have paid the utmost Farthing Inferences HOw may this humble sinful Mortals What little cause have any of the Chrildren of Men to boast of their Riches Alas they are whether they know it or no exceedingly in Debt they are worth nothing and whether they believe it or not Death will convince them of it 2. It may stir up the Hearts of the Godly to pity Sinners when you see poor Prisoners that are in Prison for Debt crying out of the Grates Bread Bread for the Lord's sake how ready are you to pity them but how more doleful is that Cry of the rich Glutton in Hell for a drop of Water to cool his Tongue and none is given to him 3. It speaks much Comfort to Believers who have through that redemption that is in Christ obtained the forgiveness of all their Debts Oh! what a Blessing these things being considered is pardon of Sin Let thy Soul with David Bless the Lord and all that is within thee praise his holy Name who forgiveth all thine Iniquities Psal 103.1 2 3. who healeth all thy Diseases who hath freed thee from thy Sins and the Punishment of them Wicked Men the Rod of God Isa 10.5 O Assyrian the Rod of mine Anger THe Ungodly and bloody Persecutors of the Lord's People are called his Hand his Rod and his Sword Deliver my Soul from the Wicked which is thy Sword from Men of the World which are thy Hand O Lord Psal 17.13 14. Parallels I. A Man smites such as have offended him with his Hand and with a Rod or Sword So God makes use of the Wicked as an Instrument to chastize his Children when they transgress his Law and grievously sin against him II. As a Hand or Rod lays on harder or softer Blows according to the Pleasure and Purpose of him that strikes So God lets the Wicked out upon his own People to oppress and afflict them as he fees good either in a milder or more severe manner III. When a Father hath chastized his Children sufficiently and throughly humbled them he sometimes casteth the Rod into the Fire So when God hath by the Wicked who are his Rod throughly humbled his People and taken away their Sin he will throw the Wicked their bloody Persecutors into the Fire of his Wrath For yet a very little while Isa 10.25 and the Indignation shall cease and mine Anger in their Destruction Wicked Men compared to Tares Mat. 13.38 The Tares are the Children of the Wicked One TAres 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Varineus quia amet triticum illud ut umbra corpus sequitur imitatus simul arescit ac si esset de tritici genere i. e. Because it loveth the Wheat and imitates it as the Shadow imitateth the Body and groweth up with it as if it were of the same kind with the Wheat It should not saith one be translated Tares but evil Seed It is that which we call the deaf Ears that grow up with the good Corn and cannot be discerned till the Harvest Liegh's Crit. Sacr. and then it proves naught for Tares and Fitches are soon discerned and pluck'd up The Enemy sowed Tares v. 15. i. e. corrupted Ungodly Men are compared to Tares Tares saith a noted Writer is a Sort of Grain that groweth in the Eastern Country therefore those that are called Tares amongst us I suppose are not the Tares our Saviour alludes to Metaphor Parallel TAres are a low and base Sort of Grain of little worth or esteem in comparison of Wheat and some other Grain SO the Children of the Wicked One are a base and contemptible Sort of People in comparison of the Children of God II. If Tares are sown amongst Wheat it is done by the Hand of an Enemy out of spite and malice to the Injury and Loss of the Owner of the Field II. So the spiritual or metaphorical Tares viz. the Children of Belial that grow in the Field of this World were first sowed by the Devil he is that Enemy who did it i. e. He infused by his Spirit through the Corruptness of Mortals that evil Seed into their Hearts from whence these Tares spring out of spite and Malice to God himself whose is the Field and also out of spite and malice to Mankind III. Tares growing among Wheat do hurt and prejudice the Wheat hindering its growth and flourishing III. So the Ungodly or Children of the Wicked One dwelling with or among the Saints hurt and greatly prejudice them hindering their Growth in Grace and Godliness Saith David Psal 120.6 Wo is me that I sojourn in Mesech that I dwell in the Tents of Kedar It is a hard Matter to keep our Garments clean and no way to defile them living in the midst of a wicked and ungodly Generation Who can touch Pitch and not be defiled therewith The Israelites dwelling among the wicked Natives of the Land of Canaan Psal 10 6.35 36. 't is said learned their Works and served their Gods IV. Tares as Wilson observes are so like Wheat whilst they are in the Blade as hardly the one can be discerned from the other IV. So Hypocrites seem so like true and sincere Christians that for a while the one can hardly be known from the other V. The Man who had Tares sown amongst the Wheat in his Field whilst Men slept would not suffer his Servants to pluck them up lest some of the Wheat should be pluck'd up with them but let them grow together until Harvest and then commands the Reapers to separate the one from the other and the Wheat to gather into his Barn but the Tares to cast into the Fire from whence it appears that those Tares were good for nothing but Fuel for the Fire c. V. So the Almighty tho there be many Hypocrites Hereticks and Reprobates in the World would not have Magistrates or others to pluck them up for their Errors or Heresy only that is destroy them or take them away by corporal Punishment and Death lest they pull up and destroy some of his precious Saints with them instead of those Children of the Evil One but would have them live or grow together in the Field of the World until the Harvest that is the End of the World The Field is the World Mat. 13.38 39 40 41. the good Seed an the Children of the Kingdom but the Tares the Children of the Wicked One. The Enemy that sowed them is the Devil the Harvest is the End of the World and the Reapers are the Angels As therefore the Tares are gathered and burnt in the Fire so shall it be in the End of the World The Son of Man shall send forth his Angels to gather out of his Kingdom all things that offend and them that do Iniquity And shall cast them into a Furnace of Fire there shall be weeping and gnashing of Teeth Inferences THis may put every Christian upon the Search and Examination of
by the powerful Operations of the Holy-Ghost whereby he is made holy and enabled to approve himself to God and Men in all purity of Life and Conversation By the Breastplate of Righteousness in the Text we understand the Righteousness of Sanctification is principall◠intended for otherwise this piece of Christian Armor would interfere with the Shield of Faith which comprehends the Righteousness of Justification See Shield It is we say a Principle of new Life which the Spirit works in the Heart of a Believer hence the several Graces of Holiness are called the Fruits of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 Man by the Fall had a double Loss first the Love of God secondly the Image or Likeness of God Christ restores both to his Children the first by his Righteousness imputed the second by his Spirit imparting the lost Image of God to them which consists in Righteousness and true Holiness Who but a Man can impart his own Nature and beget a Child like himself So who but the Spirit of God can make a Creature like God by causing him to partake of the Divine Nature 1. This is that Principle of new Life viz. an inward Disposition and Divine Quality sweetly powerfully and constantly stirring up and inclining to that which is holy and spiritually good 2. The Work of the Spirit in this respect was not to recover what was dying Garnal but to work Life de novo in a Soul quite dead hence called a creating quickning forming and renewing Work 3. It is a supernatural Principle by which we distinguish it from Adam's Righteousness which was co-natural to him as Sin is to us Holiness was as natural to him as Health was to his Body they both resulted ex Principiis rectè constitutis from Principles pure and rightly disposed Why Righteousness is called a Breast-plate will appear by the following Parallel Metaphor Parallel A Breast-plate is a main and principal Piece of Armor that belongs to a Souldier RIghteousness in like manner is a principal thing belonging to all Christians who are called Souldiers of Christ 2 Tim 3 3. Endure Hardness as a good Souldier c. II. A Breast-plate is a piece of Armor that every Souldier ought to have on when he engages his Enemy he must not come into the Field without it II. Righteousness is so necessary for every Believer that he ought not cannot be without it there is no engaging any Enemy of the Soul without a Principle of Holiness be wrought in him III. A Breast-plate preserves the principal part of the Body viz. the Breast where the very Vitals of a Man are