as it were a new nature and be made a new Man by being washed from his former sin and guilt and sanctifyed by the renewing work of Gods Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God N. This is all signified and celebrated by Baptism but it is the washing and sanctifying of the Soul only that hath the promise of Salvation But the Church on Earth being as the Porch Womb or Seminary to Heaven it is not another kind of Faith but that same
was imprisoned 25 Then there arose a question between some of Johns disciples and the Jews about purifying 25. N. What the dispute was is uncertain 26. And they came unto John and said to him Rabbi he that was with thee beyond Jordan to whom thou barest Witness Beheld the same baptizeth and all Men come unto him 26. On this occasion they told John how the People flockt to the Baptism of Christ 27 John answered and said A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven 28 Ye your selves bear me witness that I said I am not the Christ but that I am sent before him 27. This doth but confirm what I said of him His Power is from Heaven I pretend to none such as his 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom but the friend of the bridegroom which standeth and heareth him rejoyceth greatly because of the bridegrooms voice this my joy therefore is fulfilled 29. It is he that is the King and Saviour of the Church I am but his Friend that rejoyce in his Kingdom and Success 30 He must increase but I must decrease 30. His Kingdom and Glory must increase to perfection but my preparatory Ministry will soon end 31 He that cometh from above is above all he that is of the earth is earthly and speaketh of the earth he that cometh from heaven is above all 21. He came from Heaven and therefore is above us all We that are but Men inhabitants of Earth though so far as God inspires us we speak his word yet being of earthly mold speak and do like our selves in a human earthly manner But he that cometh from Heaven doth excel us all 32 And what he hath seen and heard that he testifieth and no man receiveth his testimony 33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his Seal that God is true 32. Wee tell you what God teacheth us in our several measures but he telleth you that which he hath seen and heard in Heaven And yet the most reject his Testimony but they that truly receive it by Faith do in believing him believe God himself that cannot lie 34. For he vvhom God hath sent speaketh the vvords of God for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him 34. He that is thus sâ—nt from Heaven by God speaketh Gods own Words fully and infallibly as fully known to him and is not like us and other Prophets that have but our limited measures of the spirits for some particular revelation and use 35. The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand 35. The Love of the Father to the Son is transcendent and he hath delivered lapsed Man and all this World into his hand or power as Redeemer Lord and Administrator of all 36. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the vvrath of God abideth on him 36. He that believeth Christ to be the Son of God and Saviour of the World and with Trust giveth up himself to be taught ruled and saved by him hath a right to everlasting Life by the Covenant of Grace and the beginning of it by the Holy Ghost in him and shall shortly have the full possession But he that by Unbelief rejecteth Christ and his offered Grace shall not see this blessed Life but the wrath of God for his unpardoned Sin and aggravated Guilt abideth on him CHAP. IV. VVHen therefore the Lord knovv hovv the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more Disciples than John 2. Though Jesus himself baptized not but his Disciples 3. He left Judea and departed again into Galilee 1. They knowing that which he knew would exasperate them to avoid Persecution he removed to Galilee till his time came 4. And he must needs go through Samaria 5. Then cometh he to a City of Samaria which is called Sychar neer to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his Son Joseph 6. Now Jacobs well was there Jesus therefore being wearied with his Journey sat thus on the Well and it was about the sixth hour 4 5.6 N. Christ travelled all on foot and had a Body wearied with Travel the sixth hour was noon 7. There cometh a Woman of Samaria to draw Water Jesus saith unto her give me to drink 8. For his Disciples were gone away unto the City to buy meat 9. Then saith the Woman of Samaria unto him how is it that thou beinq a Jew askest drink of me vvhich am a Woman of Samaria For the Jevvs have no dealings vvith the Samaritans 7 c. N. Christ was not so much for separation as the other Jewâ— 10. Jesus ansvvered and said unto her if thou knevvest the gift of God and vvho it is that saith to thee give me to drink thou vvouldest have asked of him and he vvould have given thee living Water 10. N. It was usual to call a running spring living water Christ meant more but she understood him not 11. The Woman saith unto him Sir thou hast nothing to dravv vvith and the Well is deep From vvhence then hast thou that living Water 12. Art thou greater than our Father Jacob vvho gave us the Well and drank thereof himself and his Children and his Cattle 11. N. They made their Honour of Jacob the pretence for not going to Jerusalem he being before Solomon's Temple 13. Jesus ansvvered and said unto her vvhosoever drinketh of this Water shall thirst again 14. But vvhosoever drinketh of the Water that I shall give him shall never thirst But the Water that I shall give him shall be in him a vvell of Water springing up into everlasting life 13. That which I call water is the Spirit of Grace which will give men everlasting satisfaction and joy and leave them no fleshly or unsatisfyed desires 15. The Woman saith unto him Sir give me this Water that I thirst not neither come hither to dravv 15. The ignorant mistaking Gods Grace to be what it is not may ask it so for carnal ends 16. Jesus saith unto her go call thy Husband and come hither 17. The Woman ansvvered and said I have no Husband Jesus said unto her Thou hast vvell said I have no Husband 18. For thou hast had five Husbands and he vvhom thou novv hast is not thy Husband In that saidst thou truly 16. It was not delusoâ—y Equivocation that Christ calls well saying but meant only that Truth not commonly known it 's like 19. The Woman saith unto him Sir I perceive that thou art a Prophet 20. Our Fathers vvorshipped in this Mountain and ye say that in Jerusalem is the place vvhere Men ought to vvorship 19 20. I perceive by thy knowing secrets that thou art a Prophet tell me then whether you Jews or we that follow our eldest Fathers be in the right about the Place of Worship N. This is the use of ignorant carnal people to start some Controversie about Circumstantials or Ceremonies
bringeth forth much fruit 21. When Greeks by the same of Christs Miracles desired to see him he tells them that indeed the time of his glory in the world by mens believing on him was at hand But that he must die first and then the Catholick Church should be gathered A grain of Wheat is said to die because the dissolution and change maketh it no longer a grain of Wheat but the seed of many new grains with the Straw 25. He that loveth his life shall lose it and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal 25. And as it is with me it will be with you He that so overloveth his life as that he cannot forsake it for my sake and his Salvation shall lose it by keeping of it And he that casteth it away as men do a hated thing rather than deny me and sin shall live for ever 26. If any man serve me let him follow me and where I am there shall also my servant be if any man serve me him will my Father honor 26. If any man will be a Christian let him not stick to do and suffer as I do but believe that he shall fare no worse than I but if he die he shall be with me where I am For my Father will honour those that serve me N. 1. To be a Christian and to be one that serveth Christ are all one 2. Salvation is promised to all that serve Christ 3. They that serve him shall be with him where he is therefore the spirits of the just made perfect are in Paradise and Heaven for Christ is there This is our great comfort in life and at death And we must then thus think of our godly departed friends they are all with Christ 27. Now is my soul troubled and what shall I say Father save me from this hour but for this cause came I unto this hour 28. Father glorifie thy name Then came there a voice from Heaven saying I have both glorified it and will glorifie it again 27.28 I am a man and my Soul is troubled at the foresight of my death and suffering and nature inclineth me to say Father save me from it But I must not take up with that natural desire for I came on purpose thus to suffer Therefore my choice and prayer is Father glorifie thy Name Then came there a voice c. 29. The people therefore that stood by and heard it said that it thundred others said An angel spake to him 29. They heard the sound but understood not the words 30. Jesus answered and said this voice came not because of me but for your sakes 31. Now is the judgment of this world now shall the prince of this world be cast out 32. And I if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto me 33. This he said signifying what death he should die 30. This voice though spoke to me was for your conviction and not for my sake only For now the time is at hand when the wickedness of this world shall be detected and punished and Satan the Prince of this world cast out of his possession by the gathering of my Chuâ—ch And when I am lifted up from the earth by Crucifixion I shall be lifted up to Heaven in glory and will by my Word and Spirit draw many Nations to me their Saviour By being lift up he meant his Crucifixion as in order to his Resurrection and Ascension 34. The people answered him We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever and how sayest thou the Son of man must be lift up who is this Son of man 34. We have been taught that Christ dieth not but shall have an everlasting Kingdom who then is that Son of man that thou sayest must be lift up 35. Then Jesus said unto them Yet a little while is the light with you walk while ye have the light lest darkness come upon you for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth 36. While ye have light believe in the light that ye may be the children of light These things spake Jesus and departed and did hide himself from them 35 36. Though Christ abide for ever he will not for ever abide visible with you It is but a little while that he who is the light will continue among you Obey the Light while you have it lest darkness surprize you and he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth nor whether he do well or ill Before I be taken from you believe in me that ye may be illuminated adopted and enjoy the light 37. But though he had done so many miracles before them yet they believed not on him 38. That the saying of Esaias the Prophet might be fulfilled which he spake Lord who hath believed our report and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed 37. All his Miracles caused them not to believe And so Isaiahs prophesie was fulfilled in them c. 39. Therefore they could not believe because Esaias said again 40. He hath blinded their eyes and hardned their heart that they shouâ—d not see with their eyes nor understand with their heart and be converted and I should heal them 41. These things said Esaias when he saw his glory and spake of him 39. And no wonder that they believed not for it could not be it being foretold by Isaiah that God would forsake them which Isaiah foreseeing Christs day by inspiration did mean in that prophesie N. To understand this 1. We must distinguish between a caused Necessity and a Necessity of Consequence in order of arguing 2. Between men that have forfeited Gods grace by rejection and those that Grace is newly offer'd to And so 1. God is not the efficient cause of any sin 2. But he deseâ—teth many that abuse his Grace and leaveth them to their blindness and obstinacy 3. And for it he causeth their destruction 4. And he oft foretelleth this 5. And his prediction maketh the thing foretold hypothetically necessary or a certain consequence in order of arguing It being impossible that God should lie And so all that is foreknown by God or man will come to pass when foreknowledg doth not cause it but prove it 6. And deserted Souls have a moral impotency to repent that is an indisposition which nothing in their depraved nature will overcome 42. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him lest they should be put out of the Synagogue 43. For they loved the praise of men more then the praise of God 42. Many of the chief Rulers had a secret belief but not enough to make them openly own and confess him left they should be excommunicate and reproacht For the love of their reputation with men did prevail in them against their love of Gods approbation 44. Jesus cried and said He that believeth on me believeth not on me but on