closely couched together and where a Shot or a Stab is more deadly than in other parts that are more remote from the Fountain of Life A Man may out-live many Wounds received in the Arms or Legs but a Stab in the Heart is a certain Messenger of Death III. Righteousness and Holiness preserves the principal part of a Christian viz. his Soul Satan aims to hit him there where he may dispatch him soonest A Wound in a Man's Credit Estate Relations c. hazard not the Life of his Soul but Sin exposes it to imminent Danger This is that Dart Prov. 7 23 that struck the young Man through the Liver as a Bird hasteth to the Snare that knoweth not 't is for his Life And this is that which Satan strives to tempt entice and draw a Saint to yield unto Hence he should be careful to put on his Breastplate of Righteousness which whilst he has on he is safe from the deadly Stab of the Enemy IV. A Breast-plate is made and prepared for a Souldier before he puts it on It is not his own Work but the Work of a skilful Artist IV. Righteousness which is the Saints Breast-plate is wrought in him by the Holy Spirit who is a most wise and skilful Workman Our own Righteousness is good for nothing hence called dead Works because they are Works from one dead in Sin and spring not from a Principle of inward spiritual Life V. A Breast-plate much emboldens a Souldier and makes him fearless that as he cannot be easily killed so hereby he cannot be soon cowed When a Souldier sees himsel unarmed he begins to tremble but when he hath on a good Helmet and a Plate of Proof on his Breast he is not quickly dismay'd but adventures upon the Point of the Sword V. Thus Righteousness defends and animates the Soul and Conscience when a Man in the midst of the greatest Danger can lift up his hands without spot Holiness fills a Soul with Courage so that he can look in the very face of grim Death whereas Guilt which is the Nakedness of the Soul puts the stoutest Sinner into a shaking Fit of Fear The Wicked flee when no Man pursueth Prov. 28.1 but the Righteous are as bold as a Lion No sooner did Adam see his Breast-plate was off and that he was naked but he was afraid and ran away to hide himself from God VI. The Breast-plate and Girdle were both joined or buckled together VI. So Righteousness and Truth must meet and be joined together in every Christian which is held forth by the Copulative And Stand therefore having your Loins girt about with Truth and having on the Breast-plate of Righteousness Which is taken twofold as hath been shewed First for the Truth of Doctrine or a good and Orthodox Judgment all the Principles of true Religion that are essential to Salvation Secondly Grace or Sincerity of Heart In both these respects Truth must be clasped to or joined with Righteousness and a holy Life Solomon saith Two are better than one So may I say here a good Doctrine with a good Conversation is better than a good Doctrine without a good Conversation or a good Conversation without a good Doctrine as a Man must have the one so he must not be without the other Wo to him that is alone for the Spirit will not be his Strength An evil and corrupt Doctrine may be of as dangerous a Nature as an evil and debauched Life See 2 Pet. 2.1 2. Who privily bring in damnable Heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift Destruction c. In vain is a Man's outward Holiness or moral Sincerity if he be tainted with heretical and damnable Principles and as vain is it for a Man to hold the true Doctrine of the Christian Religion if he be not sincere and live a holy Life Inferences THis may inform us what need there is for every Christian to get and keep on the Breast-plate of Righteousness not only to get a renewed Principle of Grace in his Heart but also to maintain the Power of Godliness in his Life and Conversation This he ought strenuously to labour after and that for several Reasons First In regard of God whose main Design in giving Grace and implanting a Divine Principle in his People is to make them holy to this end he hath put
and abstain from it from right Principles and not only to leave it but to loath it Again it consisteth in keeping up all holy and religious Duties viz. Reading Hearing Praying Distributing to the Poor Conforming to all moral and positive Precepts to be holy at home in the Family in the Church in the World to exercise a good Conscience towards God Acts 24.16 and towards Men. This is to put on the Breast-plate of Righteousness I might give many Directions about putting it on and also shew some of Satan's cunning Stratagems in endeavouring to make useless this blessed Piece of the Christian's Armor in laying Discouragements in the way of true Piety or by persuading Persons they have this Breast-plate on when 't is a counterfeit one He persuades Men that Moral Righteousness will serve their turn and sufficiently preserve them from eternal Death But this shall suffice in this place The Shield of Faith Ephes 6.16 Above all take the Shield of Faith c. FAith is a Grace a most precious and excellent Grace of the Spirit of God whereby the Soul is enabled to believe or go out of it self and wholly to rely and rest upon Christ crucified or on his active and passive Obedience upon the Warrant of the Promise for Justification and eternal Life Metaphor Parallel A Shield is a Piece of Armor that Souldiers were wont to carry with them into the Field when they were to engage their Enemies FAith is a part of a Christian's spiritual Armor All Christ's Souldiers ought to carry this Weapon into the Field with them when they engage the Enemy of their Souls Above all take the Shield of Faith II. A Shield is a Piece of Armor made for Defence II. Faith is of excellent use to defend the Soul from all spiritual Dangers of Sin and Satan and other Enemies III. A Shield is not for the Defence of any particular part of the Body as almost all other Pieces are The Helmet is fitted for the Head the Breast-plate is designed for the Breast so others have their several Parts which they are fastened to But a Shield is a Piece that is intended for the Defence of the whole Body It was wont to be made very large for its broadness called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gurnal a Door because so long and large as in a manner to cover the whole Body to which that place alludes Psal 4.12 Thou Lord wilt bless the Righteous with Favour thou wilt compass him about as with a Shield III. So the Grace of Faith defends the whole Man every part of a Christian 1. Sometimes Satan's â—emptations are levell'd against his Head and if he can hit him there he wounds sorely He will be disputing against this Truth and that Truth and make a Christian doubt concerning them if possible because his own Reason cannot comprehend them As perhaps it may be about the Deity of Christ or the Holy Trinity how they can be three and yet but one or about Satisfaction How the Debt is paid and yet the Sinner freely pardoned c. Now Faith is as a Shield to a Saint at this time and interposeth between a Christian and this Arrow of Satan it comes in to the relief of the Saints weak Understanding as seasonable as Zerviah did to David when the Giant Ishbibenob thought to have slain him I 'le trust the Word of God saith the Soul rather than my own purblind Reason what I cannot comprehend I will believe Thus Abraham not being weak in Faith Rom. 4.19 considered not his own Body now dead c. Sense and Reason would have made sad work at such a dead Lift but Faith brought him off victoriously Secondly Sometimes Satan strives to hit the Conscience all his Assaults and fiery Darts are at another season aimed at that to wound that to cause Horror and Terror within by setting the Evil of Sin and of his own Heart and the Infirmities of his Life before him Satan sets our Sins before us not to humble us but to wound us he shews our Sins to us but hides a Saviour from us Satan hath sometimes tempted gracious Persons to lay violent hands upon themselves when the heinous Nature of their Sin hath appeared to them and the Danger they are in thereby as it was with the poor Jailor Acts 16. Acts 16. But now Faith prevents and keeps off all the Danger and quencheth this fiery Dart. Christ died for Sinners for the chiefest of Sinners and tho thou art a Sinner a great Sinner the worst of Sinners yet saith Faith Thou art but a Sinner and there is Mercy for such Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved if thou canst believe and throw thy self on Christ thy Sins shall not be thy Ruin Thirdly He labours to ensnare the Affections of the Soul or deaden its fervent Love to Jesus Christ by presenting the Pleasures and Profits of this World to it Thus he served our Saviour himself But now Faith shields off this Dart also by shewing the Excellency of the Lord Jesus to the Soul and that all things without him and in comparison of him are nothing nay less than nothing and also by