emboldned to go on in Sin supposing that now God pardoneth all Thus Satan hath turned Christs Sacred Ordinance against himself and the Peace of the Church and the Comfort of some and the Reformation of others and carrieth on these most horrid Depravations with such odious Success that without Wonders of gracious Providence there appeareth no probability of Deliverance from these heavy Effects of Sacrament-distraction CHAP. XII 1. NOw concerning spiritual gifts brethren I would not have you ignorant 2. Ye know that ye were Gentiles carried away unto these dumb idols even as ye were led 1 2. As to your case of discerning Spirits and Spiritual Gifts it is of great importance that you should not be ignorant lest you should take evil Spirits for the Spirit of God or not distinguish the various Gifts of Gods own Spirit in Believers In your Heathen state you were carried away with Idol Oracles and Worship 3. Wherefore I give you to understand that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost 3. First in general you may be sure that none of those Idol Oracles or Blasphemers that speak against Christ and Anathematize him as Infidels do do speak by the Spirit of God For God's Spirit bore uncontrolable witness to Christ by Prophesie Resurrection Miracles and Holiness And on the contrary side he that believeth and confesseth that Jesus is the Lord the true Son of God and our Mediator hath surely learnt this of the holy Ghost his outward testimony in the foresaid evidence and his inward teaching For do but truly believe the truth of Christ himself and the truth of all his Doctrine will undeniably follow 4. Now there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit 5. And there are differences of administrations but the same Lord. 6. And there are diversities of operations but it is the same God which worketh all in all 4 5 6. And as Gifts are ascribed to the Holy Ghost and Administrations to the Son and Operations to the Father Almighty so in all these there is great diversities both of kinds and of degrees 7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withall 7. But all the gifts of the Spirit are given for the Churches edification or to do good with Though some of them are found in unholy Men who perish in their sin 8. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit 8. The same Spirit maketh one eminently wise and prudent in applying sacred Truth to the Case of the Hearers and it giveth another an eminent knowledge of sacred Mysteries 9. To another faith by the same Spirit to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit 9. Another he maketh eminently strong in Faith for extraordinary Effects and another hath the Gift of miraculous Healing of the Sick when the Spirit will have it done 10. To another the working of miracles to another prophesie to another discerning of Spirits to another divers kinds of tongues to another the interpretation of tongues 10. To another other sorts of powerful Miracles to another to speak by immediate Inspiration either Predictions or powerful Explications and Applications of Gods Word to another a quick and sure Discerning whether Men pretending to the Spirit speak from God or not to another the speaking of divers Languages to another the Interpretation of those Languages to them that understand them not 11. But all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit dividing to every man severally as he will 11. And though these are very various and greatly dâ—fference Man from Man yet it is the same Spirit that worketh them all diversifying as he freely and wisely pleaseth 12. For as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body so also is Christ 12. For here One and Many well consist As the Natural Body is but One Body but made of Many Members differing in number excellency and office so is Christ and his Church 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit 13. Fâ—r as Sacramentally all visible Members are baptized into one Universal Church of professed Christian and drink the Cap of holy Union and Communion in the Lords Supper so all true living saved Members are baptized by one Spirit into one Universal Church of true spiritual Christians and drink the true uniting Spirit of Communion 14 15 16 17. For the body is not one member but many If the foot shall say Because I am not the hand I am not of the body is it therefore not of the body And if the ear shall say Because I am not the eye I am not of the body is it therefore not of the body If the whole body were an eye where were the hearing if the whole were hearing where were the smelling 14 15 16 17. The Body is not one Member as to Number Kind or Office but many united And so in Christs Body the Church If a mistaken Christian himself should say Because I am low in place Grace or Gifts I am none of the Church this will not prove or make him none Much less if others by false Censure or Church-tyranny say he is none or excommunicate him for dissenting from their vain Appendages or Opinions If all were of one Office Stature Complexion or degree of Grace or Knowledge who would be Rulers and who Subjects who Teachers and who Learners How many Offices of Piety and Charity would be unperformed God hath not a Church on Earth where all Members are so wise as besides the Essentials of Christianity to know all the Integrals much less to know the numerous little Accidents of Forms and Ceremonies and all that is really or pretendedly Indifferent and Lawful which Domineerers can invent to be so indeed and so to be all united in such things indifferent 18. But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased him 19. And if they were all one member where were the body 20. But now are they many members yet but one body 18 19 20. But as the Wise Creator in Nature so as our Redeemer Governor and Regenerator by Grace God hath chosen great diversity of Members as to Office and Gifts and he himself as it pleased him hath set them in his Church And who are they that presume against him to censure or cast out the meanest of such Were they all numerically or in Office or degree of Knowledge and Grace but one or equal the Church would not be such a thing as God hath made it But now God that freely delighteth in the variety of his Works hath made it one Body of Christ composed of
yet speaking and keeping the necessary truth or essentials of our Religion in Love and Concord in this Faith and Love may in all things grow up to greater measures by degrees even into a fuller Communion with Christ our Head and likeness to him 16. From whom the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in love 16. From whom the whole Church receiveth both that vital Influence and that Conduct and Government to its own intensive and extensive increase in Love which is its spiritual Life which the natural Body doth from the Head and Heart by communication of vital and animal Spirits and Heat And this Life and Increase is received and communicated to each part from Christ by that coagmentation and due connexion of all the Members of the Church together while each keepeth his place and performeth his own Office by the exercise of Faith and Love effectually for the good of all Even as the Body is kept in Life and Health while every inferiour Part and Joynt is receptive and active according to its proper Place and Office Note There is no Text which is so plausibly wrested to maintain Popery that is One Universal Humane Government of the whole Church on Earth Monarchical or Aristocratical by Pope Council or combined Metropolitans as one Soveraignty as this It seeming to forestalled Men to speak of the Church as compacted in one Universal Policy so governed And it is a Text which must be greatly studied against Dividers and yet vindicated from Roman Perverters I. Doubtless the Text speaketh strongly for Universal Concord and not onely for an uniting of Members in several Congregations which shall each be Independent which would be but like so many Limbs cut off from the Body but for an uniting of Congregations yea of all through the World in one compacted Body And therefore all Christians must abhor Dissection and Separation or Schism II. Yet it is evident that Paul speaketh of no one Head but Christ and of no sort of Universal Soveraign on Earth as under him And indeed it is an Office that Humane Nature here is not capable of either in Monarchy or Aristocracy It 's impossible for any Church-Soveraign-Power save Divine or Angelical at least to rule the Church by Legislation Judgment and Execution all over the Earth much of it being out of our reach as the Moon is And the Church is under contrary enemy militant Civil Governours which maketh it the more impossible And the onely Pretenders have been the great Dividers and Destroyers What then is here meant and to be done for Unity Not to feign impossible Terms such as are An Vniversal Soveraignty and Multitudes of Hamane Doubtful Vnnecessary Canons which are the most effectual causes of Discord But 1. to take up with Christs own prescribed terms of Union here laid down v. 3 4 5. If Christ have not made the Laws of Church Union he is not the maker of the Church for Unity is essential to it as to a House or Body 2. To be one in Love and to repress all Tyranny that would destroy Love and Peace 3. As in the several Assemblies they must exercise the same Faith and Hope and love and worship the same God and Saviour by the same Spirit so that these Churches must live in love to each other and avoid all Discord And if any breach be made between them in Faith or Love they must use all reasonable means to heal it which is by Writing or Messengers giving to each other an account of their Faith and Practice and when need is consulting in Synods of one or of divers Nations Not that such Synods are Governours of many Churches by a Major Vote or by Metropolitan Power save as they may exercise the Magistrates Power of the Sword by his Commission which were such fit can be given only in his own Dominions out of which Synods and Metropolitans can have no Political Governing Power But the Major Vote must be regarded for Concord which is the use of Synods yet so that it prevail not against Divine Authority and Law nor against Reason or the Churches good And therefore 1. Synods are but for Counsel and Agreement 2. And General Councils impossible and neeedless it being impossible and needless that all the World have notice of the Cases of every particular Church much less that they meet for the redress 3. And when Corruption and Tyranny as under the Arrians and Papists have got the Major Vote the minor are not bound to agree with them but to dissent As the Earth is Gods Kingdom and all Kings are his Officers in their several Kingdoms but neither any one Man or many Conjunct in one Aristocracie or Council are One Soveraign Governing Power over all the Earth but only should by Consultations seek to keep the Common Love and Peace even so all Churches and Christians on Earth are Christs Kingdom or Church Universal and all True Pastors are his Officers in their several Churches but neither one Man or many Conjunct as one Political Person or Aristocracie are one Summa Potestas over all Christians on Earth but those that are within the reach and notice of each other should when it 's needful by Synods and Consultations keep up Unity of Faith and Love and all needful Concord Had not Princes been made too capable of abuse they would not take well the Doctrine of a late Learned and Triumphant Writer who tells us that tho de facto Princes do not yet they ought to unite their Power in one Council which should be the brightest Governour of them all And so 1. all Kings must be Subjects 2. Aristocracy must rule Monarchy 3. How shall all Kings from the Antipodes or over all the Earth meet 4. Who shall call them 5. Where must they meet 6. Shall they trust their Crowns to Deligate Subjects 7. What if the most be Heathens and Mahometans and most Christians Hereticks in each others account 8. If he condescend to limit this Soveraign Diet who shall limit it and how And then the Universal Soveraign is still wanting They that dare plead for no more than Vniversal Communion should have understood that Communion as such belongs but to a Community and a meer Community is no Body Politick or Governed Society but a Confederacie of Equals as to Rule With respect to God only the World is one Governed Kingdom and with respect to Christ the Church in one Ruled Body Politick But neither of them is One as united in any Vicarious Soveraign but in their several Provinces must keep Communion in Faith Love and Peace 17. This I say therefore and testifie in the Lord that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind 17. Therefore I charge you as from Christ that you that are Christians live not
thus press toward the End of our Faith in Love And then if through imperfection of Knowledge you come short and differ in other things while you wait on God in Humility Love and Peace God will in time make you know what yet is wanting to you 16. Nevertheless whereto we have already attained let us walk by the same rule let us mind the same thing 16. But let all that have attained soundness in these necessary Essentials of Christianity still live according to these Gospel-Truths which we all acknowledge and in Love and Concord practise and promote these things in which we are agreed Note How directly Paul condemneth both Church-Tyrants and Sectaries the former silencing reviling and persecuting and the other reproachfully censuring and separating from those that agree in all here instanced for not consenting to needless Trifles of the Clergies imposition or to the Errours of superstitious ignorant Men. 17. Brethren be followers together of me and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample 17. God that hath sent me to teach you hath herein also made me an Ensample to you I beseech you therefore herein follow me in humble striving towards Perfection uniting in sincere Christianity and bearing in other things with each other till God teach you the rest 18. For many walk of whom I have told you often and now tell you even weeping that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ 19. Whose end is destruction whose God is their belly and whose glory is in their shame who mind earthly things 18 19. For many of whom I have oft told you and now mention them with Tears for their own fakes and the Churches do so live as that while they are called Christians they are such Enemies to the bearing of the Cross in following a Crucified Christ that they will suffer nothing for their Faith For taking up Christianity notionally in their Brains without the Life and Power on their Hearts the World was never overcome or their Lust mortified by it so that their Belly or fleshly Lust is the God which they most love and obey and while they glory that they know more of Christian Liberty than we do and so may lawfully please fleshly Lusts it is their Shame and Bruâ—tishness which they glory in and therefore Destruction will be their end 20. For our conversation is in heaven from whence also we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ 21. Who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself 20 21. But our City freedom Relation Treasure Converse and Business is in Heaven among the Heavenly Society in the Jerusalem above From thence by Faith and joyful Hope we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus who is our Head and Intercessour there and who will not onely receive our Souls at death but will also change these vile Bodies which being made of the low dissoluble Elements are a clog to our Souls and must corrupt like the Flesh of Bruits and will make them like his own now-glorious Body spiritual incorruptible and glorious and this he can and will do how unlikely soever it appears to us by the exercise of his Omnipotency by which he can conquer all Difficulties and Enemies for the accomplishing of the Work of the Salvation of his Church Note 1. That the great difference between miserable Hypocrites and sound Christians is that the former set most by Flesh and Earth and the latter by the Hopes of Heaven to which they subject all worldly Interest and on which and for which they live and labour most as Worldlings do for a Worldly Welfare 2. That a false sensual worldly unmortified Heart betrayeth Hypocrites into worldly sensual Opinions and Heresies and they easily believe all to be lawful which maketh for their fleshly worldly Interests and Lusts because their false Hearts would have it to be lawful CHAP. IV. 1. THerefore my brethren dearly beloved and longed for my joy and crown so stand fast in the Lord my dearly beloved 1. Note That the most amiable Christians have need of Warning and earnest Exhortation against Backsliding by Temptation and Deceivers 2. I beseech Euodias and beseech Syntiche that they be of the same mind in the Lord. 2. Note It 's like he heard of Contention between these two which he beseecheth them to cease 3. And I intreat thee also true yokefellow help those women which laboured with me in the gospel with Clement also and with other my fellow labourers whose names are in the book of life 3. And I intreat thee my true Fellow-labourer it 's like he meaneth Epaphroditus but uncertain take care of those Women that furthered our Work by entertaining us and suffering for the Faith with Clement and other Helpers who are of the number of those that God will own 4. Rejoyce in the Lord alway and again I say Rejoyce 4. Rejoice in the Interest you have in the Lord his Grace and Protection and Promise of Glory Yea I again urge it on you Always rejoice Note 1. That Christians even in a state of opposition from the World have always greater cause of rejoicing in God than of sorrow for the World Though if they wilfully sin it may interrupt their Joy by making them unfit for it as Wounds and Sickness do the Body 2. That holy Joy in the Lord is that Flower of Religion which all Christians should desire and chiefly labour to attain 5. Let your moderation be known unto all men The Lord is at hand 5. Let all Men see that you put the best sense on all that befals you from God and Man and that you take nothing by impatience or uncharitableness at the worst but can suffer Injuries For God is with you and the day of his delivering you is near 6. Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God 6. Let no Want or Danger disturb your Mind with anxious distrustful Cares but in every Case go and open it to God in Prayer for your selves and others with Thanksgiving for what you have received as beseemeth those who truly trust in God 7. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus 7. And by this Lenity of Mind and Trust in God by Prayer the Peace which you shall have in Gods Love to you in your own Souls and in Concord with the Church which is of inestimable value above much notional Knowledge shall as a Garrison keep your Affections from disturbance and your Judgments from Errour through the Grace of Christ 8. Finally brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any virtue and if there
of the Lord unto all pleasing being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God 10. That you may live suitably to your professed Faith sincerely obeying and pleasing God in all things which is your Worthiness in a Gospel-sense bringing forth the Fruits of all sorts of Good Works and increasing in the Knowledge or acknowledging of God 11. Strengthened with all might according to his glorious power unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness 11. Note 1. The glorious Power of God appeareth in his Servants Strength 2. The Strength of Christians appeareth most in suffering long and patiently for Christ with joy and not in overcoming Men by Strength 12. Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light 12. Note 1. The Inheritance of the Saints is in the State and World of Light that is of Vision and Glory 2. Gods way of bringing Men to this Glory is by fitting them for it now by Holiness 3. This is the Gift which obligeth us to the greatest Thankfulness to God 13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son 13. Note The World is divided into two Societies One under the Power of Darkness that is Satan the Prince of Darkness who leads Men by the way of Ignorance Errour Unbelief and Lies to the utter Darkness of Misery The other is the Kingdom of Christ led by him who is the Light of the World by Truth Knowledge and Faith to the Heavenly Light 2. When Men are truly converted to Christ they are initially delivered from the Power State and Way of Darkness into the Kingdom of Christ and Light 14. In whom we have redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of sins 14. Note Christs Blood is the Price of our Redemption and Remission of Sin is much of the Collation and Application Redemption signifieth Deliverance from Bondage 15. Who is the image of the invisible God the first-born of every creature 15. In whose Humane Nature Doctrine and Works the Invisible God whose Image he is is manifested to Man and who in his Divine Nature was begotten of the Father before any Creature was made even from Eternity and in his Person as God-Man is most Excellent and is Lord of all This First-born numbreth him not with Creatures but sets him above them 16. For by him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth visible and invisible whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers all things were created by him and for him 17. And he is before all things and by him all things consist 16 17. By him as God were all things created and for him and he is from Eternity before them all and by him they are upheld in being Note 1. Some by things in Heaven and Earth and Thrones Dominions c. understand onely Jews and Gentiles and the Powers of Men But this forced Exposition is groundless it being certain that all Heavenly Powers and Orders were created by the Eternal Word and Paul being here extolling his Magnificence why should we feign him to leave out the highest Part which he so plainly expresseth That Celestial Spirits have potent Superiority both over us and one another is no doubt II. The ancient Churches and Hereticks had so great Contentions about the right Notions of the Nature and Person of Christ and with such dismal Effects as maketh many Lovers of Peace to wish that such Points had been handled more cautelously reverently and peaceably Four notable Opinions there be about the Natures and Person of Christ 1. The Orthodox hold That he hath onely two Natures in one Person the Divine and Humane And of these the subtle Philosophers say that the Humane Nature is no part of his Person but an Adjunct because God cannot be a Part. But others avoid this as dangerous 2. The Arians think Christ is but a Creature but is a Superangelical Spirit the first created by whom God made all the rest and that he assumed the Humane Nature and may be well called God but not as the Father is nor of the same Substance And so that he hath two Natures Superangelical and Humane Of these 1. Some think that the Superangelical as a Soul assumed onely a Humane Body And 2. Some that he assumed a Soul and Body 3. A third sort say Christ hath three Natures 1. The Divine producing by Emanation the first created Superangelical Nature united to it self and by it creating all other things and both these Natures in the fulness of time assuming the Humane Nature entire say some and a Body Onely say others 4. The last and worst is that of the Socinians that count Christ a meer Glorified Man This Text seemeth to speak but the first though the Favourers of the third think it is for them and that other Texts are so also They think it was not onely the Divine Nature but the Superangelical which appeared to Abraham Moses c. in a visible Body before the Incarnation And by asserting these three Natures in Christ they would reconcile the Orthodox and the Arians The Controversies also whether Christ be two Persons or but one and have two Wills and Operations or but one and whether it may be said That Mary was the Mother of God and that one of the Trinity was crucified c. did grievously rend the Church of which I have spoken elsewhere and plainly shewed in what sense Christ is two yea many Persons relatively and in what sense but one and in what sense his Wills are two and in what sense but one 18. And he is the head of the body the church who is the beginning the first-born from the dead that in all things he might have the preeminence 18. And he is now the Head both by Government and quickning Influence of the Church which is his Body Politick and united to him incomprehensibly the Spring of Life to us and the first that rose from Death to glorious Immortality triumphantly by his own Power by whom it is that we live and shall be raised For in all things he is Highest above all Creatures 19. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell 19. For it seemed good to the Father that Jesus Christ should be filled with all Created Perfection as well as he hath Divine Perfection and be the Spring and Treasure of all Good as the Head over all things to his Church and the Universal Administrator 20. And having made peace through the blood of his cross by him to reconcile all things unto himself by him I say whether they be things in earth or things in heaven 20. And having accepted his Sacrifice on the Cross for a general Attonement and Propitiation by him to reconcile the guilty sinful and cursed World to him so far as that their Guilt and Enmity should not hinder
the Tenders of Free Mercy and Salvation to Jews and Gentiles nor keep his Elect and Faithful Flock from that Heavenly Glory where Angels and Saints shall be One Blessed Society united in Love to God and each other 21. And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled 21. And you who were not onely as all others originally guilty as the Seed of Adam but also of the Race and Society of Gentiles by your wicked Works estranged from God and out of the way of his saving Grace and Enemies to it and him yet now hath he reconciled by Christ and taken you for his Children 22. In the body of his flesh through death to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight 22. By giving up his Body of Flesh to death as a Propitiatory Sacrifice and by justifying and sanctifying you to present you holy and blameless and justified at last before him 23. If ye continue in the faith grounded and setled and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye have heard and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven whereof I Paul am made a minister 23. I say you shall be thus perfected at last if you prove sound confirmed Christians continuing in the Faith grounded and setled and by no Temptation be ever turned from the Hope which Christ hath given you in his Gospel which by Christs Commission we preach to all Men in this lower World which is already happily begun the Church being no more confined to Jews but gathered out of all the Earth to which Work Christ hath Commissioned me who am labouring therein Note That how true soever it be that sound Believers shall be finally justified in Judgment and glorified the Promise giveth them Right to it but on Condition of Perseverance and God useth Conditional Promises to engage us rationally to our Duty and as a Means to accomplish his Absolute Decrees 24. Who now rejoyce in my sufferings for you and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his bodies sake which is the church 24. And I rejoyce that God honoureth me to suffer for his Church in so excellent a Work For it is by the Cross or Suffering that God will bring the Church to Glory And as Christ hath perfectly done his own part as the onely Propitiating Sacrifice so I with the rest of his Members must undergo and make up the rest even for the same Churches sake for which he died though not as a Mediator to reconcile God and Man as he was 25. Whereof I am made a minister according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you to fulfil the word of God 25. Of which Church I am made a Servant by Gods appointment and commission given me for you as well as for others that I may fully divulge the Word of God 26. Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations but now is made manifest to his saints 26. The great Mystery of Redemption God manifested in the Flesh as the Head and Saviour of the Church which though not wholly yet comparatively hath been hid from Jews under dark Types as well as more from Gentiles by greater Darkness in all fore-going Ages But now is plainlier made known to Gods Saints 27. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ in you the hope of glory 27. To whom God of his good Pleasure would specially make known the Riches and Glory of this Mystery of Calling the whole World of Gentiles The Sum of it is Christ among you and in you purchasing giving and assuring to you the Heavenly Glory for which he hath commanded you joyfully to hope Christ the Way Glory the End 28. Whom we preach warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus 28. To preach this Christ is the Work of our Office warning and teaching every Man as we have opportunity neglecting none of any Rank in all the saving Wisdom of the Gospel that we may present as many as possible perfect to Salvation 29. Whereunto I also labour striving according to his working which worketh in me mightily 29. In this Labour I am employed in which with diligence I strive according to the Grace of him that called me which wrought in me or worketh by me in Power confirming my Ministry by Miracles and Success as well as qualifying me for it CHAP. II. 1. FOr I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you and for them at Laodicea and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh 1. Conflict by Prayer and Care and Study to do them good Note Good Men long for the Good of them whom they never saw 2. That their hearts might be comforted being knit together in love and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ 2. That they may grow up to a State of Joy by holy Union and Communion in Love and to be yet richer and happier in the full and assured understanding and acknowledgment of the Mystery of God's Love and of Christs Grace in the Promises Prefigurations and Performance of our Redemption 3. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge 3. Though it be not discerned by carnal Men who search more after other Knowledge in the World the depth excellency and benefit of all true Wisdom and Knowledge are comprised in the Knowledge of God manifested in Christ This is the true Philosophy in comparison of which all other is Vanity and Folly 4. And this I say lest any man should beguile you with enticing words 4. I tell you this lest any delude you by the specious ostentation of any other sort of Knowledge called Philosophy or Oracular or Enthusiastical or Pharisaical Tradition as if it were somewhat more excellent than the Knowledge of Christ 5. For though I be absent in the flesh yet am I with you in the Spirit joying and beholding your order and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ 5. For though I see you not I am in the Spirit as if I was present with you affected with Joy to hear of your Order and stedfastness of Faith but yet I know where your danger lieth 6. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk ye in him 6. Let it then be your care to hold fast and practise the Gospel of Christ as you have already received him and his Word and turn not to any other way 7. Rooted and built up in him and stablished in the faith as ye have been taught abounding therein with thanksgiving 7. As growing downwards in the Roots is necessary to Trees for stedfastness and