setting the World to come and the Glory thereof before the Eyes of the Soul Heb. 11.1 Faith is the Substance of things hoped for and the Evidence of things not seen IV. A Shield tho heavy and somewhat unwieldy to such as have not skill and strength to use it yet it is a moveable Piece of Armor which an expert Souldier with a watchful eye can turn this way and that way to stop a Dart or Blow from lighting on any part that they were directed to by the Enemy IV. Faith is a piece of Christian Armor which unskilful Professors are not ready to use but an experienced Soul can turn it any way to keep off the Arrow and fiery Darts of Satan from hurting or wounding him He observes what part the Enemy aims to hit or how the Temptation is laid It is a great point of Christian Wisdom rightly to exercise the Shield of Faith A Man must be sure to have a watchful Eye upon his Adversary or else for all his Shield he may soon be wounded V. A Shield doth not only defend the whole Body but it is a Defence to other parts of a Souldier's Armor also it keeps off the Dart from the Helmet and Breast-plate likewise V. Faith doth not only defend the whole Soul but also 't is a Safeguard to all the other parts of a Christian's Armor it is that which secures Hope the Helmet of Salvation for without Faith Hope would soon be broken in pieces Also it secures the Breast-plate of Righteousness for neither Christ's Righteousness nor any inherent Holiness in the Soul will avail any thing without Faith VI. A Shield hath been of wonderful advantage to Souldiers in former Times when it was in use it hath preserved them in the
beholding an Army of Souldiers with Helmets on III. A well-grounded Hope of Salvation and of Victory against the Enemy tends to the compleat harnessing or fitting out of every true Christian to meet and encounter with the Adversary by which means also they are said to be as terrible as an Army with Banners which Mr. Ainsworth applies to this Armor 2 Cor. 10.4 The Weapons of our Warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of Strong-Holds c. Israel being compleatly furnished with Armor of Proof who were a People saved by the Lord the Shield of their Hope and who was the Sword of their Excellency God hereby put the Fear and Dread of them upon all the Nations under the whole Heavens who heard of the Fame of them and trembled not Deut. 2.2 The People heard and were afraid Exod. 15.14 15 16. Psal 48 5 6. Sorrow took hold on the Inhabitants of Palestina The Dukes of Edom were amazed the mighty Men of Moab Trembling took hold upon them All the Inhabitants of Canaan melted away and Dread fell upon them And thus will it be again when God brings forth the Sons of Zion against the Sons of Greece every way compleatly armed with Shield and Helmet as an Army with Banners Zech. 9 13 IV. An Helmet as well as other Pieces of Armor must not be put off or laid aside until the Battel be over There are some Instruments and Engines used in War that are made use of but now and then but the Shield Breast-plate and Helmet c. are necessary continually when Arms are employed IV. So Hope the Helmet of Salvation must be taken by every true Christian and never laid aside until the Field is won and all the Enemies subdued Hence saith the Apostle 1 Pet. 1.13 Gird up the Loins of your Minds be sober and hope to the End for the Grace that shall be brought unto you at the Revelation of Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 13. ult Heb. 6.11 12. Now abideth Faith Hope and Charity We desire every one of you to shew the same diligence to the full assurance of Hope unto the end V. A Souldier that hath his compleat Armor on as the having on the Helmet doth import because it is usually the last Piece of Armor defensive that is put on is ready for Service when his Captain commands him forth and from hence he is animated and becomes very diligent and doth great Execution oftentimes upon the Enemy yea and more is expected from him than from one that is unarmed V. So a Souldier of Jesus Christ having the whole Christian Armor on is ready for any Service or Suffering for his Captain and waits but for the Word of Command and he adventures forth as Abraham did not knowing whither he went Hope of Salvation particularly maketh a Man very active it is called a lively Hope more is expected from him than from one that is hopeless Alas he goes on without any Heart that hath no grounded Hope of Heaven and the blessed Enjoiment of God and Christ for ever Metaphor Disparity AN Helmet which Men use in War hath been may be pierced through to the loss of the Life of the Souldier that hath it on BUt this spiritual Helmet called the Hope of Salvation which hath God and all Good both here and hereafter for its Object against this there can be no Assault made nor Force of Weapon used to the endangering of the Life of the Soul II. An Helmet used in War amongst Men tho it may preserve the Head from Danger yet it cannot preserve the Breast but that may be wounded by Sword or Dart. II. But a well-grounded Hope the Helmet of Salvation doth wonderfully preserve the Conscience as well as the Judgment from being corrupted by the Wounds of Error and rotten Principles carried on by the cunning Craftiness of Men whereby they lie in wait to deceive III. Men may have Helmets on and yet notwithstanding lose the Day be overcome and flie before their Enemies with Shame and Disgrace III. But he that engageth in this spiritual Armor of which the Helmet is a part Ephes 6. having on the whole Armor of God doth not only make a Christian to withstand the Enemy but also to stand against any Assault Rom. 5.5 Hope of Salvation maketh not ashamed Inferences FRom hence you may perceive how exceeding useful Hope is to all true Christians in their spiritual Warfare with the Enemies of the Soul 2. It shews that a Christian's Life is a Life of Hope or Expectation The Promises of God are not presently accomplished he seems to stay long ere he makes good what he hath engaged to give to them 3. And tho he stays long before he performs his Promise to us yet they shall be accomplished at last in the best time to the eternal Joy of their Hearts Hope deferred makes the Heart sick but when it comes it is a Tree of Life The Vision is for an appointed Time but at the end it shall speak and not lie c. 4. That tho God stays long before he performs his Word and Promise yet it is our Duty to wait patiently till it is fulfilled Wait for it because it shall surely come c. 5. That Hope pacifies and quiets the Soul of a Believer till the Promises are accomplished and fulfilled It may also serve to caution every Christian to take heed he does not take a counterfeit Helmet There is a Hope that will prove like a Spider's Web. Tho a true and lively Hope maketh not ashamed yet some Men will one day be ashamed of their Hope c. See Hope the Anchor of the Soul Hope compared to an Anchor Heb. 6.19 Which Hope we have as the Anchor of the Soul both sure and stedfast c. HOpe is not only compared to an Helmet but also to an Anchor as the Soul is compared to a Ship which Metaphor is opened under its proper Head Quest What is this Hope that is called the Anchor of the Soul Answ 1. Negatively It is not a Hope of being rich great and mighty in the World They esteem not of things below at such a rate as to make them their Hope If I have made Gold my Hope or have said to the fine Gold Job 31.24 thou art my Confidence c. Gold is put here by a Synechdoche of the Part for the Whole for all earthly things so that whereas Job saith If I have made Gold my Hope his meaning is if I have made any good things on Earth my Hope There is great difference saith Mr. Caryl between hoping for Gold and making Gold our Hope we may hope for worldly good things but we must not make any thing of this Life our Hope And further he saith 'To make Gold either gotten or to be gotten our Hope implieth these four things 1. An high Estimation of it as that which can do great things for us or stand us in
2 Pet. 2.2 3 which greatly tend to the spoiling of God's Vineyard And then the Church is greatly annoyed also by the wild Boar as David shews The Boar of the Wood doth waste it and the wild Beasts of the Field devour it Psal 80.13 By which are meant the cruel Enemies the Church met with in those Days like as in these latter Times she hath the Pope who may fitly be compared to a wild Boar and the bloody Papists to ravenous Beasts Beasts of Prey such as continually delight in Blood and Rapine and to tear the Lambs out of Christ's Fold or destroy the precious Bunches of the tender Grapes VIII A Vineyard is continually watched over lest any thing should annoy or hurt it VIII So God is said to watch over his People In that day sing unto her Isa 27.2 3 A Vineyard of red Wine I the Lord do keep it every moment lest any hurt it I will keep it night and day IX Many that are idle are call'd into a Vineyard to work IX So God calls Men into his spiritual Vineyard to labour therein with the Promise of Reward See Mat. 20. Mat. 20.2 to 8. The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Man that is an Housholder which went out early in the morning to hire Labourers into his Vineyard and when he had agreed with the Labourers for a Penny a day he sent them into the Vineyard And he went out and saw others standing idle in the Market-place X. He that is employed to plant and dress a Vineyard or is a faithful Labourer therein is allowed to eat of the Fruit thereof besides his Reward at night X. So those whom God employs as Planters and Vine-dressers in his spiritual Vineyard ought to eat of the Fruit thereof viz. have a sufficient Maintenance allowed them Who planteth a Vineyard 1 Cor. 9.7 14. and eateth not of the Fruit thereof or who feedeth a Flock and eateth not of the Milk of the Flock even so the Lord hath ordained that they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel XI It is expected by the Owner of a Vineyard that after much Cost and Pains is bestowed upon it it should bring forth much Fruit. XI So after God hath bestowed much Pains and Cost with a People as he did with Israel Isa 5.4 What could have been done more to my Vineyard than I have done in it he expects Fruit And he looked it should bring forth Grapes and it brought forth wild Grapes XII A Vineyard having had great Labour and Cost bestowed upon it and not yielding Fruit answerable to the Charge greatly grieves and troubles the Owner causing him to lay it desolate and care no more for it XII So when a People have had much Cost and Pains bestowed upon them by the Lord and yet they remain barren and unfruitful walking like Men and bringing forth sour Grapes Grapes of Sodom rather than good Fruit He is greatly offended and grieved thereat and many times dealeth by that People Church or Nation as he threatned to deal by Israel of old I will take away the Hedge thereof Isa 5.3 4 5 6 7 8 9. and it shall be eaten up and break down the Wall thereof and it shall be trodden down And I will lay it waste it shall not be pruned nor digged but there shall come up Bryars and Thorns I will cause the Rain to rain upon it no more c. Therefore I say unto you Mat. 21.43 The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a Nation bringing forth the Fruits thereof Which of all Judgments is the most severe God deliver his Church in England from so sore a Stroke Inferences THis may teach the Church and People of God to take heed they answer the Pains and Cost God hath been at with them It is not a little Jam. 3.18 Rom. 5.17 but much Fruit that God expects from us and not only Grapes but good Grapes sweet Grapes viz. Fruits of Righteousness II. And let all the Plants in this spiritual Vineyard see to it Mat. 15.13 that they are Plants of God's own planting for if they are not they shall be plucked up III. And let those that his own Right-hand hath planted see also that they be well rooted 1. A Tree not well rooted bears but little Fruit. 2. A Tree not well rooted is subject to be shaken and blown down 3. A Tree not well rooted is in danger of being pluck'd up 1. Labour to be rooted in all the Essentials of true Religion 2. And in all the Principles of Instituted Worship 3. And in all the Graces of the holy Spirit in Faith Love c. Eph. 3.17 IV. It may also be of use to encourage and comfort the Church of God whilst it remains fruitful to him How safe and secure is that Vineyard that God hath so gloriously walled in on every side In vain are all the Strivings and Strength of bloody Rome if God openeth not the Door for them they can never prevail against us 5. It also may be for Reproof to loose and slothful Professors O what Danger do their Sins expose God's Church to The Church compared to a Virgin 2 Cor. 11.2 I have espoused you to one Husband that I may present you as a chast Virgin to Christ A Chast Virgin This Simile alludes to the legal Type of the High-Priest who might marry none but a Virgin Lev. 21.14 Note The Church or a gracious Soul is by the Apostle compared to an espoused Virgin I have espoused you i. e. I have been an Instrument or Spokesman in the hand of my blessed Lord and Master herein Simile Parallel A Virgin is a Person that is not defiled one that hath been kept pure from Fornication and Uncleanness THe Church of God and every sincere Christian is kept pure from Idolatry viz. the inordinate Love of this World and all Antichristian Worship Rev. 14.4 Hence the Forty four thousand upon Mount Sion are said to be Virgins those are they which were not defiled with Women that is with the Mother of Harlots mystical Babylon nor with any of her Daughters for they are Virgins that is true and chaste to Christ II. A chast Virgin that is espoused to an Husband is greatly beloved by him II. So the Church and each sincere Christian is dearly beloved by the Lord who is said to rejoyce over his People Isa 63.4 5 as a young Man rejoyceth over his Bride III. A Virgin espoused to an Husband longeth for the Wedding-day III. So the Church longeth for the Return of the Bridegroom Cant. 8.14 Rev. 19.7 8 when Christ will take her to himself The Marriage of the Lamb is come c. IV. A Virgin espoused greatly prizeth every kind Token of Love from her Friend and delights to hear from him IV. So all sincere Souls wonderfully prize every precious Token of Christ's special Favour to them Let him kiss me
Woman in Travail and Anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first Child The Voice of the Daughter of Zion that bewaileth her self Jer. 4.31 that spreadeth forth her hands saying Wo is me now for my Soul is weary because of Murtherers Be in pain labour to bring forth O Daughter of Zion Mich. 4.10 like a Woman in Travail For now shalt thou go forth out of the City and thou shalt dwell in the Field and thou shalt go even to Babylon there shalt thou be delivered the Lord shall redeem thee from the hand of thine Enemies IV. A Mother when she hath brought forth her Children layeth them to her Breasts to feed and nourish them and letteth them lie in her very Bosom taking abundance of Care and Compassion of them IV. So the Church of God when she hath in a spiritual manner brought forth Children she giveth them her two precious Breasts which are the sound and sacred Doctrine of the Old and New Testament those she draweth forth to give her new-born Babes the sincere Milk of the Word that they may grow thereby 1 Pet. 2.1 1 2 3. Prov. 31.1 V. A godly Mother giveth good Counsel and Instruction to her Children It was a great Mercy to Timothy that he had such a good Woman as Eunice to be his Mother who took care to give him good Education and brought him up religiously 't is said he knew the holy Scriptures from a Child V. So the Church of God giveth good Counsel and Instruction to all her Children Saints are not only fed by the Church but well taught also Solomon exhorts the Sons of Wisdom to hear the Instruction of their Father Prov. 1.8 and not to forsake the Law of their Mother The true Church teacheth nothing for Doctrine but what she hath received from the Mouth of Christ She doth not like the Mother of Harlots teach for Doctrine cursed Fopperies idle ridiculous and superstitious Ceremonies which are a Reproach to the Christian Religion and a great Hindrance both of the Jews and Heathens from owning of it They are all holy Rites pious and undeniable Laws and just Rules of Discipline consonant to the holy Word of God that she teacheth all her Children VI. A Mother ought to be obeyed and reverenced in all things by her Children her just Commands must be submitted to 'T is a great Evil to rebell against a Mother VI. So the Church of God ought to be obeyed and reverenced in all things 'T is an abominable Evil to slight or disobey the Church our spiritual Mother Her Instructions and Admonitions must be received with all due care and readiness and those who stubbornly and obstinately refuse to submit are guilty of great Sin VII A wise and godly Mother greatly loves and is tender of all her Children She taketh care to carry it evenly towards every one of them not to indulge any one out of a fond and great Passion and slight another because not so beautiful and amiable to look upon VII So the Church of God taketh care to carry it tenderly and with much Wisdom to all her Children She acts not partially towards them to countenance one more than another the weak and poorest Saint is as dear to our spiritual Mother as the strongest and richest of them VIII A tender Mother hath much Compassion and Bowels towards her weak sick and helpless Children her Heart akes many times for such VIII So God's Church is filled with Bowels of Pity and Compassion towards her weak and distempered Members How is she troubled for such as are under Temptations or fallen into any spiritual Distemper of the Soul The Churches Bowels should exceed the