angels was stedfast and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward 2. For if the Law which God delivered to Moses by the ministry of the voice and appearance of Angels was yet firm and sure and every sin against it and threatned by it was punished 3. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him 4. God also bearing them witness both with signs and wonders and with divers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost according to his own will 3 4. Much less shall we escape if we neglect this far greater Salvation and more excellent manifestation of the Will of God even that Gospel which Christ first preacht himself and those that heard him confirmed by their testimony and preaching God also confirming to us their testimony from Heaven by many such signs and wonderful works and with many sorts of miracles or acts of Power and distributions of the Holy Ghost to others when they believed as were a certain proof of God's attestation and the approbation of his own Will Note That here we have the true evidence of the truth of the Gospel on which Believers may build their faith 5. For unto angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come whereof we speak 5. God hath not made Angels the Soveraigns of the World to come and put the Kingdom of Glory so under them that all must be their Subjects 6. But one in a certain place testified saying What is man that thou art mindful of him or the son of man that thou visitest him 7. Thou madest him a little lower than the angels thou crownedst him with glory and honour and didst set him over the works of thy hands 8. Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet 6 7 8. But the Psalm is ultimately to be understood of Christ and his Church which saith What is man c. Though Christ was a while on Earth in a state of Humiliation below Angels us to the Flesh yet it was in order to the Glory and victorious Power of his Kingdom 8. For in that he put all in subjection under him he left nothing that is not put under him But now we see not yet all things put under him 8. By this it is sure that all things are to be subdued to Christ though yet we see it not done 9. But we see Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man 9. But we see that Jesus who was made lower than Angels for and in his state of Humiliation and Crucifixion is already ascended up into Heaven where he is crowned with Glory And as his death was suffered in the common nature of Man and the sins of all men had a causal hand in it and it was by God's Grace the purchasing Cause of the conditional Covenant of Grace and of all the good that men receive so he dyed to bring Man to Glory with himself And therefore that Text may well be understood of the advancement of Man both in Christ and his Church that shall be advanced by him 10. For it became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many sons unto glory to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings 10. For it seemed meet to the God of Wisdom for whom and by whom all things are to make Christ the Captain of their Salvation a perfect performer of his Saving-Office and to obtain his own Glory in heavenly Perfection by the way of suffering and to bring all God's adopted Sons to Glory by the Merit of it and by following him in the same suffering way 11. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren 12. Saying I will declare thy name unto my brethren in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee 13. And again I will put my trust in him and again Behold I and the children which God hath given me 11 12 13. And that it is in and by Christ that Humane Nature is advanced as the Psal 8. saith is proved by the Union that is between Christ and us He that sanctifieth us and we that are sanctified are of the same Humane Nature and are as one Body And therefore as we must suffer with him we shall reign with him Therefore in the Texts that under other typical persons speak of Christ he calls us his Brethren and Children given him to whose trust we are committed 14 15. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the devil And deliver them who through fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage 14 15. And that he might bring us to Glory with him as we have flesh and blood he would first be so far made one with us as to take also flesh and blood that he might be capable of suffering and dying for us and so by undergoing death which we by sin had brought our selves under and by rising from the Dead he might conquer Satan and Death and destroy his Kingdom and Power of Death which he had obtained by conquering Man by his Temptations and by God's letting him be the Executioner where he had been the conquering Tempter and so that Christ might deliver the Faithful by his Conquest of Satan and Death from continuance under Death and from the danger of Hell and from the slavish fear of both Death temporal and everlasting who else by their guilt and liableness to both these must be all their life time in bondage both by their danger and their fears 16. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham 16. For it is not Angels that he took hold of or whose Natures he assumed and came to save but he took on him the Nature of Man the Seed of Abraham to save Man 17. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people 17. So that he must be in all things like Man whom he would save that he might be fit for his undertaken Office to be an High Priest for us to Godward and to be merciful and faithful therein to make Reconciliation for our sins 18. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted 18. For he himself having been tempted and tryed by Sufferings and having overcome them all he is now
promise being left us of entring into his rest any of you should seem to come short of it 1. Seeing then that this Promise of Rest is conditional if we persevere and among so many Tryals we are in so much danger of our own heart let careful fear prevent your falling and missing the benefit of that Promise Note Qu. Why should we fear that which God s Decree and Grace have made impossible Ans 1. God hath not made it impossible in it self but only hypothetically or by consequence from his Decree and Foreknowledge to any man 2. His Decree Foreknowledge conjoyn the End and Means as if he said This man shall be saved by persevering Faith and shall persevere by fearing to fall away and avoiding the occasions 3. Weak Christians have not the assurance of God's Election and therefore can gather no such consequence 4. So few if any known did for many hundred years hold that no initial right to Salvation is lost or that all true Christians besides strong confirmed ones did persevere that it is not safe for doubting persons to lay their Salvation on such a controversie specially when it tendeth to abate necessary fear The Fathers of the first four hundred years thought that some beginnings of Justifying Faith were loseable as Adam't Innocency was And Calvin saith Semen qualecunque fidei perditur 2. For unto us was the gospel preached as well as unto them but the word preached did not profit them not being mixed with faith in them that heard it 2. They heard God's Word and so do we But it did not profit and save them because they received it not by a sound confirmed practical Belief 3. For we which have believed do enter into rest as he said As I have sworn in my wrath if they shall enter into my rest although the works were finished from the foundation of the world 3. There is a Rest promised to us Believers as well as the Typical Rest was to the Israelites and the seventh day separated for a Sabbath from the Creation which signified our better Rest 4 5. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise And God did rest the seventh day from all his works And in this place again If they shall enter into my rest 4 5. The Text tells us that besides the Sabbath Rest there was another promised 6. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein and they to whom it was first preached entred not in because of unbelief 7. Again he limiteth a certain day saying in David To day after so long a time as it is said To day if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts 8. For if Jesus had given them rest then would he not afterward have spoken of another day 6 7 8. It is plain then that some must enter into Rest and Unbelief kept out them to whom it was then Preached and David long after their entring into Canaan seâ—s them a day for their further entrance which he would not have done if Joshua's bringing them into Canaan had been the full obtainment of the promised Rest it followeth that more than that was promised 9. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God 9. The great Sabbatism or Rest then promised to the People of God is yet to come Note This Sabbatism or Rest no doubt is All the state of the Churches deliverance and felicity by Christ Incarnate and Glorified which in the first-fruits is all the Grace which he giveth us on Earth but in the proper full performance it is the state of Glory I have before said why I assent not to Dr. Hammond whom maketh it to be the deliverance of Christians from Persecution and enjoying peaceable Assemblies by the destruction of Jerusalem as if this were the main sense of the Text. 1. How little a thing was that in comparison of Saving Grace and Glory 2. Most of the Christians to whom Paul wrote were to die before that and so not to see and enjoy it 3. The Apostles themselves were not to see it and enjoy it 4. Christianity continued after that a persecuted hated thing under the Heathen till above three hundred years till Constantine's time though with intermissions between the Ten Persecutions Multitudes more were martyred by the Heathens than by the Jews who were in servitude themselves 5. And if any apply it to the time after Costantine the mercy indeed was unspeakable but those that were here written to were not to see it And the Voice that is reported to say Hodiè venenum funditur in Ecclesiam hath by experience been so far credited that we must not prefer the Prelatical Grandure and Power which shortly was set up before the better Rest of Saints while we think how much Peaceable Assemblies which the Doctor calls that Rest through a great part of the Christian World have been hindered and persecuted by Violence Inquisitions Prisons and the Blood of many hundred thousand more than the Jews killed by the Canons and Executions of Papal Greatness and for its Interest And it is incredible that to the suffering Believers of that Age the Holy Ghost comforting them with this great Promise or a Sabbatism or Rest should not principally mean the great and glorious final Rest 10. For he that is entred into his rest he also hath ceased from his own works as God did from his 10. For as God is said to rest and sanctifie the Sabbath when he ended his six days work so our Sabbatism or Rest must be a ceasing from our own works that is 1. From Sin 2. From those Wilderness Labours or troublesom means as sorrow fear conflict c. which are short of the End And 3. From Suffering Note This Verse shews that it is the Heavenly Rest with the beginning of it by Holiness which is here meant for Church-grandure and full prosperity have been the cherishers of our own works and not the ceasing of them 11. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief 11. Let it then be the care and diligence of heart and life to attain that Rest and not to lose it by Apostacy but to take warning by those Unbelievers Note is it liker to be the destruction of the Jews and freedom from this Persecution that should be meant by an Apostle that gloried in suffering rather than that Glory which is indeed the end of Christian care and labour 12. For the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged Sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joynts and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart 12. For though some may be deceived by a self-flattering heart and seducing reasonings and some think to conceal their sin God's Word is quick and powerful and sharper than a two-edged Sword being fitted by the all seeing God to search
ye have For he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee 5. Let your hearts be kept free from the love of Money and the sinful desires cares and fears and troubles which thence arise and be content with God's Allowance be it less or more for his Promise to Joshua is applicable to all the Faithful I will never fail thee nor forsake thee 6. So that we may boldly say The Lord is my helper and I will not fear what man shall do unto me 6. And as to our Dangers or Sufferings from men on the same account we may say as David did having the same Relation to God and the same Promises The Lord is my helper I will not fear man c. further my sin giveth me cause to fear that God may use them as the chastising Instruments of his Displeasure 7. Remember them which have the rule over you who have spoken unto you the word of God whose faith follow considering the end of their conversation 8. Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever 7 8. Remember your Bishops or Guides both the Dead and Living who have spoken to you the Word of God Remember what Doctrine they taught you and how faithfully they preached and owned it in suffering and consider what was the main end of all their Doctrine and Life even Jesus Christ who is and will be still the same and no new Gospel or Doctrine which Corrupters do cry up 9. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace not with meats which have not profited them that have been occupied therein 9. Be not carried about as Children in a strong Wind Ephes 4.14 with various Doctrines or such as are new and strange to the Church of God for Christ and his Gospel being but one and the same still your duty and interest lyeth in establishing your hearts in the Doctrine and Covenant of Grace through Christ which is your Strength and the Bread of Life and not to Judaize and turn back to the shadowy abolished Ceremonies in Sacrifices and difference of Meats which did not truly purifie save and profit those that used them 10. We have an altar whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle 10. We are not without a more holy and profitable Sacrifice and sacred Food than theirs even Christ who is The Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the World whose saving Sacrifice we feed on by Faith and commemorate in our Communion whose broken Body and his shed Blood they did not partake of who offered Beasts in Sacrifice in the Service of the Tabernacle as we now do but were employed about the shadows of it And those that stick still in these abrogated Rites have no Right to our Altar 11. For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin are burnt without the camp 12. Wherefore Jesus also that he might sanctifie the people with his own blood suffered without the Gate 11 12. For as the Beasts slain for Atonement whose Blood was brought into the Sanctuary was not to be eaten by the Priest but burnt without the Bounds of the Camp of Israel So Christ when he was to be offered to sanctifie the People with his Blood went without the Gates of Jerusalem to suffer signifying that as they rejected him as unworthy to live with them so he departed from them and their Political and Legal State 13. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp bearing his reproach 14. For here have we no continuing city but we seek one to come 13 14. So let us go out to him from the Jewish State and Ceremonial Law and also from the Heathen World and submit to the Reproach of the Cross which must be expected We must forsake both the Jewish Policy and the World or else we cannot follow Christ for the Christian Church is not fixed as the Jewish was to Jerusalem to one City nor have we any fixed state on Earth in which we may glory as our Home or abiding place but by faith in God's Promises through Christ we hope and seek for one to come even the new and heavenly Jerusalem 15. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his Name 15. Therefore instead of Jewish Sacrifices let us by Christ our great interceding High Priest offer daily to God the Sacrifice of Praise from a believing thankful heart and give thanks to him for Christ and all his Gifts and this hearty sincere Fruit of our Lips will be more acceptable than the Fruits of the Earth or any bloody Sacrifice of Beasts 16. But to do good and to communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased 16. But there is another sort of Sacrifice very pleasing to God also which you must not forget even Beneficence and Bounty doing all the good you can and communicating to the relief of those that need Note The name of Sacrifice and Altar as well as Priests used as here by allusion or similitude to those of old may lawfully be used as here they are and were by the primitive Christians even as the Lord's Day was called the Christian Sabbath It is no dishonour to Christ to say that we may offer Sacrifices acceptable unto God so it be but in subordination to his Sacrifice as our Gospel-worthiness is but subordinate to his Meritorious Righteousness 17. Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you 17. God that hath made the Bishops or Pastors to be your guiding Rulers in Church-Affairs obligeth you to obey them and to submit your selves to their Government and not to live as unruly or in confusion for the charge of watching for your Souls is committed to them so far as belongeth to their Office by teaching publickly and privately and personally watching over the State and Conversation of every single Person to their power and instructing exhorting reproving comforting entrusted with the Administration of the Seals of God's Covenant and with your publick Church-Communion by judging of men's capacity and receiving or excluding binding or loosing by the power of the Keys And of all this they must give account to God which as it will be terrible to them if they be unfaithful so it will be to you if their faithfulness be without success which else will be to the joy of them and you And they have not any constraining power of the Sword and can govern and profit you only as voluntary by your own consent and therefore as you love your comfort and regard them and their Labours and Comfort obey them by obeying God's Word which they
way to death and misery 2. Converting the erroneous sinner is the way to save him 3. One man may be said to save another much more a man himself by converting him without derogating from Christs Salvation but in subordination to it 4. Therefore all Christians but specially Ministers should be diligent and skilful to convert erroneous sinners and the erroneous patient and thankful for their help Note If it be the Gnosticks as Dr. H. saith that James here and Paul in his Epistles so greatly warn the Christians against alas too great a part of the Church Governours Bishops and their Clergys abroad on Earth seem turned very like these by him described Gnosticks 1. In being for Worldly interest Wealth and Pleasure 2. In being for Ceremonies 3. In joining with the Vngodly Enemies of Piety 4. In being Latitudinarians or Licentious against strictness and tenderness of Conscience and Adiaphorists in things not Adiaphorous 5. In being Persecutors And if base underling Gnosticks or Nicolaitans could so trouble the Churches then what a case must those Countrys be in where they are got into the Episcopal Chair and claim the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven to execute their Pride and Lusts over Princes and People of all sorts sure Borborites or Gnosticks are not the less such nor the less dangerous for being called Bishops and having Power Wealth and Interest The First Epistle General of the Apostle PETER CHAP. I. 1. PEter an apostle of Jesus Christ to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bithynia 2. Elect according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ grace unto you and peace be multiplied 1. Peter an Apostle not called the Universal Bishop or Head or Governour of the Church to the dispersed Jews through Pontus c. chosen by grace out of that unbelieving forlorn Nation according to Gods fore-knowledge and unsearchable Counsel to Sanctification by the Holy Ghost and to Obedience and to a State of Reconciliation and Justification by the Merit of the Blood of Christ applied Grace and Peace multiplied to you is my Prayer and Benediction 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 3. Bâ—essed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who out of his abundant mercy for the manifestation and Glory of it hath regenerated us to a living hope even a hope of Glorious Life procured notified and secured to us by the Resurrection of Christ from the dead 4. To an inheritance inccorruptible and undefiled that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time 4 5. Not to such a corruptible defiled fading Inheritance as Earth is to its lovers but to an Inheritance incorruptible undefiled and holy never fading reserved by the Divine Love and Decree and by the Possession Intercession and Promise of Christ for you who are true Believers and are kept by the power oâ— God through that Faith which he hath given you and you keep and exercise to Salvation which ere long will be gloriously revealed to your sight and possession the last time being not far off Note It is revealed already in the Gospel and wil be fully revealed to separated Souls But the full glorious revelation is when the whole Church is consummated 6. Wherein ye greatly rejoyce though now for a season if need be ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations 6. In the belief and hope of this glorious Inheritance you now live in great joy though for a little time when God seeth it needful for your good he let out upon you those trying sufferings which are heavy and grievous to the flesh 7. That the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth though it be tried with fire might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ 7. For as your Faith is a preciouser thing than gold and refined gold is the most precious gold so tryed Faith is the most precious Faith and the tryal of it a greater work than the trying and refining of gold by fire that so it may be found at the coming of Christ a qualification meet for your own praise honour and glory and in you also unto Christ's 8. Whom having not seen ye love in whom though now ye see him not yet believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory 8. Whom though you never saw in the flesh as we did that followed him yet you truly love and honour And though now you see him not in his glory nor his coming yet your effectual Faith doth so far serve instead of seeing him that you rejoyce by it with unspeakable triumphant joy in hope of that which you shall see 9. Receiving the end of your faith even the salvation of your souls 9. And shall shortly receive that great Salvation for which you have believed 10. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you 11. Searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signifie when it testified before-hand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow 10 11. Of this great Salvation and Kingdom of Christ Incarnate which is dated from his Resurrection and perfected at his next coming many Prophets foretold in their manner and degree and they enquired and diligently searched more explicitely to have known it and the time when it should be when the Spirit in them foretold that the Messiah must suffer and in general that glorious things should follow 12. Unto whom it was revealed that not unto themselves but unto us they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the holy Ghost sent down from heaven which things the angels desire to look into 12. And it was revealed to them that it was not to come to pass in their days and that it was not they but we that should see the Messiah and his special Kingdom and the things which since his Resurrection are now preached to you by us his Ministers with the Seal of the Holy Spirit sent down in a special abundance from Heaven to be the Witness of Christ and the Sanctifier of Souls a mystery so great and of so excellent importance that the Angels think it worthy their search 13. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ 13. Wherefore as runners gird their cloaths to them that they trouble them not do you fortifie your minds
not that the outward act of washing the Body serveth to this Salvation nor must you think that God layeth it on any outward Ceremony save as it is the exercise of our Obedience and Faith But it is the faithful answer to God of a resolved Soul in the Covenant of Baptism who when asked doth profess and promise to believe in and give up it self to God the Father Son and Holy Ghost and to Renounce the World the Flesh and the Devil Baptism is but the celebration of this saving Covenant and it is covenanting sincerely that is the Condition of Salvation and Washing is but the sign 22. Who is gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him 22. And well may I say that Christ's Resurrection saveth sincere baptized Covenanters as God by the Ark did Noah c. when Christ thus risen is gone into Heaven advanced to the highest Authority and Honour all Angels and all Authorities and Powers in Heaven or Earth being made subject as his Enemies to their woe and his Servants to their joy shall shortly find so that he is fully able to give and do for us whatever he hath promised and we need CHAP. IV. 1. FOrasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh arm your selves likewise with the same mind for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin 2. That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men but to the will of God 1 2. Let then the sufferings of Christ have their due effect on you in conforming you to his death that you may as crucified or dead men give over sinning being as dead to fleshly lusts that ye no longer live the rest of your time in the flesh according to the lusts of your selves or any tempting men but wholly live to the will of God as your Rule and End 3. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles when we walked in lasciviousness lusts excess of wine revellings banquettings and abominable idolatries 3. Alas we did too long live according to Heathen Sensuality and that time cannot be called back even in lasciviousness and lusts either fornication or immodesties that tend thereto and in excess of wine or strong drinks in revellings and banquettings or unnecessary feastings to gratifie fleshly appetite and lusts and in the bacchanals and jovialties of their Idolatry 4. Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them to the same excess of riot speaking evil of you 4. And though it is monstrous against humanity that reasonable men should thus live like brutes yet they stand and wonder at you as if you were the monsters or strange people because you will not be as bad and mad as they and run with them brutishly against God and Faith and Reason into this sensual excess of sports lust and riot 5. Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead 5. But the time is near when for all this they must come to Judgment and a sad account they must shortly give to the Righteous Judge of all the World 6. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead that they might be judged according to men in the flesh but live according to God in the spirit 6. But wonder not at their obloquy nor imitate them but look to the Example of the Martyrs and those that are dead in Christ who received and obeyed the Gospel preacht to them that while they were judged and persecuâ—ed in the flesh according to the rage of men they might live in the Spirit unto God and obtain his glory through all such suffering 7. But the end of all things is at hand be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer 7. But the time of their foolish rage and of your patient suffering will be but short The end of all earthly things is near therefore let soberness be to you instead of lusts and revelling and fleshly pleasure and by watching and prayer seek and wait for grace and glory 8. And above all things have fervent charity among your selves for charity shall cover the multitude of sins 8. And above all things be sure that you have and carefully preserve and exercise not only peace and mutual forbearance but a special love yea fervent love to one another even to all Christians and specially in your Societies and Relations For as love covereth and not aggravateth faults towards one another so God who hath said Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy and if ye forgive you shall be forgiven will cover and forgive the many sins of sincere loving Christians Note 1. The two Extreams that in all Ages have torn the Church should have regarded these words of Peter 1. The Papal Church-tearers that persecute all that consent not to their Canons Forms and Shadows should have remembred above all things even above your pretended plea for Obedience to you and Decency and Order have fervent Love 2. And the passive Separatists that can find faults enough in the Orders and Forms and Ceremonies of Churches to separate from the Communion of almost all on Earth should have deeplier received such Texts as this above all your superstitious pretences to more purity of Churches and better Discipline have fervent Charity 3. It is but partiality and jealousie of the Cause of Justification against the Papists which maketh some excellent Expositors distort this Text so as to exclude from its sense God's covering of our sins because they consider not aright 1. That Pardon as continued and as renewed for daily renewed sins hath more for the condition of it required in us than the first Pardon and begun Justification hath The first act of sound Faith serveth for the beginning but the continuance of it with its necessary fruits is necessary to the continuance and renewing of Pardon 2. That the Faith which is required to Justification and Pardon is giving up our selves to God the Father Son and Holy Ghost in the Baptismal Covenant That is our Christianity which is not put in opposition to that Love or Repentance which is still implied as part of the same Covenant Consent or its necessary fruit but to the Works of the Law of Moses or of Works or any that are set in competition with Christ and Free Grace If prejudice hindred not men the reading of the Angel's words to Cornelius and of Christ's forgive and ye shall be forgiven and the Parable of the pardoned Debtor cast into Prison for not pardoning his Fellow-servant with Jam. 2. and Matth. 25. would end all this controversie 9. Use hospitality one to another without grudging 10. As every man hath received the gift even so minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God 9 10. As God hath