Bowels of a natural Mother to her sick Children upon this account IX A gracious and godly Mother loveth those Children best that are most dutiful and who dearly love and are most like their Father IX So the Church of God loveth those Children or Saints best that are most diligent dutiful and obedient to Christ and to all the good and wholesom Laws of the Family who love and are most like God in Mercy Mat. 5.45 Heavenly-mindedness in good Works and Acts of Pity and Charity to the Poor these she esteems and prizes highly X. A Mother is allowed by the Father to chastize or correct those Children that grow heady and proud or any ways misbehave themselves to the dishonour of the Father and reproach of the Family X. So the Church is allowed nay required by Christ to correct by gentle Reproof those Children or Members that do transgress the Law of God and if they grow heady proud and stubborn she reproves them sharply but if that will not reclaim them but that they still proceed in a rebellious Mind and misbehave themselves she proceeds further and taketh the Rod of Church-Discipline and withdraws her self from them and denieth them to come to the Table with the rest of her Children Nay if they fall into any scandalous Evil to the Reproach of Christ his Truth and the Houshold of Faith she chastizeth them with the Rod of Excommunication and putteth them quite out of the Family Deliver such an one unto Satan 1 Cor. 5.5 for the Destruction of the Flesh that the Spirit may be saved in the Day of the Lord Jesus XI A Mother is sometimes allowed in the absence of the Father to be chief Governess in the Family and to chuse according to the direction of the Father a Steward over her House and other inferior Officers and as they behave themselves she ought to encourage them and continue them or otherwise turn them out of their Offices XI So the Church of Christ in his absence is appointed to govern all the Affairs of his House and according to those holy Laws and Directions left by him ought to chuse a Steward viz. a Bishop Minister or Pastor to take the Charge of the great Affairs of the Family and other inferior Officers as Deacons c. to take care of the Poor And as the Pastor or Deacons behave themselves she ought to encourage him or them and continue them in their Places but if they fall into Sin or neglect their Work and are unfaithful in their Places she hath power to correct and turn them out always provided she acts according to Rule Against an Elder receive not an Accusation 1 Tim. 5.1 under two or three Witnesses XII A Mother tho her Children prove never so vile and ungodly hath no power to kill them if she doth tho they are her own Children she is deemed by the Law as a Murtherer and as such must die XII So the Church of God tho some of her Members prove very vile and will not be under her Government or turn Hereticks sucking in damnable Errors yet the most she can do is to pass the Censure of Excommunication against them An Heretick Tit. 3.9 10 after the first and second Admonition reject c. And therefore the
Place EXpositors differ about the Meaning of these Words Mercer and Vatablus as Mr. Burroughs observes would carry it thus Laute ut Agnus mox mactatur As a Lamb when it hath large Food it is soon slain so God threatneth Ephraim that he will soon make an end of them only he will let them prosper for a while and feed them largely but it shall be for the Slaughter c. But others rather understand that God would bring Ephraim under such Affliction as should humble them and make them as a Lamb Feed them as a Lamb parcè ac tenuiter not fed as an Heifer that noted their Prosperity but fed as a Lamb that noteth their Adversity For the Food of a Lamb differeth from the Food of an Heifer That which will feed a Lamb will starve an Heifer or an Ox. They have saith God been proud and wanton in the Enjoyment of Peace and Plenty but now they shall have short Commons I will bring them down and lay them low at my Feet they shall be as a Lamb that picks up Grass in the Wilderness as a Lamb in a large Place That is saith Mr. Burroughs they shall be dispersed among the Countries They would not be satisfied in Canaan which was a narrow Place and with the Sheepfold of mine that was therein and now they shall have more Room they shall go into a large Place but it shall be into Captivity But now fully to take in the direct Sence of the Text I will feed them as a Lamb in a large Place that is as a Lamb that shall be alone one Lamb. He speaks of a Lamb singly because that they should be scattered one from another They had Society and might have abode in the sweet Enjoyment of it had they not sinned their Mercies away but since they did not make good use of their Peace and Communion together God threatneth to scatter them one in one Place and another in another Place and they should be as a Lamb alone in the Wilderness succourless helpless shiftless bleating up and down Which affords us a profitable Parallel Simile Parallel A Lamb in a large Place that feeds in a Wilderness alone is very solitary and as it hath been observed wanders about bleating seeming greatly troubled for want of Company SO when God scatters his People by Persecution because they have not prized nor improved that Peace and Plenty which he hath afforded them in their own Fold nor regarded the Sweetness of Christian Society and Communion together they shall wander about bleating as it were being greatly troubled for want of that Fellowship they once enjoyed Thus it was with the poor Jews II. A Lamb alone in a large Place wandering up and down in a Wilderness among Wolves Lions c. is in great danger of being devoured every moment when such as remain in the Fold with the Flock are generally safe and very secure II. So a poor Christian that strays abroad or gets out of God's Fold and is as a Lamb in a large Place is in great danger of being spoiled and devoured every moment when such Christians as abide in the Church and keep close to the Fellowship and Communion thereof are safe Also Christians that are scattered and forced by Persecution from the Society of the Saints are obnoxious to many Deaths and Dangers III. A Lamb in a large Place or Wilderness hath none to help it who watches or takes care of such a Lamb It hath no Shepherd to look after it none that regards it III. So those Christians that stray abroad or are forced to wander in a bewildered Estate have no Fellowship with God's People nor are they under the special Care or Charge of any of his particular Ministers none regard them Which is a sore and lamentable State IV. A Lamb in a large Place is forced to seek its own Food and provide for it self when such as remain in the Fold or in the Flock the Shepherd takes care of them and daily feeds them they have no Want when the poor Lamb in the Wilderness is in hard Weather near starving IV. So Such Christians as stray abroad and walk alone not belonging to any particular Church have little Food but what they can find themselves they have not those sweet and blessed Refreshments at the Lord's Table and in the daily Communion with God's People as such have who are orderly Members This made the Spouse cry out Tell me Cant. 1.7 O thou whom my Soul loveth where thou feedest and where thou makest thy Flocks to rest at Noon c. Inferences FRom hence we may infer what a sore Evil it is to be scattered from the Flock of God Some slight Christian Society and think the Yoke of Christ is too hard and uneasy for their Necks they account it Bondage and not Liberty they do not like Christ's Fold And how just is it with God to blind the Eyes of such and leave them to wander in the Wilderness and let them feed as a Lamb in a large Field being exposed to the Danger of many Enemies 2. Some Men love their Liberty and they may have Liberty enough but such may be their Liberty that it may prove as one well observes their Misery To keep in the Compass of God's Commands is the best Liberty of all as David professeth Then shall I have Liberty when I keep all thy Commandments Other Liberty will most certainly bring us into Straits and ruine us if we do not take heed and return unto God Many want Elbow-Room and would fain get out of God's Limits tho such may at present have Peace yet mark well their End It is a fearful Judgment to be left to wander 3. Prize Christian Society then and account it your Mercy that you are not as a Lamb in a large Place and improve the Mercy you now enjoy lest God bring that heavy Judgment upon you to break and scatter you as many have been in Days past and made to seek their Bread in a howling Wilderness The Heart of a Saint compared to an Heart of Flesh Ezek. 36.26 And I will give them a Heart of Flesh c. I. A Heart of Flesh is a tender thing every small Prick will make it bleed So every Sin nay the smallest Sin will offend and make a tender-hearted Christian cry out much more a great Sin II. A Heart of Flesh is a soft Heart the Philosophers Description of a soft thing is that it easily gives way to a Touch So a true Christian a tender-hearted Christian will yield to God's Word to his Reproofs to his Commands c. Lay your Finger upon a Stone and that yields not but lay your Finger upon Flesh and that will yield 2 King 22.19 So will a Saint Josiah's Heart melted when the Law of God was read to him his Heart gave way and yielded to God's Word and trembled at the Judgments denounced he had a Heart of Flesh a tender and soft Heart
the Foundation c. Heb. 6.1 2 let us go on to Perfection and so grow up unto him in all things who is the Head Gospel-Builders are for the perfecting of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry for the edifying of the Body of Christ Eph. 4 5. till we all come into the Vnity of the Faith and Knowledg of the Son of God unto a perfect Man c. Metaphor Disparity EArthly Builders build with ordinary Wood Stones Brick c. lifeless and dead Materials Also they build Houses for Men or mortal Creatures only which may be soon destroyed by an Enemy BUt the spiritual Builders build the House of God with precious Stones not earthly but heavenly not dead but living Ye also as lively Stones are built up a spiritual House and not for Man but an House or Habitation for God through the Spirit a House that the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against Divers Disparities are also here omitted and left to be enlarged by the studious Reader Inferences THis may inform all that look upon themselves to be spiritual Builders to take heed they do not refuse the chief Corner-Stone as the Jewish Builders did Remember the Foundation is laid which is the Lord Jesus Christ II. It may caution them to take heed they build with fit Materials not with Wood Hay and Stubble but Gold Silver and precious Stones III. It may caution them to take heed they build according to the Rule Let them not mistake the Rule the Pope or Church of Rome is not the Rule as we have shewn in the First Volume Book 3. pag. 1 2 3. General Councils are not the Rule the Light within is not the Rule the Word of God is the only Rule by which these Builders of God's House must do all their Work IV. It may caution them to take heed they do not make any other Doors into the Church than what Jesus Christ hath made The Door that let into the natural Church of the Jews is shut up by him that hath the Keys of David Birth-Privileges will not give a Right to Church-Membership under the Gospel Think not to say within your selves We have Abraham to our Father c. V. It may caution them to take heed they do not leave out of the Building any principal Pillar lest their Building prove defective and stand not long 'T is a fearful thing to alter add to or diminish from the Word of God Rev. 2.2 Ministers compared to Pillars Gal. 2.9 And when James Cephas and John who seemed Pillars c. MInisters are like Pillars in the House of God Simile Parallel A Pillar helps to support and bear up the Building SO Ministers help to support and bear up the Church and House of God II. Pillars are a great Ornament to a Building they serve not only for Use but for Beauty The two Brazen Pillars in Solomon's Temple were curiously adorned with Nets of Chequer-Work Lilly-Work and Rows of Pomegranats c. II. So godly Ministers are a great Ornament to the Church being gloriously adorned many of them with the Gifts and Graces of the blessed Spirit which some think was figured forth by the Pillars of the Temple in respect of the Chequer and Lilly-Work and by the Pomegranats the Fruitfulness of their Conversation c. III. These Pillars stood in the Porch of the Temple III. So the Apostles those chief Pillars of the Gospel-Church lived in the beginning of the Church saith Mr. Lee Mr. Sam. Lee fol. 228. or entrance of the Gospel-Ministration Ministers compared to Shepherds Ezek. 34.9 O ye Shepherds hear the Word of the Lord. MInisters in divers places of the holy Scriptures of the New Testament are compared to Shepherds Metaphor Parallel A Shepherd is chosen and appointed to take care of the Flock being a Man skilful in that Work SO a Minister is chosen and appointed to take care of the Flock and Church of God and of the Souls of Men committed to his Charge II. A Shepherd feeds his Flock leading them into good green Pastures III. So Ministers feed the Flock of Christ Simon Son of Jonas lovest thou me Feed my Sheep Feed my Lambs c. Feed them with good Doctrine feed them with a good Example III. A Shepherd endeavours to keep the Flock together lest any should stray from the Fold III. So a faithful Minister strives to keep all the Members of the Church under his Care together and will not if he can help it suffer any of them to go astray IV. A Shepherd watches over his Flock in the Night lest any Danger by Dogs Wolves or Foxes should befall them Luke 2.8 And there were in the same Country Shepherds abiding in the Field keeping Watch over their Flocks by Night c. IV. So Ministers must abide with their Flock they must not be at a distance from them lest Evil should befall them from the Enemy there being many Dogs Wolves and cunning Foxes abroad seeking to destroy and spoil the Sheep and Lambs of Jesus Christ I mean subtil Deceivers and Persecutors V. Shepherds are very tender of their Flocks and drive them as they can go shewing much Compassion to the Weak and Feeble and endeavouring to heal and strengthen the Diseased V. So Ministers should be very tender of the Saints or spiritual Flock and not impose upon them such things as they are not convinced of to be their Duty they must not drive them out of their Pace and the Weak and Feeble among them they ought to take compassion upon and strive to heal the Diseased The Shepherds of Israel failing herein greatly provoked the Owner of the Sheep against them The Diseased saith he ye have not strengthned neither have ye healed that which was sick c. Strengthen ye the weak Hands Ezek. 34.4 and confirm the feeble Knees VI. Shepherds sometimes keep Sheep that are none of their own VI. So Ministers keep Christ's Sheep Feed My Sheep They are Christ's by Choice by Gift by Purchase by Conquest c. VII Shepherds ought to feed of the Milk of that Flock they feed VII So Ministers ought to be fed by the Flock or Church they feed 1 Cor. 9.7 Who feedeth a Flock and eateth not of the Milk of the Flock c. VIII 'T is a Shame to a Shepherd to regard the Fleece more than the Flock it may be said of some Shepherds if they are fed and have the Fleece let what will befall the Sheep they matter not VIII 'T is a Shame and great Reproach to a Minister and a Sign he is none of Christ's Servant who chiefly regards his own base and carnal Ends if he has but the Fleece and be well fed let what will become of the Church or Souls of those under his Charge he seeks not them but theirs Inferences HEnce Ministers may be greatly encouraged to a faithful and careful Disâ—harge of their Trust for that they serve the Lord Jesus whose the Sheep
Cozener Impostor Ainsworth See Liegh's Crit. Sacr. seduced and seducing others Such our Saviour and his Apostles were reputed but falsly others are truly so called who deal fraudulently and false-heartedly with God Men and their own Hearts Deceiver Parallel A Deceiver or cunning Impostor hath many Ways whereby he secretly and with much craftiness seeks to trapan and beguile his Neighbour As 1. He will pretend himself to be a special Friend and so insinuate into a Man's Affection 2. He strives to find out the Disposition of the Person he intends to cheat 3. He will the better to accomplish his Design change his Name and pretend himself some worthy and noble Person and of some eminent Family 4. He will watch the fittest Opportunity to effect his Enterprize 5. He will sometimes put a Vizard on his Face and often change his Habit that he may deceive the more securely 6. And if he is in danger to be taken he will exclaim against the Deceiver and cry out Stop Thief c. FAlse-Teachers who are cunning to deceive have many ways to delude poor Creatures As 1. They commonly pretend much Pity and Compassion to the Souls of Men and hereby they endeavour to wind themselves into their Affections and when once a Person harbours a good Opinion of them their Work is half done 2. They seek to find out what Parts they have and what Principles they hold with whom they converse for if they perceive they are Men and Women well rooted and grounded in the Orthodox Faith and able to defend the Truth they have little hopes of prevailing but if they find that they are Persons of a weak Judgment and mind more abundantly the Conversation of Men than what Doctrine they hold or do more mind and regard the Circumstantials of Religion than the grand Fundamentals thereof they will pursue such close 3. They do always change their Names for if their Names were known they could not beguile so many Were Error False-Doctrine