Mat. 24. and received his Notice from none but Christ and that Christ's own words are the surest Notification who is the Antichrist For it is mentioned here not as a thing known only by special Inspiration to them or the Apostles but as a received former Prophecy As you have heard that Antichrist shall come And which way did they hear it but by the Apostles as from Christ whose words the Evangelists have not omitted Now Christ's words were Many shall come in my Name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many Here he doth not fix the name on any one more than on others And it is certain that Christ was not mistaken but what he fore-told did come to pass though we read not of any that was expresly called Christ and commonly so believed that was not because none attempted so to deceive men but because their success was small and soon stifled and not like Mahomet's Biza on the Text Mat. 24. saith In my Name is They shall usurp the Name of the Messiah or Christ Such was that Dositheus whom Theophilact speaketh of and Simon and Theudas and after these Manes who also chose his twelve Apostles And in our Memory the Munster Anabaptists attempted the same and after them David George the Prince of the Libertines So James Nailor lately the Quaker whose Tongue the Parliament bored through whip'd him and imprison'd him till he dyed for solemnly personating Christ riding into Bâ—istol But there were others that promised to deliver the Jews till they drew them into Rebellion to their destruction and so took on them to redeem Israel though they called not themselves the Christ Almost all Expositors agree that these were the Antichrists meant by Christ Mat. 24. But though these were then shortly to arise it followeth not but that more such might arise after them and such was Mahomet above all others notorious by his Alcoron Kingdom and Success And as Ebion Cerintâ—us and some other Hereticks were against Christ in some degree so more notably is the Pope in that degree as he arrogateth Christ's Prerogative and maketh himself a Vicarious Head of the whole Church on Earth So that these grant that such Popes are one sort of those Antichrists that should after arise but that the Pope is not he that is meant by Christ in Matth. 24. nor here by John And whereas 2 Thes 2. is objected for One Man of Sin c. they say that it is not Antichrist properly that is there mentioned but the Anti-God the Roman Idolatrous Emperor that should cause Jerusalem's Desolation and set up there the Idol of Abomination There is the like mention of Antichrist again Ch. 4.3 Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God And this is the spirit of Antichrist whereof ye have heard that it should come and even now a ready is in the world So Ch. 2.20 He is Antichrist that denyeth the Father and the Son And 2. Joh. For many deceivers are entred into the world who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh This is a deceiver and one Antichrist And say they when no other Text in Scripture hath the name Antichrist and these four all thus expound it of such as deny Christ's Incarnation and directly oppose him and such as were then in being and of many such Heresies and not of one Man or Order alone and when all this concurreth with Christ's own words of many false Christs that should deceive the Jews to their destruction whence can we expect a surer Exposition of Antichristianity whether we take the name for an Adversary to Christ or for a false Christ When Grotius singleth out Barchochebas as the chief Antichrist who called himself the Messiah and seduced thousands and even the Sanedrim of Rulers inâ—o his Error to their destruction it is answered by some That this was all done before this Epistle was written To which some reply 1. That this is utterly uncertain because that Epiphanius saith John was first banished under Claudius and because the contrary Tradition hath no good Evidence and because the Apocalyps is the best Expositor whose very Style implyeth that at least much of it was written before the Destruction of Jerusalem and so may this Epistle 2. Were it certain John maketh no one to be the only or grand Antichrist and therefore Christ's words might be first fulfilled in Barchochebas and such others and yet more after may succeed them The two other Opinions 1. That it is only Simon Magus 2. Or Vespasian I think not worthy the confuting In these difficulties I only advise the Reader that he never forsake great and certain Truths or Duties for any thing uncertain And that Humane Faith overthrow not Divine Faith And no man's Opinion draw him to depose Christ by denying all his Visible Church and making it all in any Age much less in its best state to be Idolatrous and Antichristian Or to bâ— frightned from Christian Love Unity and Peace or from any lawful thing by the meer name of Antichrist But to judge of Doctrines by Scripture and of Persons by their Doctrines Practices and Personal Qualification and to hate sin impartially wherever he findeth it and to accuse rashly and unjustly neither Persons Parties or Societies 19. They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us 19. These Deceivers the Nicolaitans Ebion Cerinthus c. were indeed in our Communion and went out from us but they were never sincerely of the same Faith and Spirit with us else they would have stayed with us But they went out and separated and set up their Heresies that they might shew that they were never sound in the Faith 20. But ye have an unction from the holy One and ye know all things 20. But the most holy God and Saviour hath anointed you with his holy Spirit which will lead you from pernicious Errour into all necessary Truth if you obey him 21. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth but because ye know it and that no lie is of the truth 21. It is not as supposing you ignorant of the Truth that I write to you but because you know the necessary Truth and therefore may the easier reject all inconsistent Falshoods 22. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ he is antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son 23. Whosoever denieth the Son the same hath not the Father but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also 22 23. And who is the dangerous Lyer but he that denyeth that Jesus is the Christ and consequently denyeth the Father Note The scantness of History leaveth it uncertain what sort of Seducers John meaneth whether some that fell to flat Infidelity directly renouncing Christianity
advance the Papacy and its corruptions of Religion in so much that they make such Miracles one of the Chief Marks of their Church Gregories Dialogues and such other led the way and their monstrous Legends feign so many and so shamefully of St. Francis St. Dominick and multitudes more as makes men suspect that this tribe are the miracle-working beast not but that many miracles are true that are written of Gregory Naeocesar Martin and others by Euseb Socrat. Sulp. Severus Augustin c. Which were all for the confirmation of the Christian Faith and not for Popery And many of the Monks and others of whom these fictions are written were holy men and God did some wonders at their prayers And it is this which the Legenders take occasion from to add their multitudes of falsehoods and then to perswade men that all these were Miracles wrought for Gods attestation to Popery It being usual for that Clergy to persecute the living Saints that are not for their wills waies to canonize those as wonders of sanctity whose strictness and austerity is joined with subjection to the Papall dominion Such mens writings as Baronius Bellarmine Genebrard c. With their many false Councils and Jesuits that compass Sea and Land to promote the Papal Kingdom do seem much more fully to do the part of the second beast for the Papacy than the Poets Priests c did for the Heathen Idolatrous Empire And the Mark in their Right Hand or Forehead seemeth to be some professing Badge by which they tie themselves to worship the beast and his Image that is subject themselves by consent to the Papal Soveraignty Canons and Idolatry or corrupt Imagery and scenicall worship And herein the Papacy so far exceedeth the severity of the said Heathens that they do by the Laws of their Church put strict oaths upon all the Clergy to believe many new Articles of Faith and to obey the Pope yea and on Princes to exterminate aâ—l that the Pope will but call Hereticks and that those temporal Lords shall be excommunicated deposed damned that will not do it No man called by them a Heretick may so much as make a will or have the benefit of the Law no not of his liberty or life but be tormented in the inquisitions or burnt No Minister may preach Christs Gospel that is not a subject of the Popes nor any Christian else meet to Worship God no nor read the Bible in a known tongue but by this License and theirs that he empowereth These things are far more than to forbid buying and selling without the Mark of the beast or his name 18. Here is wisdom Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast for it is the number of a man and his number is six hundred threescore and six 18. Here is work for the Sagacity of a sharp witted man Let such trie to find out the beast by the number of his name for it pleaseth not God more plainly to reveal it It is numeral Letters which denominate a man And the Letters are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which in numbering signifie DCLVVVI or 666. About this name and number the Fathers Papists and Protestants are of many minds among themselves The first generall difference is whether it signifie the name of a Man properly or only some other mark that belongeth to him called his name And the next whether the name belong to a single person or to a state or policy or party Of the Protestants many think its a mans name but belonging to the Papacy in Common Junius taketh it for the Canon Law and Decretalls Broughton for Adonikam Ezra 2.13 Bright man reciteth these and divers names found out by divers fancies Titan Lampetis Ninetes Cacos Odegos Alethes Blaberos Palas Bascanos Amnos Adicos in Arethas Ecclesia Italica and Romaghnus All which he rejecteth and fasteneth on that which Irenaeus chose of old which is Lateinos And he thinks that this number of the name to be received was meant of the Greeks who were brought to submit to the Latin Church And so all the Greeks that so submit receiving the number are joined in the guilt and damnation with them that had the Mark or the Name it self This is clear that all they that only find out a name or number which are not imposed and by the subjects received speak not at all to the Text. It is only the receiving of the mark name or number that is here mentioned It is the subjects Badge If the racked word Lateinos be used as added to Catholick and put instead of Roman it may reach the Papists whose name and Badge now is to be Roman Catholicks as distinct from all others that are but meer Christian Catholicks But lately most Protestants take the number of the name to be but some characteristical acts or marks Some say It is the Systeme of Papal corruptions in doctrine and worship some as Mr. Potter make it the number of 25 as the square root of six hundred sixty six and he largely tells us how many waies it suiteth Rome But how is this number of 25 received as a Badge by reprobates Some say that Patriarchall and Metropolitan and such like Idolaters and Persecutors are the Image of Papacy and that PERIURY is the mark of the beast who by false Oaths bindeth all to him and to his Prelates so that who ever will not be Perjured by false and wicked oaths are not received into his Church nor tolerated by them And I read not in history that ever any party on earth did so long so violently bind men by wicked oaths and involve all sorts in heinous Perjury as the Pope and his Prelates have long done and do Abbot Vispergensis lamenteth it in his daies that Priests and people were commonly involved in Perjury Swear or Suffer is their Law and when interest requireth it unswearing and forswearing is as violently imposed and whole Countries absolved from their oaths to their Sovereigns PERIURY PERFIDIOUSNESS and PERSECUTION seem to be the mark of the Papall Dominion And as my old fellow Minister in the same Congregation Mr. Nath. Stephens saith The name of the beast seemeth likest to be his assumed Power or pretended authority to which it is that he maketh all to swear And the Oath or subjection is not to the Number but to the Power or Persons marked by that Number the Number being but the Name abbreviated and the Name the notification of the Party or Policy to which men consent But Mr. N. Stephens thinks that 666 is the time between the beginning of the Roman Monarchy according to Daniel's computation as it respected the Church which was in Pomper's time and the rise of Antichrist which he thinks was in 606. Anno Dom. and so is just 666 years For he taketh as many others do the title of Universal Bishop given Bonif. 3. by Phâ—cas to set â—p Antichrist first and the antecedent Fall of the Roman Empire