Blasphemy Heresy Wolves in Sheeps Cloathing Foxes cunning Serpents Deceivers c. but writ upon their Foreheads most People would be afraid of them but they contrary-wise call themselves Christ's Ministers Witnesses of Jesus Friends of Truth the Lamb's Followers c. Also 't is common with them to pretend themselves to be the Orthodox Men Sons of the Church of the Holy Church of the Catholick Church Masters in Israel Guides of the Blind c. 4. They study to find out the fittest Season and Opportunity to accomplish their Design and Hellish Purpose viz. They watch for such a Time when the Professors of the Gospel and Truths of Jesus begin to decline in their Zeal and to lose much of the Power of Godliness and seem to make a mighty Stir about the Form thereof and are much divided amongst themselves when Iniquity doth abound and the Love of many waxeth cold in a word when Men begin to grow secure or the true Shepherd is off of his Watch then these Wolves and Deceivers get abroad and like that wicked Enemy sow their Tares of Error and Delusion 5. The Jesuits those crafty Deceivers have often appeared in a Disguise externally and do usually change their Garbs c. Sometimes they are Holders-forth in a Quakers Meeting at other times they will counterfeit themselves to be Lawyers Sometimes they will take on them the Habit of Priests sometimes Merchants sometimes Shoo-makers c. And all this that they may the more securely carry on their wicked Designs and Purposes to pervert poor Souls c. 6. And lastly When these False-Teachers and Deceivers begin to fear they shall be discovered and perceive there is a Cry raised against them and that they are closely pursued and in danger to be taken then to save themselves they cry out against others None are more ready to exclaim against False-Teachers and Deceivers than they endeavouring to cast all the Infamy and black Aspersions imaginable upon the true and faithful Ministers of the Gospel loading them with all the foulest Calumnies they can devise that they themselves may in the mean while pass the better for true Men and be the less suspected Thus those blind Guides in Israel served our Saviour himself Some said He is a good Man Joh 7.12 8.48 Mat. 27.63 others said Nay but he deceiveth the People Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan and hast a Devil Sir we remember that the Deceiver said whilst he was yet alive After three days I will rise again And thus they exclaimed against the Apostles Paul was called a Mover of Sedition and by False-Teachers he with others were called Deceivers As Deceivers and yet true c. Acts 24.14 After that way which they call Heresy so worship I the God of my Fathers c. II. Some Deceivers have been notorious in the horrid Practice of beguiling others They have been such Crafts-Masters at it that they have deceived Multitudes and not only the common Sort of People but divers great Men and Princes have been cheated by them II. So the Pope and his Hierarchy those cursed Deceivers in the Romish Church have been notorious in the Hellish Trade of beguiling the Souls of Men. How many Millions have they deceived O the Multitudes they have led blindfold to Hell The Kings of the Earth have been beguiled by her and the Inhabitants of the Earth have been made drunk and bewitched with the Wine of her Fornication III. Some Deceivers have so far prevailed that they have utterly ruined whole Families cheating People of their best and chiefest Treasure III. So False-Teachers have sometimes so wonderfully prevailed that they have utterly corrupted ruined and undone by their false Doctrine many Nations Cities Towns and Families cheating them of the Truth of Christ and his blessed Ordinances and not only so but thereby also of their Souls Mat. 16.26 which are of more worth than all the World IV. Grand Impostors old Cheats and Deceivers 't is observed rarely reform their Hellish Lives and become true Men but grow worse and worse till Justice seizes them IV. So False-Teachers Hereticks and Seducers seldom or never are recovered and brought back by unfeigned Repentance to the true Church of God And therefore the Apostle Paul saith 1 Tim. 3.13 Evil Men and Seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived c. V. The End of Cheaters and Impostors we see oft-times is sad If he be a notorious Offender and be taken he dies without Mercy V. So the last End of False-Teachers and Hereticks will be sad and miserable They are said to bring upon themselves swift Destruction The Beast 2 Pet. 2.2 3. Rev. 19.20 and False-Prophet shall be cast alive into the Lake of Fire burning with Brimstone c. THE Church of ROME Mystery Babylon The GREAT CITY and GREAT WHORE Revel 17. Proved to be the ROMISH CHURCH WITH THE Grand Objections of the Papists Answered REV. 14.8 And there followed
present State Ways Worships and Pollutions of the World c. Parallels A Wilderness is commonly a waste wild and barren Place some of which are of a vast Bigness This World is of a vast bigness and very barren of Grace and Holiness II. A Wilderness abounds with Briars and Thorns So doth the World with wicked and ungodly Men who are compared to Thorns and Briars III. In a Wilderness are many wild and devouring Beasts so that 't is dangerous to dwell in it or pass through it So this World abounds with cruel and unmerciful Men who are called Wolves Lions Bears Dogs Dragons c. by which means God's People are always exposed to great Trouble and Danger whilst they remain therein IV. In a Wilderness a Man may soon lose his Way and wander up and down So whilst Men abide in this World they are subject to go astray and wander from the Path of of Peace and Righteousness and therefore have great need of a Guide V. In a Wilderness commonly grow Trees of divers sorts some good and some evil So in the World are Men both good and bad righteous and wicked VI. In a howling Wilderness a Wall of Fire is exceeding necessary to preserve from wild and ravenous Beasts God upon this account is said to be a Wall of Fire to his People whilst they remain in this World amongst the Sons of Belial See Wall of Fire Vol. 1. p. 76 77. Zech. 2.5 VII In a Wilderness there is no tilling sowing nor planting So in the common Field of this World there grows little or nothing but what the carnal and natural Hearts of Sinners bring forth VIII A Wilderness is a solitary and dolesom Place so is this World to a godly Man The World compared to a Field Mat. 13.38 The Field is the World Parallels THe Field is a broad Place So is the World II. In a Field grows Wheat and Tares good and evil Seed So in this World there are good and evil Men Saints and Sinners which God would have grow together like the Wheat and Tares until the Harvest III. What is set or sowed or comes up naturally in a Field ripens for Harvest So the Godly and the Ungodly whilst they remain in the common Field of this World ripen for the spiritual Harvest IV. In a Field Flowers and other precious Things oft-times receive much detriment from Enemies evil Beasts and many other ways So the Godly whilst they remain in this World receive great Hurt from Satan wicked Men and from the Corruptions and Evils of their own Hearts V. Part of a Field an Husband-man separates sometimes from the rest to make a Garden Orchard or Vineyard of So God the good Husband-man hath taken a little Part or Parcel of the Sons of Men from the rest to be a peculiar People to himself The End of the World compared to Harvest Mat. 13.39 The Harvest is the End of the World WHen the Harvest is ripe 't is cut down the Husband-man sends Reapers into the Field So when all the Elect are ripe for Heaven and Wickedness is grown to full Maturity so that ungodiy Ones are all ripe for Hell the End of the World will come and then God will send Reapers into the Field which are the holy Angels and they will cut down and gather out of the Field all Things that offend and them that do Iniquity II. At the Harvest the Reapers divide between the good and evil Grain they bind up the Wheat by it self and the Tares by themselves c. So shall these spiritual Reapers do they shall gather all the Elect like Wheat into God's Garner and bind up the Tares into Bundles to be burned III. The Husband-man waits with much patience for the Harvest So God Almighty patiently waits bearing and forbearing with wicked Men until the End of the World Disparity When Harvest is all housed the Husband-man presently tills and prepares his Ground again designing to sow more Seed But when this Harvest is all come home and housed God the good Husband-man will not till plow or sow the Field of the World any more no more Gospel to be preached nor Graces or Gifts to be distributed when this Harvest is ended Of the Life of Man The Life of a Man compared to a swift Post Job 9.25 Now my Days are swifter than a Post c. Parallels A Post rides swiftly he makes haste So the Life of Man or Time of a Man's Life