plagues were thus represented 8. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power and no man was able to enter into the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled 8. And the dreadfulness of Gods wrath as a consuming fire striking even his worshippers with fear and in the execution disturbing the Churches peace was represented to me by the filling of the Temple with smoke from the Glory of God c. CHAP. XVI ANd I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels Go your ways and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth 1. I heard a great Voice out of the Temple sending these angels to pour out the Vials and execute God's Wrath. 2. And the first went and poured out his vial upon the earth and there fell a noisom and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast and upon them which worshipped his image 2. Of the great Plague in wicked Commodus's Reign that killed in Rome alone two thousand a day and of the like in the Reign of several Persecutors even till Constantine's Reign and of the Blood-shed and Fire and the resemblance of this to the Plagues of Egypt See Dr. H. on the Text and Grotius before him Others say It is the Papists Torment of Conscience when Popery is fallen 3. And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea and it became as the blood of a dead man and every living soul died in the sea 4. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters and they became blood 3 4. That these signifie a progress of the same Judgment on the Idolaters is clear But whether by the Sea and the Rivers and Fountains signifie things so distinct as many think and which of their many conjectured Significations are right I cannot say 5. And I heard the angel of the waters say Thou art righteous O Lord which art and wast and shalt be because thou hast judged thus 5. The Angel that executed God's Judgments on the Idolatrous Nations performed it with Praise and Glory to God for his Justice on persecuting Idolaters Note The Angels in Heaven were not ignorant of what God thus did on Earth And as God's Mercy hindred not his Execution of Justice so their pity kept them not from triumphing over these destroyed Sinners and giving God the Glory of their Punishment 6. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets and thou hast given them blood to drink for they are worthy 7. And I heard another out of the altar say Even so Lord God Almighty true and righteous are thy judgments 6 7. Na. God and Angels will rejoyce in the terrible Revenge of the Blood of Saints 2. The Angel from the Altar signifieth the Consent of the Souls under the Altar and of the Church of holy Worshippers on Earth who pray for Deliverance 3. Were it never so certain that it is Idolatrous Heathen Rome that is here meant it consequently inferreth that if Papal Rome have equalled yea far exceeded them in shedding the Blood of Saints their punishment shall be as great or greater It is no small Aggravation of Papâ—l Blood-shed by Massacres Inquisitions Burnings c. that they father all on Christ himself and do it as Christians yea and in so many Ages make it the necessary Defence of their Kingdom And they shall find that God knoweth a Saint when Men call him a Heretick and will not be so mocked as to dis-own Christ's Sheep for such forged Marks 8. And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire 9. And men were scorched with great heat and blasphemed the name of God which hath power over these plagues and they repented not to give him glory 8 9. Some take this to signifie a great Drought and Dearth that came in the days of Commodus and after of Maximinus Many take the Sun here for Antichrist that calleth himself so Others for Governors Some for the King of Spain some for the German Emperor or some such Papal Luminary Some for the Scripture as tormenting Papists Some for Christ as sending forth his Word and Judgments I can go no further than the general sure sense That a greater Plague that fell on the Idolatrous Empire made them lay all the blame on the Christians and rage the more but cured not their Idolatry or Persecution 10. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast and his kingdom was full of darkness and they gnawed their tongues for pain 11. And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores and repented not of their deeds 10 11. The plain general sense of all this is to liken Idolatrous persecuting Rome and the suffering Christians to Pharaoh and the Israelites and liken God's Plagues on Rome to the Egyptian Plagues And to tell us that as Pharaoh's heart was hardned till Destruction fell on him and his so will be the Idolatrous Romans By the Seal of the Beast is meant Rome with the Imperial Power or Papal say many and by Darkness the Confusions there and Diminutions of their Glory In Heathen Rome these were many and great the Soldiers setting up and pulling down and killing Emperors till they set the Empire to Sale Emperors set up and warring against each other few dying a natural death Valerian taken captivated and made his Foot-stool by Sapâ—es and flead To be an Emperor was the next way to Murder or some odious disgrace and death by him that could overcome and kill him And Papal Rome was subdued by the Barbarians Other Expositions are many 12. And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates and the water thereof was dried up that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared 12. That this signifieth a further progress towards Idolatrous persecuting Rome's destruction and the Churches deliverance is clear but what Euphrates signifieth and what its drying up and what The Way of the Kings of the East Expositors greatly differ in Some take Euphrates literally some mystically some for the Turk some for the chief Champions of Antichrist some for the chief Strength and Garrison of Babylon some for the Pope's Riches and great Tributes and Revenues and some for the River Tibris in Rome and so for Rome it self And these take the drying of it up to be the ruin of Maxentius by Constantine destroyed in Tiber Others think the drying up to be the destruction of the Turks And so they vary in the rest But some think that this is but a further Assimilation of the Case to the Israelites when the Red Sea was dryed up for their escape and to prepare the way for Pharaoh's ruin and signifieth that the danger and impediments of the Christians deliverance were removed by the Overthrow of
heaven having great power and the earth was lightned with his glory 1. The Fall of Rome is so great a work that it was foreshewed me as by an Angel of wondrous Glory Those that tell us that this Angel was an eminent preacher and such other particularities of filling the earth with his Glory go further than my knowledge goeth 2. And he cried mightily with a strong voice saying Babylon the great is fallen is fallen and is become the habitation of devils and the hold of every foul Spirit and a cage of every unclean and hatefull bird 2. The Language of those times was to call deferred ruined places where no man dwelt the places haunted by Devils and Goblins and Satyrs and Owls and Serpents So that this signifieth Desolation And the Jews then thinking that as Babylon that before captivated them is destroyed so the very City of Rome would be the Prophecy calleth the Destruction of the Pagan Empire and Idolatry with all its retinue of Literate upholders by the name and titles of the Destruction of the City For it was not Babylon as a City nor quâ Roma as this City nor as a Rich and Great City But as the Great Idolatrous Power which captivated and persecuted the Church Therefore it is destroyed not as a Great or Rich City but as Babylon And so it is desolate Some think that this is spoken of it as when Rome was burnt in part by Totilas and the remnant of Pagans destroyed by Alaricus That 's more than I can prove But it being the Pagan Empire that captivated the Church that made it Babylon I think Babylon fell when that fell though many Pagans did survive 3. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies 3. For their Power and Learning have spred the poyson or drunkenness of their Idolatry to all nations and the Kings of the earth have been encouraged in the guilt and her wealth and grandeur have promoted all pride and sensuality in the nations that have traded with her or depended on her Others say It is the sale of pardons indulgences and Ceremonies and Church-preferments that are her Merchandize and delicacies 4. And I heard another voice from heaven saying Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues 5. For her sins have reached unto heaven and God hath remembred her iniquities 4 5. That is Away from Idolatrous Pagan Rome as Lot fled from Sodom if you love your lives and Souls avoid all partaking in her sins Eat not things offered to idols imitate them not and comply not with them in any act of Idolatry or other sin For the time of her destruction is at hand and you may suffer with her if you sin with her and fly not from her Or Come out from Popery and partake not of the sin lest you partake of the plagues Here say some Protestants we answer the question Where was your Church before Luther And why do you separate from Popery To the first say they our Church was in Babylon where God bore with it till he call'd it out To the second God commanded us to come out No doubt we must partake of no mens sins 6. Reward her even as she rewarded you and double unto her double according to her works in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double 6. God who is her Judge will have you lay doubly more on her than she laid on you by persecution And this is no injustice it being for sin against him and not only as against you This giveth the reason of Gods execution by Constantine but alloweth no private men to take arms against Government on pretence of revenging the injuries of the Church 7. How much she hath glorified her self and lived deliciously so much torment and sorrow give her for she saith in her heart I sit a queen and am no widdow and shall see no sorrow 7. The sins of Sodom were pride fullness idleness and unmercifulness And Pagan Rome grown proud and sensual by power and wealth shall now suffer debasement and dejection Or Rome Papal that saith I am the successor of Peter and the mother of all Churches shall be dejected and destroyed for her pride and cruelty 8. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day death and mourning and famine and she shall be utterly burnt with fire for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her 8. The Fall of the Pagan Empire shall be sudden and terrible like the burning of a City Or say others The remnant of Pagans shall be burnt out of Christian Rome by Alaricus c. Say others Papal Rome shall be cast down Say others burnt But it is not like if the City were burnt but some would rebuil'd it as we did London 9. And the kings of the earth who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her shall bewail her and lament for her when they shall see the smoke of her burning 10. Standing afar off for the fear of her torment saying Alas alas that great city Babylon that mighty city for in one hour is thy judgment come 9. The Nations that were her companions in Idolary shall bewail her great and sudden fall Obj. Papal Rome falls not suddenly Ans We know not what it may do yet But it 's certain Pagan Rome did 11. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her for no man buyeth her merchandise any more 12. The merchandise of gold and silver and precious stones and of pearls and fine linnen and purple and silk and scarlet and all thynewood and all manner vessels of Ivory and all manner vessels of most precious wood and of brass and iron and marble 13. And cinnamon and odours and ointments and frankincense and wine and oyl and fine flower and wheat and beasts and sheep and horses and chariots slaves and souls of men 11 12 13. The Pride and Greatness of Rome bought up all that many Countries could bring in of all sorts for necessity and delight and they fed the Pagan Idolatry and Tyranny Others apply it to Papal Pardons Offices and Preferments But these were rather bought at Rome than sold thither By Souls of Men some understand Pagan Romes Slaves some their Soul-murdering Idolatry and some Papal Soul-murders 14. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee and thou shalt and them no more at all 15. The merchants of these things which were made rich by her shall stand afar off for the tear of her torment weeping and wailing 16. And saying Alas alas that great city that was clothed in fine linnen and purple and scarlet and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls 17.
came in power 2. The Popes were most Martyrs and Sufferers till Constantines time and long after professed subjection to Emperours yea even to Arrians and to Usurpers And Alexandria and Constantinople used as much force as they It was 606 years before Phocas called Boniface the 3. the Universal Bishop by which he never meant the Universal Emperour or Civil Governour No nor Universal Ecclesiastical any further than the Empire It was long after this that the claim of deposing Kings as Excommunicate was set on foot by Gregory the seventh and long after that before it was determined in the Lateran Council Most Christian Kingdoms opposed it all along William the Conquerour and William Rufus and others in England Philip and others in France where it is denyed to this day and much in Spain The German Emperours Henry the fourth and fifth and Frederick and Otho long fought against it and some of them took Rome made and unmade Popes and used them as their Subjects The Princes of Italy themselves were from age to age almost always in War against the Popes The Eastern Emperours before mastered them till Pipin and the two Charles ' used the Papacy to usurp the Empire and after were Masters of the Pope themselves The very Citizens and Laity of Rome from age to age strove with them for the chief Power in Rome it self and oft overtopt them till they got Foreign Princes to help them To this day they claim not Imperial Power over other Princes save indirectly as nullifying the Title of the Excommunicate falsely pretending that they may excommunicate them and that Christians may then reject them as no Kings Is all this an Universal Empire and was Rome the Whore for 700 years or not It is supposed that Idolatry and Persecution make her the Whore and her Civil Power the Beast Transubstantiation is the grossest part of the first and that is a Novelty A few odd men wrote for it a little sooner but their Church owned it not by Law till the fourth Lateran Council under Inno. the 3. almost twelve hundred years after Christ And excess of Veneration to Saints and Angels most Churches on Earth owned and still own the Greek Armenian Abassine c. Our Divines have proved Purgatory and almost all their abuses of that tendency to be Novelties see Moulin de novit Papism Blondel de Eccles Rivets defence of du Pleslis c. Now here we are divided 1. Some say Rome was the Whore ever since 300 And so all or near all the Church of Christ in the Empire was the Beast or Whore or both except the few poor men in Piedmont and Languedock for I am of the opinion that they kept their Simplicity and Integrity ever since Dioclesians Persecution and then all the Glory of the bâ—st Ages of the Church is darkned into shame and the triumph for its deliverance from Pagan Captiâ—â—â—y turned to our confusion I have fully in my History of Councils described the mischiefs of Clergy-Ambition but never thought that such mens faults so overthrew all Christs Church in the Empire as to make it Antichristian A Holy Humble Ministry upheld it while some ambitious carnal Prelates troubled it As even a Heathen Am. Marcellinus witnesseth speaking of Damasus's case If Christ had no Church visible so many hundred years then he was no Christ or King of a visible Church which is a sad conclusion for opposers of Antichrist Doth he say worse against Christ himself 2. Others say that Rome began to be Babylon the 606 under Boniface the 3. and Phocas on the grounds before confuted 3. Others begin it under Boniface the Eighth 4. Others begin it with Hildebrands Usurpation over Princes between 1000. and 1100 years after Christ 5. Others begin it with Innocent the third who in the Lateran Council generally first owned that Usurpation and Transubstantiation and Bloody Persecution for it which before were owned but by little factious Parties 6. Others labour to prove that that Council made no Decrees and so that it was not setled then Now if Rome for 606 years or for 1000 or for 1100 years was not Babylon then Pagan Rome was not then nor Christian Rome and no man