swiftly passeth away II. A Post ought to make no stay So the Days of Man's Life stay not the Hour-Glass of Time runs continually and never stands still A Post saith my Author is an excellent Emblem of Time Caryl There are many Considerations in Post-riding which shews how exceeding speedy Time must be to which it is here compared 1. A Post rides upon fleet or speedy Horses 2. He rides his Horses upon their speed A Man may have speedy Horses and go softly but a Post spurs on 3. A Post hath Change of Horses at every Stage that so he may keep upon the speed 4. He hath Horses standing ready for change they are not to fetch out of the Field or to be made ready when he comes to his Stage it is but leaping into the Saddle and away 5. He that rides Post makes no long Meals much less Feasts he takes a Bit and is gone 6. He lies not long in Bed he scarce goes to Bed till he comes to his Way 's end 7. A Post hath extraordinary Pay for his Service and that to cause him to make the more speed 8. Sometimes he rides upon pain of Death with a Halter about his Neck no Man will loiter when his Life lies on 't 9. All give way to him that rides Post he must not be hindred 10. He stays not to salute much less like other Travellers to gaze and view the Country Towns Buildings Gardens by or through which he passeth All these Things laid together evince that a Post makes great speed yet saith Job My Days are swifter than a Post A Post may by one means or another be stayed but the Days of Man's Life stay not The Post may stay whilst he changes Horses c. But the Chariot of Time viz. the Sun stayeth not to change Horses The Sun is the Measure of Time and that makes no Stop hath no Stage or Baiting-place The Life of Man compared to a swift Ship Job 9.26 They are passed away as the swift Ships or as the Ships of Ebeth SOme understand by Ebeth the Name of a River in the Eastern Part of the World about Arabia near the Place where Job lived that runs very swiftly which adds to the swift Motion of a Ship that sails in it A Ship in a dead Water having the Wind blowing rightly and briskly runs apace but if it hath a swift Stream besides it runs the faster 2. Others take the Word not as a proper Name but as signifying Desire from Abab
middle or within thee shall ascend above thee up up and thou shalt descend down down so the Hebrew which denotes that the Servants or Vassals of the sinning Israelites above whom they bore such a sway should become their Masters and bring them into Thraldom 2 Kings 4.19 And he the Son of the Shunamite said to his Father when he began to be sick in the Field my Head my Head that is my Head most grievously akes Psal 22.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Which Repetition fervently denotes the overmuch cruelty of the Enemy and the mournful Condition of Israel in Captivity Esa 6.3 Holy holy holy is the Lord God of Hosts This triple Repetition denotes the Mystery of the Trinity or three Persons in one Divine Essence see Jer. 22.29 Ezek. 21.27 Mat. 23.37 Luke 22.31 23.21 John 5.24 Act. 9.4 Rev. 18.2 Lev. 24.8 2 Sam. 18.33 Esa 28.10 Hos 2.21 Ezek. 34.17 where you have Examples of this Figure Ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 re 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 duplico to double 2. Anadiplosis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 called in Latine Reduplicatio in English redoubling is when the last word of the former Sentence is repeated in the beginning of the next as Psal 121.1 2. Psal 122 2 3. Psal 98.5 Rom. 8.17 Psal 115.12 Rom. 9.30 10.17 Phil. 2.8 Jam. 1.3 Psal 113.8 This Figure helps to evidence and expound things as in the alleaged Examples Viz. Anadiplosis 3. Climax 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gradatio or a climbing by steps this is a continuation of the former Figure * in more degrees so as that the last of the antecedent Sentence must be a part of the following as Hos 2.21 And it shall come to pass in that day I will hear saith the Lord I will hear the Heavens and they that is the Heavens shall hear the Earth and the Earth shall hear the Corn and the Wine and the Oil and they that is the Corn and the Wine and the Oil shall hear Jezreel This Gradation may be fitly called an Epitome of Physical Theology which by a fair Prosopopaeia enumerates all the Causes of the Conservation of Universal Nature and particularly of Man See it at large expounded in our Philologia Sacra Book 1. p. 95. John 1.1 John 1.1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and God was the Word this Word was in the beginning with God The true Divinity of Christ and his distinct Subsistence from the Father are most fairly exprest by this Gradation In the third Proposition there is an inversion of the Terms viz. God was the Word for the word was God A like Climax respecting his Office and Benefits is subjoyned ver 4 5 c. See more Examples Joel 1.3 4. Rom. 5.3 4 5. 8.29 30. 10.14 15. 1 Cor. 11.3 Jam. 14 15. 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7. Matth. 10.40 Rom. 1.30 1 Cor. 3.23 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Anaphora from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 refero to bring back or rehearse is when the same word or more is repeated in the beginning of divers Clauses or Sentences as Deut. 28.3 Blessed shalt thou be in the City and Blessed shalt thou be in the Field ver 4. Blessed shall be the Fruit of thy Belly and the Fruit of thy Ground and the Fruit of thy Cattel c. ver 5. Blessed shall be thy Basket c. ver 6. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out The like Anaphora respecting the Curses of God upon the wicked and rebellious we read ver 16 17 18 19. This Figure is very frequent in Scripture take these few places instead of many Psal 3.1 2. Psal 29.3 4 5 c. Psal 67.5 6 7. Psal 115.12 13. Psal 118.8 9 15 16. Psal 148.1 2 3 c. Psal 150.1 2 3 c. Isa 2.7 8. Jer. 4.23 24 25 26. 5.17 50.35 36 37. 51.20 21 22 23. Micah 5.9 10 11 12. 7.11 12. Zeph. 1.2 3. 1 Cor. 13.4 7 11. 12.8 9 10. 2 Cor. 11.26 And in the Repetition of Pronouns and Particles Psal 94.5 Rom. 8.35 38 39. 2 Cor. 7.11 Phil. 4.8 c. From 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prope near to and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 verto to change 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Epistrophe Conversion is a Figure when the same Word or Phrase is repeated in the end of divers Sentences Examples of the repetitions of single Words among which we reckon the Hebrew Affixes are to be read Deut. 32.10 Ezek. 26.23 24 25 26 27. Rom. 8.31 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If God be for us who can be against us 2 Cor. 11.22 Are they Hebrews so am I are they Israelites so am I Are they the Seed of Abraham so am I c. Examples of Phrases or little Sentences are Psal 115.9 10 11. where their Help and their Shield frequently concludes the Sentence Psal 136.1 2 c. See Deut. 27.15 c. Psal 24.9 10. Joel 2.26 27. Ezek. 33.25 26 27. 36.23 24 25 c. Amos 4.6 8 c. Hag. 2.8 9. Lam. 3.41 c. Mat. 7.22 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Symploce Complication the word is derived of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to wrap or couple together and is a Figure when the same Word or Phrase both begins and ends a Sentence which joyns the two last Figures viz. Anaphora and Epistrophe together Psal 118.2 3 4. Let Israel now say that his Mercy endureth for ever let the House of Aaron now say that his Mercy endureth for ever c. So Psal 136.1 2 3. Jer. 9.23 1 Cor. 12.4 5 6. 14.15 2 Cor. 9.6 c. Psal 47.6 Rom. 14.8 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * From 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 again 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to take and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a taking Epanalepsis Resumptio a taking back is when the same Word is repeated both in the beginning and end of a Sentence as Phil. 4.4 Rejoyce in the Lord always and again I say Rejoyce See Psal 53.2 2 King 18.33 1 Cor. 21.22 2 Cor. 4.3 1 Cor. 12.4 5 6. 14.15 2 Cor. 9.6 Psal 8.1 9. 46.1 ult 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Epanados Regression or turning back derived of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 again and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an ascending or climbing from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upwards and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Way is a Figure when the same word is repeated in the beginning and middle or in the middle and end so as that there is an Inversion of them as Isa 5.20 Wo unto them who call good evil and evil good who put darkness for light and light for darkness that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter Ezek. 7.6 7. Gal. 2.16 2 Cor. 2.10 15 16. John 8.47 Ezek. 36.6 Rom. 7.19 Psal 114.3 4 5 6. Ezek 32.16 2 Thess