knoweth when it began to be so And then almost all our most confident late Expositions are quite overthrown But doubtless John was told of a Babylon a Whore a Beast which was much ealier than this The six or seven species of Pagan Government were not the Heads of a Christian Papal Beast that was to rise 1000 or 600 years after Christ See Bishop Barlows Pref. to his Brutum fulmen of their Novelty With these Reasons this sort of Expositors add the answer to the contrary objections And to the first they say that the Rising of the Beast out of the Sea doth but tell the order of the Vision to John and not that the Beast was not yet in being and it may mean Domitian or Dioclesian not yet come To the second they say the Objecters beg the Question 3. And so of the third 4. To the fourth they say that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth not continuance but operation to which some Copies joyn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he maketh War And they say that neither here nor cap. 11. of the Witnesses Preaching is meant a thousand two hundred and sixty years but Days as expressed even three years and a half 5. To the fifth they say it had the ten Crowned Heads which is the same States which were Crowned Horns when they became militant and cruel 6. They say that the Pagan Empire as the Beast commanding Idolatry was not to be obeyed 7. They say Pagan Rome is called Mystical not Literal Babylon and their Mysteries of Worship also were Idolatry 8 They say that it is not Antichrist sitting in the Temple but the Beast blaspheming it that this Text mentioneth 9. They say that Pagan Rome as such is totally desolate and for ever but the Papal is not 10. The faithful came away from Babylon's Idolatry and Sin before her Fall and were called on to avoid her most carefully just when she was falling lest just then the falling Babylon fall on them But Papal Rome being not yet fallen were no Christians these 1300 years under the reasons of that Call 11. They say Pagan Rome sold Slaveâ— and bought them and sold Souls to Idolatry worse than Popery 12. They say that the unmarried Heathens may be guilty of Fornication yea and of Adultery by reason of God's right to them And the Fornication here is but Idolatry and it 's sad to conclude that Heathen Rome was so Idolatrous 13. Lastly They say that their Senate and all the Learned Patrons of Paganism and Reproachers of Christianity better answer the Character of the second Beast and false Prophet than either the Popâ— as pleading for himself or his Agents pleading for his Civil Power I should next have told you the difficulties that pose me about the other Questions but
Wilderness 6. Now these things were our examples to the intent we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted 6. Now these were admonishing Types to us and written to warn us that we lust not after forbidden gratifying of the Flesh as they did If they are accused as lusting in the Wilderness for Flesh when they had onely Manna for forty years what excess of Lust is it in them that take it for their Liberty and Wisdom to serve their Flesh and Appetite to the scandal of others by their ill Example 7. Neither be ye idolaters as were some of them as it is written The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play 7. And take warning by them and do not partake of Idols Feasts and make a sport of that which God is jealous in 8. Neither let us commit fornication as some of them committed and fell in one day three and twenty thousand 8 And take warning by their Destruction Num. 25.1 2 3. to avoid Fornication which some of you make light of 9. Neither let us tempt Christ as some of them also tempted and were destroyed of serpents 9. And be warned by their Plagues that you make not your Fleshly Lusts and your impatience of Sufferings to be the Law and Measure of your Expectations from God as if he must needs do what your Flesh would have him and allow you to do what you desire 10. Neither murmur ye as some of them also murmured and were destroyed of the destroyer 10. And let not the Life of Self-denial and Sufferings in the Flesh which Christ calls you to provoke you to murmur and be impatient under the Cross or weary of Christianity lest you be destroyed by the Executioners of Gods Justice as they were by the Plague 11. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come 11. The History of them and their Sins and Punishments are written for the use of all following Generations even for us that live in the last Age of the World to warn us to avoid the like 12. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall 12. Therefore in stead of Self-conceitedness and Self-confidence let even those that think best of themselves for Wisdom and Stability take heed lest they fall to Sin and Misery 13. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it 13. There hath yet no tempting Trial befallen you but such as Men in your State of Humanity ordinarily undergo so that your Sufferings have been no justification of any self-saving Compliance with Idolaters And you have no cause to distrust God for the time to come for he is faithful and will not let your Trials be intolerable but with the Trial will shew you a safe passage out of it at last that by the forefight of that and the breyity you may be able to undergo it 14 15. Wherefore my dearly beloved flee from idolatry I speak as to wise men judge ye what I say 14 15. As you plead for Wisdom I will suppose I speak to Men of Wisdom who can judge of Reason and I offer the Reason of my Exhortation to your wisest Judgment 16. The cup of blessing which we bless is it not the communion of the blood of Christ The bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ 16. Is not our Communion in the Lords Supper in Wine and Bread blessed a common Reception Sacramentally of the Blood and the Body of Christ Do we not join in a professed Reception of these communicated to us by Christ 17. For we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread 17. For we that are many Persons are one Church or Body of Christ by Covenant-union with him the Bread of Life of whom we all Sacramentally and professed'y partake as many Grains of Corn make one Loaf and many Members one Body 18. Behold Israel after the flesh are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar 18. Do not they that eat of the Sacrifices of the Jews thereby profess Worship to the God they sacrifice to 19. What say I then that the idol is any thing or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing 20. But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to devils and not to God and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils 19 20. And now do not we know as well as others that an Idol or Image is nothing but Wood Stone Gold c. and that the Meat that is offered them is not in it self at all changed from what it was But I say that it is Devils that seduce the Heathens to this Idolatry and Devils whom they thereby obey and Devils whom they worship as supposed Demi-gods there represented and consequentially Devils with whom they have this Federal Communion And I would not have you Christians to be Subjects and Communicants with Devils 21. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of devils ye cannot be partakers of the Lords table and of the table of devils 21. Think not that you may do both You cannot lawfully acceptably or effectually Sacramentally and Federally communicate in the Blood and Body of Christ or receive that sacred Cup and Bread and be made Members of him and his Church and also communicate in the Federal Sacrifices to Devils no not with your Bodies though you never so much despise them in your Hearts 22. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousie are we stronger then he 22. Shall we provoke God by that which in the Second Commandment and often he hath told us he will be a jealous Avenger of Are we strong enough to overcome him or to bear the Wrath of the Almighty 23. All things are lawful for me but all things are not expedient all things are lawful for me but all things edifie not 23. As I am from under Moses's Law and not bound by it as such so also I know that all Meats are in themselves now clean and lawful to me But lawful things may be used contrary to the Will of God the Ends of Christianity and the Edification of others and the Law of Christ forbiddeth us so to use them 24. Let no man seek his own but every man anothers wealth 24. We are bound by Christ to love others as our selves and therefore not to prefer our own small and bodily Interest or Safety before the spiritual greater Good of others nor to do only what we think best for our selves but also what is best for others especially for the Church of Christ 25. Whatsoever
is sold in the shambles that eat asking no question for conscience sake 26. For the earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof 25. If it be sold in the Shambles it is common Food to you your Consciences need not ask whether it be unclean or whether it was ever offered to any Idol 26. God that is the Lord of all the Earth hath allowed us all that is fit for Food 27. If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast and ye be disposed to go whatsoever is set before you eat asking no question for conscience sake 27. As it is not unlawful when invited to go to a Feast to Unbelievers so when you see cause to go eat what is set before you and question not the Lawfulness of it your selves 28. But if any man say unto you This is offered in sacrifice unto idols eat not for his sake that shewed it and for conscience sake The earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof 28. But if any Man say This is part of the Meat that was an Idol Sacrifice eat not of it for his sake that told thee so lest thou tempt him to venture on Idol-Sacrifices and for Conscience sake that thou uncharitably seduce not his Conscience God hath allowed thee lawful Meats enough thou needest not eat to others hurt 29. Conscience I say not thine own but of the others for why is my liberty judged of another mans conscience 29. When I say Conscience I mean that you wrong not anothers Conscience I mean not that this Meat is unlawful to you had you not been told it was offered to Idols or had eaten it privately where no one was hurt by it For another Mans Conscience is not my Guide nor makes Lawful Food Unlawful to me But Uncharitableness and Hurtfulness to others as well as Corporal Idolatry I must make Conscience to avoid my self as against the great Commands of Christ 30. For if I by grace be a partaker why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks 30. For if I neither seem to worship the Idol my self nor hurt another but with Thanksgiving eat what 's set before me at a Common Feast though another expect that I should enquire whether it was not an Idols Sacrifice I sin not nor ought he to speak evil of me as a Sinner 31. Whether therefore ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do do all to the glory God 31. Therefore as in all that you do so in these things where God hath made no particular common determining Law the Interest of our Great End the Glory of God must be our common and most obliging Law Neither eat nor drink nor do any thing against the Glory of God and your Reliligion and the Good of others in which God is glorified Yea do nothing but what as some Means hath its tendency to his Glory nothing that is either hurtful or vain 32. Give none offence neither to the Jews nor to the Gentiles nor to the church of God Avoid all unnecessary things which will be a stumbling or hurtful Temptation to Jews or Heathens or the Church of God or any Members of it So dangerously are abundance of Religious Persons mistaken that scruple not offending or hardning the ungodly by sowr Contempt and causeless Singularity and that take displeasing mistaken Censorious Christians to be the Offence here meant when pleasing them by seeming to own their Mistakes as Peter did Gal. 2. by his Separation is a usual hurtful way of scandalizing them 33. Even as I please all men in all things not seeking mine own profit but the profit of many that they may be saved 33. Imitate me in this who in things which God hath lest undetermined to my power do chuse that part which pleaseth other Men so far as is for their profit and do not humour or please my own self-will for any carnal Interest of my own but do that which tendeth to the good of most even their Salvation Note O happy had it been with the Christian World if the Bishops had been of Paul's mind and had not chosen to silence banish burn and murder thousands of Gods faithful Servants for not humouring their Wills and obeying unnecessary Canons imposed by Papal Usurpation CHAP. XI 1. BE ye followers of me even as I also am of Christ 1. In all this self-denial which I tell you I have used I follow Christ who denied his very Life for us Therefore follow me as I follow Christ 2. Now I praise you brethren that you remember me in all things and keep the ordinances as I delivered them to you 2. It is your Praise as well as your Duty and Safety that you remember what Doctrine and Orders we Apostles of Christ at first delivered to you and keep that which then we taught you 3. But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ and the head of the woman is the man and the head of Christ is God 3. And now to your Case about Church-Order I first remember you that the due Subordination of Persons must be kept Christ is the Head of all Men high and low and the Man is the Head of the Woman who therefore must shew Subjection and God is the Head of Christ as Man and Mediator 4. Every man praying or prophesying having his head covered dishonoureth his head 4. It being the Custom then to cover the Faces of those that were put to any great shame a Man that shall vail his Head and Face doth thereby take Reproach unto himself 5. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head for that is even all one as if she were shaven 5. But for a Woman to be uncovered in the Assembly at Publick Worship Prayer or Prophecying is a dishonour to her as contrary to the sign of Subjection which is her Duty Note That the Woman is said to Pray or Prophesie that joyneth with the Church therein As Custom maketh it a shame to her to be shaven so also to be unvailed Note That this was a changeable Custom and is contrary now with us 6. For if the woman be not covered let her also be shorn but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven let her be covered 6. The Custom of long Hair as a kind of Covering pleads also for the Custom of Vailing 7. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head for as much as he is the image and glory of God but the woman is the glory of the man 7. The Mans Face is used well to be uncovered as being first made in the Image of God and so a Beam of his Splendour But the Woman made out of Man is subject to him and his Splendour 8. For the man is not of the woman but the woman of the man 8. For at the Creation the Man was first made and the Woman was made out of the Man 9. Neither was